BackgroundWe reported that yam dioscorin and its peptic hydrolysates exhibited ACE inhibition and antihypertensive effects on SHRs, however, the active peptides are not really isolated until now. Using ACE inhibitory screenings, two penta-peptides, KTCGY and KRIHF, were selected for ex vivo and in vivo experiments.ResultsKTCGY, KRIHF, and captopril were shown to have similar vasodilating effects against phenylephrine (PE)-induced tensions in rat endothelium-dependent thoracic aortic rings, however, KTCGYKTCGY (two-repeated KTCGY) and TCGYTCGY (two-repeated TCGY) were showed endothelium-independent vasodilating effects against PE-induced tensions. KTCGY, KRIHF (10 or 20 mg/kg), and captopril (10 mg/kg) were used to evaluate antihypertensive activity during 24-h after a single oral administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The KTCGY and KRIHF showed significantly different and reduced the systolic blood pressure of SHRs compared to the blank.ConclusionsThese results suggest that KTCGY and KRIHF may contribute important roles in yam dioscorin for regulating blood pressure in vivo.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-014-0049-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundCucumber is one of the most popular vegetables, and have little tolerance for water stress. The antioxidant defense system is one of major drought defense and adaptive mechanisms in plants, however, relatively few data are available regarding antioxidant systems in responses of cucumber to water deficit. The effect of short-term drought stress on the antioxidant system, lipid peroxidation and water content in cucumber seedlings roots was investigated.ResultsThe results showed that polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced water stress markedly decreased water content of cucumber seedling roots after treatment of 36 h, and caused excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including superoxide (O2.−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Meanwhile, malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased. Antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutases (SOD), peroxidases (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities increased in different time and different extent under water stress, while ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activities all decreased when compared to control.ConclusionsTherefore, it can be concluded that water stress strongly disrupted the normal metabolism of roots and restrained water absorption, and seemingly enzymatic system played more important roles in protecting cucumber seedling roots against oxidative damage than non-enzymatic system in short-term water deficit stress.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-014-0046-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundThe essential oil of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch (100 & 200 mg/kg b.w, i.p) was evaluated against acetaminophen induced hepatic injuries in rats. For this purpose, the activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP450), glutathione s-transferase (GST) and markers of liver injuries (ALT, AST, ALP) together with level of GSH measured analytically in time intervals (2, 4, 8, 16 & 24 h) after treatments confirmed by histophatological consideration in rat livers.ResultsAdministration of acetaminophen (500 mg/kg bw, i.p) significantly increased the activity of CYP450 concomitant with increasing the release of ALT and AST. Whereas, GSH level and GST activity were decreased significantly after acetaminophen treatment. Treatment of rats with Achillea wilhelmsii essential oils significantly modulate these parameters to normal values. Also, histophatological analysis of liver biopsies was consistent with the biochemical findings.ConclusionThe data led us to conclude the curative potential of Achillea wilhelmsii essential oils against APAP induced hepatic injuries.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-55-37) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundPloidy manipulation is considered an efficient method to increase production potential of medicinally important compounds. Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. is an endangered medicinal plant of Iran. Various concentrations of colchicine (0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.50% w/v) were applied to shoot apical meristems of D. kotschyi seedlings in two and four-leaf stages to induce tetraploidy.ResultsAccording to the results, 0.5% (w/v) of colchicine can be effective for polyploidy induction in D. kotschyi. Putative tetraploids were selected by morphological and microscopic characteristics and their ploidy level was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome counting. The chromosome number of original diploid plant was confirmed to be 2n = 2× = 20 whereas that of the tetraploid plant was 2n = 4× = 40. Tetraploid and mixoploid plants showed different morphological, physiological and microscopic characteristics from those of diploid counterparts. The total content of flavonoids was increased from 1583.28 in diploids to 1890.07 (μg/g DW) in stable tetraploids.ConclusionHigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC–DAD) confirmed over accumulation of methoxylated hydroxyflavones in solid tetraploid plants of D. kotschyi.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-55-22) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundSphaerophysa kotschyana Boiss. is naturally distributed in overly salty regions. The key to the completion of the life cycles of S. kotschyana in harsh saline soils may be hidden in changes of its osmo-protectants, but there is currently no information about the interaction between osmotic adjustment and water relations in adaptation to saline conditions. The aim of this article was to determine growth, relative growth rate (RGR), relative water content (RWC), osmotic potential (ΨΠ), photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and osmo-protectant contents [proline (Pro), choline (Cho) and glycine betaine (GB)] in S. kotschyana leaves and roots exposed to 0, 150 or 300 mM NaCl for 7 and 14 d (days).ResultsThe results clearly showed that the reductions in growth, RWC, Fv/Fm, RGR and ΨΠ were more pronounced at 300 mM, especially after 14 d. In the same group, the highest increase in TBARS was recorded in roots (126%) and leaves (31%). The induction at 150 mM was not as high. Therefore, roots appear to be the most vulnerable part of this plant. Moreover, S. kotschyana was able to withstand short-term low salinity.ConclusionsThe osmo-protectant accumulation in S. kotschyana as a salinity acclimation or adaptation was sufficient for toleration of low salt concentration (150 mM). In contrast, the plants exposed to the highest NaCl concentration (300 mM) were not able to maintain the ability to prevent water loss because of further decrease in root/shoot ratio of fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), RWC and RGR.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-55-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundAn extraordinary hermaphrodite of dioecious willows provides us an opportunity to examine the inheritance of sex expression and the magnitude of inbreeding depression using a progeny assay of the hermaphrodite.ResultsWe indentified 165 progeny of an open-pollinated hermaphrodite of Salix subfragilis as siblings selfed (Self) or crossed with another hermaphrodite (Cross_H) or a male (Cross_M) using microsatellite genotypes. There were more selfed progeny (110 in Self) than outcrossed progeny (31 in Cross_H and 24 in Cross_M), suggesting the absence of barriers to selfing in the maternal hermaphrodite. The sex ratio (female:male:hermaphrodite) of the progeny differed among the sibling groups (27:17:66 in Self, 3:16:12 in Cross_H and 9:8:7 in Cross_M). Nearly half of the selfed progeny were hermaphrodites, suggesting that an identical combination of parental alleles in progeny reproduced the hermaphroditism of the parent. We measured fitness components of growth (stem height and basal area), survival and fertility (pollen germination proportion, number of ovules and seed set). The magnitudes of inbreeding depression in growth and survival (0.29-0.70) were higher than those in fertility (0.00-0.16).ConclusionsThe findings suggest a genetic basis of extraordinary hermaphroditism and substantial inbreeding depression in survival and growth in the dieocious S. subfragilis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-55-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundIn our recent molecular phylogenetic study of Asian Begonia, two undescribed species, B. guixiensis sp. ined. (S. Guangxi, China) and B. longa sp. ined. (Vietnam), were sampled and placed within the strongly supported clade composed of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum and other co-distributed rhizomatous species in the Sino-Vietnamese limestone karsts. While Begonia sect. Coelocentrum has been recircumscribed based on the phylogenetic relationships, B. guixiensis sp. ined. and B. longa sp. ined. remain illegitimate names. In continuation of our studies in Asian Begonia, these two new species are described and illustrated.ResultsBegonia guixiensis resembles B. cylindrica in the peltate, subcoriaceous leaves, differing by the shape of ovary/fruit and the type of placentation. In aspect, B. longa bears a superficial resemblance to B. brevipedunculata in leaf shape in particular, differing by many other features such as the long internodes, shorter petioles and smaller leaves, longer peduncles and 3-locular ovary. The chromosome number of both new species is determined as 2n = 30.ConclusionA careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation in the experimental greenhouse, support the recognition of the two new species, which are described and illustrated herein.

BackgroundJapanese cedar (Chrytomeria japonica D. Don) is an important plantation species in Taiwan and represents 10% of total plantation area. It was first introduced in 1910 and widely planted in the northern and central mountainous areas of Taiwan. However, a change in forest management from exotic species to native species in 1980 had resulted in few new Japanese cedar plantations being established. Most Japanese cedar plantations are now between 30 and 50 years old and reaching their rotation period. It is of interest to know whether these plantations could be viable for future carbon sequestration through the accumulations of stand carbon stocks. Twelve even-aged Japanese cedar stands along a stand age gradient from 37 to 93 years were selected in Xitou of central Taiwan. The study aims were to investigate the basic stand characteristics and biomass carbon stock in current Japanese cedar stands, and determine the relationships among stand characteristics, tree biomass carbon, and stand age.ResultsOur results indicate that existing Japanese cedar plantations are still developing and their live tree biomass carbon continues to accumulate. At stands with a stand age of 90 years, tree density, canopy height, mean diameter at breast height, basal area, and live tree biomass carbon stocks reach to nearly 430 tree ha-1, 27 m, 48 cm, 82 m2 ha-1 and 300 Mg C ha-1, respectively.ConclusionsTherefore, with no harvesting, current Japanese cedar plantations provide a carbon sink by storing carbon in tree biomass.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-60) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundFerns contain natural products with potential therapeutic applications. Current knowledge of the pharmacological properties of ferns, specifically those growing at high altitudes, is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical contents as well as antibacterial, anti-glucosidase, and antioxidant activities of four highland ferns in Malaysia.ResultsAqueous extracts of the leaves and rhizomes of Cyathea latebrosa, Dicranopteris curranii, Gleichenia truncata, and Phymatopteris triloba were analysed. P. triloba leaf extract had the highest contents of total flavonoids (118.6 mg/g dry matter), hydroxycinnamic acids (69.7 mg/g dry matter), and proanthocyanidins (29.4 mg/g dry matter). P. triloba leaf and rhizome extracts as well as G. truncata leaf extract inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. P. triloba leaf extract produced a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.78 mg dry matter/mL when tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is 2.5-fold higher than that of ampicillin. Among all extracts, P. triloba leaf extract had the highest anti-glucosidase activity (EC50 = 56 μg dry matter/mL) and also the highest antioxidant potential based on DPPH radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assays. Antioxidant activities of both the leaf and rhizome extracts correlated positively with total flavonoid and hydroxycinnamic acid contents (R2 = 0.80–0.95). On the other hand, anti-glucosidase activity correlated with total proanthocyanidin contents in both the leaf and rhizome extracts (R2 = 0.62–0.84).ConclusionsIn conclusion, highland ferns are potential sources of antibacterial agents, glucosidase inhibitors, and antioxidants.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-55) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundIsatidae L. is a complex and systematically difficult genus in Brassicaceae. The genus displays great morphological polymorphism, which makes the classification of species and subspecies difficult as it is observed in Isatis glauca Aucher ex Boiss. The aim of this study is characterization of the genetic diversity in subspecies of Isatis glauca Aucher ex Boiss. distributed widely in Central Anatolia, in Turkey by using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) technique.ResultsEight different Eco RI-Mse I primer combinations produced 805 AFLP loci, 793 (98.5%) of which were polymorphic in 67 accessions representing nine different populations. The data obtained by AFLP was computed with using GDA (Genetic Data Analysis) and STRUCTURE (version 2.3.3) software programs for population genetics. The mean proportion of the polymorphic locus (P), the mean number of alleles (A), the number of unique alleles (U) and the mean value of gene diversity (He) were 0.59, 1.59, 20, and 0.23 respectively. The coancestry coefficient (ϴ) was 0.24. The optimal number of K was identified as seven. The principal component analysis (PCA) explained 85.61% of the total genetic variation.ConclusionIsatis glauca ssp. populations showed a high level of genetic diversity, and the AFLP analysis revealed that high polymorphism and differentiated subspecies could be used conveniently for population genetic studies. The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) based on the dissimilarity matrix, the dendrogram drawn with UPGMA method and STRUCTURE cluster analysis distinguished the accessions successfully. The accessions formed distinctive population structures for populations AA, AB, E, K, and S. Populations AG1 and AG2 seemed to have similar genetic content, in addition, in both populations several hybrid individuals were observed. The accessions did not formed distinctive population structures for both populations AI and ANP. Consequently, Ankara province might be the area, where species Isatis glauca Aucher ex Boiss. originated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-48) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.