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Mutinda ES, Zhang DJ, Muema FW, Mkala EM, Waswa EN, Odago WO, Onyango Ochieng C, Gichua MK, Muchuku JK, Kamande E, Hu GW. The genus Balanophora J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. - Its use in traditional medicine, phytochemistry, and pharmacology: A review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117276. [PMID: 37866464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Natural products, particularly medicinal plants, have been utilized in traditional medicine for millennia to treat various diseases. The genus Balanophora (Balanophoraceae) consists of 23 accepted species. These species are the most controversial flowering plants, with highly reduced morphologies and are found parasitizing on the roots of their host. They have been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for stomach pain, detumescence, uterine prolapse, wounds, syphilis, gonorrhea, treating injuries from falls, and other conditions. However, there is no review of this genus on its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. AIM The present narrative review discusses the scientific data supporting the traditional uses of Balanophora species. The available information on its botanical properties, traditional uses, chemical contents, pharmacological activities, and toxicity was summarized to help comprehend current research and offer a foundation for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS The materials used in combining data on the genus Balanophora comprises online sources such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for Chinese-related materials. World Flora online was used in validating the scientific names of this genus while ChemBio Draw Ultra Version 22.2 software was employed in drawing the phytochemical compounds. RESULTS Nine Balanophora species including B. harlandii, B. japonica, B. polyandra, B. fungosa, B. fungosa subsp. indica, B. laxiflora, B. abbreviata, B. tobiracola, and B. involucrata have been documented as vital sources of traditional medicines in different parts of Asia. A total of 159 secondary metabolites have been isolated and identified from the ten species of this genus comprising tannins, flavonoids, sterols, lignans, chalcones, terpenes, and phenylpropanoids. Among these compounds, tannins, lignans, terpenoids, chalcones and phenolic acids contribute to the pharmacological activities of the species in this genus with several biological activities both in vitro and in vivo such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic activity, cytotoxicity, anti-microbial, melanin synthesis etc. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes the available literature on the traditional uses, pharmacological properties, and phytoconstituents of Balanophora species indicating that they contain fascinating chemical compounds with diverse biological activities. The traditional uses of the species in this genus have been confirmed by scientific data such as antimicrobial, hemostatic effect, gastroprotective activity and others. However, many species in this genus are yet unknown in terms of their botanical uses, chemical composition and biological activities. Thus, more research into the scientific connections between traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological activities, mode of action of the isolated bioactive constituents, and toxicity of other Balanophora species is needed to determine their efficacy and therapeutic potential for safe clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Syowai Mutinda
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Dong-Juan Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Felix Wambua Muema
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Elijah Mbandi Mkala
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Emmanuel Nyongesa Waswa
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Wyclif Ochieng Odago
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Clintone Onyango Ochieng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Moses Kirega Gichua
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - John Kamau Muchuku
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth Kamande
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Guang-Wan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, 430200, China.
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Raja K, Vignesh A, Lavanya P, Ravi M, Selvakumar S, Vasanth K. Organosulfur Compound Identified from Striga angustifolia (D. Don) C.J. Saldanha Inhibits Lung Cancer Growth and Induces Apoptosis via p53/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:7277-7297. [PMID: 36995657 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04467-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The Striga angustifolia (D. Don) C.J. Saldanha was used as an Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine for cancer by the tribal peoples of the Maruthamalai Hills, Coimbatore, India. Hence, the traditional use that has been proven to be effective lacks convincing scientific references. This present study was conducted to investigate the presence of potentially bioactive compounds from S. angustifolia and provides a scientific basis for the ethnobotanical utility. The organosulfur compound 5,5'-dithiobis(1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole) (COMP1) was isolated from S. angustifolia extracts, and the structures of COMP1 were elucidated and characterized by using 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and single crystal X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Our findings showed that COMP1 significantly reduced cell proliferation of breast and lung cancer cells, but not that of non-malignant epithelial cells. Further analysis revealed that COMP1 promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, COMP1 facilitates p53 activity and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, thereby inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of lung cancer cells by inhibiting cell growth. Our findings suggest that COMP1 may serve as a potential drug for lung cancer through the regulation of p53/mTOR pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Raja
- Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - Arumugam Vignesh
- Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - Ponnusamy Lavanya
- Department of Biochemistry, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Manoharan Ravi
- Department of Biochemistry, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Subramaniam Selvakumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - Krishnan Vasanth
- Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.
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Jiang R, Zhang G. Distribution patterns and influencing factors of different parasitic angiosperm types in China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Heinrich M, Jiang H, Scotti F, Booker A, Walt H, Weckerle C, Maake C. Medicinal plants from the Himalayan region for potential novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory skin treatments. J Pharm Pharmacol 2021; 73:956-967. [PMID: 33886964 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Adequate treatment of wounds remains one of the major medical needs globally, most notably in the regions with poor or limited access to health care. In many local and traditional systems of medicine, plants are often widely used for treating infected wounds. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The overarching aim of this project was selection of potential species for use in a future treatment by combining with plant resources with aspects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Specifically, we focussed on species used locally in the Himalayan region for the treatment of skin disorders and then assessed the existing pharmacological evidence for key species based on the published evidence available. METHODS Database searches were performed to identify relevant publications describing local and traditional uses of plants in the Himalayan region of Bhutan, PR China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), species were researched in terms of their distribution including in different climatic regions, focussing on species mostly found in higher climatic zones (based on the Köppen-Geiger climate classification). For species used in three or more countries and restricted to the higher altitudes, data on safety, pharmacology, as it relates to dermatological conditions, and phytochemistry were retrieved. KEY FINDINGS The study identified a total of 606 species that are used in the treatment of various skin conditions often associated with infections reported in 84 articles. Common weeds like Ageratum conyzoides and Bidens pilosa, widely used and cultivated species like Centealla asiatiaca and Prunus armenica were excluded. This ultimately led to the identification of a core group of five widely used species restricted to the Himalayan region (Cedrus deodara, Nardostachys jatamansi, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii and Valeriana jatamansi). CONCLUSIONS Here we apply a novel approach comprising an assessment of the published information on the use of medicinal plants (i.e. local and traditional knowledge) in the context of their potential to be used in a biomedical form of clinical treatment - aPDT. Then, once sustainable sourcing based on access and benefit-sharing arrangements is in place, these species are investigated for their potential in wound treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a new baseline for primary health care in some of the regions of the world with poor or limited access to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heinrich
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,'Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine', and 'Chinese Medicine Research Center', China Medical University, Beitun District, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Haiping Jiang
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Scotti
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony Booker
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Heinrich Walt
- Department for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Weckerle
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Maake
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Frezza C, Venditti A, Toniolo C, Vita DD, Serafini I, Ciccòla A, Franceschin M, Ventrone A, Tomassini L, Foddai S, Guiso M, Nicoletti M, Bianco A, Serafini M. Pedicularis L. Genus: Systematics, Botany, Phytochemistry, Chemotaxonomy, Ethnopharmacology, and Other. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 8:E306. [PMID: 31461963 PMCID: PMC6784095 DOI: 10.3390/plants8090306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this review, the relevance of the plant species belonging to the Pedicularis L. genus has been considered from different points of view. Particular emphasis was given to phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology, since several classes of natural compounds have been reported within this genus and many of its species are well known to be employed in the traditional medicines of many Asian countries. Some important conclusions on the chemotaxonomic and chemosystematic aspects of the genus have also been provided for the first time. Actually, this work represents the first total comprehensive review on this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Frezza
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Venditti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Toniolo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela De Vita
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Serafini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ciccòla
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Franceschin
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Ventrone
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lamberto Tomassini
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Foddai
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Guiso
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Nicoletti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Armandodoriano Bianco
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Serafini
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Adhikari M, Thapa R, Kunwar RM, Devkota HP, Poudel P. Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal. MEDICINES 2019; 6:medicines6020069. [PMID: 31234605 PMCID: PMC6630641 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6020069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Background: Medicinal plants are being used by the majority of the population throughout the world for their primary health care needs. The reliance is also prevalent in Nepal, aided by its ethnic and biological diversity. This study aimed to catalogue the ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants used by local people of Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski district. Methods: Data were collected between February 2017 and April 2018 from eight different villages of the Kaski district by using semi-structured interviews, guided field works, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The reported traditional uses were supported by local assistants, cataloguing vernacular names and crosschecking with the earlier published and gray literature. Results: A total of 105 medicinal plants, belonging to 58 families and 99 genera were documented to treat 70 different diseases and ailments. The highest numbers of plants (37) were used for gastrointestinal disorders and the lowest (4) were used for female genital disorders. Commonly used parts were underground portions (28 species) followed by fruits and seeds (25 species each). The most preferred dosage form was juice, used for 50 ailments, and the oral route was the most favored route of administration (77 species). The medicinal properties of 22 plant species were found hitherto unreported in the district. Conclusions: The study area was found to be rich in plant resources and the people have ample knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. Due to a lack of proper documentation, conservation, and cultivation practices, valuable plant species are at risk of extinction. Thus, appropriate conservation measures and scientific assessment of plant-lore in the district is immediately required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahendra Adhikari
- Department of Pharmacy, Novel Academy, Purbanchal University, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.
- School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.
| | - Rashmi Thapa
- School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.
| | - Ripu Mardhan Kunwar
- Department of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA.
| | - Hari Prasad Devkota
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
| | - Prakash Poudel
- Department of Pharmacy, Novel Academy, Purbanchal University, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.
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Mochamad L, Hermanto B, Hestianah EP. Determination of progesterone compounds in the crude methanol extract of benalu duku leaves. Vet World 2019; 12:358-366. [PMID: 31089303 PMCID: PMC6487250 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.358-366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Dendrophthoepentandra L. Miq (benalu duku) is a parasitic herb that commonly grows on the host plant Lansium domesticum. Researchers have found that the plant contains anticancer compounds and may contain phytoandrogens, including progesterone-like compounds, in its crude methanol extract. The objective of the current study was to investigate the compound of phyto progesterone in benalu duku leaves after extracted by methanol and prepared using an analytical column of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Materials and Methods: About 400 g of benalu duku leaves were pulverized, and their compounds were isolated by the isocratic method using an RP-18 analytical column (5 µm) with a mobile phase of 70:30 (methanol: water) in a photodiode array detector adjusted to 254 nm. The phyto progesterone compound was identified at a retention time of approximately 6.01 min. Results: By LC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry focusing on molecular fractions, the fingerprint area of the Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR, cm−1) and Hnuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra indicated that the phyto progesterone product isolated was identical to the certified reference material of pure progesterone, particularly the specific functional groups in the FT-IR spectrum at wavenumbers of 1317.43 cm−1 and 1386.86 cm−1 and in the proton HNMR spectrum at carbon 21 of progesterone (p<0.05). Conclusion: Each 49.888 µg/mL of crude benalu duku leaf extract dissolved in the mobile phase contained 28.515±0.713 µg/mL phyto progesterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazuardi Mochamad
- Laboratory Veterinary Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Mulyorejo Rd., "C" Campus Surabaya, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Hermanto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical, Universitas Airlangga, Mayjen. Prof. Dr. Moestopo 47 Rd., "A" Campus Surabaya, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
| | - E P Hestianah
- Laboratory Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Mulyorejo Rd., "C" Campus Surabaya, Surabaya - 60115, Indonesia
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Zhang G, Li Q, Sun S. Diversity and distribution of parasitic angiosperms in China. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:4378-4386. [PMID: 29760880 PMCID: PMC5938475 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic plants are an important component of vegetation worldwide, but their diversity and distribution in China have not been systematically reported. This study aimed to (1) explore floral characteristics of China's parasitic plants, (2) map spatial distribution of diversity of these species, and (3) explore factors influencing the distribution pattern. We compiled a nationwide species list of parasitic plants in China, and for each species, we recorded its phylogeny, endemism, and life form (e.g., herb vs. shrub; hemiparasite vs. holoparasite). Species richness and area-corrected species richness were calculated for 28 provinces, covering 98.89% of China's terrestrial area. Regression analyses were performed to determine relationships between provincial area-corrected species richness of parasitic plants and provincial total species richness (including nonparasitic plants) and physical settings (altitude, midlongitude, and midlatitude). A total of 678 species of parasitic angiosperms are recorded in China, 63.13% of which are endemic. Of the total, 59.73% (405 species) are perennials, followed by shrubs/subshrubs (14.75%) and vines (1.47%). About 76.11% (516 species) are of root hemiparasites, higher than that of stem parasites (100, 14.75%), root holoparasites (9.00%), and endophytic parasites (0.15%). A significant positive relationship is found between the area-corrected species richness and the total species richness, which has been previously demonstrated to increase with decreasing longitude and latitude. Moreover, more parasitic species are found in the southwest high-altitude areas than low areas. Consistently, the area-corrected species richness increases with increasing altitude, decreasing latitude, and decreasing longitude, as indicated by regression analyses. China is rich in parasitic flora with a high proportion of endemic species. Perennials and root hemiparasites are the dominant types. The spatial distribution of parasitic plants is largely heterogeneous, with more species living in southwest China, similar to the distribution pattern of Chinese angiosperms. The positive relationship between parasitic and nonparasitic plant species richness should be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangfu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and BiotechnologySchool of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qian Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and BiotechnologySchool of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shucun Sun
- College of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
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Rana SK, Rana HK, Shrestha KK, Sujakhu S, Ranjitkar S. Determining bioclimatic space of Himalayan alder for agroforestry systems in Nepal. PLANT DIVERSITY 2018; 40:1-18. [PMID: 30159536 PMCID: PMC6091940 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Himalayan alder species are proven to be very useful in traditional as well as contemporary agroforestry practice. These nitrogen-fixing trees are also useful in the land restoration. Therefore, understanding the distribution of Himalayan alder and the potential zone for plantation is meaningful in the agroforestry sector. Suitable climatic zones of Alnus spp. were modelled in MaxEnt software using a subset of least correlated bioclimatic variables for current conditions (1950-2000), topographic variables (DEM derived) and Landuse Landcover (LULC) data. We generated several models and selected the best model against random models using ANOVA and t-test. The environmental variables that best explained the current distribution of the species were identified and used to project into the future. For future projections, ensemble scenarios of climate change projection derived from the results of 19 Earth System Models (ESM) were used. Our model revealed that the most favorable conditions for Alnus nepalensis are in central Nepal in the moist north-west facing slope, whereas for Alnus nitida they are in western Nepal. The major climatic factor that contributes to Alnus species distribution in Nepal appears to be precipitation during the warmest quarter for A. nepalensis and precipitation during the driest quarter for A. nitida. Future projections revealed changes in the probability distribution of these species, as well as where they need conservation and where they can be planted. Also, our model predicts that the distribution of Alnus spp. in hilly regions will remain unchanged, and therefore may represent sites that can be used to revitalize traditional agroforestry systems and extract source material for land restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Rana
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Systematics and Biodiversity Unit, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Hum Kala Rana
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming 650201, China
- Systematics and Biodiversity Unit, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Krishna Kumar Shrestha
- Systematics and Biodiversity Unit, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suresh Sujakhu
- Jade Consult Private Limited, Kabilmarg, Thapathali, Kathmandu, POB 746, Nepal
| | - Sailesh Ranjitkar
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming 650201, China
- World Agroforestry Centre East and Central Asia, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, China
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