Zygophyllaceae Research Articles

Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of Crude Extract and Oil of Zygophyllum (Fagonia) luntii (Baker) 1894 (Family Zygophyllaceae)

Traditionally wild plants including Zygophyllum spp., containing many bioactive constituents, are used as medicine. Zygophyllum luntii from Zygophyllaceae family is wildly grown in Oman and has been used for medical purposes. The present study investigated the antibacterial activity of the crude extracts (leaves, stem and roots) and oil (leaves) from Z. luntii. These extracts were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in well diffusion assays utilizing Muller Hinton Agar (MHA). The hydrocarbon contents and the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) components of the extracts were also determined by GC-MS. Significant antibacterial activity was observed in the Z. luntii leaves extract and significant differences (F=14.06, df=2, P=0.002) were found among E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The highest inhibition was observed against P. aeruginosa (15.5 ± 2.64 mm) then E. coli (11.25 ± 1.50mm) and S. aureus (3.50±4.72 mm). The Z. luntii extracts showed about 50-60% effectiveness against E. coli and P. aeruginosa compared to Ciprofloxacin. A total of 20, 19 and 8 compounds were detected from leaves, stem and roots extracts, respectively. Heneicosane, Docosane and Tricosane were found in the highest concentration in leaves; HOP-22(29)-EN-3.BETA.-OL and β-Sitosterol in stems, and Docosane and Tricosane in roots of Z. luntii. Nine types of fatty acids methyl esters were detected in oil extracted from leaves and methyl esters of Palmitic acid, Linolenic acid and Oleic acid constitutes 90% of the oil. This is the first report on antibacterial activity and chemical composition of Z. luntii.

Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of Crude Extract and Oil of Zygophyllum (Fagonia) luntii (Baker) 1894 (Family Zygophyllaceae)

Traditionally wild plants including Zygophyllum spp., containing many bioactive constituents, are used as medicine. Zygophyllum luntii from Zygophyllaceae family is wildly grown in Oman and has been used for medical purposes. The present study investigated the antibacterial activity of the crude extracts (leaves, stem and roots) and oil (leaves) from Z. luntii. These extracts were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in well diffusion assays utilizing Muller Hinton Agar (MHA). The hydrocarbon contents and the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) components of the extracts were also determined by GC-MS. Significant antibacterial activity was observed in the Z. luntii leaves extract and significant differences (F=14.06, df=2, P=0.002) were found among E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The highest inhibition was observed against P. aeruginosa (15.5 ± 2.64 mm) then E. coli (11.25 ± 1.50mm) and S. aureus (3.50±4.72 mm). The Z. luntii extracts showed about 50-60% effectiveness against E. coli and P. aeruginosa compared to Ciprofloxacin. A total of 20, 19 and 8 compounds were detected from leaves, stem and roots extracts, respectively. Heneicosane, Docosane and Tricosane were found in the highest concentration in leaves; HOP-22(29)-EN-3.BETA.-OL and β-Sitosterol in stems, and Docosane and Tricosane in roots of Z. luntii. Nine types of fatty acids methyl esters were detected in oil extracted from leaves and methyl esters of Palmitic acid, Linolenic acid and Oleic acid constitutes 90% of the oil. This is the first report on antibacterial activity and chemical composition of Z. luntii.

Integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology to explore the protective effect of gross saponins of Tribulus terrestris L. fruit against ischemic stroke in rat

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTribulus terrestris L. belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae and has been widely used as a folk medicine for a long history in Asian countries. Gross saponins of Tribulus terrestris L. fruit (GSTTF) has an obvious neuroprotective effect on the treatment of ischemic stroke, but its potential therapeutic mechanisms have not been thoroughly studied.Aim of the study: To investigate the protective effect of GSTTF against ischemic stroke in rat. Materials and methodsThe combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis was applied to investigate the protective effects of GSTTF on ischemic stroke and its putative mechanism. The related pathway of the biomarkers highlighted from metabolomics analysis was explored, then the possible targets of GSTTF were further revealed by network pharmacology analysis. Molecular docking was conducted to investigate the interaction between the active compound and target protein. ResultsMetabolomics analysis showed that metabolic disturbances were observed in serum for the rats in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). These MCAO-induced deviations in serum metabolism can be reversely changed by GSTTF via metabolic pathways regulation. Twenty-four proteins with the connectivity degree larger than 15 were selected by the network pharmacology analysis, which are considered as the possible therapeutic targets of the GSTTF against ischemic stroke. The results of molecular docking showed that the active compounds were capable of binding to the representative potential targets HSD11B1 and AR, respectively. And the docking mode of two compounds with the lowest binding energy to their target protein was illustrated by the ribbon binding map. ConclusionThe present study combines metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis to investigate the mechanism of MCAO-induced ischemic stroke and reveal the efficiency and possible mechanisms of GSTTF for ischemic stroke. Further studies on the bioactive saponin as well as their synergistic action on ischemic stroke will be conducted to better reveal the underlying mechanisms.

A combination of dichogamy and herkogamy mediates reproductive success in the desert shrub Zygophyllum fabago

Zygophyllum fabago is a species within the arid-adapted family Zygophyllaceae. The species is characterized by the co-occurrence of dichogamy and herkogamy. In order to understand the effect of these two complementary anti-selfing mechanisms in reproductive success, we conducted a detailed study of floral biology in Z. fabago.Our results indicated an incomplete separation of the female and male phases which is referred to as partial dichogamy. We found two floral morphs with distinct stigma position: the Central-morph (C-morph) and the Lateral-morph (L-morph). The stigma-stamen distance in the L-morph was significantly larger than in the C-morph in early, mid, and late male stages indicating a high degree of herkogamy. The amount of pollen load of the L-morph stigma under control and selfing condition was significantly lower than of the C-morph, whereas we found no significance difference of pollen load between C and L-morphs under outcrossing condition.Partial protogyny provided opportunities for delayed selfing. On the other hand, the evolution of lateral herkogamy provided an effective mechanism to regulate the degree of delayed selfing in accordance with the outcrossing possibilities in the environment. A combination of dichogamy and herkogamy, therefore, contribute to reproductive success of the species in unpredictable desert environment.

In-Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Fungi from Peganum harmala (Laghouat, Algeria)

Medicinal plants are an inexhaustible source of molecules. They are colonized by mycoendophytes, fungi living in their tissues without apparent symptoms. These fungi can provide secondary metabolites with biological activities. It is with this in mind that we are interested in a spontaneous plant from the dayas region (Laghouat, Algeria): Peganum harmala or Harmel, a toxic medicinal plant belonging to the family Zygophyllaceae. Our study consists in highlighting the antibacterial activity of four kinds of mycoendophytes: Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium isolated from the leaves of this plant. The antibacterial activity is evaluated by the technique of the double disk diffusion on agar with respect to some Gram-positive bacterial strains. We have adopted two protocols for this purpose. For the first, the mycelia of all the mushrooms are deposited in the same petri dish. For the second, a single disc of the mycelium of a single species is deposited per box. The results obtained show a difference in the sensitivity of the bacterial strains to the bioactive substances of the mycoendophytes studied. The Alternaria genus showed the most significant activity. ANOVA performed between the mean diameters of the mycoendophyte inhibition zones and the antibiotic test disc: Chloramphenicol showed a highly significant difference between these two measurements. The Newman-Keuls test revealed a difference in the susceptibility of bacterial strains to the secondary metabolites of fungus mycoendophytes of Peganum harmala according to the two protocols used. The antibacterial effect is related to interactions between endophytic fungi and their host plant.

High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals the Diversity and Community Structure in Rhizosphere Soils of Three Endangered Plants in Western Ordos, China.

China's western Ordos is a distribution area for the extremely precious remnants of ancient Asian environments, which in endangered plant species and complex ecosystems. Accordingly, in this study, we collect three endangered plants belonging to the Zygophyllaceae family, namely Tetraena mongolica, Sarcozygium xanthoxylon, and Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. High-throughput sequencing technology was applied to study microbial diversity in these plant rhizosphere soils. Analysis of species composition abundance, Alpha diversity, Beta diversity and microbial structure are analyzed. 2428 bacterial OTUs and 1256 fungal OTUs are obtained from the rhizosphere soils, and the bacterial and fungal sequencing coverage is above 99%. Bacilli are the most abundant (86.91%) in the bacterial community. The fungal community has significant differences in three plants. The abundances of the genus Dothideomycetes in the rhizosphere soils of Tetraenamongolica and Sarcozygium xanthoxylon plants are the highest, which are 44.57% and 37.69%, respectively. Thus, Dothideomycetes is the dominant bacteria in the community. The genus Sordariomycetes in the rhizosphere soil is the dominant fungi with a relative abundance of 41.04%. Redundancy analysis revealed that microbial communities were closely related to environmental factors. Overall, this study bring new insights into the relationship between rhizosphere soils microbial diversity and environment to improving the adaptability of theendangered plants in survival environment.

Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of the Alkaloids of Peganum harmala L Seeds in Albino Wistar Female Rats

The Peganum harmala, commonly known as syrian street, belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae. Peganum harmala L is widely used in traditional medicine and pharmacology. The evaluation of toxic properties of Peganum harmala is crucial when considering public health protection because exposure to plant extracts can result in undesirable effects on consumers. Hence, in this study the acute IP toxicity of the total alkaloids of Peganum harmala L seeds was investigated in female rats. The oral dose (60 mg/kg) of tested plant extract was administered to two groups of animals (group I and II) in single dose and third group III is control. The first treated group is sacrificed after 24 hours and the second treated group and control group are sacrificed after 5 days. Throughout the treatment, changes in behavioral pattern, clinical sign and body weight of rats in treatment groups are observed. Also, a significant decrease in relative liver mass and serum biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, PAL, Bil D and Bil T) were observed. An increase in red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit was recorded in group II. Histological examination shows that the seed extract of Peganum harmala L has no remarkable toxic effect on the liver of the treated animals of the second group. The result indicates that the IP administration of the total alkaloids of Peganum harmala L seeds plant did not produce any significant toxic effect in albino rats.

A Rare Triterpenoidal Saponin Isolated and Identified fromTetraena simplex(L.) Beier &Thulin (Syn.Zygophyllum simplexL.)

AbstractTetraena simplex(L.) Beier & Thulin (syn.Zygophyllum simplexL.) is an annual, succulent plant belonging to family Zygophyllaceae. The plant grows in harsh environmental conditions and it is traditionally used as an analgesic and anti‐inflammatory agent. This study aims to isolate and identify phytochemical constituents of then‐butanol fraction of its aerial parts that was repeatedly chromatographed on Diaion HP‐20 and silica gel columns to yield a rare triterpenoidal saponin, 3‐O‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl] quinovic acid‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (1) along with three other known triterpenoidal compounds namely; 3‐O‐methoxy‐quinovic acid (2), quinovic acid (3), and 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐quinovic acid (4). Moreover, quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnoside (5) was isolated from this fraction. Different spectroscopic techniques including one dimensional (1D) and two dimensional (2D) NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy allowed the unambiguous structure elucidation of the isolated compounds.

Phytochemical study of <i>Tribulus Terrestris</i> L.

Tríbulus terrestris L., an annual herb belonging to the Zygophyllaceae family and growing in moderate and tropical climates, has a rich chemical composition of biologically active substances and chemical elements.The aim of the work is a phytochemical study of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in different geographical zones.Materials and methods. The objects of study were herb specimens of Tribulus terrestris L. collected in different habitats. The samples of the raw materials were shade-dried. The determination of saponins in the raw materials, was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with a mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-MS / MS). The study of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the elements was carried out on an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.Results. The saponins had been studied by HPLC-MS/MS, according to which in all the studied samples, dioscin and protodioscin were found. Their retention times coincided with the retention times of dioscin and protodioscin standards. It has been established that among the macroelements of Tríbulus terrestris L., potassium and calcium are mostly accumulated. They account for about 90% of the total content of the elements in the plant. It has been revealed that the distribution of macroand microelements in the plant, varies significantly depending on their place and growing conditions.Conclusion. The maximum dioscin content was observed in the samples harvested in Moldova, and the minimum – in the samples from the nursery garden of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of medicinal and aromatic plants. The largest amount of protodioscin was found out in the samples from the Crimea, and the minimum – in the samples from Moldova. The carried out study of the elements content of Tríbulus terrestris L. showed that the habitats (geographical zones) in which the studied samples of raw materials had been were collected, affect the accumulation of the elements by the plant. Based on the data obtained, biological absorption series have been compiled for the samples from each habitat.

Delving into the Antiurolithiatic Potential of Tribulus terrestris Extract Through \u2013In Vivo Efficacy and Preclinical Safety Investigations in Wistar Rats

Modern treatment interventions for kidney stones are wrought with side-effects, hence the need for alternative therapies such as plant-based medicines. We have previously documented through in vitro studies that statistically optimized aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae family) possesses antiurolithic and antioxidant potential. This provides strong scientific foundation to conduct in vivo efficacy and preclinical safety studies to corroborate and lend further proof to its ability to prevent and cure kidney stones. The preventive and curative urolithiatic efficacy in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic Wistar rats, along with preclinical toxicity was evaluated following oral administration of statistically optimized aqueous extract of T. terrestris. Treatment showed augmented renal function, restoration of normal renal architecture and increase in body weight. Microscopic analysis of urine revealed excretion of small sized urinary crystals, demonstrating that treatment potentially modulated the morphology of renal stones. Tissue enzymatic estimation affirmed the antioxidant efficacy of treatment with reduced free radical generation. Significant upregulation of p38MAPK at both the gene and protein level was noted in hyperoxaluric group and interestingly treatment reversed it. Acute oral toxicity study established the Median Lethal Dose (LD50) to be greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) by repeated oral toxicity for 28 days at 750 mg/kg b.wt. was noted. This study lends scientific evidence to the safe, preventive and curative potential of statistically optimized aqueous extract of T. terrestris at a dose of 750 mg/kg b.wt. and suggests that the extract shows promise as a therapeutic antiurolithic agent.

A Review on Plant Profile, Standardization Method and Pharmacological Activities of Tribulus Terristries (Gokhru)

Tribulus terristries belongs to family zygophyllaceae and commonly known as Puncture vine, Tribulus including goat's-head, bindii, bullhead, burra gokharu, bhakhdi, caltrop, small caltrops, cat's-head, devil's eyelashes, devil's-thorn, devil's-weed, puncture vine, and tackweed. Found widely distributed warmer regions of the world, throughout in India, srilanka, west Tibet, consists of dried fully ripen fruits of plant. Fruits are used as Diuretics tonics and also in the treatment of calculous affections and painful micturation, they are also used as aphrodiasic and in gout. Standardization is a system ensuring predefined set of the quantity, quality and therapeutic effect of the constituents in each dose. It is an imperative stride in establishing a quality assurance plan for production and manufacturing thereby, curtailing batch to batch variation and reassuring acceptability, safety, quality and efficacy of the drug , Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint profiles are used for ensuring the identity, transparency and potency of herbal formulations.

Study of seed coat microsculpture organization during seed development inZygophyllumfabago (Zygophyllaceae)

Study of seed coat microsculpture organization during seed development inZygophyllumfabago (Zygophyllaceae)

Vegetation Ecology Associated with Some Species of Family Zygophyllaceae in Different Regions of Egyptian Desert

The Zygophyllaceae is a widespread family of common existence in arid and semi-arid habitats of the Old and New Worlds, especially in seasonally dry deserts. Various members of this family are characterized by high efficient potential for the treatment of broad spectrum health disorders and well known in scientific and folk literature for their medicinal uses. TWINSPAN cluster for the 38 stands yielded four vegetation groups (A, B, C and D) at the 3rd level of classification. These groups were identified after the first dominant species that attained the highest importance value (IV). Group A: Zygophyllum aegyptium, group B: Fagonia cretica, group C: Zygophyllum coccineum and group D: Pulicaria undulata. The vegetation group A characterized sand formation habitats along Deltaic Mediterranean coastal desert, while group B represented roadside habitats of the western Mediterranean coastal desert, group C dominated Wadi Hagul bed and gravel desert habitats of Suez. Furthermore, group D inhabited wadi bed and roadside habitats in Ismailia. Ordination of the vegetation groups along 2 axes was performed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), while Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was utilized to determine the relation between the community types and soil factors.

Tribulus terrestris in Management of Sexual Functions

Background: Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae family) is believed to have aphrodisiac activity in different cultures. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of T. terrestris in the management of sexual functions in female and male patients. Methods: We searched in PubMed Central, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, SID, accessible books, reports, and thesis. Results: According to the results of animal and human studies, standard T. terrestris improved erectile parameters. After administration of T. terrestris, an increase in testosterone level was observed in most animal studies, while this increase was not confirmed in male human studies. T. terrestris improved the sperm parameters in animal and human studies. T. terrestris enhanced the folliculogenesis and improved polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) in animal studies. The human clinical studies confirmed its efficacy on female sexual disorders. Conclusion: Therefore, standard T. terrestris extract as a valuable herbal compound can be considered an improvement of sexual functions in both sexes.

English

Peganum harmala belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae and is popularly known as "Arruda of Syria". It presents a broad therapeutic potential, highlighting the anti inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial activities. It is used in the preparation of religious rituals beverages with effects on the central nervous system as an inhibitor of the enzyme monoaminoxidase, whose action is due to the presence of harmonic alkaloids of the β–carbolines group, with harmine and harmaline being the most found in P. harmala seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and pharmacognostic characteristics of P. harmala seeds with the aid of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Pharmacognostic characterization was performed following the 5th edition of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Scanning electron microscopy coupled to X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy was performed for the seeds elemental identification. The compounds present in the species were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Phytochemical evaluation demonstrated the major secondary metabolites. The scanning electron microscopy coupled to X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy analysis showed the morphology of the surface and interior of the seeds, as well as the atomic chemical analysis of the structures. By gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, the chemical profile of P. harmala seeds was identified and the β–carbolines (harmaline and harmine) were identified, which are compounds of great pharmacological importance for the species. Therefore, it is concluded that this study is of great contribution to the plant material standardization that will serve as the basis for the future development of a pharmaceutical product.   Key words: Arruda of Syria, characterization, gas chromatography, β-carbolines, Peganum harmala. &nbsp

Standarized Tribulus terrestris extract protects against rotenone-induced oxidative damage and nigral dopamine neuronal loss in mice.

Strong evidence proposes that brain oxidative DNA damage and microglia activation contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Traditional therapeutic regimens for PD can only relieve the symptoms. Tribulus terrestris (T. terrestris), a flowering plant from family Zygophyllaceae, is used in traditional medicine for treating different disorders and exerts neuroprotective and antioxidant effects in experimental models. The current study attempted to test whether treatment with T. terrestris standardized extract (TTE) can improve motor dysfunction and alleviate rotenone induced oxidative DNA damage and neurotoxicity in mice. Six groups of male Swiss albino mice were utilized. Group (1) was the vehicle (oil) group, group 2 was the rotenone control group (1 mg/kg/48 hours, subcutaneously) for 9 times, groups 3 and 4 were injected with rotenone and treated with TTE (5 or 10 mg per kg, by oral gavage) for 17 days, groups 5 and 6 served as TTE (5 or 10 mg per kg) per se groups. Motor function was measured by the pole and the open-field tests. Then, mouse brains were dissected, one hemisphere was employed for biochemical assays and the other one was used in histopathological studies. Results demonstrated that TTE ameliorated the motor dysfunctions induced by rotenone as well as markers of inflammation and DNA damage (8-OHdG and MTH1 expression). Indicators of oxidative stress and upregulation of the microglia marker (CD11b) were suppressed by the higher dose of TTE (10 mg per kg). Finally, the higher dose of TTE improved the Cresyl violet staining and tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining in the substantia nigra. In summary, TTE ameliorated the locomotor dysfunction and dampened the DNA damage and oxidoinflammatory stress in rotenone-parkinsonian mice. These results suggest TTE as a potential candidate for neurodegenerative diseases.

An insight into the anticancer mechanism of Tribulus terrestris extracts on human breast cancer cells.

Tribulus terrestris (TT), a herb belonging to Zygophyllaceae family is widely used due to its medicinal properties. This study was undertaken to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of TT on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cytotoxic effect of the herb was assessed by 3-(4,5-diethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptotic potential was assessed through DNA fragmentation, TUNEL and caspase 3 activity assays. Expressions of genes regulating the apoptotic pathway were examined by RT-PCR and expression of proteins was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. The result of MTT assay revealed that methanolic and saponin extracts from leaves and seeds of TT were cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells. Cytotoxicity studies on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proved that TT extracts were non-toxic to non-malignant cells. Treatment of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells with seed and leaf methanol andsaponin extracts of TT resulted in fragmentation of DNA and induction of apoptosis. This was evident by agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA and TUNNEL assay. The extracts of TT also caused a significant increase in caspase 3 activity in MCF-7 cells. TT extracts caused an induction of intrinsic apoptotic pathway which was evident by the upregulation in the expression of Bax and p53 genes and downregulation in the expression of Bcl-2. FADD, AIF and caspase 8 genes were also upregulated indicating the possible induction of extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Therefore, our results suggest that the Tribulus terrestris (TT) extracts may exert their anticancer activity by both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

NMR-based metabolomic profiling of Peganum harmala L. reveals dynamic variations between different growth stages.

Xerophytes play an active role in preventing soil denudation and desertification in arid and semi-arid areas. Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae family), a seasonally growing, poisonous and drought-tolerant plant, is widely distributed in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and used as a traditional herbal medicine as well as, in winter, a fodder source. Previous research has focused on the pharmacological activity of isolated compounds and stress responses to growth environments. However, the metabolic profile of P. harmala and variations in its metabolites, including medicinally active and stress resistance components, have not been illustrated during different growth stages. Here, we collected plant samples in May, August, October and December. We determined the metabolic composition of methanol extracts using NMR spectroscopy, and comparisons of four growth stages were accomplished by applying statistical analysis. The results showed that vasicine, choline and sucrose were significantly elevated in samples harvested in May. Significantly higher amounts of betaine, lysine, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and proline were found in samples collected in August than in samples collected in other months, and the concentrations of phosphorylcholine, glucose, acetic acid and vasicinone were highest in December. The relationships between differential biomarkers and plant physiological states affected by diverse growth environmental factors were discussed. Our result deepened the understanding of metabolic mechanisms in plant development and confirmed the advantage of using NMR-based metabolomic treatments in quality evaluation when P. harmala is used for different purposes.

Global database of plants with root‐symbiotic nitrogen fixation: NodDB

AbstractPlants associated with symbiotic N‐fixing bacteria play important roles in early successional, riparian and semi‐dry ecosystems. These so‐called N‐fixing plants are widely used for reclamation of disturbed vegetation and improvement of soil fertility in agroforestry. Yet, available information about plants that are capable of establishing nodulation is fragmented and somewhat outdated. This article introduces the NodDB database of N‐fixing plants based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence (available at https://doi.org/10.15156/bio/587469) and discusses plant groups with conflicting reports and interpretation, such as certain legume clades and the Zygophyllaceae family. During angiosperm evolution, N‐fixing plants became common in the fabid rather than in the ‘nitrogen‐fixing’ clade. The global GBIF plant species distribution data indicated that N‐fixing plants tend to be relatively more diverse in savanna and semi‐desert biomes. The compiled and re‐interpreted information about N‐fixing plants enables accurate analyses of biogeography and community ecology of biological N fixation.

Phylogenetic relationships within the New World subfamily Larreoideae (Zygophyllaceae) confirm polyphyly of the disjunct genus Bulnesia

The Larreoideae subfamily is the major representative of the family Zygophyllaceae in South America, where several of its members are common to dominant in arid regions of the Southern Cone. However, there are currently no phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily that may help to understand its origin and diversification. Additionally, there are taxonomic discrepancies around Bulnesia Gay (1845), one of its more important genera. Accordingly, we performed a phylogenetic analysis combining chloroplast (rbcL and trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS) DNA sequences. Bayesian and Parsimony analyses were performed to highlight the intergeneric relationships within Larreoideae. All genera with the exception of Bulnesia are monophyletic and we propose to redefine Bulnesia, dividing it in two genera. Furthermore, other taxonomic issues of the remaining genera are solved. This study represents the first approximation to clarify the phylogenetic relationships amongst all Larreoideae genera, producing a phylogenetic framework that can be used in future macro-ecological studies.