Do Van Hai

Capparis gialaiensis (Capparaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Capparis gialaiensis Sy, a new species of Capparaceae from Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically closest to C. longistipitata, but differs in length of thorns, filaments and gynophore, shape of the leaf and shape and size of petals. Color photographs, a table comparing the new species with closely allied species and a key are provided to facilitate species identification.

Cordiglottis longipedicellata (Orchidaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Cordiglottis longipedicellata Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary, a new species of Orchidaceae from Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to C. pulverulenta, but differs in its floral morphology and in having a longer pedicel. Colour photographs, a table comparing the floral structure of the new species with supposedly closely allied species and a key are provided to facilitate species identification. The present paper is also the first report of the genus Cordiglottis in the Indo-Chinese region.

Anti-inflammatory effects of methanol extract of Canarium lyi C.D. Dai & Yakovlev in RAW 264.7 macrophages and a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury

Canarium lyi C.D. Dai & Yakovlev (CL) is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. To the best of our knowledge, no studies on its anti-inflammatory effects have yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of CL on inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice. CL attenuated the production of LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, CL suppressed phosphorylation of the inhibitor κB-α (IκB-α), p38, c-Jun terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), as well as the translocation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit into the nucleus. For the in vivo efficacy, the effect of CL on a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury was assessed. CL treatment of the mice significantly inhibited the inflammatory cell recruitment and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). CL-treated mice also showed a marked inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and phosphorylation of IκB and p65. In addition, CL attenuated lung histopathological changes in LPS-induced ALI mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that CL is a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including pneumonia.

Anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract of Mastixia arborea C.B. Clarke as to mouse macrophage and paw edema.

The biological activity of Mastixia arborea (MA) relates to inflammation, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of a methanol extract of MA extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells and carrageenan-induced mice paw edema. The MA extract significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In vitro expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was suppressed by the extract. The extract attenuated acute inflammatory responses in carrageenan-induced mice paw edema. A mechanism study indicated that translocation of the NF-κB (p65) subunit into the nucleus and phosphorylation of ERK and JNK were inhibited by the extract. These results indicate that the extract is an effective suppressor of the inflammatory response, blocking the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK and the translocation of NF-κB in macrophages, thereby producing an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo.

Dillenia Tetrapetala (Dilleniaceae), a New Species from HonBa Nature Reserve, Vietnam

A new species Dillenia tetrapetala Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary (Dilleniaceae) is described from HonBa Nature Reserve of the Khanh Hoa province of Vietnam. Detailed illustrations and taxonomic comments are provided along with a table listing the differential characters to the closely similar taxa. Phylogenetic analyses using nrITS region of ribosomal DNA and psbA—trnH intergenic spacer region of chloroplast DNA sequences were also performed and they supported the status of D. tetrapetala as a distinct species. The plant is considered endangered based on the IUCN red list criteria because of its restricted distribution.

Argostemma glabra (Rubiaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Argostemma glabra Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary, a new species of Rubiaceae from Khanh Hoa Province of Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to A. apiculatum, but differs in its creeping habit, 4–6 flowered inflorescence, bigger and triangular bracts, smaller peduncle, bigger and broadly triangular calyx lobes, and non-apiculate and smaller corolla. Color photographs, a line drawing and a taxonomic key are provided to facilitate identification.

Premna vietnamensis (Lamiaceae, Premnoideae), a distinct new species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Premna vietnamensis, a distinct new species which is endemic to Gia Lai Province in Central Highlands of Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its calyx tube bearing a semi-globose fleshy appendage, which has not been reported before from all known congeneric taxa, as well as from the Lamiaceae. A phylogenetic analysis of the whole Lamiaceae based on a sampling including representatives from all 12 currently recognized subfamilies confirmed the placement of this new species within Premna of the Premnoideae. Morphologically and geographically, P. vietnamensis is most similar to P. stenobotrys, but differs significantly in many aspects.

Rungia khoii (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Northern Vietnam

Rungia khoii D.V. Hai, Y.F. Deng & Joongku Lee, a new species from Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to R. daklakensis and R. clauda, but differs in the shape of its leaves, stem, bracts, corolla and fruits, as well as by the different stamens and anther thecae.

Rungia daklakensis (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Rungia daklakensis D.V. Hai, Y.F. Deng & Joongku Lee sp. nova (Acanthaceae) is described and illustrated from Vietnam. It is morphologically closely related to R. pierrei, from which it differs by the bifariously pubescent stem, shape and pubescence of leaves, smaller spikes, much bigger sterile bracts, glabrous calyx and glabrous capsules. Colour photographs, description and an identification key to Vietnamese species of Rungia are provided.

One new occurrence species of the genus Rungia Nees (Acanthaceae ) for the flora of Vietnam

The genus Rungia Ness (Acanthaceae) has approximately 50 species in the world, mainly distributing in the tropical. In Vietnam, it has 4 species. During the study of the Acanthaceae specimens of Vietnam, we have found Rungia chinensis Benth. (Acanthaceae) as a new record for the flora of Vietnam. It is a herb to 40 cm or more; slender, puberenlent; leaves broadly ovate to oblong-ovate, 2-4 cm long, 1-3 cm wide; lateral veins 4-5 per side; petioles 1-3 cm long. Spikes terminal or axillary, 3-6 cm long; outer bracts elliptic, ca. 6 mm long, 2-4 mm wide, sparingly ciliate; inner bracts broadly obovate or obovate-oblong, 0.7-0.8 mm long, 0.2-0.4 cm wide; brateoles ovate, 0.6-0.7 cm long, 0.4-0.5 cm wide, apex acuminate, margins hyalin, sparingly ciliate; calyx 5 lobed, segments linear-lanceolate; corolla pale purple or white, 6-8 mm long with 2 lips, lower lip 3 lobed; filaments up to 0.5 cm long, hirsute at base; style to 0.7-1 cm long, glabrous; stigma obtuse. Capsule ovoid, ca. 0.6 cm long. It is close to R. pierrei Benoist but only differs from it in leaves broadly obvate to obvate-oblong, 2-4 cm long; bracteole margins hyaline. The specimens were collected in the Lamdong province (Lacduong district), Vietnam by Le Dong Tan et al. and deposited in the Hanoi herbarium, Institute of Ecology and Biological resources, Hanoi, Vietnam (HN).