Narcissus Jonquilla Research Articles

Compatibility and Possibility of New Ornamental Geophytes for Their Utilization in Landscape Architecture

Ornamental geophytes, renowned for their beauty, hold a special place among flower enthusiasts and producers, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of gardens and orchards. The main aim of this study was to ascertain the viability of cultivating decay-resistant genotypes and identify appropriate planting locations for each species within a one-to-three-year timeframe, contingent upon the specific species. The research took place at the Flower and Plant Production Center of the Gorgan Municipality’s Landscape and Urban Green Space Organization in Iran, with the primary focus on leveraging various geophyte flower species to optimize urban landscapes and elevate their visual allure. Utilizing a completely randomized block design with three replications, the study examined numerous species in the landscape. Various plant growth parameters were evaluated, including flowering time, optimal planting time, flower longevity on the plants, speed of underground bulb sprouting time, and visual quality of the samples. Results revealed that Narcissus jonquilla and Alstroemeria aurea cv. Balance exhibited the longest flower longevity, lasting for 43 days in the second year of growth. Conversely, Gladiolus hybrida (cv. Alexander) and Canna indica (cv. Flaccida and cv. Phasion) demonstrated a flower longevity of 13 days across both cultivation years. Alstroemeria and Crocosmia showed the shortest flowering time, significantly reduced compared to the first year due to the altered planting time. The assessment of visual quality highlighted Polianthes, Dahlia, and Gladiolus cultivars as displaying the highest visual appeal among the studied species. These findings yield valuable insights into the potential production and/or breeding of decay-resistant hybrid cultivars well suited for such regions.

Effect of Azolla Compost and Humic Acid on Growth and Flowering of Daffodil (Narcissus jonquilla cv. German)

Effect of Azolla Compost and Humic Acid on Growth and Flowering of Daffodil (Narcissus jonquilla cv. German)

Absolute configuration assignment to anticancer Amaryllidaceae alkaloid jonquailine

Jonquailine, a new alkaloid recently isolated from Narcissus jonquilla quail, an Amaryllidaceae species cultivated for its flowers fragrance in Europe and USA, shows very significant anti-proliferative activity against several malignant cancer cell types. Although it was reported that this activity is related to the functionalities and to its stereochemistry at C-8 of B ring, the absolute configuration at this stereocenter was not known. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of chiroptical properties, namely electronic circular dichroism (ECD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) are employed here to complete assignment of absolute configuration of jonquailine, and then, by extension, to its analogues pretazettine and 8-O-methylpretazettine. While ECD is not discriminating and ORD is of limited use, VCD reveals decisive in the task of absolute configuration assignment.

Fingerprints of flower absolutes using supercritical fluid chromatography hyphenated with high resolution mass spectrometry

Supercritical fluid chromatography hyphenated with high resolution mass spectrometry (SFC-HRMS) was developed for fingerprint analysis of different flower absolutes commonly used in cosmetics field, especially in perfumes. Supercritical fluid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (SFC-APPI-HRMS) technique was employed to identify the components of the fingerprint. The samples were separated with a porous graphitic carbon (PGC) Hypercarb™ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) by gradient elution using supercritical CO2 and ethanol (0.0–20.0 min (2–30% B), 20.0–25.0 min (30% B), 25.0–26.0 min (30–2% B) and 26.0–30.0 min (2% B)) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. In order to compare the SFC fingerprints between five different flower absolutes: Jasminum grandiflorum absolutes, Jasminum sambac absolutes, Narcissus jonquilla absolutes, Narcissus poeticus absolutes, Lavandula angustifolia absolutes from different suppliers and batches, the chemometric procedure including principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to classify the samples according to their genus and their species. Consistent results were obtained to show that samples could be successfully discriminated.

Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Extracts and Alkaloids of Selected Amaryllidaceae Species

Alkaloidal extracts of six selected species of Amaryllidaceae were studied with respect to their antibacterial and anti-yeast activity and their alkaloidal fingerprint. Twenty-five alkaloids were determined by GC/MS, and sixteen of them identified from their mass spectra, retention times and retention indexes. In the antimicrobial assay, Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus were used, along with isolates of the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis and Lodderomyces elongiosporus. The six extracts, together with 19 Amaryllidaceae alkaloids isolated in our laboratory, showed almost no inhibitory activity against the bacteria tested. However, promising anti-yeast properties were detected; the most potent activity was shown by lycorine, which inhibited C. dubliniensis with a MIC of 32 µg/mL, C. albicans and L. elongiosporus, both with MICs of 64 µg/mL, followed by caranine inhibiting C. dubliniensis with a MIC of 128 µg/mL. Among the alkaloidal extracts, Narcissus jonquilla cv. Baby Moon showed the most potent anti-yeast activity, with minimal and average MIC values of 128 and 192 µg/mL, respectively, followed by Leucojum aestivum, Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus and N. canaliculatus (average MICs 256, 267 and 299 µg/mL, respectively). The lowest MIC value among extracts was obtained for N. canaliculatus against L. elongiosporus (MIC 64 µg/mL).

Jonquailine, a new pretazettine-type alkaloid isolated from Narcissus jonquilla quail, with activity against drug-resistant cancer

A new alkaloid, belonging to the pretazettine group of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, was isolated from dried bulbs of Narcissus jonquilla quail and named jonquailine. Its structure, including the absolute configuration, was elucidated using various NMR, ECD and ESI MS techniques. Initial biological evaluation revealed significant antiproliferative effects against glioblastoma, melanoma, uterine sarcoma and non-small-cell lung cancer cells displaying various forms of drug resistance, including resistance to apoptosis and multi-drug resistance. Jonquailine was also found to synergize with paclitaxel in its antiproliferative action against drug-resistant lung cancer cells. The results obtained compared with literature data also showed that the hydroxylation at C-8 is an important feature for the anticancer activity but this seems unaffected by the stereochemistry or the acetalization of the lactol.

Highly efficient, selective and sensitive molecular screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors of natural origin by solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation-octopole-orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight-mass spectrometry and novel thin-layer chromatography-based bioautography

Highly efficient, selective and sensitive molecular screening of natural acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors was developed and comprised optimized pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of plant materials followed by highly selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB cartridges. Pure alkaloidal fractions were analyzed by a newly developed high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) on a 3 μm Atlantis HILIC silica stationary phase combined with recently introduced electrospray ionisation (ESI) octopole–orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa TOF)-mass spectrometry (MS) with high mass accuracy (about 2 ppm) and high sensitivity (absolute limit of detection (LOD) for galanthamine was about 43 fg at signal-to-noise 13:1). Moreover, a newly developed and validated TLC-bioautography permit galanthamine sensitivities at pg levels. In this way, more potent than galanthamine AChE inhibitor namely 1,2-dihydrogalanthamine in Narcissus jonquilla ‘Pipit’ extract could be found (with IC 50 value 0.19 μM lower of about 42% than that of galanthamine).

Pressurized liquid extraction and anticholinesterase activity-based thin-layer chromatography with bioautography of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids

Modern extraction technique-pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was optimised for extraction of lycorine and galanthamine ( Amaryllidaceae alkaloids) from Narcissus jonquilla ‘Pipit’. Crude extracts were purified on Oasis MCX cartridges, and the alkaloids eluted with 80–100% recoveries using methanol–10% ammonia solution (3:1, v/v). Quantitative results were obtained by both HPTLC–densitometry on silica gel plates and RP-HPLC with diode array (DAD) on XTerra C 18 stationary phase. Both methods were fully validated in terms of specificity, precision (including intra- and inter-day measurements), LOD and LOQ values, correlation of UV spectra and linearity of calibration curves. The methods were also well correlated each other with correlation coefficients ( r) 0.98823 and 0.99081, respectively, for the mean values of galanthamine and lycorine. Among the investigated solvents methanol and 1% tartaric acid methanolic solution at default conditions (120 °C, p = 60 bar, time: 10 min, one static cycle) permit the highest yields of the total sum of the alkaloids, whereas for toluene the lowest amounts were measured. Lycorine to galanthamine mean ratios were dependant on the type of solvent used, and in toluene galanthamine and related alkaloids were preferably extracted. In temperature experiments for galanthamine, the levels of this compound increased from the temperature of 20 till 150 °C in the investigated solvent systems, then decreased with slight increase from the temperature of 175 to 200 °C in 1% tartaric acid methanolic solution. When lycorine was analysed, similar trends were observed, however the maximum of the concentration was measured at a temperature about 125 °C. The ratios of the mean values of these two compounds differed in temperature-dependant experiments in both solvent systems. Further more, two TLC with bioautography approaches were used in screening for anticholinesterese properties of the extracts. No qualitative differences were found among the different solvent extracts, and AChE inhibition was correlated with galanthamine and related compounds. In conclusion, optimised PLE was much more effective than previously applied hot-solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) or ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE).

Analysis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Narcissus by GC–MS and capillary electrophoresis

Amaryllidaceae are known as ornamental plants, furthermore some species of this family contain galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and other alkaloids with interesting pharmacological activity. In the present work, the quali- and quantitative analysis of Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloids in the bulbs of Narcissus species is presented using different analytical approaches. Extracts of Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton and Narcissus jonquilla Quail, were first examined by GC–MS using a Rtx ®-5 MS (programmed temperature) and the major alkaloids were identified. Together with galanthamine, high contents of haemanthamine, were found. Galanthamine was reliably quantified by GC–MS, whereas haemanthamine partly decomposed under the GC conditions, thus alternative analytical methods were investigated. Firstly, reversed-phase HPLC–ESI-MS was applied to identify and isolate at semipreparative levels haemanthamine. The compound was fully characterized by MS/MS and 1H NMR and then used as a reference substance. The quantitation of both galanthamine and haemanthamine was then accomplished by capillary electrophoresis with spectrophotometric detection. A non-aqueous (NACE) approach was selected in order to use a running buffer fully compatible with samples in organic solvent. In particular, a mixture methanol–acetonitrile (75:25, v/v) containing ammonium acetate (90 mM) was used as a background electrolyte. The same analytical sample was subjected to GC–MS and NACE analysis; the different selectivity displayed by these techniques allowed different separation profiles that can be useful in phytochemical characterization of the extracts. The GC–MS and NACE methods were validated and applied to the quantitation of galanthamine (GC–MS and NACE) and haemanthamine (NACE) in bulbs of N. jonquilla.

The controversial telomeres of lily plants

The molecular structure of the exceptional telomeres of six plant species belonging to the order Asparagales and two species of the order Liliales was analyzed using Southern blot and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Three different situations were found, namely: i) In the two Liliales species, Tulipa australis (Liliaceae) and Merendera montana (Colchicaceae), the chromosome ends display hybridization signals with oligonucleotides resembling telomere repeats of both plants (TTTAGGG)_nand vertebrates (TTAGGG)_n. ii) Asparagales species such as Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae), Muscari comosum (Hyacinthaceae), Narcissus jonquilla (Amaryllidaceae) and Allium sativum (Alliaceae) lack both the plant telomere repeats and the vertebrate telomere repeats. iii) Two other Asparagales species, Aloe vera (Asphodelaceae) and an Iris hybrid (Iridaceae), display positive hybridization with the vertebrate telomere repeats but not with the plant telomere repeats. Southern blot hybridization revealed concurring results. On this basis, the composition of the telomere structure in this plant group is discussed.

Absence of the Nucleolar Constriction in the Division of Generative Nucleus in the Pollen of Some Angiosperms

The morphological feature of the nucleolar constriction was studied in the chromosomes of generative nuclei in the following twelve species of Angiosperms: Narcissus jonquilla, Tradescantia paludosa, Brodiaea unfora, Hemerocallis thunbergii, Allium fistulosum, Impatiens balsamina, Lotus corniculatus, Pedicularis resupinata, Salix gracilistyla, Thea sinensis, Hordeum vulgare and Aster scaber. In all of the species studied, except for Allium fistulosum, the nucleolar constirction which is a structural characteristic of the nucleolar chromosomes of the respective species was found to be absent in the chromosomes of the generative nuclear division in pollens. The absence of the nucleolar constriction was confirmed by the observation of dinuclear and trinuclear pollens.

CHROMOSOME STRUCTURE IN <i>VICIA FABA</i> AND <i>NARCISSUS JONQUILLA</i> BY <sup>3</sup>H-THYMIDINE AUTORADIOGRAPHY AND TRYPSIN DIGESTION

By incorporating 3H-thymidine to the meristematic root tips of Vicia faba and Narcissus jonquilla followed by trypsin digestion, it was revealed that the silver grains were arranged in a network pattern in the isolated interphase nuclei. In the metaphase chromosomes the grains were found to be localized along the digested chromatids and their number showed no significant difference from one longitudinal split to the other found within the same chromosome.

Cytological Studies on <i>Narcissus</i>

1. A karyological study was made on Narcissus jonquilla. The chromosome number of the twenty clones collected from five different gardens were found to be 2n=14.2. All clones studied showed similar karyotype, i.e., the chromosomes can be grouped into seven pairs.3. The heterochromatin located in the distal end of the short arm of the shortest pair of chromosomes shows negative heteropycnosis. It has been observed for the first time that the heterochromatin forms a nucleolinus within the nucleolus during prometaphase and resting stage.

Narcissus mosaic virus

SUMMARYNarcissus mosaic virus (NMV) is widespread in British crops of trumpet, large‐cupped and double daffodils, but was not found in Narcissus jonquilla or N. tazzeta. Many commercial daffodil cultivars seem totally infected, and roguing or selection is therefore impracticable. Strict precautions by breeders and raisers to prevent infection of new cultivars is recommended. Healthy daffodil seedlings were readily infected with NMV by mechanical inoculation, but the virus was not detected in them until 17 months after inoculation, when a mild mosaic appeared.NMV infected twenty‐eight of fifty‐three inoculated plant species; only five (Nicotiana clevelandii, Gomphrena globosa, Medicago sativa, Trifolium campestre and T. incarnatum) were infected systemically, and NMV was cultured in these and assayed in Chenopodium amaranticolor and Tetragonia expansa. The virus was not transmitted to and from G. globosa or N. clevelandii by three aphid species, or through the seeds of Narcissus, G. globosa and N. clevelandii but was transmitted by handling. G. globosa sap was infective at a dilution of 10 ‐5 but not at 10‐6, when heated for 10 min. at 70° C. but not at 75° C, and after 12 weeks at 18° C, or 36 weeks at 0–4° C. NMV withstood freezing in infected leaves and sap, and purified preparations and freeze‐dried sap remained infective for over 2 years. NMV was precipitated without inactivation by ammonium sulphate (313 g./l.) but was better purified by differential centrifugation of phosphate‐buffer extracts treated with n‐butanol. Such virus preparations from G. globosa, N. clevelandii, C. amaranticolor and T. expansa were highly infective, serologically active, produced a specific light‐scattering zone when centrifuged in density‐gradients and contained numerous unaggregated particles with a commonest length of 548–568 mμ. Antisera prepared in rabbits had precipitin tube titres of 1/4096. NMV was detected in three experimental hosts but not in narcissus sap. Unlike some viruses with elongated particles, NMV precipitates with antiserum in agar‐gel. Purified preparations reacted with antiserum to a Dutch isolate of NMV but not with antisera to seven other viruses having similar particles and in vitro properties, or to narcissus yellow stripe virus.