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Fulltext The pharmacology and phytochemistry of Acalypha indica

Wan Ya, W. N., Mohsin, H. F., Abdul Wahab, I.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(102):55-55.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Acalypha indica is commonly referred to as “pokok kucing galak”. It is an herbaceous species that grow along the earth’s equator line, including the wet, temperate and tropical regions. Domestic cats experience the effect of this plant by reacting very favorably to the root. The first compilation of the ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry of the Acalypha plants was published. This genus is the fourth largest genus of the Euphorbiaceae family, with about 500 species. However, the review only represents about one third of the species from the Acalypha genus. Methods: Hence, this study is performed to obtain updates on the biochemistry of this plant, via literature search. Results: From the articles, almost every part of the plant, including the leaves, stems and roots, are used as traditional remedies. Local people consume the plant for therapeutic purposes such as anthelminthic, anti-ulcer, anti-bacteria, anti-microbial and wound healing. In homeopathy practice, it is used for asthma and bronchitis. Nevertheless,
there is still a potential risk of using A. indica. It was reported that this traditional medicine could induce Intravascular haemolysis in patients with a glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Clinical evaluations of Acalypha extract could be utilized to justify the ethnomedicinal claims and for the safety of its therapeutic applications. Meanwhile, there is an increase in the phytochemical and chromatographic experiments of A. indica that could introduce the extract’s role in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, zoology and veterinary fields. It contains secondary metabolites, including dihydroactinidiolide; a terpenoid, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids, for example, brassicasterol. Conclusion: The finding of this review concludes that Acalypha is a natural source, worth to be further investigated. It is hoped that new biologically active constituents could be discovered, since only few Acalypha species were comprehensively studied.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
Fulltext The nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants used as goat feed in Malaysia

Ghani, A.A.A., Shahudin, M.S., Azrolharith, R., Haizan, A.R., Zamri-Saad, M., Zuki, A.B., et al.

Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2017;29(1):23-25.
MyJurnal

A comparative study of nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants, Macaranga sp.and Mallotus sp.was carried out and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was used as control.The results obtained from proximate analysis revealed that there were significant difference (P

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
The influence of microwave cooking on the nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of the underutilized perah seed

Li KS, Ali A, Muhammad II

Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment, 2017 Jul-Sep;16(3):283-292.
PMID: 29055976 DOI: 10.17306/J.AFS.0497

BACKGROUND: Perah seed is one of the most underutilized oilseeds, containing high nutritional values and high percentage of α-linoleneic acid, which may have a high potential in food and pharmaceutical applica- tions. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of microwave (MW) cooking on the proximate composition and antioxidant activity of perah seeds.

METHODS: In this study, the proximate composition and amygdalin concentration of MW ir- radiated perah seeds were determined. The total phenolic content (TPC), Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and antioxidant activity of methanol (PME), 70% methanol in water (PMW), ethanol (PEE), 70% ethanol in water (PEW) extracts and methanol extract of oil (PMO) were evaluated during MW cooking. The anti- oxidant activity was evaluated using multiple assays, namely DPPH radical scavenging activity, β-Carotene bleaching assay, and reducing power.

RESULTS: Microwave cooking did not significantly increase crude lipid and carbohydrate content, and the amounts of other nutrients such as ash, crude protein and fibre remained almost unchanged. As evaluated by HPLC, the amygdalin concentration in the seeds was reduced by MW cooking. The TPC, MRP and anti- oxidant activity of the solvent extracts of perah seeds increased significantly with increasing roasting time. Of all the extracts, PMW at all MW cooking times displayed the highest antioxidant effectiveness. However, thermal treatment significantly reduced the antioxidant properties of PMO. The values for TPC, MRP and antioxidant effectiveness of the samples were ranked in the following order: PMW > PEW > PME > PEE > PMO, in both control and microwaved samples.

CONCLUSIONS: In determining the overall quality of the products, MW cooking time was found to be a critical factor. Solubilization of phenolic compounds and formation of MRPs during MW cooking could have caused the increase in antioxidant activity of the perah seeds.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/chemistry*
The geography of diversification in mutualistic ants: a gene's-eye view into the Neogene history of Sundaland rain forests

Quek SP, Davies SJ, Ashton PS, Itino T, Pierce NE

Mol Ecol, 2007 May;16(10):2045-62.
PMID: 17498231

We investigate the geographical and historical context of diversification in a complex of mutualistic Crematogaster ants living in Macaranga trees in the equatorial rain forests of Southeast Asia. Using mitochondrial DNA from 433 ant colonies collected from 32 locations spanning Borneo, Malaya and Sumatra, we infer branching relationships, patterns of genetic diversity and population history. We reconstruct a time frame for the ants' diversification and demographic expansions, and identify areas that might have been refugia or centres of diversification. Seventeen operational lineages are identified, most of which can be distinguished by host preference and geographical range. The ants first diversified 16-20 Ma, not long after the onset of the everwet forests in Sundaland, and achieved most of their taxonomic diversity during the Pliocene. Pleistocene demographic expansions are inferred for several of the younger lineages. Phylogenetic relationships suggest a Bornean cradle and major axis of diversification. Taxonomic diversity tends to be associated with mountain ranges; in Borneo, it is greatest in the Crocker Range of Sabah and concentrated also in other parts of the northern northwest coast. Within-lineage genetic diversity in Malaya and Sumatra tends to also coincide with mountain ranges. A series of disjunct and restricted distributions spanning northern northwest Borneo and the major mountain ranges of Malaya and Sumatra, seen in three pairs of sister lineages, further suggests that these regions were rain-forest refuges during drier climatic phases of the Pleistocene. Results are discussed in the context of the history of Sundaland's rain forests.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae*
Sperm parameters quality and reproductive effects of methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on senescent male rats

Ngaha Njila MI, Massoma Lembè D, Koloko BL, Yong Meng G, Ebrahimi M, Awad EA, et al.

Andrologia, 2019 Oct;51(9):e13359.
PMID: 31353623 DOI: 10.1111/and.13359

The effect of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on the fertility of senescent male rats was assessed in this study. 40 rats received daily distilled water, testosterone, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract of Alchornea cordifolia. The reproductive organs weight, the gonadotropins, testosterone and cholesterol level, the sperm parameters, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. The weight of testes and prostate (400 mg/kg) significantly increased (p

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/chemistry*
Seroepidemiologic survey of Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, and TT118 spotted fever group rickettsiae in rubber estate workers in Malaysia

Tee TS, Kamalanathan M, Suan KA, Chun SS, Ming HT, Yasin RM, et al.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1999 Jul;61(1):73-7.
PMID: 10432060

The seroprevalence of Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, and TT118 spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in 300 rubber estate workers in Slim River, Malaysia was determined in December 1996 and March 1997. In December, which was the wet season, 23.3%, 3.0%, and 57.3% of the population had antibodies detected against the three rickettsiae, respectively. The highest seropositive rate of 40% was detected for single infection with SFG rickettsiae, followed by a rate of 15.3% for both O. tsutsugamushi and SFG rickettsiae among the rubber estate workers. Subjects less than 21 years old had a lower seroprevalence of SFG rickettsiae compared with the other age groups. Indians had a higher seroprevalence of O. tsutsugamushi compared with other ethnic groups. Rubber tappers had a higher seroprevalence of SFG rickettsiae compared with other occupational groups. During the dry season in March 1997, there was a significant increase in the seroprevalence of R. typhi. The seroconversion rates for IgM against O. tsutsugamushi, R. typhi, and SFG rickettsiae were 5.7%, 12.3%, and 15.1%, respectively, during the four-month period. Significant variations of antibody titers towards the three rickettsiae was noted among subjects who were bled twice. This suggests a significant and continual exposure of rubber estate workers to the three rickettsiae.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
Fulltext Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo's tropical peat swamp forests

Yule CM, Lim YY, Lim TY

Carbon Balance Manag, 2018 Feb 07;13(1):3.
PMID: 29417248 DOI: 10.1186/s13021-018-0092-6

BACKGROUND: Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are globally significant carbon stores, sequestering carbon mainly as phenolic polymers and phenolic compounds (particularly as lignin and its derivatives) in peat layers, in plants, and in the acidic blackwaters. Previous studies show that TPSF plants have particularly high levels of phenolic compounds which inhibit the decomposition of organic matter and thus promote peat accumulation. The studies of phenolic compounds are thus crucial to further understand how TPSF function with respect to carbon sequestration. Here we present a study of cycling of phenolic compounds in five forests in Borneo differing in flooding and acidity, leaching of phenolic compounds from senescent Macaranga pruinosa leaves, and absorption of phenolics by M. pruinosa seedlings.
RESULTS: The results of the study show that total phenolic content (TPC) in soil and leaves of three species of Macaranga were highest in TPSF followed by freshwater swamp forest and flooded limestone forest, then dry land sites. Highest TPC values were associated with acidity (in TPSF) and waterlogging (in flooded forests). Moreover, phenolic compounds are rapidly leached from fallen senescent leaves, and could be reabsorbed by tree roots and converted into more complex phenolics within the leaves.
CONCLUSIONS: Extreme conditions-waterlogging and acidity-may facilitate uptake and synthesis of protective phenolic compounds which are essential for impeded decomposition of organic matter in TPSF. Conversely, the ongoing drainage and degradation of TPSF, particularly for conversion to oil palm plantations, reverses the conditions necessary for peat accretion and carbon sequestration.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
Fulltext RNA-seq data of the Jatropha curcas L. shoot system

Govender N, Senan S, Mohamed-Hussein ZA, Isa MNM, Yaakob Z, Ratnam W

Data Brief, 2018 Dec;21:71-74.
PMID: 30338276 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.09.081

Jatropha curcas L. or the physic nut is a monoecious shrub belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. The plant is an ideal feedstock for biodiesel production; oil-rich seed (37-42%), has a broad range of growth habitat such as arid, semi-arid and tropical and a relatively feasible process for conversion of crude oil into biodiesel. The major constraint affecting the success of large-scale J. curcas plantation is seed yield inconsistency. Numerous research projects conducted on J. curcas with integrated genetic, genomic and transcriptomic approaches have been applied on the leaf, apical meristem, flower, root and fruit tissues. However, to date, no genomics data of J. curcas shoot system are publicly available, despite its importance in understanding flowering, fruiting and seed set qualities targeted for yield improvement. Here, we present eighteen sets of shoot and inflorescence transcriptomes generated from J. curcas plants with contrasting yields. Raw reads of the RNA-seq data are found in NCBI׳s Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database with the accession number SRP090662 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra/?term=SRP090662). This transcriptomic data could be integrated with the present genomic resources for in depth understanding of J. curcas reproductive system.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
Fulltext Phyllanthus SP a local plant with multiple medicinal properties

Tang YQ, Lee SH, Sekaran SD

JUMMEC, 2014;17(2):1-8.
MyJurnal

The plants of the genus Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) are distributed in most tropical and subtropical regions of world. This plant has been long used as a traditional medicine to treat problems such as stomach, intestinal infections, kidney and urinary bladder disturbances, diabetes, and hepatitis B. There has been considerable interest in these plants in recent years. This review discusses the antiviral and anticancer aspects of Phyllanthus species. Scientific studies have demonstrated that extracts and purified isolated compounds (flavonoids, lignans, phenols, and terpenes) obtained from these plants possess antiviral effects against herpes simplex (HSV) and dengue virus infections (DENV). These observations are associated with the disruption of essential proteins needed during viral cycle, thus halting the viral replication. In addition, the Phyllanthus species have also been shown to exert inhibitory effects against selected cancers types. In these studies anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic effects and induced apoptosis of human cancers cell lines were observed. These may be explained by the disruption of multiple survival pathways and differential protein expression. CONLCUSION:As a conclusion, tThe Phyllanthus plant possesses multiple medicinal properties, including antiviral and anticancer activities which may potentially be used as a medicinal source for many disease locally.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
Fulltext PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROFILES OF TRAGIA SPECIES (FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE)

Reddy BS, Rao NR, Vijeepallam K, Pandy V

Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med, 2017;14(3):105-112.
PMID: 28480421 DOI: 10.21010/ajtcam.v14i3.11

BACKGROUND: Tragia belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae which contains about 152 species. Interestingly, most of the earlier investigations have been done using only five Tragia species, namely, Tragia involucrata, Tragia cannabina, Tragia spathulata, Tragia plukenetii, and Tragia benthamii. The objective of the present review is to compile the phytochemical, pharmacological and biological studies of the selected five Tragia species reported in the literature.
METHODS: The reported data/information was retrieved mainly from the online databases of PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE and Botanical Survey of India.
RESULTS: The present review elaborated the phytochemical, pharmacological and biological properties of the selected five Tragia species obtained from recent literature.
CONCLUSION: This review provides a basis for future investigation of Tragia species and, especially for those species that have not been explored for biological and pharmacological activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/chemistry*
Optimal methods for evaluating antimicrobial activities from plant extracts

Othman M, Loh HS, Wiart C, Khoo TJ, Lim KH, Ting KN

J Microbiol Methods, 2011 Feb;84(2):161-6.
PMID: 21094190 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.11.008

The search for antimicrobial agents from plants has been a growing interest in the last few decades. However, results generated from many of these studies cannot be directly compared due to the absence of standardization in particular antimicrobial methods employed. The need for established methods with consistent results for the evaluation of antimicrobial activities from plant extracts has been proposed by many researchers. Nevertheless, there are still many studies reported in the literature describing different methodologies. The aim of this study was to find optimal methods to give consistent quantitative antimicrobial results for studying plant extracts. Three different agar-based assays (pour plate disc diffusion (PPDD), streak plate disc diffusion (SPDD) and well-in agar (WA)) and one broth-based (turbidometric (TB)) assay were used in this study. Extracts from two plant species (Duabanga grandiflora and Acalypha wilkesiana) were tested on two bacterial species, namely Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Amongst the agar-based assays, PPDD produced the most reproducible results. TB was able to show the inhibitory effects of the test samples on the growth kinetic of the bacteria including plant extracts with low polarity. We propose that both agar- (i.e PPDD) and broth-based assays should be employed when assessing the antimicrobial activity of plant crude extracts.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/chemistry
Occurrence of stomatal patchiness and its spatial scale in leaves from various sizes of trees distributed in a South-east Asian tropical rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia

Kamakura M, Kosugi Y, Takanashi S, Uemura A, Utsugi H, Kassim AR

Tree Physiol, 2015 Jan;35(1):61-70.
PMID: 25595752 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpu109

In this study, we demonstrated the occurrence of stomatal patchiness and its spatial scale in leaves from various sizes of trees grown in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia. To evaluate the patterns of stomatal behavior, we used three techniques simultaneously to analyze heterobaric or homobaric leaves from five tree species ranging from 0.6 to 31 m in height: (i) diurnal changes in chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, (ii) observation and simulation of leaf gas-exchange rates and (iii) a pressure-infiltration method. Measurements were performed in situ with 1000 or 500 μmol m(-2) s(-1) photosynthetic photon flux density. Diurnal patterns in the spatial distribution of photosynthetic electron transport rate (J) mapped from chlorophyll fluorescence images, a comparison of observed and simulated leaf gas-exchange rates, and the spatial distribution of stomatal apertures obtained from the acid-fuchsin-infiltrated area showed that patchy stomatal closure coupled with severe midday depression of photosynthesis occurred in Neobalanocarpus heimii (King) Ashton, a higher canopy tree with heterobaric leaves due to the higher leaf temperature and vapor pressure deficit. However, subcanopy or understory trees showed uniform stomatal behavior throughout the day, although they also have heterobaric leaves. These results suggest that the occurrence of stomatal patchiness is determined by tree size and/or environmental conditions. The analysis of spatial scale by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging showed that several adjacent anatomical patches (lamina areas bounded by bundle-sheath extensions within the lamina) may co-operate for the distributed patterns of J and stomatal apertures.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/anatomy & histology; Euphorbiaceae/physiology
Jatropha gossypiifolia L. and its biologically active metabolites: A mini review

Wu Q, Patocka J, Nepovimova E, Kuca K

J Ethnopharmacol, 2019 Apr 24;234:197-203.
PMID: 30695706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.022

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) is popularly known as bellyache bush or black physic nut and is widely used in local / traditional medicine due to the various biological activities attributed to its different parts, including its leaves, roots, and latex.
AIM OF THE STUDY: In this review, we aim to update and discuss the chemistry, specific pharmacology, and toxicological activities of Jatropha gossypiifolia and its bioactive metabolites.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were searched with the name "Jatropha gossypiifolia" and the term "bioactive metabolites". All studies on the chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plant up to December 2018 were included in this review.
RESULTS: Jatropha gossypiifolia leaves are considered to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. The root and stem have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The seeds and fruits can be used against influenza and as a sedative, analgesic or anti-diarrheal agents. The latex is bactericidal and molluscicidal. Topical application of latex is used to treat wounds and bites of venomous animals. The diluted form is usually used for the treatment of diarrhoea by indigenous peoples.
CONCLUSIONS: The main pharmacological activities of Jatropha gossypiifolia include anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase, and antihypertensive activities. Species of Jatropha are notably known for their toxic potential, and their toxicity is primarily related to the latex and seed contents. However, the potential mechanisms of these pharmacological activities have not been fully explored. We hope this review will help to further inform the potential utilization of Jatropha gossypiifolia in complementary and alternative medicine.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae
Fulltext In vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Mesua beccariana (Baill.) Kosterm., Mesua ferrea Linn., and Mesua congestiflora extracts

Teh SS, Ee GC, Mah SH, Yong YK, Lim YM, Rahmani M, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:517072.
PMID: 24089682 DOI: 10.1155/2013/517072

The in vitro cytotoxicity tests on the extracts of Mesua beccariana, M. ferrea, and M. congestiflora against Raji, SNU-1, HeLa, LS-174T, NCI-H23, SK-MEL-28, Hep-G2, IMR-32, and K562 were achieved using MTT assay. The methanol extracts of Mesua beccariana showed its potency towards the proliferation of B-lymphoma cell (Raji). In addition, only the nonpolar to semipolar extracts (hexane to ethyl acetate) of the three Mesua species indicated cytotoxic effects on the tested panel of human cancer cell lines. Antioxidant assays were evaluated using DPPH scavenging radical assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method. The methanol extracts of M. beccariana and M. ferrea showed high antioxidant activities with low EC₅₀ values of 12.70 and 9.77 μg/mL, respectively, which are comparable to that of ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 5.62 μg/mL). Antibacterial tests were carried out using four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria on Mesua beccariana extracts. All the extracts showed negative results in the inhibition of Gram negative bacteria. Nevertheless, methanol extracts showed some activities against Gram positive bacteria which are Bacillus cereus, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while the hexane extract also contributed some activities towards Bacillus cereus.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/chemistry
Flavonoids with antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of Macaranga triloba

Zakaria I, Ahmat N, Jaafar FM, Widyawaruyanti A

Fitoterapia, 2012 Jul;83(5):968-72.
PMID: 22561914 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2012.04.020

A new flavanone derivative, malaysianone A (1), four prenylated flavanones, 6-prenyl-3'-methoxyeriodictyol (2), nymphaeol B (3), nymphaeol C (4) and 6-farnesyl-3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavanone (5), and two coumarins, 5,7-dihydroxycoumarin (6) and scopoletin (7), were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the inflorescences of Macaranga triloba. The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR-1D and 2D), UV, IR and mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds was tested against several cell lines, with 5 inhibiting very strongly the growth of HeLa and HL-60 cells (IC(50): 1.3 μg/ml and 3.3 μg/ml, respectively). Compound 5 also showed strong antiplasmodial activity (IC(50): 0.06 μM).

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/chemistry*
Fulltext Effect of Excoecaria agallocha on non-specific immune responses and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus against Streptococcus agalactiae

Laith AA, Mazlan AG, Effendy AW, Ambak MA, Nurhafizah WWI, Alia AS, et al.

Res Vet Sci, 2017 Jun;112:192-200.
PMID: 28499213 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.04.020

The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of Excoecaria agallocha leaf extracts on immune mechanisms and resistance of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, after challenge with Streptococcus agalactiae. Fish were divided into 6 groups; groups 1-5 fed with E. agallocha leaf extracts at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50mgkg(-1) level, respectively. Group 6 were fed without extract addition and acted as control. E. agallocha extracts were administered as feed supplement in fish diet for 28days and the hematological, immunological, and growth performance studies were conducted. Fish were infected with S. agalactiae at a dose of 15×105CFUmL(-1) and the total white blood cell (WBC), phagocytosis and respiratory burst activities of leukocytes, serum bactericidal activity, lysozyme, total protein, albumin, and globulin levels were monitored and mortalities recorded for 15days post infection. Results revealed that feeding O. niloticus with 50mgkg(-1) of E. agallocha enhanced WBC, phagocytic, respiratory burst, serum bactericidal and lysozyme activities on day 28 pre-challenge and on 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th day post-challenge as compared to control. Total protein and albumin were not enhanced by E. agallocha diet. E. agallocha increased the survival of fish after challenge with S. agalactiae. The highest mortality rate (97%) was observed in control fish and the lowest mortality (27%) was observed with group fed with 50mgkg(-1) extract. The results indicate that dietary intake of E. agallocha methanolic leaf extract in O. niloticus enhances the non-specific immunity and disease resistance against S. agalactiae pathogen.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae*
Diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy: multicenter latex skin testing efficacy study. Multicenter Latex Skin Testing Study Task Force

Hamilton RG, Adkinson NF

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998 Sep;102(3):482-90.
PMID: 9768592

BACKGROUND: No characterized diagnostic natural rubber latex skin testing material is licensed for use in the United States.
OBJECTIVE: We have conducted a multicenter clinical skin testing study to document the safety and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a candidate Hevea brasiliensis nonammoniated latex (NAL) extract. These data are intended to support the licensing of this reagent for the diagnosis of latex allergy in high-risk populations.
METHODS: Three hundred twenty-four subjects (304 adults and 20 children) were classified by their clinical history as having latex allergy (LA group, 124 adults and 10 children) or having no latex allergy (NLA group, 180 adults and 10 children). All subjects provided blood samples and then received sequential puncture skin tests (PSTs) at 1, 100, or 1000 microg/mL protein with a bifurcated needle and NAL (Greer Laboratories) from Malaysian Hevea brasiliensis (clone 600) sap. A 2-stage glove provocation test was used to clarify latex allergy status of individuals with positive history/negative PST result and negative history/positive PST result mismatches.
RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects (15%) originally designated as having LA on the basis of their initial clinical history were reclassified to the NLA group on the basis of a negative glove provocation test result. Of the 134 subjects with LA, 54 (40%) were highly sensitive to latex, with a positive PST result at 1 microg/mL NAL. The Greer NAL reagent produced a positive PST rate (sensitivity) of 95% and 99% in subjects with LA at 100 microg/mL and 1 mg/mL, respectively. The negative PST rate (specificity) in 190 subjects with a negative history with the NAL extract at 100 microg/mL and 1 mg/mL, was 100% and 96%, respectively. Immediately after the PST, mild systemic reactions (mainly pruritus) were recorded in 16.1 % of the adults in the LA group and 4.4% of the adults in the NLA group. No reactions required treatment with epinephrine. Only mild delayed reactions were observed in 9.6% (LA group) and 2.8% (NLA group) of subjects 24 to 48 hours after PST. Mean wheal and erythema diameters measured in the 10 children in the LA group with spina bifida at 100 microg/mL and 1 mg/mL were similar to those observed in the adults in the LA group, suggesting that children are not at increased risk for systemic reactions compared with adults.
CONCLUSIONS: A suggestive clinical history is necessary but not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis of IgE-dependent latex allergy. These data support the safety and diagnostic efficacy of the Greer NAL, skin test reagent at 100 micro/mL and 1 mg/mL for confirmatory PSTs.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/immunology
Fulltext Cryptic coloration of Macaranga bancana seedlings: A unique strategy for a pioneer species

Fadzly N, Zuharah WF, Mansor A, Zakaria R

Plant Signal Behav, 2016 07 02;11(7):e1197466.
PMID: 27315145 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2016.1197466

Macaranga bancana is considered as a successful pioneer plant species. Usually found in disturbed and open areas, most of the current research focused on its relations with ants. One of the unique feature of the plants is that the seedling leaves are red, resembling and almost matching the background. Using a portable spectrometer, we measured the color reflectance of M. bancana seedlings (less than 20 cm in height). We also measured the leaf litter reflectance, adult M. bancana leaves and also seedlings of several other species found in the vicinity of M. bancana seedlings. The reflectances of M. bancana seedlings are very similar to that of the leaf litter background. We suggest that this cryptic coloration is crucial during the early stages of the plant when it still cannot rely on the protection of ants.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/metabolism*; Euphorbiaceae/physiology
Codiversification in an ant-plant mutualism: stem texture and the evolution of host use in Crematogaster (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) inhabitants of Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae)

Quek SP, Davies SJ, Itino T, Pierce NE

Evolution, 2004 Mar;58(3):554-70.
PMID: 15119439

We investigate the evolution of host association in a cryptic complex of mutualistic Crematogaster (Decacrema) ants that inhabits and defends Macaranga trees in Southeast Asia. Previous phylogenetic studies based on limited samplings of Decacrema present conflicting reconstructions of the evolutionary history of the association, inferring both cospeciation and the predominance of host shifts. We use cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships in a comprehensive sampling of the Decacrema inhabitants of Macaranga. Using a published Macaranga phylogeny, we test whether the ants and plants have cospeciated. The COI phylogeny reveals 10 well-supported lineages and an absence of cospeciation. Host shifts, however, have been constrained by stem traits that are themselves correlated with Macaranga phylogeny. Earlier lineages of Decacrema exclusively inhabit waxy stems, a basal state in the Pachystemon clade within Macaranga, whereas younger species of Pachystemon, characterized by nonwaxy stems, are inhabited only by younger lineages of Decacrema. Despite the absence of cospeciation, the correlated succession of stem texture in both phylogenies suggests that Decacrema and Pachystemon have diversified in association, or codiversified. Subsequent to the colonization of the Pachystemon clade, Decacrema expanded onto a second clade within Macaranga, inducing the development of myrmecophytism in the Pruinosae group. Confinement to the aseasonal wet climate zone of western Malesia suggests myrmecophytic Macaranga are no older than the wet forest community in Southeast Asia, estimated to be about 20 million years old (early Miocene). Our calculation of COI divergence rates from several published arthropod studies that relied on tenable calibrations indicates a generally conserved rate of approximately 1.5% per million years. Applying this rate to a rate-smoothed Bayesian chronogram of the ants, the Decacrema from Macaranga are inferred to be at least 12 million years old (mid-Miocene). However, using the extremes of rate variation in COI produces an age as recent as 6 million years. Our inferred timeline based on 1.5% per million years concurs with independent biogeographical events in the region reconstructed from palynological data, thus suggesting that the evolutionary histories of Decacrema and their Pachystemon hosts have been contemporaneous since the mid-Miocene. The evolution of myrmecophytism enabled Macaranga to radiate into enemy-free space, while the ants' diversification has been shaped by stem traits, host specialization, and geographic factors. We discuss the possibility that the ancient and exclusive association between Decacrema and Macaranga was facilitated by an impoverished diversity of myrmecophytes and phytoecious (obligately plant inhabiting) ants in the region.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/anatomy & histology; Euphorbiaceae/physiology*
Cloning, expression, and characterization of recombinant Hev b 3, a Hevea brasiliensis protein associated with latex allergy in patients with spina bifida

Wagner B, Krebitz M, Buck D, Niggemann B, Yeang HY, Han KH, et al.

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1999 Nov;104(5):1084-92.
PMID: 10550757

BACKGROUND: Two natural rubber latex proteins, Hev b 1 and Hev b 3, have been described in spina bifida (SB)-associated latex allergy.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clone and express Hev b 3 and to obtain the immunologic active and soluble recombinant allergen for diagnosis of SB-associated latex allergy.
METHODS: A complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for Hev b 3 was amplified from RNA of fresh latex collected from Malaysian rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). PCR primers were designed according to sequences of internal peptide fragments of natural (n) Hev b 3. The 5'-end sequence was obtained by specific amplification of cDNA ends. The recombinant (r) Hev b 3 was produced in Escherichia coli as a 6xHis tagged protein. Immunoblotting and inhibition assays were performed to characterize the recombinant allergen.
RESULTS: An Hev b 3 cDNA clone of 922 bp encoding a protein of 204 amino acid residues corresponding to a molecular weight of 22.3 kd was obtained. In immunoblots 29/35, latex-allergic patients with SB revealed IgE binding to rHev b 3, as did 4 of 15 of the latex-sensitized group. The presence of all IgE epitopes on rHev b 3 was shown by its ability to abolish all IgE binding to nHev b 3. Hev b 3 is related to Hev b 1 by a sequence identity of 47%. Cross-reactivity between these 2 latex allergens was illustrated by the large extent of inhibition of IgE binding to nHev b 1 by rHev b 3.
CONCLUSION: rHev b 3 constitutes a suitable in vitro reagent for the diagnosis of latex allergy in patients with SB. The determination of the full sequence of Hev b 3 and the production of the recombinant allergen will allow the epitope mapping and improve diagnostic reagents for latex allergy.

Matched MeSH terms: Euphorbiaceae/genetics

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