Woody Vines Research Articles

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis (Oliv.) R.M.K.Saunders 1997 (Schisandraceae)

Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis (Oliv.) R.M.K. Saunders 1997, a woody vine plant esteemed for its medicinal properties, has garnered attention in botanical research. In this study, we elucidated the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. propinqua. The genome spans 145,562 bp and comprises a large single-copy (LSC) region of 94,164 bp, a small single-copy region of 18,294 bp (SSC), and a pair of inverted repeats (IR) of 16,552 bp. Notably, S. propinqua exhibits an overall GC content of 36.2%. Annotation revealed a total of 116 genes, encompassing 81 protein-coding genes, 27 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis unveiled a close relationship among Schisandraceae, indicating the evolutionary proximity. This comprehensive genomic dataset provides valuable insights into the genetic makeup and evolutionary dynamics within the Schisandra genus.

Effects of Climate, Soil, Topography and Disturbance on Liana Prevalence.

Lianas (woody vines and climbing monocots) are increasing in abundance in many tropical forests with uncertain consequences for forest functioning and recovery following disturbances. At a global scale, these increases are likely driven by disturbances and climate change. Yet, our understanding of the environmental variables that drive liana prevalence at regional scales is incomplete and geographically biased towards Latin America. To address this gap, we present a comprehensive study evaluating the combined effects of climate, soil, disturbance and topography on liana prevalence in the Australian Wet Tropics. We established 31 20 × 20 m vegetation plots along an elevation gradient in low disturbance (canopy closure ≥ 75%) and high disturbance (canopy closure ≤ 25%) forest stands. In these plots, all tree and liana (defined as all woody dicot vines and climbing monocots, i.e., rattans) stems ≥ 1 cm DBH were measured and environmental data were collected on climate, soil and topography. Generalised linear models were used with multi-model averaging to quantify the relative effects of the environmental variables on measures of liana prevalence (liana-tree basal area ratio, woody vine basal area and stem density and rattan stem density). Liana prevalence decreased with elevation but increased with disturbance and mean annual precipitation. The increase in the liana-tree ratio with precipitation was more pronounced for highly disturbed sites. Like other tropical regions, disturbance is an important driver of liana prevalence in Australian rainforests and appears to interact with climate to increase liana-tree ratios. The observed increase in liana-tree ratio with precipitation contrasts findings from elsewhere but is confounded by correlated changes in elevation and temperature, which highlights the importance of regional studies. Our findings show that forests with high disturbance and climatic conditions favourable to lianas are where lianas most likely to outcompete trees and impede forest recovery.

Exploring the biomedical applications of Campsis radicans (woody vine): integrating traditional wisdom and contemporary insights

Exploring the biomedical applications of Campsis radicans (woody vine): integrating traditional wisdom and contemporary insights

EVALUATION OF ANTI-EPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF SEED EXTRACT OF ENTADA PURSAETHA DC IN WISTAR RATS.

There are substances or ingredients or drugs that are not specifically mentioned or categorized in classical Ayur-vedic texts. These are called Extra pharmacopoeial drugs. Entada pursaetha DC is a large woody vine belong-ing to the family Mimosaceae. In some regions of India, it has been associated with folklore and traditional be-liefs. In this study, the anti-epileptic activity of ethanolic seed extract of Entada pursaetha DC in the doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively using Maximal Electroshock induced convulsions (MES models) were investigated in Wistar rats. The ethanolic extract of Seed does not have any anti-epileptic property and did not show any significant results in either the doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg.

<span>Diversity of flowering plants in Gao Giong ecotourism area, Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province</span>

The study was conducted to assess the diversity of flowering plants (Magnoliophyta) in Gao Giong ecotourism area, Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap provine, through field surveys and plant sampling collection in typical habitats. The results recorded 89 families, 249 genera and 337 species. Taxa belonging to Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledonae) are more diversified than Liliopsida (Monocotyledonae) with 240 species, 174 genera and 68 families. Families of most species members are Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae and Amanrathaceae. Genera of most diverse species are Cyperus, Ficus, Ipomoea, Nymphaea and Alternanthera. The flora has 5 main types of stem forms: woody plants, herbs, shrubs, vines and parasitic plants in which herbaceous plants dominate with 192 species. Value used of plants has been 10 main groups. Among these, medicinal plants have most diversity with 205 species (60.83%). Gao Giong ecotourism has 2 endangered species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book (2007) of Oryza rufipogon and Elaeocarpus hygrophilus.

IL-6 Inhibitory Compounds from the Aerial Parts of Piper attenuatum and Their Anticancer Activities on Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.

Piper attenuatum Buch-Ham, a perennial woody vine belonging to the Piperaceae family, is traditionally used in Southeast Asia for treating various ailments such as malaria, headache, and hepatitis. This study described the isolation and identification of three new compounds, piperamides I-III (1-3), which belong to the maleimide-type alkaloid skeletons, along with fifteen known compounds (4-18) from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of P. attnuatum. Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, ESI-Q-TOF-MS, and 1D/2D NMR). All the isolates were evaluated for their ability to inhibit IL-6 activity in the human embryonic kidney-Blue™ IL-6 cell line and their cytotoxic activity against ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3/SKOV3-TR) and chemotherapy-resistant variants (cisplatin-resistant A2780/paclitaxel-resistant SKOV3). The compounds 3, 4, 11, 12, 17, and 18 exhibited IL-6 inhibition comparable to that of the positive control bazedoxifene. Notably, compound 12 displayed the most potent anticancer effect against all the tested cancer cell lines. These findings highlight the importance of researching the diverse activities of both known and newly discovered natural products to fully unlock their potential therapeutic benefits.

Dynamics of tree stems and biomass in old‐growth and secondary forests along gradients in liana dominance, elevation and soil

Abstract Lianas, or woody vines, are key components of many tropical forests and can have substantial impacts on the dynamics and functioning of these important ecosystems. Their competition with trees for resources, in particular light, can hamper the recovery of forests from disturbances. Yet, it is unclear how forest disturbance interacts with liana–tree ratio (LTR), topography and soil properties to shape tree dynamics and the trajectories of forest succession. Using temporal data from the Kilombero Valley and the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, we demonstrate how the dynamics of tree stems and biomass vary between secondary and old‐growth forests with changes in the dominance of lianas and environmental gradients. Greater tree recruitment and mortality in secondary forests compared with old‐growth forests suggested rapid regeneration processes and faster turnover. However, no significant differences were found in the net annual changes in the number or biomass of trees between secondary and old‐growth forests. Our findings also showed that higher LTRs were positively associated with stem mortality but also with tree biomass growth, indicating a nuanced ecological role of lianas in forest ecosystems, which warrants further investigation to fully understand the causal factors at play. Net changes in tree stem numbers decreased significantly with elevation, implying climatic constraints on forest regeneration at higher elevations. Soil cation exchange capacity and organic carbon were found to significantly influence tree stem recruitment and net change in abundance, although their effects on biomass remained unclear. Synthesis: Our findings indicate that the recovery of tropical forests from disturbance in terms of the number and biomass of tree stems may be predictable along environmental gradients. These insights have the potential to broaden our capacity to develop more nuanced strategies that identify when and where tropical forests may require restoration interventions, with a focus on structural recovery.

Habitat context and functional growth traits explain alien plant invader impacts on native vegetation communities

Examining context-dependency of ecological impacts of alien plant invasions is critical to further understand the mechanisms driving impacts. We examined how different regional and local habitat contexts influence the abundance-impact associations of an invasive ground-creeper, Tradescantia fluminensis, in native forests across eastern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Invader impacts were assessed using surveys of resident vegetation at 97 monitoring plots (5 m × 2 m) located at 14 sites, representing a gradient of T. fluminensis abundance. We modelled the association of T. fluminensis invasion with native species richness (number per plot) and foliage cover across two different habitat types (remnant vs replanted forests), two vegetation community types (wet sclerophyll vs river oak forests), and two regions (northern vs. southern NSW). We also modelled variation in native species responses amongst different functional growth forms. The negative associations of T. fluminensis and native species communities was more strongly explained by local site variables (i.e., habitat type, community type, plant growth form) than regional scales. Native richness reduced with invasion in river oak but not wet sclerophyll forest. Native richness also declined in remnant forest, although no effect of invasion was observed in replanted forest. Surprisingly, native species growth forms most like T. fluminensis (ground layer herbs, ferns) were more resistant to reductions in native richness compared to divergent forms (shrub, tree and woody vine recruits). This study highlights the need to explicitly consider local community and habitat context and functional representation of resident species when considering invader impacts and site-level management plans.

An inexpensive moist chamber culture technique for finding microbiota on live tree bark.

Traditional moist chamber cultures (MCs) prepared in aseptic laboratory environments using sterile Petri dishes are commonly used to quantify the microbiota of rough-bark tree species and woody vines. MCs are typically expensive and may be difficult to make, so a less expensive option made from easily available supplies was developed. These cost-friendly MCs were compared with standard laboratory methods to demonstrate their efficacy. Modified MCs were made using inexpensive, store-bought supplies; compared to a standard laboratory setting, the modified MCs are shown to be less expensive with a faster setup time and larger size that facilitates a variety of tree and woody vine species. MC use resulted in the discovery of new species of fungi and myxomycetes with associated locality records. We provide detailed instructions for creating modified MCs, as well as a list of myxomycete species and their associated bark characteristics, pH values, and water-holding capacity. This new, low-cost MC technique makes the study of microbiota more inclusive and accessible for those in research laboratories, classrooms, and homes, including both amateurs and professionals. MCs are easy to prepare, versatile, and applicable for many areas of botany and the biological sciences, potentially allowing exploration into unexplored areas in urban ecosystems.

Comparative of Antioxidant property of Actinidia Deliciosa extracts by DPPH Assay

Introduction: The kiwi fruit is the edible berry of a cultivar group of the woody vine of several Actinidia species. The most common commercially available, green-fleshed kiwi fruit is the cultivar 'Hayward', which belongs to the Actinidia deliciosa species. Various chemical tests such Quantitative and Qualitative analysis have been carried out on kiwi extract. Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, an antioxidative screening of kiwi fruit components (pulp) crude extracts were carried out using specific assay media characterized for the presence of highly reactive species such as 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). In-vitro the antioxidant enzymes study of DPPH. Result: In our study we have evaluated the antioxidant capacity of flesh of kiwi fruit and also evaluated the antioxidant activity of kiwi fruit constituents along with the array detector for curcumin and piperine. Conclusion: The Kiwi fruit which is highly antioxidant in nature was found to have activity against asthma. It also acts as an anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, anti-tumour, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic effects, anti-inflammatory and many more. Recent studies show that phytoconstituent such as curcumin and piperine have used to treat asthma.

Leaf stoichiometry of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in tropical plants: Responses to climatic and geographical variations—A case study from Hainan Island

AbstractGrasping how climate change will affect the tropical region's leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium content is pivotal for enhancing our comprehension of plant stoichiometry. Currently, there is limited research on leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium in tropical plants, which is particularly evident with the increasing importance of tropical rainforest biodiversity studies. This study investigated the impact of geographical and climatic factors on the leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium content in 346 plants (including woody plants, herbs, and vines) on Hainan Island. The findings demonstrated that the average leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents were 5.77, 11.86, and 2.92 mg·g−1, respectively, which were less than that in the Chinese flora. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) has a promoting effect on leaf potassium content (p < 0.05), suggesting that artificial potassium fertilization is needed due to the increasing MAP. Leaf potassium and magnesium content were positively correlated with latitude (p < 0.05) and longitude (p < 0.01); and there was a negative correlation between leaf calcium content and latitude (p < 0.05), showing that geographical factors have a significant impact on the potassium, calcium, and magnesium content of plant leaves. Additionally, the variables regulating leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium varied across woody plants, herbs, and vines. Therefore, it is necessary to make corresponding adjustments according to local conditions and the plant functional types during nutrient management. In conclusion, this study sheds light on their potential responses to global changes and is instrumental in informing the management of these nutrients in tropical rainforest plants.

Phytochemical evaluation, embryotoxic, and teratogenic effects of Buwakan (Decalobanthus peltatus (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples) leaf extracts on duck embryo.

Decalobanthus peltatus is a woody vine that is commonly utilized in traditional Southeast Asian medicinal preparations. Despite the documented therapeutic uses of D. peltatus, there is hardly any information regarding its toxic effects on its consumers. In this study, crude leaf extracts (aqueous, methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane) from D. peltatus were prepared and evaluated for their embryotoxicity and teratogenic effects. Phytochemical screening of bioactive compounds from the plants showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins. In addition, investigations on the toxicity of the crude leaf extracts were determined using brine shrimp lethality assay, in which the LC50 was calculated. Results showed that the ethyl acetate leaf extract was the most toxic among the crude leaf extracts, with an LC50 of 14.54 ppm. Based on this result, ethyl acetate leaf extract was treated on duck embryos, and the alteration of vascular branching patterns in the chorioallantoic membrane was quantified. Gross morphological and histological analysis of the skin tissues from the treated duck embryos were also examined. We found significant reduction of primary and tertiary vessel diameters in the duck embryos treated with ethyl acetate leaf extracts in both concentrations compared to the control group. Treated duck embryos exhibited gross malformations, growth retardation, and hemorrhages on the external body surfaces at 1000 ppm. Histopathological analysis of the skin tissues from the 14-day-old treated duck embryos showed a reduced number of feather follicles compared to the control group. These results suggest that D. peltatus crude leaf extracts present risks when taken in significant dosages and comprehensive toxicity testing on therapeutic herbs should be performed to ensure their safety on the consumers.

Comparative Analysis of Dehydrins from Woody Plant Species.

We conducted analyses on 253 protein sequences (Pfam00257) derived from 25 woody plant species, including trees, shrubs, and vines. Our goal was to gain insights into their architectural types, biochemical characteristics, and potential involvement in mitigating abiotic stresses, such as drought, cold, or salinity. The investigated protein sequences (253) comprised 221 angiosperms (85 trees/shrubs and 36 vines) and 32 gymnosperms. Our sequence analyses revealed the presence of seven architectural types: Kn, KnS, SKn, YnKn, YnSKn, FSKn, and FnKn. The FSKn type predominated in tree and shrub dehydrins of both gymnosperms and angiosperms, while the YnSKn type was more prevalent in vine dehydrins. The YnSKn and YnKn types were absent in gymnosperms. Gymnosperm dehydrins exhibited a shift towards more negative GRAVY scores and Fold Indexes. Additionally, they demonstrated a higher Lys content and lower His content. By analyzing promoter sequences in the angiosperm species, including trees, shrubs, and vines, we found that these dehydrins are induced by the ABA-dependent and light-responsive pathways. The presence of stress- and hormone-related cis-elements suggests a protective effect against dehydration, cold, or salinity. These findings could serve as a foundation for future studies on woody dehydrins, especially in the context of biotechnological applications.

Genome-wide identification of Uncaria rhynchophylla bHLH transcription factors and in-vitro validation of UrbHLH1 through interaction with terpenoid indole alkaloid synthesis pathway members

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng), as an evergreen woody vine belong to Rubiaceae family, is a traditional medicinal herb in China. Its terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs), which have good antidepressant and combined therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease, have attracted widespread attention. However, the content of TIAs is relatively low in U.rhynchophylla, which is unable to meet the growing market demand. The basic helix loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family exists in all three eukaryotic kingdoms and can participate in regulating secondary metabolite pathways. So far, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the bHLH gene in U. rhynchophylla, and their role in TIAs is almost unknown. In this study, a total of 171 UrbHLH genes (UrbHLHs) were unevenly distributed on 22 chromosomes and divided into 23 subfamilies. In addition, the physicochemical properties of UrbHLHs were analyzed. Most UrbHLHs in each subgroup had similar gene structures and conserved motifs. Intraspecific collinearity analysis showed that UrbHLH1 may be related to the biosynthesis of TIAs. Subcellular localization experiments revealed that UrbHLH1 is located in the nucleus; Dual luciferase reporter gene analysis (Dual-LUC) showed that UrbHLH1 could activate the expression of UrG10H and Ur10HGO in the TIAs synthesis pathway of U. rhynchophylla. Finally, using yeast one hybrid (Y1H) it was found that the promoter regions of these two genes both have E-box binding elements, which can be bound by UrbHLH1 and produced strong interactions. Therefore, UrbHLH1 may participate in the synthesis of TIAs pathway. In conclusion, this study provides foundation data on the role of UrbHLH transcription factors in regulating TIAs of U. rhynchophylla.

The complete chloroplast genome of Nekemias hypoglauca (Hance) J. Wen & Z. L. Nie 2014 (Family: Vitaceae) and its phylogenetic analysis

Nekemias is a perennial woody vine with nine species that had been originally placed in Ampelopsis. These species of Nekemias are economically and medically important. Limited information is available on the genomic characteristics of the chloroplasts of this genus. Nekemias hypoglauca (Hance) J. Wen & Z. L. Nie 2014 contains 131 unique genes (86 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNAs, and 37 tRNAs). The complete chloroplast sequence contains 162,976 bp. The large single-copy region contains 89,291 bp; the small single-copy region contains 19,063 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat sequences is composed of 27,311 bp. There are 84 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci in the complete chloroplast genome of N. hypoglauca, with mononucleotide, dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide and hexanucleotide SSRs of 58, 9, 6, 10 and 1, respectively. A total of 337 repeats were identified, including 172 forward repeats, three reverse repeats and 163 palindromic repeats. A phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome data of the chloroplasts of 10 plant species indicated the monophyly of Nekemias and determined the phylogenetic relationships of N. hypoglauca in Nekemias. This study provides a reference for further studies on the taxonomy, identification, origin and evolution of N. hypoglauca and Nekemias.

VERTICAL GREENING OF THE HISTORICAL PART OF KYIV

The use of elements of vertical landscaping on streets that are the most visited and belong to the historical part of the city of Kyiv was studied. An inspection of the plants was carried out, the species composition was determined, the condition was assessed and groups were selected for decorative qualities. The results of the survey and assessment showed that decorative vines in these parts of the city are represented by 4 orders, 4 families, 5 genera, 8 species and one form. All species belong to the department of Angiosperms (Magnoliophyta). They are divided into perennial woody vines and annual herbaceous vines. It was found that not all the investigated historical streets of the city of Kyiv have elements of vertical landscaping. Having determined the general decorativeness, it can be stated that most plants have sufficient decorativeness and only a small percentage - insignificant. Based on the data of the researches, the division of creeping plants was carried out according to decorative qualities and it was established that the majority of vines are decorative leaves. There are fewer plants that are decorative with leaves and flowers, as well as those that are valued for their fruits. The age of the plants ranges from 5 years to 30 or more years. All plants are in satisfactory and good condition, but need constant care. For a more aesthetic appearance of plants against the background of buildings or structures, it is necessary to use more modern methods of vertical gardening. Comparing the number of plantings of thorny plants and plantings of trees and bushes, it was established that vertical landscaping is sufficient on certain streets, and on some streets it needs to be developed and improved.

Mechanistic analysis of the hardening process of the thorns on stems of Bougainvillea glabra "Elizabeth Angus".

Introduction: Bougainvillea glabra "Elizabeth Angus" is a thorny woody vine or shrub. However, the hard thorns are considered a deficiency in its ornamental value. Methods: To find the genes and pathways related to the hardening process of the thorns on the stems of B. glabra, the eukaryotic unreferenced transcriptome sequencing analysis was conducted to explore the 3 stages of the thorn-hardening process. Total RNA was extracted from thorns and stems, and transcriptome libraries were constructed and sequenced using unreferenced Illumina sequencing. Results: Gene function annotation was performed using various databases, resulting in 8937 co-annotated genes. The density distribution of Fragments Per Kilobase of transcript per Million mapped reads (FPKM) depicted the overall gene expression patterns. The study found that stage 2 as the period of highest gene expression activity during the thorns hardening process in B. glabra. Differential expression analysis revealed that during thorn-hardening, 1045 genes up-regulated and 391 genes down-regulated significantly in thorns at stage 2 compared to stage 1 (early stage of thorns formation). Meanwhile, 938 genes up-regulated and 784 genes down-regulated significantly in stems. At stage 3, as thorns became harder, 63 genes exhibited notable expression increase and 98 genes' expression decreased obviously within thorns, and 46 genes up-regulated and 29 genes down-regulated in stems, compared to stage 2. Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis was the key step in the hardening process of the thorns of B. glabra. The formation and hardening of thorns on the stem of B. glabra was a process in which lignin gradually accumulated in the thorns, and several genes were involved in this process. They include PAL (EC:4.3.1.24), CYP73A (EC:1.14.14.91), 4CL (EC:6.2.1.12), CCR (EC:1.2.1.44), CAD (EC:1.1.1.195) and POX (EC:1.11.1.7). Discussion: This transcriptome analysis offers insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying thorns development in this plant species.

Transcriptome-wide analysis of PIP reductase gene family identified a phenylpropene synthase crucial for the biosynthesis of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in Schisandra chinensis

Phenylpropenes, such as isoeugenol and eugenol, are produced as defend compounds, floral attractants, and flavor constituents by phenylpropene synthases belonging to the PIP reductase family. Moreover, isoeugenol is proposed to be involved in the biosynthesis of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, the main active compounds of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. fruits (SCF). S. chinensis, a woody vine plant, is widely used for its medicinal, horticultural, edible, and economic values. In this study, nine ScPIP genes were identified and characterized from the transcriptome datasets of SCF. The expression profiles revealed that ScPIP genes were differentially expressed during different developmental stages of SCF. Three ScPIPs were selected and cloned as candidate genes encoding phenylpropene synthases according to phylogenetic analysis. ScPIP1 was proved to function as isoeugenol synthase (IGS) and designated as ScIGS1 through in vivo functional characterization in Escherichia coli. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that ScIGS1 was localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. The three-dimensional (3D) model of ScIGS1 was obtained using homology modeling. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that the substitution of residues at positions 110 and 113 impacted the product specificity of ScIGS1 and the mutation of Lys157 to Ala abolishing catalytic function. Moreover, the kcat values of mutants were lower than that of ScIGS1 using a deep learning approach. In conclusion, this study provides a basis for further research on PIP reductases and the biosynthetic pathway of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans.

Diversity and Conservation Significance of Angiosperm Climbers in Bhadrak District of Odisha, India

The present study seeks to investigate the distribution patterns of angiosperm climbers within the Bhadrak district of Odisha, India, along with an assessment of the ecosystem services they provide. The ongoing inquiry into climbing plant species within the Bhadrak district reflects the diversity of 103 species distributed across 71 genera and 33 families. The three most diverse families are Convolvulaceae (22), Cucurbitaceae (15), and Fabaceae (14). Out of 103 climbing plant species, 72 species are herbaceous vines and 31 species are woody vines representing 69.9%, and 30.1%, respectively. The most common climbing method in the studied sites is stem twining, accounting for 70 species or 68% of the total, the second most common is tendril climbing (22 species, 21.4%), and the least, root climber (2 species, 1.9%). Local communities use these climbers for various purposes. It has been observed that out of 103 species, 61 species have medicinal properties (59.2%), 16 species have ornamental value (15.5%), 17 species are edible (16.5%), and the remaining 8 species have other uses (8.8%). These results indicate the importance of climber communities to plant diversity of Bhadrak district, enhancing the regional diversity and the conservation value of these forest remnants. Habitat degradation because of rapid development activities with limitation of the supporting tree species is found to be a serious threat to climbing plants. Employing a multifaceted strategy such as securing their habitats through protection, restoration, managing invasive species and promoting collaboration among local stakeholders and organizations, ensures the preservation of these vital plants, sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem health for the future.

Unlocking Potentially Therapeutic Phytochemicals in Capadulla (Doliocarpus dentatus) from Guyana Using Untargeted Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics.

Doliocarpus dentatus is thought to have a wide variety of therapeutic phytochemicals that allegedly improve libido and cure impotence. Although a few biomarkers have been identified with potential antinociceptive and cytotoxic properties, an untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach has never been undertaken to identify therapeutic biofingerprints for conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, in men. This study executes a preliminary phytochemical screening of the woody vine of two ecotypes of D. dentatus with renowned differences in therapeutic potential for erectile dysfunction. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was used to screen for flavonoids, terpenoids, and other chemical classes found to contrast between red and white ecotypes. Among the metabolite chemodiversity found in the ecotype screens, using a combination of GNPS, MS-DIAL, and SIRIUS, approximately 847 compounds were annotated at levels 2 to 4, with the majority of compounds falling under lipid and lipid-like molecules, benzenoids and phenylpropanoids, and polyketides, indicative of the contributions of the flavonoid, shikimic acid, and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. Despite the extensive annotation, we report on 138 tentative compound identifications of potentially therapeutic compounds, with 55 selected compounds at a level-2 annotation, and 22 statistically significant therapeutic biomarkers, the majority of which were polyphenols. Epicatechin methyl gallate, catechin gallate, and proanthocyanidin A2 had the greatest significant differences and were also relatively abundant among the red and white ecotypes. These putatively identified compounds reportedly act as antioxidants, neutralizing damaging free radicals, and lowering cell oxidative stress, thus aiding in potentially preventing cellular damage and promoting overall well-being, especially for treating erectile dysfunction (ED).