Epiphyllous liverworts on rosette leaves of Ardisia species (Myrsinaceae) in China

Four species of Ardisia (Myrsinaceae, Magnoliopsida) with rosette or low-lying leaves in China (including Hong Kong) have been found to be the hosts for 12 species of epiphyllous liverworts which belong to 4 families and 9 genera. However, no obvious species-specific hostepiphyte relationship could be recognized

Wrightia.

v.3 (1961-1966

Wrightia.

v.4 (1968-1971

Distribution of sex forms in the phanerogamic flora

In the plant kingdom, particularly in the phanerogamic flora, hermaphroditism is by far the most common, yet the number of other sex forms is not negligible. This study was undertaken with the view of ascertaining the relative proportions in which such sex forms occur. For this purpose Engler and Prantls "Natürliche Pflanzenfamilien" with all the Nachträge (which are complete up to 1912) have been used. The lists that follow are the results of this examination

An iconic traditional apiculture of park fringe communities of Borena Sayint National Park, north eastern Ethiopia

Background: Traditional apiculture has been practised in Ethiopia over a long historical period and still remains a benign means to extract direct benefits from natural ecosystems. While its contribution to economic development and watershed protection is increasingly recognized its cultural significance is however, seldom noticed. This study was conducted using an ethnobotanical study approach to document the honey bee flora and associated indigenous knowledge of local communities in Borena Sayint National Park (BSNP), north eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Data were collected from 170 informants through semi-structured interviews and guided field walks, focus group discussion with 37 informants and 14 key informants and analyzed using standard analytical tools including ranking, comparisons and multivariate analyses. Results: In total, 152 bee forage species in 133 genera and 74 families were documented. The Asteraceae and Rosaceae were represented with six species each over the other plant families. Percentage of mentions per species ranged between 76.9 and 13.5 % for the most salient bee forage species. Dombeya torrida, Erica arborea, and Olinia rochetiana captured high community consensus as measured by rank order of popularity and designated as local appellation names of honey. Cluster analysis of priority ranking data showed relationships between key informants with respect to preferences, but ordination analysis did not indicate environmental proximity as a determinant of their responses. Five honey harvesting seasons occur each corresponding to the floral calendar of a dominant bee forage species that stipulate relocation of hives to appropriate locations within the national park. Conclusion: The apicultural tradition is iconic with economic value and forming part of the local peoples' cultural identity apt to be preserved as a bequest for posterity

Wrightia.

v.5 (1972-1977

Embryological features and bacterial transmission to gynoecium and ovule in Myrsine laetevirens (Myrsinaceae)

Fil: Otegui, Marisa Silvina. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE). Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado, Sara. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Labisia pumila extract protects skin cells from photoaging caused by UVB irradiation

Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), known as "Kacip Fatimah," has been used by many generations of Malay women to induce and facilitate child birth as well as a post partum medicine. However, its topical application on skin has not been reported yet. In this study, we have focused on the anti-photoaging effects of L. pumila. Extract of L. pumila was first analyzed for their antioxidant activities using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) since UV irradiation is a primary cause of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the skin. The 50% free radical scavenging activity (FSC(50)) of L. pumila extract was determined to be 0.006%, which was equal to that produced by 156 microM ascorbic acid. TNF-alpha and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) play a primary role in the inflammation process upon UV irradiation and are known to be stimulated by UVB. Treatment with L. pumila extract markedly inhibited the TNF-alpha production and the expression of COX-2. Decreased collagen synthesis of human fibroblasts by UVB was restored back to normal level after treatment with L. pumila extract. On the other hand, the enhanced MMP-1 expression upon UVB irradiation was down regulated by L. pumila extract in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of normal keratinocytes with L. pumila extract attenuated UVB-induced MMP-9 expression. These results collectively suggest L. pumila extract has tremendous potential as an anti-photoaging cosmetic ingredient

Nomenclatural Transfers in the Pantropical Genus Myrsine (Myrsinaceae)

The names of 14 taxa of Rapanea Aubl. are transferred to Myrsine L. (Myrsinaceae). The 14 new combinations include: M. acutiloba (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. acutiloba Mez]; M. amischocarpa (A. C. Sm.) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. amischocarpa A. C. Sm.]; M. boivinii (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. boivinii Mez]; M. comorensis (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. comorensis Mez]; M. courboniana (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. courboniana Mez]; M. crassiramea (A. C. Sm.) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. crassiramea A. C. Sm.]; M. daphnoides (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. daphnoides Mez]; M. forbesii (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. forbesii Mez]; M. griffithiana(Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. griffithiana Mez]; M. hadrocarpa (A. C. Sm.) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. hadrocarpa A. C. Sm.]; M. longipes (A. C. Sm.) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. longipes A. C. Sm.]; M. polyantha (A. C. Sm.) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. polyantha A. C. Sm.; M. seychellarum(Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. seychellarum Mez]; and M. striata (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly [≡ R. striata Mez]. Six binomials are lectotypified: M. boivinii (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly; M. comorensis(Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly; M. forbesii (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly; M. griffithiana (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly; M. seychellarum (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly; M. striata (Mez) Ricketson & Pipoly

Atividade tripanocida de flavonoides e limonoides isolados de extratos ativos de plantas de Myrsinaceae e Meliaceae

The activity of crude extracts of three Rapanea species (Myrsinaceae) and Cipadessa fruticosa (Meliaceae) was evaluated in vitro against the trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Thirty-three extracts from different organs of these species were assayed and eleven of them showed significant activity (lysis % >50). The fractionation of an active extract from branches of R. lancifolia (99.5%) led to the isolation of two flavonoids: quercetin and taxifolin, which have weak trypanocidal activity. Additionally, one active extract from fruits of C. fruticosa (97.7%) afforded mexicanolide limonoids: cipadesin, mexicanolide, febrifugin and cipadesin A, that were slightly active on T. cruzi. Moreover, other two flavonoids (flavone and 7-methoxyflavone), previously assayed against T. cruzi, were isolated from the hexane extract from branches of C. fruticosa (100%). The results presented here suggest that the plants evaluated could be a source of new active compounds against T. cruzi.A atividade de extratos brutos de três espécies de Rapanea (Myrsinaceae) e de Cipadessa fruticosa (Meliaceae) foi avaliada in vitro contra formas tripomastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi. Foram obtidos 33 extratos de diferentes órgãos das espécies estudadas, sendo que onze deles apresentaram atividades significantes (% de lise > 50) nos ensaios realizados. O fracionamento de um extrato ativo dos galhos de R. lancifolia (99,5%) resultou no isolamento de dois flavonoides (quercetina e taxifolina), que apresentaram baixa atividade tripanocida. De um extrato ativo dos frutos de C. fruticosa (97,7%) foram isolados os limonoides mexicanolídeos cipadesina, mexicanolídeo, febrifugina e cipadesina A, que foram moderadamente ativos sobre T. cruzi. Além disso, outros dois flavonoides (flavona e 7-metoxiflavona), previamente ensaiados contra T. cruzi, foram isolados do extrato hexânico dos galhos de C. fruticosa (100%). Os resultados obtidos aqui sugerem que as plantas avaliadas podem constituir fontes de novas substâncias ativas sobre o T. cruzi.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior (CAPES)FINEP - Financiadora de Estudos e Projeto