Neuroprotective effect of glycosides in MPTP-Induced Parkinson's disease mouse model involves Nrf2 activation.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) a progressive neurodegenerative disorder is attributed to dopaminergic neuronal cell loss in the mid-brain substantia nigra pars compacta. A major risk factors associated with PD development is presence of excess oxidative stress. Previously, glycosides derived from were reported to play a key role in counteracting PD; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined.

The analgesic effect of total saponins of Tribulus terrestris on neuropathic pain was studied based on TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Neuropathic pain (NP) consists of a range of unpleasant sensations attributed to a lesion or a disease of the somatosensory nervous system. It is important to note that the sensations initiated by NP are debilitating and adversely affect quality of life; however, the underlying mechanisms involved in the occurrence and development of this type of pain remain to be determined. Previously data demonstrated that inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway diminished the adverse consequences attributed to NP.

Isoforms Cooperatively Regulate Temperature-Related Flowering in .

Timely flowering is a determinative trait for many economically valuable species in the genus of the Orchidaceae family, some of which are used for ornamental and medicinal purposes. , a representative species of nobile-type , normally flowers in spring after exposure to sufficient low temperatures in winter. However, flowering can be stopped or disrupted by the untimely application of high temperatures.

Glacial vicariance and oceanic circulation shape population structure of the coastal legume Derris trifoliata in the Indo-West Pacific.

Premise: The phylogeography of coastal plant species is shaped by contemporary and historical biogeographic processes. In this study, we aim to decipher the phylogeography of Derris trifoliata, a woody legume of relatively recent origin and wide distribution, in coastal areas in the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region.

Methods: Genetic diversity and population structure were assessed by analyzing six nuclear and three chloroplast DNA sequences from 30 populations across the species' range.

Phylogeographic pattern of a cryptoviviparous mangrove, Aegiceras corniculatum, in the Indo-West Pacific, provides insights for conservation actions.

This study identified the historical geoclimatic factors which caused low genetic diversity and strong phylogeographic structure in a cryptoviviparous mangrove. The phylogeographic pattern was used to suggest conservation actions. Phylogeographic studies are used to understand the spatial distribution and evolution of genetic diversity, and have major conservation implications, especially for threatened taxa like the mangroves.

Contrasting Phylogeographic Patterns in Mangroves Across the Indo-West Pacific.

Mangroves are ecologically important forest communities in tropical and subtropical coasts, the effective management of which requires understanding of their phylogeographic patterns. However, these patterns often vary among different species, even among ecologically similar taxa or congeneric species. Here, we investigated the levels and patterns of genetic variation within consisting of two species ( and ) with nearly sympatric ranges across the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region by sequencing three chloroplast DNA regions (for both species) and genotyping 11 nuclear microsatellite loci (for ).

Land masses and oceanic currents drive population structure of , a widespread mangrove in the Indo-West Pacific.

Phylogeographic forces driving evolution of sea-dispersed plants are often influenced by regional and species characteristics, although not yet deciphered at a large spatial scale for many taxa like the mangrove species . This study aimed to assess geographic distribution of genetic variation of this widespread mangrove in the Indo-West Pacific region and identify the phylogeographic factors influencing its present-day distribution. Analysis of five chloroplast DNA fragments' sequences from 37 populations revealed low genetic diversity at the population level and strong genetic structure of in this region.

Convergent adaptation of the genomes of woody plants at the land-sea interface.

Sequencing multiple species that share the same ecological niche may be a new frontier for genomic studies. While such studies should shed light on molecular convergence, genomic-level analyses have been unsuccessful, due mainly to the absence of empirical controls. Woody plant species that colonized the global tropical coasts, collectively referred to as mangroves, are ideal for convergence studies.

Going with the flow: analysis of population structure reveals high gene flow shaping invasion pattern and inducing range expansion of Mikania micrantha in Asia.

Background And Aims: Mikania micrantha, a climbing perennial weed of the family Asteraceae, is native to Latin America and is highly invasive in the tropical belt of Asia, Oceania and Australia. This study was framed to investigate the population structure of M. micrantha at a large spatial scale in Asia and to identify how introduction history, evolutionary forces and landscape features influenced the genetic pattern of the species in this region.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of (Theaceae), a Vulnerable species endemic to China.

is a wild camellia resource endemic to China and is listed as a Vulnerable species globally. Here, we reported and characterized its complete chloroplast (cp) genome by using Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The total chloroplast genome size was 157,001 bp, including inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,042 bp, separated by a large single copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 86,622 and 18,295 bp, respectively.

Development of polymorphic EST-SSR markers in (Iteaceae) and cross-amplification in related species.

Premise Of The Study: We isolated and characterized 16 expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers in (Iteaceae), a common evergreen broadleaf tree, for future studies on the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of the species.

Methods And Results: Based on transcriptome data of , a total of 36 primer pairs were initially designed and tested. Of these, 16 were successfully amplified and showed clear polymorphism.

Identification and characterization of evolutionarily conserved alternative splicing events in a mangrove genus Sonneratia.

Alternative splicing (AS), which produces multiple mRNA transcripts from a single gene, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development and environmental stress responses. Functional significances of conserved AS events among congeneric species have not been well characterized. In this study, we performed transcriptome sequencing to characterize AS events in four common species of Sonneratia, a mangrove genus excellently adaptive to intertidal zones.

The origin, diversification and adaptation of a major mangrove clade (Rhizophoreae) revealed by whole-genome sequencing.

Mangroves invade some very marginal habitats for woody plants-at the interface between land and sea. Since mangroves anchor tropical coastal communities globally, their origin, diversification and adaptation are of scientific significance, particularly at a time of global climate change. In this study, a combination of single-molecule long reads and the more conventional short reads are generated from for the assembly of its genome to a near chromosome level.

Comparative Analysis of Transcriptomes in Rhizophoraceae Provides Insights into the Origin and Adaptive Evolution of Mangrove Plants in Intertidal Environments.

Mangroves are woody plants that grow at the interface between land and sea in tropical and subtropical latitudes, where they exist in conditions of high salinity, extreme tides, strong winds, high temperatures, and muddy, anaerobic soils. Rhizophoraceae is a key mangrove family, with highly developed morphological and physiological adaptations to extreme conditions. It is an ideal system for the study of the origin and adaptive evolution of mangrove plants.

Occurrence and levels of nitrofuran metabolites in sea cucumber from Dalian, China.

The occurrence and levels of nitrofuran metabolites (NFMs) in sea cucumber (SC) from Dalian, China, are reported. Four metabolites including 3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ), 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), semicarbazide (SEM) and 1-aminohydantoin (AHD) in different SC products (fresh, instant and dry salted SCs) were measured. The frequency of occurrence for NFMs in all SC samples was 42.

Transcriptome analyses provide insights into the phylogeny and adaptive evolution of the mangrove fern genus Acrostichum.

The mangrove fern genus Acrostichum grows in the extremely unstable marine intertidal zone under harsh conditions, such as high salt concentrations, tidal rhythms and long-term climate changes. To explore the phylogenetic relationships and molecular mechanisms underlying adaptations in this genus, we sequenced the transcriptomes of two species of Acrostichum, A. aureum and A.

Pronounced genetic differentiation and recent secondary contact in the mangrove tree Lumnitzera racemosa revealed by population genomic analyses.

Systematically investigating the impacts of Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations on mangrove plants may provide a better understanding of their demographic history and useful information for their conservation. Therefore, we conducted population genomic analyses of 88 nuclear genes to explore the population dynamics of a mangrove tree Lumnitzera racemosa across the Indo-West Pacific region. Our results revealed pronounced genetic differentiation in this species between the populations from the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, which may be attributable to the long-term isolation between the western and eastern coasts of the Malay Peninsula during sea-level drops in the Pleistocene glacial periods.

De novo assembly of the transcriptome of Aegiceras corniculatum, a mangrove species in the Indo-West Pacific region.

Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco is one of the most salt tolerant mangrove species and can thrive in 3% salinity at the seaward edge of mangrove forests. Here we sequenced the transcriptome of A.

De Novo Assembly of Coding Sequences of the Mangrove Palm (Nypa fruticans) Using RNA-Seq and Discovery of Whole-Genome Duplications in the Ancestor of Palms.

Nypa fruticans (Arecaceae) is the only monocot species of true mangroves. This species represents the earliest mangrove fossil recorded. How N.

Transcriptome analysis of the Holly mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius and its terrestrial relative, Acanthus leucostachyus, provides insights into adaptation to intertidal zones.

Background: Acanthus is a unique genus consisting of both true mangrove and terrestrial species; thus, it represents an ideal system for studying the origin and adaptive evolution of mangrove plants to intertidal environments. However, little is known regarding the two respects of mangrove species in Acanthus. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptomes of the pooled roots and leaves tissues for a mangrove species, Acanthus ilicifolius, and its terrestrial congener, A.

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora (Poaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Spartina alterniflora is one of the nine most notoriously invasive plants in China. Microsatellite markers were developed for this species to investigate its invasiveness and genetic diversity. •

Methods And Results: Fifteen polymorphic and seven monomorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified and screened in 60 samples of S.