D. Palevitch

Plants used for the treatment of diabetes in Israel

In an extensive ethnobotanical survey (130 informants) of the medicinal plants of Israel, 16 species were found to be used for hypoglycaemic treatments. The list includes Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch.-Bip, Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam, Atriplex halimus L., Capparis spinosa L., Ceratonia siliqua L., Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del., Eryngium creticum Lam., Inula viscosa (L.) Ait., Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Sch.-Bip, Origanum syriaca L., Paronychia argentea Lam, Prosopis farcta (Banks et Sol.) Macbride, Salvia fruticosa Mill., Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Sp., and Teucrium polium L.; eight of them (marked with an asterisk) are first recorded here as used for this purpose.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in northern Israel.

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Israel on native plants which are known as medicinal plants by different ethnic groups practicing traditional medicine. In this work 43 species are reported, based on quotations and frequency of utilization. Their current medicinal uses, as well as methods of preparation and administration are described and compared with literary evidence.

Heterosis and correlation analysis of the vegetative components and ajmalicine content in the roots of the medicinal plant-Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

SummaryThe development of the vegetative yield components and ajmalicine content in the roots was studied in three pure lines of Catharanthus roseus and their hybrids. A significant interaction was found for the various components between the genotypes and the developmental stages of the plant. The F1 hybrids performed generally better than the parents in leaf and root weight but not in ajmalicine content. Significant genetic and environmental correlations were found between the leaf and the root dry weights but not between the vegetative components and the ajmalicine content of the roots. The breeding of pure line cutivars for dual exploitation of the roots and the leaves for their alkaloids seems to be more appropriate than the use of hybrid cultivars.

Ultrastructure of Capsaicinoid-Secreting Cells in Pungent and Nonpungent Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivars

Examination of the placentae of hot and sweet cultivars of red pepper with light microscopy showed that both types have glandular areas. The placenta of the pungent type has a more conspicuous blister-like surface emerging from the glandular area where the cell wall was detached. The placental surface of the nonpungent type is smooth. In the pungent types, the secreted capsaicinoid droplets produce pressure that detaches part of the cell wall plus the cuticle and leads to the protrusion of the detached wall into the locule. Large amounts of capsaicinoids are synthesized in the puffed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fragments of the placental epidermis of the pungent cultivar. We suggest that the filled ER sacules and the vesicles derived from them migrate to the cell periphery and fuse with the plasmalemma. Plasmalemma protrusions may play a role in the secretion process. The secreted materials diffuse into the lamellated walls and into the subcuticular cavity. As the pressure rises, the capsaicinoids may pass through the cracked cuticle into the locular space. The glandular epidermis of the sweet cultivar has small amounts of puffed ER, and capsaicinoid droplets there are rare.

Phylogenetic and genetic studies in Papaver section Oxytona: cytogenetics, isozyme analysis and chloroplast DNA variation*

SummaryChromosome behaviour at meiosis, isozyme studies and analysis of the chloroplast DNA restriction fragments were used to assess the phylogenetic relations among the three Papaver species of the section Oxytona. The multivalents observed in diplotene — diakinesis stages of meiosis of the hexaploid P. pseudo-orientale and its tetraploid hybrid with P. bracteatum indicate the autopolyploid nature of this section. Further evidence supporting this conclusion was obtained from isozyme analysis. The same number of isozymes was expressed in all the species regardless of their ploidy level. Inheritance studies conducted with Pgi, Dia and Acp allozymes demonstrated, for the first time, the transfer and expression of genetic material among these species. The differences found in the chloroplast DNA restriction fragments of the Oxytona species and of P. somniferum indicate intensive evolution of the chloroplast DNA in the genus Papaver. The similarity of the chloroplast DNA restriction patterns and of the isozymes in P. orientale and P. pseudo-orientale suggested that P. orientale was the female parent in the cross generating P. pseudo-orientale and that the latter species is of recent origin.

A rapid quantitative method for the determination of thebaine in papaver bracteatum

Abstract A rapid method enabling a quantitative analysis of thebaine in capsules and latex of Papaver bracteatum has been devised, based on a TLC technique. This method was compared to the commonly used GLC procedure, and highly significant correlation coefficient ( r = 0.90) and linear regression were found between the two methods. Values for concentrations to the nearest ±0.25% of the standard spots can be reached by this simple and rapid thebaine determination.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING FLOWER INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN MAJORANA SYRIACA L. (= ORIGANUM SYRIACUM VAR. SYRIACUM)

ABSTRACT The effects of environmental conditions on the flowering of Majorana syriaca L. (= Origanum syriacum var. syriacum) were studied. Under natural conditions, flowering starts at the beginning of May. Full bloom was observed in two flushes from early June until September. M. syriaca was found to be an absolute long-day plant, requiring at least 28 long days (LD) for flower initiation. More LD were, however, required for the completion of flower formation and hormal development of the inflorescences. The critical day length for flower induction was 12 h, but full flowering required a longer photoperiod. Photoperiodic flower induction is not transmitted from one branch to another. There is no cold requirement for flowering in M. syriaca. Increased growing temperatures reduced the time needed from the start of long-day treatment to anthesis, but high temperatures greatly decreased the number of flowers. Decreasing light intensity in the field by shading delayed flowering and reduced the proportion of i...

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the alkaloid spectrum i the roots and capsules of the species and hybrids of papaver section oxytona

Abstract a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous quantitation of the alkaloids of Papaver species in section Oxytona: salutaridine, thebaine, oripavine, alpinigenine, isothebaine and orientalidine. The concentrations of the alkaloids were compared in roots and capsules of the species P. bracteatum, P. orientale and P. pseudo-orientale and their interspecific hybrids. The alkaloid spectrum was similar for the two parts of each plant, and significant correlations were found between the concentration of each alkaloid in the roots and in the capsules. The importance of the results for the screening of plant populations and for breeding purposes is discussed.

Thebaine content and yield in induced tetraploid and triploid plants of Papaver bracteatum Lindl.

SummaryThe effect of colchicine induced autotetraploidy on the thebaine content and yield of the capsules of Papaver bracteatum was studied. A significant increase in the thebaine content of the capsules was found in tetraploid plants during two consecutive growing seasons, but the thebaine yield per plant was slightly reduced in the autotetraploids. Autotriploid plants showed a very high concentration of thebaine (8.8%) only in the first growing season.Preferential bivalent pairing and a relatively high pollen fertility were observed in the tetraploids, thus making possible the stabilization of tetraploidy by selfing.Tetraploidy seems a most promising approach for developing clones (by vegetative propagation) or lines rich in thebaine.

Phylogenetic studies in Papaver section Oxytona: cytogenetics of the species and interspecific hybrids

SummaryChromosome behaviour at meiosis was studied in the F1, F2, and backcross generations, in the three species of Papaver section Oxytona, and in artificially induced autopolyploids of P. bracteatum. Close homology was found between the genome of P. bracteatum and that of the two polyploid species, P. orientale and P. pseudo-orientale, suggesting that the P. bracteatum genome is present in both polyploid species. A genetic mechanism controlling bivalent pairing in the polyploid species is suggested. Further study is needed for finding out the breeding potential of interspecific hybridization in section Oxytona.