In vitro production and exudation of 20-hydroxymaytenin from Gymnosporia heterophylla (Eckl. and Zeyh.) Loes. cell culture

The metabolite 20-Hydroxymaytenin (20-HM) is a member of the quinone-methide pentacyclic triterpenoids (QMTs) group. This metabolite group is present only in Celastraceae plants, and it has shown various biological activities from antioxidant to anticancer properties. However, most QMTs metabolites including 20-HM cannot be synthesized in a laboratory. Therefore, we optimized a plant tissue culture protocol and examined the potential of Gymnosporia heterophylla (synonym. Maytenus heterophylla) to produce 20-HM in an in vitro experiment. For the first time, we reported the optimum callus induction medium with a high percentage success rate of 82% from the combination of 1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid and 5 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid. Later, our cell suspension culture cultivated in the optimum medium provided approximately 0.35 mg/g fresh weight of 20-HM. This concentration is roughly 87.5 times higher than a concentration of 20-HM presenting in Elaeodendron croceum (Celastraceae) leaves. In addition, we also found that 20-HM presented in a cultivation medium, suggesting that G. heterophylla cells secreted 20-HM as an exudate in our experiment. Noticeably, 20-HM was missing when Penicillium cf. olsonii occurred in the medium. These findings hint at an antifungal property of 20-HM

Changes in distribution of indigenous forest in Table Mountain National Park from 1880-2012

South Africa's indigenous forest only covers 0.56% of the country's total land area. Its highly fragmented distribution and historically extensive exploitation has led it to be perceived as one of the South Africa's most vulnerable vegetation types. Despite this, forest remains one of South Africa's most under-researched ecosystems and the country has few dedicated forest ecologists. This research examines changes in distribution of Western Cape Afrotemperate Forest and Western Cape Milkwood Forest in Table Mountain National Park. Forest – Fynbos spatial ecotonal change and forest patch count was mapped from 1944 to 2008 using aerial photographs in ArcGIS 10. A full survey of species composition was undertaken and this dataset was used to produce an objective classification of the Cape Peninsula forests. Ground-based repeat photography was used to determine land cover change from 1880 to present with finer scale resolution. An analysis using transition matrices projects future land cover changes to 2050. A total of 174 forest patches were identified in Table Mountain National Park. Total indigenous forest cover has increased by 65.3% from 1944 to 2008. This increase was predominantly visible within the Peninsula's Western Cape Afrotemperate Forest and the highest expansion rates were recorded in Orange Kloof and Blinkwater Ravine on Table Mountain. Only 13 of the forest patches surveyed decreased in cover after 1944. Most of these patches were areas of Western Cape Milkwood Forest located in proximity to expanding coastal development. This trend was also reflected in the repeat photography dataset. There has also been an increase in vegetation biomass recorded at all sites. Further research is required to determine whether these changes have caused a decrease in fynbos species diversity. Non-parametric statistical analysis showed no correlation of forest change with variation in aspect, temperature, precipitation, geology, soils or fire frequency post 1975. These findings indicate that forest patches are influenced by localised ecological factors and suggests a dominant role for other drivers. Historical evidence indicates the key driver of forest expansion is vegetation recovery from past high fire frequency alongside the influence of current fire suppression policies. Increases in CO2 may also be a contributory factor although localised variation in extent of forest expansion suggests that this is not the strongest driver of change. These results hold significance for the future ecological management of Table Mountain National Park in the face of changing climate

A taxonomic revision of the spiny members of subfamily celastroideae (Celastraceae) in Southern Africa

Dissertation (MSc (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 1995.A taxonomic revision of all the southern African spiny members of the Celastroideae is presented. Evidence from macromorphology, leaf anatomy, ecology and phytogeography is used as a basis for classification. The genus Gymnosporia (Wight & Am.) Hook. f. is reinstated, deviating from Maytenus by the presence of spines and brachyblasts, dichasial inflorescences, and mainly unisexual flowers. A new genus, Gloveria, is described. Taxa proposed are: four species (one new combination) in Putterliclda; one species in Gloveria; 31 species and three subspecies in Gymnosporia (nine new sections, nine new combinations, seven new species and one new subspecies). The taxonomic treatment includes keys to the genera, sections, species and subspecies, accompanied by descriptions, nomenclatural details, habitat and distribution, plus voucher specimens. A list of herbarium specimens examined is provided. Photographs of herbarium specimens, flowers, fruits and transverse sections of the leaves, as well as distribution maps and a cladogram are included.Plant ScienceMSc (Botany)Unrestricte

Contribuição para o estudo farmacognóstico de Gymnosporia Arenicola, folha

Tese de mestrado, Medicamentos à Base de Plantas, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, 2014Gymnosporia arenicola Jordaan (Celastraceae) é um arbusto ou pequena árvore (raramente subarbusto), endémico ou quase-endémico das zonas costeiras de Moçambique e África do Sul. As folhas de G. arenicola são amplamente usadas nos sistemas de medicina tradicional para o tratamento de doenças de natureza infeciosa e/ou inflamatória. Com o objetivo de criar critérios de qualidade e eficácia, e na ausência de uma monografia de qualidade para esta planta medicinal, torna-se indispensável o estabelecimento de parâmetros de controlo de qualidade botânicos e químicos para assegurar a correta identificação desta planta medicinal, assim como a validação de alguns dos seus usos tradicionais e exploração do interesse biológico de alguns dos seus constituintes maioritários. No âmbito deste estudo, são apresentados os resultados da caracterização botânica das folhas de Gymnosporia arenicola, onde são incluídas as análises macro- e microscópica do material vegetal, com inclusão de elementos histoquímicos relevantes. São também reveladas as características anatomo-morfológicas consideradas úteis para fins de diagnose botânica das folhas de Gymnosporia arenicola observadas macroscopicamente (a olho nú e à lupa) e microscopicamente em microscopia ótica e eletrónica de varrimento. A deteção microscópica de alcalóides, amido, di-hidroxi-orto-fenóis, lípidos totais e terpenóides carbonilados é observada com recurso a técnicas histoquímicas. Os resultados visando os estudos químicos são também apresentados, abrangendo o isolamento e identificação de um dos constituintes maioritários do extrato alcaloídico das folhas de G. arenicola. São reportados também os estudos de atividade biológica do extrato etanólico e de um dos constituintes maioritários do extrato alcaloídico. Este trabalho permitiu a caracterização botânica das folhas de G. arenicola, com identificação e quantificação de elementos úteis para a sua de diagnose morfológica. O estudo químico desenvolvido neste trabalho, acrescenta novos dados aos estudos anteriormente reportados e permitiu a identificação de um novo macrociclo bioativo de interesse quimiotaxonómico. O conjunto dos resultados deste estudo constituem uma contribuição relevante para o estudo farmacognóstico desta planta medicinal.Gymnosporia arenicola Jordaan (Celastraceae) is a shrub or small tree (rarely suffrutex), endemic or nearly-endemic of the coastal areas of Mozambique and South Africa. Leaves of G. arenicola are widely used in traditional medicine systems for the treatment of infectious and/or inflammatory diseases. Aiming at the creation of quality and efficacy criteria and in the absence of a quality monograph for this medicinal plant, the establishment of botanical and chemical quality control parameters is necessary to ensure the correct botanical identification of this herbal drug, as well as to validate some of their traditional uses and to explore the biological interest of some its major constituents. In this study, the results of the botanical characterization of the leaves of Gymnosporia arenicola are presented, including the macro- and microscopic analysis of the plant material and relevant histochemical elements. The morphoanatomical features considered to be useful for the botanical diagnosis of Gymnosporia arenicola leaves are reported, including both macroscopic (naked eye and stereomicroscope) and microscopic observations, using light and scanning electron microscopy. The microscopical detection of alkaloids, dihydroxy-ortho-phenols starch, terpenoids containing a carbonyl group and total lipids is observed with histochemical techniques. The results from the chemical studies are also presented, including the isolation and structural identification of one of the major constituents from the alkaloid extract of G. arenicola leaves. Hereby the results from the biological activity from the ethanolic extract and one of the major constituents from the alkaloid extract are also reported. This work allowed the botanical characterization of G. arenicola leaves, comprising the identification and quantification of useful elements for their morphological diagnosis. The chemical study developed in this work adds new data to previously reported studies and allowed the identification of a novel bioactive macrocycle with chemotaxonomical interest. All the results consist of relevant contributions towards the pharmacognostical study of this medicinal plant

Ethnobotanical survey in Canhane village, district of Massingir, Mozambique: medicinal plants and traditional knowledge

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Medicinal plants are used by 80% of people from developing countries to fulfill their primary health needs, occupying a key position on plant research and medicine. Taking into account that, besides their pharmaceutical importance, these plants contribute greatly to ecosystems' stability, a continuous documentation and preservation of traditional knowledge is a priority. The objective of this study was to organize a database of medicinal plants including their applications and associated procedures in Canhane village, district of Massingir, province of Gaza, Mozambique.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to gather information about indigenous medicinal plants and to maximize the collection of local knowledge, eleven informants were selected taking into account the dimension of the site and the fact that the vegetation presents a great homogeneity. The data were collected through intensive structured and semi-structured interviews performed during field research. Taxonomical identification of plant species was based on field observations and herbarium collections.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 53 plant species have been reported, which were used to treat 50 different human health problems. More than half of the species were used for stomach and intestine related disturbances (including major diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery). Additionally, four species with therapeutic applications were reported for the first time, whose potential can further be exploited. The great majority of the identified species was also associated with beliefs and myths and/or used as food. In general, the community was conscientious and motivated about conservational issues and has adopted measures for the rational use of medicinal plants.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The ethnomedicinal use of plant species was documented in the Canhane village. The local community had a rich ethnobotanical knowledge and adopted sound management conservation practices. The data compiled in this study show the social importance of the surveyed plants being a contribution to the documentation of PGR at the national and regional level.</p

Typification of Celastrus senegalensis and C. europaeus (Celastraceae, Celastroideae)

The nomenclatural types of Celastrus senegalensis Lam., basionym of the current name Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell, and C. europaeus Boiss., basionym of M. senegalensis subsp. europaea (Boiss.) Rivas Martínez ex Güemes & M.B. Crespo (Celastraceae, Celastroideae), are discussed. A specimen preserved in the herbarium P, at the Museum national d’Histoire naturelle of Paris, is treated in this work as the neotype of M. senegalensis, and a specimen kept in the herbarium G, at the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques of Genève, is design ated as the lectotype of M. senegalensis subsp. europe

Use of herbal formulations for the treatment of circumcision wounds in Eastern and Southern Africa

Medicinal plants used to treat and manage circumcision wounds have remained an integral part of traditional practice in Eastern and Southern Africa. This study reviews the traditional usage of medicinal plants to treat and manage circumcision wounds in Eastern and Southern Africa. Drawing on data from Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, information was collected from different sources including books, theses and electronic scientific search engines such as Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, SciFinder and Google Scholar. A literature search was also undertaken focusing on medicinal plants used against circumcision wounds that demonstrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro studies. Twenty-eight medicinal plants from 15 families are recorded as traditional therapies for circumcision wounds following an extensive literature search. These species used to treat and manage circumcision wounds, and as dressing after circumcision to prevent serious inflammation are mainly (64.3%) members of Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae families. Three quarters (75.0%) of these species including Acalypha ornata, Achyranthes aspera, Asparagus africanus, Boophone disticha, Brunsvigia grandiflora, Burkea africana, Colophospermum mopane, Datura stramonium, Dichrostachys cinerea, Helichrysum appendiculatum, H. foetidum, H. longifolium, H. nudifolium, H. pedunculatum, Lippia javanica, Maesa lanceolata, Ptaeroxylon obliquum, Ricinus communis, Searsia natalensis, Triumfetta rhomboidea and Vachellia nilotica have shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in a set of in vitro models. Further studies are needed such as isolation of phytochemical compounds, in vivo activities, clinical and toxicological studies

A Review of the Toxicity and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plant Species Used by Herbalists in Treating People Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda

Introduction: Despite concerns about toxicity, potentially harmful effects and herb-drug interactions, the use of herbal medicines remains widely practiced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uganda. Objective: The objective of the paper was to comprehensively review the literature on the toxicity and chemical composition of commonly used medicinal plant species in treating PLHIV in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed relevant articles and books published over the last sixty years on ethnobotany, antiviral/anti-HIV activity, toxicity, phytochemistry of Vachellia hockii, Albizia coriaria, Bridelia micrantha, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Erythrina abyssinica, Gardenia ternifolia, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Psorospermum febrifugium, Securidaca longipendunculata, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum and their synonyms. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Discussion: Most of the plant species reviewed apart from P. febrifugium, S. longipedunculata and C. sanguinolenta lacked detailed phytochemical analyses as well as the quantification and characterization of their constituents. Crude plant extracts were the most commonly used. However, purified/single component extracts from different plant parts were also used in some studies. The U87 human glioblastoma was the most commonly used cell line. Water, ethanol, methanol and DMSO were the commonest solvents used. In some instances, isolated purified compounds/extracts such as Cryptolepine and Psorospermin were used. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity varied with cell type, solvent and extract type used making it difficult for direct comparison of the plant species. Five of the eleven plant species namely, A. coriaria, C. sanguinolenta, G. ternifolia, P. febrifugium and Z. chalybeum had no cytotoxicity studies in animal models. For the remaining six plant species, the crude aqueous and ethanol extracts were mainly used in acute oral toxicity studies in mice. Herbalists reported only A. coriaria and W. ugandensis to cause toxic side effects in humans. However, selective cytotoxic plant extracts can potentially be beneficial as anticancer or anti-tumour drugs

Drivers of topsoil saturated hydraulic conductivity in three contrasting landscapes in Kenya

Markförsämring i tropiska regioner kan ha förödande konsekvenser för vattentillgänglighet. Vattenkvalité och kvantitet är oerhört viktiga för lokalbefolkningar och är grundförutsättningar för socioekonomisk utveckling då stora delar av befolkningen i många tropiska länder är direkt beroende av jordbruk och boskapshållning för sin inkomst. En strategi för att öka mängden tillgängligt vatten i torra tropiska ekosystem är att öka hastigheten och kvantiteten av vattennederbörd som infiltreras i jorden. Olika faktorer samspelar i infiltrationskapaciteten, däribland vegetation, jordart och markanvändning. Förståelsen för hur olika variabler påverkar markens hydrologiska funktioner på landskapsnivå är begränsad. Det behövs mer forskning kring hur biologisk mångfald och vegetationsmängd påverkar infiltration. En vetenskaplig förståelse för hur dessa variabler påverkar infiltrationskapacitet är avgörande för effektiviteten av restaureringsinitiativ i tropiska områden som har försämrade vattentillgångar. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka huvudfaktorerna som påverkar infiltrationskapacitet i tre kontrasterande lokaler i Kenya, för att förstå vad som driver infiltration på en övergripande landskapsnivå. Linjära mixade modeller användes för att urskilja de viktigaste variablerna både i, och mellan de tre lokalerna. Variabler relaterade till markegenskaper, vegetationsmängd, funktionell biodiversitet, markanvändning och markförsämring inkluderades i modellerna. Resultaten visade att de statistiskt viktigaste variablerna var jordart, markanvändning, erosion och funktionell biodiversitet, för den modell som beskrev alla tre lokaler. Tre ytterligare modeller konstruerades och kunde påvisa att resultaten på enskild lokalnivå var annorlunda, då infiltrationskapaciteten i grovkornig jord var mest påverkad av jordart. I finkornig jord var andra variabler viktigare, så som markanvändning och markförsämring. Infiltrationskapaciteten är naturligt högre i grovkornig jord, därför har restaureringsinitiativ minimal effekt. Finkornig jord har lägre infiltrationskapacitet som i högre utsträckning skulle kunna påverkas av anpassad restaurering inriktad på att öka befintlig vegetation och minimera markanvändning som leder till markförsämring. Den här studien visar att olikheter i infiltrationskapacitet är relaterade till markegenskaper, vilket understryker behovet av restaureringsinitiativ som är anpassade till lokala förhållanden.Land degradation in the tropics has severe impacts on the availability of water and can lead to decreased rates of infiltration. Reduced infiltrability leads to less water availability, which negatively impacts livelihoods and hinders socioeconomic development. Understanding the drivers of infiltrability is essential for managing landscapes in the tropics, particularly when implementing restoration measures to improve soil hydrological function. The aim of this thesis is to identify the factors driving infiltrability across three different landscapes in Kenya. Linear mixed effects models were conducted to identify the main factors affecting infiltrability across and within sites, based on data from the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework. Variables related to inherent soil properties, land use, land degradation, functional diversity and vegetation cover were included in the model. Results indicate that the main factors increasing infiltrability across the three sites are land use, functional evenness and soil texture, while erosion decreases infiltrability. In coarse-grained soils, texture is the dominating factor while in finegrained soils land use and degradation are more important. Hence, as infiltrability is inherently high in coarse-grained soils, improving soil hydrological function is not necessary. On the contrary, fine-grained soils have lower infiltrability that can be improved by adaptive restoration measures that target increasing continuous vegetation cover and minimizing land use practices that lead to land degradation. Therefore, this study demonstrates that differences in infiltrability are related to inherent soil properties, which emphasize the need for restoration measures adapted to an understanding of local site conditions

Plant traits and drought tolerance in the savanna : a Kruger National Park case study

One of the central goals of plant ecology is to understand the factors that control the local distribution of plant species and thus the composition of communities. The aim of this study is to determine plant functional traits that can be associated with drought tolerance/avoidance and to test whether wood density is a good indicator of drought tolerance. The study was carried out in Kruger National Park in the month of June. A number of plant traits including wood density, leaf thickness, leaf life span/longevity and water potential were measured along a rainfall gradient (from south to north of the park). Wood density and water potential did not show any significant differences between the wet and dry sites. Leaf thickness and percent leaf cover showed significant correlations with the rainfall gradient (p=0.00 and 0.02 respectively). Wood density may not be the single most important factor that confers fitness during drought. Tolerance in plants may come about as a result of the interplay between plant traits and site characteristics that may result in the differential response even in plants that may be deemed drought tolerant