Vitaceae Research Articles

A new phylogenetic tribal classification of the grape family (Vitaceae)

AbstractVitaceae (the grape family) consist of 16 genera and ca. 950 species primarily distributed in tropical regions. The family is well‐known for the economic importance of grapes, and is also ecologically significant with many species as dominant climbers in tropical and temperate forests. Recent phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses of sequence data from all three genomes have supported five major clades within Vitaceae: (i) the clade of Ampelopsis, Nekemias, Rhoicissus, and Clematicissus; (ii) the Cissus clade; (iii) the clade of Cayratia, Causonis, Cyphostemma, Pseudocayratia, Tetrastigma, and an undescribed genus “Afrocayratia”; (iv) the clade of Parthenocissus and Yua; and (v) the grape genus Vitis and its close tropical relatives Ampelocissus, Pterisanthes and Nothocissus, with Nothocissus and Pterisanthes nested within Ampelocissus. Based on the phylogenetic and morphological (mostly inflorescence, floral and seed characters) evidence, the new classification places the 950 species and 16 genera into five tribes: (i) tribe Ampelopsideae J.Wen & Z.L.Nie, trib. nov. (47 species in four genera; Ampelopsis, Nekemias, Rhoicissus and Clematicissus); (ii) tribe Cisseae Rchb. (300 species in one genus; Cissus); (iii) tribe Cayratieae J.Wen & L.M.Lu, trib. nov. (370 species in seven genera; Cayratia, Causonis, “Afrocayratia”, Pseudocayratia, Acareosperma, Cyphostemma and Tetrastigma); (iv) tribe Parthenocisseae J.Wen & Z.D.Chen, trib. nov. (ca. 16 spp. in two genera; Parthenocissus and Yua); and (v) tribe Viteae Dumort. (ca. 190 species in two genera; Ampelocissus and Vitis).

Recent Advances in Systematics and Evolution of the Grape Family Vitaceae

Recent Advances in Systematics and Evolution of the Grape Family Vitaceae

Cytotoxic potential of <em>Cissus quandrangularis</em> on <em>Allium cepa</em> root meristem

<p>Apoptosis is a developmental and regulated process which may occur as a result of the cytogenetic changes in the cell. <em>Cissus quandrangularis</em> is a xerophytic plant that belongs to the family Vitaceae, commonly distributed throughout the hotter parts of India and Sri Lanka. An attempt had been made to explore the apoptosis-mediated cytotoxic potential of <em>C.</em> <em>quadrangularis</em> on <em>Allium cepa</em>. Cytogenetic activities of the plant were revealed using DAPI staining and <em>in situ</em> visualization of cell death was carried out with the help of Evans blue staining. The presence of clastogenic (nuclear lesions, chromosome bridges, chromosome breakage and pulverization of chromosomes) and non-clastogenic abberations (ball metaphase, stellate metaphase, chromosome clumping and early movement of chromosomes) observed under fluorescent microscope shows the cytotoxic effect of the plant extract. The quantification of cell death was measured by reading absorbance at 600 nm using the spectrophotometer. The cytotoxic effects on <em>Allium</em> root tips shows the apoptotic potential of the plant extract and the present study enlightens the anticancer potential of the plant.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><h2> </h2><h2> </h2><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

IDENTIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL COMPONENTS FROM POTENTIAL BONE HEALER MEDICINAL PLANTS

Nature has been a wellspring of therapeutic for a vast number of years and a great number of present day drugs have been separated from plant resources. It has been evaluated that natural prescriptions serve around 80% of the total population wellbeing requirement for many individuals throughout the world. Cissus quadrangularis a member of the family Vitaceae , Cardiospermum halicacabum and Dodonea viscosa members of the family Sapindaceae are well known for its utilization in the treatment of skin contaminations, blockage, piles, lack of health, weight loss, ant-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and bone crack healing . In the present study, based on GC-MS methanolic extract of stem and leaf of these three plants showed and identified fifteen major compounds with pharmacological activities. The FT-IR analysis showed similar functional groups of compounds related their medicinal properties such as Bone healing and wound healing activities. Key words: C. quadrangularis, C. halicacabum , D. viscosa , GC-MS and FT-IR, Bone healing

Genome size variation and evolution in the grape family Vitaceae

AbstractGenome size variation is of fundamental biological importance and has been a longstanding puzzle in evolutionary biology. In the present study, the genome size of 61 accessions corresponding to 11 genera and 50 species of Vitaceae and Leeaceae is determined using flow cytometry. Phylogenetically based statistical analyses were used to infer ancestral character reconstructions of nuclear DNA contents. The DNA 1C‐values of 38 species are reported for the first time, with the largest genome (Cyphostemma humile (N. E. Br.) Desc. ex Wild & R. B. Drumm, 1C = 3.25 pg) roughly 10.48‐fold larger than the smallest (Vitis vulpina L., 1C = 0.31 pg). The large genomes are restricted to the tribe Cayratieae, and most other extant species in the family possess relatively small genomes. Ancestral genome size reconstruction revealed that the most recent common ancestor for the family had a relatively small genome (1C = 0.85 pg). Genome evolution in Vitaceae has been characterized by a trend towards genome size reduction, with just one episode of apparent DNA accumulation in the Cayratieae lineage. Such contrasting patterns of genome size evolution probably resulted from transposable elements and chromosome rearrangements, while neopolyploidization seems to contribute to recent genome increase in some species at the tips in the family tree.

The first record of fossil Vitaceae wood from the Southern Hemisphere, a new combination for Vitaceoxylon ramunculiformis, and reappraisal of the fossil record of the grape family (Vitaceae) from the Cenozoic of Australia

AbstractAustrovideira dettmannae gen. & sp. nov. from the early Oligocene Capella Flora in central Queensland is the first fossil Vitaceae wood described from the Southern Hemisphere. A new combination, Stafylioxylon ramunculiformis (Poole & Wilkinson) Pace & Rozefelds for a Northern Hemisphere fossil wood is also proposed. Austrovideira and Stafylioxylon share with Vitaceoxylon secondary xylem with two diameter classes of vessels, wide vessels usually solitary, narrow vessels forming radial chains, very wide and tall rays, scanty paratracheal parenchyma and septate fibres. Austrovideira differs from Vitaceoxylon in having scalariform intervessel pits and homocellular rays composed exclusively of procumbent cells. This combination of features is seen in the Ampelocissus‐Vitis clade, and a clearly stratified phloem with fibre bands alternating with all other axial elements and phloem rays rapidly dilating towards the periderm is restricted to Parthenocissus and Vitis. Stafylioxylon shares with Austrovideira the presence of scalariform intervessel pits but it differs from that genus in both ray composition and bark anatomy, as it lacks a stratified phloem. These fossil wood genera demonstrate that the lianescent habit in the Vitaceae was established by the Eocene in the Northern Hemisphere and by the Oligocene in the Southern Hemisphere. The pollen and seed fossil record shows that the Vitaceae were in Australia by the Eocene and fossil seeds suggest that the family had radiated by this time. The Oligocene Capella flora with two seed taxa and fossil wood (Austrovideira) provides further evidence of an Australian radiation. The fossil evidence, suggests a significant Gondwanic history for the family.

Antioxidant Properties of Various Parts Cissus quadrangularis L. in different solvents

An important medicinal plant Cissus quadrangularis, belonging to the family Vitaceae was used in the present study to estimate antioxidant properties of different extract (root, stem, leaves and tendrils). Plant materials were collected from the village Ponnanthittu, Chidambaram Taluk, Cuddalore Dist, The antioxidant properties of the petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extracts of Cissus quadrangularis were screened and results showed considerable antioxidants in all the extracts.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticle from ampelocissus latifolia root extract

In the present research work, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been demonstrated using root extract of Ampelocissus latifolia (Vitaceae family) reducing aqueous silver nitrate. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by different instrumental techniques. Change of color and stability studies were identified by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer; Surface morphology and elemental composition of AgNPs studied by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX); Selected Area Diffraction Pattern (SAED) and TEM micrographs showed spherical particles with an average size of 35-45 nm. The FCC structure and crystalline nature of prepared nanoparticles identified by the XRD technique based on the characteristic Bragg peaks of (111), (200), (220), (311) and (222). Further, prepared silver nanoparticles showed effective antibacterial activity toward gram positive and negative bacteria. This examination demonstrated that silver nanoparticles posses extensive antibacterial activity in correlation with standard antibacterial agents, and hence further investigation or clinical applications is necessary.

A micropropagation system for the cloning of Cissus quadrangularis-A valuable medicinal plant

Cissus quadrangularis Linn. belonging to family Vitaceae is a vulnerable medicinal plant documented in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders. It is commonly known as “Bonesetter” or “Hadjod” because of its ability to promote healing of the fractured bones. The importance of this medicinal plant brings in various challenges and opportunities associated with its large-scale production under disease free conditions. An efficient and reproducible protocol was established for in vitro clonal propagation of C. quadrangularis through forced axillary branching from nodal segments and shoot apices taken from field grown elite plant. Multiple shoot proliferation was observed on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with different cytokinins either alone or in combination with each other. Best results were, however, obtained on MS medium supplemented with zeatin (4.56 μM) where 10–12 shoots were obtained after 8 weeks of culturing. Benzylaminopurine (4.4 μM-8.8 μM) in combination with kinetin (4.65 μM) or adenine sulphate (1.35 μM) also exhibited the formation of multiple shoots from shoot apices. Regenerated shoots were rooted on full strength basal MS medium where long, well developed roots were formed in 100% cultures after 4 weeks. The plantlets were acclimatized and successfully established in the field conditions.

Non-clinical acute and chronic toxicity evaluations of Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae) hydroalcoholic leaf extract.

Cissus sicyoides (Cs) has been traditionally used to treat diabetes and belongs to the family Vitaceae, and is known as "vegetable insulin". This study aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic non-clinical toxicity of hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Cissus sicyoides (EHA-Cs). The acute test was performed in Wistar rats, administering a single dose of 40.5 mg/kg. Behavioral parameters for pharmacological screening were observed to detect signs of Central Nervous System activity; consumption of daily food and water, and weight evaluation. After day 14, the animals were euthanized and blood samples were collected for laboratory analyses of hematological and biochemical parameters. The chronic tests were administered in doses of 4.5, 13.5 and 40.5 mg/kg. The same parameters were observed together with body temperature, glucose, exploration activity (test on the open field), and motor activity (diagnostic tests on the Rota-rod). For the group given the highest dosage during the study, histopathological examinations of vital organs were performed. For acute toxicity, there were no CNS level effects, changes in water and food consumption, or hematologic parameters. However, there was a significant decrease in weight gain for the treated females. Biochemical analyses of the treated animals presented increased levels of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) in females, uric acid levels in females and males, and amylase in males. In the chronic toxicity tests, water consumption was higher for females (at the dosages of 13.5 and 40.5 mg/kg) and for males (at 40.5 mg/kg). At the dosages of 4.5 and 13.5 mg/kg, feed consumption increased for females, while for males it decreased along with weight gain. Blood analysis presented an increase in albumin and changes in erythrocytes and hemoglobin for males (at the dose of 13.5 mg/kg). Glycemia in females (13.5 mg/kg dose) was significantly less, presenting only slight drops at the other doses. The changes were reversible in the satellite group. EHA-Cs revealed a relatively low toxicity profile (at the popular use dose), and only small changes in hematological and biochemical parameters at the dose of 13.5 mg/kg (3x the popular use dosage). In addition, EHA-Cs did not promote histological changes in vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

Ethyl acetate fraction from methanol extraction of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana induced G0 /G1 phase arrest via inhibition of cyclins D and E and induction of apoptosis through caspase-dependent and -independent pathways in human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells.

Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana (VTT) is a wild grape native to Taiwan, belonging to the Vitaceae family and Vitis genus, and widely used as folk herbal medicine. It is traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhea, hypertension, neuroprotection, jaundice, and arthritis. We used the wild-collected VTT and sterilized them to establish the plant tissue culture, and then took the leaves for DNA sequencing to determine its original base. We use methanol to extract VTT in four different solvents: 1-butanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water. These four preliminary extracts were used to treat human prostate cancer DU145 cells in vitro. We use the flow cytometry to check the cell survival situation. Finally, we found the ethyl acetate layer roughing product (referred VTEA) in human prostate cancer apoptotic effects of cell line DU-145. In the present studies, we use the crude extract of VTT to examine whether or not it can induce apoptosis of DU145 cells in vitro. Viability assays for extracts of VTT treatment showed that it had dose-dependent effect on human prostate cancer DU145 cells. We also found that the extract of VTT induces time-dependent mitochondrial and intrinsic-dependent apoptosis pathways. The in vitro cytotoxic effects were investigated by cell cycle analysis and the determination of apoptotic DNA fragmentation in DU145 cells. The cell cycle analysis showed that extracts of VTT induced a significant increase in the number of cells in G0 /G1 phase. The extract of VTT induced chromatin changes and apoptosis of DU145 cells also were confirmed by DAPI and PI staining that were measured by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. Finally, the expression of relevant proteins was analyzed by Western blot analysis. These results promoted us to further evaluate apoptosis associated proteins and elucidate the possible signal pathway in DU-145 cells after treated with the extract of VTT.

Robust Phylogeny of Tetrastigma (Vitaceae) Based on Ten Plastid DNA Regions: Implications for Infrageneric Classification and Seed Character Evolution.

Tetrastigma (Miq.) Planch. is one of the most species-rich genera of the economically and agronomically important grape family Vitaceae. It includes ca. 95 species widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Australia. Species of Tetrastigma exhibit great diversity in both vegetative and reproductive characters. Here we inferred a well-supported phylogeny of Tetrastigma based on ten chloroplast DNA regions with an expanded taxon sampling of 72 species and two varieties. Our molecular results support six major clades within Tetrastigma and the relationships among these clades were well-resolved. We also documented seed morphology of 44 species covering the six major clades of the genus. Ancestral states of eight characters (seed shape, seed surface rumination pattern, chalaza length/width ratio, chalaza position, ventral infold position, ventral infold divergence, ventral infold depth in cross section, and endosperm shape) were reconstructed in Mesquite and R with four models. Character optimizations suggest that all character states have evolved multiple times except that the irregular-shaped surface rumination has derived only once in Tetrastigma. We evaluated the taxonomic importance of seed morphology and identified potential morphological evidence to support each major clade. Our comprehensive analyses of Tetrastigma shed insights into the infrageneric classification of this morphologically diverse and ecologically important genus in tropical and subtropical Asia.

Determination of Fatty Acid Composition and Phenolic Content of Seed Oils of Cappadocia Region Grape Varieties

The grape (Vitis vinifera) from the Vitaceae family is the most grown fruit species in the world. Turkey has an important place in the world winegrowing due to favorable climatic conditions. The Cappadocia region is among the most important regions in Turkish wine production. The most grown varieties in this region are Emir and Dimrit grapes. Grape seeds are a by-product of the wine-making industry and fruit juice. Most of the total amount of grapes is used in wine making. In a few weeks of the harvest season, around 10 million tons of grape pods are emerging in the world. Grape seed oil contains omega 6, which is essential for omega fatty acids, at a high rate and also they are rich in polyphenolic compounds with strong biological effects. Due to the fatty acids and phenolic content of these products, it is aimed to be a new food source for human nutrition and at the same time to contribute to the reduction of factory product costs. The highest fatty acids identified in all varieties were linoleic acid (C18: 2), followed by oleic acid (C18: 1), palmitic acid (C16: 0) and stearic acid (C18: 0). Total phenolic substance content ranges between 70 and 84 ( g GAE/kg ekstract ) among the varieties. The phenolic content of the Dimrit grape seed is higher than Emir Grape seeds. According to these results, the oils of Cappadocia grape varieties Emir and Dimrit can be proposed as a new food source for human nutrition at the same time to contribute to the reduction of factory product costs.

Optimal data partitioning, multispecies coalescent and Bayesian concordance analyses resolve early divergences of the grape family (Vitaceae).

Evolutionary rate heterogeneity and rapid radiations are common phenomena in organismal evolution and represent major challenges for reconstructing deep-level phylogenies. Here we detected substantial conflicts in and among data sets as well as uncertainty concerning relationships among lineages of Vitaceae from individual gene trees, supernetworks and tree certainty values. Congruent deep-level relationships of Vitaceae were retrieved by comprehensive comparisons of results from optimal partitioning analyses, multispecies coalescent approaches and the Bayesian concordance method. We found that partitioning schemes selected by PartitionFinder were preferred over those by gene or by codon position, and the unpartitioned model usually performed the worst. For a data set with conflicting signals, however, the unpartitioned model outperformed models that included more partitions, demonstrating some limitations to the effectiveness of concatenation for these data. For a transcriptome data set, fast coalescent methods (STAR and MP-EST) and a Bayesian concordance approach yielded congruent topologies with trees from the concatenated analyses and previous studies. Our results highlight that well-resolved gene trees are critical for the effectiveness of coalescent-based methods. Future efforts to improve the accuracy of phylogenomic analyses should emphasize the development of newmethods that can accommodate multiple biological processes and tolerate missing data while remaining computationally tractable.

Evaluation of Anti-Cancer and Anti-Oxidant Activity of Cissus quandrangularis Extracts in DMBA induced Mammary Carcinomas

Cancer is one of the major diseases and challenging to medicinal system to produce potent and the site specific anti-cancer drugs. In this cancer studies up to now most of the synthetic drugs produce undesirable side effects. At the same time from plant source produce potent and safer anti-cancer drugs than compare to synthetic drugs. Cissus quadrangularis is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Vitaceae. In this study, the qualitative phytochemical studies by using ethanol and chloroform extracts, Toxicological studies by Acute toxicities studies (LD50), Pharmacological Evaluations of Anti-tumor activity and Biochemical parameters are estimated and Anti-Oxidant Assay of C.quadrangularis were evaluated. The secondary metabolites such as phenol, glycosides, tannins and flavonoids were present in the ethanolic extract of C.quadrangularis. The DMBA breast cancer model is a well-known animal carcinogenesis model. CQ extracts possesses anti-tumor property as evidenced by its significant inhibition in the formation of tumor induced by chemical carcinogen (DMBA). From the results , it can be concluded that chloroform & ethanolic extract of CQ restored the biochemical imbalance occurred due to DMBA administration as well as lowered the tumor incidences and burden, the results obtained with the ethanolic extract were promising as compared to that of chloroform extract. Thus it may be useful for the treatment of mammary carcinoma and associated complications such as oxidative damage.

Pharmacognostic Assesment of the Endemic and Vulnerable Medicinal Climber-Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Gagnep. var. glabra Gamble and Its Antibacterial Activity.

Objective:The objective of this study is to evaluate a meticulous pharmacognostic cram is to supplement constructive information with regard to its identification, characterization, and standardization of endemic and endangered medicinal climber Cayratia pedata var. glabra and also screening the antibacterial activity of this climber.Materials and Methods:The morphological characters of study plant, microscopic examination of leaf powder, anatomy of young stem, physicochemical analysis of plant powder, extractive values, phytochemical analysis, powder with different chemical reagents, fluorescence analysis of plant powder, and other World Health Organization (WHO) recommended for standardization were analyzed. The antibacterial activity of this study plant is also analyzed.Results:C. pedata var. glabra belongs to the family Vitaceae, commonly known as “Kattuppirandai” is one such endemic and endangered species in Thaisholai, Nilgiris South Division, Western Ghats. With the patronage of veteran ethnic group traditional knowledge of this region, the species C. pedata var. glabra was selected for the pharmacognostical examination and antibacterial screening. There were no pharmacognostical reports of this plant, specifically to determine the anatomical and other physicochemical standards required for its quality control. The current study deals with pharmacognostical parameters for the aerial parts of study plant, which mainly consists of macromorphological and microanatomical characters, physicochemical constants (ash values and extractive values), fluorescence analysis, and phytochemical screening, one of the WHO accepted parameter for the identification of medicinal plants. The pharmacognostical exploration was undertaken for this species with the purpose of sketch the pharmacopeial standards. The antibacterial activity of this plant confirms the therapeutic power.Conclusion:The information obtained from pharmacognostical studies will be of used for supplementary pharmacological and therapeutical evaluation of the species and will assist in standardization for quality, purity, and authentication with the help, of which adulteration and substitution can be prevented. The antibacterial activity of this plant confirm the traditional knowledge of local healers on the wound healing property of this species and also suggest this plant species can be used as a promising source for the development of new pharmaceuticals that address the therapeutic needs to cure infectious diseases.SUMMARY The species C. pedata var. glabra was selected for present research work, since this species is listed in Red data book and has a wider use for different ailments among the tribal population of Thiashola due to its high medicinal value. Pharmacognostical profile was generated from macroscopical analysis, microscopical studies, powder analysis, physico-chemical constituent values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical evaluation. The antibacterial activity of this plant confirms the therapeutic power. Abbreviations Used: WHO: World Health Organization; IUCN: International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Deidamia inscriptum(Lettered Sphinx Moth) Caterpillars Feeding onOxydendrum arboreum(Sourwood) and Their Predation by Black Bears in Northeast Tennessee

Abstract An outbreak of Deidamia inscriptum (Lettered Sphinx Moth) caterpillars was noted in northeast Tennessee where Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood) trees were defoliated. Nearly all published literature and online resources list only plants in the grape family (Vitaceae) as larval food plants. Food-plant preference trials using fresh leaves of 3 woody plant species showed that Deidamia caterpillars from this region had a preference for Sourwood over Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper), and rejected Acer rubrum (Red Maple), a non-host species. Ursus americanus (Black Bear) were feeding on the caterpillars as evidenced by bent and broken Sourwood saplings bearing claw marks and by abundant sphingid remains in bear scat.

FIRST REPORT OF LEAF SPOT CAUSED BY BARTALINIA ROBILLARDOIDES ON PARTHENOCISSUS QUINQUEFOLIA IN CHINA

In late August 2013, leaf spot symptoms were first noticed on Virginia creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch], an ornamental cum medicinal plant of vitaceae family, in the Forest Park, Luoyang City of Henan Province, China. Symptoms appeared as small circular brown dots on the leaves, gradually expanding into circular or irregularly-shaped yellow-brown to dark brown spots with raised margins and black dots in the center of the lesions. A fungus was carefully isolated from the leaf spot and cultured on potato dextrose agar, which produced dark brown colonies. Pycnidia were brown, ovoid, 13.3 μm in diameter. Conidiophores were cylindric and colorless, 8.1-10.l × 3.8-4.0 μm. Conidia (n = 50) were 18.1-20.8 × 2.5-4.2 μm, 2 to 4 septate, with apical cell hyaline, other cells pale brown. One eccentric pedicel, hyaline, 8-10.6 × 1.2 μm. Apical appendages 1 to 4, 13.3-16.0 × 1.2 μm, unbranched. Based on the isolate characteristics (Sutton, 1980; Barnett and Hunter, 1998), the fungus was subsequently confirmed as Bartalinia robillardoides by DNA sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer, which was 100% identical to other known B. robillardoides isolates (GenBank Accession No. KF656706.1). To confirm pathogenicity of the fungus, ten surface disinfected healthy leaves of Virginia creeper were inoculated with a fresh conidial suspension (40 μl, 5 × 106 conidia/ml) of B. robillardoides at 26°C. Leaf necrosis symptoms appeared on the inoculated leaves within 7 days. The same fungus was successfully reisolated from the lesions, confirming Koch’s postulates, whereas, control plants showed no symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. robillardoides infecting P. quinquefolia in China.

Anatomical Characterization on the Leaf of <i>Cayratia pedata var. glabra</i> (Lam.) Gagnep. var. <i>glabra</i> Gamble (Vitaceae) – An Endemic Climber of Western Ghats, India

In the present effort an endeavor has been made to observe the various morphological and anatomical investigations on the leaf of Cayratia pedata var. glabra , belongs to the family Vitaceae. This is used in Ayurveda, Folk and Siddha medicine for the treatment of ulcer, antiseptic, antidiarrhoeal, refrigerant and cough. Anatomical studies revealed the presence of unicellular, non glandular epidermal trichomes, three abaxial horizontal bundles and one adaxial median bundle, anomocytic stomata and parenchymatous cells with calcium oxalate crystals. It helps to recognize and standardize the crude drug for medicinal uses. Presence of bilobed fruit is the important differentiable characterization among the other genus.

The Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Ampelopsis: Gene Organization, Comparative Analysis, and Phylogenetic Relationships to Other Angiosperms.

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata is an economically important plant that belongs to the Vitaceae family of angiosperms. The phylogenetic placement of Vitaceae is still unresolved. Recent phylogenetic studies suggested that it should be placed in various alternative families including Caryophyllaceae, asteraceae, Saxifragaceae, Dilleniaceae, or with the rest of the rosid families. However, these analyses provided weak supportive results because they were based on only one of several genes. Accordingly, complete chloroplast genome sequences are required to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among angiosperms. Recent phylogenetic analyses based on the complete chloroplast genome sequence suggested strong support for the position of Vitaceae as the earliest diverging lineage of rosids and placed it as a sister to the remaining rosids. These studies also revealed relationships among several major lineages of angiosperms; however, they highlighted the significance of taxon sampling for obtaining accurate phylogenies. In the present study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of A. brevipedunculata and used these data to assess the relationships among 32 angiosperms, including 18 taxa of rosids. The Ampelopsis chloroplast genome is 161,090 bp in length, and includes a pair of inverted repeats of 26,394 bp that are separated by small and large single copy regions of 19,036 bp and 89,266 bp, respectively. The gene content and order of Ampelopsis is identical to many other unrearranged angiosperm chloroplast genomes, including Vitis and tobacco. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on 70 protein-coding genes of 33 angiosperms showed that both Saxifragales and Vitaceae diverged from the rosid clade and formed two clades with 100% bootstrap value. The position of the Vitaceae is sister to Saxifragales, and both are the basal and earliest diverging lineages. Moreover, Saxifragales forms a sister clade to Vitaceae of rosids. Overall, the results of this study will contribute to better support of the evolution, molecular biology and genetic improvement of the plant Ampelopsis.