Turnera Ulmifolia Research Articles

Seed fate in the myrmecochorous Neotropical plant Turnera ulmifolia L., from plant to germination

Myrmecochory (seed dispersal by ants) differs from other dispersal systems in a series of advantages offered by the ants to the plants. Here, seed fate, from fruit to germination, of the myrmecochorous Neotropical plant Turnera ulmifolia L. is described. Seed movement from the fruit to their germination was studied, using different measurements and experiments. The results show that a T. ulmifolia individual produces ca. 5000 seeds per year. The main pre-seed-fall predators are the larvae of the Microlepidopteran Crocidosema plebejana Zeller, which consumed 1% of the seeds on the plant. The red-land crab Gecarcinus lateralis (Freminville) consumed 19% of the seeds beneath the plant and was the main post-seed-fall predator. Seed removal by ants was recorded on and beneath the plant, and ants removed 49% of the total seed production. Considering the seed removal events, the ant Forelius analis contributed with 64% of the total number of events. F. analis took seeds to its nest and discarded 23% of the seeds collected. Germination of seeds collected by F. analis was two to four times higher than that of seeds with and without elaiosome, respectively. The relatively low seed predation was probably related to ant defense, associated with the presence of extrafloral nectaries in this plant and with seed removal on the plant. Our results suggest that F. analis is a quantitatively efficient but qualitatively inefficient seed disperser of T. ulmifolia.

Anti-Candida activity of Mentha arvensis and Turnera ulmifolia

Candidiasis is the most frequent infection by opportunistic fungi, frequently caused by Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei. Mentha arvensis L. is a herbaceous plant that occurs throughout South America and is used as a tea and in the folk medicine. Turnera ulmifolia L. is already known to be of medicinal value. Ethanol extracts from M. arvensis and T. ulmifolia were assayed for antifungal activity against strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei. No clinically relevant antifungal activity was demonstrated by the extracts; however, a potentiation effect was observed when the extracts were applied with metronidazole against C. tropicalis. M. arvensis and T. ulmifolia could represent a source of natural products with modifying antifungal activity.

Nuclear DNA content in the polyploid complex Turnera ulmifolia (Turnera L., Passifloraceae)

Turnera ulmifolia constitutes a well-studied polyploid complex with allo- and autopolyploid species ranging from 2 to 8x. Flow cytometry was used to determine nuclear DNA content, and to estimate 2C- and 1Cx-values with the aim of analysing the genome size in Turnera in terms of polyploid speciation. The 2C-value and 1Cx-value were evaluated in 12 species of the T. ulmifolia complex. Nuclear DNA content was estimated by flow cytometry of nuclei stained with propidium iodide. The 2C DNA content ranged from 1.38 to 1.83 pg in diploids, from 2.67 to 3.96 pg in tetraploids, from 2.73 to 4.31 pg in hexaploids, and from 3.53 to 5.90 pg in octoploids. The 1Cx-value ranged from 0.44 to 0.99 pg. The Turnera ulmifolia complex showed an increase in total DNA content in the ploidy level, but not in the expected proportion. The general tendency indicated a decrease in the 1Cx-value with increasing chromosome number, with T. grandidentata 4x being an outstanding exception. The 1Cx-values in the allooctoploids T. aurelii and T. cuneiformis differed by 1.6-fold from each other, probably as a result of different evolutionary histories following divergence from the last common ancestor.

Essential Oil of Turnera Ulmifolia Leaves from Cuba

The chemical composition of the volatile compounds from the leaves of Turnera ulmifolia L. (Turneraceae) from Cuba was studied by GC and GC/MS. Sixty-four volatile compounds were identified, of which the major ones were beta-caryophyllene (21.5%) and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (18.4%).

Selection on signal–reward correlation: limits and opportunities to the evolution of deceit in Turnera ulmifolia L.

Because pollinators are unable to directly assess the amount of rewards offered by flowers, they rely on the information provided by advertising floral traits. Thus, having a lower intra-individual correlation between signal and reward (signal accuracy) than other plants in the population provides the opportunity to reduce investment in rewards and cheat pollinators. However, pollinators' cognitive capacities can impose a limit to the evolution of this plant cheating strategy if they can punish those plants with low signal accuracy. In this study, we examined the opportunity for cheating in the perennial weed Turnera ulmifolia L. evaluating the selective value of signal accuracy, floral display and reward production in a natural population. We found that plant reproductive success was positively related to signal accuracy and floral display, but not to nectar production. The intensity of selection on floral display was more than three times higher than on signal accuracy. The pattern of selection indicated that pollinators can select for signal accuracy provided by plants and suggests that learning abilities of pollinators can limit the evolution of deceptive strategies in T. ulmifolia.

Investigation of Turnera ulmifolia effects in pregnant rats and offspring

Turnera ulmifolia Linn. (Turneraceae) is an herb commonly found in northeastern Brazil, frequently employed in folk medicine, including by pregnant woman, for many afflictions due to it expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, and antioxidant effects. This work studied the infusion commonly used by the population, obtained by maceration of fresh leaves of T. ulmifolia in filtered water, to evaluate if the same may promote alterations in rat gestation and exposed offspring. Pregnant rats received, by gavage, the aqueous extract (0, 1, 2, or 3 g/kg/day) from gestation day (GD) 1 to GD 21. The treatment was not able to promote maternal toxicity: body weight gain, food and water intake were not altered during gestation period. The offspring presented normal physical and reflexological development. No alterations were observed in the histopathological study and sexual hormone levels of the dams and offspring at 30, 60, and 90 days of age. The sexual behavior was evaluated in male and female offspring at adult age (GD 90) and no alterations were observed. These results suggest that the infusion of T. ulmifolia, employed in folk medicine, at these doses, is not able to promote alterations to pregnant rats, to impair gestation, or to damage the exposed offspring.

Herbal therapy associated with antibiotic therapy: potentiation of the antibiotic activity against methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Turnera ulmifolia L

BackgroundStaphylococcus genus is widely spread in nature being part of the indigenous microbiota of skin and mucosa of animal and birds. Some Staphylococcus species are frequently recognized as etiological agents of many animal and human opportunistic infections This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of Turnera ulmifolia against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – MRSA strain.MethodsIn this study an ethanol extract of Turnera ulmifolia L. and chlorpromazine were tested for their antimicrobial activity alone or in combination with aminoglycosides against an MRSA strain.ResultsThe synergism of the ethanol extract and aminoglycosides were verified using microdillution method. A synergistic effect of this extract on gentamicin and kanamycin was demonstrated. Similarly, a potentiating effect of chlorpromazine on kanamycin, gentamicin and neomycin, indicating the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to these aminoglycosides.ConclusionIt is therefore suggested that extracts from Turnera ulmifolia could be used as a source of plant-derived natural products with resistance-modifying activity, constituting a new weapon against the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics demonstrated in MRSA strains.

Pharmacognostic Investigations On <i>Turnera ulmifolia</i>

Turnera ulmifolia Linn. has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as rheumatism, vertigo, dysmenorrhea and dysentery. Microscopically, leaf of T. ulmifolia showed the presence of abundant stellate non-glandular trichomes, anisocytic stomata and large number of calcium oxalate crystals along the veins. Lignified spiral vessels, pericyclic fibres, and starch grains were observed in powdered aerial parts of T. ulmifolia. Total ash of the aerial parts of T. ulmifolia was about 3 and 6 times more than acid insoluble and water soluble ash respectively. Water soluble extractive value of the plant was found to be approximately twice the alcohol soluble extractive value. TLC of petroleum ether extract showed 6 spots using hexane:chloroform ( 17:3) as mobile phase, chloroform extract showed 7 spots using toluene:ethylacetate:glacial acetic acid (35:4:1), and methanol extract showed 9 spots using toluene:ethylacetate:glacial acetic acid (15:4:1) on spraying 0.5% anisaldehyde followed by heating for 5minutes at 105°C. Phytochemically, the plant was found to contain alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrates and proteins. Keywords: Turnera ulmifolia, Turneraceae, Ash values, Extractive values, Thin layer chromatography, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Carbohydrates, Glycosides, Proteins.Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 5-9

Intestinal antiinflammatory activity of a lyophilized infusion of Turnera ulmifolia in TNBS rat colitis

Turnera ulmifolia is a plant popularly known in Brazil and South America as chanana. Some species of Turnera are widely used in folk medicine for different types of inflammatory diseases. In this study, the preventive intestinal antiinflammatory activity of a lyophilized infusion obtained from the aerial parts of T. ulmifolia was tested in the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) model of rat colitis. The results obtained revealed that pretreatment to colitic rats with the extract, at 250 and 500 mg/kg, significantly attenuated the colonic damage induced by TNBS. This beneficial effect was associated with an improvement in the colonic oxidative status, since the infusion prevented the glutathione depletion that occurred as a consequence of the colonic inflammation. On the other hand, this antioxidant activity was confirmed in in vitro studies. In conclusion, the preventive effect exerted by the lyophilized infusion of T. ulmifolia in the TNBS model of rat colitis is probably related to its antioxidant properties, due to its flavonoids content.

Turnera ulmifolia L. (Turneraceae): Preliminary study of its antioxidant activity

Turnera ulmifolia L. is used in Brazilian folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory. Since this activity may be correlated with the presence of antioxidant compounds, a leaf extract was evaluated for its radical scavenging capacity (RSC). The in vitro RSC of a 50% hydroethanolic (HE) extract was evaluated by β-carotene/linoleic acid coupled oxidation system for the inhibition of oxidation and the lipid peroxidation inhibition in rat brain homogenates, using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and chemiluminescence (CL). Results indicated, through peroxidation suppression, that this extract exhibited greater antioxidative activity (77.4% ± 10%) than α-tocopherol (58.4% ± 3.7%). TBARS and CL inhibition was concentration-dependent and Q 1/2 values were 8.2 and 6.0 μg/mL for TBARS and CL, respectively. For α-tocopherol these values were 7.1 μg/mL (TBARS) and 9.8 μg/mL (CL). Phenolic compounds may be responsible for this antioxidant capacity.

Effects of ant behaviour and presence of extrafloral nectaries on seed dispersal of the Neotropical myrmecochore Turnera ulmifolia L. (Turneraceae)

This paper describes the myrmecochory system of Turnera ulmifolia in a coastal sand dune matorral in Mexico. Turnera ulmifolia has elaiosome-bearing seeds and extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). In ten quadrants (4 × 15 m) ant–seed interaction was monitored, and an interaction intensity index calculated and correlated with the number of seedlings. Seed removal rates by ants were surveyed every 2 h for 24 h, the ants being observed both on and beneath the plants. The role of the elaiosome in seed removal was evaluated by offering seeds with and without elaiosomes, and elaiosomes only. Finally, the effect of ant manipulation in seed germination was evaluated. There were 25 ant species associated with seeds and/or EFNs, the most frequently recorded being Monomorium cyaneum and Forelius analis. There was a positive correlation between the intensity index and seedling number per quadrant. There was significantly higher mean seed removal during the day than during the night (19.3% and 12.3%, respectively), and from beneath than on the plant (21.9% and 9.5%, respectively). The preference for elaiosomes only was also greater during the diurnal period, and when gathered on, rather than beneath, the plant. Seed manipulation by F. analis enhanced germination by T. ulmifolia. Seed removal, dispersal distances, seed predation and germination were largely determined by ant behaviour. The presence of EFNs may be influencing seed removal on the plant by attracting a specific assemblage of omnivorous ants. Among such assemblages associated with T. ulmifolia we encountered a variety of behaviours, with ant species either good at defending plants but bad at dispersing seeds, or vice versa. We discuss the way in which these two rewards, and the processes involved (defence and dispersion), could have interacted with each other and evolved. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 67–77.

Presence of plastid and absence of mitochondrial DNA in male reproductive cells as evidence for cytoplasmic inheritance in Turnera ulmifolia and Zantedeschia aethiopica

Epifluorescence microscopy of mature pollen grains of Turnera ulmifolia and Zantedeschia aethiopica stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole demonstrated the presence of fluorescent cytoplasmic DNA aggregates in the male reproductive cells of both species. Double staining of the cells with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide in Technovit resin sections showed that the mitochondria of these cells did not correspond to the fluorescent cytoplasmic DNA aggregates. Electron microscopy studies revealed both plastids and mitochondria in the cells of these species. In addition, immunoelectron microscopy using an anti-DNA monoclonal antibody showed clear labeling of plastids but not mitochondria. These data provide cytological evidence for biparental plastid inheritance and maternal mitochondrial inheritance in these species.

Genomic Relationships betweenTurnera krapovickasii(2x, 4x) andT. ulmifolia(6x) (Turneraceae, Turnera)

Abstract Interspecific crosses between two species of the Turnera ulmifolia complex with yellow flowers have been carried out. As a result, two hybrids were obtained: T. krapovickasii (K4) x T. ulmifolia (U), 2n = 4x=20 and T. ulmifolia (U) x T. krapovickasii (K5), 2n = 5x=25. The hybrids were cytologically studied in order to determine their genomic relationships. The chromosome pairing data of hybrids indicates that T. ulmifolia is a segmental allopolyploid and, on the basis of the results obtained, the genomic constitution AuAuBaBaBuBu is proposed for this species. The cytological analysis of the tetraploid hybrid has also revealed the presence of PMCs with 2n = 40 that should have been formed by pre-meiotic chromosome doublings and would give rise to the formation of fertile 2n gametes. From this finding, it is suggested that, in the genus Turnera, unreduced gametes may result from at least two mechanisms: (1) premeiotic doubling and (2) meiotic nuclear restitution.

Effects of tea from Turnera ulmifolia L. on mouse gastric mucosa support the Turneraceae as a new source of antiulcerogenic drugs.

Turnera ulmifolia is a plant belonging to the family Turneraceae, popularly known in Brazil as chanana. This species is distributed from Guyana to southern Brazil where it is considered a weed. The plant occurs in tropical rain forest, fields, and gardens. Chanana tea is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of diseases related mainly to gastric dysfunction including gastric and duodenal ulcers. In this study, the ability of a lyophilized infusion, as an aqueous fraction (AqF) of the aerial parts of T. ulmifolia, was investigated for its ability to prevent ulceration of the gastric and duodenal mucosa was examined in mice and rats, respectively. The AqF significantly reduced the formation of lesions associated with HCl/ethanol administration by 39% and 46%, respectively, at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, p.o. The AqF also significantly reduced the incidence of gastric lesions induced by a combination of indomethacin and bethanechol by 58% and 72% at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. In stress-induced gastric ulcer, the inhibition by the AqF was 48%, 57%, and 58% at doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05). A pyloric ligature experiment showed that the highest dose of the AqF significantly affected the gastric juice parameters by increasing the pH from 2.5 (control) to 5.3 and decreasing the acid output from 11.3 (control) to 3.7 mEq/ml/4 h. The AqF had no significant effect on duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed that flavonoids were the major constituents of the AqF of T. ulmifolia. These results indicate that this extract has a significant antiulcerogenic effect, as popularly believed.

Effects of Cyanogenesis Polymorphism in Turnera ulmifolia on Euptoieta hegesia and Potential Anolis Predators

We examine the effects of the cyanogenesis polymorphism in Turnera ulmifolia on larvae, pupae, and adults of Euptoieta hegesia, the most damaging herbivore of T. ulmifolia in terms of tissue loss per unit time. We provide evidence that female E. hegesia do not show preference for host plants on the basis of their cyanogenesis level but do prefer T. ulmifolia over equally cyanogenic, closely related secondary host-plant species (Passiflora sp.). Similarly, cyanogenesis in T. ulmifolia has little effect on the food preference, growth, or development of the larvae. The potential host range of E. hegesia is limited, even within the genus Turnera, but this does not appear to be due to host-plant cyanogenesis. Pupae suffer very high mortality levels in the wild that are not associated with host-plant cyanogenesis, although our studies indicate that larvae are capable of sequestering cyanogenic glycosides from their host plants and possibly of synthesizing these or similar compounds. We provide evidence that the presence of sequestered cyanogenic compounds in the larvae protects them from terrestrial-based predators such as Anolis lizards

Cyanogenesis, herbivory and plant defense in Turnera ulmifolia on Jamaica

Field surveys of eight populations of Turnera ulmifolia L., a Jamaican weed exhibiting quantitative genetic variation for cyanogenesis, were undertaken to assess the effectiveness of cyanogenesis as a plant defense. Populations known to be characteristically acyanogenic, cyanogenic or to exhibit within-population variation were surveyed for cyanogenesis, plant size, and the presence and identity of invertebrate plant visitors. A developmental series of 10 leaves from a shoot of each surveyed plant was analyzed, using image analysis techniques, for the type and extent of damage present. We also surveyed two additional plant populations for the presence of plants with eggs or larvae of Euptoieta hegesia Cramer, a Nymphalid butterfly that is potentially the most damaging herbivore of T. ulmifolia, and a paired comparison analysis of cyanogenesis in plants with the herbivore versus plants without the herbivore was conducted. We found that T. ulmifolia are attacked by a reasonably diverse insect fauna, but a relatively small suite of specialist herbivores that are seemingly undeterred by cyanogenesis inflicts most of the leaf damage. Cyanogenesis does appear to play a role in determining the types, numbers, and presence of generalist herbivores found within and between populations. Tissue loss sustained by plants varies both within and between populations; however, the proportion of leaf tissue lost due to herbivory is low, ranging from only 1-9% on average, and does not appear to be correlated with cyanogenesis in a consistent way. An analysis of covariance did, however, reveal that cyanogenesis has a significant effect on both plant height and number of shoots per plant. These results suggest that cyanogenesis might afford protection against herbivory from generalizing herbivores.

Flora ruderal da cidade de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil

O estudo sobre a flora ruderal de cidades, atualmente, tem sido intensificado, tendo como objetivo primordial o conhecimento do seu potencial e as variações na sua utilização. A literatura, até o momento, não registrava nenhum trabalho sobre este aspecto, para a cidade de Cuiabá (Mato Grosso). Tendo em vista a alta ocorrência de espécies ruderais nesta cidade, realizou-se o presente estudo com o objetivo de catalogar a sua flora ruderal, bem como verificar os usos regionais das espécies. As coletas foram realizadas cm duas áreas: Campus da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso e o bairro Boa Esperança. A triagem dos vegetais, bem como as identificações, foram realizadas no Laboratório de Botânica do Instituto de Biociências, desta Universidade. O levantamento botânico efetuado nas duas áreas catalogou 109 espécies e 81 gêneros, distribuídos por 35 famílias. A família Gramineae (=Poaceae) apresentou o maior número de espécies (14), seguida de Compositae (=Asteraceae 13). Leguminosae (=Fabaceae 11), Euphorbiaceae (10) e outras com menor número. Entre as 109 espécies catalogadas pode-se citar Panicum maximum Jacq. (capim-colonião), Turnera itlmifolia L. (chanana). Cecropia peltata L. (embaúva), Ipomoea acuminata Roem &amp; Sch. (campainha), as quais são utilizadas localmente como plantas forrageiras, ornamentais e medicinais.

Oral anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of a hydroalcoholic extract and partitioned fractions of Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae)

Anti-inflammatory studies were conducted on rats or mice using a crude hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Turnera ulmifolia and it's partitioned fractions, i.e. the aqueous, ethyl acetate and ethanolic fractions. The hydroalcoholic extract and it's fractions (aqueous and ethanolic) inhibited carrageenan-induced edema. However, only the ethanolic fraction was used in the other experiments due to it's yield. The extract also inhibited the cotton pellet granuloma and the increase of vascular permeability induced by histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and prostaglandin E 2, but not that produced by bradykinin. The extract or the fraction did not present analgesic activity in the writhing test using acetic acid and did not reduce croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. When the ethanolic fraction and LPS were administered i.p. to Balb/C mice 72 h before blood or peritoneal fluid collection, no changes were observed in the white or total blood cell counts in the peripheral blood. On the other hand, changes were observed in both total and differential cell counts in the peritoneal exudate since all doses of the fraction reduced the number of total leukocytes (mainly lymphocytes) obtained from the peritoneal exudate. In contrast to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the administration of the hydroalcoholic extract or the ethanolic fraction alone did not potentiate gastric mucosal lesions induced by aspirin. The extract and the fraction inhibited the appearance of gastric lesions induced by indomethacin, ethanol and pylorus ligature, but not those induced by stress. As also observed with carbenoxolone, the ethanolic fraction increased the wall mucus in hypothermical-restraint stress-induced gastric lesions. The anti-ulcerogenic effect of the extract and of the ethanolic fraction may be related to an increase of mucosal defensive factors, such as prostaglandin and mucus. The anti-inflammatory actions of the extract and the fraction may be due to an inhibitory effect on histamine and cyclooxygenase II, but not on cyclooxygenase I, because the extract and it's fraction present both anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic effects. The major substances present in the ethanolic fraction are flavonoids which will be isolated and identified.

Paternally biased cpDNA inheritance in Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae)

We end-labeled Hin fI restriction digests of a PCR-amplified plastid encoded gene, the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, to investigate patterns of cpDNA inheritance in Turnera ulmifolia. A total of 70 progeny from crosses among plants taken from ten populations revealed varying patterns of inheritance. A majority of progeny inherited the paternal cpDNA (64%), while 19% exhibited maternal and 17% biparental inheritance. Eight variegated progeny showed biparental inheritance and were analyzed in greater detail. We extracted and analyzed the cpDNA content of light- vs. dark- green leaf sectors from these plants. The results showed that vegetative segregation of cpDNA had occurred for seven of the eight plants.

Pollen competition in Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae)

We performed mixed pollinations, involving self vs. within‐ or between‐population pollen, and used starch gel electrophoresis to assay 2,210 progeny to detect pollen competition in Turnera ulmifolia. Within populations there was no evidence for a competitive advantage to outcross pollen. Between populations a marked advantage to self pollen occurred for most populations, and the extent of this competitive advantage was correlated with increasing morphological divergence of the outcross pollen donor population. A comparison of rates of ovule abortion revealed that the biased paternity ratios cannot be the result of ovule abortion alone, and that pollen competition must be the major contributing factor. We suggest that reproductive divergence among the populations, perhaps through adaptation to different pollinators or through the evolution of increased selling, has resulted in the evolution of reproductive isolation through pollen competition.