Taxaceae Research Articles

Altitudinal Impact on Phytochemical Composition and Mycorrhizal Diversity of Taxus Contorta Griff in the Temperate Forest of Shimla District.

Taxus contorta (family Taxaceae) is a native plant of temperate region of western Himalaya. The current study investigated the effect of altitude on the phytochemical composition and mycorrhizal diversity, associated with distribution of T. contorta in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the leaf extracts indicated that alkaloid levels decreased with altitude, with the highest value in Himri's methanol extracts (72.79 ± 1.08 mg/g) while phenol content increased with altitude, peaking in Nankhari's methanol extracts (118.83 ± 5.90 mg/g). Saponin content was higher in methanol extracts (78.13 ± 1.66 mg/g in Nankhari, 68.06 ± 1.92 mg/g in Pabbas, and 56.32 ± 1.93 mg/g in Himri). Flavonoid levels were notably higher in chloroform extracts, particularly in Nankhari (219.97 ± 2.99 mg/g), and positively correlated with altitude. Terpenoids were higher in chloroform extracts at Himri (11.34 ± 0.10 mg/g) and decreased with altitude. Taxol content showed minimal variation between solvents and altitudes (4.53-6.98 ppm), while rutin was only detected in methanol extracts (1.31-1.46 ppm). Mycorrhizal spore counts in T. contorta's rhizosphere varied with altitude: highest at Himri (77.83 ± 2.20 spores/50 g soil), decreasing to Pabbas (68.06 ± 1.96 spores/50 g soil) and lowest at Nankhari (66.00 ± 2.77 spores/50 g soil), with 17 AMF species identified overall, showing significant altitudinal influence on spore density. The rhizosphere of T. contorta was shown to be dominated by the Glomus species. The rhizospheric soil of the plant was found to be slightly acidic. Organic carbon and available potassium content decreased contrasting with increasing available nitrogen and phosphorus with altitude. Correlation data showed strong negative links between organic carbon (-0.83), moderate positive for nitrogen (0.46) and phosphorus (0.414), and moderate negative for potassium (-0.56) with the altitude. This study provides a comprehensive insight into changes in phytochemical constituents, mycorrhizal diversity and soil composition of T. contorta along a range of altitude.

Japanese Yew (Taxus) poisoning of wild ungulates in Utah during the winter of 2022–2023

Taxus is a genus of coniferous shrubs and trees, commonly known as the yews, in the family Taxaceae. All species of yew contain taxine alkaloids, which are ascribed as the toxic principles. Anecdotally, free ranging ruminants such as antelope, deer, elk, and moose have been regarded as tolerant to yew. Herein several cases of intoxication of deer, elk, and moose by yew from the state of Utah in the winter of 2022–2023 are documented. Ingestion of yew was documented by three means among the poisoned cervids; plant fragments consistent with yew were visually observed in the rumen contents, chemical analysis, and subsequent detection of the taxines from rumen and liver contents, and identification of exact sequence variants identified as Taxus species from DNA metabarcoding. Undoubtedly, the record snowfall in Utah during the winter of 2022–2023 contributed to these poisonings.

Quantitative assessment of paclitaxel in Taxus wallichiana zucc. bark using HPTLC densitometry: Insights for germplasm selection and toxicological studies

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. [Synonym: Taxus baccata subsp. Wallichiana (Zucc.) Pilg.] or Himalayan Yew belonging to the evergreen gymnosperm family Taxaceae, grows in temperate regions and has been used in traditional medicines to treat cancer, bronchial disorders, colds, cough, etc. The plant is known to contain paclitaxel (PTX), a key bioactive component with anticancer properties. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used in the present study to estimate paclitaxel from the bark of T. wallichiana obtained from 15 different geographical locations in the eastern and western Himalayas of India. HPTLC method was determined to be a reliable and efficient technique for the quantification of paclitaxel, offering rapid outcomes.The bark materials of T. wallichiana chemotype obtained from Sikkim (Samanden) contained the highest concentration of paclitaxel, followed by West Bengal (Sandakphu), Arunachal Pradesh (Dibang Valley), and respectively. The present study also examined the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous bark extract of the TW1 chemotype at various doses on the meristematic cells derived from the roots of Allium cepa L.. The bark extracts demonstrate considerable cytotoxic and mitotic properties. This study could be useful to the pharmaceutical industry for selecting elite (high paclitaxel-producing) chemotypes of T. wallichiana. The toxicological evaluation of the T. wallichiana chemotypes (using Allium cepa test) could also help to determine the genotoxic properties of the bark extract.

Flavonoid Components, Distribution, and Biological Activities in Taxus: A review

Taxus, also known as "gold in plants" because of the famous agents with emphases on Taxol and Docetaxel, is a genus of the family Taxaceae, distributed almost around the world. The plants hold an important place in traditional medicine in China, and its products are used for treating treat dysuria, swelling and pain, diabetes, and irregular menstruation in women. In order to make a further study and better application of Taxus plants for the future, cited references from between 1958 and 2022 were collected from the Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), SciFinder, and Google Scholar, and the chemical structures, distribution, and bioactivity of flavonoids identified from Taxus samples were summed up in the research. So far, 59 flavonoids in total with different skeletons were identified from Taxus plants, presenting special characteristics of compound distribution. These compounds have been reported to display significant antibacterial, antiaging, anti-Alzheimer's, antidiabetes, anticancer, antidepressant, antileishmaniasis, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antiallergic, antivirus, antilipase, neuronal protective, and hepatic-protective activities, as well as promotion of melanogenesis. Flavonoids represent a good example of the utilization of the Taxus species. In the future, further pharmacological and clinical experiments for flavonoids could be accomplished to promote the preparation of relative drugs.

Multi-omics analysis reveals the molecular responses of Torreya grandis shoots to nanoplastic pollutant

Micro/nanoplastic has become an emerging pollutant of global concern. At present, ecotoxic researches on micro/nanoplastics mostly focus on marine aquatic organisms and freshwater algae. Research on the ecological impacts of plastics on higher terrestrial plants, especially on forest plants, is relatively limited. Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii, a species of conifer in the family Taxaceae, is a unique and economically valuable tree species in China. The physiological and biochemical responses of T. grandis seedlings to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) with a diameter of 100 nm were systematically studied inthe present study. The results showed that nanoplastics enhanced the accumulation of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and the activities of catalase and peroxidase. The concentrations of iron, sulfur, and zinc were reduced after nanoplastic exposure. PSNP treatment had an important effect on a series of chemical and genetic indicators of T. grandis, includingantioxidants, small RNA, gene transcription, protein expressions, and metabolite accumulation. Multi-omic analysis revealed that PSNPs modulate terpenoid- and flavonoid-biosynthesis pathways by regulating small RNA transcription and protein expression. Our study provided novelty insights into the responses of forest plants to nanoplastic treatment.

Chemical compositions and biological activities of the oils from the genus Taxus and factors limiting the regeneration of endangered yews: a review.

The genus Taxus (yews) is the largest genus of the family Taxaceae. It comprises about 24 species with 55 varieties distributed mainly in Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America. In addition to the taxane diterpenoids and the cancer drug taxol, its species contain many essential oils with actual or potential biological activity. This review covers the chemical constituents as well as biological activities of these oils that have been studied in fourteen countries over 46 years (1975-2021). It also discusses the biotic and abiotic factors that limit the regeneration of these economically and medicinally important plants.

The genetic potential of Taxus sumatrana medicinal plants in Kerinci Regency

Taxus -a taxol-producing medicinal plant that mostly found in highland area- is a species in genus Taxus and family Taxaceae. This study was aimed to determine the genetic diversity within and between population of T. sumatrana in Kerinci Regency, i.e. Mount Kerinci and Mount Tujuh, based on altitude. The genetic diversity was analyzed with RAPD analysis. The altitude was categorized as low (<2000 m asl) and high (>2000 m asl). The cambium extraction was carried out based on CTAB method. DNA amplification was conducted in RAPD method on machine of PCR System 9700 Applied Biosystems. Nine RAPD primers were used in this study. The results revealed that the average of polymorphic locus was 53.89%. Genetic diversity within population was fairly high with value of 0.1799 and Shannon index of 0.2746. Among the four populations, the population of High Tujuh showed the highest level of variability (He=0.2044). The Nei genetic distance between populations was ranging from 0.0567 to 0.1302. The potential of High Tujuh population is still large enough so that it can still be explored for genetic conservation and cultivated as a taxol-producing material which is useful for medicine.

The genomes of Taxus species unveil novel candidates in the biosynthesis of taxoids

Taxaceae is the yew family of conifers and includes evergreen trees and small shrubs mainly distributed in Eurasia and North America. The genus of Taxus has attracted considerable attention since Monroe E. Wall and Mansukh C. Wani firstly isolated and characterized an unusual cyclic diterpenoid from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Wani et al., 1971). This compound, subsequently called paclitaxel, was shown to promote tubulin assembly into microtubules, preventing their disassembly. Subsequently, paclitaxel was approved for medical use against ovarian cancer in 1992 (Fischer and Ganellin, 2010).

The potential for using rare, native species in reforestation– A case study of yews (Taxaceae) in China

Ecosystem restoration is regarded as one of the most cost-effective ways of mitigating the effects of the ongoing climate- and anthropogenic changes and slow or revert the loss of biodiversity. Forest restoration has much potential to conserve forest specialist species and ecosystem services, by using multiple, native tree species to promote a high local diversity of trees, with likely positive effects on overall biodiversity and on ecosystem resilience. In this study, we assessed the potential of using two rare, native species of the yew family (Taxaceae) in forest restoration in China. Species of this family are only rarely used in reforestation despite their potential contribution to tree functional diversity as long-lived, shade-tolerant, evergreen understory trees with fleshy seed cones of value to frugivorous animals. By using species distribution modelling methods, we analysed national and local scale occurrence data for Taxus cuspidata and Torreya grandis to determine the climate-based potential ranges as well as important factors for growth on a local scale. The analyses showed that both species have large potential ranges driven mainly by precipitation and by comparing these ranges with the areas that have potential for sustaining forests, we found large areas available for forest restoration where these species could be included. On the local scale, we found that low light levels and low competition from co-occurring trees are more important for the growth of seedlings compared to the adult individuals of both species. If the ecological requirements for seedlings are ensured, i.e. by creating moderately shaded environments in which seedlings can escape competition, both Taxaceae species have high potential for reforestation in China and will increase the ecological qualities of a restored forest, and at the same time, the conservation of rare tree-species in their native ranges is ensured. Conclusively, both Ta. cuspidata and To. grandis are shade-tolerant, slow-growing trees that, by creating an evergreen scrubby layer, add to forest structural complexity and stability, thereby helping support ecosystem services and biodiversity, e.g. microhabitat and resources for birds and other animals.

Anti-melanogenic effects of hot-water extracts from Torreya nucifera via MAPKs and cAMP signaling pathway on B16F10 cells.

Torreya nucifera is an evergreen tree in the family Taxaceae, the seeds, leaves, and stems of which have long been used as edible products and herbal medicines in Korea. Previous studies of biological activity have shown that T. nucifera has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of T. nucifera leaves on melanogenesis are yet to be studied. In this investigation, we used B16F10 melanoma cells to test the efficacy of T. nucifera leaf hot water extract (TLWE). α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells were treated with various concentrations of TLWE (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL). The results showed that TLWE reduced the melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. It also inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The compounds catechin and ρ-coumaric acid, which are known to have a whitening effect on skin, were detected by HPLC analysis. These results suggest that TLWE has an anti-melanogenic effect. In addition, the safety of TLWE was tested. The results of the skin irritation test showed that TLWE is harmless to the human skin, even at higher concentrations than those used in the experiment. Therefore, we suggest that the water extract of T. nucifera leaves has potential for use as a skin-whitening agent.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Taxus wallichiana as the medicinal plant from China

Taxus wallichiana is a member of the family Taxaceae, which is a unique and endangered species in China and is widely used for ornamental, material and medicinal purposes. The complete chloroplast genome of T. wallichiana was found to possess a total size of 128,168 bp. The GC content of T. wallichiana chloroplast genome sequence is 37.3%, the overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome sequence is: A of 30.7%, T of 32.0%, C of 19.0% and G of 18.3%. The total of 116 genes were successfully annotated, which contained 83 protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNA genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. The ML phylogenetic analysis result showed that T. wallichiana was closely related to Taxus baccata in the phylogenetic relationship using the neighbour-joining (NJ) method in this study.

Ethnobotanical notes on a lesser known Gymnosperm family Taxaceae of Himalayan regions in India, adjoining countries and in South-East Asia

Ethnobotanical notes on a lesser known Gymnosperm family Taxaceae of Himalayan regions in India, adjoining countries and in South-East Asia

Origin of the Taxaceae aril: evolutionary implications of seed-cone teratologies inPseudotaxus chienii

Fleshy structures that promote biotic dispersal by ingestion have evolved many times in seed plants. Within the yew family Taxaceae sensu lato (six genera, including Cephalotaxus), it remains controversial whether the characteristic fleshy structure surrounding the seed is interpreted as a novel outgrowth of the base of the ovule (i.e. an aril) or a fleshy seed coat that is entirely derived from the integument (i.e. a sarcotesta). This paper presents a detailed study of both wild-type and teratological seed cones of Pseudotaxus chienii, including morphology, anatomy and ontogeny. Wild-type and teratological seed cones were investigated with the classical paraffin technique and subsequent astrablue/safranin staining and scanning electron microscopy. The wild-type seed cone of Pseudotaxus possesses a fleshy white aril that is cup-like and not entirely fused to the seed. In the teratological seed cones investigated, the aril was bilobed and consisted of two free halves. In both wild-type and teratological cones, the aril was initiated as two lateral primordia in a transverse plane, but in wild-type cones the two primordia became extended into a ring primordium, which grew apically, leading to the cup-like shape. The teratological seed cones lacked a ring primordium and the two lateral aril lobes remained free throughout their entire ontogeny, alternating with the scale-like leaves inserted below them on the same branch; in some cases, these leaves also became fleshy. Based on the ontogeny and arrangement of the two fleshy aril lobes in the teratological seed cones of Pseudotaxus, we suggest that the typical aril of Taxaceae could be readily interpreted as a fused pair of strongly swollen leaves rather than a modified integument. Our investigations of the cup-like aril of Pseudotaxus demonstrate a similarity not only with other Taxaceae but also with relatively distantly related conifers such as Phyllocladus (Podocarpaceae).

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF TAXUS WALLICHIANA

Objectives: Taxus wallichiana, the member of family Taxaceae is used for the cure of various ailments by a large ethnic population native to the forests in Kashmir valley. The aim of this study is to evaluate antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective action of T. wallichiana as claimed by the ethnic population segment. Methods: Antioxidant potential of different T. wallichiana extracts was evaluated by estimating the total phenolics, 1,1-diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power, microsomal lipid peroxidation (LPO), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity through standard protocols. Hepatoprotective activity of T. wallichiana was determined by evaluation of liver marker enzyme (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase) levels using standard protocols and by histological analysis of rat liver tissues of different animal groups against CCl4 induced liver damage. Results: Phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE/g) was found maximum in case of ethanolic extract (153.34 mg GAE/g), followed by extracts of methanol (149.24 mg GAE/g), hexane (134 mg GAE/g), ethyl acetate (128.9 mg GAE/g), chloroform (121.37 mg GAE/g), and aqueous (113.00 mg GAE/g). At concentration of 700 μg/ml, DPPH radical scavenging activity of methanol extract was 88.29% with IC50 (212.00 μg/ml), aqueous (82.47%) with IC50 (258.29 μg/ml), and ethyl acetate (79.57%) with IC50 (301.80%μg/ml). The reducing power of the extracts increased in a concentration dependent manner. At concentration of 700 μg/ml, 79%, 68%, and 56% inhibition was observed with extracts of methanol, aqueous, and ethyl acetate on microsomal LPO with IC50 values of 126.09, 168.83, and151.96 μg/ml, respectively. Superoxide radical scavenging activity of T. wallichiana extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values 170.30 μg/ml (methanol), 257.00 μg/ml (aqueous), and 297.55 μg/ml ethyl acetate extract. T. wallichiana extracts exhibited antioxidant effects on calf thymus DNA damage. The results further depict the hepatoprotective action of T. wallichiana extract at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg and were comparable with that of standard treatment comprising 50 mg/kg-day of Vitamin C, a known hepatoprotective agent. The data were substantiated with histopathological studies of rat liver sections. Conclusion: These results comprehensively depict that T. wallichiana extracts are endowed with the free radical sequestering potential and be employed as potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective arsenal against many oxidative stress linked diseases.

Inclusion of Cephalotaxus in Taxaceae: Evidence from morphology and anatomy

The inconsistent relationship between the monogeneric family Cephalotaxaceae and Taxaceae was discussed and the possibility of merging Cephalotaxus within Taxaceae was also reviewed. Our previous reports (cladistics analysis, leaf anatomy and wood anatomy of Taxaceae s.l.) did not find a feasible reason to create a distinction between Cephalotaxus and other Taxad genera (Taxus, Pseudotaxus, Amentotaxus, Torreya and, Austrotaxus) and thus argued for a broader concept of Taxaceae with Cephalotaxus. The monophyly of Taxaceae including Cephalotaxus is described in various contemporary molecular studies, and some of them are in support of the single large family Taxaceae with six genera. Although additional comprehensive studies in the future may perhaps weaken the precise association between Cephalotaxaceae and other Taxad genera, on the basis of recent corroborations, at this moment Taxaceae should be redefined with broad circumscriptions, including Cephalotaxus.

Functional Conservation of an AGAMOUS Orthologous Gene Controlling Reproductive Organ Development in the Gymnosperm Species Taxus chinensis var. mairei

Arabidopsis AGAMOUS (AG) has roles in specifying reproductive organ (stamens and carpels) identity, floral meristem determinacy, and repression of A-function. To investigate possible roles of AG orthologous genes in gymnosperm species and evolution of C function, we isolated and identified AG orthologous gene TcAG from Taxus chinensis var. mairei (family Taxaceae, order Coniferales), a member of the last divergant lineage from higher Conifer that sisters to Gnetales. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis grouped TcAG into the gymnosperm AG lineage. TcAG was expressed in both developing male and female cones, but there was no expression in juvenile leaves. Ectopic expression of TcAG in an Arabidopsis ag mutant produced flowers with the third whorl petaloid stamen and fourth whorl normal carpel, but failed to convert first whorl sepals into carpeloid organs and second whorl petals into stamenoid organs. A 35S::TcAG transgenic Arabidopsis ag mutant had very early flowering, and produced a misshapen inflorescence with a shortened floral axis. Our results suggest that establishment of the complete C-function occurred gradually during AG lineage evolution even in gymnosperms.

Development of SCoT-Based SCAR Marker for Rapid Authentication of Taxus Media.

Taxus media is an important species in the family Taxaceae with high medicinal and commercial value. Overexploitation and illegal trade have led T. media to a severe threat of extinction. In addition, T. media and other Taxus species have similar morphological traits and are easily misidentified, particularly during the seedling stage. The purpose of this study is to develop a species-specific marker for T. media. Through a screening of 36 start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism primers, among 15 individuals of 4 Taxus species (T. media, T. chinensis, T. cuspidate and T. fuana), a clear species-specific DNA fragment (amplified by primer SCoT3) for T. media was identified. After isolation and sequencing, a DNA sequence with 530bp was obtained. Based on this DNA fragment, a primer pair for the sequence-characterized amplified region marker was designed and named MHSF/MHSR. PCR analysis with primer pair MHSF/MHSR revealed a clear amplified band for all individuals of T. media but not for T. chinensis, T. cuspidate and T. fuana. Therefore, this marker can be used as a quick, efficient and reliable tool to identify T. media among other related Taxus species. The results of this study will lay an important foundation for the protection and management of T. media as a natural resource.

Ethnomedical Properties of Taxus Wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan Yew)

Taxus wallichiana Zucc., known as Himalayan yew, belongs to the family Taxaceae. It is a medium-sized, temperate, Himalayan forest tree of medicinal importance. In India, this evergreen tree is found at altitudes between 1800 and 3300 m above mean sea level (MSL). It has been used by the native populations for treating common cold, cough, fever, and pain. Its uses are described in Ayurveda and Unani medicine. It received attention recently as its leaves and bark were found to be the prime source of taxol, a potent anticancer drug. It possesses many other biological activities also. We focus on its importance in traditional medicine for its multiple medicinal properties.

A new taxane from the needles of Taxus cuspidata

Plants from the genus Taxus are a rich source of biological active diterpenoids belonging to the unique structure class of Taxanes [1–3]. Taxanes are highly oxygenated and esterified diterpenes, mostly containing a 6/8/6-membered skeleton as in the famous anticancer agent paclitaxel (Taxol ), and more than 550 taxanes have been isolated from different species of yew trees (family Taxaceae) [3]. Taxus cuspidata is a low-trailing shrub or tall tree distributed mainly in the northeast of China, Korea, and Japan. This yew was developed for ornamental purposes and is very popular as a decorative plant in gardens and yards. Previous chemical investigations on this yew have led to the identification of more than 100 taxanes including various skeletons [4–6], but there are still new taxanes being isolated [7]. In our continuing search for bioactive taxanes, we have previously isolated a series of new taxanes with various skeletons from the needles of the Japanese yew [8–11]. Further investigation on the needles of this plant, harvested in different regions in Japan, resulted in the isolation of a new taxane (1). In the present communication, the isolation and structural elucidation of a new taxane, namely 2 ,7 ,9 -triacetoxy-5 ,10 dihydroxy-taxa-4(20),11-dien-13-one (1), will be reported.

Preliminary exploration of the plant culture of &amp;lt;italic&amp;gt;Torreya grandis&amp;lt;/italic&amp;gt; in China

The conifer Torreya grandis is endemic to China and is a rare esculent species in the family Taxaceae. The plant culture of Torreya includes classification,food and medicine,landscape gardening,forestry,and related literature. The species was originally recorded on bamboo strips during the reign of the first emperor Qin Shi Huang. All the identifying features of the species have been described since the Ming Dynasty. The species was described scientifically in 1857. Torreya seeds have been used in herbal medicine since the Eastern Han Dynasty. More information on the potency of the species has been revealed since then. The use of the esculent torreya nut can be traced back to the middle of the Tang Dynasty. The cultivated variety,Chinese Torreya(T. grandis cv. Merrillii),was successfully cultivated by grafting. The West Zhejiang and South Anhui provinces are regarded as the origin of this variety. The selection of this species for landscape gardening began in the Western Han Dynasty. The conifer has even been planted in the Luoyang region,far from its natural source region in the Tang Dynasty. The use of the species in forestry can be traced back to the Song Dynasty. Its use reached its peak during the late Ming and the early Qing Dynasty in the Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. The appreciation of this species was encouraged by Su Shi,which led to Chinese torreya becoming fashionable during the Song Dynasty. Many poems were created about the conifer at this time.