S. R. ., B. R. ., S. B. ., S. K. ., J. J. ., and M. S. ., “Thin Layer Chromatography of Ibogaine from Plant Extract of Tabernanthe Iboga.,” Journal of Current Pharma Research, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 1565–1568, May 2015.
doi: 10.33786/JCPR.2015.v05i03.008.
Ibogaine is a slightly psychoactive 5 to 6% of indole alkaloid derived from the Tabernathe Iboga plant native to Central Africa. The iboga plant contains the different chemical constituents such active alkaloid are ibogaine, ibogamine, noribogaine, ibogaline, etc. Iboga & Ibogaine are used in various treatments of addictions, depression, drowsiness, fever, the flu, HIV-AIDS, high blood pressure, nerve disorder, fatigue, low sex drive. The Tabernathe Iboga root extract are necessary involve the separation of different chemicals using thin layer chromatography (TLC). TLC is useful separation, purification and identification of plant extract, by this means the ibogaine can be distinguished from the other iboga alkaloids and its relative concentration estimated. The various TLC methods were developed, in all methods uses different solvent system. Ibogaine is not itself addictive, and may thus be administered in monthly or similar doses over a period of time to help preserve a drug-free state.
Hi, Just recieved a small voacanga africana. Has anyone grown it before or has any good advice on how best to go about it. Planing on using sharp sand and a little perlit. Obviously I have to keep it moist but also watch out for root rot. There is just so little info out the on the net about it. ...
R. J. Aerts, A.-M. Alarco, and V. De Luca, “Auxins Induce Tryptophan Decarboxylase Activity in Radicles of Catharanthus Seedlings 1,” Plant Physiology, vol. 100, no. 2, pp. 1014–1019, Oct. 1992.
doi: 10.1104/pp.100.2.1014.
Germinating seedlings of Catharanthus roseus produce monoterpenoid indole alkaloids as a result of a transient increase of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) activity. The influence of auxins on this transient rise of TDC activity was studied. External application of indolebutyric acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at a concentration of 20 to 40 μm enhanced and prolonged the rise in TDC activity in developing seedlings. Auxin treatment also influenced the morphology of the seedlings; it induced a shortening and thickening of the hypocotyl and the radicle and promoted the initiation of lateral roots in the radicle. During development, the radicles of auxin-treated seedlings displayed a gradual increase in TDC activity that was absent in the radicles of untreated controls. Examination of immunoblots revealed anti-TDC reactive proteins in extracts from radicles of auxin-treated seedlings, but none in extracts from radicles of control seedlings. In contrast, TDC activity and immunoreactive protein levels in the aerial parts of controls and auxin-treated seedlings were comparable. Our results indicate that externally applied auxins induce both abnormal development and TDC activity in the radicles of Catharanthus seedlings. Although auxins slightly delayed the light-mediated induction of the cotyledon-specific last step in vindoline biosynthesis (i.e. acetylcoenzyme A: deacetylvindolin-O-acetyltransferase activity), seedlings still synthesized vindoline, one of the major alkaloid end products.
M. V. Afonso, J. T. Paranhos, L. A. Tabaldi, H. H. Soriani, and C. W. Saldanha, “Tabernaemontana Catharinensis A. DC. Seedling Emergence and Growth in Different Substrates,” Floresta e Ambiente, vol. 27, May 2020.
doi: 10.1590/2179-8087.077017.
Abstract This work aimed to evaluate the influence of the substrate composition on the emergence, vigor, and growth of Tabernaemontana catharinensis seedlings in a greenhouse. Seeds were placed to germinate by testing the following substrates: pure Mecplant and combined with fine texture vermiculite (V) or charcoal rice husk (CRH) in different proportions. Variables of emergence percentage, emergence speed index, height, collection diameter, root length, leaf area, dry mass (shoot, root, and total), Dickson quality index, and photosynthetic pigment contents were evaluated. Germinated plants on pure Mecplant substrate presented lower emergence values and morphophysiological parameters. This commercial substrate associated with vermiculite at 1:1 and 1:3 proportions provided higher seed vigor and higher seedling growth, proving to be more adequate for the seedling formation of the species. The formulated substrates did not show a significant influence on the photosynthetic pigment contents.
M. V. Afonso, “Tecnologia De Sementes E Parâmetros Morfofisiológicos Na Propagação De Tabernaemontana Catharinensis a. Dc. (apocynaceae),” Mar. 2016.http://repositorio.ufsm.br/handle/1/4901.
Tabernaemontana catharinensis, popularly known as cobrina, is a native tree, which belongs to the family Apocynaceae. This species is suitable for reforestation, it is rich in phytochemicals compounds and it is used in folk medicine in the form of tea or infusion of its leaves and barks. Impacts of the indiscriminate extraction of seeds and vegetative parts of native species have increased in recent years, being the cultivation of plants on a large scale in a sustainable manner one of the challenges for production - without compromising natural resources. However many species still lack ecological, physiological and agronomic information. Then, the aims of this study were to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds and morphophysiological parameters of T. catharinensis propagated in vitro and ex vitro. In this regard, ripe fruits were collected in mid lateral third of five arrays with approximately four meters high and located in the remaining vegetation in the city of Ijuí, Northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul (28° 26’ 07 "S and 53° 57’ 50"W). The experiments were performed in laboratory and in greenhouse. In the laboratory, seeds were germinated in the presence of light (photoperiod of 16 hours) and in the absence of light (continuous dark), by testing five temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30 °C and alternating 20 to 30 °C (night-day). Three conditions and storage temperatures: 25 ± 1 °C (growth room), 10 ± 1 °C (refrigerator) and 4 ± 1 °C (cold room), were part of the experiment. They were used to check the germination behavior and the water content during six periods seed storage (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days). We observed that, regardless of photoperiod (photoperiod of 16 hours and continuous darkness), 25 and 30 °C temperatures promoted the highest percentage of germination of T. catharinensis seeds. T. catharinensis seeds behave as neutral photoblastic. The storage of seeds of T. catharinensis for 180 days reduces the water content of the seeds, not occurring the reduction in germination potential, which demonstrates an orthodox behavior. For the experiments in vitro conditions, in order to obtain seedlings and the establishment of T. catharinensis, seeds were pre-soaked in gibberellic acid (GA3) at concentrations of 0.0; 300 and 600 mg L-1 in two regimes of time 24 and 48 hours. Afterwards, the cotyledon segments of 1 cm seedlings obtained in vitro germination. With 70 days old, they were inoculated in culture medium with 100% of minerals MS (MURASHIGE; SKOOG, 1962), plus combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) 0.0; 1.0; 2.0; 4.0; 6.0 mg L-1 and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 0.0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6 mg L-1. For in vitro rooting experiment, microcuttings of 90 days, with three pairs of leaves, were inoculated in MS medium (MURASHIGE; SKOOG, 1962), supplemented with IBA concentrations 0.0; 1.0; 2.0; 4.0; 6.0 mg L1. The percentage of germination was not significantly different in pre-soaked seeds in GA3, however we observed a reduction in the speed of germination at concentrations of 300 and 600 mg L-1 of GA3 for 48h of immersion. In vitro establishment, we verified the direct organogenesis of adventitious shoots from cotyledons of cobrina without the need for growth regulator, but the use of BAP associated with NAA maximized the number of shoots, leaves and fresh mass of shoots. For the in vitro experiment rooting supplementation of 1.0 and 6.0 mg L-1 of IBA to the culture medium resulted in the highest rooting rate (96.5 and 89%, respectively) and root length (15.96 and 15.60 cm, respectively). The absence of growth regulators (IBA) decreased the number of tips and root volume and the contents of chlorophyll b. For the experiment in the greenhouse, the treatments were Mecplant® substrate compositions (commercial substrate), fine texture vermiculite (V) and carbonized rice husk (CRH), by evaluating their influence on the emergence, vigor and morphophysiological parameters of T. catharinensis. We found out that the isolated use of commercial substrate 100% Mecplant® occurred less emergency and IVG seedlings, which negatively affected the growth characteristics. The commercial substrate associated with inert material vermiculite in formulations 50% Mecplant® + 50% V and 25% Mecplant® + 75% V showed higher expression of seed vigor and greater seedling growth, proving to be more appropriate, from the study to the formation of cobrina seedlings. Levels of chlorophyll b, as well as the total carotenoid are not influenced by the substrates. The ratio of chlorophyll a/b is higher in the treatments T2 (75% Mecplant® + 25% V), T4 (25% Mecplant® + 75% V) and T5 (75% Mecplant® + 25% CRH).
M. V. Afonso, J. T. Paranhos, L. A. Tabaldi, and H. H. Soriani, “In vitro seed germination and morphophysiological parameters of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. microcuttings.,” Iheringia, Série Botânica, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 39–45, 2018.
doi: 10.21826/2446-8231201873105.
The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro seed germination and the morphophysiological parameters of Tabernaemontana catharinensis microcuttings. In the germination bioassays, the seeds were immersed at solutions of 0.0; 300; and 600 mg L-1 GA3 for 24 or 48h. The seedlings from in vitro germination were used to produce microcuttings, which were inoculated in MS growth medium supplemented...
O. N. Aghedo, J. B. Owolabi, and O. K. Ogbeide, “Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of Picralima Nitida Stem Bark Extracts,” ChemSearch Journal, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 55–63, 2021.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/csj/article/view/220159.
Picralima nitida has varied applications in West African traditional medicine. The stem bark of the plant was successively extracted with n-hexane and chloroform using cold extraction techniques. The phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of P. nitida extracts were determined using established methods. Chemical composition of the n-hexane extract was determined by GC-MS. The phytochemical screening of the n-hexane and chloroform extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, eugenols, terpenoids, reducing sugars and proteins. The GC-MS of the n-hexane extract of P. nitida stem bark revealed the presence of 54 compounds, representing 100% of the total identified components. The major components detected were found to be dodecanoic acid (lauric acid)(18.34%), 9 octadecanoic acid (Stearic acid) (7.49%) , n-hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) (5.95%) while among the minor component were phytol (1.73%) and 5cholesten-3-Beta, 2,6-dioic-16-one (0.36%). The result of the antimicrobial activity revealed that the n-hexane extract exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli while the chloroform extract exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The activity of the extracts against the fungi isolates were found to insignificant at all test concentrations. The MIC value for of n-hexane was found to be 150 and125mg/ml for S. aureus and E. coli respectively while that of chloroform extract was found to be 125 and 125mg/ml for S. aureus and E. coli respectively. This study has shown that the n-hexane extract was more active against the Gram negative bacteria while the chloroform extract was more active against the Gram-positive bacteria .This investigation therefore revealed that the stem bark extracts possess some antimicrobial properties and could be a promising source of novel drugs.
G. C. Akabassi, E. A. Padonou, A. E. Assogbajo, and N. Zirihi Guede, “Economic Value, Endogenous Knowledge and Distribution of Picralima Nitida (Stapf) T. Durand and H. Durand in Africa,” AAS Open Research, vol. 3, p. 29, Jul. 2020.
doi: 10.12688/aasopenres.13087.1.
Background: Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) is an important African medicinal plant species. It is frequently used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries for manufacture of drugs against infectious diseases, malaria, diabetes and cancer. Despite its important, the species can be rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap (in contrast to the Guineo-Congolese region). There is also a controversy on its distribution. To ensure the sustainable use of the species, this study evaluated the economic value, endogenous knowledge and effect of climate gradient on the distribution of the species in Africa. Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Dahomey Gap with 120 informants randomly interviewed. A literature review of scientific papers and books was used to provide information on the uses, distribution and threats of the species in the Guineo-Congolese region. Results: The results revealed that P. nitida products were more expensive in the Dahomey Gap than the Guineo-Congolese region. All parts of the species were collected and used for 34 treatments. The species had low density and distribution in Dahomey Gap compared to the Guineo-Congolese region. Conclusions: P. nitida is used across its distribution areas with important economic values. Adapted management strategies are needed for the sustainable use and conservation of the species.
G. C. Akabassi, E. A. Padonou, K. I. E. Déléké Koko, B. E. J. Assogbadjo, A. E. Assogbadjo, and G. N. Zirihi, “Ecophenotypic Variation of Fruits, Natural Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Picralima Nitida in Dahomey Gap: Implication for Conservation and Valorization,” Environment, Development and Sustainability, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 7670–7685, May 2021.
doi: 10.1007/s10668-020-00940-6.
Picralima nitida is an important African medicinal plant species threatened in the Dahomey Gap. It is used in pharmaceutical industries and traditional medicine to treat several diseases. Despite its importance, this the species faces a serious conservation problem. It is rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap countries in contrast to the Guinean zone. The present study aims to contribute to the conservation of P. nitida by assessing the ecophenotypic variation of the fruit, natural seed germination and seedling growth. A total of 1,200 fruits were collected in two phytodistricts of Dahomey Gap to evaluate the morphotypes. The seeds were evaluated for natural germination with different substrates. The results on ecophenotypic variation and natural seed germination revealed no significant difference (p\,> 0.05) between the fruits from the two phytodistricts. However, three morphotypes of fruits were obtained with significant difference (p\,< 0.05). Morphotype 1 gathered large, round and heavy fruits, morphotype 2 fruits were elongated oval-shaped, and morphotype 3 fruits were short, round and light. The highest germination rate (73.33%) was obtained with morphotype 1 seeds on the substrate composed of 100% top soil. The fruits from the phytodistrict of Pobè had seeds with the highest rate of germination (55.55%) on the substrate composed of 100% top soil. The use of organic matter in the substrate of germination stimulated the growth of P. nitida seedlings after seed germination.
G. C. Akabassi, E. A. Padonou, A. E. Assogbadjo, and N. Z. Guede, “Effect of Climate and Habitat on Morphological Characteristics and Fruit Production of Picralima Nitida (Stapf) in West Africa,” In Review, Preprint, Oct. 2021.
doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-878443/v1.
Abstract Picralima nitida is an important African medicinal plant species used in pharmaceutical industries and traditional medicine to treat several diseases. Despite its importance, the species faces conservation problem. This study evaluated the effect of climate and habitat on morphological characteristics and fruit production of P. nitida . A total of 132 fruiting trees was randomly sampled from three habitat types (home gardens, botanical garden and natural forest) and three soils (Nitisols, Arenosols and Acrisols) in Dahomey Gap and Guineo-Congolese zone. A total of 5 morphological traits and fruit production were recorded per tree to describe the relationship between morphological determinism of the species and climate. Pearson correlation was performed to identify the suitable habitat type in each climatic zone. Harmonized World Soil Database was used to determine physicochemical characteristics of the soil types on which the species occurred. Results revealed that the climatic zones (p\,< 0.001) and habitat types (p\,< 0.0001) influenced significantly the morphological characteristics and fruit production of P. nitida. High trees with more number of fruits were observed in home gardens on acid soils (Nitisols (pH: 5) and Arenosols (pH: 5.3)) in Dahomey Gap. In Guineo-Congolese zone, the species was more present in natural forest on acid Acrisols (pH: 5).
G. C. Akabassi, E. A. Padonou, F. J. Chadare, and A. E. Assogbadjo, “Ethnobotanic importance and use value of Picralima nitida (stapf) in South-Benin (West Africa).,” International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 1979–1993, 2017.
doi: 10.4314/ijbcs.v11i5.4.
African continent rich in biodiversity loses its resources due to the ignorance of their uses by the local populations. It becomes important to assess the knowledge of populations on the importance of resources to elaborate their conservation strategy and their sustainable management. The purpose of the present study is to document the knowledge of the local populations on the use value of P....
G. C. Akabassi et al., “Extract Yield, Dilution Methods and Antifungal Potential of Fruits of Picralima Nitida (Stapf.) T. A. Durand & H. Durand,” Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 425–431, Oct. 2022.
doi: 10.1016/j.jssas.2021.11.006.
Today, despite its status as a key sector, agriculture faces many problems due to fungi and the use of synthetic pesticides. This study evaluated the antifungal potential of Picralima nitida fruits against Fusarium oxysporum. The extracts were obtained by the Total Aqueous Extraction method (TEA) and Hydroethanolic extraction (EE70%) method. Two dilution types of the extracts in PDA medium were tested: (1) dilution before autoclaving (AvA) and (2) dilution after autoclaving (ApA). The extracts of two fruit morphotypes from two climatic zones were tested at a concentration of 3 mg.ml−1. The yield of fruit extracts from Dahomey Gap (DG) was significantly higher (>8%) than that from the Guinea-Congolese region (GC). A significant difference was observed in yield (p < 0.05) between TEA type and the EE70% type with a higher inhibition rate (27%) of EE70% on Fusarium oxysporum. No significant difference was observed between the pathogen inhibition rates in the dilution type (p > 0.05). The inhibition rate of the pathogen was 25.65% for the short fruit morphotype and 25.08% for the large fruit morphotype. This study demonstrated possibility of using extracts of Picralima nitida in agriculture.
S. A. M. H. Al-Mukhta and M. A. Ali, “Effect of Growth Regulator in Micropropagation of Catharanthus Roses in Vitro,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 1294, p. 092031, Sep. 2019.
doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1294/9/092031.
The experiment was carried out in the plant tissue culture laboratory of the Horticulture and landscape department – College of Agriculture University of Kerbela during 2017-2018 to investigate the effect of growth regulators in the micropropagation of the Catharanthus roseus iv vitro. The culture of the branches of the Catharanthus roseus plants were obtained by cultivating the shoot tips of the branches of 1 cm length obtained from the developing plants growing in the field. After sterilization and culturing on MS medium supplied with different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 3) of BA and Kin in separate experiment with steady concentration of 0.5 mg / l of IAA. The results showed a difference in the rate of studied characters according to the type and concentration of cytokines used. The BA in the concentration of 3 mg / L results were significantly higher in the studied traits, including the number and length of the vegetative branches and the soft and dry weight of the vegetative system, it achieved a rate of (21.66 branch / plantlet, 7.00 cm, 1.40 g, 0.71 g) respectively, while the Kin at the same concentration achieved the highest rate of studied traits of (15.66 branch / plantlet, 5.66 cm, 0.93 g, 0.40 g) respectively. The results of the study also showed a difference in the rate of studied traits, which included the number and length of roots and the soft and dry weight of the root total, depending on the type and concentration of auxien used. The IBA result was superior at 1.5 mg / L and with a constant concentration of 0.5 mg / l BA in achieving the highest rate of (36.33 root / shoot, 6.43 cm, 0.35 g, 0.23 g) respectively, while the NAA at the same concentration achieved the highest rate of studied traits (22.00 root / plant fraction, 2.53 cm, 0.21 g, 0.12 g), respectively, and the percentage of success of acclimation plants was 90%.
R. Ama-Asamoah, G. J. Kapadia, H. A. Lloyd, and E. A. Sokoloski, “Picratidine, a New Indole Alkaloid from Picralima Nitida Seeds,” ACS Publications. American Chemical Society, Jul-2004.
doi: 10.1021/np50070a032.
Y. Ameyaw and G. Duker-Eshun, “The Alkaloid Contents of the Ethnoplant Organs of Three Anti Malarial Medicinal Plant Species in the Eastern Region of Ghana,” International Journal of Chemical Science, vol. 7, Jan. 2009.
A survey research was conducted on Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schtr., Morinda lucida Benth and Voacanga africana Stapf antimalarial plant species harvested from Mampong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Comparative studies were performed using the total alkaloid content of the plant organs of three plant species used ethnobotanically for the preparation of antimalarial decoctions. Statistically, a series of linear models (SPSS 10.0, Minitab 13.32 and MStats for WINDOWS, Version 6.1) was fitted to the dataset to determine whether variations do exist. Results showed that: (i) Phytochemical screening of the plant confirmed the presence of alkaloid in the plant organs (ii) The alkaloid contents of the plant organs of the plant species were significantly different from one another and (iii) The total alkaloid content of V. Africana was the highest among the three plant species.
S. Amiri, R. Fotovat, A. R. Tarinejad, B. Panahi, and S. A. Mohammadi, “In Vitro Regeneration of Periwinkle (Catharanthus Roseus L.) and Fidelity Analysis of Regenerated Plants with ISSR Markers,” Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 129–135, Jun. 2019.
doi: 10.22034/jppb.2019.10389.
Catharanthus roseus is an important multipurpose medicinal plant. In this study, in vitro proliferation and root induction of periwinkle were optimized and regenerated plants were subsequently surveyed for genetic homogeneity using the inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Shoot tips and nodal segments were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of benzylamino-purine (BAP), gibberellic acid (GA3), and indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormones. ISSR profiling of regenerated plants as well as the mother plant were surveyed with five primers. The highest establishment rate (80.67%) was obtained in the MS medium containing 1.0 mg L-1 GA3 and 1.0 mg L-1 BAP. Highest proliferation rate (5.20 shoots/explant) and average shoot length (6.30 cm) were observed in 1.5 mg L-1 BAP + 0.5 mg L-1 IBA. Moreover, the best rooting response (85.30%) was observed on half strength MS containing 1.0 mg L-1 IBA. Genetic fidelity analysis using ISSR markers showed the monomorphic banding pattern of the micro-propagated plants and the mother plant, which highlighted their genetic uniformity. This implies that periwinkle micropropagation through shoot tip is the most reliable method for true-to-type production of C. roseus in a large scale.
J. Aslam, A. Mujib, S. Fatima, and M. P. Sharma, “Cultural Conditions Affect Somatic Embryogenesis in Catharanthus Roseus L. (G.) Don,” Plant Biotechnology Reports, vol. 2, no. 3, p. 179, May 2008.
doi: 10.1007/s11816-008-0060-9.
We established an efficient plant regeneration system for Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don through somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus was induced from hypocotyl of seed germinated in vitro. Somatic embryogenesis in Catharanthus has been categorized into three distinct stages: (1) initiation and proliferation of embryo; (2) maturation, and; (3) germination or plantlet conversion. Beside plant growth regulators, various stages of embryogenesis were screened for their response to a wide variety of factors (pH, gelrite, light, sugar alcohols, polyethyleneglycol and amino acids), which affect embryogenesis. All of the tested factors had a small to marked influence on embryogeny and eventual conversion to plantlets. The plantlets were acclimatized successfully in a greenhouse. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a detailed study of various cultural factors which regulate embryogenesis in C. roseus. The results discussed in this paper may be used in mass propagation to produce medicinal raw material, and the embryo precursor cells could be used in genetic modification programmes that aim to improve the alkaloid yield as well.
J. Aslam, A. Mujib, and M. P. Sharma, “Influence of Freezing and Non-Freezing Temperature on Somatic Embryogenesis and Vinblastine Production in Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don.,” Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 473–480, Mar. 2011.
doi: 10.1007/s11738-010-0569-8.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. (Apocynaceae) is an important dicotyledonous medicinal plant. It produces vinblastine and vincristine, two alkaloids that are being used against a variety of cancers. In the present study, the freezing (−196, 4, 15°C) and non-freezing (25°C) temperature was imposed on embryogenic cultures, and later in vitro embryogeny and vinblastine production in C. roseus was studied. Somatic embryo (SE) production was maximum at 15°C, but the SE maturation was high at 4°C. The SEs, grown at 25°C, showed highest germination and plantlet conversion. Quantitative estimation of vinblastine was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography in various in vitro raised tissues (embryogenic callus), embryo stages (proliferated, matured and germinated embryos)], and SE-derived plantlets (leaf, shoot, root and whole plant) after various freezing- and non-freezing temperature treatments. Vinblastine synthesis was temperature dependent in C. roseus that has been discussed in this present article.
J. Aslam, A. Mujib, S. A. Nasim, and M. P. Sharma, “Screening of Vincristine Yield in Ex Vitro and in Vitro Somatic Embryos Derived Plantlets of Catharanthus Roseus L. (G) Don.,” Scientia Horticulturae, vol. 119, no. 3, pp. 325–329, Feb. 2009.
doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2008.08.018.
Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don. (Apocynaceae) is an important dicotyledonous medicinal plant as it is the sole source of vincristine and vinblastine that are used against a variety of cancers. Quantitative estimation of vincristine was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in various in vitro grown tissues; calluses (embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus), embryogenic stages (proliferated, matured and germinated embryos), somatic embryo derived plantlets (leaf, root and whole plant) and leaves of ex vitro developed plantlets. The yield in those in vitro and ex vitro-developed tissues was monitored for 30 weeks. Except at an early lag period, vincristine production was detected up to 20–25 weeks old plant samples. Vincristine content was very high in leaf callus and germinated embryos. Leaves of in vitro raised plants showed higher amount of vincristine when compared to ex vitro-developed leaves of similar age. Vincristine production was tissue specific and age dependent that was discussed in detail in this present communication.
J. Aslam, A. Mujib, and M. P. Sharma, “Somatic Embryos in Catharanthus Roseus: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study,” Notulae Scientia Biologicae, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 167–172, Jun. 2014.
doi: 10.15835/nsb629337.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don is an important medicinal plant as it contains several anti-cancerous compounds, like vinblastine and vincristine. Plant tissue culture technology (organogenesis and embryogenesis) has currently been used in fast mass propagating raw materials for secondary metabolite synthesis. In this present communication, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study of somatic embryos was conducted and discussed. The embryogenic callus was first induced from hypocotyls of in vitro germinated seeds on which somatic embryos, differentiated in numbers, particularly on 2,4-D (1.0 mg/L) Murashige and Skoog (MS) was medium. To understand more about the regeneration method and in vitro formed embryos SEM was performed. The SEM study revealed normal somatic embryo origin and development from globular to heart-, torpedo- and then into cotyledonary-stage of embryos. At early stage, the embryos were clustered together in a callus mass and could not easily be detached from the parental tissue. The embryos were often long cylindrical structure with or without typical notch at the tip. Secondary embryos were also formed on primary embryo structure. The advanced cotyledonary embryos showed prominent roots and shoot axis, which germinated into plantlets. The morphology, structure and other details of somatic embryos at various stages were presented.
S. B. Babiaka et al., “Alkaloids with Anti-Onchocercal Activity from Voacanga Africana Stapf (Apocynaceae): Identification and Molecular Modeling,” Molecules, vol. 26, no. 1, p. 70, Dec. 2020.
doi: 10.3390/molecules26010070.
A new iboga-vobasine-type isomeric bisindole alkaloid named voacamine A (1), along with eight known compounds, voacangine (2), voacristine (3),coronaridine (4), tabernanthine (5), iboxygaine (6), voacamine (7), voacorine (8), and conoduramine (9), were isolated from the stem bark of Voacanga africana. The structures of the compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were found to inhibit the motility of both the microfilariae (Mf) and adult male worms of Onchocerca ochengi, in a dose-dependent manner, but were only moderately active on the adult female worms upon biochemical assessment at 30 μM drug concentrations. The IC50 values of the isolates are 2.49-5.49 μM for microfilariae and 3.4517.87 μM for adult males. Homology modeling was used to generate a 3D model of the O. ochengi thioredoxin reductase target and docking simulation, followed by molecular dynamics and binding free energy calculations attempted to offer an explanation of the anti-onchocercal structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the isolated compounds. These alkaloids are new potential leads for the development of antifilarial drugs. The results of this study validate the traditional use of V. africana in the treatment of human onchocerciasis.
A. Bakrudeen, G. S. Shanthi, T. Gouthaman, M. Kavitha, and M. Rao, “In Vitro Micropropagation of Catharanthus Roseus — An Anticancer Medicinal Plant,” Acta Botanica Hungarica, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 197–209, Mar. 2011.
doi: 10.1556/abot.53.2011.1-2.20.
An efficient protocol was standardized using axillary bud and shoot tip explants of Catharanthus roseus — an anticancer medicinal plant. The highest number of shoots (19.6 shoots / auxiliary node) was observed after 45 days of culture in the MS medium supplemented with NAA (4.0 mg l−1) + BA (4.0 mg l−1). Shoots were proliferated and elongated in the same medium. High frequency of rooting (82.5%) was obtained in half strength MS + IBA (4.0) from axillary bud derived shoots. The rooted plantlets were successfully established in soil.
J. Balsevich, “CHAPTER 21 - Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids from Apocynaceae Other than Catharanthus Roseus,” in Phytochemicals in Plant Cell Cultures, \relax F. R. I. E. D. R. I. C. H. Constabel and I. N. D. R. A. K. Vasil, Eds. Academic Press, 1988, pp. 371–384.
doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-715005-5.50028-5.
The monoterpene indole alkaloids represent a large and diverse group of plant products, the majority of which have been isolated from species belonging to three families—the Loganiaceae, Apocynaceae, and Rubiaceae. This chapter reviews the indole alkaloid production by cultured plant cells derived from species of genera other than Catharanthus and Cinchona. The monoterpene indole alkaloids are derived from a unit of tryptamine and a C9/C10 unit of terpenoid origin. The basis of their classification rests on the geometric arrangement of the C9/C10 carbon skeleton with the three main configurations being categorized as the Corynanthe, Aspidosperma, and Ibogatypes. There is another group of alkaloids, the bisindole group, which is a large and diverse array of structures arising from the union of two monomeric indole alkaloids. The complexity of these types of alkaloids is not only because the monomers of which they are composed of but also because of the manner in which the monomers are linked.
M. F. Bartlett, D. F. Dickel, and W. I. Taylor, “The Alkaloids of Tabernanthe Iboga. Part IV.1 The Structures of Ibogamine, Ibogaine, Tabernanthine and Voacangine,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 80, no. 1, pp. 126–136, Jan. 1958.
doi: 10.1021/ja01534a036.
M. F. Bartlett, D. F. Dickel, R. C. Maxfield, L. E. Paszek, and A. F. Smith, “The Alkaloids of Tabernanthe Iboga. Part VIII1,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 81, no. 8, pp. 1932–1935, Apr. 1959.
doi: 10.1021/ja01517a037.
D. V. Basile, M. S. Punch, J. Pablo, B. Brenner, W. L. Hearn, and D. C. Mash, “Indole Alkaloids From Tissue-Cultured Tabernanthe Iboga H. Bn,” Natural Product Letters, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 233–238, May 1999.
doi: 10.1080/10575639908048791.
Tissue lines, selected from explants of Tabernanthe iboga H. Bn. and cultured in shake flasks, produced and released from three to five indole alkaloids into the culture medium. the iboga alkaloids in order of their relative abundance were ibogaine, dihydroxyibogamine, ibogamine, voacangine, and ibogaline. All five compounds have the same basic ring structure as ibogaine, a putative anti-addictive drug. Three of these could consistently be detected in culture medium that was removed and replaced at two-week intervals over periods of at least five months. the nutrient-hormone combination used consisted of Gamborg’s B5 medium with 2% w/v sucrose, 2mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1 mg/16-benzyladenine (BA). These results suggest that plant tissue culture procedures can be developed as an economically feasible and environmentally responsible source of ibogaine and other potential anti-addictive drugs.
J. L. Betti, “Ethnobotanical Study of Picralima Nitida (Apocynaceae) in the DJA Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon.,” Systematics and conservation of African plants. Proceedings of the 18th AETFAT Congress, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 26 February to 2 March 2007, pp. 321–332, 2010.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20113044453.
Three ethnobotanical surveys were conducted between January 1994 and May 2000 in the Dja Biosphere Reserve and its adjacent areas, in the East and South regions of Cameroon. The surveys aimed at identifying medicinal plants used by general (housewives) and specialised (tradipractitioners) users. A total of 102 informants prescribed recipes with Picralima nitida in the treatment of 13 ailments....
B. S. Bhadane, M. P. Patil, V. L. Maheshwari, and R. H. Patil, “Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Biotechnological Advances of Family Apocynaceae: A Review,” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 32, no. 7, pp. 1181–1210, 2018.
doi: 10.1002/ptr.6066.
The family Apocynaceae is one of the largest and important families in angiosperm. Several members of this family have medicinal properties and have been in the treatment of various ailments. Most of them are consumed as food by tribal people whereas a few plants are used as source of poison. Members of family Apocynaceae are rich in alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, simple phenols, lactones, and hydrocarbons. Other compounds such as sterols, lignans, sugars, lignans, and lactones have been isolated and systematically studied. Few studies have reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts as well as single compound(s) isolated from various members of the family Apocynaceae. Holarrhena antidysenterica, Rauvolfia serpentina, Carissa carandas, and Tabernaemontana divaricata are the extensively studied plants in this family. The present review provides a detailed outlook on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of selected members of this family. Moreover, it also covers the biotechnological advances used for large-scale production of bioactive compounds of therapeutic interest along with plant tissue culture-based approaches for conservation of this medicinally valuable family.
Cultivation trials of Tabernanthe iboga Baill. were undertaken at the experimental farm of the I.D.E.R.T., at the request of the Roger Bellon establishments, with a view to industrial exploitation of this plant. The material used for these tests comes from the collection of medicinal plants of the Laboratoire de Matiere Medicalo, which includes some Ibogas of Gabonese origin, introduced in 1957. Their content of active ingredients (from 1.88 to 2.26%) being satisfactory. We did not try to introduce other varieties, since we had species considered very interesting by the Etablissements R. Bellon.
J. C. Bouso et al., “An Analytical Study of Iboga Alkaloids Contained in Tabernanthe Iboga-Derived Products Offered by Ibogaine Treatment Providers,” Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), vol. 47, pp. 51–54, May 2020.
doi: 10.1590/0101-60830000000231.
Abstract Background Therapeutic properties of ibogaine in the treatment of addiction are attracting both clinicians and patients to its use. Since ibogaine is not an authorized medicine, the quality of these products is not always known, increasing the probability of adverse reactions. Objective This study collects different types of iboga-derived samples from treatment providers, vendors and online buyers to analyse their content. Methods Analysis of iboga products (n = 16) was performed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry methods (GC/MS). Products included Iboga root bark, Total Alkaloids (TA), Purified Total Alkaloids (PTA HCl), ibogaine hydrochloride (ibogaine HCl) and one Voacanga africana root bark. Results The content of ibogaine was highly variable, ranging from 0.6% to 11.2% for products sold as iboga root bark, from 8.2% to 32.9% for products sold as TA, 73.7% for one sample sold as PTA and from 61.5% to 73.4% for products sold as ibogaine HCl. One sample did not show any iboga alkaloids. Other alkaloids and unknown substances were found in almost all samples. Discussion The purity of iboga products is highly variable. These results should be taken into consideration by suppliers and users, especially regarding correct dosing to avoid overdose, as well as potential interactions with other substances.
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Agroforestry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agroforestry, October-2012
H.-M. Chen et al., “Cytotoxic Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids Isolated from the Barks of Voacanga Africana Staph.,” Natural Product Research, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 1144–1149, May 2016.
doi: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1046132.
A new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid compound (1) and six known monoterpenoid indole alkaloids compounds (2–7) were isolated from the barks of Voacanga africana Staph. The structures were established by spectral analysis as ibogamine-16-carboxylic acid,17,20-didehydro-5,6-dioxo-10-methoxy-methyl ester (1), voacamine (2), vobasine (3), voacangine (4), voacristine (5), 19-epi-voacristine (6) and 19-epi-heyneanine (7). Compound 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five cell lines (HEPG-2, A375, MDA-MB-231, SH-SY5Y, CT26). Among them, compounds 2 and 6 displayed significant inhibitory activities, compounds 3, 4 and 5 showed moderate inhibitory activities, while compounds 1 and 7 showed no inhibitory activities against the five cell lines.
M. D. Christopher, E. E. Uchechukwu, and A. A. Ernest, “Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of the Bark Extracts of Voacanga Africana Stapf,” Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 61–65, 2009.
doi: 10.4314/njb.v20i1.
Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity hot water, hot and cold ethanolic extracts of the bark of Vocanga Africana stapt. on Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescen, Staphyloccus aureus, Alternaria solani , Aspergellius niger and Penicillium notatum were investigated using paper disc diffusion technique. Results showed that the bacteria Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to hot ethanol extract, E.coli and Serretia marcescen were susceptible to hot water extract, S. aureus was not. Pencillium notatum was susceptible to hot water, hot and cold ethanol extracts, A.niger was susceptible to only the ethanol extract; while Alternaria solani was resistant to the bioactivity of the extract. The presence of active principles, Alkaloids, Anthranoid, cardiac glycosides, Polyphenol, saponin and starch, detected in the phytochemical analysis might be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the extract.Key Words: Phytochemical, antimicrobial, susceptibility, Vocanga
D. Dagnino, J. Schripsema, and R. Verpoorte, “Alkaloid Metabolism in Tabernaemontana Divaricata Cell Suspension Cultures,” Phytochemistry, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 325–329, Jan. 1993.
doi: 10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94989-6.
O-Acetylvallesamine is the main alkaloid found in both medium and cells of the Tabernaemontana divaricata cell suspension culture investigated. [15N]O-Acetylvallesamine was added to the culture medium. Rapid exchange between biomass and culture medium was shown by the rapid distribution of labelled compound over the two compartments. The occurrence of biosynthesis throughout most of the investigated period was confirmed by the observed dilution of the labelled compound. Transformation, calculated from the decrease in the total amount of I15N]O-acetylvallesamine, was also observed and occurred mainly during the stationary phase of the batch cell culture growth cycle.
D. Dagnino, J. Schripsema, A. Peltenburg, R. Verpoorte, and K. Teunis, “Capillary Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Indole Alkaloids: Investigation of the Indole Alkaloids Present in Tabernaemontana Divaricata Cell Suspension Culture,” Journal of Natural Products, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 1558–1563, Nov. 1991.
doi: 10.1021/np50078a010.
D. Dagnino, J. Schripsema, and R. Verpoorte, “Comparison of Terpenoid Indole Alkaloid Production and Degradation in Two Cell Lines of Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Plant Cell Reports, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 95–98, Dec. 1993.
doi: 10.1007/BF00235298.
Two cell lines of Tabernaemontana divaricata derived from the same suspension culture accumulate different amounts of the terpenoid indole alkaloids O-acetylvallesamine and voaphylline. [15N]O-acetylvallesamine and [15N]voaphylline were added to the suspension cultures to investigate whether the lack of accumulating capacity of one of the cell lines was due to a low biosynthetic ability or to high turnover rates. The difference was shown to be due to the inability of the cell culture to biosynthesize both alkaloids. Both cell lines were able to metabolize O-acetylvallesamine. This metabolisation occurred mainly during the stationary phase. The alkaloids added were chemically unstable under culture conditions. Under normal batch cell culture conditions chemical breakdown is thought to play a minor role in the total amount of compound transformed.
D. Dagnino, J. Schripsema, and R. Verpoorte, “Terpenoid Indole Alkaloid Biotransformation Capacity of Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Phytochemistry, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 671–676, Feb. 1994.
doi: 10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90584-3.
Two cell lines of Tabernaemontana divaricata derived from the same suspension culture were compared with respect to their biotransformation capacity. One is a high indole alkaloid-producing culture which accumulated mainly O-acetylvallesamine. The other cell line biosynthesizes terpenoid indole alkaloids in much lower amounts. Both cell lines were cultured in medium containing either conopharyngine, coronaridine, vobasine or tabersonine. Chemical breakdown was followed in fresh and used culture medium in the absence of cell culture. All the alkaloids investigated underwent chemical transformation. Most of the biotransformation products accumulated by the cultures have been reported to occur in intact plants. Since all the alkaloids added were transformed in the same way by both cultures, the two cell lines seem to have the same biotransformation potential.
D. Dagnino, J. Schripsema, and R. Verpoorte, “Terpenoid Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis and Enzyme Activities in Two Cell Lines of Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Phytochemistry, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 341–349, May 1995.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(94)00847-M.
The possible limitation of the rate of biosynthesis of terpenoid indole alkaloids by low enzyme levels was investigated in two cell lines of Tabernaemontana divaricata with different terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic capacities. The activities of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), strictosidine synthase (SSS), strictosidine glucosidase (SG), isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (IPP isomerase) and geraniol 10-hydroxylase (G10H) of both cell lines were compared. The activities of TDC, SSS and IPP isomerase did not show a direct relationship with the biosynthetic capacity but SG and G10H might be limiting. In order to test whether the availability of the terpenoid precursor limits the biosynthesis of the terpenoid indole alkaloids, loganin was fed to the cultures. Loganin-feeding did not influence any of the measured enzyme activities but increased the terpenoid indole alkaloid accumulation of both cell lines to similar levels. A five-fold increase was observed for the accumulating line and a more than 100-fold increase for the low-accumulating one. Strictosidine accumulated mainly in the low-accumulating cell line which has high TDC and low SG activity; the amounts and types of the other terpenoid indole alkaloids which accumulated were similar in both lines. From this it can be concluded that the biosynthesis of terpenoid indole alkaloids in both cultures is limited by the availability of terpenoid precursors; this pathway is not saturated with substrates under normal culture conditions.
A. Das, S. Sarkar, S. Bhattacharyya, and S. Gantait, “Biotechnological Advancements in Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don,” Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, vol. 104, no. 11, pp. 4811–4835, Jun. 2020.
doi: 10.1007/s00253-020-10592-1.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, also known as Madagascar periwinkle or Sadabahar, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae. Being a reservoir for more than 200 alkaloids, it reserves a place for itself in the list of important medicinal plants. Secondary metabolites are present in its leaves (e.g., vindoline, vinblastine, catharanthine, and vincristine) as well as basal stem and roots (e.g., ajmalicine, reserpine, serpentine, horhammericine, tabersonine, leurosine, catharanthine, lochnerine, and vindoline). Two of its alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine (possessing anticancerous properties), are being used copiously in pharmaceutical industries. Till date, arrays of reports are available on in vitro biotechnological improvements of C. roseus. The present review article concentrates chiefly on various biotechnological advancements based on plant tissue culture techniques of the last three decades, for instance, regeneration via direct and indirect organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, secondary metabolite production, synthetic seed production, clonal fidelity assessment, polyploidization, genetic transformation, and nanotechnology. It also portrays the importance of various factors influencing the success of in vitro biotechnological interventions in Catharanthus and further addresses several shortcomings that can be further explored to create a platform for upcoming innovative approaches.
D. F. Dickel, C. L. Holden, R. C. Maxfield, L. E. Paszek, and W. I. Taylor, “The Alkaloids of Tabernanthe Iboga. Part III.1 Isolation Studies,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 80, no. 1, pp. 123–125, Jan. 1958.
doi: 10.1021/ja01534a035.
A. Bertaccini, S. Paltrinieri, M. Martini, M. Tedeschi, and N. Contaldo, “Micropropagation and Maintenance of Phytoplasmas in Tissue Culture,” in Phytoplasma, vol. 938, M. Dickinson and J. Hodgetts, Eds. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 2013, pp. 33–39.
doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-089-2_3.
Maintenance of phytoplasma strains in tissue culture is achievable for all strains transmitted to periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), and also for other naturally infected plant host species. Shoots of 1–3 cm length are grown in a solid medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) micro- and macroelements and 0.12 mg/L benzylaminopurine. The continued presence of phytoplasmas in infected shoots of periwinkle that have been maintained in micropropagation for up to 20 years can be shown by diagnostic methods such as nested PCR tests using the 16S rDNA gene (see Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 for phytoplasma diagnostic methods).
C.-F. Ding et al., “Antibacterial Indole Alkaloids with Complex Heterocycles from Voacanga Africana,” Organic Letters, vol. 20, no. 9, pp. 2702–2706, May 2018.
doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b00913.
Voacafricines A and B, two unique monoterpenoid indole alkaloids each bearing five fused heterocycles, were obtained from the fruits of Voacanga africana. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and computational studies. A plausible biogenetic pathway was proposed from a common precursor, 19-epi-voacristine. Both compounds exhibited potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi, and their activities were superior to those of the well-known antibacterial drugs berberine and fibrauretine.
C. M. Dura and N. E. Onyedineke, “In Vitro Study on the Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Ethanolic Extracts of the Mesocarp of Voacanga Africana.,” American Journal of Plant Physiology, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 163–169, 2010.
doi: 10.3923/ajpp.2010.163.169.
This study seek to establish the medicinal relevance of the fruit mesocarp of Voacanga africana, using standard methods of microbial sensitivity test and phytochemical analysis. Dried mesocarp samples of V. africana were extracted with hot and cold absolute ethanol. The extracts were screened for their phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities. The results revealed the presence of...
Dried and pulverized seeds of Voacanga africana were extracted with hot and cold absolute ethanol. The extracts were screened for their phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities. The results revealed the presence of some bioactive compounds; alkaloids, anthranoids, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, phenols, phlobatanins, starch and tannins. The crude extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (34.61 and 25%), Serretia marcescens (45.08 and 29.16%) and Staphylococcus aureus (42.10 and 34.21%). Others are Alternaria solani (33.33 and 25%), Aspergilus flavus (33.33 and 22%), A. niger (25 and 00%) Candida albicans (29.62 and 25.92 %) and Rhizopus stolonifer (22.58 and 19.35 %); relative to the standard antibiotics, Gentamicin and Clotrimazole; in the Agar Well. Diffusion sensitivity test. The efficacy of the hot extract was greater than the cold extracts in the test organisms, except in Pseudomonas aeruginosa where they appeared equipotent. [Journal of American Science 2010; 6(6):119-122]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).
O. S. Ehiabhi et al., “Constituents of Essential Oils of Apium Graveolens L., Allium Cepa L., and Voacanga Africana Staph. from Nigeria,” Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 126–132, Jan. 2006.
doi: 10.1080/0972060X.2006.10643483.
In this work, the volatile oils from the plants of Apium graveolens L., Voacanga africana Staph. and Allium cepa L. were analysed for their constituents by GC-MS. Limonene (40.5%), β-selinene (16.3%), cis-ocimene (12.5%) and β-caryophyllene (10.5%) were the main compounds of A. graveolens, while V. africana was predominantly comprised of precocene I (7-Methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene) (95.2)%. On the other hand, the volatile oil of A. cepa was characterized by sulphur compounds, of which diallyl trisulphide (58.8%), methyl allyl trisulphide (18.5%) and diallyl disulphide (17.7%) were in abundance.
O. Erharuyi, A. Falodun, and P. Langer, “Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Picralima Nitida (Apocynaceae) in Tropical Diseases: A Review,” Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–8, Jan. 2014.
doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(13)60182-0.
Picralima nitida Durand and Hook, (fam. Apocynaceae) is a West African plant with varied applications in African folk medicine. Various parts of the plant have been employed ethnomedicinally as remedy for fever, hypertension, jaundice, dysmenorrheal, gastrointestinal disorders and malaria. In order to reveal its full pharmacological and therapeutic potentials, the present review focuses on the current medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological activities of this species. Literature survey on scientific journals, books as well as electronic sources have shown the isolation of alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols and steroids from different parts of the plant, pharmacological studies revealed that the extract or isolated compounds from this species posses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglyceamic, hypotensive, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, antiulcer and antitumorigenic activities. Results from various scientific investigations to date have revealed the potential of the extract from the plant or isolated compounds for use in the treatment and prevention of various kinds of human diseases. However, further studies on the extracts and pure compounds from this species is required to completely assess its phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological profile as well as the mechanism of action behind these pharmacological activities exhibited by the compounds isolated from this species.
Hi Guys, so my Voacanga Africana started flowering few weeks ago. This is the first time it flowered and i am a bit worried because some of the Branches turned black when it started flowering. I repotted and am giving Nutrients now but i am still worried because i love this Plant. It´s family. ;)...
T. O. Fakeye, S. O. Awe, H. A. Odelola, O. E. Ola-Davies, O. A. Itiola, and T. Obajuluwa, “Evaluation of Valuation of Toxicity Profile of an Alkaloidal Fraction of the Stem Bark of Picralima Nitida (Fam. Apocynaceae),” Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 37–45, Jan. 2004.
doi: 10.1080/J157v04n03_04.
Dermal and acute toxicity evaluation of the basic alkaloidal fraction of the stem bark of Picralima nitida, which has been shown to have pronounced activity against causative organisms of dermatomycosis in man, was carried out in animals. Acute intraperitoneal toxicity tests showed a dose-dependent toxicity. There was inflammation and necrosis of liver hepatocytes accompanied by reduction in neutrophilic count and a corresponding increase in lymphocytic count. There was no sign of reddening or irritation when applied into the eye conjunctiva. Dermal tests also showed that the fraction caused no sensitization, inflammation or death in the animal models used.
S. C. Farrow, M. O. Kamileen, J. Meades, B. Ameyaw, Y. Xiao, and S. E. O’Connor, “Cytochrome P450 and O-Methyltransferase Catalyze the Final Steps in the Biosynthesis of the Anti-Addictive Alkaloid Ibogaine from Tabernanthe Iboga,” Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 293, no. 36, pp. 13821–13833, Sep. 2018.
doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.004060.
Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids are a large (∼3000 members) and structurally diverse class of metabolites restricted to a limited number of plant families in the order Gentianales. Tabernanthe iboga or iboga (Apocynaceae) is native to western equatorial Africa and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Howard Lotsof is credited with bringing iboga to the attention of Western medicine through his accidental discovery that iboga can alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Since this observation, iboga has been investigated for its use in the general management of addiction. We were interested in elucidating ibogaine biosynthesis to understand the unique reaction steps en route to ibogaine. Furthermore, because ibogaine is currently sourced from plant material, these studies may help improve the ibogaine supply chain through synthetic biology approaches. Here, we used next-generation sequencing to generate the first iboga transcriptome and leveraged homology-guided gene discovery to identify the penultimate hydroxylase and final O-methyltransferase steps in ibogaine biosynthesis, herein named ibogamine 10-hydroxylase (I10H) and noribogaine-10-O-methyltransferase (N10OMT). Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (I10H) or Escherichia coli (N10OMT) and incubation with putative precursors, along with HPLC–MS analysis, confirmed the predicted activities of both enzymes. Moreover, high expression levels of their transcripts were detected in ibogaine-accumulating plant tissues. These discoveries coupled with our publicly available iboga transcriptome will contribute to additional gene discovery efforts and could lead to the stabilization of the global ibogaine supply chain and to the development of ibogaine as a treatment for addiction.
H. Fouotsa et al., “Voatriafricanines A and B, Trimeric Vobasine-Aspidosperma-Aspidosperma Alkaloids from Voacanga Africana,” Journal of Natural Products, vol. 84, no. 10, pp. 2755–2761, Oct. 2021.
doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00812.
Voatriafricanines A and B (1 and 2), the first examples of vobasine-aspidosperma-aspidosperma monoterpene trisindole alkaloids, were isolated from the stem barks of Voacanga africana, guided by a molecular networking strategy. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and ECD calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 possess intramolecular hydrogen bonding, sufficiently robust to transfer homonuclear and heteronuclear magnetizations. Compound 1 exhibited potent antimycobacterial activity with no discernible cytotoxic activity.
T. Fukuyama, K. Ohashi-Kaneko, E. Ono, and H. Watanabe, “Growth and alkaloid yields of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don cultured under red and blue LEDs.,” Journal of Science and High Technology in Agriculture, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 175–182, 2013.
doi: 10.2525/shita.25.175.
The aim of this study was to clarify optimal light quality conditions for maximizing the production of vindoline (VDL) and catharanthine (CAT) by Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. in an enclosed artificial lighting plant factory. Both VDL and CAT are biosynthetic precursors of vinblastine (VBL), an anti-neoplastic agent. Since VDL and CAT occur at very low concentrations in C. roseus, the...
This is a comprehensive review of Tabernanthe iboga leading to contribute to the knowledge of the pharmacology, phytochemistry and therapeutic aspects of its psychoactive constituent, ibogaine. Summary Plants used in traditional medicine represent a priceless tank of new bioactive molecules. Currently plant based drugs are researched and formulated in modern framework in new ways of medicine. Many of the thousands of plant species growing throughout the world have medicinal uses, containing active constituents having significative pharmacological actions. The root of the Tabernanthe iboga plant (also known as eboga) is the most frequently cited source of ibogaine, and this plant contains 11 other known psychoactive constituents . Ibogaine is the active chemical found in the African Tabernanthe iboga root as well as several other plant species. It is a strong, long; lasting psychedelic used traditionally in a coming of age ritual but also known for its modern use in treating opiate addiction. Ibogaine has a long history of being used traditionally as a ceremonial, medicinal and spiritual tool in West Africa. Chemically, ibogaine is classified as a tryptamine, being a rigid analogue of melatonin, and is structurally similar to harmaline, another natural alkaloid and psychedelic agent. Ibogaine was first extracted from the Tabernanthe iboga root and it exerts primarily a stimulanting effect on the central nervous system. Ibogaine is a potent psychoactive substance showing also the unique property of significantly removing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings from substances causing chemical dependence. Recently, it has increasingly been used in western society as a unique therapy for detoxification from drugs and for other psychotherapeutic purposes. Given the above evidences, this is a comprehensive review of Tabernanthe iboga leading to contribute to the knowledge of the pharmacology, phytochemistry and therapeutic aspects of its psychoactive constituent, ibogaine.
R. N. Garaie, A. Jowkar, and K. Bashiri, “Potassium Sulfate Affects the Morphological Characteristics and Chemical Properties of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Acta Horticulturae, no. No.1131, pp. 25–31, 2016.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20173078303.
Catharanthus roseus is an ornamental plant of the Apocynaceae family. Its flowers have pink or white petals and it is considered as a medicinal plant for being a source of vinblastine and vincristine, which are antitumor agents. One macro-element necessary for the accumulation of carbohydrates and maintaining the optimum yield and quality of agricultural produce is potassium. In this regard,...
R. M. Gavilánez Quintero, “Extracción de aceite multiuso a partir de la semilla de Voacanga Africana,” bachelorThesis, Universidad de Guayaquil., Facultad de Ingeniería Química, 2015.http://repositorio.ug.edu.ec/handle/redug/12691.
This thesis makes multipurpose oil extraction from the seed of African Voacanga and evaluation of the operating performance of the oils in mechanical levers. It also emphasizes the need for a strategy as a means to achieve the objectives and succeed in the market. These indicators were used to assess the performance of a multi-purpose oil. The proposal to extract oil from the seed of Voacanga and prove useful in lubricating oil these indicators were used to assess the performance of a multipurpose oil. The proposal to extract oil from the seed of Voacanga and prove useful in lubricating oil hydraulic systems described in the first chapter. The problem arises, the general objective and specific objectives of this thesis, and the justification, scope and limits of the same set. The second chapter refers to the theoretical framework characteristics of vegetable oils and competitive position in choosing a better product. The main objective is stated. In the third chapter the methods and techniques that are used to evaluate performance in research for oil extraction and the standards used are presented. In the fourth and final chapter the conclusions that were reached by the study are presented. The general and specific objective of the thesis is answered; and the recommendations set out to increase the economic value of the company described in the first chapter. The problem arises, the general objective and specific objectives of this thesis, and the justification, scope and limits of the same set. The second chapter refers to the theoretical framework characteristics of vegetable oils and competitive position in choosing a better product. The main objective is stated. In the third chapter the method 10 and techniques that are used to evaluate performance in research for oil extraction and the standards used are presented. In the fourth and final chapter the conclusions that were reached by the study are presented. The general and specific objective of the thesis is answered; and the recommendations set out to increase the economic value of the company.
C. L. Gayatri and R. Chakravarthy, “Micro Propagation in Catharanthusroseus,” vol. 2, no. 5, p. 3, 2013.
The main objective of this study was the development of root (Rhizogenesis) and shoot ( caulogenesis) development in Catharanthusroseus. The nodal segments are sterilized with distilled water and autoclaved distilled water. Then surface sterilized with mercuric chloride for 1min. later these explants were inoculated in MS medium containing tubes. After 7- 10days we observe the development of shoot in Catharanthusroseus. We observed the growth in medium which contains the combination of two growth hormones i.e IAA (Indoleacetic acid) + BA (Benzyl adinine). IAA is an auxin which promotes the development of roots in the medium where as BA is ancytokinin which promotes the development of shoot. We tried with different combinations of growth hormones at different quantities but finally got the result for the combination of IAA +BA.
A. E. Gbadamosi, “In-Vitro Propagation of Picralima Nitida (Stapf) through Embryo Culture,” African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 12, no. 22, 2013.
doi: 10.4314/ajb.v12i22.
Embryo abortion in wide crosses and seed dormancy has hampered the mass propagation of selected tree germplasm from the wild. An in vitro plant regeneration protocol was successfully established in Picralima nitida (Stapf), a medicinal tropical plant, by culturing excised embryo from mature seeds collected from the wild. Seeds were sterilized and dissected; embryos were raised in vitro in 11 different media compositions comprising pure Murashige and Skoog (MS) and MS media supplemented with varying concentrations of cytokinins labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K. Media type was significant on metrical traits of sprouts (P ≤ 0.05). One hundred percent survival of explants were obtained in media J while MS basal medium (K) had the lowest survival of 40%; and mean number of leaves (1.4). Number of roots per sprout, shoot and root length responses were lowest in medium H with values of 0.13, 0.79 and 0.15 cm, respectively. Overall best growth parameters in shoot (3.38 cm) and root lengths (3.75 cm) were obtained in medium F. Mass propagation of P. nitida can be accomplished in MS media supplemented with 0.05 mg/L kinetin and 0.01 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA).Keyword: Excised embryo, In vitro culture, sprouts, metrical traits, Picralima nitidaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(22), pp. 3447-3454
A. E. Gbadamosi, “Germination Biology of Picralima Nitida(Stapf) under Pretreatments,” Greener Journal of Biological Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 013–020, Jan. 2013.
doi: 10.15580/GJBS.2013.1.110912247.
Viable seed sometimes fails to germinate under favourable conditions. The study assessed the germination of Picralima nitida (Stapf) seeds following pretreatments. Fruits were collected from Benin, Southern Nigeria (lat. 60 231N and long. 50 131E). The seeds were extracted manually and processed for sowing. Seeds were pretreated using ten pretreatment methods: control; soaking in water at 900C and allowing to cool overnight; soaking in water at room temperature; seeds which coats were manually removed; soaking in concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for 1min; 2mins; and 5mins; and soaking in primarily recycled H2SO4 for 2mins, 5mins and 10mins. One hundred seeds were assigned to each treatment and replicated in two locations of Akungba (lat. 70 281N and long. 50461E) and Ibadan (lat. 70 241N and long. 30 491E). Seeds were sown in germination trays containing washed-sterilized river sand in the screen house. Germination counts were taken daily. P. nitida exhibited “durian-epigeal” germination, seeds which coats were manually removed were the first batch to germinate 17 and 22 days after sowing (DAS) in Ibadan and Akungba respectively. The highest germination percentage of 100 in Ibadan and 84 in Akungba were obtained among this batch. Seeds soaked in water at room temperature gave 86% germination in Akungba and 63% in Ibadan. Seeds soaked in water at 900C, and primarily recycled H2SO4 acid for 10mins did not germinate for 106days. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences at P≤0.05 in treatment and location effects. Mean germination percentage of seeds which coats were removed was significantly different from other treatments. The inherent dormancy in P. nitida seed can be treated by manually removing the seed coat before sowing.
T. Gicquel et al., “Death Related to Consumption of Rauvolfia Sp. Powder Mislabeled as Tabernanthe Iboga,” Forensic Science International, vol. 266, pp. e38–e42, Sep. 2016.
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.06.014.
Powdered roots of iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) contain ibogaine, an alkaloid that has been used to treat addictions. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman who died after ingesting a powder labeled as Tabernanthe iboga she had bought online. Analysis of the powder revealed the absence of ibogaine but the presence of toxic alkaloids (ajmaline, yohimbine and reserpine) found in Rauvolfia sp. plant species. An original and specific LC–MS/MS method developed to quantify ajmaline, yohimbine and reserpine showed respective concentrations of 109.1 ng/mL, 98.2 ng/mL and 30.8 ng/mL in blood, and 1528.2 ng/mL, 914.2 ng/mL and 561.2 ng/mL in bile. Moreover, systematic toxicological analyses of biological samples showed the presence of oxazepam at therapeutic concentration and cannabinoids. Death could be attributed to ingestion of a substantial quantity of crushed roots of Rauvolfia in association with concomitant drug withdrawal.
B. González et al., “Efficient Access to the Iboga Skeleton: Optimized Procedure to Obtain Voacangine from Voacanga Africana Root Bark,” ACS Omega, vol. 6, no. 26, pp. 16755–16762, Jun. 2021.
doi: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00745.
, Iboga alkaloids are a group of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with promising and intriguing biological activities. Ibogaine is the representative member of the series and has become widely known as a potent atypical psychedelic with promising effects to treat substance use disorder. Nowadays, an efficient and scalable enantioselective total synthesis of ibogaine and related iboga alkaloids is still lacking, so direct extraction from natural sources or semi-synthetic schemes are the methods of choice to obtain them in a preparative scale. In particular, ibogaine can be obtained either by a low yielding direct isolation from Tabernanthe iboga or using a semi-synthetic procedure from voacangine, an iboga alkaloid occurring in a higher yield in the root bark of Voacanga africana. In this work, we describe an optimized process to obtain voacangine from V. africana root bark as a precursor of the iboga scaffold. Using a direct acetone-based extraction procedure (0.5 kg of root bark), voacangine was isolated in ∼0.8% of root bark dried weight, while the major alkaloids isolated from the bark were identified as iboga-vobasinyl dimers (∼3.7%) such as voacamine and voacamidine. Since these alkaloids contain the voacangine moiety in their structure, the cleavage of the dimers was further optimized, affording an extra amount of voacangine in ∼50% isolated molar yield. In this manner, the total amount of voacangine obtained by application of the whole procedure to the plant material (extraction and dimer cleavage) could almost duplicate the content originally found in the root bark.
R. Goutarel, J. Poisson, G. Croquelois, Y. Rolland, and C. Miet, “[Constituents of seeds of Tabernanthe iboga Baillon. I. Alkaloids],” Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises, vol. 32, no. 9-10, pp. 521–524, 1974 Sep-Oct.
B. Gulzar, A. Mujib, M. V. Rajam, A. Frukh, and N. Zafar, “Identification of Somatic Embryogenesis (SE) Related Proteins through Label-Free Shotgun Proteomic Method and Cellular Role in Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), vol. 137, no. 2, pp. 225–237, May 2019.
doi: 10.1007/s11240-019-01563-0.
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is an intricate in vitro multi-step biotechnological tool used to develop embryos/plants from a single or a group of somatic cells. It is a model technique for understanding various plant developmental pathways. A lot of research is going on to elucidate the mechanism underlying the process of SE. This study was aimed at the identification of SE related proteins in a medicinally important plant, Catharanthus roseus via label free liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC–MS). LC–MS is a sensitive and reliable technique than the gel based techniques, using LC–MSMS in tandem for separation and identification of proteins. Here, we are reporting for the first time SE related proteins in C. roseus by using gel free shotgun proteomic approach. The non embryogenic and embryogenic calli of C. roseus were used for comparative proteome analysis. A total of 3573 proteins were identified in both embryogenic and non embryogenic calli of which 1511 proteins were found to be common in both the calli. In non embryogenic callus 982 proteins while in embryogenic callus 1079 proteins were exclusively identified, which were associated with varied cellular functions. The most of these proteins function in different metabolic processes and stress responses. More than 72 stress responsive proteins and isoforms were observed exclusively in embryogenic callus including glutathione S transferase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, alkylhydro peroxidase, SOD Fe N domain containing protein, pyridine nucleotide disulphide oxidoreductase, thioredoxin reductase. The role of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in inducing stress cause switching on/off of several genes has been discussed, led biochemical and molecular alterations in acquiring somatic embryogenic competence.
M. Harada, K. N. Asaba, M. Iwai, N. Kogure, M. Kitajima, and H. Takayama, “Asymmetric Total Synthesis of an Iboga-Type Indole Alkaloid, Voacangalactone, Newly Isolated from Voacanga Africana,” Organic Letters, vol. 14, no. 22, pp. 5800–5803, Nov. 2012.
doi: 10.1021/ol3027945.
A new hexacyclic iboga-type indole alkaloid, voacangalactone (1), was isolated from Voacanga africana, and its structure including the absolute configuration was established by asymmetric total synthesis involving such key steps as the asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction using an aminodiene and the construction of an isoquinuclidine ring and an indole skeleton.
R. van der Heijden, A. Hermans-Lokkerbol, L. P. J. de Kool, P. J. Lamping, P. a. A. Harkes, and R. Verpoorte, “Accumulation of Indole Alkaloids in a Suspension Culture of Tabernaemontana Divaricata1,” Planta Medica, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 393–397, Oct. 1988.
doi: 10.1055/s-2006-962479.
Thieme E-Books & E-Journals
R. van der Heijden, C. L. Louwe, E. R. Verhey, P. a. A. Harkes, and R. Verpoorte, “Characterization of a Suspension Culture of Tabernaemontana Elegans on Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Accumulation of Indole Alkaloids*,” Planta Medica, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 158–162, Apr. 1989.
doi: 10.1055/s-2006-961912.
Thieme E-Books & E-Journals
R. van der Heijden, G. M. van der Graaf, E. J. M. Pennings, and R. Verpoorte, “Formation and Degradation of Some Aspidospermatan Indole Alkaloids in a Suspension Culture of Tabernaemontana Divaricata.,” Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (Paris), vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 351–358, 1990.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19910309728.
A suspension culture of T. divaricata was characterized for growth and alkaloid production. The stemmadenine-derived aspidospermatan indole alkaloids vallesamine and O-acetylvallesamine were formed as the main products. By comparing the products formed in cultured cells during a growth cycle with product formation in cell-free systems, some minor products of this cell line could be identified. In...
M. Hinojosa, I. Moneo, M. Cuevas, P. Diaz-Mateo, J. Subiza, and E. Losada, “Occupational Asthma Caused by Voacanga Africana Seed Dust,” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 574–578, Apr. 1987.
doi: 10.1016/S0091-6749(87)80151-3.
We report a case of a nonatopic patient in whom exposure to Voacanga africana (VA) dust precipitated asthma. The patient was indirectly exposed to this dust by her husband, a chemist working in a pharmaceutical plant in which VA is used for the production of vinburnine, an alkaloid derivative. Vinburnine (Cervoxan) is widely used in conditions associated with cerebral circulatory insufficiency. Studies revealed the presence of immediate skin test reactivity to VA dust, and specific anti-VA antibodies were detected in the patient’s serum by the reverse enzyme immunoassay technique. Bronchial challenge with a VA extract also resulted in an immediate asthmatic response without late reaction. These findings suggest a type I IgE-mediated immunologic mechanism as being responsible for the patient’s respiratory symptoms. Unexposed persons did not exhibit reactivity to this seed with any of the tests referred to above. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of occupational asthma caused by VA seeds.
M. Höft, R. Verpoorte, and E. Beck, “Growth and Alkaloid Contents in Leaves of Tabernaemontana Pachysiphon Stapf (Apocynaceae) as Influenced by Light Intensity, Water and Nutrient Supply,” Oecologia, vol. 107, no. 2, pp. 160–169, Jul. 1996.
doi: 10.1007/BF00327899.
The growth of Tabernaemontana pachysiphon (Apocynaceae) plants and the alkaloid content of leaves were investigated in the greenhouse at three levels of nutrient supply under two contrasting water and light regimes. We determined height increment, above-ground biomass production, leaf size, specific leaf weight and the content of the alkaloids apparicine, A2, isovoacangine, tubotaiwine and tubotaiwine-N-oxide. The effects of major controlling factors such as light, water and nutrient supply could be directly correlated with growth and were largely independent of each other. In contrast, leaf-alkaloid contents were influenced by interdependencies among the main factors and individually affected in a synergistic or antagonistic manner which deviated from the effects on growth. The following general trends could be identified with respect to the quantitatively predominant alkaloids apparicine, tubotaiwine and isovoacangine. Increasing nutrient supply had a positive effect on both growth and alkaloid content. Drought increased alkaloid content, but retarded growth. High light intensity lowered alkaloid content but promoted growth. We investigated the relationship between primary production and the production of secondary metabolites with respect to relative and total alkaloid content as well as in relation to the leaves’ nitrogen status. Our results showed that under conditions of low nutrient supply, higher proportions of leaf nitrogen were allocated to alkaloids than at moderate or high nutrient supply. Under conditions of drought and low light, all plants allocated almost equal proportions of leaf nitrogen to alkaloids, regardless of fertiliser. Total alkaloid content per plant, however, increased with fertilisation. With respect to the N-allocation strategy, we found no indication of a trade-off between primary production and the production of secondary metabolites in this species. Rather, our results are in accordance with the carbon nutrient balance hypothesis.
M. Höft, R. Verpoorte, and E. Beck, “Growth and Alkaloid Patterns of Roots of Tabernaemontana Pachysiphon and Rauvolfia Mombasiana as Influenced by Environmental Factors,” Botanica Acta, vol. 111, no. 3, pp. 222–230, 1998.
doi: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.1998.tb00699.x.
Abstract: The influence of environmental factors on the indole alkaloid content and biomass of the roots of Tabernaemontana pachysiphon and Rauvolfia mombasiana, two species of considerable local medicinal use in tropical East Africa, was investigated. Both species, belonging to the Apocynaceae, are frequent constituents of the residual tropical forests, prefering sites of different ecological conditions. Experimental plants, raised from seeds, were grown for 16 months in a temperature- and humidity-controlled greenhouse. Environmental factors at variance were water and nutrient supply, and light intensity. At sufficient water and nutrient supply, the more drought and nutrient shortage-tolerating heliophilous Rauvolfia mombasiana showed increased alkaloid accumulation, concurrently with reduced root biomass. Under the same conditions, the drought-sensitive and higher levels of nutrient-requiring ombrophilous Tabernaemontana pachysiphon produced more root biomass but accumulated less alkaloids in the roots. The results indicate that the accumulation of indole alkaloids in the roots, as well as biomass allocation to the roots, is influenced in an opposite manner by the nutrient and water supply to the heliophilous and the ombrophilous species.
J. Homar, “Introduction to Process of in Vitro Propagation and Roots Cluster Formation of the Tabernanthe Iboga (l.) Nutt. and Analysis of Ibogain Levels,” PhD thesis, 2017.https://core.ac.uk/display/84898200.
Protocols for micropropagation of iboga Tabernanthe iboga (L.) Nutt. was studied by various methods of plant tissue culture. One them was hormone-free, the other contained auxins IBA or NAA. Seeds germinates on all germination media and seedlings developed into plants. Multiplication of shoots was tested on various compositions of macro and micro elements - B5, WPM, MS, DKW. Medium RP1 (B5 medium) was the best for shoots multiplication. On rooting media no rooting occurred but formation of callus. Leaf yellowing was later reduced in media containing iron chelated with FeEDDH. Unexpectedly in liquid media supplemented with auxins somatic formation of embryos occurred. Induction of root growth from shoot and root explants was tested on solid and liquid media. He solid media growth was slow but root explants formed a limited quantity of new roots and shoots. Roots cultured in liquid media formed additional roots but after third subculture somatic embryos were formed. Somatic embryos were formed in several subcultures and were grown to plantlet stage being successfully acclimatized. The results of measurements of ibogaine was received from Dr. Gordane Koželj from the Institute of Forensic Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, the "green pattern" (shoots) containing 0.010 wt. % Ibogaine, "brown sample" (the roots of the plant) 0.012 wt. % ibogaine.
H. R. Hosseini, M. Chehrazi, M. M. Sorestani, D. Nabati, and K. Sorkhe, “Autotetraploidy Induction and Seed Quality Comparison between Diploid and Tetraploid Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus Roseus Cv. Rosea) Seedlings,” p. 5, 2013.
Autotetraploidy induction in Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus cv. rosea) was conducted with colchicine at the stage of two true leaves. After recording morphological changes, some samples from each treatment were analyzed by flow cytometry to determine ploidy levels. Identification and proofing of autotetraploid plants were performed by flow cytometry, and then plants were grown under favorable conditions in greenhouse to produce seeds. Seed germination of diploid and tetraploid seedling was evaluated. The results showed that increase in the ploidy level, caused a significant increase in seed weight of tetraploid plants. Germination rate and percentage of seeds were reduced (P≤0.05) with ploidy level increment. Root and shoot length were higher in diploid than tetraploid seedlings. The dry and fresh weight of seedling was higher in tetraploid than diploid, which was due to increase in stem and root diameter in tetraploid seedling. Seed vigor index significantly reduced in the tetraploid plants. But there was no significant difference in root to shoot length ratio between diploid and tetraploid plants.
I. Igbe and T. Edike, “In Vivo Antinociceptive Activity of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Voacanga Africana Stapf (Apocynaceae) in Mice,” Journal of Science and Practice of Pharmacy, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 51–54, Dec. 2015.
doi: 10.47227/jsppharm/v2i1.11.
Purpose: To investigate the analgesic activity and phytochemical constituents of aqueous extract of Voacanga africana leaves and validate it use in folklore medicine.
I. Ighodaro, S. Innih, S. Vincent Ogedengbe, and L. Amamina, “Chronic Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Voacanga Africana in Wistar Rats,” Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, vol. 19, no. 4, p. 639, Mar. 2016.
doi: 10.4314/jasem.v19i4.11.
A. Ilah, A. Mujib, A. Junaid, F. Samar, and M. Z. Abdin, “Somatic Embryogenesis and Two Embryo Specific Proteins (38 and 33 kD) in Catharanthus Roseus,” Biologia, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 299–304, Apr. 2009.
doi: 10.2478/s11756-009-0031-9.
In the present study, the regeneration pathway, especially the different events of somatic embryogenesis (SE) have been studied morphologically and biochemically in Catharanthus roseus. Firstly, the calluses were induced from different explant sources (hypocotyl, epicotyl and root) by using various auxins. Embryogenic and non-embryogenic calluses were identified based on their morphology, colour and dry weight. Embryogenic callus was later cultivated on MS added with 0.45 μM 2,4-D, 6.62 μM BAP and 1.44 μM GA3 for obtaining various developmental stages of embryos. Different stages of embryos have been assayed for the establishment of marker based embryogenesis, particularly on embryo specific proteins whose presence or absence will ensure a rapid and efficient production of embryos that has a special application to clonal biotechnology. Two embryo specific proteins (38 and 33 kD) have been identified for the first time in C. roseus during torpedo stage of embryogenesis. Besides, multiple shoot formation from in vitro raised emblings was also attempted to examine the role of BAP and kinetin for shoot proliferation. The shoots were rooted with 5.37 μM NAA and 5.71 μM IAA before transplantation.
M. M. Iwu, Handbook of African Medicinal Plants. CRC Press, 2014.
With over 50,000 distinct species in sub-Saharan Africa alone, the African continent is endowed with an enormous wealth of plant resources. While more than 25 percent of known species have been used for several centuries in traditional African medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases, Africa remains a minor player in the global natural
K. Jacques, L. B. K. Mabeku, J. R. Kuiate, A. T. Tiabou, and Z. T. Fomum, “Antimicrobial Glycosides and Derivatives from Roots of Picralima Nitida,” International Journal of Chemistry, vol. 3, no. 2, p. p23, Jun. 2011.
doi: 10.5539/ijc.v3n2p23.
Phytochemical screening was performed on the roots of Picralima nitida, resulting in the isolation of three new coumestan glycosides, 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-2-[2’(E)-3’-methyl-4’-O-β-D-galactopyranosylbutenyl]-8isoprenylcoumestan (1), 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-2-[2’(E)-3’-methyl-4’-O-β-D-glucopyranosylbutenyl]-8-[2”(E) -3”-methyl-4”-oxobutenyl]coumestan (2), and 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-4-[2’(E)-3’-methyl-4’-O-β-Dglucopyranosylbutenyl]-8-[2”(E)-3”-methyl-4”-oxobutenyl]coumestan (3). Acid hydrolysis of 1, 2 and 3 afforded three new coumestan, 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-2-[2’(E)-4’-hydroxy-3’-methylbutenyl]-8isoprenylcoumestan (4), 3- hydroxy-9-methoxy-2-[2’(E)-4’-hydroxy-3’-methylbutenyl]-8-[2”(E)-3”-methyl-4”oxobutenyl]coumestan (5), and 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-4-[2’(E)-4’-hydroxy-3’-methylbutenyl]-8-[2”(E)-3”methyl-4”-oxobutenyl]coumestan (6), respectively. Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical transformations. Compounds 1 - 6 showed antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris.
C. Jenks, “Extraction Studies of Tabernanthe Iboga and Voacanga Africana,” Natural Product Letters, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 71–76, Jan. 2002.
doi: 10.1080/1057563029001/4881.
The root bark of Tabernanthe iboga contains ibogaine as its predominant alkaloid and has been an important source of it. Ibogaine is used experimentally to interrupt drug addiction and allow therapeutic intervention, but is currently unaffordable to doctors in less economically developed countries. To meet this need, an extraction of alkaloids from T. iboga root bark was optimized and simplified to use only diluted vinegar and ammonia, and was successfully applied to related alkaloids from Voacanga africana bark also. The alkaloids were converted to their hydrochlorides and purified, and the minor alkaloids were recovered.
Has anyone a good process for germinating these seeds please?
P. E. Joshua, S. A. Oka, and C. S. Eze, “Estimation of Phytochemical, Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoid Contents of Methanol Extract of Voacanga Africana Root Bark and Its Fractions,” Bio-Research, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 988–993, 2017.
doi: 10.4314/br.v15i1.
Phenolic and flavonoid contents in plants play a great role in scavenging free radicals in the body and act as antioxidants; thus making their determination very vital. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the methanol extract of Voacanga africana root bark and its fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) were carried out in this study. The total phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau assay while the the total flavonoid content was determined by the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay method. The result obtained showed that n-hexane fraction of the plant exhibited the highest (116.607±95.13 mgGAE/g) total phenolic content (TPC) at all concentrations followed by ethyl acetate fraction of the plants. The highest total flavonoid content across concentrations (300, 250, 200, 100, 50 and 25 μg/ml) was exhibited by n-hexane fraction (467.143±44.22 mg QE/g). From the results, it was concluded that n-hexane fraction of V. Africana root bark exhibited the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents at all concentrations (ppm), followed by ethyl acetate. It could be deduced that V. africana root bark possesses phenolic and flavonoid contents depending on the type of extract or fraction; thus justifying its folkloric use in the treatment of diseases.Keywords: Phytochemicals, Phenols, Flavonoids, Voacanga africana, Root bark, Fraction
H. R. Juliani, J. E. Simon, and C.-T. Ho, Eds., African Natural Plant Products: New Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry and Quality, vol. 1021. Washington DC: American Chemical Society, 2010.
doi: 10.1021/bk-2009-1021.
A. Junaid, A. Mujib, M. A. Bhat, A. Ilah, and M. P. Sharma, “Embryogenesis in Catharanthus Roseus:Roles of Some External Factors in Proliferation, Maturation and Germination of Embryos,” in Somatic Embryogenesis, A. Mujib and J. Šamaj, Eds. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, 2006, pp. 259–270.
doi: 10.1007/7089_030.
Catharanthus roseus is an important medicinal plant that contains two well-known anticancerous alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine. Cell culture technology has been employed for a long time to improve the alkaloid yield. In this chapter, various processes of somatic embryogenesis such as embryo induction, proliferation, maturation and germination are described. In this embryogenic system, embryos showed irregularities in structure and registered poor conversion frequency. Several carbon sources were added in order to improve the embryo quality before germination: 3% fructose or 3–6% maltose were found to be effective during maturation. Plantlet conversion was high on 3–6% maltose and 3% fructose. In addition, suspension culture, indirect embryogenesis and loss of embryogenic potential with time are discussed in brief. The authors felt that the low yields of vincristine and vinblastine may be improved if the single cell embryo origin concept is utilized in a genetic modification program.
A. Junaid, A. Mujib, M. A. Bhat, and M. P. Sharma, “Somatic Embryo Proliferation, Maturation and Germination in Catharanthus Roseus,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 84, no. 3, pp. 325–332, Mar. 2006.
doi: 10.1007/s11240-005-9041-7.
In the present study an efficient somatic embryogenesis method has been developed in Catharanthus roseus. Friable embryogenic callus was induced from hypocotyl of invitro germinated seeds on Murashige and Skoog basal nutrient media supplemented with various auxins particularly 2,4-D (1.0 mg l−1). However, only NAA (1.0 mg l−1) produced somatic embryos in cultures. Embryo proliferation was even high on the same medium added with BAP. Cotyledonary somatic embryo germinated and converted into plantlets in BAP (0.5 mg l−1) added medium following a treatment with gibberellic acid (1.0 mg l−1) for maturation. Carbon sources and concentrations had a marked influence on maturation process. Plantlet conversion was better achieved when embryos were matured on 3% fructose or 3–6% maltose. The result discussed in this paper indicates that somatic embryos were produced in numbers and converted plantlets can be used as raw material, genetic modification to embryo precursor cell may improve alkaloid yield further.
A. Junaid, A. Mujib, M. A. Bhat, M. P. Sharma, and J. Samaj, “Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Catharanthus Roseus,” Biologia plantarum, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 641–646, Dec. 2007.
doi: 10.1007/s10535-007-0136-3.
Embryogenic callus in Catharanthus roseus was initiated from hypocotyl on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 - 2.0 mg dm-3 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or chlorophenoxyacetic acid (CPA). Calli from other sources were non-embryogenic. Numerous somatic embryos were induced from primary callus on MS medium suplemented with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) within two weeks of culture. Embryo proliferation was much faster on medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). After transfer to medium with gibberellic acid (GA3, 1.0 mg dm-3) mature green embryos were developed and germinated well into plantlets on MS liquid medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm-3 BAP. Later, embryos with cotyledonary leaves were subjected to different auxins treatments for the development of roots. Before transfer ex vitro, plantlets were cultivated on half strength MS medium containing 3 % sucrose and 0.5 mg dm-3 BAP for additional 2 weeks. Additionally, the effect of liquid medium has been evaluated at different morphogenetic stages.
T.-S. Kam and S. Anuradha, “Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Phytochemistry, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 313–316, Sep. 1995.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(95)00266-A.
An ethanolic extract of the leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata (double flower variety) furnished, in addition to voaphylline, N1-methylvoaphylline, voaharine, pachysiphine, apparicine and conophylline, two new alkaloids, ( − )-mehranine and the dimeric indole conofoline. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated by spectral methods.
- Kamdem et al., “In Vitro Regeneration of Picralima Nitida (Stapf). T. Durand & H. Using Zygotic Embryo,” Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 143–151, 2021.
doi: 10.3329/ptcb.v31i2.57342.
Disinfected mature seed embryos of Picralima nitida, were cultured in MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of 2,4-D, BAP and NAA to determine an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation. Nine culture media made of combination of different components were used in a factorial design with three replications. Results showed up to 80 ± 4% disinfection rate with combination of triton x- 100 (0.2%) and sodium hypochlorite (30%). Embryo germination was highest on control medium. Rooting was higher (2±1 roots per embryo) after 4 weeks on control medium and on BAP supplemented medium at 0.8 μM while the longest root (1.5±0.5 cm) was observed on 2,4-D supplemented medium at 1.8 μM. Black soil was suitable for leaf formation (4 ± 2 leaves) and shoot elongation (2±1 cm) after 8 weeks in acclimatisation. These results show efficient disinfection, regeneration and acclimatisation of Picralima nitida. Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 31(2): 143-151, 2021 (December)
H. Kodja, I. Robene-Soustrade, and J. Figier, “Synergistic Effect of DFMO and 2,4-D on Regeneration of Tabernaemontana Persicariaefolia Jacq in Vitro,” Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 359–366, Sep. 1997.
doi: 10.1007/s11738-997-0013-x.
Callus cultures of Tabernaemontana persicariaefolia, (Apocynaceae), an endangered species endemic to the Mascarene Islands, were established from leaf explants on MS medium containing either 5 mg·l−1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg·l−1 BA or 5 mg·l−1 2,4-D, 0.5 mg·l−1 BA and 200 mg·l−1 DFMO. Histological studies showed regenerating nodules resembling globular embryos in calli after 4 weeks on the DFMO medium. Green shoot formation was achieved by sequential subculture of the induced calli on media with gradually decreasing 2,4-D concentrations (5→1→0 mg·l−1). Regeneration was greatly stimulated in the presence of DFMO. The first emergence of shoots occured 3 weeks earlier than in untreated callus cultures.
I. H. Kontoh, “Effect of Growth Regulators and Soil Media on the Propagation of Voacanga Africana Stem Cuttings,” Agroforestry Systems, vol. 90, no. 3, pp. 479–488, Jun. 2016.
doi: 10.1007/s10457-015-9870-2.
In Ghana, riverine forests (riparian buffers) have been seriously degraded resulting in drying up of several rivers, which supply water to certain communities, especially in the rural areas. Restoration of these degraded lands is mostly done using exotic tree species which have the tendency to colonize and dominate indigenous tree species and eventually lead to loss of biodiversity. This research therefore examines the propagation of Voacanga africana tree species which could be used to protect water bodies and restore biodiversity loss. An experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources lath house in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The objective was to test the efficiency of different growth media and hormones to improve rooting. The experiment consisted of three wood types of V. africana (hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood), raised in three soil types (topsoil, sand and mixture of topsoil and sand) and treated with three growth hormones [Indobutyric acid (IBA), IBA + Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Control]. The results showed that, hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of V. africana performed better in terms of sprouting and rooting. Dip‘N’grow (an IBA/NAA premix) was the best among the growth hormones. Seradix ‘3’ powder (NAA) was also consistent. Among the growing media, materials raised in a mixture of topsoil and sand performed better than any of the soil types alone. Semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings without hormone treatment (control) or treated with dip ‘n’grow in a mixture of topsoil and sand should be considered for future propagation of V. africana stem cuttings.
I. H. Kontoh, “Propagation Studies of Voacanga Africana Stem Cuttings for the Protection of Water Bodies in the Transitional Zone of Ghana.,” Thesis, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2008.http://ir.knust.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/996.
In Ghana, riverine forests (riparian buffers) have been seriously degraded resulting in the drying up of several rivers, which supply water to certain communities, especially in the rural areas. The restoration of these degraded lands is mostly done using exotic tree species which have the tendency to colonise and dominate indigenous tree species and eventually lead to loss of biodiversity. This research therefore examines the propagation of Voacanga africana tree species which could be used to protect water bodies, restore biodiversity loss and also provide economic benefits to the local people by harvesting its fruits for sale. Two experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources lath house in K.N.U.S.T on 6th July, 2006 and completed on 9th December, 2006. The first experiment consisted of three wood types of Voacanga africana (hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood), raised in three soil types (topsoil, sand and mixture of topsoil and sand) and treated with three growth hormone (IBA, IBA+NAA and Control) which gave a 3x3x3 factorial in a Completely Randomised Design. The main plot factor was the growing media (soil types), the sub-plot factor was the growth hormone whiles the sub-sub plot factor was the wood types. These gave twenty -seven treatment combinations with ten cuttings each which were replicated three times. Cuttings were evaluated for shoot sprouts, rooting, number of roots, root length and disease infection. The results showed that, hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of Voacanga africana performed better in terms of sprouting and rooting. Dip’N’grow (an IBA/NAA premix) was the best among the growth hormone, Seradix ’3’ powder (NAA) was also consistent. Among the growing media, materials raised in a mixture of topsoil and sand performed better than any of the soil types alone. The general performance of Voacanga africana cuttings which had no cover and those that were covered with polythene were not remarkably different. The conclusion drawn from the research findings were that, a micro-climate should be created to aid in the successful sprouting of Voacanga africana stem cuttings; semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings without hormone treatment (control) or treated with dip ’n’grow in a mixture of topsoil and sand should be considered for future propagation of Voacanga africana stem cuttings. GIS and Remote Sensing technology was also identified as a very effective tool in gathering reliable and accurate information about natural resources degradation.
V. Kontrimavičiūtė, O. Mathieu, L. Balas, R. Escale, J. P. Blayac, and F. M. M. Bressolle, “Ibogaine and Noribogaine: Structural Analysis and Stability Studies. Use of LC‐MS to Determine Alkaloid Contents of the Root Bark of Tabernanthe Iboga,” Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies, vol. 30, no. 8, pp. 1077–1092, Mar. 2007.
doi: 10.1080/10826070601128451.
The aim of this study was: i) to carry out a structural analysis of ibogaine and noribogaine, ii) to identify products formed under light exposure (daylight or 254 nm, 20°C) of the two drugs in methanolic solutions, and iii) to examine the alkaloid contents of a specimen of root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub using liquid chromatography‐electrospray mass spectrometry. After daylight exposure, two oxidation products were detected: ibochine and iboluteine from ibogaine, and desmethoxyibochine and desmethoxyiboluteine from noribogaine. After exposure to 254 nm of the ibogaine solution, another compound that could possibly be the analogous lactam of iboluteine was detected. From the liquid chromatography electrospray‐mass spectrometry analysis of the root barks of a specimen of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, seven alkaloids were detected: ibochine (m/z 325), ibogaline (m/z 341), iboluteine (m/z 327), ibogaine (m/z 311), ibogamine (m/z 281) and voacangine (m/z 369). The last compound characterized by the protonated species (M+H)+ at m/z 309 has not been identified. In all samples, ibogaine was the principal alkaloid observed; its concentration ranged from 1.8 to 5.93 mg/g. For the other indole alkaloids, the peak areas of ibogaline, ibogamine and voacangine represent 11.9, 21.5, and 30.5% of that of ibogaine, respectively.
E. M. Koriesh, A. M. M. Khalil, and Y. M. Abd El-Fatah, “APPLICATION ONE OF HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS IN PRODUCTION OF Catharanthus Roseus L. PLANT,” Journal of Plant Production, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 6595–6615, Jun. 2009.
doi: 10.21608/jpp.2009.118637.
This study was conducted during the two successive seasons of 2005 and 2006 at the Experimental Farm of El-Kassasin Horticultural Research Station, Ismailia Governorate, using periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus, L. G. Don cultivar) to study the effect of nitrogen sources, humic acid concentrations and their interactions on growth and the content of alkaloids determined as perivine. Plants raised in sand culture and irrigated with complete nutrient solution contain five different ratios of nitrate – N to ammonium – N and four different concentrations of humic acid. Greatest growth measured by plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, root main length (cm), fresh and dry weights of branches (g)/plant, fresh and dry weights of leaves (g)/plant, fresh and dry weights of roots (g)/plant, N.P.K. % and content of alkaloids occurred at the highest ratios of nitrate – N to ammonium – N . Similar trend was obtained with 200 ppm humic acid.
F. Krengel, Q. Chevalier, J. Dickinson, J. Herrera Santoyo, and R. Reyes Chilpa, “Metabolite Profiling of Anti-Addictive Alkaloids from Four Mexican Tabernaemontana Species and the Entheogenic African Shrub Tabernanthe Iboga (Apocynaceae),” Chemistry & Biodiversity, vol. 16, no. 4, p. e1800506, 2019.
doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201800506.
Ibogaine and other ibogan type alkaloids present anti-addictive effects against several drugs of abuse and occur in different species of the Apocynaceae family. In this work, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and principal component analysis (PCA) in order to compare the alkaloid profiles of the root and stem barks of four Mexican Tabernaemontana species with the root bark of the entheogenic African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. PCA demonstrated that separation between species could be attributed to quantitative differences of the major alkaloids, coronaridine, ibogamine, voacangine, and ibogaine. While T. iboga mainly presented high concentrations of ibogaine, Tabernaemontana samples either showed a predominance of voacangine and ibogaine, or coronaridine and ibogamine, respectively. The results illustrate the phytochemical proximity between both genera and confirm previous suggestions that Mexican Tabernaemontana species are viable sources of anti-addictive compounds.
F. Krengel, “Producción de Alcaloides Indólicos Monoterpenoides En Cultivos de Callo y Células En Suspensión de Tabernaemontana Alba Mill. (Apocynaceae),” PhD thesis, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 2015.https://ru.dgb.unam.mx/handle/DGB_UNAM/TES01000737191.
Tabernaemontana alba Mill. (Apocynaceae) is a species native to Mexico and used in traditional medicine on which little phytochemical information exists. Regarding plant tissue culture (PTC) of this species, there is no information at all. In order to study the production of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) in in vitro cultures of T. alba, a protocol for callus induction in different explant types, as well as for the establishment of cell suspension cultures was developed. The latter were elicitated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and Fusarium sp., respectively. Alkaloid extracts were obtained from the elicited and untreated in vitro cultures and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) to quantify two MIAs with antiaddiction activity, ibogaine and voacangine, using the external standard method. The results were compared to alkaloid extracts obtained from different organs of whole T. alba plants in which 8 MIAs, including ibogaine and voacangine, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). No significant differences were observed between treatment and control groups in the two elicitation assays, but several callus and cell suspension cultures produced intermediate concentrations of ibogaine (up to 0.0034% of dry weight of plant material) and low but detectable quantities of voacangine (up to 0.0004%), compared to the organs of wild and greenhousegrown whole plants (up to 0,0397% and 0,0838%, respectively). Relatively high yields of ibogaine (0.0244%) and voacangine (0.0659%) were registered in alkaloid extracts of in vitro grown whole T. alba plants derived from the fortuitous induction of somatic embriogenesis in some explants. In addition to reporting for the first time the presence of ibogaine and voacangine in T. alba, it was concluded that plant tissue cultures of this species are a viable option for producing these MIAs via the induction of somatic embryos which originate whole plants, and, alternatively, through the establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures, providing that yields can be optimized in the latter.
F. Krengel, J. Herrera Santoyo, T. de J. Olivera Flores, V. M. Chávez Ávila, F. J. Pérez Flores, and R. Reyes Chilpa, “Quantification of Anti-Addictive Alkaloids Ibogaine and Voacangine in In Vivo- and In Vitro-Grown Plants of Two Mexican Tabernaemontana Species,” Chemistry & Biodiversity, vol. 13, no. 12, pp. 1730–1737, 2016.
doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201600146.
Tabernaemontana alba and Tabernaemontana arborea are Apocynaceae species used in Mexican traditional medicine for which little phytochemical information exists. In this study, preliminary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of different organs obtained from wild plants of both species identified a total of 10 monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) and one simple indole alkaloid, nine of which were reported for the first time in these species. Furthermore, callus cultures were established from T. alba leaf explants and regeneration of whole plants was accomplished via somatic embryogenesis. The anti-addictive MIAs ibogaine and voacangine were then quantified by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection in wild plants of both species, as well as greenhouse-grown plants, in vitro-grown plantlets and embryogenic callus of T. alba. Ibogaine and voacangine were present in most samples taken from the whole plants of both species, with stem and root barks showing the highest concentrations. No alkaloids were detected in callus samples. It was concluded that T. alba and T. arborea are potentially viable sources of ibogaine and voacangine, and that these MIAs can be produced through somatic embryogenesis and whole plant regeneration of T. alba. Approaches to increase MIA yields in whole plants and to achieve alkaloid production directly in cell cultures are discussed.
F. Krengel, J. Dickinson, C. Jenks, and R. Reyes-Chilpa, “Quantitative Evaluation of a Mexican and a Ghanaian Tabernaemontana Species as Alternatives to Voacanga Africana for the Production of Antiaddictive Ibogan Type Alkaloids,” Chemistry & Biodiversity, vol. 17, no. 5, p. e2000002, 2020.
doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202000002.
In continuation of our efforts to provide quantitative information on antiaddictive ibogan type alkaloid-producing Tabernaemontana species, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to compare the alkaloid profiles of the barks and/or leaves of one Mexican and one African species – T. arborea and T. crassa, respectively, with the primary sources of commercially available semisynthetic ibogaine, Voacanga africana root and stem bark. The qualitative and quantitative similarities between T. arborea and V. africana barks consolidate previous reports regarding the potential of the former as a promising alternative source of voacangine and ibogaine. The results also suggest that T. crassa could be used to produce conopharyngine and ibogaline, two compounds with the same basic skeletal structure and possibly similar antiaddictive properties as ibogaine.
F. Krengel, T. de J. Olivera-Flores, J. Herrera-Santoyo, and R. Reyes-Chilpa, “Strategies for the in Vitro Production of Antiaddictive Ibogan Type Alkaloids from Apocynaceae Species,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), vol. 138, no. 2, pp. 215–227, Aug. 2019.
doi: 10.1007/s11240-019-01629-z.
Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) of the ibogan type, such as ibogaine, have shown promising antiaddictive effects against several drugs of abuse in humans and animal models of addiction. Unfortunately, international ibogaine demand has led to the overexploitation of natural populations of the African species Tabernanthe iboga (Apocynaceae), the main source of this alkaloid. Therefore, it is necessary to identify alternative ibogan type alkaloid-containing plant species, as well as to develop new sustainable production systems for said group of pharmaceutically important compounds. In this review, we focus on strategies for the in vitro production of the antiaddictive ibogan type MIAs coronaridine, ibogamine, voacangine, and ibogaine (collectively named “CIVI-complex”) from Apocynaceae species, with particular emphasis on the Tabernaemontana genus. Since plant tissue culture (PTC)-related information on the CIVI-complex is scarce, we also consider reports on the in vitro production of other ibogan type MIAs and where necessary, of compounds belonging to the aspidospermatan, corynanthean, and plumeran type.
A. Kumar, K. Prakash, R. K. Sinha, and N. Kumar, “In Vitro Plant Propagation of Catharanthus Roseus and Assessment of Genetic Fidelity of Micropropagated Plants by RAPD Marker Assay,” Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, vol. 169, no. 3, pp. 894–900, Feb. 2013.
doi: 10.1007/s12010-012-0010-4.
An investigation was carried out to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for Catharanthus roseus. Experiments were conducted to optimize suitable media for in vitro shoot multiplication and root induction. Out of the different media compared for in vitro shoot multiplication, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/l of 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.2 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid showed better response in terms of the emergence of shoots from axillary buds as well as proliferation and multiplication of shoots. The shoots when placed on half strength of MS medium having 1 mg/l indole 3-butyric acid and 0.25 % charcoal showed cent percent root induction with maximum number of roots per shoot (4.2) as well as maximum root length (1.72 cm). Further, clonal fidelity of the in vitro-raised plants was carried out using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA marker and results indicated that all the tissue culture-derived plants are true-to-type and there were no somaclonal variations among these plants.
L Allorge and H Couderc, La syncarpie chez Tabernanthe et sa particularité dans la sous-famille des Tabernœmontanoideœ (Apocynaceœ). 1983.http://archive.org/details/biostor-247616.
B. Łata, “Cultivation, Mineral Nutrition and Seed Production of Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don in the Temperate Climate Zone,” Phytochemistry Reviews, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 403–411, Jul. 2007.
doi: 10.1007/s11101-007-9069-x.
The following aspects of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don cultivation are covered in this chapter: climatic and soil requirements, agricultural measures, including propagation, sowing, planting, fertilization, irrigation and harvest date. The influence of these parameters on quality of herb material and alkaloid concentration is also discussed. Although tropical and subtropical zone have been reported as the most suitable for the cultivation of Catharanthus roseus, it seems to be possible to grow it also under other climatic conditions. However then, adequate conditions should be provided, according to the specific requirements of this species. Proper air temperature and humidity as well as sufficient soil moisture during growth, development and seed set are important factors for growing of Catharanthus roseus in the temperate zone. Albeit it may tolerate unfavourable environment conditions such as drought or salinity, its yield may be reduced considerably. Special attention has been paid in this paper to the effect of different ways of fertilization on alkaloid yield.
X. Li et al., “Cytotoxic Active Ingredients from the Seeds of Voacanga Africana,” South African Journal of Botany, vol. 137, pp. 311–319, Mar. 2021.
doi: 10.1016/j.sajb.2020.10.028.
Voacanga africana is a medicinal tree used in Ghana in West Africa for treatment of various diseases. Using MTT assay-guided separation, 6 compounds were isolated and identified. Compound 1 was a new compound, and the rest 5 compounds were 3-oxo-tabersonine (2), 3α- acetonylvoafrine B (3), lochnericine (4), 17,18-dehydrovincamine (5) and tabersonine (6). Amongst these compounds, tabersonine exhibited a remarkable cytotoxic activity and the IC50 value of tabersonine on 10 types of human cancer cell lines range from 4.8 ± 0.4 µg/mL to 22.5 ± 1.4 µg/mL. The cytotoxicity of tabersonine may be through inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, this study is the first report about the isolation and evaluation of anti-tumor components in Voacanga africana seeds. From these results, the alkaloid compound tabersonine could be considered as a potential anti-tumor agent.
E. Lucumi, M. Luczkiewicz, A. Vera, D. Hallard, R. van der Heijden, and R. Verpoorte, “Alkaloid Formation in Cell Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata after Feeding of Tryptamine and Loganin,” Biotechnology Letters, vol. 23, no. 20, pp. 1691–1696, Oct. 2001.
doi: 10.1023/A:1012452313625.
A cell suspension culture of Tabernaemontana divaricata, that had lost alkaloid production, was still capable of producing a similar pattern of alkaloids as directly after its initiation. When fed with early precursors, such as tryptamine and loganin, 57% of the precursors was converted into indole alkaloids such as strictosidine, vallesamine, O-acetylvallesamine and voaphylline. Apparently most of the cell factory has remained stable during the many years of subculturing. Only an early step of the biosynthesis the flux seems to be diverted to other pathways.
E. Lucumi, A. Vera, D. Hallard, R. van der Heijden, and R. Verpoorte, “Alkaloid Formation in Cell Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Elegans after Feeding of Tryptamine and Loganin or Secologanin,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 68, no. 3, pp. 293–299, Mar. 2002.
doi: 10.1023/A:1013993403959.
A cell suspension culture of Tabernaemontana elegans lost its ability to produce alkaloids after a prolonged period of subculture. To determine whether it was still capable of performing the later steps of the alkaloid biosynthetic pathway, the culture was fed with tryptamine and loganin. The precursors and alkaloids were determined in the biomass and in the medium during a growth cycle. In this culture, an increase in the amount of serotonin was found in the biomass after feeding of tryptamine and loganin. Secologanin was detected in small amounts but strictosidine was not. Therefore, a limitation in alkaloid formation in this T. elegans cell line occured in the formation of secologanin from loganin. After feeding of secologanin alone, strictosidine, 10-hydroxy strictosidine, strictosidinic acid and two other indole alkaloids, as yet unidentified, were formed. However, the alkaloids originally produced by this cell line were not found. As the biosynthesis is impaired at several steps, it seems that the loss of productivity is more likely to be to a change on the level of the regulation of the pathway, than due to the loss of the capacity to express an individual biosynthetic gene of the pathway.
If anyone can help me with this id appreciate it. with the anadenanthera colubrina (what a mouthful) i got these off the boards through Torsten and tried the grinding and etc. to no avail, so i thought id try and germinate some. put them in a pot and am waiting. also put some in water and placed ...
H. B. MacPhillamy, R. L. Dziemian, R. A. Lucas, and M. E. Kuehne, “The Alkaloids of Tabernanthe Iboga. Part VI.1 The Synthesis of the Selenium Dehydrogenation Products from Ibogamine,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 80, no. 9, pp. 2172–2178, May 1958.
doi: 10.1021/ja01542a035.
This study highlights for the first time an efficient somatic embryogenesis method that has been developed using triacontanol as a growth regulator in Catharanthus roseus. Friable embryogenic callus was induced from thin sections of shoot tips collected from the field-grown plants on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 µM 2, 4-D and 5.0 µM triacontanol (TRIA) (induction medium I). Subculture of embryogenic callus on maturation medium supplemented with 5.0 µM ABA without any other growth regulators induced cotyledonary stage somatic embryos. The percentage of somatic embryogenesis was not similar in all the three genotypes of C. roseus. The highest percentage of somatic embryogenesis (85.0%) was recorded in case of genotype III, with a total of 14 somatic seedlings recovered per gram fresh weight of embryogenic tissue. Somatic embryos were successfully germinated on half strength MS medium without growth regulators. Triacontanol can thus be used as an effective growth regulator for inducing somatic embryogenesis in C. roseus.
M. Maqsood, A. Mujib, and Z. H. Siddiqui, “Synthetic Seed Development and Conversion to Plantlet in Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don.,” Biotechnology(Faisalabad), vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 37–43, Dec. 2011.
doi: 10.3923/biotech.2012.37.43.
P. R. Mattis and D. R. Hershey, “Abnormal Root Morphology of Catharanthus Roseus Grown in Solution Culture,” HortScience, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 718C–718, Jun. 1991.
doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI.26.6.718C.
Rose periwinkle (C. roseus ‘Little Linda’), a common bedding plant, grown in Hoagland solution #1 with Fe-EDTA at 5 mg/L Fe had normal shoot morphology, but abnormal root morphology. The primary root was twisted and lateral roots were extremely stunted with dichotomous branching. Over a dozen other bedding and foliage plant species had normal root morphology when grown in an identical solution, and cuttings from periwinkle with abnormal roots produced normal roots when rooted in 2 mM CaCl\textsubscript2. When these rooted cuttings were grown in Fe free Hoagland solution #1, root morphology was normal, indicating that the Fe-EDTA caused the problem. Seedlings were then grown in solution for 30 days with Fe supplied as Fe-EDTA (both 5 mg/L and 1 mg/L Fe), Fe-DPTA (5 mg/L and 1 mg/L Fe), Fe-EDDHA (2.75 mg/L and 0.55 mg/L Fe) or Fe\textsubscript2O\textsubscript3 (1 g/L). Solution pH for all were in a normal range of 4.8 - 5.6 Only the seedlings grown with Fe\textsubscript2O\textsubscript3, Fe-EDTA (5 mg/L Fe) and Fe-DTPA (5 mg/L Fe) developed abnormal root structure. All others had normal roots.
J. Mehta, D. Upadhyay, P. Paras, R. Ansari, and S. Tiwari, “Multiple Shoots Regeneration of (Anti-Cancer Plant) Catharanthus Roseus - An Important Medicinal Plant,” American Journal of Pharmtech Research, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 9, 2013.
An efficient and cost effective micropropagation protocol using MS medium developed for Catharanthus roseus, a commercially important medicinal plant. Shootlets were regenerated from nodal explants of stem through axillary shoot proliferation. The induction of multiple shoots from nodal segments were premier in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP ± 1mg/l NAA. For rooting, different concentration of IBA were used and maximum rooting was recorded on MS medium with 5 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets were hardened initially in culture room conditions and then transferred to misthouse.
M. F. Millson, R. Robinson, and A. F. Thomas, “Notes on the Alkaloids of Picralima,” Experientia, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 89–91, Mar. 1953.
doi: 10.1007/BF02178329.
Für das AlkaloidAkuammin wird die neue Bruttoformel C22H26O4N2 aufgestellt und durch Vergleich verschiedener UV.- und IR.-Spektren und Reaktionen das Vorliegen einer 5-Hydroxydihydroindol-Verbindung abgeleitet. Die Zinkstaubdestillation liefert 3-Äthyl-Pyridin und vermutlich Skatol. Als Arbeitshypothese wird fürAkuammin die Formel (III) vorgeschlagen. Die UV.- und IR.-Spektren und Reaktionen von Pseudoakuammigin, Akuammigin, Akuammilin und Akuammicin sind gleichfalls diskutiert.
M. M. Moghazee, F. M. I. Badawy, S. Edris, and I. S. Ibrahim, “Transcriptional Profiling of Three Key Genes of Terpenoid Indole Alkaloid Pathway in Catharanthus Roseus under Different Tissue Culture Conditions,” African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 13, no. 12, 2014.
doi: 10.4314/ajb.v13i12.
The response of three key genes: strictosidine synthase (str1), tryptophan decarboxylase (tdc) and secologanin synthase (cyp72A1) of the wild plant species, Catharanthus roseus to different plant tissue culture treatments was studied. These genes encode enzymes acting early in the biosynthetic pathway of terpenoid indole alkaloids. In vitro culture system conditions involved the application of three sucrose (40, 50 and 60 g/L), three benzyl adenine (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/L) and two jasmonic acid (10 and 100 µM) concentrations. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) using SYBR Green I was used to analyze the changes in expression of the three genes in response to different media recipes. The maximum folding of str1 expression (1.9x) between treated and untreated callus was obtained under ba2 (0.2 mg/L benzyl adenine) treatment. Relatively high folding values of 1.8x and 1.7x were obtained in S2 (50 g/L sucrose) and ba1 (0.1 mg/L benzyl adenine), respectively. Two-fold increase in gene expression of tdc was obtained when C. roseus callus was treated with 10 µM jasmonic acid (ja1), while only 1.5x was obtained when callus was treated with 100 µM jasmonic acid (Ja2). The maximum expression of cyp72A1 gene (4.6x) was observed under ba2 treatment, when the callus was treated with 0.2 mg/L benzyl adenine. This emphasized the influence of BA on up-regulation of this gene.Keywords: Strictosidine synthase, tryptophan decarboxylase, secologanin synthase, Catharanthus roseus, terpenoid indole alkaloidsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(12), 1327-1335
A. Mujib, M. Ali, T. Isah, and Dipti, “Somatic Embryo Mediated Mass Production of Catharanthus Roseus in Culture Vessel (Bioreactor) – A Comparative Study,” Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 442–449, Nov. 2014.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2014.05.007.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the use of liquid and solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium in different culture vessels for mass production of Catharanthus roseus, an important source of anticancerous compounds, vincristine and vinblastine. Three media conditions i.e. agar-solidified medium (S), liquid medium in agitated conical flask (L) and growtek bioreactor (B) were used. Rapid propagation was achieved through in vitro somatic embryogenesis pathway. The process of embryogenesis has been categorized into induction, proliferation, maturation and germination stages. All in vitro embryogenesis stages were conducted by withdrawing spent liquid medium and by adding fresh MS medium. In optimized 4.52μM 2,4-D added MS, the callus biomass growth was low in solid (1.65g) compared to liquid medium in agitated conical flask (1.95g) and in bioreactor (2.11g). The number of normal somatic embryos was more in solid medium (99.75/50mg of callus mass) compared to liquid medium used in conical flask (83.25/callus mass) and growtek bioreactor (84.88/callus mass). The in vitro raised embryos maturated in GA3 (2.60μM) added medium; and in bioreactor the embryo growth was high, a maximum length of 9.82mm was observed at the end of four weeks. These embryos germinated into seedlings in BAP (2.22μM) added medium and the embryo germination ability was more (59.41%) in bioreactor compared to liquid medium in conical flask (55.5%). Shoot length (11.25mm) was also high in bioreactor compared to agitated conical flask. The liquid medium used in agitated conical flask and bioreactor increased seedling production efficiency, at the same time it also reduced plant recovery time. The embryo generated plants grew normally in outdoor conditions. The exploitation of medium to large culture vessel or bioreactor may make the process more efficient in getting large number of Catharanthus plant as it is the only source of anti-cancerous alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine.
T. Mulamba, C. Delaude, L. Le Men-Olivier, and J. Lévy, “Alcaloides de Tabernanthe Pubescens,” Journal of Natural Products, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 184–189, Apr. 1981.
doi: 10.1021/np50014a007.
M. Naeem, T. Aftab, \relax M. Idrees, M. M. Alam, M. M. A. Khan, and M. Uddin, “Plant Efficacy and Alkaloids Production in Sadabahar (Catharanthus Roseus L.): Role of Potent PGRs and Mineral Nutrients,” in Catharanthus Roseus: Current Research and Future Prospects, M. Naeem, T. Aftab, and M. M. A. Khan, Eds. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2017, pp. 35–57.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-51620-2_3.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant that produces indole alkaloids used in cancer chemotherapy. C. roseus has been the most commonly used model plant for the study of the biosynthetic pathways regarding indole alkaloids. Most important anticancer alkaloids of C. roseus are vincristine and vinblastine. These alkaloids are extracted commercially from large amount of leaf-biomass of C. roseus plants. The concentration of these alkaloids is very low (about 0.005%) in this plant and the artificial synthesis is very expensive and cumbersome. At present, India is the third largest manufacturer of vinblastine and vincristine in the world and is exporting these alkaloids to European and other countries. High demand and low yield of these alkaloids in the plant has led to conduct researches in order to explore for alternative means of their production. Great efforts have been made to produce these alkaloids at large scale by cultures of plant cell suspensions and diverse tissues (such as hairy roots). With the same aim, the role of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in regulation of C. roseus indole alkaloids biosynthesis has been extensively researched. In fact, there is immense need of enhancing the production of these medicinally important alkaloids in view of their massive demand worldwide.The present review provides information regarding the role of potent PGRs [namely, gibberellic acid (GA3), epibrassinolide (EBL), kinetin (Kn), and triacontanol (TRIA)], mineral nutrients (such as N, P, and K) and radiation-processed polysaccharides (sodium alginate and carrageenan) in boosting up the growth, metabolism, and other plant processes, particularly the production of anticancer alkaloids (vinblastine and vincristine) in C. roseus plants.
P. Senbagalakshmi, M. V. Rao, and T. Senthil Kumar, “In Vitro Studies, Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites and Pharmacological Utility of Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don.: A Review,” in Catharanthus Roseus, M. Naeem, T. Aftab, and M. M. A. Khan, Eds. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2017, pp. 153–199.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-51620-2_8.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (formerly Vinca rosea L.) belongs to the family Apocynaceae, it has been used to control cancer, diabetes, malaria etc., by folklore and traditional medicinal herbalists of India over two millennia. It is one of the most studied legendary medicinal plants due to the presence of monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) or terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs). The active constituents from above ground parts extract contain most well recognized invaluable anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, some antifibrillic and hypertensive agents, whereas the root contains several bioactive drugs such as, ruabasine (ajmalicine), serpentine, vinceine, vincamine and reserpine. In this review, the botanical information, ethnobotanical significance, update in tissue culture, secondary metabolites biosynthesis, cellular compartmentation and their pharmacological properties discovered and proved in the past decades and their potential in further exploitation of C. roseus are discussed.
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, South Eastern Zonal Laboratory, Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria et al., “Secondary Metabolites from Curvularia Sp, An Endophytic Fungus Isolated from the Leaves of Picralima Nitida Durand and Hook (Apocynaceae),” Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 209–213, May 2018.
doi: 10.26538/tjnpr/v2i5.2.
Nature has remained a major source of pharmacologically active compounds used for the treatment of new and existing diseases, or as lead molecules for the development of synthetically derived analogues. This research was carried out to determine the secondary metabolites from the extract of Curvularia sp, an endophytic fungus associated with the leaves of Picralima nitida. The endophytic fungus was isolated and purified from the leaves of the plant material, using the conventional methods. The identity of the fungus was determined by molecular biology characterization. A combination of chromatographic methods (high performance liquid chromatography and column chromatography), spectroscopic techniques (1-D and 2-D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry), dereplication and literature data comparison were used to isolate, purify and identify the secondary metabolites in the fermentation extract of the endophytic fungus. Three previously reported compounds, acropyrone (1), 4hydroxyphenylacetic acid (2) and indole-3-acetic acid (3) were isolated for the first time from Curvularia Sp extract. Compounds 1-3 were tested for microbial and cytotoxic properties. The compounds showed no antimicrobial properties at 1 mg/mL, no observable cytotoxic properties at the dose of 10 µg/mL and no antimycobacterial properties at the dose tested. Although there was no significant bioactivity, the result further confirms the usefulness of endophytic fungi as a secondary metabolite factory for the production of drugs and drug precursors in the laboratory.
F. K. K. N’dri, S. A. Nene-Bi, O. S. Zahoui, and F. Traore, “Phytochemical and Toxicological Studies of an Extract of the Seeds of Picralima Nitida (Stapf) (Apocynaceae) and Its Pharmacological Effects on the Blood Pressure of Rabbit,” Journal of Biology and Life Science, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 114, Jan. 2015.
doi: 10.5296/jbls.v6i1.6615.
The phytochemical screening of the seeds extracts of Picralima nitida has highlighted the presence of alkaloids and terpenes poly sterols in chloroform solutions, methanol and in the aqueous. Unlike chloroform and methanol solutions, the aqueous revealed the presence of saponins. An acute toxicity study in mice showed that the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida would be slightly toxic with a lethal dose (LD) 50 % of 9120.11 mg/kg of body weight (bw). This extract, in rabbits induced a dose-dependent hypotension for the doses between 3.10-6 g / kg bw and 2.10-5 g/kg bw with an effective dose 50% (ED50) equal to 4.07×10-6 g/kg bw. In the presence of atropine (6.10-9 g/kg), a competitive inhibitor of acetylcholine, the hypotensive effect of aqueous extract of Picralima nitida is reduced, confirming in this extract the presence of cholinomimetics substances of muscarinic type. The results therefore suggest the presence of cholinomimetics substances in the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida seed. These substances could be responsible for the hypotensive effect of this extract. The same extract did not induce diuresis in rats.
M. C. Ndukwu, A. Ohia, and O. Anozie, “Influence of Moisture Content and Compression Axis on Mechanical, Physical, and Phytochemicals Properties of Akuamma (Picralima Nitida) Fruits and Seeds,” Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series A, vol. 100, no. 3, pp. 417–426, Sep. 2019.
doi: 10.1007/s40030-019-00375-x.
This research studied the effect of the moisture content and the three orthogonal axes on the physical, mechanical, and the phytochemical properties of Picralima nitida fruits and the seeds. The results showed that the compression force, the compression shear strength, the deformation, and the Poisson’s ratio depend on the compression axis and the moisture content. Rupturing the fruit through the intermediate diameter showed higher strength than rupturing the fruit along the major and the minor diameter. The Poisson’s ratio ranged from 0.468 to 0.432 at the moisture content range of 75–88.3% wb. Phytochemical screening of the seed showed that saponins, tannins, and flavonoid were present in the seeds. Losing moisture was associated with the loss of the phytochemicals, but flavonoid showed a higher susceptibility to the moisture loss. The frequency distribution of the axial dimensions showed that 85% of the seed major diameters fell within the median class of 27.5 mm. The surface area of the fruits ranged from 409.88 to 987.12 cm2.
N. Neuss, “Notes- Alkaloids from Apocynaceae II. Ibogaline, A New Alkaloid From Tabernanthe Iboga Baill,” The Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 2047–2048, Dec. 1959.
doi: 10.1021/jo01094a622.
F. Newcombe and B. A. Patel, “Comparative Anatomy of the Leaves of Voacanga Schweinfurthii Stapf and Voacanga Africana Stapf,” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 18, no. Supplement_1, pp. 133S–141S, Apr. 2011.
doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1966.tb07975.x.
Abstract There is a marked similarity in the anatomical structures of the leaves of the closely related species Voacanga schweinfurthii and V. africana which are here described and compared. The evidence suggests that these two species should be considered as a single species.
Y. Niu, C. Yang, J. Zhou, S. Huang, and J. Liu, “Two New Compounds with Antimicrobial Activities from the Seeds of Voacanga Africana,” Phytochemistry Letters, vol. 18, pp. 208–212, Dec. 2016.
doi: 10.1016/j.phytol.2016.10.019.
Two new compounds, (R)-4-(2-methylpentyl)-4H-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e]pyran (1) and 4-(2-ethylbutyl)-4H-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e]pyran (2) were extracted from the seeds of Voacanga africana. The molecular structures of these compounds were measured with the help of broad spectroscopic (1D and 2D-NMR, IR, ESI-TOF-MS, HR-MS) analyses. The primary pharmacological operations of these compounds were brought to evaluation by applying the antibacterial extrasomatic test. The results revealed that compound 1 and 2 were in an effective position to stop the growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and Salmonella typhi. On the other hand, the inhibitory impacts on Staphylococcus aureus as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not apparent.
C. K. Nkere and C. U. Iroegbu, “Antibacterial Screening of the Root, Seed and Stembark Extracts of Picralima Nitida,” African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 522–526, Aug. 2005.
doi: 10.4314/ajb.v4i6.15132.
Ethanol, benzene, chloroform and aqueous (cold and hot) extracts of Picralima nitida (seed, stembark and root) were tested against five bacterial strians using the agar-well diffusion method. The ethanol extracts of the root and stembark (Er and Esb) were active against 100% of the test organisms, repectively. The benzene and chloroform extracts exhibited no activity. Of the fifteen extracts teated, 40.0% were active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600, 20.0% each against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 and Escherichia coli ATCC 11775, 33.3% against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 and 13.3% against Salmonella kintambo Human 1,13,23:mt: -. The MIC values for the ethanol extracts range from 6.25 to 50 mg/ml, while the MIC values for the cold water seed extract (CWs) was 50 mg/ml. The results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of P. nitida for the treatment of various diseases.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 522-526, 2005
Z. Noormohammadi, N. Asghari-Mooneghi, and F. Farahani, “Effect of Gamma Radiation on Morphological and Genetic Variation in Regenerated Plantlets Catharanthus Roseus L. (G) Don,” Genetika, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 15–28, 2020.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/Article.aspx?id=0534-00122001015N.
Catharanthus roseus L. (G) Don, commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, is an important medicinal plant receiving much attention from researchers. This plant is a rich source of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs). The gamma radiation and somaclonal variation may provide suitable methods for genetic changes to increase medicinal components of C. roseus. In the present study, 30 and 60 (Gy) gamma rays were irradiated on seeds. C. roseus seeds were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium in three different groups, 0 Gy (control) 30, and 60 Gy gamma irradiations. Morphological characteristics of regenerated plantlets were measured for surface area of leaves, stem length, root length, and fresh weight. The genetic variations were evaluated using nine inter-simple sequence repeats and 25 sequences related amplified polymorphism markers. Morphological results showed a significant difference between studied groups in leaf surface and twisted leaf in 60 Gy irradiated plantlets. The analysis of molecular variance revealed the significant genetic difference among groups. STRUCTURE analysis showed genetic variability both within and among groups. Using the NJ tree analysis, the plants studied were categorized into three distinct groups, which were supported by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). In conclusion, gamma irradiation produced morphological and genetic changes in C. roseus regenerated in vitro plantlets providing to be a suitable method for further mutation breeding in periwinkle.
S. B. Olaleye, J. M. Oke, A. K. Etu, I. O. Omotosho, and R. A. Elegbe, “Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of A Flavonoid Fraction From The Leaves Of Voacanga Africana,” Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 69–76, 2004.
doi: 10.4314/njps.v19i1.32638.
In this study we used several models for evaluation of probable anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the flavonoid fraction of the leaves of Voacanga Africana, using mice and rats. The extract (50 - 150mg/kg, p.o) inhibited, in a dose-related manner, carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats. The extract caused a significant inhibition of the cotton-pellet granuloma. Vascular permeability induced by acetic-acid in the peritoneum of the animals was equally inhibited. The extract also exhibited significant analgesic action in acetic acid- induced pain in mice. There was reduction of writhings induced by acetic acid. In the formalin test, the extract caused inhibition of the neurogenic (first phase) and inflammatory phase (second phase) of formalin-induced pain. The extract also produced anti-nociception in the animals, as assessed by the tail flick, hot-plate and limb-withdrawal tests. These findings suggest that the leaf extract of Voacanga Africana has potent anti-imfiammatory and anti-nociceptive action. Key words: Voacanga africana; anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 69-76
A. A. Olaniyi et al., “Vegetative Propagation of Picralima Nitida (Stapf.) by Leafy Stem Cuttings: Influence of Cutting Length, Hormone Concentration and Cutting Positions on Rooting Response of Cuttings,” Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, vol. 90, no. 3, pp. 84–92, Nov. 2021.
doi: 10.4314/tjfnc.v90i3.
Picralima nitida is a valuable tree species in the humid zone of West and Central Africa whose natural regeneration is threatened by seed dormancy and over exploitation. This study investigated the rooting ability of P. nitida using mature leafy stem cuttings. Two cutting length (6 and 8 cm), cutting positions (apical and basal) and three concentrations (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/l) of Indole-butyric acid (IBA) were evaluated using a split-split plot design. The result showed that cutting length of 8 cm significantly influenced percentage of rooted and callused cuttings than cutting length of 6 cm. Significantly higher number of roots occurred in 8 cm cutting length than 6 cm cutting length. Cutting positions significantly affected percentage of callused cuttings only. Cuttings treated with IBA significantly enhanced rooting percentage, number of leaves and shoot height than untreated cuttings. Interactive effect of cutting positions, cutting length and IBA concentration was significant for only rooting percentage. Mature leafy stem cutting of P. nitida can be propagated asexually using cutting length of 8 cm from any position on the shoot to improve the rooting success. Stem cuttings of P. nitida should be treated with IBA to enhance the rooting capacity of the species
A. J. B. de Oliveira, V. M. de Carvalho, A. Ferreira, F. Y. Sato, and M. de F. P. da S. Machado, “In Vitro Multiplication of Tabernaemontana Fuchsiaefolia L. (Apocynaceae),” Revista Árvore, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 421–425, Aug. 2003.
doi: 10.1590/S0100-67622003000400001.
This study describes a simple and promising for in vitro multiplication of Tabernaemontana fuchsiaefolia, a species abundantly found in southern Brazil utilized for medicinal purposes and as a source of compounds that may be used to develop new synthetic drugs. Apical and hypocotyl explants were cultured in MS medium containing different concentrations of the cytokinins benzylaminopurine (BA) and 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin), supplemented with phloroglucinol (1, 3, 5-hydroxybenzene) to stimulate growth and shoot proliferation. Cytokinin added to the culture media positively influenced the micropropagation of T. fuchsiaefolia.and kinetin induced more shoots per explant than BA cytokinin. A favorable effect of phloroglucinol on apical and lateral buds from hypocotyls was also achieved in medium containing no kinetin or in all kinetin concentrations tested. Short pulses of auxin 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) 5.0 mg/l resulted in satisfactory rooting in apical microcuttings. The addition of phloroglucinol to MS medium induced rhizogenesis in 29% of the nodal segments transferred to MS medium in the absence of IBA and in 50% of the nodal segments transferred to MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA and in nodal segments previously submitted to short pulses of IBA.
O. S. Olorunnisola, A. Adetutu, and A. J. Afolayan, “An Inventory of Plants Commonly Used in the Treatment of Some Disease Conditions in Ogbomoso, South West, Nigeria,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 161, pp. 60–68, Feb. 2015.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.001.
Ethnopharmacological relevance This study was designed to take an inventory of medicinal plants, recipes and methods commonly used traditionally to treat some cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases in five local government areas in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Material and methods First-hand field survey through semi-structured questionnaire was employed in the 5 months study. Results A total of 101 plant species (medicinal plants (80.90%), spices (17.5%) and vegetables (1.53%)) belonging to 51 different families were mentioned for the treatment of various types of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The survey revealed that 51.5% of the plants mentioned are used for the management of inflammatory diseases, 34.7% for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and 11.9% of the plants are used for the treatment of both diseases. Euphorbiaceae (7.9%) are the most frequently used families of plants for the treatment of the various types of diseases mentioned, followed by Caesalpiaceae, (4.9%), Apocynoceae (4.9%) and Poaceae (4.9%). Fifty-nine recipes are usually prepared for the treatment of the six types of inflammatory diseases while twenty-three recipes are reportedly used for the treatment of the four types of cardiovascular diseases mentioned in this study. The recipes covered in the survey were mostly prepared from leaves (37.6%) and roots (23.8%) decoction or infusions. Medications are mostly administered orally with few numbers of the recipes showing side effect. Conclusion The study has documented indigenous plants in Ogbomoso as a potential source for the development of new drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
G. Ona et al., “The Adverse Events of Ibogaine in Humans: An Updated Systematic Review of the Literature (2015–2020),” Psychopharmacology, Aug. 2021.
doi: 10.1007/s00213-021-05964-y.
Ibogaine is the main alkaloid of the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. It produces hallucinogenic and psychostimulant effects, but it is currently known for the anti-addictive properties. Despite the potential therapeutic effects, several cases of fatalities and serious adverse events related to ibogaine/noribogaine use can be found in the literature. Most studies consist in case reports or were conducted under non-controlled settings, so causation cannot be clearly established.
K. K. Onyechi and C. A. Igwegbe, “Determination of Shelf Life of Picralima Nitida, Ciprofloxacin and Pefloxacin Using Bio-Based Concentration-Activity Relationship Technique,” Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1–17, Feb. 2019.
doi: 10.9734/AJRIMPS/2019/46309.
Aim: The shelf-life of Picralima nitida (herbal drug) and two orthodox drugs (ciprofloxacin, and pefloxacin) has been examined. Methodology: The stability studies were carried out using the bio-based concentration-activity relationship technique. Accelerated stability studies were applied on the basis of first-order degradation kinetics to determine the shelf-life of the drugs at different temperatures (45 – 70°C) and storage times (1, 2, 3 and 4 wks). Ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin were used as the comparative drugs for the estimation of the specifications for Picralima nitida. Their half-life (t1/2) and temperature coefficient (Q10) were also investigated.
K. K. Onyechi and C. A. Igwegbe, “Shelf Life Determination of Picralima Nitida, Glibenclamide, Ciprofloxacin and Pefloxacin Using UV Spectrometry Physicochemical Technique,” 2018.
Shelf life is one of the important property of a drug for safety and quality. The shelf life of Picralima nitida (herbal drug) and three orthodox drugs (glibenclamide, ciprofloxacin, and pefloxacin) has been investigated. The stability study was done using UV spectrometry method. Their shelf life was determined by accelerated stability studies on the basis of first-order degradation kinetics and t10% (the time required to degrade 10% of a drug at 27°C). The stability was studied at temperatures of 45°C, 60°C and 70°C during the course of one month at one-week interval (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks). The initial concentration of 5, 2.5, 25 and 100 mg/ml was used for Picralima nitida, glibenclamide, ciprofloxacin, and pefloxacin, respectively in the study. Influence of storage time and temperature on the drug samples were investigated. The half-life was also evaluated. All experiments were carried out in the year 2012. The concentrations of the drug samples were found to decrease with increase in storage time and temperature. The shelf life of ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, and glibenclamide were found to be 535.18, 298.17 and 134.31 weeks, respectively. The half-life of ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin and glibenclamide were also found to be 3553.85, 1980 and 891.89 weeks, respectively. The shelf life and half-life of Picralima nitida could not be determined using UV spectrometry technique because of the presence of complex metabolites, which results in the irregular increase in absorbance and instability. Storage time and temperature was found to have a great influence on the concentration of the drug substances.
N. Osman et al., “Plant Physiology in Addressing Green Economy,” p. 241, 2013.
T. A. Owolabi et al., “Antidepressant Potentials of Aqueous Extract of Voacanga Africana Stept. Ex Eliot (Apocynaceae) Stem Bark,” International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, vol. 8, no. 12, p. 2623, 2019.
doi: 10.20546/ijcmas.2019.812.306.
A large number of the world’s population suffer from depression and anxieties at some points in their life time, the sufferers are however sceptical about the available orthodox drugs largely because of side effects, cost and availability. This
A thesis submitted to the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Masters of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. A thesis submitted to the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Masters of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences. 2013.
B. O. Oyawaluja, J. A. Williams, and H. A. B. Coker, “Investigation Of Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activity Of The Methanolic Extract Of The Leaves Of Voacanga Africana Stapf. (Apocynaceae) And Psydrax Subcordata (Dc.) Bridson (Rubiaceae),” The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 53, no. 1, Jan. 2019.https://psnnjp.org/index.php/home/article/view/50.
Background The importance of medicinal plants in traditional and modern health care practices and in providing clues to new areas of research is now well recognised. Bacterial resistance has been increasingly reported worldwide and is one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases. Plant derived antioxidant could be useful as food additives to prevent food deterioration and also to impart human health and prevent oxidative stress associated diseases. Natural based products, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), can be exploited to ameliorate the problem of microbial resistance and oxidative stress. The choice of plants (Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata) for this study was based on folkloric use and literature search to authenticate the traditi on claims. Methods The leaves methanolic extract of Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata were investigated for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The antimicrobial activities were also evaluated using the agar well diffusion method while the antioxidant activities of the plants were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, lipid peroxidati on scavenging assay, total antioxidant capacity assay, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and ferric reducing power assay. Results The extracts of Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata significantly inhibited DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 69.2±11.6µg/ml and 106.9±5.3µg/ml respectively), inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC50 value of 65.7±13.5µg/ml and 75.4±11.6 µg/ml respectively) and also inhibited the accumulation of nitrite in vitro (IC50 value of 75.1±11.7µg/ml and 80.1±12.9µg/ml respectively). The plant extracts yielded 47.8±0.07 and 65.2±0.04mg Gallic acid equivalent/100g phenolic content respecti vely, 2.8±0.05mg and 28.2±0.05mg quercetin equivalents/100g flavonoid content respectively, total antioxidant capacity of 160.6±0.05 and 110.7±0.05mg ascorbic equivalent/100g and reducing power of 0.2±0.07 and 0.2±0.05µg/ml, respecti vely. The anti microbial assay showed that Voacanga africana has activity against gram positive and gram negati ve bacteria organisms, which include Staphylococcus aureus (34.0±1.2), Bacillus subtilis (37.5±0.0) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35.5±0.9) at 50µg/ml. Psydrax subcordata was only active against Staphylococcus aureus (20.8±0.5). However, no antifungal activity was observed for both plants. Conclusion Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata possess anti oxidant and anti microbial acti viti es and these results therefore provide evidence to support their traditional uses. The observed antioxidant potentials and phenolic content of the extract suggest that the methanolic leaves extract of Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata is a potential source of natural antioxidants.
M. Paeizi, F. Karimi, and K. Razavi, “Changes in Medicinal Alkaloids Production and Expression of Related Regulatory and Biosynthetic Genes in Response to Silver Nitrate Combined with Methyl Jasmonate in Catharanthus Roseus in Vitro Propagated Shoots,” Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, vol. 132, pp. 623–632, Nov. 2018.
doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.10.015.
J. Panigrahi, P. Dholu, T. J. Shah, and S. Gantait, “Silver Nitrate-Induced in Vitro Shoot Multiplication and Precocious Flowering in Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don, a Rich Source of Terpenoid Indole Alkaloids,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), vol. 132, no. 3, pp. 579–584, Mar. 2018.
doi: 10.1007/s11240-017-1351-z.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don is an economically and medicinally important plant since its leaves and flowers contain terpenoid indole alkaloids. The present study, for the first time, encompasses the influence of silver nitrate (AgNO3), in consort with cytokinins like N6-benzyladenine (BA) and 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin), to regenerate multiple shoots from nodal segments explants and to induce high-frequency precocious flowering of C. roseus under in vitro condition. Synergistic effect of equal concentrations of BA and kinetin was enhanced following the amalgamation of A gNO3. As high as 98% explants responded to multiple shoot initiation and proliferation in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3 µM BA, 3 µM kinetin and 0.1 µM AgNO3. As many as 7 shoots were developed per explant following 12 days of inoculation. Continuous culture in the same medium for 21 days induced precocious flowering from 75% shoots, wherein a maximum of ~ 6 (5.67\,± 0.88) flowers was observed per in vitro shoot. On the other hand, in the combinations of BA and kinetin excluding AgNO3, a maximum of 6.67% explants responded and initiated merely 3.33 shoots per explant. Nevertheless, no induction of flower was observed in the media devoid of A gNO3. Our results on the induction and proliferation of multiple shoots with simultaneous flowering would help the global pharmaceutical industry to produce in vitro shoots and flowers in bulk, as an alternative source of alkaloids.
R. Paškulin et al., “Metabolic Plasticity and the Energy Economizing Effect of Ibogaine, the Principal Alkaloid of Tabernanthe Iboga,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 143, no. 1, pp. 319–324, Aug. 2012.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.039.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The root bark of iboga plant-Tabernanthe iboga has been used traditionally in Central Africa as a psychoactive substance in religious rituals, while in smaller doses it is appreciated due to its stimulant properties. The iboga root bark, iboga extract or pure ibogaine are being recognized in the West as an anti-addiction remedy and their use is increasing. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our previous studies have demonstrated a transient ATP pool reduction under ibogaine accompanied by the induction of energy metabolism related enzymes. The present study aimed to find the cause of this energy deprivation and to foresee its immediate and long-term impact on metabolism. The overall project is designed to disclose the common mechanism of action at these seemingly diverse indications for iboga use, to predict eventual adverse effects and to build the grounds for its safe and beneficial utilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rate of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) as a marker of energy metabolism in stationary yeast model under aerobic conditions in the presence of ibogaine at concentration of 1, 4 and 20mg/l was measured for 5h by gas chromatography. The overall oxidative load was determined fluorimetrically by 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCFDA) and in vitro antioxidant properties of ibogaine were defined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. RESULTS: The CO(2) production under ibogaine was temporarily increased in a dose dependent manner. The increased energy consumption as an early effect of ibogaine was proven by the fact that in spite of energy mobilization, the ATP pool has been simultaneously decreased. Although increased cellular respiration co-produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), the overall oxidative load was significantly lowered by ibogaine. Since ibogaine does not show any significant in vitro antioxidant properties, the results indicate its stimulating influence on physiological oxidative stress defence system. CONCLUSION: Ibogaine triggers remodeling of the housekeeping metabolism. Under the initial energy cost it results in increased efficacy of physiological antioxidative systems, which reduce oxidative damage and lowers basal metabolic needs. Together with induced catabolic enzymes they set a new metabolic equilibrium that saves energy and makes it easily available in case of extra needs. While healthy organism profits from improved fitness and mental performance and can withstand higher stress without risking a disease, due to the same principle ibogaine provides beneficial support at the recovery after diseases including addiction syndrome.
P. K. Pati, J. Kaur, and P. Singh, “A Liquid Culture System for Shoot Proliferation and Analysis of Pharmaceutically Active Constituents of Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), vol. 105, no. 3, pp. 299–307, Jun. 2011.
doi: 10.1007/s11240-010-9868-4.
An efficient and cost effective micropropagation protocol using liquid medium was developed for Catharanthus roseus, a commercially important medicinal plant. Comparative analysis of shoot growth and proliferation in liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of cytokinins [6-Benzyladenine (BA), Kinetin (KN) and Thidiazuron (TDZ)] was conducted. Better response in terms of shoot proliferation, shoot diameter, number of leaves/shoot, number of branches/shoot, fresh weight and dry weight was observed in a liquid medium vis-à-vis solid medium. A sample of 20 ml of liquid medium supplemented with 5 μM of BA was optimized for propagation of C. roseus by a liquid culture system. Among various concentrations of auxins tried, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 5 μM was found to be the best for root induction. Quantification of pharmaceutically important constituents (vincristine and vinblastine) and total alkaloid content of microshoots grown in solid and liquid medium as well as in vitro raised plants and mother plant was also conducted, hitherto unreported in this high-value medicinal plant. This work further lays the foundations for the shifting of plant production from small to commercial scale.
A rare occurrence of albino seedling in natural regeneration of Tabernaemontana alternifolia is reported here. This albinic individual was characterized by exceptionally long survival compared to early reports in other species. In the context, we present a review of reports of albino seedlings in forest plants from India and found that reports came mostly from nursery stocks and rarely from natural regenerations. Collating various observations, it is hoped, this review will spur researchers into taking up planned studies of albinism rather than reporting just observations.
K.-H. Pawelka and J. Stöckigt, “Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata and Tabernanthe Iboga,” Plant Cell Reports, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 105–107, Apr. 1983.
doi: 10.1007/BF00270178.
From cell suspension cultures of Tabernaemontana divaricata and Tabernanthe iboga grown under standard conditions, six monoterpenoid indole alkaloids have been isolated and identified. T. divaricata synthesized apparicine, catharanthine, coronaridine, conoflorine, tubotaiwine and vinervine, whereas T. iboga produced tubotaiwine and conoflorine. Both cultures are a reasonable source for conoflorine, which is expected to be a good candidate for studying the mechanism of Aspidosperma type alkaloid formation at the cell-free level.
D. E. Pegnyemb, R. T. Ghogomu, and B. L. Sondengam, “Minor Alkaloids from the Seeds of Voacanga Africana,” Fitoterapia, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 446–448, Aug. 1999.
doi: 10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00050-7.
The isolation and 13C-NMR spectra of Δ14-vincanol, O-methyl-16-epi-Δ14-vincanol, Δ14-vincamone from the seeds of Voacanga africana are reported.
P. S. Pereira, F. K. Ticli, S. de C. França, C. M. de S. Breves, and M. V. Lourenço, “Enhanced Triterpene Production in Tabernaemontana Catharinensis Cell Suspension Cultures in Response to Biotic Elicitors,” Química Nova, vol. 30, pp. 1849–1852, 2007.
doi: 10.1590/S0100-40422007000800010.
Cell suspension cultures of Tabernaemontana catharinensis were treated with autoclaved homogenates of Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium avelanium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effects caused by the concentration, exposure time and the type of elicitor on the accumulation of pentacyclic triterpenes were monitored. When exposed to biotic elicitors for longer periods, some cell lines redoubled the production of those triterpenes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae homogenate was the best elicitor of triterpenes in all cell lines investigated.
A. Pietrosiuk, M. Furmanowa, and B. Łata, “Catharanthus Roseus: Micropropagation and in Vitro Techniques,” Phytochemistry Reviews, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 459–473, Jul. 2007.
doi: 10.1007/s11101-006-9049-6.
Different methods of in vitro culture of Catharanthus roseus provide new sources of plant material for the production of secondary metabolites such as indole alkaloids. Callus, cell suspension, plantlets, and transgenic roots cultured in the bioreactor are used in those experiments. The most promising outcomes include the production of the following indole alkaloids: ajmalicine in unorganised tissue, catharanthine in the leaf and cell culture in the shake flask and airlift bioreactor, and vinblastine in shoots and transformed roots. What is very important, enzymatic coupling of monomeric indole alkaloids, vindoline and catharanthine, is possible to form vinblastine in cell cultures. The method of catharanthine and ajmalicine production in the suspension culture in bioreactors has been successful. In this method, elicitation may be used acting on different metabolic pathways. Also of interest is the method of obtaining arbutin from the callus culture of C. roseus conducted with hydroquinone. The transformed root culture seems to be the most promising for alkaloid production. The genetically transformed roots, obtained by the infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, produce higher levels of secondary metabolites than intact plants. Also, whole plants can be regenerated from hairy roots. The content of indole alkaloids in the transformed roots was similar or even higher when compared to the amounts measured in studies of natural roots. The predominant alkaloids in transformed roots are ajmalicine, serpentine, vindoline and catharanthine, found in higher amounts than in untransformed roots. Transformed hairy roots have been also used for encapsulation in calcium alginate to form artificial seeds.
H. G. Pope, “Tabernanthe Iboga: An African Narcotic Plant of Social Importance,” Economic Botany, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 174–184, Apr. 1969.
doi: 10.1007/BF02860623.
Tabernanthe iboga is an apocynaceous shrub native to the forests of Gabon and the northern Congo. First described in the late 1800’s, it has been reasonably well studied by botanists. The roots of T. iboga contain several indole alkaloids, of which the most important, ibogaine, is a central stimulant and in large doses an hallucinogen. In Gabon, the roots are used in the initiation rites to a number of secret societies, of which the Bwiti is most famous. The plant remains to this day a central feature of local religion, and its spectacular effects have hampered native acceptance of Christianity in Gabon.
Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants that is commonly used for its anticancer alkaloids. In this investigation, the effects of different tryptophan concentrations (0, 150, 250 and 350 mg/l) on in vitro regeneration conditions were studied. The regeneration of different explants on different tryptophan-free media compositions showed that the best media for growing nodal segments explants was MS medium containing (BAP, 0.5 mg/l)+(NAA, 1 mg/l). However, the rooting media composition was determined as half MS medium supplemented with (IBA, 0.1 mg/l). After adding tryptophan into this optimal medium, the maximum shooting and rooting percentages were obtained with 250 and 350 mg/l tryptophan, respectively. Furthermore, the measurement of shoot and root length, dry and fresh weight of shoot, fresh weight of root, chlorophyll a and carotenoid content and also, soluble sugars content of shoot and root, revealed that the best medium was in the presence of 350 mg/l tryptophan, while the maximum amount of root dry weight and chlorophyll b were obtained by 250 mg/l tryptophan containing medium. Finally, the analysis of total proteins content of shoot and root showed a significant difference between all groups and higher content of proteins for shoots and roots was observed in 250 mg/l and 350 mg/l tryptophan, respectively.
S. P. Rai and S. K. Rai, “Horticultural and Therapeutic Potential of Catharanthus Roseus: A Model Plant for Terpenoid Indole Alkaloid Synthesis,” vol. 3, no. 8, p. 4, 2021.
R. K. Rajora, N. K. Sharma, and V. Sharma, “Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Micropropagation of Catharanthus Roseus,” International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Research, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 123–130, 2013.
Research in plant biotechnology is playing a crucial role in the production and conservation of plant-based resources globally. The aim of the work is to establish favourable culture medium condition for regeneration and better growth of Catharanthus roseus explant. Plant Micropropagation has also been used as a tool for the propagation of genetically manipulated superior clones. Our attempt was made to develop micropropagation as suitable condition for cloning of Catharanthus roseus. After optimizing the culture media of explant culture, the repeated subculturing was performed at regular intervals for 5 weeks. The roots were developed within 10 days. IBA concentration and the period of pulse treatment had significant effects on the average number of roots produced per shoot. Rooted plants were successfully acclimatized at room temperature in soil contained in pots. All plants flowered and set seeds in the greenhouse after 3 months. It is an attempt to highlight some of the important landmarks of tissue culture of medicinal plants and it is also as important recent development in vitro technology.
A. Rashidi, A. Tehranifar, and L. Samiei, “Improving Energy Efficiency, Germination Indices and Root System Development in Cape Periwinkle and Marigold through Spectral Distribution and Light Exposure Time,” Environmental and Experimental Botany, vol. 189, p. 104531, Sep. 2021.
doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2021.104531.
Lighting systems in controlled environment agriculture affect the economic sustainability of plant production by electricity consumption. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the possibility of reducing the electric power consumption required for Cape periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L. cv. Titan rose halo) and marigold (Tagetes erecta L. cv. Antigua orange) seed germination by changing the combinations of light spectra and light exposure time, and to improving energy use efficiency at seedling stage and photomorphogenesis of roots by changing spectral distribution and daily light integral (DLI). For this purpose, an experiment using various combinations of blue476nm and red625nm spectra together with broad-spectrum lamps including Fluorescent as control, high pressure sodium and white LED lights in varying light exposure times were performed. Marigold showed maximum seed germination under 2 h of red625nm light and so that Cape periwinkle under 4 h of 70 % R625nm: 30 % B476nm. The results revealed that the modification in the spectral distribution reduced the total time to achieve maximum germination, thereby diminishing the electricity consumption. Increasing DLI, irrespective of spectral distribution, resulted in a decrease in the shoot length of the marigold, but roots showed a reverse pattern. Cape periwinkle showed the same pattern except for those under 55 % R625nm: 45 % B476nm, which needed less DLI to achieve the highest root length. Combinations of blue476nm and red625nm LEDs had better energy use efficiency than control or any other broad-spectrum lamps to produce one-milligram dry matters of the shoot and root. Increasing DLI had positive effect on the number and longitudinal growth of lateral roots, and increasing blue476nm light percentage reduced their number. This study demonstrated that it was possible to increase the germination indices, control root photomorphogenesis more precisely and improve energy use efficiency by changing light combination spectra compared to broad-spectrum lamps.
R. Rashmi and M. P. Trivedi, “Assessing the Morphological Characters for Taxonomic Significance Among Intraspecific Variation of Catharanthus Roseus,” Biolife, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 1002–1007, 2014.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, which is an important alkaloid-yielding medicinal and ornamental plant belonging to family Apocynaceae. It is an evergreen shrub and found to grow in the world in many places around the country. The genus Catharanthus comprises 8 species, out of which seven species are endemic to Madagascar namely C. roseus, C. coriaceus, C. lanceus, C. longifolius, C. ovalis, C. scitulus and C. trichophyllus where as one is confined to India and Sri Lanka that is C. pusillus. The genus Catharanthus is well reported for producing biologically active terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) with over 130 compounds isolated and identified. Alkaloids of this plant have a great medicinal importance to treat diabetes, malaria, menorrhagia, Hodgkin’s disease, circulatory ailments, cancer etc. C. roseus has a high salt tolerance, up to 2000 ppm. Several scores of ornamental cultivars of C. roseus bred for differing shoot habit, time of blooming, petal coloration and suitability for cultivation in homes and gardens are in vogue worldwide. Though considerable variations can be observed in gardens around the world, attempts have not been made so far to study the morphological relations among different species of Catharanthus. In view of these facts the study was conducted for the identification of plant by doing assessment of morphological relationship between two selected species of Catharanthus using leaf – length, breath, seed- colour, texture, stem- colour, texture, bark, etc., may be useful to legitimatize conservancy of commercially important species. Thus a complementary method based on plant morphology for the identification of Catharanthus species of the region is essential and is provided. In this context, this work can lead to development of an efficient protocol to study the morphological relationship between two selected species of Catharanthus using morphological characters.
Raymond-Hamet, “Variabilité Des Fruits Du Tabernanthe Iboga H. Baillon,” Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France, vol. 90, no. 1-3, pp. 24–24, Jan. 1943.
doi: 10.1080/00378941.1943.10837474.
R. Robinson and A. F. Thomas, “The Alkaloids of Picralima Nitida, Stapf, Th. and H. Durand. Part I. The Structure of Alkuammigine,” Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed), no. INVALID_SCITE_VALUE, pp. 3479–3482, Jan. 1954.
doi: 10.1039/JR9540003479.
No abstract available
A. M. Roy and S. Mandal, “Pollen Morphology, Chemistry and Effect of Phytohormones on Pollen Germination in Mutants of Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don.,” Journal of Applied Bioscience, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 51–54, 2010.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20103263062.
The pollen diameter large in vt (very tall) and nt (nontrichomeous) whereas smaller in dwob (dwarf with obvate leaves) and mtsl (medium tall with smaller leaf area) mutants. The percentage pollen germination recorded maximum inhibition 34.2% in mtsl mutant and 10.9% stimulation in vt mutant whereas the percentage tube elongation showed 24.3% stimulation in vt mutant and 36.8% inhibition in dwob...
H. Saeb, M. Khayyat, A. Zarezadeh, F. Moradinezhad, A. Samadzadeh, and M. Safaee, “Effects of NaCl Stress on Seed Germination Attributes of Periwinkle (Catharanthus Roseus L.) and Corn Poppy (Papaver Rhoeas L.) Plants,” Plant Breeding and Seed Science, vol. 67, pp. 115–124, Dec. 2012.http://ojs.ihar.edu.pl/index.php/pbss/article/view/309.
The present research was conducted to evaluate the effects of salinized water with NaCl on seed germina- tion of Periwinkle and Corn Poppy. Treatments were: A) H2O- distilled water (control); B) sodium chloride solutions (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mM). Application of the highest NaCl concentration (80mM) significantly reduced germination percentage and mean germination time of both species, although increased the day of 50% germination. Increment of salinity concentration was led to the reduction of radicle length in Periwinkle. The seedling fresh weight and water content and radicle length of Corn Poppy were decreased in both levels of 20 and 80 mM, and seedling dry weight was unaffected by treatments. It is concluded that both species are tolerant to NaCl salinity up to 80 mM during germination stage.
S. A. Salgare and T. M. Antony, “Effect of Boric Acid on the Rate of Loss in Pollen Germinability and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of Pink-Flowered Cultivar of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Flora and Fauna (Jhansi), vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 41–42, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023165181.
The effect of boric acid on pollen germination and pollen tube growth was evaluated in the F (open flowers) and F-24 (flower buds which need 24 hours to open) series of the pink-flowered cultivar of C. roseus. The germination of pollen grains was studied by the standing drop technique in optimum concentrations of sucrose (20% for F series and 50% for F-24 series) supplemented with optimum...
S. A. Salgare and S. Pathak, “Effect of Cadmium Chloride on the Rate of Loss in Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of Pink-Flowered Cultivar of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Flora and Fauna (Jhansi), vol. 6, no. 2, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023165194.
The effects of cadmium chloride (10-20, 10-15, 10-10, 10-5 and 10-1 mg/ml) on the pollen germination and pollen tube growth of the successive flowers (F series: open flowers and F-24: buds which require 24 h to open) of the pink-flowered cultivar of C. roseus were determined. All the concentrations of cadmium chloride tested recorded toxic effects on C. roseus, preventing pollen germination and...
S. A. Salgare and Bindu, “Effect of Potassium Nitrate on the Rate of Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of Pink-Flowered Cultivar of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Flora and Fauna (Jhansi), vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 39–40, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023165180.
The effect of potassium nitrate on pollen germination and pollen tube growth was evaluated in the F (open flowers) and F-24 (flower buds which need 24 hours to open) series of the pink-flowered cultivar of C. roseus. Germination was evaluated using the standing drop technique in optimum concentrations of sucrose (20% for F series and 50% for F-24 series) supplemented by optimum concentrations of...
S. A. Salgare and T. M. Antony, “Effect of Boric Acid on the Rate of Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of White-Flowered Cultivar of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Bioved, vol. 11, no. 1/2, pp. 67–69, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023145993.
Boric acid stimulated the rate of pollen germination and tube growth of successive flowers (viz. F and F-24 series i.e. open flowers and the flowers buds which require 24 h to open respectively) of white-flowered cultivar of C. roseus throughout the experiment. It also stimulated the percentage of pollen germination and tube growth of either series.
S. A. Salgare and S. Yadav, “Effect of Manganous Sulphate on the Rate of Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of Pink-Flowered Cultivar of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Flora and Fauna (Jhansi), vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 67–68, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023165195.
The effects of manganous sulfate on the pollen germination and pollen tube growth of the successive flowers (F series: open flowers and F-24 series: buds which require 24 h to open) of the pink-flowered cultivar of C. roseus were determined. Pollen germination and tube growth of both series were enhanced by manganous sulfate, with both series cultured in medium supplemented with manganous sulfate...
S. A. Salgare and S. Yadav, “Effect of Potassium Sulphate on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of Two Cultivars of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Bioved, vol. 11, no. 1/2, pp. 59–61, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023145991.
Pollen germination and tube growth of successive flowers (viz. F and F-24 series i.e. open flowers and the flowers buds which require 24 h to open respectively) of pink-flowered cultivar of C. roseus was stimulated by all the different concentrations of potassium sulfate tested. All the concentrations of potassium sulfate in the range of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 mg/ml stimulated pollen...
S. A. Salgare and Bindu, “Effect of Potassium Nitrate on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Successive Flowers of Two Cultivars of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Bioved, vol. 11, no. 1/2, pp. 63–65, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023145992.
All the different concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.50 mg/ml) of potassium nitrate used stimulated the pollen germination and tube growth of successive flowers (F and F-24 series i.e. open flowers and flower buds which require 24 h to open respectively) of pink-flowered cultivars of C. roseus and pollen germination and tube growth of F series of white-flowered cultivar of this...
S. A. Salgare and S. Singh, “Effect of Zinc Sulphate on the Rate of Pollen Germination of Successive Flowers of Pink-Flowered Cultivar of Catharanthus Roseus.,” Flora and Fauna (Jhansi), vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 37–38, 2000.https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023165179.
The effect of zinc sulfate, applied at concentrations of 10-20, 10-15, 10-10, 10-5 and 10-1 mg/ml, on the late of pollen germination in the F-24 series (flower buds which need 24 hours to open) of the pink-flowered cultivar of C. roseus was evaluated. The results showed that all concentrations of zinc sulfate inhibited pollen germination in the F-24 series of C. roseus. Approximately 72.00±7.28%...
L'emploi de substances psycho actives, a des fins therapeutique, initiatique ou magico religieuse, est une constante dans l'Histoire de l'Humanite. En Afrique equatoriale, une plante denommee Tabernanthe iboga (H. Bn) et un culte sont etroitement associes. L'ecorce de la racine est tout particulierement employee dans l'initiation au Bwiti qui constitue le principal rite traditionnel des peuples gabonais. Elle y revele ses vertus visionnaires et divinatoires. Afin de mieux comprendre le sens de ces pratiques, nous nous interesserons tout d'abord a la conception de l'homme dans l'univers bantu et aux theories subjectives sur la sante et la maladie, ainsi qu'aux medecines mises en ?uvre.Ensuite, a travers plus d'un siecle de recherches biomedicales, nous aborderons l'evaluation scientifique des principes actifs chimiques de Tabernanthe iboga. Nous evoquerons notamment les proprietes interessantes de son alcaloide principal, l'ibogaine, dans le traitement de certaines addictions (opiaces, cocaine, nicotine, ethanol). Enfin, a la lumiere des ecueils conceptuels et methodologiques rencontres par la medecine occidentale, nous tenterons d'apprehender ce qui determine l'efficacite rituelle associee a une plante psycho active telle que l iboga. Nous montrerons qu'il faut en passer par une approche pluridisciplinaire et par un deplacement du regard des substances bioactives vers les dispositifs rituels qui sont les veritables cadres de controle de l'experience.
J. E. Saxton, “Chapter 11 Alkaloids of Picralima Nitida,” in The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Physiology, vol. 10, R. H. F. Manske, Ed. Academic Press, 1968, pp. 501–519.
doi: 10.1016/S1876-0813(08)60263-8.
This chapter discusses the occurrence of alkaloids of Picralima nitida. The occurrence of several of the Picralima bases in other genera has been reported. Akuammine—for example, is present in Vinca rosea L. The chapter discusses the application of mass spectroscopy in the investigations of the chemistry of Picralima alkaloids. The application of mass spectroscopy in this area has been extensive and knowledge of the fragmentation patterns of the alkaloids of known structure has considerably assisted the elucidation of the structures of new bases. In this connection, the mass spectra of akuammicine and its dihydro and tetrahydro derivatives are discussed in the chapter, together with those of appropriately substituted derivatives and cognate alkaloids. The chapter discusses the biogenesis of the Picralima alkaloids. The co-occurrence in Picralima nitida of such a wide variety of structural types of indole alkaloids is of much interest from their biogenesis point of view.
J. Schripsema, D. Dagnino, R. I. Dos Santos, and R. Verpoorte, “Breakdown of Indole Alkaloids in Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata and Catharanthus Roseus,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 299–305, Sep. 1994.
doi: 10.1007/BF00033890.
The relative importance of breakdown on the accumulation of indole alkaloids has been determined in suspension cultures of Tabernaemontana divaricata and Catharanthus roseus by the feeding of stable isotope labelled alkaloids. In all cultures a considerable amount of the alkaloid biosynthesized was broken down. The breakdown was found to be dependent on the culture period and the half-life was in the order of several days. The breakdown could not explain the difference between producing and non-producing cultures. Further it was determined that in both cultures the breakdown was due to both biotic and abiotic factors.
J. Schripsema, A. Peltenburg-Looman, C. Erkelens, and R. Verpoorte, “Nitrogen Metabolism in Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Phytochemistry, vol. 30, no. 12, pp. 3951–3954, Jan. 1991.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(91)83443-O.
A cell suspension culture from Tabernaemontana divaricata was fed with 15N-labelled ammonium or nitrate. The incorporation of label in free amino acids, protein amino acids and indole alkaloids was determined. Ammonium was found to be used more extensively than nitrate in the biosynthesis of these compounds. For tryptamine considerably lower labelling percentages were found than for the indole alkaloid O-acetylvallesamine and the amino acids. This indicates a vacuolar pool of tryptamine, formed at the beginning of the culture-period and not available for further alkaloid biosynthesis.
J. Schripsema and R. Verpoorte, “Search for Factors Related to the Indole Alkaloid Production in Cell Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Planta Medica, vol. 58, no. 03, pp. 245–249, Jun. 1992.
doi: 10.1055/s-2006-961445.
I have a number of large V. Africana plants that have flowered profusely 2 years in a row without setting any seed. insects were all over them & I had a go at hand pollination which is difficult given the design of the flowers. It is too late now to do anything this year but am really keen to...
In this study, the total alkaloids, total flavonoids and water-soluble polysaccharides of seeds of Voacanga africana native to Ghana were determined by means of spectrophotometry, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of different isolation from ethanol extract by MTT and DPPH method, respectively. The results revealed that the content of total alkaloids, total flavonoids and water-soluble polysaccharides were 3.04%, 0.41% and 3.04%, respectively. The alkaloid isolation exhibited strong cytotoxity against the human hepatocarcinoma cells SMMC7721, the human gastric carcinoma cells SGC7901 and human normal liver cells Chang-liver and the IC50 values were 11.99±2.22, 8.72±6.11 and 7.31±4.39 μg·mL-1 respectively. The n-butanol isolation displayed antioxidant activity and the IC50 value was 0.268±0.002 mg·mL-1
Z. H. Siddiqui, A. Mujib, and M. Maqsood, “Liquid Overlaying Improves Somatic Embryogenesis in Catharanthus Roseus,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), vol. 104, no. 2, pp. 247–256, Feb. 2011.
doi: 10.1007/s11240-010-9828-z.
Somatic embryos were induced from in vitro germinating seed-hypocotyls of Catharanthus roseus. The process of embryogenesis has been categorized into a few distinct stages (induction, proliferation, maturation and germination) in which liquid overlaying at varying levels 0 ml (T0), 0.25 ml (T1), 0.5 ml (T2), 0.75 ml (T3) and 1.0 ml (T4) was applied on solid medium. It was found that liquid overlaying improved proliferation; maturation, germination of embryos in C. roseus. In proliferation stage, particularly in T2, torpedo embryo number increased significantly (i.e. 129.6%) as compared to control. Liquid overlaying (T2, T3 and T4) also improved embryo maturation and showed early germination even in maturation medium. It also accelerated normal embryo germination frequency particularly in treatment with T2 and shortened ‘embryo—plantlet’ recovery time. Biochemical analyses revealed more proline, protein and amino acid with increasing level of liquid overlaying as it improved embryo induction, development and faster germination.
M. I. Sierra, R. van der Heijden, J. Schripsema, and R. Verpoorte, “Alkaloid Production in Relation to Differentiation in Cell and Tissue Cultures of Tabernaemontana Pandacaqui,” Planta Medica, vol. 57, no. 06, pp. 543–547, Dec. 1991.
doi: 10.1055/s-2006-960202.
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M. I. Sierra, R. van der Heijden, T. van der Leer, and R. Verpoorte, “Stability of Alkaloid Production in Cell Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata during Long-Term Subculture,” Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 59–68, Jan. 1992.
doi: 10.1007/BF00039916.
Two cell lines of Tabernaemontana divaricata cell suspension culture with different growth and alkaloid production profiles were transferred to the same medium. During 30 subcultures the changes in growth and alkaloid production were followed and compared to those of the original cell lines. The presence of NAA and BAP in the medium resulted in an increase of biomass and alkaloid yield. The effect on the growth proved to be stable during these 30 subcultures. Alkaloid production showed a maximum in the 4th subculture after the change of the medium, and stabilized on a higher level than found in the original cell lines. During some growth cycles also the activities of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), strictosidine synthase (SSS), and phenylalanineammonia-lyase (PAL) were measured. In both the original cell lines and the derived cell lines, growth and alkaloid production proved to be stable all through the experiment, although the derived cell lines had a period of adaptation to the new medium with increased productivity.
A. O. Simões, M. E. Endress, and E. Conti, “Systematics and Character Evolution of Tabernaemontaneae (Apocynaceae, Rauvolfioideae) Based on Molecular and Morphological Evidence,” TAXON, vol. 59, no. 3, pp. 772–790, 2010.
doi: 10.1002/tax.593009.
Tabernaemontaneae (Rauvolfioideae, Apocynaceae) are small trees with mainly animal–dispersed fleshy fruits and arillate seeds represented in the tropics of Africa, Asia, the Pacific and America. The tribe is characterized by complex indole alkaloids, thus its species play a prominent role in traditional medicine. Taxonomically, the Tabernaemontaneae have a convoluted history fraught with contention as to tribal, subtribal, generic and sectional delimitation, with some authors recognizing Ambelanieae and Macoubeeae as separate tribes and others including them in an expanded Tabernaemontaneae s.l. In the species–rich pantropical genus Tabernaemontana, seven sections and up to 30 segregate genera have been described during the past 100 years, giving it the dubious distinction of being the most disputed genus in Apocynaceae s.str. Here 420 new chloroplast DNA sequences from 104 species, including representatives of all satellite genera ever recognized in the Tabernaemontaneae, were analyzed phylogenetically to evaluate previous circumscriptions of Tabernaemontaneae and test the sectional treatment of Tabernaemontana. The Tabernaemontaneae s.l. as currently circumscribed was shown to be monophyletic. Of the 19 genera recognized in the most recent classification, 15 are maintained. The genera Bonafousia, Stemmadenia, Stenosolen and Woytokowskia are nested within Tabernaemontana. Of the seven current sections of Tabernaemontana, the four that included taxa from more than one continent were found to be para– or polyphyletic. All natural groups recovered within Tabernaemontana were found to correspond to geographic areas. Mapping of 29 selected morphological characters onto the molecular tree recovered recurrent suites of co–occurring character states and identified three synapomorphies characterizing the Tabernaemontaneae s.l.: (1) specialized anthers with massive lignified guide–rails; and a differentiated style–head with (2) a five–lobed upper crest and (3) a thickened basal flange. A new combination for the subtribe Ambelaniinae and the necessary new combinations resulting from merging Stemmadenia into Tabernaemontana are made.
R. Singh, P. Kharb, and K. Rani, “Rapid Micropropagation and Callus Induction of Catharanthus Roseus in Vitro Using Different Explants,” p. 7, 2011.
The effect of plant growth regulators on callus induction using different explants, to regenerate shoot/root from different explants as well as from calli in cultures of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don was studied. Total of nineteen shoot regeneration media were used, out of these nineteen media three were further used to see the regeneration response and for root regeneration four media were tested supplemented with different concentration of IBA. Based on the results of this study, earliest and maximum (99%) callus induction response was observed on 10th day of inoculation from hypocotyl explants under dark conditions on MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg/l) + NAA (1.0 mg/l). For shoot proliferation, MS basal medium supplemented with BAP (1.5 mg l 1) + NAA (1.0 mg l 1) was the best followed by MS medium fortified with BAP (3.0 mgl 1) + NAA (4.0 mgl 1) while half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (2.5 mgl 1) + NAA (0.5 mgl 1) gave best rooting response with quality roots. Besides, maximum shoot regeneration, response was observed from hypocotyl calli both under light and dark conditions on media supplemented with BAP (1.5 mgl 1) + NAA (1.0 mgl 1).
B. B. Smith, A. M. James, C. N. Fidelis, A. M. Jonathan, and M. N. E. Simon, “Isolation and Characterization of Filaricidal Compounds from the Stem Bark of Voacanga Africana, a Plant Used in the Traditional Treatment of Onchocerciasis in Cameroon,” Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, vol. 9, no. 14, pp. 471–478, Apr. 2015.
doi: 10.5897/JMPR2014.5791.
This study was carried out to isolate active ingredients from Voacanga africana Stapf (Apocynaceae) used as herbal medicine in Cameroon, and also to assess the efficacy of the compounds on Onchocerca ochengi and Loa loa worms. The compounds were isolated using solvent partitioning, column chromatography and fractional crystallization. The O. ochengi worms were isolated from cow skin while Loa loa was isolated from humans. Filaricidal activity was determined based on motility for adult male worms and microfilariae (Mfs), while adult female worm viability was assessed biochemically by the dimethylthiazol (MTT)/formazan assay. Cytotoxicity was assessed using monkey kidney epithelial cells. Auranofin was used as the positive control drug. Two compounds, voacangine (compound 1) and voacamine (compound 2) were isolated from the stem bark of Voacanga africana. Both compounds were found to inhibit the motility of both the microfilariae (Mfs) and adult male worms of O. ochengi in a concentration-dependent manner, but were only moderately active on the adult female worms upon biochemical assessment at 30 µM drug concentration. The IC50s for voacangine were 5.49 µM for Mfs and 9.07 µM for adult male worms; while for voacamine the values were 2.49 µM for Mfs and 3.45 µM for adult males. At 10 µM, voacamine showed 100% inhibition of Loa loa Mfs motility after 24 h. This is the first report of the anti-Onchocerca activity of voacangine (compound 1) and voacamine (compound 2) as well as activity of voacamine (compound 2) on L. loa. The results of this study support the traditional use of V. africana in the treatment of human onchocerciasis.
E. N. Soysal, V. Fındık, B. Dedeoglu, V. Aviyente, and D. J. Tantillo, “Theoretical Investigation of the Biogenetic Pathway for Formation of Antibacterial Indole Alkaloids from Voacanga Africana,” ACS Omega, vol. 7, no. 35, pp. 31591–31596, Sep. 2022.
doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04591.
The energetic viability of the previously proposed biogenetic pathway for the formation of two unique monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, voacafricine A and B, which are present in the fruits of Voacanga africana, was investigated using density functional theory computations. The results of these calculations indicate that not only is the previously suggested pathway not energetically viable but also that an alternative biosynthetic precursor is likely.
E. F. Steinmetz, “Tabernanthe Ibogae Radix,” Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 30–31, Jan. 1961.
doi: 10.3109/13880206109066646.
L. H. Stevens, T. J. M. Blom, and R. Verpoorte, “Subcellular Localization of Tryptophan Decarboxylase, Strictosidine Synthase and Strictosidine Glucosidase in Suspension Cultured Cells of Catharanthus Roseus and Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Plant Cell Reports, vol. 12, no. 10, pp. 573–576, Aug. 1993.
doi: 10.1007/BF00233063.
The subcellular localization of tryptophan decarboxylase, strictosidine synthase and strictosidine glucosidase in suspension cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don and Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. ex Roem. et Schult, was investigated. It was found that tryptophan decarboxylase is an extra-vacuolar enzyme, whereas strictosidine synthase is active inside the vacuole. Strong indications were obtained for the localization of strictosidine glucosidase on the outside of the tonoplast. The results suggest that tryptamine is transported into the vacuole where it is condensed with secologanin to form strictosidine, and that strictosidine passes the tonoplast and is subsequently hydrolysed outside the vacuole.
J. Stöckigt, K.-H. Pawelka, A. Rother, and B. Deus, “Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Stemmadenia Tomentosa and Voacanga Africana,” Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, vol. 37, no. 10, pp. 857–860, Oct. 1982.
doi: 10.1515/znc-1982-1002.
Cell suspension cultures of Stemmadenia tomentosa synthesized under normal growth condition the eight major indole alkaloids: (-)-tabersonine, (-)-minovincinine, (+)-conoflorine (voaphyl-line), condylocarpine, (+)-tubotaiwine (dihydrocondylocarpine), (-)-norfluorocurarine (vin-canine), (-)-vinervine, and (-)-coronaridine. These alkaloids consist of the three different types, Aspidosperma, Strychnos and Iboga. In contrast, cultures o f Voacanga africana produced mainly one alkaloid group (Aspidosperma-type) represented by (-)-tabersonine, lochnericine and (-)-minovincinine. Therefore this cell culture seems to be qualified for investigation concerning the biosynthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids.
J. Stöckigt, K.-H. Pawelka, T. Tanahashi, B. Danieli, and W. E. Hull, “Voafrine A and Voafrine B, New Dimeric Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Voacanga Africana Stapf,” Helvetica Chimica Acta, vol. 66, no. 8, pp. 2525–2533, 1983.
doi: 10.1002/hlca.19830660818.
The structures of voafrine A and voafrine B, two novel dimeric indole alkaloids isolated from Voacanga africana Stapf cell suspension cultures, were established and the medium-dependent formation of both alkaloids was investigated.
J. + Stoeckigt, K.-H. Pawelka, T. Tanahashi, B. Danieli, and W. E. Hull, “Voafrine a and Voafrine B, New Dimeric Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Voacanga Africana Stapf,” Chemischer Informationsdienst, vol. 15, no. 11, 1984.
doi: 10.1002/chin.198411339.
Feel free to chime in with your own stories of raising this plant. Mine are about 3 or 4 years old but might be older than that. I lost track. To sprout the seeds you need to put them through a wet dry cycle. You cant just put them in the wet and expect them to sprout. That would be too easy. You...
I dont have a pic yet, perhaps in a day or so. I was wondering how many others have had their voacangas flower? I only have one clump of flowers on one of my plants. They are white, about 3 cm across and look a little like a periwinkle flower. I have hopes of producing seed but I realize that is ...
P. V. Tan and B. Nyasse, “Anti-Ulcer Compound from Voacanga Africana with Possible Histamine H2 Receptor Blocking Activity,” Phytomedicine, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 509–515, Dec. 2000.
doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80037-9.
Voacanga africana is used in Cameroonian ethnomedicine for the treatment of peptic ulcers. We have tested the cytoprotective, anti-secretory and ulcer healing actions of an alkaloid (TN) obtained from the fruit extract. Oral administration of TN (50–100 mg/kg) dose-dependently prevented ulcer formation by HCl/ethanol (36–75%), absolute ethanol (43–75%), HCl-ethanol/indomethacin (58–84%), Pylorus ligation (31–100%), cold restraint stress (68–100%) and histamine (49–100%). The inhibitory effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg against HCl/ethanol was not suppressed by pre-treatment with indomethacin (20 mg/kg, i.p.). TN reduced Shay-ligated gastric acid secretion from 77 mEq/1 in the controls to 46 and 25 mEq/l for the 50 and 100 mg/kg doses. Augmented histamine-induced gastric acid secretion was reduced from 84 mEq/l in the controls to 45 and 21 mEq/l for the two doses of TN, with total inhibition of gastric and duodenal ulcers by the 50 mg/kg dose. Healing rate of chronic acetic acid-induced ulcers was 62 and 83%, respectively, for the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg of TN compared with the controls. TN has gastric anti-secretory effects similar to histamine receptor blockers. Its cytoprotective and ulcer healing properties are related to its ability to strengthen gastric mucosal defenses through enhanced gastric mucus production.
P. V. Tan, V. B. Penlap, B. Nyasse, and J. D. B. Nguemo, “Anti-Ulcer Actions of the Bark Methanol Extract of Voacanga Africana in Different Experimental Ulcer Models in Rats,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 73, no. 3, pp. 423–428, Dec. 2000.
doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00292-0.
The antiulcerogenic effects of the bark methanol extract of Voacanga africana were studied using various experimental ulcer models in rats. The effects of the extract on the volume of gastric juice, gastric pH, acid output, mucus production and peptic activity were recorded, as well as the preventive action against lesions caused by HCl/ethanol and indomethacin. Oral administration of the extract (500–750 mg/kg) inhibited the formation of gastric lesions induced by HCl/ethanol (40–63% inhibition). The inhibitory effect against HCl/ethanol was significantly (P<0.01) suppressed by pre-treatment of the rats with indomethacin (30 mg/kg, i.p.). The extract significantly reduced gastric lesion formation in pylorus ligated rats, but this was not associated with an increase in gastric mucus production or with a reduction in acid content, volume of gastric secretion or pepsin activity of the gastric juice.
W. I. Taylor, “The Alkaloids of Tabernanthe Iboga. IX.1 The Structures of the Ibogaline Derivatives, Kisantine and Gabonine,” The Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 309–310, Jan. 1965.
doi: 10.1021/jo01012a515.
W. I. Taylor, “The Biogenesis of the Tabernanthe Iboga Alkaloids,” Experientia, vol. 13, no. 11, p. 454, Nov. 1957.
doi: 10.1007/BF02157247.
Y. Terada, S. Horie, H. Takayama, K. Uchida, M. Tominaga, and T. Watanabe, “Activation and Inhibition of Thermosensitive TRP Channels by Voacangine, an Alkaloid Present in Voacanga Africana, an African Tree,” Journal of Natural Products, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 285–297, Feb. 2014.
doi: 10.1021/np400885u.
Voacangine (1) is an alkaloid found in the root bark of Voacanga africana. Our previous work has suggested that 1 is a novel transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) antagonist. In this study, the agonist and antagonist activities of 1 were examined against thermosensitive TRP channels. Channel activity was evaluated mainly using TRP channel-expressing HEK cells and calcium imaging. Herein, it was shown that 1 acts as an antagonist for TRPV1 and TRPM8 but as an agonist for TRPA1 (EC50, 8 μM). The compound competitively blocked capsaicin binding to TRPV1 (IC50, 50 μM). Voacangine (1) competitively inhibited the binding of menthol to TRPM8 (IC50, 9 μM), but it showed noncompetitive inhibition against icilin (IC50, 7 μM). Moreover, the compound selectively abrogated chemical agonist-induced TRPM8 activation and did not affect cold-induced activation. Among these effects, the TRPM8 inhibition profile is unique and noteworthy, because to date no studies have reported a menthol competitive inhibitor of TRPM8 derived from a natural source. Furthermore, this is the first report of a stimulus-selective TRPM8 antagonist. Accordingly, 1 may contribute to the development of a novel class of stimulus-selective TRPM8 blockers.
P. A. Thomas and J. G. Latimer, “Form of Nitrogen Affects Growth of Catharanthus Roseus,” HortScience, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 752c–752, Sep. 1996.
doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI.31.5.752c.
Annual vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don] is intolerant of high fertility, cool temperatures, and wet soil conditions, making vinca difficult for growers to produce alongside other, more tolerant bedding plants. Our objective was to develop better recommendations for producers. Growth of ‘Grape Cooler’ vinca was compared using different production inputs, including type of media (with or without bark), form of micronutrient source, and form of N. Optimal root and shoot dry weights occurred in peat-lite media with either sulfated or chelated micronutrients adjusted to pH 5.5. Root and shoot dry weights were greatest when high nitrate-N to ammonium-N ratio fertilizers were used. Root and shoot dry weights were negatively affected by high levels of ammonium-N in the fertilizer solution. Root development is the critical factor in the production of high-quality vinca. Our data suggest that root development may be optimized by using fertilizer products that have a high nitrate to ammoniacal nitrogen ratio. Micronutrients in the sulfate form also seem to enhance growth when medium pH is maintained near 5.5. Use of high-porosity, peat-based mixes appears to provide an optimal root growth environment.
D. W. Thomas and K. Biemann, “The Hydroxyindolenine Derivative of Voacangine, a New Indole Alkaloid from Voacanga Africana,” Tetrahedron, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 4223–4231, Jan. 1968.
doi: 10.1016/0040-4020(68)88184-0.
A new alkaloid from Voacanga africana was identified as the hydroxyindolenine derivative (6) of voacangine, and its structure was proven by synthesis. A rearrangement product of 6, the pseudoindoxyl 9, was also encountered and characterized. Two additional new alkaloids, the hydroxyindolenine (7) and pseudoindoxyl (10) derivatives of voacristine were synthesized. Mass spectra of all compounds are presented and interpreted.
M. M. Tonye, S. Asaha, N. Ndam, and P. Blackmore, State of Knowledge Study on Tabernanthe Iboga Baillon. Central African Regional Program for the Environment: LIMBE BOTANIC GARDEN, 2000.https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADS957.pdf.
Tabernanthe iboga is an understorey species occurring in some specific low elevation forest sites in the Congo Basin. The spiritual properties of the species and their implication in the Bwiti tradition have lead to the wild harvesting of this species, which may be endangered if the trend is maintained. Research concerns on the’ species started as far back as 1901 and were mostly focused on the pharmacological aspect of IBOGAINE, the major active substance in Tabemanthe iboga. Today the plant is known for its healing properties in modern and traditional medicine. These include anti-addictive properties with respect to cocaine, heroin, alcohol, nicotine, etc. Numerous examples show that IBOGAINE, through which the species performs all its spiritual and medicinal virtues, can completely eliminate the desire of taking more alcohol (such as the local one called FOFO), cocaine, nicotine and other drugs (such as the local Marijuana). This has attracted the interest of institutions such as the Limbe Botanic Garden and Plantecam in Cameroon, and the creation of others such as the Iboga Foundation in Gabon. Prior to the definition of an accurate program for the management of this species in the forests of the Congo basin, the Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) has funded a ten-month State of Knowledge Study on Tabemanthe iboga, from July 1999 to March 2000. The main goal of this project was to put together all the available information concerning the various aspects of the plant. Thus, information compiled in this report is the result of research throughout the area of study, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Information gathered included aspects on the biology and botany of the plant, the propagation and domestication status of the species, exploitation and harvesting rates, various utilisation of the plant, the pharmacological aspect of the plant and the local and international trade of Tabemanthe iboga products. Although there are no statistics on the trade and exploitation rate of the species, it is obvious that local and international trade, as well as the exploitation of Tabemanthe iboga are very active. We hope this report will help to avoid overlaps in endeavours towards the management of this species in the Congo Basin. Not only CARPE but also other environmental bodies will benefit from this study in helping to design an accurate program for the sustainable management of Tabemanthe iboga.
M. S. Underwood, S. Bright, and B. L. Lancaster, “A Narrative Review of the Pharmacological, Cultural and Psychological Literature on Ibogaine,” 2021.
doi: 10.1556/2054.2021.00152.
Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid contained in the West African plant Tabernanthe iboga. Although preliminary, evidence suggests that ibogaine could be effective in the treatment of certain substance use disorders, specifically opioid use disorder. This narrative review concentrated on the pharmacological, cultural and psychological aspects of ibogaine that contribute to its reputed effectiveness with a specific focus on the ibogaine state of consciousness. Although the exact pharmacological mechanisms for ibogaine are still speculative, the literature highlighted its role as an NMDA antagonist in the effective treatment of substance use disorders. The cultural aspects associated with the use of ibogaine pose questions around the worldview of participants as experienced in the traditional and western contexts, which future research should clarify. From a psychological perspective, the theory that the ibogaine state of consciousness resembles REM sleep is questionable due to evidence that indicated ibogaine supressed REM sleep, and contradictory evidence in relation to learning and memory. The suggested classification of the ibogaine experience as oneirophrenic also seems inadequate as it only describes the first phase of the ibogaine experience. The ibogaine experience does however present characteristics consistent with holotropic states of consciousness, and future research could focus on exploring and potentially classifying the state of consciousness induced by ibogaine as holotropic.
T. van Andel, B. Myren, and S. van Onselen, “Ghana’s Herbal Market,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 140, no. 2, pp. 368–378, Mar. 2012.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.028.
Ethnopharmacological relevance Medicinal plant markets not only provide a snapshot of a country’s medicinal flora, they also reflect local health concerns and the importance of traditional medicine among its inhabitants. This study aimed to describe and quantify the Ghanaian market in herbal medicine, and the diversity of the species traded, in order to evaluate their economic value. Materials and methods Initial visual surveys on the markets were followed by a detailed quantitative survey of 27 stalls in August 2010. Market samples were processed into herbarium vouchers and when possible matched with fertile vouchers from the field. Results We encountered 244 medicinal plant products, representing 186–209 species. Fourteen species were sold at more than 25% of the market stalls. Seeds and fruits that doubled as spice and medicine (Xylopia aethiopica, Monodora myristica, Aframomum melegueta) were in highest demand, followed by the medicinal barks of Khaya senegalensis and Pteleopsis suberosa. Plants sold at the market were mostly used for women’s health, in rituals, as aphrodisiacs and against sexually transmitted diseases. An estimated 951tons of crude herbal medicine were sold at Ghana’s herbal markets in 2010, with a total value of around US$ 7.8 million. Between 20 and 30% of the Ghanaian medicinal flora was encountered during this survey. Roots were less dominant at the market than in dryer parts of Africa. Tons of Griffonia simplicifolia and Voacanga africana seeds and Fadogia agrestis bark are exported annually, but data on revenues are scanty. None of these species were sold on the domestic market. Conclusion Our quantitative market survey reveals that the trade in Ghanaian herbal medicine is of considerable economic importance. Regarding the specific demand, it seems that medicinal plants are used to complement or substitute Western medicine. Further research is needed on the ecological impact of medicinal plant extraction.
R. van der Heijden et al., “Indole Alkaloids from a Callus Culture of Tabernaemontana Elegans,” Phytochemistry, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 843–846, Jan. 1986.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(86)80013-9.
Fourteen indole alkaloids have been isolated from a callus culture of Tabernaemontana elegans. One of them is new, 3-oxo-isovoacangine, the others are the known isovoacangine, 3-R/S-hydroxy-isovoacangine, 3-R/S-hydroxy-coronaridine, isositsirikine, geissoschizol, tabernaemontanine, vobasine, vobasinol, apparicine, 16-hydroxy-16,22-dihydro-apparicine, tubotaiwine, 3-R/S-hydroxy-conodurine and monogagaine. The alkaloid content is similar to that of the whole plant, except for the absence ofthe tabernaelegantines, which were major components in the plant extract.
R. van der Heijden, E. R. Verheij, J. Schripsema, A. B. Svendsen, R. Verpoorte, and P. A. A. Harkes, “Induction of Triterpene Biosynthesis by Elicitors in Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Species,” Plant Cell Reports, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 51–54, Jan. 1988.
doi: 10.1007/BF00272977.
Treatment of suspension cultures of some Tabernaemontana species (Apocynaceae) with elicitors (e.g. cellulase, Candida albicans) result in a rapid de novo production of antimicrobial active triterpenes. The triterpenes are identified as ursene carboxylic acid derivatives. These triterpenes are not produced by an elicited cell suspension culture of Catharanthus roseus, another Apocynaceae.
R. van der Heijden, D. R. Threlfall, R. Verpoorte, and I. M. Whitehead, “Regulation and Enzymology of Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Phytoalexin Biosynthesis in Cell Suspension Cultures of Tabernaemontana Divaricata,” Phytochemistry, vol. 28, no. 11, pp. 2981–2988, Jan. 1989.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(89)80264-X.
Treatment of growth-phase cell suspension cultures of Tabernaemontana divaricata with a Candida albicans elicitor preparation inhibited both growth and monoterpene indole alkaloid production within a few hours and caused a rapid accumulation of at least 10 pentacyclic triterpenoid phytoalexins. Cell growth was resumed at about the same time (36hr after elicitor treatment) as phytoalexin accumulation ceased. Alkaloid production, however, was not resumed until some 72 hr after elicitation. Cell-free preparations obtained from cells 12 and 24 hr after elicitation efficiently catalysed the synthesis of squalene, squalene 2,3-oxide, α- and β-amyrin, uvaal and oleanal, ursolic and oleanolic acid, some monohydroxy derivatives of these acids, and dihydroxy derivatives of 3-epi-ifflaconic acid when incubated with either [1-14C]IPP or [1-3H2]FPP as substrate, Preparations from unelicited cells synthesized squalene and small amounts of cycloartenol only. Squalene synthetase (EC 2.5.1.21 activity increased rapidly by approximately five-fold within 24 hr in response to the elicitor treatment and then declined slowly to basal levels. Feeding experiments with saturating levels (for sterol synthesis) of (R)-[2-14C]MVA indicated that in elicited cultures the synthesis of phytosterols (and hence growth) was inhibited at the level of squalene 2,3-oxide: cycloartenol cyclase.
J. C. van der Weide and R. W. J. M. van der Ham, “Pollen Morphology and Phylogeny of the Tribe Tabernaemontaneae (Apocynaceae, Subfamily Rauvolfioideae),” Taxon, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 131–145, 2012.
doi: 10.1002/tax.611010.
Both the tribe Tabernaemontaneae and the genus Tabernaemontana have been much discussed concerning delimitation and classification. In the present paper, the pollen morphology of Tabernaemontaneae s.l. is studied with light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and compared with the results of a phylogenetic analysis of molecular data. No pollen morphological synapomorphy was found supporting the monophyly of the tribe Tabernaemontaneae s.l. The monophyly of Tabernaemontaneae s.str. is supported by the occurrence of distinctly lalongate endoapertures that might be fused to form an endocingulum. Although the endocingulum does occur in some Old World species, it is interpreted as a synapomorphy of the New World species, which make up a monophyletic group according to molecular data. The inclusion of the genus Stemmadenia in the New World clade within Tabernaemontana is fully supported by pollen morphology. The Old World Tabernaemontana clade is supported by the occurrence of densely perforate pollen with long colpi.
S. Vandana, K. Ashwini, K. Arun, and K. Sumit, “An Efficient in Vitro Propagation Protocol for Catharanthus Roseus (L.),” Research Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 15, p. 6, 2020.
Catharanthus roseus (L.) is an important medicinal plant and has several commercially valuable secondary metabolites which are used by the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of severe diseases including cancer and Hodgkin’s disease etc. Major limiting factor for its large-scale cultivation is only 30% seed germination rate and 70% success rate in stem cuttings and vegetative splits.
A. K. Verma, R. R. Singh, and S. Singh, “Improved Alkaloid Content in Callus Culture of Cantharanthus Roseus,” Botanica Serbica, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 123–130, 2012.
The low yield and high market price of the pharmaceutically important alkaloids of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don viz. vincristine, vinblastine and ajmalicine have created interest in improved alternative routes for their production such as using cell and tissue culture. The callus developed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins was found to have variable alkaloid contents. Combinations of auxins with cytokinins were found to be better for leaf callus growth and enhancement of alkaloid content. The highest enhancement of total alkaloid content was found in 0.50 mg/l of 2, 4-D and 1.0 mg/l of BA, compared with other combinations. Our findings indicated that in addition to plant growth regulators and strength of the MS media, various carbon sources and their concentrations had a significant influence on leaf callus growth and total alkaloid content. It was found that half strength MS basal medium supplemented with 2, 4-D and BA (0.5mg/l and 1.0 mg/l, respectively) and 6% sucrose was best for biomass production of leaf callus and enhancement of alkaloid accumulation in C. roseus.
T. Vilgiate, “The Invention of Voacanga Africana as a Ceremonial Psychedelic.,” Jul. 2019.
doi: 10.5282/RCC/8635.
Timothy Vigliate examines transformations in the meaning and value of the tree Voacanga africana, considering its identity as a so-called “ceremonial psychedelic” on the international market, as well as how this label uses Orientalist ideas about Africa as a marketing resource.
G. Vonk and A. Leeuwenberg, “A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Tabernanthe and a Study of Wood Anatomy of T. Iboga.,” in Revisions of Apocynaceae, vol. XXIX, Wageningen, The Netherlands: WAGENINGEN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PAPERS, 1989.https://edepot.wur.nl/283699.
The taxonomy of the genus Tabernanthe (Apocynaceae) has been revised. Two species are recognised, T. ellipticaand T. iboga. Both occur in Africa. The secondary xylem of Tabernanthe iboga is described. A comparison has been made with a representative of the closely related genus Tabernaemontana. On wood anatomical grounds the relationship seems justified.
T. M. Webster and J. Cardina, “Apocynum Cannabinum Seed Germination and Vegetative Shoot Emergence,” Weed Science, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 524–528, Oct. 1999.
doi: 10.1017/S0043174500092213.
Apocynum cannabinum is a native creeping perennial distributed throughout the U.S., with increasing importance in reduced tillage systems throughout the Midwest. Apocynum cannabinum has been shown to be a difficult species to control in field crops. Effective weed management is often a function of the timing of control practice. Knowledge of weed emergence patterns may be useful in predicting the optimum time of weed management. The objectives of these studies were to describe how temperature and moisture affect A. cannabinum seed germination and to describe the relationship between growing degree units (GDU) and A. cannabinum vegetative shoot emergence. At constant temperatures, seed germination was described as a sigmoidal function of temperature (r2 = 0.83), with maximum germination (32%) from 26 to 34 C. Under alternating temperatures, seed germination increased in a linear relationship between mean temperatures of 15 and 34 C (r2 = 0.85). Maximum seed germination (88%) occurred at a mean temperature of 34 C under alternating temperatures. The relationship between seed germination and osmotic potential between −1.0 and 0 MPa was described by a gompertz function (r2 = 0.98). Germination at −1.0 MPa was 4% and increased in a near linear manner to the nontreated control (0 MPa), which had 80% germination. Vegetative shoot emergence in 1997 and 1998 had a sigmoidal relationship to GDU using a base temperature of 6 C (r2 = 0.96). However, initial shoot appearance was not consistent over years, with first emergence recorded on May 21, 1997 (132 GDU), and May 5, 1998 (73 GDU). Approximately 50% of the shoots emerged before June 7, 1997 (282 GDU), and May 21, 1998 (285 GDU); therefore, optimal weed management programs will need to be initiated following this GDU accumulation.
L. H. Werner and S. Ricca, “The Alkaloids of Tabernanthe Iboga. VII.1 Derivatives of Isoquinuclidine,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 80, no. 11, pp. 2733–2736, Jun. 1958.
doi: 10.1021/ja01544a038.
Voacanaga Africana is a tropical shrub native to West Africa where it is used medicinally and ceremonially. Voacanga is one of the more well-known African entheogens, but its prevalence as a live plant outside of Africa is rather limited because voacanga seeds can be quite tough to germinate once they go dormant. […]
R. Zárate, J. Memelink, R. van der Heijden, and R. Verpoorte, “Genetic Transformation via Particle Bombardment of Catharanthus Roseus Plants through Adventitious Organogenesis of Buds,” Biotechnology Letters, vol. 21, no. 11, pp. 997–1002, Nov. 1999.
doi: 10.1023/A:1005622317333.
In vitro propagation of Catharanthus roseus was achieved using nodal explants. Bud induction was best on medium containing 1.0 mg benzyl aminopurine l−1. Hardening of rooted shoots to soil was very successful with 98% survival. Genetically transformed C. roseus plantlets were obtained after bombardment of nodal explants, which were then micropropagated, with DNA coated particles with green fluorescent protein (GFP) or β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter genes. Histological studies showed that the gene insertion method proved effective with many cells and different tissues displaying the reporter gene signals, showing that gene expressions were rather stable.
Q. Zhao et al., “Voacafrines A-N, Aspidosperma-Type Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Voacanga Africana with AChE Inhibitory Activity,” Phytochemistry, vol. 181, p. 112566, Jan. 2021.
doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2020.112566.
Fourteen undescribed monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, voacafrines A-N, along with 7 known monoterpenoid indole alkaloids were isolated from the seeds of Voacanga africana Stapf. Among them, voacafrines A-G were aspidosperma-aspidosperma type bisindole alkaloids, while voacafrines H–N were aspidosperma-type monomers. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of NMR, MS, and ECD analyses. Voacafrines A-C were characterized by an acetonyl moiety at C-5′, while voacafrine H possessed a methoxymethyl moiety at C-14 within aspidosperma-type alkaloids. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of voacafrines A-N were evaluated. Voacafrines A-C and E-G were bisindole alkaloids that exhibited AChE inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 4.97–33.28 μM, while voacafrines I and J were monomers that showed cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 4.45–7.49 μM.