Search results for "Helleborus"
showing 8 items of 8 documents
Ecological plant epigenetics: Evidence from model and non-model species, and the way forward
2017
Growing evidence shows that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to complex traits, with implications across many fields of biology. In plant ecology, recent studies have attempted to merge ecological experiments with epigenetic analyses to elucidate the contribution of epigenetics to plant phenotypes, stress responses, adaptation to habitat, and range distributions. While there has been some progress in revealing the role of epigenetics in ecological processes, studies with non-model species have so far been limited to describing broad patterns based on anonymous markers of DNA methylation. In contrast, studies with model species have benefited from powerful genomic resources, which contribute…
Furostanol saponins and ecdysones with cytotoxic activity from Helleborus bocconei ssp. intermedius
2009
Two furostanol saponins helleboroside A (1) and helleboroside B (2) were isolated from the methanol extract of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. intermedius (Guss.) Greuter and Burdet, along with the furospirostanol saponin 4 and two ecdysones: ecdysterone (5) and polypodyne B (6). Compound 2 was enzymatically hydrolysed to give product 3. The biological activity of all compounds was tested against rat C6 glioma cells showing a significant cytotoxicity for compounds 3, 4 and 6. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From ethnobotany to experimental research: the therapeutic properties of Sicilian hellebore
2018
In Sicily, the genus Helleborus (Ranuculaceae) is only represented by H. bocconei subsp. siculus (= H. bocconei subsp. intermedius). In some mountain areas of the Island, the rhizomes of this plant, harvested in a particular month of the year (May) and dried, are used in traditional veterinary practice for treating pneumonia in domestic animals, cattle and horses in particular. The same usage – with rhizomes of other Helleborus species or subspecies – is reported from various other areas of Mediterranean Europe. Phytochemical tests have permitted the isolation and characterization of new biologically active molecules. The extracts of rhizomes and aerial parts of the plant were shown antibac…
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. intermedius
2007
Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. intermedius (Ranunculaceae) is a Sicilian medicinal plant used for the treatment of pneumonia affecting cows and horses and for the removal of human decayed molars. The goal of our study was to assess the biological activity of Helleborus bocconei subsp. intermedius by testing its extracts for their activity against bacteria known to cause respiratory diseases. The two more active extracts (light petroleum from roots and aerial parts), as well as the dichloromethane extracts, were analyzed by GC/MS and their composition is reported.
Karyological observations on plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands
2007
Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported from 35 vascular plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands that are poorly known cytogenetically. The chromosome numbers of Chaenorhinum rodriguezii (2n = 14), Coristospermum huteri (2n = 22), Carduus ibicensis (2n = 26), Filago petro-ianii (2n = 26), Ononis crispa ssp. zschackei (2n = 30), and Ophrys bertolonii ssp. balearica (2n = 36) were determined for the first time. New chromosome numbers are reported in Pimpinella bicknellii (2n = 22), Calamintha rouyana (2n = 46), Vicia bifoliolata (2n = 14), and Teucrium asiaticum (2n = 30). A new diploid cytotype (2n = 16) was found in Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi, which is restricted to populations f…
Variability of Christmas rose (Helleborus niger L.) populations and its potential use in genetic breeding
2005
International audience; The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger L.) is widely distributed in Southern and Central Europe, and Slovenia is probably one of the centers of its diversity. The investigation was aimed at evaluating phenotypic diversity among selected wild populations in Slovenia and neighboring Croatia. Some of the analyzed traits expressed relatively very high variation (e.g., number of leaves per plant, number of inflorescences per plant). The variation ranges of some of the analyzed traits were found to be wider than those mentioned in the literature. Statistical analysis indicated that variability was more expressed within than between populations. In terms of present market req…
Molecular and taxonomic characterization of a endophytic fungus isolated from Helleborus bocconei subsp. intermedius (Ranunculaceae)
2014
A non-sporulating fungus was isolated from different organs of Helleborus bocconei subsp. intermedius (Ranunculaceae) endemic to southern Italy and Sicily, known for the traditional use of dried roots in the treatment of lung diseases of cattle and horses. Molecular characterization of endophytic fungus based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene sequences was done. The DNA sequence of full length ITS region of the studied fungus was a 100% match to that of Chaetomium strumarium strain dH 21642 (GenBank accession number JX280851.1). The morphological characters of colony and mycelium of this microfungus are reported here.
Dracoside, a New Steroidal Saponin fromHelleborus purpurascens
1994
Abstract A new steroidal saponin, 1-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl]-24-O-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl]-dracogenin, was isolated from the roots of Helleborus purpurascens and named dracoside. Structure elucidation was performed by chemical transformations and various spectroscopic methods, mainly 2D NMR techniques (COSY, HMQC, HMBC).