Hypericum Research Articles

Reconstructing deep‐time palaeoclimate legacies in the clusioid Malpighiales unveils their role in the evolution and extinction of the boreotropical flora

AbstractAimDuring its entire history, the Earth has gone through periods of climate change similar in scale and pace to the warming trend observed today in the Anthropocene. The impact of these ancient climatic events on the evolutionary trajectories of organisms provides clues on the organismal response to climate change, including extinction, migration and persistence. Here, we examine the evolutionary response to climate cooling/warming events of the clusioid families Calophyllaceae, Podostemaceae and Hypericaceae (CPH clade) and the genus Hypericum as test cases.LocationHolarctic.Time periodLate Cretaceous–Cenozoic.Major taxa studiedAngiosperms.MethodsWe use palaeoclimate simulations, species distribution models and phylogenetic comparative approaches calibrated with fossils.ResultsAncestral CPH lineages could have been distributed in the Holarctic 100 Ma, occupying tropical subhumid assemblages, a finding supported by the fossil record. Expansion to closed‐canopy tropical rain forest habitats occurred after 60 Ma, in the Cenozoic, in agreement with earlier ideas of a post‐Cretaceous origin of current tropical rain forest. Posterior Cooling during the Eocene triggered diversification declines in CPH tropical lineages, and was associated with a climatic shift towards temperate affinities in Hypericum. Hypericum subsequently migrated to tropical mountains, where it encountered different temperate conditions than in the Holarctic.Main conclusionsWe hypothesize that most clusioid CPH lineages failed to adapt to temperate regimes during periods of Cenozoic climate change, and went extinct in the Holarctic. In contrast, boreotropical descendants including Hypericum that underwent niche evolution demonstrated selective advantages as climates became colder. Our results point toward macroevolutionary trajectories involving the altering fates of closely related clades that adapt to periods of global climate change versus those that do not. Moreover, they suggest the hypothesis that potentially many clades, particularly inhabitants of boreotropical floras, were likely extirpated from the Holarctic and persist today (if at all) in more southern tropical locations.

Relation between hypericin content and morphometric leaf parameters in Hypericum spp.: A case of cubic degree polynomial function

Higher plants often accumulate secondary metabolites in multicellular structures or in secretory reservoirs. Biotechnological production of such compounds by cell cultures lacking proper morphological structures is difficult, therefore possibilities for an efficient increase of their formation by organ cultures are being searched. The genus Hypericum comprises many species that store photoactive and phototoxic naphthodianthrones in the dark nodules on their above-ground parts. To date, the relation between the content of hypericins and their proto-forms accumulated in the nodules, and morphological characters of the plant parts containing these structures has not been sufficiently explained. The content of hypericins and leaf morphology characters were measured in 12 selected diploid seed-derived Hypericum species cultured in vitro. The leaf volume and the volume of the nodules per leaf were calculated. Based on these data, a cubic degree polynomial regression model with high reliability was constructed. The model enables an estimate of the biosynthetic capacity of the cultures, and may be useful in designing the experiments aimed at elicitation of these unique secondary metabolites in shoot cultures of Hypericum spp. An analogous model may be developed for interpretation of experimental results for other plant species which accumulate metabolites in specialized morphological structures.

The water extract of tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum L.) red berries exerts antidepressive-like effects and in vivo antioxidant activity in a mouse model of post-stroke depression

Hypericum androsaemum L., commonly known as ‘tutsan’ or ‘shrubby St. John’s Wort’, is a member of the Hypericum genus found growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean area and is cultivated extensively as an ornamental plant due to the showy color variation in its fresh berry-like capsules, which turn from red to shiny black as they ripen. Tutsan has also been used in Portuguese and Spanish folk medicine to treat depression. In this study, we assessed the beneficial role of the water extract of H. androsaemum red berries (WE) in an experimental animal model of post-stroke depression. WE was obtained by decoction of H. androsaemum red berries, and its content of ten bioactive compounds was determined through HPLC-DAD analysis. Behavioral tests were carried out using a mouse model of post stroke depression to examine the antidepressive-like activity of WE at two doses (15 and 30 mg/kg bw). In addition, the in vivo antioxidant activity in the mouse brain was evaluated by measuring CAT, GSH, and SOD activity and TBARS levels. WE contained significant amounts of shikimic acid (110.0 g/kg), chlorogenic acid (56.9 g/kg), catechin (5.8 g/kg) and hyperoside (2.7 g/kg). Overall, the highest dosage of WE was found to significantly reduce the symptoms of depression, restoring normal behaviour and reducing levels of oxidative stress by increasing endogenous antioxidant defenses. The protective effects of WE in post-stroke depression in a mouse model were demonstrated in vivo for the first time, and correlated with the antioxidant capacity of its bioactive constituents.

Discontinuation of the herbal preparation Hypericum perforatum, also known as St John's wort, associated with improved intraocular pressure control in a patient on topical beta-blockers for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Discontinuation of the herbal preparation Hypericum perforatum, also known as St John's wort, associated with improved intraocular pressure control in a patient on topical beta-blockers for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Phenolic metabolites from Hypericum kelleri Bald., an endemic species of Crete (Greece)

Thirteen compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum kelleri Bald., growing as an endemic on the island of Crete (Greece). These compounds comprise four previously unknown prenylated xanthones 1,2-dihydro-3,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-1,1,5-tri(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthen-2,9-dione (kellerine A), 1,2-dihydro-3,6,8-trihydroxy-1,1,5-tri(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthen-2,9-dione (kellerine B), 1,2-dihydro-3,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-1,1-bi(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthen-2,9-dione (6-methylpatulone), (R/S)-1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-4-[2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-6-methoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one ((2″R/S)-kellerine C) and the hitherto undescribed depsidone (R/S)-1,3,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-2-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-4-[2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-11Η-dibenzo[b,e] [1,4]dioxepin-9-one ((2″R/S)-creticine). As known compounds, brevipsidone D, 4-geranyl-2-(2′-isobutyryl)-phloroglucinol, 4-geranyl-2-(2′-methylbutyryl)-phloroglucinol, I3, II8-biapigenin, quercetin, avicularin, pseudohypericin and neochlorogenic acid have been isolated. The structures were elucidated on the basis of their 1D, 2D NMR, CD and MS data. The study confirms the typical occurrence of xanthones in Hypericum section Oligostema (Boiss.) Stef., and is also the first report on the simultaneous isolation of acylphloroglucinols in this section. Furthermore the first evidence of depsidones in the genus Hypericum L. is reported. Cytotoxicity was investigated in HeLa cells for prenylated xanthones and the depsidones. Both triprenylated 1,2-dihydroxanthones (kellerine A and B) showed significant in vitro cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 2.5 ± 0.1 (kellerine A) and 5.9 ± 0.9 (kellerine B) μM, whereas other compounds were less cytotoxic (IC50 > 20 μM).

Are the radiations of temperate lineages in tropical alpine ecosystems pre‐adapted?

AbstractAimTropical mountains around the world harbour an extraordinarily rich pool of plant species and are hotspots of biodiversity. Climatically, they can be zoned into montane climates at mid‐altitudes and tropical alpine climates above the tree line. Around half of the tropical alpine species belong to plant lineages with a temperate ancestry, although these regions are often geographically distant. We test the hypothesis that these temperate lineages are pre‐adapted to the tropical alpine climate.LocationNew World, with a focus on tropical alpine Andes.Time periodMiocene to present.Major taxa studiedFlowering plants.MethodsWe build multidimensional environmental models representing the full space of New World climates. We quantify the environmental similarity between the tropical alpine ecosystem and those of potential source areas, while correcting for regional differences by kernel density smoothers. Based on spatial observations of the genus Hypericum (St John's Wort), we quantify niche overlap and test for niche conservatism following intercontinental dispersal using density‐weighted nonparametric tests. A dated species tree, biogeographical estimation, multi‐optima Ornstein–Uhlenbeck models and model selection approaches are used to test for niche shifts during establishment in the tropical alpine Andes.ResultsThe tropical alpine ecosystem is isolated by its climate from adjacent regions and is climatically similar to temperate lowland biomes of both hemispheres. Niche conservatism is evident in the study group, except in the tropical alpine lineage that is characterized by niche expansion and shifts in temperature optima.Main conclusionsOur results reject the pre‐adaptation hypothesis and instead suggest pronounced niche evolution during colonization of tropical alpine ecosystems. Establishment involved substantial niche shifts, mainly in temperature‐related variables, and resulted in a tremendous proliferation of species in the newly invaded tropical alpine ecosystem.

Excitation of triplet states of hypericin in water mediated by hydrotropic cromolyn sodium salt

Hypericin (Hyp) is a hydrophobic pigment found in plants of the genus Hypericum which exhibits low levels of solubility in water. This work shows that the solubility of Hyp can be significantly increased through the addition of cromolyn disodium salt (DSCG). Performed studies using UV–VIS absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies demonstrate that Hyp remains in a predominantly biologically photodynamic active monomeric form in the presence of DSCG at concentrations ranging from 4.6×10−3 to 1.2×10−1mol·L−1. The low association constant between Hyp and DSCG (Ka=71.7±2M−1), and the polarity value of 0.3 determined for Hyp in a DSCG-water solution, lead to a suggestion that the monomerization of Hyp in aqueous solution can be explained as a result of the hydrotropic effect of DSCG. This hydrotropic effect is most likely a result of interactions between two relative rigid aromatic rings of DSCG and a delocalized charge on the surface of the Hyp molecule. The triplet-triplet (T-T) electronic transition observed in is Hyp in the presence of DSCG suggests a possible production of reactive oxygen species once Hyp is irradiated with visible light in a DSCG aqueous solution.

Antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts against bacterial pathogens isolated from faeces of red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Antibacterial activity is the most widely studied aspect of plant extracts. Antibiotics extensively produced and consumed in large quantities, have proved to be problematic due to various types of adverse effects. The development of bacterial resistance to currently available antibiotics has necessitated the search for new antibacterial agents. One of the alternative strategies for fighting antibiotic- resistant bacteria is the use of natural antimicrobial substances such as plant extracts. We tested the antimicrobial activity of nine extracts from different plants against pathogenic bacteria isolated from the faeces of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Selected bacteria commonly contaminated the natural environment and constitute a source of infection in other animals and humans. Extracts obtained from the following plants were tested: Hypericum perforatum L., Chamomilla recutita L., Achillea millefolium L., Salvia officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris L., Pinus sylvestris L., Mentha x piperita L., Valeriana officinalis L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. The highest degree of antibacterial properties was observed for Mentha x piperita L., narrower spectrum of activity possessed Hypericum perforatum L. Extracts of Achillea millefolium L. had the lowest spectrum of antibacterial activity. Our study confirms that many plant extracts shows in vitro antibacterial activity.

Phenolic profile, chemical relationship and antifungal activity of Andean Hypericum species

Fungal infections represent a major and increasing threat to public health resulting in a growing demand for new drugs. The genus Hypericum is a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolite, including antimicrobials and the exploration of uninvestigated species holds the potential for the discovery of novel molecules for the pharmaceutical market. Here the chemical composition, phytochemical relationships and the antifungal potential of seven of neglected Andean Hypericum species has been investigated. Through liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis, 34 phenolic compounds have been identified and quantified. Quercetin derivatives, catechin and epicatechin, procyanidin B2 and chlorogenic acid derivatives represented the most abundant compounds in all extracts. The antifungal activity was evaluated against a panel of clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi. Four of the tested extracts were active against C. albicans (MIC50<353.25μg/ml) and five against C. parapsilosis (MIC50<1000μg/ml). Noteworthy was the activity of H. garciae, that was subjected to a comprehensive investigation against a broad panel of Candida spp. clinical strains. H. garciae extracts showed higher activity than fluconazole against C. intermedia and C. parapsilosis. The methanolic extract was active against all of the tested species with MIC50 values as low as 4μl/ml and 5μl/ml against C. lusitaniae and C. albicans respectively and 64μl/ml against C. glabrata. The chloroformic extract displayed a higher activity than fluconazole against C. tropicalis. The presented data represent an advancement in the knowledge of the chemistry and antifungal potential of Hypericum species and offer interesting suggestions for deeper studies in the field of chemotaxonomy and drug discovery.

اثر کادمیم و سرب بر خصوصیات کمی و درصد اسانس نعناع فلفلی (Mentha piperita L.)

یکی از پیامد‌های صنعتی شدن، آلودگی محیط ‌زیست و یکی از مهمترین آلاینده‌های محیط زیست فلزات سنگین هستند که می‌توانند باعث آلودگی خاک، آب و هوا شوند. دراین تحقیق غلظت‌های کادمیم (صفر، 10،20،40،60،80،100 پی‌پی‌ام) و سرب (100،300،600،900،1200و 1500 پی‌پی‌ام) بر روی گیاه نعناع فلفلی (Mentha piperita L.) در شرایط گلخانه‌ای در قالب طرح بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار مورد مطالعه قرار گرفت. ریزوم‌های نعناع فلفلی از مزرعه جمع‌آوری و در گلدان کشت شدند و توسط محلول‌های کلرید کادمیم و سرب استفاده شد. گیاهان در اوایل گلدهی در دو چین برداشت و از نظر خصوصیات کمی و کیفی مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. درچین اول در غلظت 100 پی‌پی‌ام کادمیم، وزن تر، وزن خشک، سطح برگ، ارتفاع گیاه و درصد اسانس برگ به ترتیب 16/18، 88/25، 79/22، 91/17و 08/7 درصد و در چین دوم این صفات به ترتیب 24/15 ،92/22، 88/20، 92/22 و 08/7 درصد نسبت به شاهد کاهش یافت. همچنین در چین اول، در غلظت 1500 پی‌پی‌ام سرب، وزن تر، وزن خشک، سطح برگ، ارتفاع گیاه و درصد اسانس برگ به ترتیب، 55/24، 01/39، 58/21، 55/28 و 05/15 درصد و در چین دوم این صفات به ترتیب94/28، 31/17، 72/24، 77/26 و37/13درصد نسبت به شاهد کاهش نشان داد. به نظرمی‌رسد که نعناع فلفلی در شرایط آب‌های آلوده به کادمیم و یا در خاک‌های آلوده به این عناصر سنگین در غلظت‌های متوسط می‌تواند مورد کشت قرار گیرد و اثر این عناصر سنگین اثر معنی‌داری بر تولید ماده خشک و درصد اسانس نداشت.

Chronic consumption of Hypericum humifusum leaf extracts impairs epididymis spermatozoa characters in association with oxidative stress in adult male Wistar rats

Recently, there has been increasing interest in Hypericum (Hypericaceae) genus. The first part of the present study focused on the phytochemical analysis of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Hypericum humifusum leaves. The second part of the study investigated the effect of Hypericum humifusum leaf extracts on male reproductive parameters. 30 male rats were grouped into control (1mL/rat, distilled water), treated by 200mg/kg body weight (bw) aqueous extract (A200), 400mg/kg bw aqueous extract (A400), 10mg/kg bw methanolic extract (M10) and 20mg/kg bw methanolic extract (M20) groups. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. After thirty-day treatment, body and reproductive organs were weighed. Testes in all rat groups were processed for biochemical assays and histopathological examinations. Epididymis sperm analyses were also performed. Testicular tissue homogenate samples were used for Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) measurements. We showed that Hh extracts induced a severe seminiferous tubular damage with an increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Epididymis sperm analysis revealed a significant reduction in density and viability of sperm with alteration of spermatozoa morphology. Also, we found that Hh leaf extracts decreased plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels. These results were associated with an increase of MDA levels and a decrease of catalase and SOD activities in testis tissues. Our finding revealed that chronic consumption of Hh extracts induces disruption of normal spermatogenesis by alteration of sperm density, viability, and morphology. This action may be due to an inhibition of the antioxidant-defense system.

Comparison of chemical composition of Hypericum perforatum and H. maculatum in Estonia

Of numerous species belonging to the medicinally important genus Hypericum, only H. perforatum L. and H. maculatum Crantz grow widely in Estonia. A comparative biochemical systematics study of hypericins, hyperforins and other phenolics within Hypericum spp. growing in Estonia was performed. For comprehensive metabolomic investigation, 42 samples of H. perforatum and 16 samples of aerial parts of H. maculatum were collected in two consecutive years from various locations; methanolic extracts were prepared from airdried leaves and flowers. The concentrations of a quinic acid derivative, caffeic acid glucoside, vanillic acid glucoside, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, myricetin glucoside, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin, quercetin pentoside, quercitrin, kaempferol glucoside, kaempferol rutinoside, quercetin, hyperforin, adhyperforin, protopseudohypericin, pseudohypericin, and hypericin were determined by LC-DAD-MS/MS. All the aforementioned compounds were detected in both species, although some at very different levels – H. maculatum contained rutin and hyperforins only in trace amounts and overall tended to contain more phenolic compounds. The level of total hypericins was the same for both species. These results constitute a further contribution to the systematic knowledge about the Hypericum spp. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated distinct between-years and between-species diversity in the chemical composition of the plants studied. Between-years diversity in Hypericum spp. has not been addressed before.

Changes induced by gamma ray irradiation on biomass production and secondary metabolites accumulation in Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra callus cultures

The present study investigated the effect of gamma irradiation on biomass formation and yield of pharmacologically relevant secondary metabolites in callus cultures induced from different seedling parts (leaf, stem and root). Calli induction and maintenance were performed on MS medium supplemented with 0.5mgL−1 IAA and 0.4mgL−1 TDZ and all parameters were recorded after the third 21days successive subculture post-elicitation. Fresh callus biomass (FCB) expressed as growth index (Gi) was investigated and the higher Gi value (1109%) was recorded on callus culture from leaf explants and irradiated with 10Gy dose, as compared to untreated control (757%). H. triquetrifolium callus cultures exhibited quantitatively different phenolic compounds (p-OH-benzoic and chlorogenic acid, epicatechin) and naphtodiantrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin). The chromatographic analysis of callus extracts revealed that after gamma rays elicitation with 10Gy dose, the higher amount of p-OH-benzoic acid was recorded on calli from leaf explant (4.35mg 100g−1 DW material) while root callus recorded the highest amount of chlorogenic acid (12.91mg 100g−1) over the control (3.55mg 100g−1 and 10.22mg 100g−1, respectively). The 10Gy and 20Gy irradiation doses stimulate the epicatechin accumulation on calli from leaf and stem (126.39 and 148.80mg 100g−1) compared to the control samples (98.81 and 101.72 respectively).In this study, small amount of hypericin and pseudohypericin were identified and quantified on irradiated callus cultures initiated from stem and leaf of Hypericum triquetrifolium, but not in root calli. Callus induced from leaf and irradiated with 10Gy showed the higher amounts of hypericin and pseudohypericin content (0.29 and 4.00mg 100g−1 DW material). Phytochemical screening carried out on different elicited callus cultures variants reveal, for the first time, the stimulatory effects of gamma irradiation on the production of phenolic compounds and naphtodiantrones in Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. The results of this study are interesting and offer an innovative approach of elicitation, not yet widely studied for the Hypericum genus.

In vitro shoot Proliferation of Hypericum perforatum L. through Indirect and Direct Plant Regeneration

Hypericum perforatum L. (St. Johns’ wort) is the most commercially important species of the genus Hypericum and contains a wide range of components including naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, tannins, xanthones, phenolic acids and essential oil. In order to establish an efficient protocol for regeneration, the effects of explant type and plant growth regulators on direct and indirect shoot regeneration in H. perforatum were evaluated. According to obtained results the media supplemented with 0.1 mg l-1 Benzyl Adenine (BA) was effective for shoot proliferation from shoot tip explants of H. perforatum that showed the highest shoots number (15.5 shoots per explant) and shoot height (2.07 cm). In second experiment a method for rapid micro propagation of H. perforatum through indirect plant regeneration from calli has been developed. The results demonstrated that a combination of auxin and cytokinin was needed for optimum callus induction and leaf segments were suitable explant for callus induction in H. perforatum. Callus induction was observed in most studied treatments but the highest callus volume (1.43 cm3) was obtained by leaf segments in media supplemented with 0.25 mg l-1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)+1 mg l-1 Kinetin. Successful shoot regeneration from callus was observed in MS medium containing 0.5 mg l-1 BA, which resulted the highest shoot proliferation rate (61.75%) and maximum number of induced shoots (9 shoots per explant). All of shoots formed root in media with 0.5 mg l-1 Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) on which 100% of the regenerated shoots developed roots with an average number of 5 roots per shoot. The plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse with 80% survival. This in vitro propagation protocol should be useful for conservation as well as mass propagation of H. perforatum plant.

Hypericum spp. volatile profiling and the potential significance in the quality control of new valuable raw material

The genus Hypericum (Guttiferae) is one of the most representative species in temperate zones and Turkey is one of the most important Mediterranean sites. Due to the increasing commercial value of Hyperici herba (Hypericum perforatum), many wild Turkish Hypericum species have received currently a considerable renewed interest as potential substitutes of the well-established H. perforatum crops for their similar content in the standardization bioactives (hypericins, hyperforins, and flavonoids). The present paper reported the volatile fingerprints of three selected wild Turkish Hypericum species recently characterized as H. perforatum bioactive-like profiles but lacking of the requested well-established usage in the EU market. In this context, the volatile constituents of the three-selected Hypericum spp. were investigated as additional discriminating markers to enhance the likelihood that this adulterating plant raw material will be detected before it is incorporated into finished H. perforatum products.

Bioactive compounds from Hypericum humifusum and Hypericum perfoliatum: inhibition potential of polyphenols with acetylcholinesterase and key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes

Context: Natural products are reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cholinesterase. The genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae) is a source of a variety of molecules with different biological activities, notably hypericin and various phenolics.Objectives: The goals of the present work were the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content, hypericin and hyperforin concentration as well as the evaluation of biological of Hypericum humifusum L. (Hhu) and Hypericum perfoliatum L. (Hper).Materials and methods: The various extracts of aerial parts were powdered, and then extracted with methanol. Antibacterial activity was performed according to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) methods against four Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria and yeast.Results: The results revealed that H. humifusum, bear the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content (48–113 mg GAE/g and 8–41 mg RE/g, respectively) as well as hypericin (60–90 mg/g) and hyperforin (8–30 mg/g) concentration. Both species showed significant antioxidant activity as revealed by DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and metal chelating assays. H. humifusum exhibited a strong acetylcholinesterase (3.86–4.57 mg GALAEs/g), α-glucosidase (0.73–2.55 mmol ACEs/g) and α-amylase (3–8 mmol ACEs/g) inhibitory activity. The extract of H. humifusum exhibited strong antibacterial activity mainly against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococus aureus, and Enterococcus faecium (MIC values ranging from 200 to 250 μg/mL). The highest antifungal activity was showed for H. perfoliatum extract (MIC value = 250 μg/mL).Conclusion: The data suggest that H. humifusum could be used as valuable new natural agents with functional properties for pharmacology industries.

Morphological characters of the seed coat in selected species of the genus Hypericum L. and their taxonomic value

Abstract Eight Hypericum species are native to Poland: H. elegans Stephan ex Willd., H. hirsutum L., H. humifusum L., H. maculatum Crantz, H. montanum L., H. perforatum L., H. pulchrum L., and H. tetrapterum Fr. Only seeds of H. elegans were investigated in detail in Poland before, so here we present results of qualitative and quantitative analyses of seed morphology of the other 7 species, based on characters like seed length, width, and shape, seed coat sculpture, shape of epidermal cells of the testa, and number of epidermal cells along the seed axis. The results show that seeds of the studied species are small, 0.56-1.15 mm long and 0.26-0.49 mm wide. In SEM images, seed coat sculpture is reticulate in 5 species, papillate in H. hirsutum, and cup-shaped in H. pulchrum. The differences are caused by the varied final development of the testa epidermis, which constitutes the outer layer of the seed coat. The mean number of epidermal cells along the seed axis ranges from 22 to 33. Results of cluster analysis, based on the agglomeration method and including also published data on seeds of H. elegans, show that the variation in the investigated characters of seeds is reflected in the taxonomic division of the genus into sections.

Altitudinal changes in secondary metabolite contents of Hypericum androsaemum and Hypericum polyphyllum

The genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae) has attracted scientific interest as its members have yielded many bioactive compounds. In the present study we investigated the content of hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin, adhyperforin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 13,II8-biapigenin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin, avicularin, rutin, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin in aerial parts of plants from populations of H. androsaemum L. and H. polyphyllum Boiss. & Bal. from Turkey growing at different altitudes. The plant materials were dried and subsequently assayed for chemical content by HPLC. All the tested compounds were detected in both species at varying levels depending upon the altitude the plants were growing, except for hypercins and rutin which did not accumulate in H. androsaemum. It was observed that overall the compounds were more abundant in plants from higher altitudes. The differences in the levels of the compounds could contribute to the ability of the plants to deal with the abiotic stress of lower temperature and higher ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation which would be greater at higher altitudes compared to lower altitudes.

Editorial: Molecular and Biotechnological Advancements in Hypericum Species

Editorial: Molecular and Biotechnological Advancements in Hypericum Species

233 - Evaluation of Biological Activities of Hypericum Perforatum L. and Hypericum Calycinum L. Extracts

The genus Hypericum (Clusiaceae) consists of 450 species of herbs, shrubs and trees worldwide. In Turkey, it is represented by 89 species of which 43 are endemic. Hypericum perforatum L. commonly known as St. John’s Wort is used traditionally to treat several neurological disorders such as neuralgia, anxiety, mild to moderate depression also externally to treat wounds. In the present work, the aqueous-ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L. and H. calycinum L. were searched for antioxidant capacity and acetylcholinesterase (ACE), butyrylcholinesterase (BCE), cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2, and also monoamine oxidase MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitory activities. Total phenolic contents of the extracts were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. According to the antioxidant activity results, H. calycinum showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity with an inhibition of 50.61±2.8% than H. perforatum (44.85±1.8%) when compared to BHT 54.28±1.04% and ascorbic acid 72.25±1.35%. At the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, chelating abilities of H. perforatum and H. calycinum on ferrous ions were 20.7% and 24.5% respectively whereas EDTA showed 89.2% chelating activity. Both H. perforatum and H. calycinum extracts showed significant ferric-reducing power with EC50 values of 0.26 and 0.24 (BHT (EC50 0.2)) and ABTS radical cation decolorization activity with inhibitions of 56.9% and 68.7% (Trolox (79.01%)). H. perforatum showed 28.87% ACE, 20.46% BCE, 31.50% COX-1, 29.03% COX-2, 47.00% MAO-A and 36.32% MAO-B inhibitory activities whereas H. calycinum showed 30.45% ACE, 25.08% BCE, 34.15% COX-1, 39.79% COX-2, 59.77% MAO-A and 38.88% MAO-B inhibitory activities. H. calycinum had higher total phenolic content (313.94 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g) than H. perforatum (308.83 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g).