Notes on the distribution of Helichrysum Melitense, Hyoseris Frutescens and MatthiolaIncana Melitensis in the Maltese Islands

Considerations are made on the historical distribution of Helichrysum melitense, Hyoseris frutescens and Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis, three floral species endemic to the Maltese Islands, whilst new records for the three species are also reported. A new variety of Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis is also recorded, whilst biogeographical aspects are also discussed for the three species.peer-reviewe

Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of the Aerial Part Extracts from Matthiola incana subsp. rupestris and subsp. pulchella (Brassicaceae) Endemic to Sicily

As part of a project aimed at investigating the Matthiola taxa endemic to Sicily (Italy), this study focused on Matthiola incana, an edible species used in the traditional medicine of various countries. Herein, the characterization of phenolic and volatile compounds, the antioxidant capacity in vitro (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), reducing power and Fe2+ chelating activity assays) and the toxicity test (Artemia salina lethality bioassay) of the hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts of M. incana subsp. rupestris from Mt. Pellegrino (Palermo) and Mt. Erice (Trapani), and of M. incana subsp. pulchella are reported. The results are compared with those previously shown for M. incana subsp. incana, to achieve a comprehensive overview of the three subspecies. The HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS and SPME-GC/MS analyses led to the identification of 13 phenolics and 54 volatile compounds. Differences in the qualitative-quantitative profile of these phytochemicals have been highlighted between the M. incana subspecies. The antioxidant tests showed different activity for the extracts, which were found to possess better chelating properties. At last, none of the tested extracts displayed toxicity against brine shrimp larvae. These findings enrich the knowledge on the Matthiola taxa growing wild in Sicily, both from the strictly systematic point of view and for the possible applications as sources bioactive compounds that can be used in the nutraceutical field

Phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity, and toxicity assessment of the aerial part extracts from the infraspecific taxa of Matthiola fruticulosa (Brassicaceae) endemic to Sicily

In a project designed to investigate the specific and infraspecific taxa of Matthiola endemic to Sicily (Italy) as new potential sources of bioactive compounds in this work, the infraspecific taxa of Matthiola fruticulosa were studied, namely, subsp. fruticulosa and subsp. coronopifolia. HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS and SPME-GC/MS analyses of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the aerial parts of the two subspecies led to the detection of 51 phenolics and 61 volatile components, highlighting a quite different qualitative-quantitative profile. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were explored through in vitro methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and Fe2+ chelating activity assays. The results of the antioxidant tests showed that the extracts possess a different antioxidant ability: Particularly, the extract of M. fruticulosa subsp. fruticulosa exhibited higher radical scavenging activity than that of subsp. coronopifolia (IC50 = 1.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 2.86 ± 0.05 mg/mL), which in turn displayed better chelating properties (IC50 = 1.49 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.63 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Lastly, Artemia salina lethality bioassay was performed for toxicity assessment. The results of the bioassay showed lack of toxicity against brine shrimp larvae for both extracts. The data presented indicate the infraspecific taxa of M. fruticulosa as new and safe sources of antioxidant compounds

Cytotoxic, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory properties of the traditional medicinal plant matthiola incana (L.) R. Br.

Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br. (Brassicaceae) is widely cultivated for ornamental purposes and utilized as a medicinal plant. In the present work, the hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of this species has been evaluated in different bioassays in order to detect potential pharmacological applications. The cytotoxic capacity against the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (CaCo-2) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines was tested using the MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The extract was investigated as a neuroprotective inhibitor of central nervous system (CNS) enzymes such as monoamine oxidase A, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and as a natural enzyme inhibitor of a-glucosidase and lipase involved in some metabolic disorders such as obesity or type 2 diabetes. The antioxidant ability was also evaluated in an enzymatic system (xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay). Results showed that the M. incana extract displayed moderate to low cytotoxicity vs. CaCo-2 cells. The extract acted as a superoxide radical scavenger and enzymatic inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, tyrosinase, a-glucosidase, and lipase. The best results were found in the a-glucosidase assay, as M. incana hydroalcoholic extract was able to inhibit the enzyme a-glucosidase up to 100% without significant differences, compared to the antidiabetic drug acarbose. Matthiola incana has been demonstrated to exert different biological properties. These are important in order to consider this species as a source of bioactive compounds

Additions to terrestrial flora of Tunisia: Occurrence and taxonomic notes

We document new records of 11 vascular taxa. Some were found in the wild for the first time and, therefore, are new reports to terrestrial flora of Tunisia. One species, Ranunculus acris L., is reported for the first time for North Africa. Parietaria cretica L. is confirmed for North Africa. Details about the distribution and habitats of the 11 species are provided, and comments on their status and taxonomy are included

Deteriogenic flora of the Phlegraean Fields Archaeological Park: ecological analysis and management guidelines

Biodeterioration, the alteration caused by living organisms, on historical buildings and stone monuments is a well-known problem affecting two-thirds of the world’s cultural heritage. The study of the flora growing on wall surface is of particular importance for the assessment of the risk of biodeterioration of stone artifacts by vascular plants, and for maintenance planning. In this study, we investigate how rock type, exposure and inclination of the wall affect the biodeteriogenic flora at 13 sites of the Archaeological Park of the Phlegraean Fields located in the province of Naples, in southern Italy. For each site, we analysed randomly selected square areas with 2 × 2 m size, representing the different vegetation types in terms of vascular plant species cover. The total num - ber of plant species recorded was 129, belonging to 43 families. Erigeron sumatrensis, Sonchus tenerrimus and Parietaria judaica are the most commonly reported species, while Capparis orientalis is the species with the highest average coverage. Substrate type, exposure and surface inclination affect the floristic composition, with the average plant cover significantly higher on vertical surfaces and at western and southern expo - sure. All the main biodeteriogenic vascular plant species grow on more or less porous lythotype like yellow tufa, conglomerate and bricks. Finally, woody plants eradications methods are proposed by the tree cutting and local application of herbicides, to avoid stump and root sprouting and to minimize the dispersion of chemicals in the sur- rounding environment