Taxonomic value of leaf anatomical characteristics of Coelostegia benth. and Ceiba pentandra Gaertn. (Bombacaceae)

A comparative leaf anatomy was undertaken on some Coelostegia species (C.griffithii, C. borneensis and C. chartacea) and also Ceiba pentandra Gaertn. (Bombacaceae) as an outgroup species. The study includes transverse section of laminas and margins using sliding microtome. Leaf clearing was made using Basic Fuchsin in 10 % of KOH. The presence of mucilage cell, types of trichomes, types of laminar venation, presence of schlerenchyma cells and druses are common in all species studied. All Coelostegia species studied, have a unique characteristic in which solitary crystal is present exactly on above vascular bundles touching the adaxial epidermal and forms a structure-like girder. Coelostegia species can be distinguished by the margin outline, types of venation and in the presence or absence of trichomes. This study also showed that there were seven characters that can be used to differentiate between Coelostegia and Ceiba pentandra. The characters were swollen tracheid on the leaf laminar venation, pattern of vascular bundle in the petiole and midrib, the presence and types of crystal, the presence and types of trichomes, mucilagenous canals, hypodermis, collenchyma and schlerenchyma in the medullary vascular bundle in the petiole and in the leaf lamina. This study showed that the combination of anatomical characteristics has taxonomic value that can be useful for distinguishing species

Ciri morfologi diagnosis debunga Bruguiera, Ceriops, Kandelia dan Rhizophora (Rhizophoraceae) di Semenanjung Malaysia

Famili Rhizophoraceae ialah famili tumbuhan utama di hutan paya bakau dengan 16 genus dan 120 spesies dan di Semenanjung Malaysia terdapat tujuh genus dan 17 spesies. Kajian palinologi masih kurang dijalankan di hutan paya bakau untuk melihat kepentingan ciri morfologi debunga dan adaptasinya terhadap persekitaran. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk menyenaraikan ciri umum, variasi dan ciri diagnosis morfologi debunga antara spesies dan genus dalam famili Rhizophoraceae di Semenanjung Malaysia. Kaedah kajian melibatkan teknik asetolisis, pencerapan di bawah mikroskop cahaya dan mikroskop imbasan elektron. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan terdapat dua kelas debunga iaitu tri-zono-kolpat dan tri-zono-kolporat. Kesemua spesies kajian mempunyai debunga bersaiz kecil (10-25 μm) dan mempunyai debunga bentuk sferoid kecuali Rhizophora x lamarckii dengan bentuk subprolat. Dua corak hiasan eksin ditemui pada genus Bruguiera iaitu skabrat-perforat (B. cylindrica, B. parviflora. B. hainesii dan B. sexangula) dan psilat-skabrat (B. gymnorhiza). Genus Ceriops dan Rhizophora stylosa mempunyai hiasan eksin perforat manakala R. apiculata dan R. mucronata mempunyai corak eksin perforat-retikulat. Kekunci dikotomi pengecaman spesies dan genus telah dibina berdasarkan keputusan kajian. Secara kesimpulan, ciri morfologi debunga mempunyai nilai taksonomi terutamanya untuk pembezaan dan pengecaman spesies dan genus bagi famili Rhizophoraceae

Taxonomic value of leaf venation and trichome characteristics in some Byttneria L. and Pterocymbium R. Br. (Malvaceae S.L)

A study on some leaf anatomical characteristics was undertaken on two genera in Malvaceae s.l namely Byttneria L. and Pterocymbium R. Br. The objective was to determine the taxonomic value of leaf venation characteristics especially in identification and classification of species. In the study, five species were chosen, three Byttneria species, namely B. curtisii,B. jackiana, B. maingayi, and two Pterocymbium species, namely P. tinctorium and P. tubulatum. Byttneria and Pterocymbium have been split into two subfamilies, Byttneroideae and Sterculoideae, of Malvaceae s.l respectively. Leaf clearing, staining, mounting and observation under a light microscope were techniques used for the study. Results showed that the similarities and differences in leaf venation could be useful in classification and identification of species. The common characteristics found in all species studied were the presence of entire marginal venation and closed system venation with minimum free ending veinlets in the areolar venation. The variations in the leaf venation can be used to distinguish species, which are complete ultimate marginal venation in B. curtisii and B. maingayi; curved to looped pattern and incomplete, ultimate marginal venation in B. jackiana, P. tubulatum and P. tinctorium. The presence of simple unicellular trichomes in B. jackiana and two types of trichomes (simple unicellular trichomes and multicellular glandular trichomes) and crystals alongside veinlets in P. tubulatum can also be used to further identify these two species from other species studied. Therefore, the study showed that leaf anatomical characteristics in Byttneria and Pterocymbium can be used in species identification and have taxonomic value

Systematic significance of stipe anatomy of selaginella (selaginellaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

An anatomical study was carried out on 14 taxa belonging to Selaginellaceae in an attempt to study their stipe anatomical characteristics and to provide anatomical data for the selected taxa in Selaginellaceae. Out of 29 taxa of Selaginellaceae recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, 14 taxa have been selected namely Selaginella alutacia, S. argentea, S. frondosa, S. intermedia var. intermedia, S. intermedia var. dolichocentrus, S. mayeri, S. morganii, S. ornata, S. plana, S. polita, S. roxburghii var. roxburghii, S. stipulata, S. wallichii and S. willdenowii. Method used in this study was sectioning using sliding microtome. Findings in this study have shown that Selaginellaceae species studied can be clustered into two groups based on the stipe stellar systems, which are monostelic and tristelic groups. There are some variations exist in the cross sections of the stipes of the same species due to the presence and absence of the leaf trace. Each species is proved to have distinct stipe anatomical characteristics that can be used to differentiate species in Selaginellaceae

Pollen morphology and harmomegathic characters of Byttneria Löfl. species (Sterculiaceae S. S: subfam. Byttnerioideae)

A palynological study was conducted on seven species of Byttneria Löfl. The objectives of this study was to understand the variation in micromorphological and harmomegarthic characteristics of pollen in Byttneria species in Malaysia and Singapore. In doing so, more information on the species of Sterculiaceae s.s family can be added. Dried pollen samples of seven Byttneria species were selected in this study, namely B. scabrida Ridl., B. pilosa Roxb., B. elliptica Pohl, B. curtisii Oliv., B. reinwardtii Korth., B. maingayi Mast. and B. jackiana Wall. Methods involved were acetolysis techniques, single-grain technique, and observation under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Common characters shared by all studied species were porate pollen class, triporate aperture, and triangular outline. Variation in pollen characteristics includes ratio of exine thickness, pollen size, pore width and height, amb; shape and measurements. These characters are valuable in assisting identification of taxa group that can be used to differentiate between species in the genus. This study proved that pollen morphological characteristics of Byttneria have taxonomic values in identification and differentiation of species in subfamily Byttnerioideae and Sterculiaceae s. s

Comparative studies of leaf venation in some species of sapindaceae of Malaysia

A study on the variation of leaf venation pattern was undertaken on 43 taxa belonging to 19 genera of Sapindaceae in Malaysia. Results showed that there were 17 venation patterns observed based on the leaf lamina venation, ultimate marginal and veinlet patterns. A total of 15 taxa showed bi-veinlets, 15 taxa uni-veinlets, eight taxa simple veinlets, three taxa tri-veinlet patterns and two other taxa with no ending veinlets. The presence of idioblast cells on the leaf lamina surfaces, presence and localization of simple trichomes on the leaf veins or on the leaf epidermis are the diagnostic characteristics that can be used in identification of Guioa, Harpullia and Glenneia. Druses observed on the leaves lamina can be very useful for species identification of Filicium decipiens (Wight & Arn.) Thwaites. Combination of variation in the leaf venation and diagnostic characteristics found in this study have taxonomic value especially in species and genus identification and differentiation in Sapindaceae in Malaysia

Anatomi rizom dan stip genus Pleocnemia Presl (Tectariaceae) di Semenanjung Malaysia

Kajian anatomi rizom dan stip telah dijalankan ke atas empat spesies Pleocnemia yang terdapat di Semenanjung Malaysia iaitu P. irregularis, P. conjugata, P. hemiteliiformis dan P. olivacea untuk mengkaji variasi ciri yang terdapat pada rizom dan stip ini. Kajian ini melibatkan keratan rentas stip dan rizom dengan menggunakan mikrotom gelongsor. Ciri anatomi stip seperti bentuk luaran, corak kehadiran sel sklerenkima di bawah epidermis, jenis dan bentuk stel dan ciri anatomi rizom seperti kehadiran sel rembes tanin dan kehadiran serta jenis trikom pada sesetengah spesies boleh digunakan untuk pengecaman spesies. Ciri sepunya bagi spesies Pleocnemia yang dikaji ialah kehadiran sel sklerenkima mengelilingi stel dan di bawah lapisan sel epidermis, stel jenis kompleks serta stel bagi kesemua spesies kajian berbentuk protostel primitif (bulat). Antara ciri diagnosis yang ditemui dalam kajian ini ialah bentuk luaran stip, bilangan lapisan skelerenkima di bawah epidermis, kehadiran sel rembes tanin bagi spesies P. irregularis dan P. hemiteliiformis serta kehadiran jenis trikom yang berbeza dalam keempat-empat spesies. Ciri diagnosis ini adalah ciri yang baik untuk pengecaman spesies kajian. Keputusan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa ciri anatomi stip dan rizom mempunyai nilai taksonomi dalam genus Pleocnemia dan boleh digunakan sebagai data sokongan untuk pengecaman dan pembezaan spesies

Subchronic toxicity, immunoregulation and anti-breast tumor effect of Nordamnacantal, an anthraquinone extracted from the stems of Morinda citrifolia L.

Background: Morinda citrifolia L. that was reported with immunomodulating and cytotoxic effects has been traditionally used to treat multiple illnesses including cancer. An anthraquinone derived from fruits of Morinda citrifolia L., nordamnacanthal, is a promising agent possessing several in vitro biological activities. However, the in vivo anti-tumor effects and the safety profile of nordamnacanthal are yet to be evaluated. Methods: In vitro cytotoxicity of nordamnacanthal was tested using MTT, cell cycle and Annexin V/PI assays on human MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. Mice were orally fed with nordamnacanthal daily for 28 days for oral subchronic toxicity study. Then, the in vivo anti-tumor effect was evaluated on 4T1 murine cancer cells-challenged mice. Changes of tumor size and immune parameters were evaluated on the untreated and nordamnacanthal treated mice. Results: Nordamnacanthal was found to possess cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB231, MCF-7 and 4T1 cells in vitro. Moreover, based on the cell cycle and Annexin V results, nordamnacanthal managed to induce cell death in both MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells. Additionally, no mortality, signs of toxicity and changes of serum liver profile were observed in nordamnacanthal treated mice in the subchronic toxicity study. Furthermore, 50 mg/kg body weight of nordamncanthal successfully delayed the progression of 4T1 tumors in Balb/C mice after 28 days of treatment. Treatment with nordamnacanthal was also able to increase tumor immunity as evidenced by the immunophenotyping of the spleen and YAC-1 cytotoxicity assays. Conclusion: Nordamnacanthal managed to inhibit the growth and induce cell death in MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cell lines in vitro and cease the tumor progression of 4T1 cells in vivo. Overall, nordamnacanthal holds interesting anti-cancer properties that can be further explored

Morfologi trikom pada petal dan sepal spesies terpilih Acanthaceae di Semenanjung Malaysia

Acanthaceae merupakan famili tumbuhan angiosperma di bawah order Lamiales yang terdiri daripada sekurang-kurangnya 4000 spesies sama ada spesies tropika atau subtropika. Spesies daripada famili ini ditemui di pelbagai habitat dan mempunyai pelbagai morfologi serta corak taburan geografi. Walau bagaimanapun, maklumat mengenai ciri anatomi bagi Acanthaceae masih dangkal sehingga ke hari ini. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengenal pasti jenis trikom yang hadir pada permukaan epidermis adaksial dan abaksial sepal dan juga petal bunga bagi beberapa spesies terpilih daripada Acanthaceae di Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini melibatkan pengumpulan sampel di lapangan, penyediaan spesimen baucer, teknik kajian epidermis petal, cerapan di bawah mikroskop cahaya dan juga cerapan di bawah mikroskop imbasan elektron. Tiga puluh jenis trikom dicerap dalam kajian ini dan daripada jumlah tersebut, 23 jenis trikom dicerap hadir pada permukaan epidermis petal manakala 17 jenis trikom dicerap hadir pada permukaan epidermis sepal. Jenis trikom yang direkodkan ialah trikom ringkas unisel dan ringkas multisel, trikom kelenjar kapitat dan kelenjar peltat serta juga trikom berlengan. Keputusan kajian ini menunjukkan kehadiran dan jenis trikom pada permukaan sepal dan petal mempunyai nilai taksonomi yang berguna untuk tujuan pembezaan dan pengecaman spesies. Maklumat ciri morfologi trikom yang diperoleh daripada kajian ini merupakan maklumat baharu ciri anatomi bunga bagi Acanthaceae

Ciri anatomi stip bagi beberapa spesies Davallia (Davalliaceae) di Malaysia (Stipe anatomical characteristics in some Davallia (Davalliaceae) Species in Malaysia)

Kajian anatomi stip telah dijalankan ke atas tujuh spesies Davallia, iaitu D. denticulata, D. divaricata, D. trichomanioides var. trichomanioides, D. trichomanioides var. lorrainii, D. corniculata, D. repens dan D. solida var. solida di Malaysia. Kajian ini melibatkan keratan rentas bahagian stip menggunakan mikrotom gelongsor. Hasil kajian menunjukkan ciri anatomi stip seperti bentuk luaran stip, corak kehadiran sel sklerenkima di bawah epidermis, jenis dan bentuk stel, bilangan berkas vaskular, bilangan lapisan sel parenkima dan juga kehadiran cuping pada keratan rentas stip boleh digunakan untuk pengecaman dan pembezaan spesies. Ciri sepunya bagi genus Davallia ialah kehadiran sel sklerenkima mengelilingi stel dan di bawah lapisan sel epidermis, serta kehadiran sel parenkima berdinding tebal. Banyak ciri diagnostik ditemui dalam kajian ini dan antaranya ialah kehadiran satu cuping pada keratan stip tengah ditemui hanya pada D. trichomanioides var. lorrainii, corak 4 kehadiran sel sklerenkima di bawah epidermis ditemui hanya pada D. repens, corak 3 hanya ditemui pada D. solida var. solida, corak 5 dan 7 hanya ditemui pada D. corniculata, stel jenis dorsiventral protostel bagi D. divaricata dan bagi D. trichomanioides var. trichomanioides pula, kehadiran stel bentuk arka pada stip atas, stip tengah dan juga bawah merupakan ciri diagnostik yang baik untuk pengecaman spesies ini. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa ciri anatomi stip mempunyai nilai taksonomi dalam genus Davallia dan boleh digunakan sebagai data sokongan untuk tujuan pengecaman dan pembezaan spesies