Species Of Euphorbiaceae Research Articles

Jatrophane diterpenoids with multidrug resistance-modulating activity from Euphorbia exigua

A primary mechanism of resistance to multiple anticancer drugs is the overproduction of permeability glycoprotein (P gp) in plasma membranes of resistant cells. The P gp acts as an energy-dependent efflux pump, reducing the intracellular accumulation of drug molecules. In recent years, considerable attention has been devoted to the development of new effective multidrug resistance (MDR) modulating agents from natural sources. Promising group of anti-MDR molecules are the macrocyclic diterpenes from Euphorbiaceae species.

Diterpenoids from Euphorbiaceae with Potent Anti-CHIKV and Anti-HIV Activities: Are these Antiviral Properties Correlated?

In the course of our ongoing program focusing on the characterization of anti-CHIKV (Chikungunya virus) compounds from higher plants, we found that several diterpenoids possessing daphnane, tigliane or jatrophane carbon skeletons, isolated from various Euphorbiaceae species were potent and selective inhibitors of the CHIKV replication. Since some daphnane-type and tigliane-type diterpenoids, such TPA and Prostratin, are well known to possess anti-HIV activities, we evaluated the antiviral activity of compounds isolated, as well as commercially available phorbol esters on HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses. The results of this biological survey, still under investigation, indicate that potent anti-CHIKV diterpenoids possess also anti-HIV activities. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alpha virus (Togaviridae) that is transmitted to humans mainly by Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes, while HIV virus is a lentivirus (Retroviridae). Although there is no apparent relationship between these viruses, the mechanism of action by which diterpenoids would act could involve similar targets for the two viruses. We will report in this communication the main structural characteristics of the diterpenoids isolated and their antiviral activities on CHIKV, SINV (Sindbis virus), SFV (Semliki forest virus) and HIV viruses.

Comparative analysis of EST-derived markers for allelic variation in Jatropha curcas L. and cross transferability among economically important species of Euphorbiaceae

The large number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) now available has facilitated the development of molecular markers in many plant species. In the present study, primer pairs amplifying 133 ESTs containing simple sequence repeats (EST-SSR) and 112 intron-length polymorphism (ILP) markers were designed from Jatropha unigenes and unique transcripts from cassava, respectively. Of the primers designed, 71 and 57 were polymorphic for EST-SSR and ILP markers, respectively, in 59 Jatropha accessions. A similar average polymorphism information content (PIC) was observed for each marker system (0.37 for EST-SSR and 0.35 for ILP), suggesting that the two marker systems were similarly effective in determining polymorphisms in Jatropha. A comparison of PCR amplification ability between the two types of markers and cross species transferability indicated that ILP markers, for which a large proportion (68.6 %) of both primers was found in the coding sequence, were significantly more transferable in J. gossypifolia, cassava, rubber tree, and castor bean than EST-SSR markers, for which most (78.9 %) of one or both primers were located in the untranslated regions. This may be attributed to sequence conservation at the primer binding sites in the protein coding region. A comparison between two dendrograms constructed on the basis of EST-SSRs and ILPs revealed that discrimination of same-species alleles by EST-SSRs is clearer than that by ILPs, while ILPs seem to be more reliable for identification between species. The EST-derived markers developed in the present study should be useful for genetic diversity and comparative mapping across species in Euphorbiaceae.

Wound healing activity of latex of Euphorbia caducifolia

Ethanopharmacological relevanceEuphorbia caducifolia is a Euphorbiaceae species native to Thar Desert of India, where latex of E. caducifolia (ECL) is used by the local inhabitants for treatment of bleeding wound, cutaneous eruption and other skin diseases. Looking to the medicinal importance of the plant, it was considered worthwhile to scientifically evaluate the ECL for the wound healing activity. Material and methodsIn vitro methods, clotting of platelet free plasma and angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CCM) were used for studying effect of ECL on clotting and angiogenesis. Excision and incision wounds model were used to study effect of ECL on wound contraction, tensile strength and hydroxyproline and DNA content. ResultsECL treatment stimulates the blood vessel formation in CCM, at the all dose levels. 56.77, 74.48 and 78.09% increase in area of angiogenesis was observed in ECL 2.5, 5.0 and 10mg/ml treated groups respectively. The excised skin of ECL 5.0 and 10mg/ml treated animals found to have higher content of hydroxyproline and DNA, when compared with control group. An acceleration of the wound closure was observed with an enhanced number of fibroblasts and collagen content in ECL treated mice. ConclusionResult of in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that ECL exerts significant wound healing activity, demonstrating its relevant therapeutic potential.

The essential oil of Croton zehntneri and trans-anethole improves cutaneous wound healing

Ethnopharmacology relevanceCroton zehntneri is a Euphorbiaceae species native to northeastern Brazil, where teas and beverages made from Croton zehntneri leaves are used as healing agents. To our knowledge, there is no experimental study supporting this claim of pharmacological activity. Materials and methodsFull-thickness excisional wounds were made in the left and right sides of the dorsum of anesthetised Swiss mice, and a topical pharmaceutical formulation, developed by including essential oil extracted from the leaves of Croton zehntneri (2% and 20% EOCz) in pluronic-127 (PF-127), was administered to mice twice daily for 15 days post-wounding. To evaluate the contribution of trans-anethole, the major constituent of EOCz (85.7%), in the wound healing activity of EOCz, the effect of the topical administration of trans-AT on wound tissue repair was also evaluated and compared to other groups. A macroscopic analysis of swelling and exudates was performed and scored as 0 (missing), 1 (light), 2 (moderate) and 3 (intense). The number of capillaries and leukocytes was counted in hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections of the injured tissue. For extracellular matrix remodelling analysis, fibroblasts and collagen fibres present in the photomicrography of the Masson’s Trichrome (MT)-stained sections were counted. Each experimental group comprised six mice. ResultsAt day 3 post-wounding, it was observed that treatment with 20% EOCz greatly reduced the swelling and exudates with a similar magnitude to the dexamethasone treatment. The inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were not altered by either the EOCz- or trans-AT treatments. In contrast, an acceleration of the wound closure was observed, with an enhanced number of fibroblasts and collagen fibres in both the 20% EOCz- and trans-AT-treated mice. ConclusionOur data indicate that EOCz exerts significant wound healing activity, demonstrating its relevant therapeutic potential.

Development of microsatellite primers for Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) and transferability to congeners

Microsatellite primers were developed for Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae), a tree species with large potential for biofuel production, to investigate its natural genetic diversity and mating system to facilitate the establishment of tree improvement and conservation programs. Using a protocol for genomic library enrichment, 104 clones containing 195 repeat motifs were identified. Primer pairs were developed for 40 microsatellite loci and validated in 41 accessions of J. curcas from six provenances. Nine loci were polymorphic revealing from two to eight alleles per locus, and six primers were able to amplify alleles in the congeners J. podagrica, J. pohliana, and J. gossypifolia, but not in other Euphorbiaceae species, such as Hevea brasiliensis, Manihot esculenta, or Ricinus communis. The primers developed here revealed polymorphic loci that are suitable for genetic diversity and structure, mating system, and gene flow studies in J. curcas, and some congeners.

Hepatoprotective activity of Indian Phyllanthus

Context: Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) species are traditionally well-known for their medicinal properties including hepatoprotective activity.Objective: The study assessed the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of 11 Phyllanthus species, P. amarus Schumach., P. urinaria L., P. debilis Klein ex Willd, P. tenellus Roxb., P. virgatus G. Forst., P. maderaspatensis L., P. reticulatus Poir., P. polyphyllus Willd., P. emblica L., P. indofischerii Bennet. and P. acidus (L.) Skeels.Materials and methods: The dried leaves and stems of each plant species were extracted in methanol and successively in water. The extracts were screened for hepatoprotective activity at a concentration of 50 µg/mL against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BH) induced toxicity in HepG2 cells. Seven extracts from five species that showed hepatoprotective activity were assessed for their 50% effective concentration (EC50) values and their antioxidant activity using a DPPH assay. Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin contents were also determined in these Phyllanthus species.Results: The methanol extracts of P. polyphyllus, P. emblica and P. indofischeri showed high levels of hepatoprotective activity with EC50 values of 12, 19 and 28 µg/mL and IC50 of 3.77, 3.38 and 5.8 µg/mL for DPPH scavenging activity respectively against an IC50 of 3.69 µg/mL for ascorbic acid. None of these activities could be attributed to phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin.Discussion and conclusion: The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of P. indofischeri are demonstrated for the first time in literature. The study also confirms the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of leaves of P. emblica and P. polyphyllus. The molecule(s) responsible for the activities is being investigated.

<p><strong><em>Croton campinarensis</em></strong><strong> (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from eastern Amazonian Brazil</strong></p>

A new species of Euphorbiaceae from eastern Amazonian Brazil, Croton campinarensis, is described and illustrated here. It belongs to Croton section Geiseleria and shares some features with C. strobiliformis, another Amazonian species of white sand habitats.

Structure and development of fruits and seeds of weed species of Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiaceae s.l. presents several morphological types of fruits, of which the schizocarp is the most common. The fruits of weed species of Euphorbia graminea Jacq., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Euphorbia hirta L. (= Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.) and Euphorbia prostrata Aiton (= Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small) are objects of this study. Inflorescences and fruits in development were collected on the campus of the State University of Maringa (UEM), Brazil, fixed in FAA 50 and glutaraldehyde, dehydrated and sectioned with a rotary microtome according to standard morphology and anatomy techniques. The species present several anatomical similarities, though there are some differences related to the outer epidermis of the ovaries, which is glabrous in E. graminea and hairy in the other species. The ripe fruits present a papilose exocarp and lack trichomes, except for E. hirta. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate; the seeds are exotegmic and the embryos are straight.

Biological and Molecular Detection of a virus infecting Wedelia trilobata (Linn.) Hitchc (A Medicinal Herb)

A Potyvirus has been isolated from Wedelia trilobata plants in Aligarh district of state Uttar Pradesh (India). The infected plants were showing mosaic and mottling of leaves as shown below. On host range study virus seem to infect many species of Compositae, Umblifereae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The Thermal Inactivation Point (TIP) was between 55-60°C, dilution end point was within 10-4 and Longevity in Vitro (LIV) at 20°C was within 24 hr. The virus was transmitted by Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Cylindrical inclusion bodies were observed in tissue of the infected plants by electron microscopy. The mean length of the flexous particle was 736.5 nm. The virus was successfully purified from infected Wedelia trilobata by differential centrifugation. The purified virus showed the typical UV spectrum of a nucleoprotein with maximum and minimum absorption at 260 nm and 246 nm, respectively. The A260 /A280 ratio was 1.21 ± 0.04. The symptomatic leaves were analyzed through PCR assays with specific primers.

Morfologia polínica de espécies de Euphorbiaceae s.l. arbóreas ocorrentes no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Foram examinadas sete espécies de Euphorbiaceae s.l. que ocorrem no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil: Actinostemon concolor, Hieronima alchorneoides, Maprounea brasiliensis, Pachystroma longifolium, Pausandra morisiana, Sapium glandulosum e Sebastiania argutidens. Foram caracterizadas, exceto Pausandra morisiana, por apresentarem grãos de pólen em mônades, isopolares, pequenos a médios, de simetria radial, 3-colporados, oblato-esferoidais a prolatos e de superfície microrreticulada. Pausandra morisiana segue o padrão Croton. Os dados morfométricos mostraram que os grãos de pólen de Hieronima alchorneiodes apresentaram o eixo equatorial bem menor em relação às demais espécies estudadas. Pachystroma longifolium foi a única espécie que apresentou uma nexina mais espessa do que a sexina, o que caracteriza grãos de pólen como sendo mais resistentes a processos de fossilização.

A New Species ofPera(Euphorbiaceae) from Amazonian Brazil

A new species of Euphorbiaceae from the Brazilian Amazon, Pera eiteniorum Bigio & Secco, is described and illustrated. This species is closely related to P. tomentosa (Benth.) Müll. Arg., P. membranacea Leal, and P. heteranthera (Schrank) I. M. Johnst., but can be distinguished from them by the following characteristics: the abaxial leaf surface with stellate trichomes and the blade midvein with stellate-lepidote trichomes, staminate flowers with the calyx glabrous or rarely with sparse, sericeous trichomes, and a well-developed rudimentary pistillate flower with a lageniform (flask-shaped) ovary, triangular stigma, and narrowly oblanceolate staminode. Affinities of the new taxon are discussed, and a key to morphologically similar species from Amazonian Brazil is presented.

Leaf structure, microanalysis and characterization of the latex protein profile of Pachystroma longifolium (Nees) I.M. Jonhst. (Euphorbiaceae) in a seasonally dry Atlantic Forest

Pachystroma longifolium is an evergreen species of Euphorbiaceae that occurs in tabuleiro forest, a type of lowland Atlantic Forest. The site chosen for this study was a fragment of tabuleiro forest that has a history of being selectively logged for timber. P. longifolium is very successful at colonizing disturbed areas in this forest fragment in comparison with preserved fragments. In the present work, which was based on using different microscopy (electron and light microscopy, X-ray analysis) and biochemistry techniques, we describe the leaf and latex traits of P. longifolium and their role as defense mechanisms against desiccation and herbivory. Our results suggest the richness of P. longifolium populations, in the disturbed forest area studied, is primarily a consequence of unpalatable leaves because of an abundance of calcium oxalate crystals in the subjacent epidermis; the presence of phenolic compounds in the adaxial surface; and a laticifer system that contains a complex mixture of proteins, which provides resistance to herbivores. In addition, this species is resistant to desiccation during dry periods because of an extensive amount of wax that occurs on the outer cell walls of the epidermis, and its ability to retain water because of a biseriate epidermis.

Seed oil content and fatty acid profiles of five Euphorbiaceae species from arid regions in Argentina with potential as biodiesel source

AbstractFive Euphorbiaceae species (Jatropha macrocarpa, J. hieronymi, J. excisa, Cnidoscolus tubulosus and Manihot guaranitica) were analysed for seed oil content and fatty acid profiles in order to evaluate their potential as sources of biodiesel. The five species are perennial shrubs adapted to arid and semi-arid environments of north-western Argentina. The seed oil content for all species ranged from 27.9 to 38.7% by dry weight. Fatty acid composition consisted mainly of linolenic, myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic, oleic and linoleic acids, with linoleic and oleic acid being the most abundant. Among the five species analysed, J. macrocarpa has the best potential to be used as a biodiesel source. The average total seed oil content (35.8%) and a high value of oleic acid (27.3%) together with the lowest values of linoleic acid (55.8%) make this species a promising crop as a source of biodiesel in arid and semi-arid regions.

Development, characterization, and cross-species/genera transferability of SSR markers for rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)

Genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are particularly valuable in studies of genetic diversity, evolution, genetic linkage map construction, quantitative trait loci tagging, and marker-assisted selection because of their multi-allelic nature, reproducibility, co-dominant inheritance, high abundance, and extensive genome coverage. The traditional methods of SSR marker development, such as genomic-SSR hybrid screening and microsatellite enrichment, have the disadvantages of high cost and complex operation. The selectively amplified microsatellite method is less costly and highly efficient as well as being simple and convenient. In this study, 252 sequences with SSRs were cloned from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) genome from which 258 SSR loci were obtained. The average repeat number was six. There were only 10 (3.9%) mononucleotide, trinucleotide, and pentanucleotide repeats, whereas the remaining 248 (96.1%) were dinucleotide repeats, including 128 (49.6%) GT/CA repeats, 118 (45.7%) GA/CT repeats, and 2 (0.8%) AT/TA repeats. A total of 126 primer pairs (see ESM) were successfully designed of which 36 primer pairs generated polymorphic products from 12 accessions of the cultivated species, 4 related species, and 3 species of the family Euphorbiaceae. In addition, investigations based on four genomic SSRs (GAR4, ACR22, CTR25, and GTR28) by cloning and sequencing provided evidence for cross-species/genera applicability, and homologous sequences were obtained from the rubber tree and Euphorbiaceae. Further analysis about the variation of the flanking regions of the four markers was carried out.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF EUPHORBIACEAE SPECIES FROM LAHORE REGION, PAKISTAN

Euphorbia prostrata, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia splendens, Ricinus communis and Jatropha integearrima (Family: Euphorbiaceae) were selected to explore the phytochemical and pharmacognostical properties. Species of Euphorbiaceae are extensivley used as remedies against several diseases and complaints such as cancer, diabetes, diarrhoea, heart diseases, hemorrhages, hepatitis, jaundice, malaria, ophthalmic diseases, rheumatism and scabies etc. The dried leaves of Euphorbia splendens, Ricinus communis and Jatropha integearrima and dried whole plants of Euphorbia prostrata and Euphorbia hirta extracted with methanol. The Phytochemical screenings was done to identify the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, phytosterol, phenol, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phlobatannins that is helpful in the confirmation of the authenticity of the plants.

Isolation and structure elucidation of four new pentacyclic diterpene polyesters from Euphorbia falcata L.

In our continuing search for biologically active new compounds from Hungarian Euphorbiaceae species, the chemical constituents of Euphorbia falcata L. were investigated. E. falcata an annual herb, widely distributed in garbage places, crops, and fallow lands in Hungary. This plant has not been investigated previously. From the methanol extract of E. falcata four new pentacyclic euphoppin-type diterpene polyesters have been isolated. We report herein the isolation and structure determination of these compounds. The whole plants were extracted with MeOH at room temperature and, after concentration, the extract was partitioned between CHCl3 and H2O. The organic phase was fractionated by column chromatography on polyamide, then by vacuum liquid chromatography on silica gel. Selected fractions from these separations were further purified by RPC and preparative TLC, to yield pure compounds 1-4. The structure elucidation was performed by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and HRESIMS experiments. The stereochemistry of the compounds was studied by NOESY measurements. The isolated compounds were identified as di-, tetra-, penta- and hexaester derivatives of a polyfunctional euphoppin-related diterpene alcohol, acylated with acetic, propanoic, isobutanoic, n-hexanoic and benzoic acids. The 5–7-6–3 fused carbon skeleton indicates that compounds 1-4 biogenetically may be formed from a lathyrane precursor. These type of diterpenes occur rarely, and were only isolated previously from E. aleppica and E. decipiens [1,2,3].

Cloning of casbene and neocembrene synthases from Euphorbiaceae plants and expression in Saccharomycescerevisiae

A large number of diterpenes have been isolated from Euphorbiaceae plants, many of which are of interest due to toxicity or potential therapeutic activity. Specific Euphorbiaceae diterpenes of medical interest include the latent HIV-1 activator prostratin (and related 12-deoxyphorbol esters), the analgesic resiniferatoxin, and the anticancer drug candidate ingenol 3-angelate. In spite of the large number of diterpenes isolated from these plants and the similarity of their core structures, there is little known about their biosynthetic pathways. Other than the enzymes involved in gibberellin biosynthesis, the only diterpene synthase isolated to date from the Euphorbiaceae has been casbene synthase, responsible for biosynthesis of a macrocyclic diterpene in the castor bean ( Ricinus communis). Here, we have selected five Euphorbiaceae species in which to investigate terpene biosynthesis and report on the distribution of diterpene synthases within this family. We have discovered genes encoding putative casbene synthases in all of our selected Euphorbiaceae species and have demonstrated high-level casbene production through expression of four of these genes in a metabolically engineered strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The only other diterpene synthase found among the five plants was a neocembrene synthase from R. communis (this being the first report of a neocembrene synthase gene). Based on the prevalence of casbene synthases, the lack of other candidates, and the structure of the casbene skeleton, we consider it likely that casbene is the precursor to a large number of Euphorbiaceae diterpenes. Casbene production levels of 31 mg/L were achieved in S. cerevisiae and we discuss strategies to further increase production by maximizing flux through the mevalonate pathway.

Croton borbensis, a new species of Euphorbiaceae from white sands of Amazonian Brazil

A new species of Euphorbiaceae, Croton borbensis, is described and illustrated from western Amazonian Brazil. It shares features similar to another white sand Amazonian species, C. dissectistipulatus, but differs in having leaves with a serrulate-glandulose margin, no evident stipules, staminate flowers with six stamens and glabrous pedicels, pistillate flowers with few, shortly stipitate glands on the calyx, and a glabrous ovary. Croton borbensis is tentatively placed in section Barhamia.

Using DNA Barcoding to Identify Species within Euphorbiaceae

In this study, we tested the applicability of four DNA regions (rbcL, matK, ITS, and ITS2) as barcodes for identifying species within Euphorbiaceae. Based on assessments of the specific genetic divergence, the DNA barcoding gap, and the ability for species discrimination, the present results affirmed that ITS/ITS2 is a potential barcode for the Euphorbiaceae species. This study also provided a large-scale test to evaluate the effectiveness of ITS/ITS2 for differentiating species within Euphorbiaceae. Of the 1183 plant samples collected from 871 species in 66 diverse genera, ITS/ITS2 successfully identified > 90% and 100% of them at the species and genus levels, respectively. Therefore, our research indicates that use of the ITS/ITS2 region is a powerful technique for Euphorbiaceae identification.