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Du Q, Xing N, Guo S, Li R, Meng X, Wang S. Cycads: A comprehensive review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2024; 220:114001. [PMID: 38286200 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114001] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Cycads, which primarily consist of the families Cycadaceae and Zamiaceae, possess intrinsic therapeutic attributes that are prominently expressed across their morphological spectrum, including roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds. In Chinese traditional medicine, the leaves of cycads are particularly revered for their profound healing capabilities. This meticulous review engages with existing literature on cycads and presents insightful avenues for future research. Over 210 phytoconstituents have been isolated and identified from various cycad tissues, including flavonoids, azoxy metabolites, sterols, lignans, non-proteogenic amino acids, terpenoids, and other organic constituents. The contemporary pharmacological discourse highlights the antineoplastic, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities inherent in these ancient plants, which are of particular importance to the field of oncology. Despite the prevalent focus on crude extracts and total flavonoid content, our understanding of the nuanced pharmacodynamics of cycads lags considerably behind. The notoriety of cycads derived toxicity, notably within the context of Guam's neurological disease cluster, has precipitated an established emphasis on toxicological research within this field. As such, this critical review emphasizes nascent domains deserving of academic and clinical pursuit, whilst nested within the broader matrix of current scientific understanding. The systematic taxonomy, traditional applications, phytochemical composition, therapeutic potential, and safety profile of cycads are holistically interrogated, assimilating an indispensable repository for future scholarly inquiries. In conclusion, cycads stand as a veritable treasure trove of pharmacological virtue, displaying remarkable therapeutic prowess and holding vast promise for ongoing scientific discovery and clinical utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyun Du
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Nan Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Sa Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Rui Li
- Meishan Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meishan, 620010, China
| | - Xianli Meng
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Shaohui Wang
- Meishan Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meishan, 620010, China; School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
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Marler TE, Cruz GN. Cycas micronesica Stem Carbohydrates Decline Following Leaf and Male Cone Growth Events. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:plants9040517. [PMID: 32316630 PMCID: PMC7238054 DOI: 10.3390/plants9040517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The growth of synchronized leaf flushes or male cones on Cycas trees is an ephemeral event, and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are likely deployed from stem and root storage tissues to support their construction. The relationships among various stem NSCs and these rapid growth events have not been studied to date. Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and starch were quantified in Cycas micronesica stem tissue prior to and immediately after the growth of leaf flushes or male cones to determine the influences on the concentration of these carbohydrates. The pre-existing leaves were removed from half of the plants to determine if the elimination of this carbon source would influence the NSC behaviors. Starch and sucrose dominated the NSC profiles, and these two NSCs declined following cone or new leaf growth. Removal of pre-existing leaves generated a greater decline in starch and sucrose for cone growth, and a greater decline in sucrose, but not starch following new leaf growth than in control trees with no leaf removal. The initial differences in starch and sucrose among cortex, vascular, and pith tissues disappeared as the concentrations declined in all three tissue categories to reach similar post-growth concentrations among the stem tissue categories. The fructose, glucose, and maltose behaviors were not consistent, and their concentrations were low such that their influence on the total NSC behaviors was minimal. These results provided indirect evidence that stem NSCs were mobilized to support ephemeral male cone and new leaf growth for this arborescent cycad. Growth of female strobili is slow and lengthy, so we did not include female trees in this study. The contributions of stem NSCs to female strobili growth remain to be studied with alternative methods.
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Marler TE, Lindström AJ. Diel patterns of stem CO 2 efflux vary among cycads, arborescent monocots, and woody eudicots and gymnosperms. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2020; 15:1732661. [PMID: 32100615 PMCID: PMC7194385 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1732661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The diel patterns of stem carbon dioxide efflux (Es) were determined for cycads, monocots, and woody eudicot and gymnosperm tree species. Stem Es at a height of 30-40 cm was measured every 2 h throughout 31-h campaigns. Our range of Es was 1.5-4.0 µmol·m-2·s-1 for cycads, 1.0-3.5 µmol·m-2·s-1 for arborescent monocots, and 1.5-4.5 µmol·m-2·s-1 for woody eudicot and gymnosperm trees species. Time of day did not influence Es of cycads or monocots. In contrast, the woody stems of eudicots and gymnosperms exhibited diurnal Es that was 36% to 40% greater than nocturnal Es. The established literature based on Es of woody tree species cannot be used to estimate habitat carbon cycles in habitats which contain cycad or monocot trees. Time of day must be included for accuracy of research on Es of woody tree species. Failures to account for the spatiotemporal differences of Es may explain some of the disparity in outcomes of published stem respiration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E. Marler
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam, USA
| | - Anders J. Lindström
- Plant Collections Department, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Sattahip, Thailand
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Fardad Koohyar, Moradi R, Kiani F, Sarikavakli N. Study of Strength of Interaction between Solute and Solvent Molecules in Aqueous Solutions of Ethylene Glycol, D-Mannitol, D-Fructose, Sucrose, and Maltose at 294.15, 298.15, and 303.15 K and Atmospheric Pressure using Refractometry. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0036024419030063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Marler TE. Axial and Radial Spatial Patterns of Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Cycas micronesica Stems. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 7:E49. [PMID: 29932150 PMCID: PMC6161113 DOI: 10.3390/plants7030049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The pachycaulous stem of arborescent cycad species exhibits unique traits and has received limited research. To date, nothing is known about the axial and radial spatial patterns of non-structural resources within cycad stems. Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill stem tissue was collected from apical and basal axial positions of ca. 100-cm tall plants to serve as two axial regions; and from pith, vascular, and cortex tissues to serve as three radial regions. Starch and four free sugars were quantified. These stems contained more starch than any of the individual sugars, and sucrose concentration exceeded that of fructose and glucose, which exceeded that of maltose. Total non-structural carbohydrate was least in basal vascular tissue (225 mg·g−1) and greatest in apical pith tissue (379 mg·g−1). Axial differences in NSC concentrations were negligible but radial differences were substantial. These results combine with past research to validate the non-woody cycad stem contains copious nonstructural resources available for deployment to ephemeral sinks during critical times of need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Marler
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA.
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Nepi M, Little S, Guarnieri M, Nocentini D, Prior N, Gill J, Barry Tomlinson P, Ickert-Bond SM, Pirone C, Pacini E, von Aderkas P. Phylogenetic and functional signals in gymnosperm ovular secretions. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2017; 120:923-936. [PMID: 29045531 PMCID: PMC5710648 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gymnosperms are either wind-pollinated (anemophilous) or both wind- and insect-pollinated (ambophilous). Regardless of pollination mode, ovular secretions play a key role in pollen capture, germination and growth; they are likely also involved in pollinator reward. Little is known about the broad-scale diversity of ovular secretions across gymnosperms, and how these may relate to various reproductive functions. This study analyses the sugar and amino acid profiles of ovular secretions across a range of ambophilous (cycads and Gnetales) and anemophilous gymnosperms (conifers) to place them in an evolutionary context of their possible functions during reproduction. METHODS Ovular secretions from 13 species representing all five main lineages of extant gymnosperms were sampled. High-performance liquid chromatography techniques were used to measure sugar and amino acid content. Multivariate statistics were applied to assess whether there are significant differences in the chemical profiles of anemophilous and ambophilous species. Data were compared with published chemical profiles of angiosperm nectar. Chemical profiles were placed in the context of phylogenetic relationships. KEY RESULTS Total sugar concentrations were significantly higher in ovular secretions of ambophilous species than wind-pollinated taxa such as Pinaceae and Cupressophyta. Ambophilous species had lower amounts of total amino acids, and a higher proportion of non-protein amino acids compared with anemophilous lineages, and were also comparable to angiosperm nectar. Results suggest that early gymnosperms likely had ovular secretion profiles that were a mosaic of those associated with modern anemophilous and ambophilous species. Ginkgo, thought to be anemophilous, had a profile typical of ambophilous taxa, suggesting that insect pollination either exists in Gingko, but is undocumented, or that its ancestral populations were insect-pollinated. CONCLUSIONS Chemical profiles of ovular secretions of ambophilous gymnosperms show a clear signal of pollinator-driven selection, including higher levels of carbohydrates than anemophilous taxa, lower levels of amino acids, and the presence of specific amino acids, such as β-alanine, that are known to influence insect feeding behaviour and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Nepi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- For correspondence. E-mail:
| | - Stefan Little
- Centre for Forest Biology, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Laboratoire Écologie, Systématique, Évolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
| | | | | | - Natalie Prior
- Centre for Forest Biology, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Julia Gill
- Centre for Forest Biology, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | - Stefanie M Ickert-Bond
- UA Museum of the North and Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | - Cary Pirone
- The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ettore Pacini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Patrick von Aderkas
- Centre for Forest Biology, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Tshala-Katumbay D, Mwanza JC, Rohlman DS, Maestre G, Oriá RB. A global perspective on the influence of environmental exposures on the nervous system. Nature 2015; 527:S187-92. [PMID: 26580326 PMCID: PMC4772865 DOI: 10.1038/nature16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Economic transitions in the era of globalization warrant a fresh look at the neurological risks associated with environmental change. These are driven by industrial expansion, transfer and mobility of goods, climate change and population growth. In these contexts, risk of infectious and non-infectious diseases are shared across geographical boundaries. In low- and middle-income countries, the risk of environmentally mediated brain disease is augmented several fold by lack of infrastructure, poor health and safety regulations, and limited measures for environmental protection. Neurological disorders may occur as a result of direct exposure to chemical and/or non-chemical stressors, including but not limited to, ultrafine particulate matters. Individual susceptibilities to exposure-related diseases are modified by genetic, epigenetic and metagenomic factors. The existence of several uniquely exposed populations, including those in the areas surrounding the Niger Delta or north western Amazon oil operations; those working in poorly regulated environments, such as artisanal mining industries; or those, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, relying on cassava as a staple food, offers invaluable opportunities to advance the current understanding of brain responses to environmental challenges. Increased awareness of the brain disorders that are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and investments in capacity for further environmental health-related research are positive steps towards improving human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desire Tshala-Katumbay
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health &Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.,National Institute of Biomedical Research, 1197 Kinshasa I, Congo.,Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, 825 Kinshasa XI, Congo
| | - Jean-Claude Mwanza
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Diane S Rohlman
- Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa 52242, USA.,Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA
| | - Gladys Maestre
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60020, Brazil
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Marler TE, Lindström AJ. Carbohydrates, pollinators, and cycads. Commun Integr Biol 2015; 8:e1017162. [PMID: 26479502 PMCID: PMC4594462 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2015.1017162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cycad biology, ecology, and horticulture decisions are not supported by adequate research, and experiments in cycad physiology in particular have been deficient. Our recent report on free sugar content in a range of cycad taxa and tissues sets the stage for developing continued carbohydrate research. Growth and development of cycad pollen, mediation of the herbivory traits of specialist pollinators, and support of expensive strobilus behavioral traits are areas of cycad pollination biology that would benefit from a greater understanding of the role of carbohydrate relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Marler
- Western Pacific Tropical Research Center; University of Guam; UOG Station ; Mangilao, Guam USA
| | - Anders J Lindström
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden ; Najomtien ; Sattahip, Chonburi, Thailand
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