Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Endemic plants'

Orientador: Angela Borges Martins
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Este trabalho trata da re-avaliação taxonômica do gênero Cambessedesia DC., com chave de identificação para todos os táxons, descrições, sinonímias, relação do material examinado, comentários sobre as afinidades taxonômicas baseados em caracteres morfológicos, a distribuição geográfica, acompanhados de ilustrações e mapas de distribuição para as espécies. Com base no estudo de cerca de 3.000 exsicatas provenientes de 17 herbários nacionais e 17 estrangeiros, associado a diversas observações de campo e a estudos inéditos para o grupo tais como a análise das sementes, tricomas, emergências e estames sob microscopia eletrônica de varredura, 27 espécies são reconhecidas, das quais três são novas. Foram efetuadas as seguintes alterações infragenéricas e infra-específicas: sinonimização de Cambessedesia sect. Cambessedesia e Cambessedesia sect. Pyramia; o epíteto de C. hilariana foi substituído pelo epíteto específico fasciculata, por ser prioritário; C. arenaria e C. tiradentensis foram consideradas sinônimos de C. corymbosa e, C. espora subsp. ilicifolia, sinônimo de C. espora; C. longifolia e C. bahiana foram elevadas ao status específico. Foram designados 13 lectótipos e quatro neótipos. O gênero Cambessedesia é caracterizado por apresentar espécies com folhas frequentemente adicionais axilares reduzidas e dispostas em braquiblastos (algumas vezes assumindo forma de fascículos) ou verticiladas apenas em C. weddellii, flores 5-(6-) meras, pétalas bicolores (predominantemente vermelho-alaranjadas com base amarela), ou monocromáticas (amarelas ou branco-amareladas), estames 10 (-12), (5 apenas em C. semidecandra); anteras com conectivo espessado dorsalmente e eventualmente com pequeno cálcar na base, sem apêndices ventrais; cápsulas com sementes depresso-ovais, densamente ou esparsamente tuberculadas, antirafe na maioria das vezes mais desenvolvida que a rafe. Este gênero é endêmico no Brasil, onde foram detectados três padrões gerais de distribuição geográfica de suas espécies: amplo, endêmico (endêmico na Serra do Espinhaço-MG, endêmico na Chapada Diamantina-BA, endêmico na Chapada dos Veadeiros-GO) e disjunto. Dentre as 27 espécies deste gênero apenas C. fasciculata e C. espora apresentam distribuição geográfica mais ampla. Os dados apresentados no presente trabalho poderão futuramente contribuir para outros estudos filogenéticos em Cambessedesia.
Abstract: A taxonomic re-evaluation of the genus Cambessedesia DC. is conducted, including identification key for all taxa, descriptions, synonymies, list of examined materials, comments about taxonomic affinities based on morphological traits, observations on habitat and distribution, as well as illustrations and distribution maps for all analyzed species. The studies were based on the analysis of 3.000 exsiccatae from 17 national herbaria and 17 herbaria of foreign countries, which was associated with diverse field observations and with inedited scanning electron microscopy examinations of seeds, trichomes, emergencies and stamens. A total of 27 species were identified and two of them were recognized as new The following infrageneric and infraspecific modifications were derived from the taxonomic re-evaluation: Cambessedesia sect. Cambessedesia and Cambessedesia sect. Pyramia are considered synonymies; the epithet C. hilariana was replaced by the epithet fasciculata, because of its priority; C. arenaria and C. tiradentensis were considered synonym of C. corymbosa and C. espora subsp. ilicifolia synonym of C. espora; C. longifolia and C. bahiana were elevated to the specific status. A total of 13 lectotypes and four neotypes were designated. The genus Cambessedesia is characterized by species with opposite leaves, frequently with additional axillary leaves that are small and arranged in brachiblasts, occasionally fasciculate, or verticillate in C. weddellii only. The flowers are 5-(6-) merous with bicolor petals that are red-orange colored and have a yellow base, or that are monochromatic yellow or white-yellowish; stamens 10(-12), 5 in C. semidecandra, and the anther connective is dorsally thickened, often with a calcar at the base, without ventral appendages. The capsules contain oval-depressed seeds that are densely or sparsely tuberculate and, almost always, the anti-raphe is more developed than the raphe. Cambessedesia is endemic to Brazil, where three general patterns of geographic distribution were identified for its species: widely distributed, endemic (Espinhaço Mountains (MG), Chapada Diamantina (BA) and Chapada dos Veadeiros (GO) and disjunct Among the 27 identified species, only C. fasciculata and C. espora are widely distributed. The data in the present work contributes to further understand the systematic of Cambessedesia and are potentially useful for future phylogenetic in this genus.
Doutorado
Biologia Vegetal
Doutor em Biologia Vegetal

Cissampelos capensis L. f. (Menispermaceae) commonly known as “Mayisake” (Xhosa) and “Dawidjieswortel” (Afrikaans) is the most commonly used medicinal plant of the Menispermaceae family in South Africa. The rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis are the most used part of the plant to treat illnesses. This poses a threat to the ongoing conservation of this valuable endemic species. Thus, we studied the chemical variation and subsequently the bioactivity in the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis, the Eastern Cape medicinal plant, to suggest the possible use of the stems for medicinal purposes. We studied the variation in the chemical composition in the stems and the rhizomes by employing four different extraction methods; the methanolic-, non-polar-, alkaloidal- and Total Tertiary Alkaloidal (TTA) to extract compounds from Cissampelos capensis. Employing various chromatographic techniques, HPLC, NMR and LC/MS to investigate the chemical variation and the in vitro assays for the crude materials of the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis. We successfully documented a library of the phytochemicals content in Cissampelos capensis from three different regions in the Eastern Cape. We could profile different extraction methods, with the TTA extraction delivering the best comparative profile. Employing LC/MS and HPLC we identified eleven known alkaloidal compounds in the stems and rhizomes. We also isolated a known alkaloid, pronuciferine, from the TTA extract and a crystal structure of proto-quericitol from the methanolic extract, which was isolated for the first time from Cissampelos capensis. Preliminary in vitro results suggested anti-inflammatory activity in the methanolic extracts of the stems and rhizomes, while the TTA extracts showed some cytotoxicity. Finally, through analytical HPLC analysis this study found as high as 31% similarity between the chemical variation of the stems and rhizomes, but key alkaloids were not always present, indicating more work is needed before the stems can be recommended as a replacement for the rhizomes.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 65 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 65 p. : map (part col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-49).

This thesis examines Greater Melbourne’s indigenous plants movement from the 1930s to the early twenty first century. It demonstrates the important scientific and educational role of the public intellectual, Professor John Turner, and of the Melbourne University Botany School which he led for thirty five years. The case study of the movement within the City of Sandringham and its successor the City of Bayside reveals how the inhabitants of an urbanised are responded to threats to the indigenous trees and wildflowers of their neighbourhood, stimulating botanists to assist them and using political means in order to achieve their conservation objectives. The thesis draws upon a range of local archives, conservation literature and private papers.

Four endemic medicinal plants from the Yucatan peninsula belonging to genera with little pharmacological and phytochemical reported information and used for medicinal purposes by local communities were selected. The species selected included Jacquinia flammea Millsp. ex Mez, Sideroxylon foetidissimum Jacq. subsp. gaumeri, Serjania yucatanensis Standl., and Serjania adiantoides Radlk. The root, stem/bank and leaves of each plant species were extracted using ethanol and the resulting crude extracts were tested for their cytotoxic effect using the modified MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay followed by a bioassay-guided fractionation of the most active extracts in order to identify the active metabolites. The initial cytotoxic evaluation against HeLa cells at two fixed concentrations (100 and 33.3 µg/mL) identified the root extracts f J. flammea, S. foetidissimum subsp. gaumeri and S. yucatanensis, and the stem/bank extract of S. adiantoides as the most active extracts. The crude extract of roots of J. flammea was subjected to solvent partition using solvents of ascending polarity (pet. ether, CHCI3, EtOAc, BuOH and water). The resulting fractions were tested for their cytotoxic activity. The water fraction of the solvent partition showed the strongest activity against HeLa cells (IC50 = 28.61 ± 2.27 µg/mL). When tested against RAW 264.7 cells, the water fraction also showed significant activity (IC50 = 10.60 ± 1.83 µg/mL). The water fraction was subjected to chromatographic fractionation using open silica gel columns resulting in the isolation of a saponin as the most active metabolite against RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 = 4.76 ± 0.32 µg/mL). The isolated compound was identified using 1D (1H and 13C and DEPT-135) and 2D (COSY, HMBC, HSQC and NOESY and ROESY) NMR and mass spectrometry analysis as sakurasosaponin. The molluscicidal and antifungal activities of sakurasosaponin have been reported but no studies on its cytotoxic activity have been previously reported. The crude extract of roots of S. foetidissimum subsp. gaumeri was subjected to solvent partition using solvents of ascending polarity (pet. ether, CHC13, EtOAc, and BuOH). The resulting fractions were tested for their cytotoxic activity. The BuOH extract of S. foetidissimum subsp. gaumeri showed the strongest activity against RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 = 35.12 ± 4.32 µg/mL) and it was subjected to further chromatographic fractionation using open silica gel columns yielding mixtures of saponin-containing fractions. The crude extract of roots of S. yucatanensis was subjected to solvent partition using solvents of ascending polarity (pet. ether, CHCI3, EtOAc, and BuOH). The resulting fractions were tested for their cytotoxic activity. The crude extract of S. adiantoiodes did not show cytotoxic activity when tested against RAW 264.7 cells.

The lack of a cure for advanced prostate cancer (PCa) highlights the need for better therapies to fight this disease, which is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in men. Nature is a rich source of potent anticancer agents, as 75% of the current drugs are derived from natural products, some being microtubule-targeting drugs like vinblastine and docetaxel. While proven to increase overall survival time of PCa patients, docetaxel treatment ultimately fails in part due to the development of drug resistance, presenting a major clinical challenge, given the limited number of alternative treatments currently available. As part of a research program aimed at identifying new anticancer compounds from nature for drug discovery and development, a pre-fractionated plant library was screened for cytotoxic activity in the PCa cell line LNCaP. This cell line is positive for the androgen receptor (AR) and is androgen-dependent; LNCaP cells are representative of advanced PCa sensitive to AR-targeted therapies. Only plants native to Australia were considered for the pre-fractionated library. A taxonomically diverse set of plants were used with 12 botanical families and 16 genera represented. The library consisted of 38 fractions obtained from C18 HPLC fractionation of 38 MeOH plant extracts, with one fraction collected for each extract. A growth inhibition assay based on metabolic activity (alamarBlue) was used to screen the 38 fractions against the PCa cell line LNCaP. Of the 38 fractions screened, six displayed inhibition of more than 50% at 10 µg/mL, which was the cut-off selected for pursuing hit fractions. Bioassay-guided fractionation and/or mass-directed isolation were performed on two plant samples, Anopterus macleayanus and Hernandia albiflora. Several cytotoxic natural products were purified and their chemical structures determined using a combination of 1D/2D NMR, MS, and UV data.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Natural Sciences
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Full Text

La hibridació natural a plantes és un fenòmen àmplement conegut. És una important font de variabilitat que accelera l'evolució de les espècies. Es creu que és l'origen de moltes angiospermes, entre elles endemismes locals. Per altra banda, també pot tenir efectes negatius per la supervivència d'aquests endemismes, diluint els seus trets direfencials. En aquesta tesi s'estudia la possible hibridació natural que afecta a tres endemismes baleàrics (Viola jaubertiana, Lotus fulgurans i Helichrysum crassifolium), des del punt de vista dels marcadors moleculars basats en ADN i de la morfologia. S'avalua el paper de la hibridació natural la variabilitat, l'origen i la conservació d'aquestes espècies endèmiques.
Natural hybridization is a widely known process in plants. It is an important source of variation promoting species evolution. It is likely to be the origin of many angiosperms, including local endemisms. Oppositely, it is also regarded as a potential threat for endemisms survivorship, diluting their differentail traits. This thesis deals with putative natural hybridization processes involving three Balearic endemics (Viola jaubertiana, Lotus fulgurans i Helichrysum crassifolium), from the points of view of the DNA molecular markers and the morphology. The role of natural hybridization in the variation, origin, and conservation of the above endemics is evaluated.

[eng] Plant reproductive success depends on the effectiveness of the mutualistic interaction and the context in which it occurs. This thesis investigates and quantifies plant fitness with a particular group of animal mutualists, opportunistic vertebrates, in the context of oceanic islands. Compared to mainland systems, oceanic islands are generally characterized by simpler mutualistic networks, largely as a result of depauperate animal faunas. Because of this, plant species are likely to include new, even novel flower–pollinator and fruit-dispersal interactions after island colonization. In the Canary Islands, passerine birds and lacertid lizards are frequent floral visitors and fruit consumers of native flora, but their effectiveness and relative importance in reproductive success has remained almost unknown. In addition, islands are particularly vulnerable to alien species like rats, honeybees, and goats, which are all successful invaders in the Canary Islands. These interact with native plant species and their potential detrimental effects on plant fitness deserve our attention, in order to preserve this endemic flora. Our main goal was to gain further insights into the role of vertebrates in plant reproductive success in the archipelago, and the evolution of the bird pollination syndrome in the Macaronesian islands in general. For this, we selected the endemic plant species Echium simplex and Canarina canariensis, both interacting with native mutualists and alien antagonists. Chapters 1 and 2 assess the breeding system, identify nocturnal and diurnal flower visitors and compare the pollination effectiveness of different animal guilds (vertebrates vs. insects, and diurnal vs. nocturnal insects) along different inflorescence sections in Echium simplex. It is a self-compatible species, but its reproductive success is enhanced by animal pollinators. Bees and beetles were the most common insect visitors, while the African blue tit and the Canarian chiffchaff were the most prevalent vertebrates visiting flowers. Flying diurnal insects increased fruit set whereas small flower dwellers (mostly beetles) decreased both fruit and seed set; by contrast, vertebrates had a negligible effect on reproductive success. We additionally found that plant reproductive structures are heavily damaged by feral goats, which threaten the conservation of this Canarian endemic species. Chapter 3 studies the pollination of Canarina canariensis in remnants of the former thermosclerophyllous woodland, evaluating how two widespread alien invasive species, the honeybee and the black rat, affect its reproductive success. The Canarian chiffchaff was the most frequent visitor in the early flowering season, whereas the honeybee predominated in the flowers during mid and late flowering periods. Birds increased fruit set, whilst insects had a negligible effect. Besides contributing little to plant reproduction, honeybees might interfere with bird pollination by depleting flowers of nectar. Rats consumed about 10% of the flowers and reduced fruit set to one third. Both alien species can threaten C. canariensis reproduction and hence population sustainability in the thermosclerophyllous vegetation. Chapter 4 investigates the relative effectiveness of two vertebrate groups (birds and lizards) at different stages (pollination and seed dispersal) of the reproductive cycle of Canarina canariensis in the thermosclerophyllous habitat. We built three stochastic models (namely ‘pollination’, ‘dispersal’ and ‘pollination + dispersal’) that simulated seedling recruitment. The dispersal stage contributed more than the pollination stage through the recruitment process. Moreover, birds and lizards exhibited a functional complementarity, with birds contributing most in the pollination model and lizards in the dispersal model.
[spa] El éxito reproductivo de las plantas depende de la eficacia de la interacción mutualista y del contexto en el que ocurre. Esta tesis investiga y cuantifica el “fitness” (éxito biológico) de la planta con un grupo particular de animales mutualistas, los vertebrados oportunistas, en un contexto particular, en islas oceánicas. Comparadas con los sistemas continentales, las islas oceánicas generalmente se caracterizan por redes mutualistas más simples, en gran medida como resultado de su fauna depauperada. A consecuencia de esto, las especies de plantas son proclives a incluir nuevas interacciones de flor-polinizador y fruto-dispersor después de su colonización. En las Islas Canarias, las aves paseriformes y los lagartos (F. Lacertidae) son visitantes florales y consumidores de frutos frecuentes de la flora nativa, pero su eficacia e importancia relativa en el éxito reproductivo es casi desconocida. Por otro lado, las islas son particularmente vulnerables a las especies exóticas. Ratas, abejas de la miel y cabras son invasores exitosos en las Canarias que interaccionan con especies nativas de plantas, muchas de ellas endémicas, y cuyos potenciales efectos perjudiciales en el “fitness” de las plantas merece nuestra atención con el fin de preservar esta flora endémica. Con el principal objetivo de aportar más conocimiento en el papel de los vertebrados en el éxito reproductivo de las plantas en el archipiélago canario, y en la evolución del síndrome de polinización por aves en las islas Macaronésicas, seleccionamos los endemismos Echium simplex y Canarina canariensis, ambos interaccionando con mutualistas nativos, y también con antagonistas exóticos. Los capítulos 1 y 2 evalúan el sistema reproductivo, identifican los visitantes florales diurnos y nocturnos, y comparan la eficacia de polinización de diferentes gremios de animales (vertebrados vs insectos, insectos diurnos vs insectos nocturnos) a lo largo de diferentes secciones de la inflorescencia de E. simplex. La planta es auto-compatible, pero su éxito reproductivo es claramente favorecido por animales polinizadores. Las abejas y los escarabajos fueron los insectos visitantes más comunes, mientras que el herrerillo y el mosquitero canarios fueron los vertebrados predominantes. Los insectos voladores diurnos aumentaron el cuajado de frutos, mientras que los pequeños habitantes de las flores (en su mayoría escarabajos) disminuyeron tanto el cuajado de frutos como de semillas; en cambio, los vertebrados tuvieron un efecto insignificante en el éxito reproductivo. Adicionalmente, encontramos que las estructuras reproductivas son considerablemente dañadas por cabras asilvestradas, lo cual amenaza la supervivencia de esta especie endémica canaria El capítulo 3 estudia la polinización de C. canariensis en fragmentos del antiguo bosque termoesclerófilo, evaluando cómo dos especies exóticas invasoras ampliamente distribuidas, la abeja de la miel y la rata, afectan a su éxito reproductivo. El mosquitero canario fue el visitante más frecuente al principio de la temporada de floración, mientras que la abeja de la miel predominó a mitad y al final de la misma. Las aves aumentaron el cuajado de frutos, mientras que los insectos tuvieron un efecto insignificante. Además de contribuir poco a la reproducción de la planta, la abeja de la miel podría interferir con la polinización por las aves al agotar el néctar de las flores. Las ratas consumieron alrededor del 10% de las flores y redujeron el cuajado de frutos a un tercio. Ambas especies exóticas pueden amenazar la reproducción de C. canariensis y, por tanto, el futuro de la sostenibilidad de la población en la vegetación termoesclerófila. El capítulo 4 investiga la eficacia relativa de diferentes gremios de vertebrados (aves vs lagartos) en dos etapas diferentes (polinización y dispersión de semillas) del ciclo reproductivo de C. canariensis en el hábitat termoesclerófilo. Construimos tres modelos estocásticos (específicamente, 'polinización', 'dispersión', y 'polinización + dispersión') que simulaban el reclutamiento de plántulas. La etapa de la dispersión contribuyó en mayor medida que la etapa de la polinización a lo largo del proceso de reclutamiento. Además, aves y lagartos mostraron una complementariedad funcional, contribuyendo más las aves en el modelo de polinización, mientras que los lagartos influyeron más en el modelo de dispersión.
[cat] L'èxit reproductiu de les plantes depèn de l'efectivitat de la interacció mutualista i del context d'aquesta. Aquesta tesi investiga i quantifica la fitness de les plantes amb un determinat grup de mutualistes animals, els vertebrats oportunistes, dins d'un context en particular, les illes oceàniques. En comparació amb els sistemes peninsulars, les illes oceàniques generalment es caracteritzen per xarxes mutualistes més simples, degut en gran mesura a una fauna animal empobrida. Degut a això, és més probable que les espècies de plantes presentin noves interaccions flor–pol·linitzador i dispersió de fruits després de la colonització de l'illa. A les Illes Canàries, els aucells passeriformes i els sargantanes de la familia dels lacèrtids són visitants freqüents de les flors i consumidors de fruits de la flora nativa, però la seva efectivitat i la importància relativa del seu èxit reproductiu són encara desconeguts. D'altra banda, les illes són particularment vulnerables a les espècies alienes. A les Illes Canàries les rates, les abelles de la mel i les cabres són invasors d'èxit que interactuen amb les espècies natives de plantes i els seus efectes detrimentals a la fitness de les plantes mereix la nostra atenció per a preservar aquesta flora endèmica. Amb l'objectiu principal d'aportar una visió més profunda del paper dels vertebrats en l'èxit reproductiu de les plantes de l'arxipèlag, i de l'evolució del síndrome de l'aucell pol·linitzador a les illes Macaronèsiques, hem seleccionat les endèmiques Echium simplex i Canarina canariensis, de cara a la interacció d'ambdues amb els mutualistes natius i els antagonistes aliens. Els capítols 1 i 2 avaluen el sistema reproductiu d’Echium simplex, identificant els visitants nocturns i diürns de les flors i comparen l'efectivitat de la pol·linització dels diferents gremis d'animals (vertebrats vs insectes, i insectes diürns vs nocturns) juntament amb seccions d'inflorescència de la planta. Aquesta espècie és auto- compatible però el seu èxit reproductiu millora amb els pol·linitzadors animals. Les abelles i escarabats varen ser els visitants insectes més comuns, mentre que la mallerenga africana i el mosquiter canari foren els visitants de flors vertebrats més prevalents. Els insectes voladors diürns incrementaren el quallat del fruit, mentre que els habitants de les flors més petites (principalment escarabats) reduïren el quallat del fruit i de les llavors; en contraposició, els vertebrats tingueren un efecte negligible en l'èxit reproductiu. A més, es va confirmar que les cabres ferals fereixen les estructures reproductives de les plantes, la qual cosa amenaça el manteniment d'aquesta espècie endèmica canària El capítol 3 estudia la pol·linització de Canarina canariensis als vestigis del bosc termescleròfil, avaluant com dues espècies invasores alienes esteses, l'abella de mel i la rata negra, afecta al seu èxit reproductiu. El mosquiter canari va ser el visitant més freqüent al inici de l'estació de floració mentre que l'abella de mel va ser predominant durant els mitjans i darrers períodes de floració. Els aucells incrementaren el quallat del fruit mentre que els insectes tingueren un efecte negligible. A més de contribuir poc a la reproducció de les plantes, les abelles de la mel podrien interferir en la pol·linització dels aucells, buidant les flors del seu nèctar. Les rates consumiren devers el 10% de les flores i reduïren el quallat del fruit a una tercera part. Ambdues espècies alienes poden amenaçar la reproducció de C. canariensis i per tant el sosteniment de la població a la vegetació termoescleròfila. El capítol 4 investiga l'efectivitat relativa de grups vertebrats diferents (aucells and sargantanes) a dos nivells diferents (és a dir, pol·linització i dispersió de llavors) del cicle reproductiu de Canarina canariensis a l'hàbitat termoescleròfil. Hem construït tres models estocàstics (principalment els models de 'pol·linització', 'dispersió' i 'pol·linització + dispersió') que simularen el reclutament de plàntules. L'etapa de dispersió va contribuir més que l'etapa de pol·linització en el procés de reclutament. A més, els aucells i les sargantanes exhibiren una complementarietat funcional, amb els aucells contribuint més al model de pol·linització i les sargantanes al de dispersió.

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.
A study was conducted to investigate the effects of various media composition and wounding treating on the in vitro propagation of Argyroderma subalbum and A. testiculare explants derived from mature plants, antioxidants and plant growth regulators (PGR) concentrations. One experiment consisted of 3 medium types including Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium strength, vitamin supplement. Fifteen replicates were used for each treatment. The shoots were then sub-cultured to ten replicate regenerated medium consisting of varying levels and combination of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 10 μM 6-Benzyladenine (BA) supplements. In another experiment consisted of varying levels of auxins with MS medium strength, activated charcoal (AC) and vitamin supplements ten replicates were used for each treatment. Results indicated the positive role of cytokinins types’ 6-Benzyladenine (BA), 2-isopentyladenine (2iP) and Kinetin in inducing callus formation from wounded explants. The highest rate of friable callus formation of wounded explants was observed in media containing vitamin supplementation with BA at 10 μM. Callus formation significantly increased with the addition of vitamins at 10 μM on BA, 2iP and kinetin. With regards to the effects of various media composition and wounding explants on in vitro growth and regeneration of A. subalbum and A. testiculare, significant results were achieved with BA, 2iP and kinetin concentrations on explants discoloration and callus formation. The antioxidant treatment, AC did not reduce explants discoloration, but the induction of the callus was developed furthermore, results showed that IAA with BA concentrations without addition of AC there was significantly difference on both species but A. subalbum dominated with browning intensity (Chapter 3). Only sub-culturing of the explants succeeded in preventing explants discoloration and subsequently increased the number of shoots. The interaction between Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations combined with BA resulted in the most effective technique in reducing explants discoloration at the media contact point. This study provides an insight into the contributing factor and methods of overcoming the major problem of phenolic oxidation and promoting the in vitro growth and regeneration of A. subalbum and A. testiculare.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 14, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

The Great Escarpment forms a semi-continuous mountain system 5 000 km long, stretching from Angola in the north-west, south through Namibia, and into western, southern and eastern South Africa, including Lesotho and Swaziland. It is composed of a wide variety of geological suites but is unified in representing the edge of the African plateau and the passive Gondwanan continental margin. The Great Escarpment falls into all major climatic zones on the subcontinent, is a repository of palaeo- and neo-endemics, hosts more than half of southern Africa‟s centres of plant endemism, and has a rich suite of endemic fauna. In addition, the Great Escarpment is believed to be both a refugium and corridor for biological diversity. Despite the biological richness of the Great Escarpment, research to date has been fragmented and many sections of the Great Escarpment have not been studied. The aim of this study is to contribute to research on the Great Escarpment by undertaking a detailed floristic study of the southern Great Escarpment (the Sneeuberg, Nuweveldberge and Roggeveldberge). Together these mountains comprise approximately 1 000 km (one fifth) of the Great Escarpment, and occupy a transition zone between the summer rainfall zone in the east and the winter rainfall zone in the west. They are also the sections of Great Escarpment most closely situated to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) and would thus be involved in hypothesised migration routes for lineages that also occur further north through the Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) to the East African mountain chain. Detailed fieldwork of the southern Great Escarpment was undertaken over a period of four years in all seasons. Approximately 8 000 specimens were collected. Particular emphasis was placed on areas that may represent refugia, i.e. the highest plateaux and peaks, mesic areas and cliff-lines. An overview of each mountain range, together with their endemic plant species and phytogeography, is provided. Approximately ten new species have been discovered during this study, two of which have been described to date. Numerous endemics only known from their types have also been rediscovered. The Sneeuberg is defined as a new centre of plant endemism on the Great Escarpment (endemism of 2.3%), and the role of the Boschberg and Groot-Bruintjieshoogde (part of the Sneeuberg) as a nexus for floristic migration routes is discussed. The Nuweveldberge is shown to have low endemism despite a floristic tally similar to the Sneeuberg, while the Roggeveldberge are confirmed to be the most endemic-rich section of the southern Great Escarpment. The field data collected was augmented by available data in taxonomic revisions, and floras for the Sneeuberg, Nuweveldberge and Roggeveldberge were compiled. In order to floristically compare the southern Great Escarpment with other sections of the Great Escarpment and the CFR, a database of some 12 000 taxa was created using available floristic data for the CFR, DAC and Great WinterbergAmatolas, together with the data collated for the Sneeuberg, Nuweveldberge and Roggeveldberge. These data were analysed using phenetic methods and Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE). The results indicate stronger linkages in the east, particularly between the Sneeuberg and Nuweveldberge, and between the Sneeuberg and the Great WinterbergAmatolas. The relationship of the Roggeveldberge with the rest of the southern Great Escarpment remains ambiguous. In order to refine notions of connectivity and migration routes, 19 well-sampled phylogenies were assessed for sister-taxon disjunctions to explore CFRGreat Escarpment connections. Palaeo-connectivity between the CFR and southern Great Escarpment is most strongly supported for the south-eastern (SE) connection, and less so for the north-western (NW) and Matjiesfontein connections. There is support for the current (or recent) use of these three connections from numerous species that occur on both sides of the connections. Results of these analyses indicate that the southern Great Escarpment is a palaeo-corridor, the functioning of which has been broken by the aridification of the Nuweveldberge since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Floristic connectivity is strongest in the east, from the Nuweveldberge to the DAC, and is less so in the west between the Nuweveldberge and the Roggeveldberge a finding attributed to the transition from a reliable winter rainfall regime on the Roggeveldberge to an unpredictable moisture regime on the Nuweveldberge. The mountains of the southern Great Escarpment are thus a series of refugia from a previous moister, cooler climate and are a corridor between the eastern and western components of the Great Escarpment. The SE connection is the primary link between the CFR and the eastern Great Escarpment Afromontane region in southern Africa. The implications of this research are that accurate conservation assessments and Red Data listings for many of the previously poorly-known endemics can now be made, and appropriate conservation measures implemented. Climate change remains the primary threat to these endemics and montane taxa in general, while degradation of wetlands is the primary threat to the water catchment service provided by the southern Great Escarpment. Future detailed research on the Great WinterbergAmatolas and Stormberg and a comprehensive flora of the HantamRoggeveldberge will further enhance our understanding of the floristics of the southern Great Escarpment, and provide the necessary data for comprehensive GIS-based models of proposed climate change scenarios for local, regional and national conservation planning.

Modern information systems strive to provide effective use of resources. Supplied with analysis tools, geographical information systems (GIS) can serve its stakeholders with minimal requirements. In this study, GIS capabilities were employed for Turkish Flora. Data related with the threatened plants that are indigenous to Turkey were gathered from the relevant literature and reshaped into a dataset in which spatial locations were represented in a geographically referenced format. Afterwards, this output was used to investigate the affects of different factors on the distribution patterns of these plants by means of functions of GIS and multivariate analysis. At last, overlay analysis was employed in order to reveal the congruence between official protection reserves, spatial locations of the plants in danger and areas of importance for other elements of wildlife specifically birds. Outcomes of the study is three-fold. First of all, a simple algorithm was established which can be used in the formation of a unified database of widely distributed floristic data in Turkey. Geographically referenced data and the analysis results produced in the study is another value added for Turkish botanics. From another perspective, effectiveness of GIS in handling different types of non-standard data were scrutinized. Overlay analysis of locations of the plants and the protection reserves constituted the managerial aspect of the study by pointing large gaps in the actual protection coverage and proposing candidate regions for official reserve choices of the future. In essence, GIS was deemed to be an effective tool for parties working on non-standard spatial data.

[Truncated abstract] Fire ephemerals are pioneer species that germinate in large numbers after fire and generally live for between six months and four years. Seeds produced during the short life span of these plants persist in the soil seedbank until a subsequent fire. This study examined the dormancy characteristics and germination requirements of ten Australian fire ephemeral species from five families. Seeds of four species germinated at one or more incubation temperatures in the laboratory, indicating that a proportion of their seedlots were non-dormant at the time of testing. Austrostipa compressa and Austrostipa macalpinei (Poaceae) produced >80% germination at 10?C and Alyogyne hakeifolia and Alyogyne huegelii (Malvaceae) produced 30-40% and 35-50% germination respectively at 10 to 25°C. In each of the Alyogyne species approximately 50% of seeds were impermeable to water, but scarification did not enable germination of all viable seeds suggesting that seeds which did not germinate, may have possessed physiological dormancy as well as physical dormancy. Remaining species had water permeable seeds. ... Germination of both Alyogyne species declined after six months of winter burial but was enhanced by heat treatments after a further six months of summer burial. Actinotus leucocephalus and Tersonia cyathiflora seeds exhibited annual dormancy cycling over two years of burial. Dormancy was alleviated over summer, allowing seeds of both species to germinate in smoke water when seeds were exhumed in autumn, and reimposed over winter, suppressing germination in spring. In Actinotus leucocephalus these dormancy changes were induced in the laboratory by warm (≥15°C) and cold (5°C) temperatures, alleviating and re-imposing dormancy, respectively. Wetting and drying seeds stored at 37°C further accelerated the rate of dormancy release. This dormancy cycling would increase the likelihood of seeds germinating when moisture availability in south-western Australia is greatest for seedling survival. It also explains the variation in germination response to smoke water observed in many species. Thus under natural conditions dormancy levels of fire ephemerals were altered during soil storage which enabled them to respond to fire-related cues such as heat and smoke water, and germinate in autumn. This information will assist in the use of these species in land rehabilitation and ornamental horticulture, and in the conservation of rare or endangered fire ephemerals.

Shale barrens are unique habitats located throughout the southern Appalachians. They are characterized by a south or south west aspect, a steep slope, and an exposed rocky surface (Platt, 1951). They have a high total irradiance and can experience temperatures higher than the surrounding deciduous forest. A variety of plant species, several of which are rare or endangered, are endemic to the shale barren habitat. One reason proposed fc)r their endemism is that the plants are obligate heliophyt:es (Keener, 1983). The purpose of this dissertation is tel examine the acclimation ability of the shale barren endemic Eriogonum alIeni to shade and high temperature.
Ph. D.

Oldenburgia grandis is a rare, long-lived woody paleoendemic of the Fynbos Biome of South Africa. Confined to quartzite outcrops, it has a small geographic range and narrow habitat specificity. O. grandis responds to its fire-prone environment by resprouting. Elasticity analysis of O. grandis reveals that growth and fecundity were traded off for persistence of adult, mature and sapling stages. Morphological adaptations such as a corky fire-resistant bark and the ability to resprout after fire are traits that O. grandis have evolved to persist in a frequently disturbed environment. Population growth rate for sites undisturbed by fire for a number of years (l = 1.01) and sites at various stages of recovery after fire (l = 1.00) were very similar. The highest variation in transition probabilities for all sites was seen in the persistence of the seedling stage and growth from seedling to sapling. Observed population structure and stable stage distribution determined by the matrix model show that sites recently undisturbed by fire had high abundances of the adult and sapling stages. A peak in sapling stages was seen for the stable stage distribution where similar peak in sapling numbers were seen for population structures of sites at various stages of recoveryafter fire. Favourable environmental conditions for the persistence of O. grandis populations include no fire with transition probabilities between the observed minimum and maximum and fire frequency at a 10 year interval where seedling protection from the fire is high and adult and mature mortalities during the fire are low. Stochastic environmental events that could put populations (particularly small populations) at an increased risk of extinction include high to moderate fire intensities where seedling protection from the fire is low and adult and mature mortalities are high as a result of the fire.

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Levantamentos florísticos realizados nos “Campos Gerais” (Paraná, Brasil) indicam que Fabaceae é uma das famílias com maior riqueza e abundância da região. Esses estudos também apontam a elevada diversidade e endemismo de Mimosa spp. Nosso estudo relata a diversidade de rizóbios isolados de nódulos radiculares de plantas nativas de Mimosa gymnas Barneby. Vinte e nove estirpes foram obtidas de M. gymnast nodulíferas em três áreas do Parque Estadual do Guartelá, uma das mais importantes unidades de conservação dos Campos Gerais; os solos dessas áreas foram caracterizados como arenosos, ácidos, pobre em nutrientes e matéria orgânica e com elevados teores de alumínio. A árvore filogenética construída com sequencias parciais do gene 16S rDNA agrupou as estirpes em um grande clado sendo que algumas estipes foram mais relacionados com a espécie Paraburkholderia nodosa enquanto outras foram mais relacionadas com P. bannensi. A análise de perfil genômico baseada em BOX-PCR revelou um elevado grau de variabilidade intraespecífica entre os isolados. Resultados baseados na filogenia de sequencias concatenadas dos genes recA-gyrB dividiram os isolados em dois grandes grupos. O clado II não agrupou nenhuma estirpe tipo e os isolados apresentaram uma identidade nucleotídica de no máximo 97% com P. nodosa. A filogenia do gene nodC agrupou todos os isolados em um grupo único com elevado suporte estatístico, não agrupando com a sequencia correspondente de nenhuma estirpe tipo do gênero Paraburkholderia. Nossos resultados reforçam a constatação de que rizóbios do gênero Paraburkholderia são os preferenciais simbiontes de Mimosa na América do Sul e a associação de estirpes nodulíferas do gênero com condições edáficas particulares. Ainda, os resultados das análises filogenéticas sugerem que os isolados agrupados no clado II na árvore filogenética dos genes recA-gyrB podem representar uma nova espécie de Paraburkholderia, reinterando a importância de estudos de diversidade com plantas leguminosas nativas e endêmicas. .
Floristic surveys performed in the “Campos Gerais” (Paraná, Brazil) indicate that Fabaceae is one of the most species-rich and abundant families. These studies also pointed out the high diversity and endemism of Mimosa spp. Our study report the diversity of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of native Mimosa gymnas Barneby. Twenty-nine strains were obtained from from nodulating M. gymnas in three areas of Guartelá State Park, one of the most important conservation unities of the “Campos Gerais”; soils of these areas were characterized as sandy, acid, poor in nutrients and organic matter and with high aluminum contents. The phylogenetic tree constructed with partial 16S rDNA sequences grouped the strains in a larger cluster and some strains were more related with Paraburkholderia nodosa, although some strains were more related to P. bannensi. The analysis of the genomic profile by BOX-PCR revelead a high degree of intraspecific variability among the isolates. Results based on phylogeny of concatened genes recA-gyrB divided the strains in two large clusters. The cluster II didn’t grouped with any type strain and the isolates showed a nucleotide identity of 16S rDNA of at most 97% with P. nodosa. The nodC phylogeny grouped all the strains into a well-supported clade, not grouping with any know strain of Paraburkholderia genus. Our results support that Paraburkholderia are the main symbionts of Mimosa in South America and the association of nodulating strains of this genera with particular edaphic conditions. Also, the results of the phylogenetic analysis suggest that the isolates grouped in cluster II in the recA-gyrB phylogenetic tree may represent a new species of Paraburkolderia, highlighting the importance of diversity studies with native and endemic leguminous plants.

Looking at the use of plants as food reflects how humankind has fashioned nature. There has been a significant change in production patterns from hunter-gathering through subsistence agriculture to technologically advanced commercial agriculture with a subsequent reduction in the diversity of plants used as food. A parallel trend in consumption patterns has occurred, from home-based food processing for subsistence through small- scale production to large-scale industrial processing and the commodification of food. The overall result of such trends is a narrowing of the food resource base and an increasing reliance on processed foods at the expense of traditional diets, accompanied by increasing diet-related health risks. This research is an ethnographic case study on the use of indigenous food plants by the community of Tuku A village in the Eastern Cape using interviews and observations as the main data collecting strategies. A nutritional analysis of some wild food plants was also carried out. An inventory of more than 70 food plant species was compiled, with the knowledge of such plants found among both the elderly and the youth. The incorporation of this knowledge into education systems is recommended. Of the wild food plants documented, some were non-indigenous indicating the dynamic nature of indigenous knowledge. Some wild spinach were left to grow amongst cultivated food plants, hinting at some form of ‘domestication’ in process. This observation together with the observation that wild fruit trees were selectively conserved highlights the possibility of the continued use of wild food contributing to conservation of botanical diversity. Community use of indigenous food was found to be diminishing. Stigmatisation of indigenous food plants, urbanisation, formal education, changes in lifestyle, and media were some of the factors possibly influencing this dietary shift. The community made links between diet and health, which correspond to modern scientific knowledge, with modern diet being lamented for ill health. The nutritional analysis revealed that wild food plants do contain essential dietary nutrients, an area recommended for further research.

Hygrophila polysperma is a plant native to Asia that has been introduced into the Comal River, TX and is thriving while Ludwigia repens, a species native to the river appears to be declining. Both plants have similar morphologies and occupy similar habitats in the river. Two plant competition experiments were conducted to examine the competitive interactions between the two species. First, an experimental design was developed in which established Ludwigia plants were 'invaded' by sprigs of Hygrophila to determine if established Ludwigia populations would be negatively impacted by invasion. The second experiment focused on establishment and growth of sprigs of each species under three competition scenarios. Results show that the continued growth of well-established Ludwigia plants was significantly depressed by the invasion of Hygrophila in comparison with those that had not been invaded. Furthermore, the growth of Hygrophila sprigs was uninhibited by the presence of Ludwigia, but the presence of Hygrophila negatively impacted the growth of Ludwigia sprigs. There was no difference in the growth of Hygrophila sprigs whether planted alone, with Ludwigia sprigs or even if planted into stands of established Ludwigia.

Thesis (MScMedSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Athrixia phylicoides is an aromatic, indigenous shrub with high antioxidant content and numerous indigenous medicinal properties inferred by ingestion of an herbal brew of the plant. Commercialization of “bush tea” (derived from A. phylicoides) holds economic and developmental potential for indigenous communities provided the safety and efficacy of the herbal tea is established. Recently A. phylicoides has been shown by McGaw et al. (2007) to have similar antioxidant activity to Rooibos tea, and a unique, new flavonol (i.e. a polyphenolic antioxidant plant metabolite) 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3′,4′,5′-hexamethoxyflavon-3-ol, unique to A. phylicoides, was isolated by Mashimbye et al. in 2006. With changes in the socio-economic climate and a new trend in merging Western lifestyle with traditional practices, new interest has been shown in herbal/natural remedies. Study Aim: The aim of this study was to firstly, determine the in vitro effect of A. phylicoides aqueous extract on glucose metabolism in cell lines that mimic the three key organs implicated in glucose homeostasis. Secondly, the study aimed to determine the potential ex vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of the extract in pancreatic β-cells and peripheral mononuclear cells respectively. Methods: Leaves and fine twigs of A. phylicoides were processed into an aqueous extract. C2C12, Chang and 3T3-L1 cells were cultured under standard conditions and acutely exposed to increasing concentrations of extract and water vehicle, as well as 1 μM insulin and metformin as positive controls. Glucose uptake from 8 mM glucose culture media was determined using a fluorimetric oxidase method. Radioactive 14C-glucose oxidation to 14CO2 and determination of glycogen content of cells were used to assess the fate of intracellular glucose. RT-PCR was used to assess the extract effect on insulin-signalling gene expression. The antioxidative effect of A. phylicoides extract in pancreatic β-cells isolated from Wistar rats was determined by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production in response to hyperglycemic conditions. NO was labelled with diaminofluorocein diacetate and fluorescence was measured using flow cytometry. Insulin secretion of pancreatic β- cells was measured using radio-immuno assay. The anti-oxidative effect of the extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells isolated from Wistar rats was determined by measuring the production of TNF-α using an ELISA kit. Results: C2C12 myocytes showed maximal increased glucose uptake at the 0.05 μg/μl extract concentration (228.3% ± 66.2, p<0.001). In Chang cells, A. phylicoides extract maximally increased the amount of glucose taken up at the 0.05 μg/μl concentration (134.5% ± 2.5, p<0.05). In 3T3-L1 cells, the extract maximally increased the amount of glucose taken up at the 0.025 μg/μl concentration (143.5% ± 10.3, p<0.001). An extract-induced increase in insulin receptor and glucose transporter four expression was seen in C2C12 myocytes. The oxidation of 14C-glucose to 14CO2 by C2C12 myocytes was maximally increased following acute exposure to the extract at 0.1 μg/μl (2919.3 fmol/1x10^6 cells ± 428, p<0.01). The oxidation of 14C-glucose to 14CO2 by Chang cells was maximally increased following acute exposure to extract at 0.1 μg/μl (4476.7 fmol/1x10^6 cells ± 1620, p<0.05); as seen in the C2C12 cells. A. phylicoides extract increased glycogen storage at all three concentrations tested in Chang cells, but maximally at the 0.025 μg/μl concentration (13.6 μg/1x10^6 cells ± 0.7, p<0.05). A. phylicoides extract did not have any measurable effect on the oxidative status of β-cells or the anti-inflammatory status of peripheral mononuclear cells. The extract did show an increase in first phase insulin secretion of β-cells in hyperglycemic conditions, although it was not significant. Conclusion: Athrixia phylicoides aqueous extract stimulates in vitro glucose uptake and metabolism in an insulin-mimetic manner, suggesting that this extract could potentially be beneficial to type two diabetics as an adjunct therapy.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Athrixia phylicoides is 'n aromatiese, inheemse struik met 'n hoë antioksidant inhoud. Vele tradisionele medisinale eienskappe is gekoppel aan die ingestie van 'n kruie brousel van die plant, wat ook bekend as “bostee” is. Kommersialisering van “bostee” hou ekonomiese en ontwikkelings potensiaal in vir inheemse gemeenskappe mits die veiligheid en effektiwiteit van die kruietee bevestig kan word. McGaw et al. (2007) het onlangs bevind dat A. phylicoides se antioksidant aktiwiteit vergelykbaar is met die van rooibostee. 'n Unieke nuwe flavonol ('n polifenoliese antioksidant plant metaboliet) 5-hydroksie-6,7,8,3′,4′,5′-hexamethoksieflavon-3-ol, eie aan A. phylicoides, is deur Mashimbye et al. in 2006 geïsoleer. Met veranderings in die sosio-ekonomiese klimaat en 'n nuwe tendens om die westerse lewenstyl met tradisionele gebruike aan te vul word nuwe belangstelling in kruie/natuurlike rate ondervind. Studie Doelwitte: Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was eerstens om die in vitro effek van A. phylicoides waterekstrak op die glukosemetabolisme van drie sellyne wat die sleutel organe naboots wat glukosehomeostase beheer, te bepaal. Tweedens, is die potensiële ex vivo antioksidant en anti-inflammatoriese effek van die ekstrak op pankreatiese β-selle en perifere mononuklêere-selle onderskeidelik ondersoek. Metodes: n Waterige ekstrak is van die blare en fyn takkies van A. phylicoides berei. C2C12, Chang and 3T3-L1 selle is gekultuur onder standaard kondisies en akuut blootgestel aan stygende ekstrakkonsentrasies. Water het as kontrole gedien, met 1 μM insulien en metformien as positiewe kontroles. Glukose opname vanuit 8 mM glukose kultuurmedia is bepaal deur 'n fluorimetriese oksidase metode. Radioaktiewe 14C-glukose-oksidasie na 14CO2 en die bepaling van die glukogeen inhoud van selle is gebruik om die lot van intrasellulêre glukose te bepaal. RT-PKR is gebruik om die effek van die ekstrak op die insulien-seinpad geen-uitdrukking te ondersoek. Die antioksidant effek van A. phylicoides ekstrak in pankreatiese β-selle geïsoleer van Wistar rotte, is bepaal deur stikstofoksied (NO) produksie na aanleiding van hiperglukemiese kondisies. NO is met diaminofluorosien diasetaat gemerk en die fluoresensie gemeet deur vloeisitometrie. Insulien afskeiding deur die pankreatiese β-selle is deur radio-immuno metode bepaal. Die anti-oksidatiewe effek van die ekstrak op lipopolisakkaried-gestimuleerde perifere mononuklêere-selle afkomstig van Wistar rotte is bepaal deur die meting van TNF-α produksie met 'n ELISA kit. Resultate: C2C12 miosiete het 'n maksimale toename in glukoseopname by 'n 0.05 μg/μl ekstrakkonsentrasie (228.3% ± 66.2, p<0.001) gehad. Dieselfde ekstrakkonsentrasie het maksimale toename in glukoseopname in Chang selle (134.5% ± 2.5, p<0.05 getoon. In 3T3-L1 selle is maksimale toename in die glukoseopname by 'n konsentrasie van 0.025 μg/μl (143.5% ± 10.3, p<0.001) bereik. 'n Ekstrak-geinduseerde verhoging in die insulienreseptor en glukosetransporter vier ekspressie is in C2C12 miosiete waargeneem. Die oksidasie van 14C-glukose na 14CO2 deur C2C12 miosiete is maksimaal verhoog deur akute blootstelling aan die ekstrak by 'n konsentrasie van 0.1 μg/μl (2919.3 fmol/1x10^6 cells ± 428, p<0.01). Die oksidasie van 14C-glukose na 14CO2 deur Chang selle was maksimaal verhoog deur akute blootstelling aan die ekstrak by 'n konsentrasie van 0.1 μg/μl (4476.7 fmol/1x10^6 cells ± 1620, p<0.05) soos gevind in die C2C12 selle. Die ekstrak het glukogeenstoring verhoog teen al drie die konsentrasies waarteen getoets is in Chang selle, maar 'n maksimale effek is gevind by 'n konsentrasie van 0.025 (13.6 μg/1x10^6 cells ± 0.7, p<0.05). A. phylicoides ekstrak het nie 'n meetbare effek op die oksidatiewe status van β-selle of die anti-inflammatoriese status van perifere mononuklêere-selle gehad nie. Die ekstrak het wel 'n verhoging in die eerstefase insuliensekresie van β-selle in hyperglukemiese kondisies gehad, alhoewel die verhoging nie statisties betekenisvol was nie. Afleiding: Athrixia phylicoides waterekstrak stimuleer in vitro glukoseopname en metabolisme in 'n insulin-mimetiese manier, wat beteken dat die ekstrak potensiëel voordele vir tipe twee diabete kan inhou as aanvullingsterapie.

In Africa, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus have been generally neglected. This problem has worsened over the years owing to continuous threats from infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Despite this, statistics have shown that by 2030, the African region will have the highest proportional increase in diabetes prevalence. Over 80% of all diabetic deaths occur in developing countries probably not only due to poor equity of access to medication but also due to limited efficacy and side effects associated with the commonly available anti-diabetic agents. Therefore, this creates the desperate need for the development of new anti-diabetic agents that are more efficacious and can be sourced from within the continent. With oxidative stress as a suggested mechanism underlying the cause of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications, the discovery of natural anti-oxidants that prevent free radical mediated damage is important for developing new treatment strategies. Marine algae have been identified as good sources for natural anti-oxidants. Unfortunately, very few studies have embarked on the discovery of marine-derived anti-oxidant compounds with potential anti-diabetic activity. In this project, we investigated the potential anti-oxidant activity of the South African endemic algae Stypopodium multipartitum, Dictyopterus ligulata, Cystophora fibriosa, Bifurcariopsis capensis, Sargassum sp. and Sargassum heterophyllum. From these studies, Sargassum heterophyllum yielded prenylated compounds, the main compound being sargahydroquinoic acid (3.6) and the carotenoid metabolite fucoxanthin (3.8), which are in part responsible for the radical scavenging activity of the crude extract. Sargahydroquinoic acid (3.6) and fucoxanthin (3.8) also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. Sargaquinoic acid (3.1), sargachromenoic acid (3.9) and sarganaphthoquinoic acid (3.10) were then semi-synthesized from sargahydroquinoic acid (3.6) and their in-vitro cytotoxicity profiles evaluated using Chang Liver, HT-29, Caco-2 and 3T3-L1 cell lines prior to antidiabetic testing. From the semi-synthetic derivatives, sargachromenoic acid (3.9) exhibited the most potent anti-oxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 6.99 μg/mL). After the evaluation of antidiabetic activity using 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation, sarganaphthoquinoic acid (3.10) showed the most potent insulinomimetic activity at 1.19 μM by inducing a PPARγ response similar to that of rosiglitazone at 1 μM.

Analysis of the flora of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism (PCE) recorded 2253 species in the combined checklist of four sites (Port St. Johns, Mkambati, Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge). Of these 1 % species are endemic to Pondoland, representing 8.7% of the Species, 15% of the genera and 26% of the families of the combined flora. Forty-four percent ofthe combined flora was only recorded from one locality (between 17% and 26% of each flora) and only 12% of the flora was present in all four localities. Of the endemics only sixteen (8%) occurred in all four sites thus each site had its own complement of unique endemics and 21 % endemics were not recorded from any of the four sites. At species level the floras of Mkambati and Umtamvuna were the most similar, followed by that of Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge. Port St Johns had the least in common with any of the othersites, but more in common with non-neighbours Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge than with its nearest neighbour Mkambati. Mkambati and Umtamvuna had the largest proportion of PCE endemics and Port St Johns had the lowest. The four sites are quite similar at family level, sharing thirteen families in the top ten family list between them, but much less similar at generic level.

This thesis investigates opportunities, challenges and limitations for plant ecological research in the context of Mediterranean cliffs. In particular, chasmophytic species, whose natural habitats are very steep, limestone mountain slopes in the proximity of the sea, in the Central and Western part of the Mediterranean area are considered as study objects. Studies were carried out in the coastal mountain belts of both North-western Sicily and Dianic coasts in the Valencian Community (Spain). The first chapter, entitled “The complexity of environmental factors: cliff microclimate”, investigates the variability of cliff microclimate in three different areas in Sicily and Spain, analysing the environmental conditions created by the cliff at very fine scale. Six independent and comparable datasets including the main meteorological variables were compiled in a total period of 18 months. The resulting spectra of environmental conditions are compared pairwise along two key environmental gradients: North/South cliff orientation and proximity to the sea. Intraspecific leaf traits are used in order to investigate variations in the functional response of plants living on opposite orientations. The resulting variation is then correlated with the influence of microclimatic conditions created by slope and functional aspects of the aforementioned plant traits. The second chapter, entitled “Compositional data and analyses of areas and plant communities in the coastal cliffs of the Valencian Community (Spain)”, presents an ordination of the study sites and of the plant species inhabiting the cliff zones of the mountain belt along the coasts of the Dianic region in Eastern Spain. The study revealed significant correlations between the vegetation units and the sites with reference to the broad North/South geographical orientation. However, it was poorly informative in respect to reveal the major differences observed in the structure of the plant assemblage related to the micro- topographic variations recorded in the dataset. In the third chapter, entitled “UAV (drone) surveys for the study of plant- microtopography relationships and for the conservation of rare species”, a proposed survey methodology for investigating inaccessible vertical environments is described. Challenges and opportunities of plant ecological research in these typically inaccessible areas were also analysed. A first set of data is comprised of partial and total visual census of two narrow endemic cliff species in the Spanish and Italian study areas. Through the use of aerial close- range photogrammetry and 3D modelling, it was possible to study the effects of micro- topography on niche segregation, both at community and species level. Ordination methods were used to correlate selected endemic species and entire plant assemblages to environmental factors such as local and global aspect, slope and distance from cliff edges. The fourth chapter, entitled “Distribution, ecology, conservation status and phylogeography of Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia, a paleo-endemic chasmophytic species from Sicily (Italy)”, is addressed to analyse in details the phylogeographic structure of a cliff narrow endemic species, Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia (VAHL) DEVESA (Caprifoliaceae, subfamily Dipsacaceae), also taking in consideration its closest sister taxa. Furthermore, its total distribution was determined by field surveys, characterizing its habitat, and assessing its conservation status as Vulnerable according to IUCN red list guidelines.

Conservation strategies are mainly focused on species existing in an environment shaped by natural and anthropogenic pressures. Yet, evidence shows that climate is changing faster than ever and expected to continue to change in the near future, which can be devastating for plants with restricted ranges. Turkey harbors many endemic species that might be affected from these changes. However, available data is scarce and biased, complicating the anticipation of future changes. Aim of this study is to improve our understanding of endemic species distributions and forecasting effects of climate change via species distribution modelling (SDM). The study is based on two Anatolian (Crocus ancyrensis and Crataegus tanacetifolia) and two Ankara (Salvia aytachii and Centaurea tchihatcheffii) endemics. Independent presence and absence data (ranging between 19-68 and 38-61, respectively) for each species was collected through fieldwork in and around the Upper Sakarya Basin in 2008 and 2009. With the software Maxent, SDMs were performed by using 8 least correlated environmental features and random presence records (of which 25% were used for confusion matrix). SDMs for current distributions of C. ancyrensis, C. tchihatcheffii and C. tanacetifolia were reliable enough for future extrapolations despite errors originating from scale, non-equilibrium status and biotic interactions, respectively. The model for S. aytachii failed due to absence of limiting factor (soil type) in the model. Future projections of those three species modelled using CCCMA-CGCM2 and HADCM3 climate models indicated three possible responses to climate change: (1) Extinction, especially for habitat specialists
(2) Range expansion, especially for generalist species
and (3) Range contradiction, especially for Euro-Siberian mountainous species. Species modelling can be used to understand possible responses of plant species to climate change in Turkey. Modelling techniques should to be improved, however, especially by integrating other parameters such as biotic interactions and through a better understanding of uncertainties.

This creative project inspected the design of water conserving landscapes by restoring native vegetation. Water conserving design principles discovered in the background research were applied to the redesign of the Old Fort Boise Park in Parma, Idaho. Important issues that were explored included discussing the need for water conserving landscape designs that result in functional spaces that meet the needs of intended users. The main focus of water conservation was implemented by using native plants that typically require less water than non-native species. The project developed a park master plan that could demonstrate to Idaho residents that native plants, when carefully sited, result in lower maintenance, aesthetically pleasing visual qualities, environmentally sensitive performances and could be integrated into landscapes on private or public properties. Rather than viewing the Idaho native plants as unattractive and dull, this project explored the idea that under cultivation and as part of the site character a carefully designed water conserving naturalized landscape has a beauty unsurpassed by traditional landscapes. The park redesign also employed educational and interpretive systems wherein native plants were highlighted and identified. These educational and interpretive systems could assist park users, especially local residents, in familiarizing themselves with many of the beautiful native species that are common in the surrounding deserts, prairies, hills and mountains. The creative project examined one particular site, while it developed principles and concepts applicable to other sites throughout the Great Basin Region.
Department of Landscape Architecture

PhD
Thesis (PhD (Botany and Zoology))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
An intriguing biogeographic area that lies in northwestern Namibia and southwest Angola is known for having numerous endemic taxa. It had, however remained vaguely defined because of the complex flora, the arid environment and confusing and inconsistent use of biogeographic terminology. This thesis redefined the area as a centre of endemism based on recurrent patterns of plant distributions by shared species. The end result is a well-defined entity with regard to, not only geographic boundaries and floristic elements, but also to its history and floristic relationships. A vast amount of information on the plants of the area, their affinities and their distributions is required for a study of this nature and this was undertaken through literature surveys and field work. All the relevant information on Namibia and the southwestern Angolan flora, i.e. the region and the study area, were incorporated into a database which formed the bases for numerical analysis and GIS studies. The database also brought together a wide range of information from literature sources that included facts and theories about the past and present physical environment. The structure of the database permitted querying this electronic data in many different ways. To accommodate the wide variety of subjects in a logical way, the thesis was divided into two sections. Section A concentrated on the region and provided background information and context. The theory, terminology and phytogeographic studies in the region were evaluated as a first step. A large amount and variety of palaeo-environmental and palaeo-ecological information, pertinent to the region was incorporated. Secondly the flora was assessed. Besides the diversity, distribution patterns of the plants within and outside the region, including disjunct distributions, phylogenies were assessment. Finally taxa with similar geographic ranges were grouped. These entities were mapped and both the taxa and their environments were evaluated Section B focused on the core area, namely the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, which was delimited by numerical techniques, and then investigated further with regard to its floristic components, relationships and origins. The flora and endemic components are described in detail. The result is a well-defined centre of endemism which comprises one endemic family, 10 endemic genera and nearly 300 endemic species. The flora of the Centre includes about 1600 species in nearly 550 genera in 130 families. Three floristic Groups, identified in section A, that have a remarkable number of endemics are found in the Centre. Historical explanations for the distribution patterns were suggested and the Group that includes Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f., has been shown to be linked to the Arid Corridor. The demand for accurate knowledge about biodiversity has been highlighted by the Convention of Biological Diversity and there are a remarkable number of users with different requirements today. This study provides a much needed alternate look at the plants of the region, as well as a summation of the principle phytogeographic elements of the Namibian flora. It also includes a new phytogeographic classification and map of the floristic Groups of Namibia, which will contribute to defining floristic areas in the region.

A new sampling method that decouples spatial and environmental correlations was developed and applied to a temperate forest understory. Data were used to contrast niche theory with neutral theory, and only showed support for niche theory. A spatial and environmental partitioning analysis indicated that the effects of dispersal are primarily important within the spatial extent of environments suitable for a given species. The same sampling data were used to test correlates of non-native species invasion at a species level and as a group. The distributions of non-native plant species are also better explained by the niche model; however, non-native species do not appear to negatively impact native species, nor to be negatively impacted by native species. Together, these results suggest that the forest understory is strongly niche-structured, but likely not saturated. Diversity in this forest appears to be primarily determined by regional processes, and only secondarily by local species interactions.

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas
Os primeiros medicamentos que surgiram tinham como base os conhecimentos etnobotânicos das populações, ou seja, as populações conheciam as plantas locais e as suas aplicações para o tratamento e prevenção das patologias. Com o presente trabalho procura-se descrever os princípios ativos presentes nas plantas e descrever a aplicação medicinal de plantas endémicas portuguesas. No desenvolvimento do trabalho verificou-se que em Portugal existe uma base de dados online onde é possível consultar todas as plantas endémicas e a região onde se encontram, porém as suas aplicações não se encontram descritas. O estudo das plantas medicinais no nosso país baseia-se, essencialmente, nos estudos etnobotânicos desenvolvidos pelos investigadores nas diferentes regiões. No entanto, os estudos fitoquímicos e farmacoterapêuticos desenvolvidos em plantas endémicas são, ainda, escassos. Pela análise dos estudos etnobotânicos analisados verificou-se que a grande parte das plantas apresentam propriedades que têm efeitos no tratamento de doenças do sistema gastrointestinal, seguidas das que atuam ao nível da pele e por fim com efeito no sistema renal e hepático. Pela análise dos estudos fitoquímicos analisados verificou-se que a grande maioria das plantas descritas apresentam compostos com propriedades antioxidantes, antibacterianas e antifúngicas. Algumas plantas também já começam a ser aplicadas no tratamento e prevenção de patologias neurodegenerativas.
The first medicines that emerged were based on the ethnobotanical knowledge of populations i. e., people used the local plants for the treatment and prevention of diseases. The present work seeks to describe the active substances present in plants and describe the medicinal application of Portuguese endemic plant species. In developing this work we found that in Portugal there exists an online database where it is possible see all the endemic plant species and their distribution. The study of medicinal plants in Portugal is based primarily on ethnobotanical studies carried out by researchers in the different regions. Phytochemical and pharmacotherapeutic studies developed in Portugal with endemic plant species are still scarce. The existing studies revealed that a large part of the endemic Portuguese plants exhibit components that have a positive impact in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal system, beneficial effects on the skin and renal and hepatic systems. The phytochemical studies of endemic Portuguese plants also revealed that the vast majority of plants studied have compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Certain plants are also starting to be applied in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

The most recent surveys in South Africa estimate that invasions are still increasing, despite substantial clearing efforts. Riparian systems in South Africa are particularly vulnerable to invasion by woody IAPs. This thesis addresses the restoration of alien‐invaded riparian systems, by investigating the factors that facilitate or constrain spontaneous recovery and influence the trajectories of succession. These factors include invasion history and management history, especially the use of fire. A seedling emergence approach was used to test the presence of a viable pre‐fire seedbank, and the effect of fire on the seed bank. The efficacy of some active restoration interventions was also tested, with the aim to return invasion‐resistant, indigenous vegetation with a structure and function representative of uninvaded sites. The findings of this study indicated the presence of a viable and persistent riparian soil seed bank, even after 30 years of intermtittent invasion as well as two fire cycles under invasion. It shows that the management practice of fell‐and‐burn resulted in high soil temperatures, and that this reduced the indigenous soil seed bank density, especially in the upper soil layer. Clear germination sequences and patterns of emergence over time for different species were observed during this study, with many species exhibiting delayed emergence relative to the timing of the fire event. It is proposed that manipulation of the season of fire could be used to selectively optimise the order of arrival and therefore superior recruitment of some species over others in the Eastern Cape fynbos, and thus alter the trajectories of recovery of vegetation towards a more desired state. Active restoration in the form of indigenous seed and plant additions resulted in a significantly higher indigenous cover after seven months, compared to a control (passive restoration) or restoring with grass. Indigenous cover and composition was also strongly influenced by lateral zonation, and some key guilds and species were missing or present in much lower densities compared to reference sites. Grass restoration significantly suppressed the regeneration of A. longifolia, as well as the regeneration of indigenous species. Biotic resistance can thus be achieved through restoration, and it could be a powerful tool in the management of IAPs, although the deliberate introduction of grass after clearing in fynbos also reduces biodiversity and could have unforeseen consequences to riparian function.

[ES] La sequía y la salinidad son los factores ambientales que más afectan a las plantas, aunque en general, las plantas mediterráneas están bien adaptadas a las condiciones adversas. Las previsiones estiman que debido al calentamiento global las condiciones ambientales se volverán más estresantes, especialmente en las zonas semi-áridas y áridas como muchas áreas de la Península Ibérica. Estas condiciones pueden afectar a la presencia de muchas especies silvestres, en especial, de las que ya de por si están amenazadas, son raras o endémicas. Tanto la sequía como el estrés salino provocan la activación de una serie de mecanismos de defensa o respuesta de las plantas, que incluyen entre otros, el control del transporte iónico, la acumulación de solutos compatibles u osmolitos, y la activación de sistemas antioxidantes. Para contribuir a la conservación y/o reintroducción de las especies de interés en hábitats prioritarios se ha realizado un estudio multidisciplinar abarcando los parámetros que pueden afectar sus poblaciones, como el clima, el suelo, y la vegetación acompañante, junto a estudios comparativos sobre las respuestas a la sequía y a la salinidad. Para entender mejor los mecanismos de tolerancia se han incluido en el estudio además de los taxones de interés conservacionista, especies relacionadas genéticamente con diferentes niveles de tolerancia. El estudio presenta dos objetivos principales: i) establecer la tolerancia relativa al estrés hídrico y salino de las especies en base a su distribución en la naturaleza y en los análisis realizados en campo y, en función de la inhibición relativa de su crecimiento bajo condiciones provocadas de estrés; y, ii) evaluar los cambios bioquímicos inducidos por el estrés analizando diferentes mecanismos de respuesta (inhibición de la fotosíntesis, transporte iónico, acumulación de osmolitos, mecanismos antioxidantes).
[CA] La sequera i la salinitat són els factors ambientals que més afecten les plantes, encara que en general, les plantes mediterrànies estan ben adaptades a les condicions adverses. Les previsions estimen que a causa del calfament global les condicions ambientals es tornaran més estressants, especialment en les zones semi-àrides i àrides com moltes àrees de la Península Ibèrica. Aquestes condicions poden afectar la presència de moltes espècies silvestres, especialment, de les que ja de per si estan amenaçades, són rares o endèmiques. Tant la sequera com l'estrès salí provoquen l'activació d'una sèrie de mecanismes de defensa o resposta de les plantes, que inclouen entre altres, el control del transport iònic, l'acumulació de soluts compatibles u osmolits, i l'activació de sistemes antioxidants. Per a contribuir a la conservació i/o reintroducció de les espècies d'interès en hàbitats prioritaris s'ha realitzat un estudi multidisciplinari abastant els paràmetres que poden afectar les seues poblacions, com el clima, el sòl, i la vegetació acompanyant, al costat d'estudis comparatius sobre les respostes a la sequera i a la salinitat. Per a entendre millor els mecanismes de tolerància s'han inclòs en l'estudi a més dels tàxons d'interès conservacionista, espècies relacionades genèticament amb diferents nivells de tolerància. L'estudi presenta dos objectius principals: i) establir la tolerància relativa a l'estrès hídric i salí de les espècies sobre la base de la seua distribució en la naturalesa i en les anàlisis realitzades en camp i, en funció de la inhibició relativa del seu creixement sota condicions provocades d'estrès; i, ii) avaluar els canvis bioquímics induïts per l'estrès analitzant diferents mecanismes de resposta (inhibició de la fotosíntesi, transport iònic, acumulació de osmolits, mecanismes antioxidants).
[EN] Drought and salinity are the environmental factors that most affect plants, although in general Mediterranean plants are well adapted to adverse conditions. Predictions estimate that, due to global warming, environmental conditions will become more stressful, especially in semi-arid and arid areas, such as many areas of the Iberian Peninsula. These conditions may affect the presence of many wild species, especially those that are already threatened, rare or endemic. Both drought and salt stress cause the activation of a series of defence or response mechanisms in plants, which include, among others, the control of ionic transport, the accumulation of compatible solutes or osmolytes, and the activation of antioxidant systems. To contribute to the conservation and/or reintroduction of species of interest in priority habitats, a multidisciplinary study has been carried out covering parameters that may affect their populations, such as climate, soil and accompanying vegetation, together with comparative studies on responses to drought and salinity. To better understand tolerance mechanisms, genetically related species with different levels of tolerance have been included in the study, in addition to taxa of conservation interest. The study has two main objectives: i) to establish the relative tolerance to water and salt stress of the species according to their distribution in nature and based on field analyses and, according to the relative inhibition of their growth under stress-induced conditions; and, ii) to evaluate stress-induced biochemical changes by analysing different mechanisms (inhibition of photosynthesis, ionic transport, osmolyte accumulation, antioxidant mechanisms).
This research was partially funded by Project AICO/2017/039 from the Generalitat Valenciana.
González Orenga, S. (2021). Mecanismos de tolerancia a estrés salino e hídrico en plantas endémicas, raras o amenazadas [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/168443
TESIS

This work is a school-based case study conducted amongst learners of a rural High School and the immediate community in Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape where I teach. The research was conducted by using different research methods such as worksheets, questionnaires, interviews, practical activities and observations as well as photographs to investigate three indigenous wild local vegetable food plants (imifino). The fundamental assumption of the research is that, imifino can be looked after and cared for, to become valuable vegetable food plants which can be used as supplements to the cultivated vegetable food plants (umfuno). The question was: How could this concept be brought into the curriculum? It had also been assumed that bringing knowledge of imifino into curriculwn contexts could be of benefit to South African learners. The study produced a variety of findings: • There is a general feeling that those who eat imifino are the poor. • There is a lack of interest among women interviewed in the preparation process, for example going to pick the food plants from the fields, washing them and preparing the leaves as food. • AmaXhosa males look upon eating imifino with contempt. • Some males among the younger generation are beginning to overlook tradition and are eating imifino. • Inclusion of indigenous agricultural knowledge in the curriculum was supported by learners and community members. Learners have interest in knowing about indigenous food plants. • Learners feel as Africans that they must learn about the indigenous food plants in school in order not to lose knowledge of these plants completely. • The study also identified that interpretation of learning outcomes with an indigenous knowledge focus, requires careful attention to socio-cultural factors, and not just technical/ practical factors. Previous knowledge of learners and community members about imifino was mobilized to develop a sample OBE learning programme unit (LPU /Lesson plan) for the Grade 10 FET of Agricultural Science curriculum. The case study illustrates that Learning outcome 3 of the Agricultural Science subject can be achieved if educators involve learners and community members in developing learning programmes.

碩士
臺北醫學大學
生藥學研究所
93
Taiwan is located in the subtropics and abounded with many endemic plants. These endemic plants of Taiwan are good sources for developing new drugs. Cancer is one of the serious causes of death in humans. However, many tumors have shown resistances to drug, and many chemotherapeutic drugs have also been reported to cause serious side effects in clinical studies. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new anti-tumor drugs. In this study, we evaluated 4 Ericaceae plants and 24 kinds of endemic plants of Taiwan. In the first part, 24 kinds of endemic plants were collected from mountains in northern Taiwan and extracted with 70％ Acetone. The cytotoxicity effects of these extracts were evaluated by MTT assay in human gastric cancer cell lines, AGS, SNU-1, and normal cell line, Chang Liver cells. The results indicated that Hydrangea angustipetala Hayata potential than other endemic plants in inhibiting the growth of tumor cells. Column chromatography combined with cytotoxic bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to isolate the cytotoxicity compounds in this study. The anti-tumor effect of H. angustipetala was also evaluated by P388D1 bearing CDF1 mice. The 40％ MeOH eluted fraction（D40M）by diaion gel showed better anti-tumor effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. IC50 values of D40M were 3.47 μg/ml in AGS and 3.48 μg/ml in SNU-1 cells, and the percentage of life span increase was 120％ in P388D1 bearing CDF1 mice model. Moreover, (+)-febrifugine and trans-3-p-coumaryalquinic acid were isolated as active anti-tumor products in H. angustipetala for the first time. Both compounds were able to suppress the proliferation of AGS and SNU-1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Based on the results from the Western blotting assay, these products induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell lines. The (+)-febrifugine showed stronger cytotoxicity than trans-3-p-coumaryalquinic acid in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Taken together, we suggested that (+)-febrifugine from Hydrangea angustipetala Hayata was a good leader compound to develop an anticancer drug. In studying of the anti-tumor effects of Ericaceae plants, 16 samples from four kinds Ericaceae Rhododendron plants were examined by MTT assay. Among them, the 100％ EtOH extracts of R. kanehirai Wilson and R. breviperulatum Hayata showed stronger cytotoxicity, and were evaluated by P388D1 animal model. The result indicated that the 100％ EtOH extracts from the leaves of R. breviperulatum could prolong the survival days of CDF1 mice under 5 mg/kg, the percentage increase in life span was 134%.

碩士
國立臺中教育大學
美術學系碩士班
107
Aesthetics come from the feeling and perception of life. We experience the true meaning of life through our sensory organs. As time presses forward, art and culture accumulate and assemble. The practice of aesthetic learning, natural resources, art, and culture is the central concept that this creative work aims to express. Taiwan endemic species are valuable assets, and the vitality of aquatic plants are particularly striking. The creative research uses this theme to take three directions. The first phase is the incubation, which explains the creative background, motive, and goal. The second phase is the collation of relevant literature that discusses Taiwan endemic aquatic plants, including the drawings of the plants and the research and documentation of their changes, followed by a study on the application and types of print patterns. The third phase is the planning and execution of the creative work, using connotative idioms to apply to the lifestyles of aquatic plants, and then as the names of the respective chapters of the series. Four series are planned: “tenderness,” “life,” “vigor,” “leisure.” The works are then created using a continuous pattern design technique. The production of 16 pattern designs will then also integrate with daily essential products. The creation of the patterns reinterpreted aquatic plants and demonstrated the passion of life of endemic species. The project also realizes and practices life aesthetics, and instill art into everyday life, improving the value of cultural creativity.