Xylocarpus Moluccensis Research Articles

Leaf anatomical adaptation of eighteen mangrove plant species from the Sundarbans in Bangladesh

Investigation on leaf anatomical adaptation of 18 mangrove plant species was carried out. Among the 18 species 13 were dorsiventral and five were isobilateral type. All the species had special stomatal structure and variable cuticle layer to minimize transpiration. Most of the species had succulent leaves with leaf thickness ranging from around 232 to 1363 μm. As an indication of salt secretion, both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed in several species. Although presence of single to multilayered hypodermis might effectively function as water storage tissue, several studied mangrove plant species e.g. Cynometra ramiflora L., Phoenix paludosa Roxb., Pongamea pinnata (L.) Pierre, Sonneratia apetala Buch. - Ham., S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. and Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lamk.) M. Roem. showed complete absence of hypodermis. This might be due to moderate saline condition. In addition, marked terminal tracheids in mesophyll tissue of a number of species might help with capillary water storage within the leaf. To enhance mechanical support several species were found to develop considerable amount of diverse sclereids within the mesophyll tissue and surrounding vascular bundle. Although maximum anatomical adaptations are common for plants growing in saline habitat it may be suggested that these features were differentially developed in plants specifically grown in mesohaline zone.

Phenology and litter production in the mangrove genus Xylocarpus along rainfall and temperature gradients in tropical Australia

We investigated how variation in climate influences the timing and intensity of phenological events in two species of the mangrove genus Xylocarpus. Leaf fall in Xylocarpus granatum was continuous in high rainfall sites but was seasonal at sites with long dry seasons. Xylocarpus moluccensis is deciduous, and leaf shedding occurred over 1–2 months at different times in dry season months. Budding and flowering were tightly coupled in X. granatum and occurred in the wet season. At the highest rainfall site, flower fall in X. moluccensis occurred in the mid-wet season, but occurred 9 months later at other sites with protracted dry seasons. For X. moluccensis, the quantities of leaves, buds, flowers and total litter fall were negatively related to annual rainfall, whereas bud fall was negatively related to air temperature. Variations in the quantity of litter produced by X. granatum were not explained by the environmental variables considered. Mean litter production was significantly greater for X. moluccensis than X. granatum (5.16 v. 3.37Mgh–1 year–1 respectively). Mixed forest litter production was greater in forests containing X. moluccensis than X. granatum (7.86 v. 5.95Mgh–1 year–1 respectively). X. granatum has a more plastic response to environmental drivers of canopy production than X. moluccensis.

Limonoids with diverse structures of rings-A,B from the Thai mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis

Nine new limonoids, named thaixylomolins S–Z (1–8) and 2-O-acetylthaixylomolin Z (9), were isolated from seeds of the mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis, collected in the mangrove swamp of Trang Province, Thailand. Thaixylomolin S (1) is the fourth member of the khayalactone class of limonoids containing a hexahydro-2H-2,5- propanocyclopenta[b]furan motif. Thaixylomolins T–Y (2–7) are structurally diverse mexicanolides; whereas thaixylomolin Z (8) and 2-O-acetylthaixylomolin Z (9) are phragmalin 8,9,30-orthoesters. The structures of these compounds were established by HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR investigations. The absolute configurations of thaixylomolins S (1), U (3), and Z (8) were unambiguously established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, conducted with Cu Kα radiation; whereas that of 2-O-acetylthaixylomolin Z (9) was determined to be the same as that of thaixylomolin Z (8) by the accurate fit of their experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra. Thaixylomolin S (1), featuring the presence of a 30-(2′-methyl)butyryloxy group, is the first limonoid of the khayalactone class, whose constitution and absolute configuration are unequivocally determined by X-ray crystallography. The inhibitory activities of all the compounds, except for the epimers 4, were assayed against human carboxylesterase 2. All the tested compounds exhibited inhibition rates in the range of 16–65% at the concentration of 100.0 μM.

The Potential of Stem Bark of Kayu Sarampa (Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roen)) as α-glucosidase Inhibitor

The Potential of Stem Bark of Kayu Sarampa (Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roen)) as α-glucosidase Inhibitor

Projected ecosystem response to the anticipated effects of sea level rise

The impact of sea level rise (SLR) on a mangrove island ecosystem was investigated by projecting future increase in tidal inundation at the island. The aims of this study is to simulate the potential mangrove response under several conditions of SLR scenarios for the year 2050 and 2100. Processed WordView-2 and IFSAR images were used in the analysis. Segmentation and classification process were conducted using SPRING 5.2 software while inundation was simulated using ArcGIS 9.3. A series of mangrove migration map for 2050 and 2100 SLR scenarios showed an adjustment to tidal inundation classification due to the increased seawater level. Mangroves from the higher zone (Z4) migrated into the lower zone (Z2 and Z3) as a response to SLR. In the worst-case scenario, more than 25% of the mangrove forest is predicted to be permanently submerged due to a 1.3 m sea level rise. The total land loss in the year 2100 was estimated at 73.52ha (Case study 1) and 148.92ha (Case study 2). The worst-case scenarios will possibly lead to the extinction of Xylocarpus moluccensis when Z4 starts to be completely inundated during the 2050 SLR projection. In conclusion, the findings showed that the tolerance to seawater inundation of different mangrove species determines its responses and migration pattern.

Emission factors of ultrafine particulate matter (PM

Data for source apportionment estimation was obtained from combustion of 11 types of biomass (rubber wood, palm kernel, palm fiber, sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane leaves, maize residue, rice stubble, rice straw, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Avicennia alba Blume and Rhizophora mucronata) and bituminous coal. Combustion was carried out in a tube furnace and emitted particulate matter (PM) was collected using a nanosampler that segregated particle sizes down to 0.1 μm. Emission factors of PM < 0.1 μm were in the range of 0.11–0.28 g kg−1 (∼1–8% of total PM), except in the case of Rhizophora mucronata, which had an emission factor of 0.071 ± 0.004 g kg−1 (∼18% of total PM). The dominant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found on PM < 0.1 μm were chrysene from combustion of rubber wood, palm kernel, palm fiber, maize residue, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Avicennia alba Blume, Rhizophora mucronata and bituminous coal; benzo[b]fluoranthene from combustion of rice straw, sugarcane bagasse and sugarcane leaves; and benzo[k]fluoranthene from rice stubble combustion. The emission factors of PAHs bound to PM < 0.1 μm from biomass combustion ranged from 0.005 to 0.044 mg kg−1 and the emission factor from bituminous coal combustion was 0.1411 ± 0.0004 mg kg−1. The carcinogenic potency equivalent or benzo[a]pyrene equivalent was highest from bituminous coal combustion (0.1252 mg kg−1) and between 0.0019 and 0.0192 mg kg−1 from biomass combustion. However, emission factors of both PM and particle-bound PAHs from biomass combustion were affected by moisture content of biomass and moisture contents of biomass used in this study were quite low, ranging from 0.165 to 0.863%.

Optimization of Mangrove Ecosystem Management in Kawasan Bungkutoko, Southeast Sulawesi as Ecotourism Area

This study aims to determine (1) Assessment of Bungkutoko Ecotourism Conditions; and (2) Supporting factors for optimizing management, and (3) strategies for optimizing management. This research will be carried out for three months from September to December 2018 in the Bungkutoko mangrove tracking ecotourism area, Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi (Figure 1). Identification of unknown mangrove species will be carried out at the Laboratory of Conservation of forest resources and ecotourism, Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University. The results of the study: (1) Biophysical potential of mangrove ecotourism in Bungkutoko, namely 8 species of mangrove plants consisting of Avicennia lanata, Rhizophora stylosa, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus stylosa, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus stylosa, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus moluccensis, L faustis and L faecus, and Lizar. from birds and reptiles. (2) Condition of mangrove ecotourism practices in Bungkutoko Not optimal, both in terms of education, conservation and welfare. (3) The ecotourism development strategy in Bungkutoko is in quadrant II (S-T strategy). The strategies formulated in quadrant II include: increasing the availability of educational facilities, increasing efforts to preserve the environment of mangrove forests, empowering local communities, increasing Human Resources, and working with the Kendari city government and the private sector to add infrastructure.

Induction of apoptosis by selected Xylocarpus sp.,fractions in the human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa

Cancer is unchecked growth of normal cells. The screening of new potential agents is vital to develop effective cytotoxic drugs with reduced side effects. Thecytotoxic effects, mode of cell death and screening of phytochemicals which induced cell death by the mangrove plant Xylocarpus granatum extract on the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line was studied. The crude methanol extract of Xylocarpusgranatum(bark) partitioning produced the high yield in diethyl ether (54.08%)followed by butanol (37.12%) and aqueous (3.21%).The Xylocarpus granatum bark extract produced a cytotoxic effect with IC50 &lt;30 µg/ml as compared to leaf and root (IC50&gt; 100 µg/ml). The DNA fragmentation study done to determine the mode of cell death. The results attained by the colorimetric TUNEL system propose that Xylocarpus moluccensis extract induced DNA fragmentation in the HepG2 cell line. The darkly stained nuclei observed in HepG2cells treated with Xylocarpus moluccensis(diethyl ether) extract for 24 hours. The DNA fragmentation indicating that apoptosis was the mode of cell death on HepG2 cell line. Furthermore, The Xylocarpus moluccensis(diethyl ether) extracts phytochemical study confirms the presence of flavonoid, steroid, terpenoid, phenols, tannins, glycoside, and saponin.Thus, thefurther study of potential phytochemicalsneed to done in order to confirm these phytochemicalsas a future therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.

Complete Chloroplast Genomes of 14 Mangroves: Phylogenetic and Comparative Genomic Analyses.

Mangroves are a group of plant species that occupy the coastal intertidal zone and are major components of this ecologically important ecosystem. Mangroves belong to about twenty diverse families. Here, we sequenced and assembled chloroplast genomes of 14 mangrove species from eight families spanning five rosid orders and one asterid order: Fabales (Pongamia pinnata), Lamiales (Avicennia marina), Malpighiales (Excoecaria agallocha, Bruguiera sexangula, Kandelia obovata, Rhizophora stylosa, and Ceriops tagal), Malvales (Hibiscus tiliaceus, Heritiera littoralis, and Thespesia populnea), Myrtales (Laguncularia racemosa, Sonneratia ovata, and Pemphis acidula), and Sapindales (Xylocarpus moluccensis). These chloroplast genomes range from 149 kb to 168 kb in length. A conserved structure of two inverted repeats (IRa and IRb, ~25.8 kb), one large single-copy region (LSC, ~89.0 kb), and one short single-copy region (SSC, ~18.9 kb) as well as ~130 genes (85 protein-coding, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs) was observed. We found the lowest divergence in the IR regions among the four regions. We also identified simple sequence repeats (SSRs), which were found to be variable in numbers. Most chloroplast genes are highly conserved, with only four genes under positive selection or relaxed pressure. Combined with publicly available chloroplast genomes, we carried out phylogenetic analysis and confirmed the previously reported phylogeny within rosids, including the positioning of obscure families in Malpighiales. Our study reports 14 mangrove chloroplast genomes and illustrates their genome features and evolution.

KAJIAN POTENSI DAN PENGELOLAAN BERKELANJUTAN EKOSISTEM MANGROVE PULAU PANNIKIANG, KABUPATEN BARRU, SULAWESI SELATAN

Perencanaan dan pengelolaan yang baik hanya dapat dipenuhi apabila tersedia informasi yang lengkap dan akurat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji potensi ekosistem mangrove di Pulau Pannikiang ditinjau dari kondisi ekologi dan nilai ekonomi untuk menilai status keberlanjutan dan menentukan rekomendasi pengelolaan ekosistem mangrove. Pengumpulan data ekologi, ekonomi, dan sosial dilakukan dengan metode observasi, wawancara dilakukan dengan metode purposive sampling, dan kajian literatur. Analisis ekologi menggunakan indeks nilai penting, analisis ekonomi menggunakan surplus consumer, replacement cost, contingent value, dan analisis keberlanjutan menggunakan modifikasi perangkat lunak Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries (RAPFISH). Jenis mangrove yang berhasil diidentifikasi adalah Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Bruguiera sexangula, Ceriops tagal, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Aegiceras corniculatum, Lumnitzera racemosa and Avicennia marina. Hasil analisis nilai ekonomi total ekosistem mangrove di Pulau Pannikiang dengan luas 86,31 ha sebesar Rp5.050.275.373,00 /tahun atau rata-rata sebesar Rp58.513.212,00 /ha/tahun. Status keberlanjutan ekosistem mangrove di Pulau Pannikiang masih tergolong kurang berkelanjutan. Oleh karena itu, beberapa rekomendasi strategi yang disarankan adalah rehabilitasi vegetasi mangrove; mengendalikan kegiatan pemanfaatan ekosistem mangrove yang bersifat eksploitatif; melibatkan masyarakat dalam kegiatan pengelolaan ekosistem mangrove; membuat peraturan secara formal terkait pengelolaan ekosistem mangrove.

Standardized Xylocarpus moluccensis fruit fraction mitigates collagen-induced arthritis in mice by regulating immune response

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Xylocarpus moluccensis fruit fraction (F018) on the pathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of collagen (2mg/ml) with complete Freund's adjuvant in DBA/1J mice. F018 was administered orally at 1, 3 and 10mg/kg for 20days. Disease progression and mechanism were assessed by micro-CT analysis, RT-PCR, flow cytometry assay, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and MTT assay. F018 at 3 and 10mg/kg significantly reduced paw thickness, clinical score, mononuclear cell infiltration and collagen layer depletion in the knee section of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice when compared with collagen-induced arthritis mice alone. Furthermore, F018 treatment in collagen-induced arthritis mice significantly recovered bone volume and trabecular number and decreased the trabecular space by modulating RANKL and OPG mRNA expression in the synovial tissue. F018 treatment in collagen-induced arthritis mice significantly attenuated spleen index, lymphocyte proliferation and paw myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα, IL1β, and IL6 mRNA expression and enhanced IL10 mRNA expression in paw tissue. Furthermore, F018 treatment in collagen-induced arthritis mice significantly reduced splenic dendritic cell maturation and Th17 cells. In culture, F018 significantly decreased collagen-induced arthritis-FLS proliferation and promoted apoptosis. F018 may serve as a potential curative agent for arthritis.

EFFECT OF SALT STRESS ON CHLOROPHYLL AND PROLINE ACCUMULATION IN LEAVES OF Heritiera fomes Buch.-Ham. AND Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem. SEEDLINGS REGULATING ITS SURVIVAL AND GROWTH

Heritiera fomes Buch.-Ham. and Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem. are the two most important trees of the Sundarbans. Survival and biomass increment, chlorophyll and proline concentration in leaves were investigated in seedlings of the two species grown at different levels of salinity in hydroponic culture. Seedlings were grown at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ppt salinities for 90 days. Significant reduction of chlorophyll concentration was found with increasing salinity for both the species. Total chlorophyll concentration halved for both the species as the salinity was increased from 0 to 35 ppt (0.34 to 0.17 mg/g for H. fomes and 0.07 to 0.03 mg/g for X. moluccensis). In addition, the H. fomes leaves have five times more chlorophyll concentration than X. moluccensis. Proline accumulation in leaves of X. moluccensis was found considerably high compared to H. fomes and increase with salinity for both the species. It was quadrapoled (254 to 1462 µmoles/g) in X. moluccensis and doubled (8 to 16 µmoles/g) in H. fomes. Seedling survival was found to vary with species and salinity levels. Survival of H. fomes seedlings decreased from 83% to 58% at 15 to 35 ppt salinity and no mortality was observed at lower salinities of 0 to 10 ppt. In contrast no mortality was observed from 0 to 25 ppt salinity in X. moluccensis seedlings and 92% seedling survived at 30 and 35 ppt salinities. Both the species showed lower biomass accumulation at higher salinities. Higher biomass increment (38 to 52%) was observed for X. moluccensis than that of H. fomes(33%) at lower salinities (0 to 5 ppt) and reduced gradually at higher salinities. This study revealed that X. moluccensis is more salt tolerant than H. fomes considering higher survival as a result of high proline accumulation in leaves that helps to overcome salt induced negative osmotic pressure. But growth is reduced due to lowering of chlorophyll accumulation at higher salinities for both the species.

Growth pattern in tropical mangrove trees of Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract. Djamaluddin R. 2019. Growth pattern in tropical mangrove trees of Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1713-1720. Seasonal diameter growth patterns in mangrove are often related to rainfall, temperature and moisture regime. At any localities, specific environmental factors may influence growth rate of individual trees. I asked whether stem growth of tropical mangrove in BNP is constant over a year, and whether stem growth rates are different by sites, species, and trees of the same species. Dendrometer bands were installed on trees from twelve different sites in BNP to measure stem growth rates. Measurements were made at two months intervals from July 1999 to June 2001 and March 2014 to December 2016. Growth rates measured in trees at the twelve sites varied significantly from 0.83 ± 0.27 to 1.71 ± 0.31 mm month-1. Growth rates were higher on Sonneratia alba (1.65 ± 0.69 mm month-1), low on Rhizophora stylosa, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Avicennia marina, Ceriops tagal (0.82 ± 0.16, 0.82 ± 0.18, 0.85 ± 0.18, 0.88 ± 0.28 mm month-1, respectively), and medium on Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera parviflora, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora mucronata (1.19 ± 0.16, 1.22 ± 0.69, 1.25 ± 0.49, 1.31 ± 0.22 mm month-1, respectively). Statistically, growth rates were higher in trees with initial girths more than 50 cm compared to trees with initial girth less than 50 cm on B. gymnorrhiza, C. tagal, and R. mucronata, but these were slower for R. apiculata and S. alba. Between individual trees in six species tested, the differences in diameter growth rate were statistically significant. Growth rates varied among different site conditions, and the effect of soil water salinity on these was significant at higher intertidal sites. Growth rates exhibited seasonal patterns, and these were correlated positively with rainfall and negatively with temperature. The effect of the 2015-2016 El Nino was significant on reduced growth rates.

Xylomolones A-D from the Thai Mangrove Xylocarpus moluccensis: Assignment of Absolute Stereostructures and Unveiling a Convergent Strategy for Limonoid Biosynthesis.

Two new 9,10- seco limonoids with a central 3,4-dihydro-2 H-pyran motif, named xylomolones A and B (1 and 2, respectively), possessing identical absolute configurations but reversed alignments of ring A, compared to the tricyclic core of rings B-D, were obtained from seeds of the Thai mangrove Xylocarpus moluccensis, together with a highly modified 1,2- seco limonoid, named xylomolone C (3), containing a novel 3-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2,7-dione motif, and a new C11-terpenic acid methyl ester (4). The relative and absolute configurations of 1-4 were evidenced by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigations combined with density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory calculations of electronic circular dichroism, specific optical rotation, and 13C NMR data. The co-isolation of 1-4 allowed us to propose a novel convergent strategy for limonoid biosynthesis for the first time. This study demonstrates that mangroves of the genus Xylocarpus harbor new limonoid biosynthetic routes.

Mangrove Tirucallane- and Apotirucallane-Type Triterpenoids: Structure Diversity of the C-17 Side-Chain and Natural Agonists of Human Farnesoid/Pregnane⁻X⁻Receptor.

Ten new triterpenoid compounds with structure diversity of the C-17 side-chain, including nine tirucallanes, named xylocarpols A–E (1–5) and agallochols A–D (6–9), and an apotirucallane, named 25-dehydroxy protoxylogranatin B (10), were isolated from the mangrove plants Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus moluccensis, and Excoecaria agallocha. The structures of these compounds were established by HR-ESIMS and extensive one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR investigations. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were unequivocally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, conducted with Cu Kα radiation; whereas those of 4, 6–8 were assigned by a modified Mosher’s method and the comparison of experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Most notably, 5, 6, 7, and 9 displayed potent activation effects on farnesoid–X–receptor (FXR) at the concentration of 10.0 μM; 10 exhibited very significant agonistic effects on pregnane–X–receptor (PXR) at the concentration of 10.0 nM.

Cost–benefit analysis of ‘Blue Carbon’ sequestration by plantation of few key mangrove species at Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India

Climate change and global warming have a destabilizing effect on the global environment, and governmental statutory bodies are emphasizing a reduction of emission coupled with restoration of degraded forest lands as a carbon sequestration–emission reduction (REDD+) initiative. Asphyxiated mangrove soil, existing on the borderline of land and sea, has the highest potential to trap ‘blue carbon’; hence, plantation programs have been initiated around the tropical coasts to restore this unique habitat. This case study provides a cost–benefit and carbon sequestration analysis for planting of five mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Bruguiera sexangula, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora mucronata and Xylocarpus moluccensis) by various methods in a 102.4-ha area at the Indian Sundarbans. It is estimated that as per the planting methods used in the current study and physio-chemical properties of the sediment, coupled with other local factors such as anthropogenic interventions, Avicennia marina planting by the ‘propagule dibbling’ method is the most cost effective (0.002 Euro/survived plant), with the highest increment (97%) in organic carbon density (OCD), humic acid (100.86%) and fulvic acid (48.78%) over a period of 5 years. Survival rate was highest (82%) for Avicennia marina, planted by the ‘transplanting of nursery-grown seedlings’ method. The drain and trench method resulted in a 55% survival rate for Rhizophora mucronata, but the extra labor investment made this the costliest method (0.13 Euro/survived plant) and also less carbon effective (only 85% increment of OCD in 5 years). Planting methods, sediment quality, tidal inundation and salinity variations can play a major role in blue carbon burial/sequestration in mangrove lands.

New 30-ketophragmalins with anti-breast cancer activity against MDA-MB-453 cells from the Godavari mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem

30-Ketophragmalins are a small group of limonoids. To date, only 21 ones have been exclusively reported from the mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem. In this paper, three new 30-ketophragmalins, named godavarins L-N (1-3), were obtained from the seeds of X. moluccensis, collected in the mangrove swamp of Godavari estuary, Andhra Pradesh, India, together with a mexicanolide, named godavarin O (4). The structures of these compounds, including absolute configurations of godavarins L-M (1-2), were determined on the basis of HRESIMS, extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) quantum-chemical calculations. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 contain a Δ8,14 double bond, whereas 3 possesses Δ8,9, Δ14,15 conjugated double bonds. Two 30-ketophragmalins, viz.1 and 3, exhibited antitumor activities against the triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-453 cells with IC50 values of 2.1 ± 0.06 and 9.0 ± 1.0 μM, respectively. This is the first report of the anti-breast cancer activity of 30-ketophragmalins.

Caught in transit: offshore interception of seafaring propagules from seven mangrove species

AbstractMany organisms are transported passively and make use of the energy of natural phenomena or other organisms to disperse. However, not all species are equally likely to disperse over long distances. In mangroves, which possess seafaring propagules, it is largely unknown which species are more likely to reach the ocean and contribute to long‐distance dispersal. This is because dispersal has been mainly studied under reductionist laboratory conditions and via localized release–recapture experiments. Direct interceptions of propagules at sea have hardly been attempted because of the high labor intensity. Here, we set up a local citizen‐science network and engaged local fishermen to collect floating mangrove propagules over a period of 27 months. By comparing the dispersing community of propagules from the local stands in which they were produced, the open water of the bay, and the open ocean beyond the coral reef barrier, we could study the transition between local and long‐distance dispersal. The composition of the dispersing community changed from the local stands toward the ocean, suggesting that this transition imposes an important selective filter for leaving the local system. With the exception of three rare species (Lumnitzera racemosa, Pemphis acidula, and Xylocarpus moluccensis), we intercepted dispersing propagules of every mangrove species occurring in the East African region. Most intercepted propagules were produced by Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal, followed by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Avicennia marina, which also represent the most abundant species in the nearby mangrove forest. A larger number of propagules were intercepted during the wet season, with fewer propagules recovered during the dry season. Overall, our study indicates that differences in the dispersal capacity of mangrove propagules are not straightforward and that some species may better disperse at local scales within an estuary or embayment, while others might be more suitable for dispersal over longer distances. The presence of such trade‐offs may help explain why current attempts to use mangrove traits to predict mangrove species distributions at different scales have remained only moderately successful.

Phenolic bisabolane sesquiterpenoids from a Thai mangrove endophytic fungus, Aspergillus sp. xy02

Seven new phenolic bisabolane sesquiterpenoids, (7R,10S)-7,10-epoxysydonic acid (1), (7S,10S)-7,10-epoxysydonic acid (2), (7R,11S)-7,12-epoxysydonic acid (3), (7S,11S)-7,12-epoxysydonic acid (4), 7-deoxy-7,14-didehydro-12-hydroxysydonic acid (5), (Z)-7-deoxy-7,8-didehydro-12-hydroxysydonic acid (6), and (E)-7-deoxy-7,8-didehydro-12-hydroxysydonic acid (7), along with five known analogues (8–12), were obtained from the culture of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. xy02 isolated from the leaves of a Thai mangrove Xylocarpus moluccensis. All structures were assigned on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of 1–4, being two pairs of epimers, were established by TDDFT-ECD calculations. Compound 12 showed mild antioxidative activity to scavenge DPPH radical with an IC50 of 72.1 μM, whereas 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12 displayed moderate inhibitory activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with IC50 values ranging from 31.5 to 41.9 μM.

Twenty-Nine New Limonoids with Skeletal Diversity from the Mangrove Plant, Xylocarpus moluccensis.

Twenty-nine new limonoids—named xylomolins A1–A7, B1–B2, C1–C2, D–F, G1–G5, H–I, J1–J2, K1–K2, L1–L2, and M–N, were isolated from the seeds of the mangrove plant, Xylocarpus moluccensis. Compounds 1–13 are mexicanolides with one double bond or two conjugated double bonds, while 14 belongs to a small group of mexicanolides with an oxygen bridge between C1 and C8. Compounds 15–19 are khayanolides containing a Δ8,14 double bond, whereas 20 and 21 are rare khayanolides containing a Δ14,15 double bond and Δ8,9, Δ14,15 conjugated double bonds, respectively. Compounds 22 and 23 are unusual limonoids possessing a (Z)-bicyclo[5.2.1]dec-3-en-8-one motif, while 24 and 25 are 30-ketophragmalins with Δ8,9, Δ14,15 conjugated double bonds. Compounds 26 and 27 are phragmalin 8,9,30-ortho esters, whereas 28 and 29 are azadirone and andirobin derivatives, respectively. The structures of these compounds, including absolute configurations of 15–19, 21–23, and 26, were established by HRESIMS, extensive 1D and 2D NMR investigations, and the comparison of experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The absolute configuration of 1 was unequivocally established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, obtained with Cu Kα radiation. The diverse cyclization patterns of 1–29 reveal the strong flexibility of skeletal plasticity in the limonoid biosynthesis of X. moluccensis. Compound 23 exhibited weak antitumor activity against human triple-negative breast MD-MBA-231 cancer cells with an IC50 value of 37.7 μM. Anti-HIV activities of 1, 3, 8, 10, 11, 14, 20, 23–25, and 27 were tested in vitro. However, no compounds showed potent inhibitory activity.