Teresa Terrazas

HPLC/MS analysis and anxiolytic-like effect of quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids from Tilia americana var. mexicana

AIM OF THE STUDY Around the world, Tilia species have been used in traditional medicine for their properties as tranquilizer. Furthermore, Mexican species of Tilia have been grouped as Tilia americana var. mexicana, but their specific content in flavonoids is poorly described. In this study, inflorescences of Mexican Tilia were collected in three different regions of Mexico to compare their flavonoid content and anxiolytic-like response. MATERIALS AND METHODS Flavonoid content was analyzed by using an HPLC-MS technique. For anxiolytic-like response, Tilia inflorescences extracts (from 10 to 300 mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in experimental models (open-field, hole-board and plus-maze tests, as well as sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis) in mice. RESULTS HPLC-MS analysis revealed specific peaks of flavonoid composition demonstrating some differences in these compounds in flowers and bracts depending on the region of collection. No differences in the neuropharmacological activity among these samples of Tilia were found. Moreover, their effects were associated with quercetin and kaempferol glycosides. CONCLUSIONS Dissimilarities in the flavonoid composition of Mexican Tilias might imply that these species must be re-classified in more than one species, not as a unique Tilia americana var. mexicana. Since quercetin and kaempferol aglycons demonstrated anxiolytic-like response and that no difference in the pharmacological evaluation was observed between these three Mexican Tilias, we suggest that this pharmacological effect of Tilia inflorescences involves these flavonoids occurrence independently of the kind of glycosides present in the samples reinforcing their use in traditional medicine in several regions of Mexico.

Comparative Stem Anatomy in the Subfamily Cactoideae

Basic anatomical features of Cactaceae have been studied since the sixteenth century. This anatomical research has focused on selected features related to different external forms or on stem photosynthetic metabolism. Anatomical stem features, however, have rarely been taken into consideration in systematic studies. Recent work has focused on the subfamily Cactoideae because it is the largest and most diverse subfamily of Cactaceae. Molecular analyses support the monophyly of Cactoideae, but tribal and generic relationships are mostly unresolved. A major goal of this study was to synthesize the available information about anatomical stem features of Cactoideae and to evaluate their usefulness in phylogenetic analysis. Although dermal and vascular tissues have been studied for nearly 350 species of Cactoideae, comprehensive investigations are needed for most members of specific genera or tribes. Phylogenetic analysis based on structural data (morphology and anatomy) showed that the subfamily Cactoideae is monophyletic. This result supports molecular evidence and corroborates that highly reduced leaves are the synapomorphy of this clade. With the exception of Cacteae and Rhipsalideae, the tribes are not monophyletic. The morphological characters that have been used to define the tribes are not synapomorphies and have evolved independently in different lineages. Some anatomical features are unique characters that distinguish terminal taxa; for example, silica grains in dermal and hypodermal cells inStenocereus, prismatic crystals in dermal and hypodermal cells ofNeobuxbaumia, and lack of medullary bundles in members of Cacteae. Most anatomical features, however, behave in a highly homoplasious manner in the analysis of the subfamily. Other studies at the tribal or generic level show that anatomical features are informative and contribute to support different clades. Further studies of Cactoideae, at different taxonomic levels, that include anatomical features, are needed in order to understand their evolution.ResumenDesde el siglo dieciseis se inició el estudio los caracteres anatómicos en Cactaceae. La investigación se ha enfocado a caracteres relacionados con las diferentes formas y el metabolismo fotosintético de los tallos. Sin embargo, en pocos estudios las estructuras anatómicas se han empleado en la sistemática de la familia. La investigación se ha centrado en la subfamilia Cactoideae porque es la más grande y diversa dentro de Cactaceae. Estudios moleculares apoyan la monofilia de Cactoideae; sin embargo, las relaciones tribales y genéricas son inciertas. Uno de los objetivos de este trabajo fue sintetizar la información sobre los caracteres anatómicos del tallo en Cactoideae y evaluarla desde una perspectiva filogenética. Aunque se ha estudiado el tejido dérmico o vascular de alrededor de 350 especies de Cactoideae, se requieren estudios que incluyan a la mayoría de las especies de géneros y tribus específicos. El análisis filogenético basado en datos estructurales (morfología y anatomia) mostró que la subfamilia Cactoideae es monofilética. Este resultado apoya las evidencias moleculares y corrobora que las hojas altamente reducidas son la sinapomorfia de este clado. Excepta por las tribus Cacteae y Rhipsalideae, las otras tribus no se recuperaron como monofiléticas. Los caracteres morfológicos que se han empleado para circunscribir las tribus no son sinapomorfias y se han adquirido en forma independiente en varios linajes. Varios caracteres anatómicos son únicos y distinguen a algunos taxa terminales como son la presencia de cuerpos de sílice en la epidermis e hipodermis deStenocereus, los cristales prismáticos en la epidermis e hipodermis deNeobuxbaumia y la ausencia de haces medulares en especies de Cacteae. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los caracteres anatómicos son homoplásicos en el análisis de la subfamilia, pero otros estudios a nivel tribal o genérico han mostrado que son informativos y contribuyen a diferenciar clados. Existe la necesidad de un mayor número de estudios a diferentes niveles taxonómicos que incluyan características anatómicas con la finalidad entender su evolución.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Pachycereus (Cactaceae, Pachycereeae) based on Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Sequences

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships of Pachycereus (Cactaceae) species and relatives from subtribe Pachycereinae were studied using DNA sequence data. The plastid rpl16 intron, trnL intron, trnL-F intergenic spacer, and nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) were sequenced for 30 species, representing the four genera of subtribe Pachycereinae (Carnegiea, Cephalocereus, Neobuxbaumia, and Pachycereus) as well as three additional outgroup genera from subtribe Stenocereinae. Phylogenetic analyses support neither the monophyly of Pachycereus as currently circumscribed nor Pachycereinae unless Stenocereus aragonii and S. eichlamii are included within it. However, these results suggest that the subtribe can be divided into three major clades. The first includes Pachycereus hollianus and P. lepidanthus, which is sister to a large clade combining species from the Pachycereus and Cephalocereus groups. Within this large clade Cephalocereus and Neobuxbaumia together with Pachycereus fulviceps are sister to the remaining species of Pachycereus as well as Stenocereus aragonii, S. eichlamii, and Carnegiea gigantea. Our results suggest that Pachycereus is paraphyletic and that several other genera (Backebergia, Lemaireocereus, Lophocereus, and Pseudomitrocereus) may be resurrected to accommodate these new phylogenetic insights. A number of morphological and anatomical characters support these relationships, indicating that future analyses combining both molecular and morphological characters will be particularly useful in resolving relationships within this group of columnar cacti.

Effects of flooding on wood and bark anatomy of four species in a mangrove forest community

Abstract. Variation in the wood and bark anatomy of the dominant species of a mangrove forest community in Mexico was evaluated in relation to some environmental factors, and their physiological adaptations to salinity and flooding period are discussed. The forest is characterized by three zones according to the presence of dominant tree species and flooding periodicity. Vessel arrangement and wood and bark ray height are strongly associated with flooding zones where trees are growing. Variance analyses revealed significant differences among zones for these anatomical characteristics. Soil texture and water salinity were the most useful parameters for the prediction of values of anatomical characteristics. More abundant vessels in radial multiples in a shorter flooding period suggest a functional advantage of multiple vessel groups. Taller wood and bark rays in response to prolonged flooding period can be attributed to anoxic conditions. Among zones, significant differences in the vulnerability index of the species were detected, but not with respect to relative conductivity. Significant differences among zones exist for wood and bark characteristics involved in vertical and horizontal water transport, photosynthates and gas exchange.

Xylem conductivity and vulnerability in cultivars and races of avocado

Abstract Anatomical vessel features of Guatemalan, Mexican and West Indian races and cultivars Colin V-33, Fuerte and Hass of Persea americana Mill. were studied in 10-year-old trees grown in the field under similar environmental and management conditions with the main purpose to get insight on anatomical variation among genotypes. The cultivars differed anatomically from the races, showing an inverse relationship between races and cultivars with respect to vessel frequency and diameter, however, relative conductivity was similar among cultivars suggesting an adjustment between vessel diameter and frequency that maintains a similar relative conductivity among genotypes. The three races had the higher vessel frequency and the narrower vessel diameters as well as the lowest vulnerability index values compared to Hass and Fuerte cultivars. An important finding in this study was that cultivar Colin V-33, a dwarf genotype, had intermediate anatomical characteristics between races and the other cultivars suggesting a better adapted hydraulic system to water deficits.

Phylogenetic relationships in Peniocereus (Cactaceae) inferred from plastid DNA sequence data

The phylogenetic relationships of Peniocereus (Cactaceae) species were studied using parsimony analyses of DNA sequence data. The plastid rpl16 and trnL-F regions were sequenced for 98 taxa including 17 species of Peniocereus, representatives from all genera of tribe Pachycereeae, four genera of tribe Hylocereeae, as well as from three additional outgroup genera of tribes Calymmantheae, Notocacteae, and Trichocereeae. Phylogenetic analyses support neither the monophyly of Peniocereus as currently circumscribed, nor the monophyly of tribe Pachycereeae since species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are embedded within tribe Hylocereeae. Furthermore, these results show that the eight species of Peniocereus subgenus Peniocereus (Peniocereus sensu stricto) form a well-supported clade within subtribe Pachycereinae; P. serpentinus is also a member of this subtribe, but is sister to Bergerocactus. Moreover, Nyctocereus should be resurrected as a monotypic genus. Species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are positioned among species of Acanthocereus within tribe Hylocereeae, indicating that they may be better classified within that genus. A number of morphological and anatomical characters, especially related to the presence or absence of dimorphic branches, are discussed to support these relationships.

Development of successive cambia, cambial activity, and their relationship to physiological traits in Ipomoea arborescens (Convolvulaceae) seedlings

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The seedling stage is one of the most critical phases in the life history of plants; during this stage, plants must develop efficient conductive and storage systems before the end of the favorable season. Little is known about the origin of successive cambia in seedlings of tree species of Ipomoea or about how many cambia are produced in one growth season. We studied the anatomy of Ipomoea arborescens seedlings to defi ne when cambium is differentiated, to determine how many cambia differentiate in one year of growth, and to relate the development of successive cambia to physiological aspects of growth. METHODS Seedlings from 5 to 425 d of age were harvested, and their morphology as well as CO(2) and water exchange, were evaluated at 5 and 60 d after germination. Six stages of development were established to study origin of cambia. KEY RESULTS Cambium was differentiated 5 d after germination, at a time when seedlings had photosynthetic cotyledons with high specific area, assimilation rate, and stomatal conductance. Differentiation of the fi rst successive cambium occurred inparenchyma cells below the endodermis or starch sheath. Development of reverse cambium and intraxylary phloem cambiumdemonstrated that ontogenetic shifts may occur in different stem regions. In the 10-mo-old plants, all cambia reactivated, and earlywood wide vessels were differentiated. CONCLUSIONS The origin of successive cambia, the occurrence of more than one type of cambium, and parenchyma proliferation are features shared by I. arborescens with its climbing ancestors as a strategy for survival in the harsh environment of tropical deciduous forests.

Wood variation in Laguncularia racemosa and its effect on fibre quality

AbstractLaguncularia racemosa wood is commonly used in north-western Mexico and harvested without the knowledge of whether environmental conditions affect wood quality. Laguncularia racemosa anatomy variation was evaluated to identify which cell features, mainly fibre features, are related to an environmental gradient and how this variation affects wood quality. Trees were sampled in six sites along the river where different flooding periods and levels occur. Analyses revealed that in sites with high salinity and flooding levels, there are more abundant vessels and axial parenchyma although the fibres and vessel elements are shorter, suggesting a water stress effect. Correlation analysis confirmed that the higher the percentage of gelatinous fibres, the longer the fibres. This occurred in L. racemosa trees growing in those sites with a high sand particle percentage and a lower flooding level. Anova (analysis of variance) revealed non-significant differences among sites for flexibility, rigidity and Peteri coefficients as well as for Runkel ratio, however the rigidity coefficient is affected by occurrence of gelatinous fibres. L. racemosa wood harvesting should avoid those sites with high flooding level, high sand particle percentage and high salinity that may modify wood quality.

Anatomy of relictual members of Subfamily Cactoideae, IOS Group 1a (Cactaceae)

Summary: The anatomy of IOS Group la (part of Leptocereeae and part of Echinocereeae) was examined to determine if these genera have characters that are relictual in Cactoideae. Echinocereus lacks fibrous wood and seemed distinct from genera with fibrous wood, which constitute the majority of Group la. Excluding Echinocereus and other genera with non-fibrous wood, Group la has many features presumed to be relictual: epidermal cells with ordinary shapes and thin walls, a tendency to have patches of multiseriate epidermis, hypodermis of a few layers with walls of medium thickness, cortical bundles with caps of primary phloem fibers but lacking clusters of terminal tracheids, presence of medullary bundles (and these have xylary fibers), fiber caps next to primary phloem of the stele, presence of fibrous wood and lack of any derived wood types. Derived characters that do occur are not universally present or even widespread in the group. Little evolutionary modification has occurred in Group la, except for Echinocereus.

Molecular phylogeny, origin and taxonomic implications of the tribe Cacteae (Cactaceae)

This study aimed to test the phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Cacteae, the generic circumscription within the tribe, in particular, the monophyly of the genus Ferocactus, and to provide a biogeographical hypothesis about the origin of Cacteae. The analysis included 135 species from all of the 27 accepted genera and four outgroup species. Five chloroplast regions were sequenced, aligned, and coded postulating gaps, simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and inversions as potential synapomorphies, and their contributions to phylogenetic reconstruction were evaluated. The phylogenetic analyses recovered 63% of the genera as monophyletic. The contribution of rpl16, trnL-F and psbA to the phylogenetic signal was higher than in the two more slowly evolving genes (rbcL, matK), but the gaps and SSRs supported some of the genera. This result differs from those of previous phylogenetic studies in which less than 35% of the genera were recovered as monophyletic. In this work, Astrophytum and Echinocactus were re-circumscribed with five and four species, respectively. Turbinicarpus was found to be polyphyletic; 11 species correspond to Turbinicarpus s.str., whereas a highly supported clade corresponded to Rapicactus, and three species need further study. Contrary to its current circumscription, Ferocactus was not supported as monophyletic because it is polyphyletic concerning Glandulicactus, Leuchtenbergia, Stenocactus and Thelocactus. We recognize this group of genera as the Ferocactus clade in which the species share the presence of scales in the pericarpel and ribbed stems, whether tuberculated or not. The Cacteae seem to have originated in the Sierra Madre Oriental and then dispersed to the Mexican Plateau, where radiation and diversification occurred at the boundaries of the Miocene–Pliocene Epoch. The development of the Mexican Plateau and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt may have favoured the isolation of the Cacteae. A taxonomic diagnosis is presented for the tribe Cacteae and 18 genera that we now recognize.