Dodonaea Research Articles

Indigenous Uses, Phytochemical Analysis, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Australian Tropical Medicinal Plants.

Australian tropical plants have been a rich source of food (bush food) and medicine to the first Australians (Aboriginal people), who are believed to have lived for more than 50,000 years. Plants such as spreading sneezeweed (Centipeda minima), goat’s foot (Ipomoea pes-caprae), and hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa and D. polyandra) are a few popular Aboriginal medicinal plants. Thus far, more than 900 medicinal plants have been recorded in the tropical region alone, and many of them are associated with diverse ethnomedicinal uses that belong to the traditional owners of Aboriginal people. In our effort to find anti-inflammatory lead compounds in collaboration with Aboriginal communities from their medicinal plants, we reviewed 78 medicinal plants used against various inflammation and inflammatory-related conditions by Aboriginal people. Out of those 78 species, we have included only 45 species whose crude extracts or isolated pure compounds showed anti-inflammatory properties. Upon investigating compounds isolated from 40 species (for five species, only crude extracts were studied), 83 compounds were associated with various anti-inflammatory properties. Alphitolic acid, Betulinic acid, Malabaric acid, and Hispidulin reduced proinflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and 2) with IC50 values ranging from 11.5 to 46.9 uM. Other promising anti-inflammatory compounds are Brevilin A (from Centipeda minima), Eupalestin, and 5′-methoxy nobiletin (from Ageratum conyzoides), Calophyllolide (from Calophyllum inophyllum), and Brusatol (from Brucea javanica). D. polyandra is one example of an Aboriginal medicinal plant from which a novel anti-inflammatory benzoyl ester clerodane diterpenoid compound was obtained (compound name not disclosed), and it is in the development of topical medicines for inflammatory skin diseases. Medicinal plants in the tropics and those associated with indigenous knowledge of Aboriginal people could be a potential alternative source of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Polychromatism in adult Deroplax silphoides (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) and a morphological examination of the immature stages

Polychromatism is a very common phenomenon in several insect orders. Adults of Deroplax silphoides show color variation in their bodies. In such cases, the identification of the immature stages is challenging and misleading. The field collection of adults and immature stages was conducted on the campus of Ain Shams University during the active period of the insect in 2019. Nineteen pronotal and scutellar macular patterns in addition to fifteen patterns of abdominal sternal variation in the color variation and size of the stridulatory area in D. silphoides adult were reported for the first time. In addition, the variation was observed in the shape, size and placement of eggs masses on Dodonaea viscosa commonly called 'sticky hop bush'. The main morphological features and an identification key for the five nymphal instars of this species are also provided for the first time through this work. The proportions of antennal and rostral segments and the degree of scutellum and wing pad development provide excellent characters for distinguishing the five nymphal instars. This work forms a basis for further investigation of such diversity at the molecular level and provides an insight into this phenomenon in the fascinating insect world.

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy quantification, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, and antioxidant activity profile of some medicinal plants from Albaha Region

Background: There is an urgent need to find new xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors with few adverse effects and potent activity, not only for treating gout but also to fight diseases associated with XO activity such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Objective: Screening of Saudi medicinal plants for XO inhibitory activity, to quantify the polyphenol–flavonoid content and to study ultra high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-ESI-MS) profile of compound with best promising XO inhibitory activity among screened extracts. Materials and Methods: Sixteen methanol extracts used traditionally for treating gout and/or rheumatism were screened for total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, XO inhibitory, and antiradical activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The degree of XO inhibition was determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 295 nm associated with uric acid formation. The dose-dependent inhibition profiles of the most active plants were further evaluated by estimating the IC50 values of their corresponding extracts. The most promising XO inhibitory extract, i.e., Dodonaea viscosa extract was subjected to secondary metabolites profiling using UHPLC-ESI-MS in negative ionization mode and LC-MS analysis. Results: Among screened plants, D. viscosa leaves, Punica granatum flowers, Ruta chalepensis leaves, and Solanum incanum fruits exhibited the highest activity with an inhibition of 94.4%, 83.4%, 76.2%, and 65.7%, respectively. Extracts of R. nervosus leaves, P. granatum flowers, and D. viscosa leaves showed the highest antiradical activity in the DPPH assay with IC50 values of 25.8, 27.4, and 71.2 μg/ml, respectively. The LC/MS spectrum of D. viscosa revealed the presence of 13 known compounds along with unknown compounds which belong to flavonoid, terpene, and fatty acid derivatives class. Conclusion: The findings obtained from this study revealed that the methanolic extract of D. viscosa leaf showed the highest xanthine oxidase inhibition activity and therefore is promising species for isolating active compound between the polyphenol and flavonoid content and the XO inhibitory and radical activity.

Antibacterial effect of Dodonea viscosa (hop bush) leaf extract in some enterobacteriaceae

Antibacterial effect of Dodonea viscosa (hop bush) leaf extract in some enterobacteriaceae

Effects of Synthetic Insecticides and Crude Botanicals Extracts on Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Cabbage

The study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal action of two new chemical insecticides and three locally available botanicals. These materials were evaluated for their efficacy against cabbage aphids, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), under laboratory and field conditions. The laboratory result revealed that Lambda Cyhalothrin (Triger 5 E.CTM) and Emamectin benzoate (Cutter 112 E.CTM) were non-significant difference from the standard check within 1 day after application. The field results showed between the new insecticides, Triger 5 E.CTM and Cutter 112 E.CTM were non-significant difference from that of the standard check (Diazinon 60% E.CTM) at both locations (Guder and Mutulu) within three days after application. Extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed, Hop bush (Dodonae angustifolia) fresh leaf and Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates) gave positive performance under laboratory while the efficacy percent were decline at both field locations on field. Azadirachta indica seed, Dodonae angustifolia and Cymbopogon citrates were given 59.48, 57.16 and 52.50 at Mutulu and 53.92, 37.26 and 62.72 at Guder location mortality percent, respectively, after 3rd day observation in first spray. The obtained results revealed that all tested materials were exhibited mortality rate action against cabbage aphids. Powdered neem seed, Dodonae angustifolia fresh leaf and leaves of Cymbopogon citrates caused moderately mortality percent against cabbage aphid within 3 days after applications. Higher damage and low yield were observed in control and botanicals application. This study indicated that the two insecticides Cutter 112 E.CTM and Triger 5 E.CTM and botanicals could be recommended as an alternative management option of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) in Ethiopia.

Transcriptome sequencing, annotation and polymorphism detection in the hop bush, Dodonaea viscosa.

BackgroundThe hop bush, Dodonaea viscosa, is a trans-oceanic species distributed oversix continents. It evolved in Australia where it is found over a wide range of habitat types and is an ecologically important species. Limited genomic resources are currently available for this species, thus our understanding of its evolutionary history and ecological adaptation is restricted. Here, we present a comprehensive transcriptome dataset for future genomic studies into this species.MethodsWe performed Illumina sequencing of cDNA prepared from leaf tissue collected from seven populations of D. viscosa ssp. angustissima and spatulata distributed along an environmental gradient in South Australia. Sequenced reads were assembled to provide a transcriptome resource. Contiguous sequences (contigs) were annotated using BLAST searches against the NCBI non-redundant database and gene ontology definitions were assigned. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected for the establishment of a genetic marker set. A comparison between the two subspecies was also carried out.ResultsIllumina sequencing returned 268,672,818 sequence reads, which were de novoassembled into 105,125 contigs. Contigs with significant BLAST alignments (E value < 1e-5)numbered at 44,191, with 38,311 of these having their most significant hits to sequences from land plant species. Gene Ontology terms were assigned to 28,440 contigs and KEGG analysis identified 146 pathways that the gene products from 5,070 contigs are potentially involved in. The subspecies comparison identified 8,494 fixed SNP differences across 3,979 contiguous sequences, indicating a level of genetic differentiation between them. Across all samples, 248,235 SNPs were detected.ConclusionsWe have established a significant genomic data resource for D. viscosa,providing a comprehensive transcriptomic reference. Genetic differences among morphologically distinct subspecies were found. A wide range of putative gene regions were identified along with a large set of variable SNP markers, providing a basis for studies into the evolution and ecological adaptation of D. viscosa.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1987-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of Camellia reticulata, Chloranthus japonicas, Dodonaea viscosa and Paris polyphylla on the proliferation of and tyrosinase activity in a melanocyte cell line

Objective To estimate the whitening effect of extracts of Camellia reticulata, Chloranthus japonicas, Dodonaea viscosa and Paris polyphylla. Methods A human epidermal melanocyte cell line HEM-m was cultured in vitro, and classified into several groups to be treated with 7 concentrations（10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 mg/L）of different plant extracts, including Camellia reticulata leaf extract, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of Camellia reticulata leaf extract, extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum, Chloranthus japonicas extract, Dodonaea viscosa extract, and Paris polyphylla extract. At the same time, the negative control group, blank control group and positive control group（treated with 100 mg/L arbutin）were set up. After 72 hours of treatment, MTT assay was performed to detect cell proliferation, and dopa-oxidation assay to estimate tyrosinase activity in melanocytes. Results As far as the inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HEM-m cells was concerned, 400 mg/L Camellia reticulata leaf extract, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of Camellia reticulata leaf extract at 10-100 mg/L, extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum at 10-25 mg/L, 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum at 10 mg/L and Dodonaea viscosa extract at 10-25 mg/L were equivalent to（all P > 0.05）, 800 mg/L Camellia reticulata leaf extract was significantly weaker than（P 0.05）, stronger than 70% ethanol-eluted fraction of extract of Camellia reticulata alabastrum at 10-25 mg/L（P < 0.05）, but weaker than the other concentrations of these plant extracts（P < 0.05 or 0.01）. Conclusion Special concentrations of Camellia reticulate and Dodonaea viscose can inhibit tyrosinase activity. Key words: Plant extracts; Melanocytes; Cell proliferation; Tyrosinase

Specific gravity of some woody species in the Srinagar Valley of the Garhwal Himalayas, India

In this study, we investigated the specific gravity of wood samples collected from a total of 31 woody species, consisting of 20 trees, 10 shrubs and one species of bamboo from sub-tropical regions of Garhwal Himalayas, India. Results show that among these woody species, the specific gravity of trees ranged from 0.34 for Erythrina suberosa to 0.83 for Albizia procera. For shrub species the specific gravity of Ricinus communis was 0.39 and that of Dodonaea viscosa 0.93. The average specific gravity of trees was 0.58 and of shrubs 0.66.

A species well travelled – the Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) complex based on phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETSf sequences

AbstractAim To determine the evolutionary history of the widely studied, cosmopolitan polymorphic species Dodonaea viscosa (hop bush, varnish tree).Location All continents except Antarctica, extending from 44° S (in the South Island of New Zealand) to 33° N (in California and Arizona).Methods For 50 samples across the worldwide distribution, Bayesian analyses of nuclear ribosomal transcribed spacers (ITS 1, ITS 2 and partial ETS) were performed. The alignment was partitioned by secondary structure and analysed using separate models of sequence evolution for each spacer’s stem and loop partition. Bayesian relaxed‐clock estimations of divergence times were used to investigate the tempo of the transoceanic dispersal history of Dodonaea viscosa.Results The widely distributed Dodonaea viscosa evolved in Australia from its most recent common ancestor in the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene and subsequently split into two distinct, geographically based, intraspecific lineages. There are a number of regional subclades that are also supported by specific molecular elements.Main conclusions Dodonaea viscosa is not an old lineage, as has often been speculated based primarily on its vast distribution. It diverged from its most recent common ancestor and subsequently dispersed and established around the world within the last 2 Myr. Two distinct lineages within Dodonaea viscosa, which have been shaped by Quaternary climatic change, have separate dispersal histories. The molecular investigations have identified that, although there are least two evolutionary lineages within the complex, they do not correlate with any distinct morphological subunits. It is proposed that Dodonaea viscosa (including D. biloba and D. procumbens) be recognized as an ochlospecies.

Anti-Nociceptive Activity of Various Extracts of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq., Leaves

Objective: The present study is aimed to evaluate the leaf extracts of Dodonaea viscosa for acclaimed antinociceptive activity on chemical and thermal induced pain. Materials and methods: Three experimental pain models viz. thermal stimulation by hot plate method, tail flick method using analgesiometer and writhing induced by glacial acetic acid were used for assessing antinociceptive activity of D. viscosa . Results: All the leaf extracts of D. viscosa showed antinociceptive activity in rats and mice. Conclusion: All tested extracts showed significant antinociceptive activity, among them ethyl acetate extract exhibited superior activity. Data suggests that the extracts of D. viscosa have an inhibitory activity on both peripheral and central pain mechanisms. The antinociceptive efficacy of the extracts may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, sterols and saponins.

RECORDS OF PSYLLA DODONAEAE TUTHILL (HEMIPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) IN AUSTRALIA, WITH NOTES ON ITS BIOLOGY

The nymphs of Psylla dodonaeae, a species not previously recorded in Australia, distort the leaves of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. and make use of host-plant exudates for shelter.