Z kory korzeni oraz sproszkowanego preparatu (EA) pochodzących z Uncaria tomentosa uzyskano wyciągi bogate w związki fenolowe. Wykazano silną aktywność przeciwwolnorodnikową tych wyciągów. Najsilniejszą aktywność przeciwwolnorodnikową wykazano dla wyciągu WMP otrzymanego z EA (MeOH - woda, 1:1). Wyciąg ten w stężeniach 0.036 i 0.072 mg/ml spowodował zmniejszenie stężenia wolnego rodnika DPPH odpowiednio o 64.6% i 92.8%.
Randia dumetorum (family Rubiaceae) is highly reputed ayurvedic medicinal tree commonly known as the Mainphal. A large deciduous thorny shrub grows up to 5 m of height. It occurs almost throughout India up to 1200 m of altitude. It is found in Himalaya from Jammu East ward ascending to 400 m and from Kashmir to East ward up to 1200 m. 11-methylixoside (compound 1), an iridoid glucoside, was isolated from the bark of this plant. The structure was characterized by using spectroscopic methods including 1D-1HNMR,13C-NMR and 2D-NMR (HSQC,HMBC, DQF-COSY) experiments and confirmed by comparison of their NMR data with those from the literature. This compound has been reported for the first time in Randia dumetorum bark. The 11-methylixoside was subjected to cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer cell line) and SK-MEL-2 (human skin melanoma cell line), BE(2)C (neuroblastoma cell line derived from human bone marrow) and U87MG (human neuronale glioblastoma (astrozytom) cell line showed appreciable cytotoxic effect with IC50 value 63.10 µg/ml concentration for SK-MEL-2 (human skin melanoma cell line).
Genetic diversity of Galium cracoviense, a narrow endemic species, limited to the small area in southern Poland and concentrated on Jurassic limestone outcrops near Częstochowa, was examined using the AFLP marker. Twenty nine individuals from three spatially isolated populations were used for the study. AFLP analysis yielded 157 bands, of which 110 (70%) were polymorphic. The AMOVA analysis revealed a substantially higher variation within populations (89.35%) than among them (10.65%). Values of parameters describing population genetic diversity, such as Shannon index and gene diversity index estimated for each population, were highly similar. The results indicate a high level of genetic polymorphism as well as a high genetic similarity of the isolated populations of G. cracoviense and thus an unconstrained gene flow between them. Based on the results we conclude that additional demographic and genetic studies, are necessary to monitor potential decrease of populations size resulting mainly from the mechanical destruction of plants and their habitats caused by intense tourism. Due to the small general range of occurrence, conservation should include the highest possible number of populations of G. cracoviense.
Galium sect. Leptogalium Lange in NE Europe is represented by few, local endemic species which occur in the area covered by the continental ice sheet in the Pleistocene period. They are: G. cracoviense Ehrend. in S Poland, G. oelandicum (Sterner & Hyl.) Ehrend. in SE Sweden and G. sudeticum Tausch in SW Poland and N Czech Republic. 55 individuals from five populations of these species were analysed using AFLP markers. A total of 193 AFLP bands were detected using three combinations of primers; out of them 159 proved polymorphic (82.4%). The lowest values of Shannon's index and Nei's gene diversity were noted for G. oelandicum and the highest ones for G. sudeticum. The results indicate a relatively high level of genetic variability in each of endemic species in spite of that the studied species occupy very small areas and are represented by a low number of populations. We conclude that additional, demographic and genetic studies are necessary to monitor potential decrease of populations' size resulting mainly from the mechanical destruction of plants and their habitats caused by intense tourism or other human activities (as agriculture, e.g. grazing).
Germination responses of Galium cracoviense Ehrend. (Rubiaceae), a narrow endemic species from southern Poland, were tested in light and dark conditions at three constant temperatures (5, 10, or 22°C), before and after cold-wet stratification. Additionally, seeds were germinated under different calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 mM/L CaCO3) at 22°C in light. The high germination capacity of seeds incubated at different temperatures, shortly after collection, already suggested the absence of dormancy in this species. Thus, the seeds are ready to germinate immediately in the field when water resources are available and the temperature is adequate. Light was a significant factor for G. cracoviense; more seeds germinated in light than in darkness at all temperatures tested. Cold stratification decreased germination especially at higher temperatures. The light requirement for G. cracoviense germination ensures their successful germination on or near the soil surface, and in cracks and crevices in limestone, when temperature and edaphic conditions are favourable. Seeds of this species show temperature enforced dormancy throughout the winter. Germination was significantly affected by calcium carbonate. Non-germinated seeds germinated well after being transferred from higher CaCO3 concentrations to distilled water. The results indicate that the seeds of this species can endure CaCO3 stress without losing their viability and start germination once CaCO3 concentration is reduced. It can be concluded that the seeds of this species require lower Ca2+ ion concentration, moderate temperatures and the presence of light to germinate.
Chromosome numbers of eleven angiosperm species, five dicots and six monocots from Georgia and Azerbaijan are reported. The chromosome number of Cruciata coronata (Rubiaceae) is provided for the first time (2n = 22). Additionally, karyotypes are presented for five species, those of Danae racemosa (Ruscaceae), Paris incompleta (Trilliaceae), and Ruscus hyrcanus (Ruscaceae) for the first time. The new data are compared with previous karyological information, and both are discussed in a biosystematic context.
Morphological and chemical diversity of three populations of sweet woodruff (Galium odo- ratum L.) was investigated in situ and ex situ. The herb was collected in two stages of plants development: in full blooming and after blooming. Content of coumaric compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acids were determined. Investigated populations didn't differ significantly as to the morphological features of plants but they did as to the content of the biologically active compounds.The content of investigated pharmacologically active compounds depended both on the location of population and the growth phases of plants.