Homoploid hybrid speciation has generally been viewed as a rare evolutionary phenomenon, with relatively few well-documented cases in nature. Here, we investigate the origin of Stephanomeria diegensis, a diploid flowering plant species that has been proposed to have arisen as a result of hybridization between S. exigua and S. virgata. Across the range of S. diegensis, all individuals share a co...

In this research, we determined: 1) the insect guilds visiting the ßower heads of Þve Asteraceae species (Eupatorium petiolare Mociño ex De Candolle, Senecio praecox [Cavanilles] De Candolle, Dahlia coccinea Cavanilles, Tagetes lunulata Ortega, and Verbesina virgata Cavanilles); 2) the role of ßoral phenology and ßoral morphology on species composition and frequency of visits of different insec...

A synopsis of Plazia Ruiz & Pav. (Onoserideae, Asteraceae) is presented, including the description of a new species, Plazia robinsonii M.O.Dillon & Sagást., from a locality c. 20 kms west of Huamachuco, Department of La Libertad in northern Peru. It most closely resembles Plazia conferta Ruiz & Pav., a narrow endemic from central Peru some 450 km to the south; however, the latter species has la...

BACKGROUND Salvia divinorum is a member of the Lamiaceae family and contains the psychotropic diterpene and kappa-opioid receptor agonist salvinorin-A. Originally a shamanic inebriant used by the Mexican Mazatec Indians, the plant and its preparations are becoming increasingly popular among non-traditional users. METHODS Demographic data and information on pattern of use and subjective effect...

The study designed to evaluate the protective effect of Salvia officinalis (SO) water extract against OVAinduced asthma in mice. The OVA-induced asthmatic mice exhibited significant increase in total leukocytes count, IL-4 and IL-5 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and eosinophils count in (BALF), in addition, to the serum total IgE level. Pathological changes in the lung were evalu...

The active ingredients of salvia (dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza) include both lipophilic (e.g., tanshinone IIA, tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone I) and hydrophilic (e.g., danshensu and salvianolic acid B) constituents. The low oral bioavailability of these constituents may limit their efficacy. A solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SMEDDS) was developed t...

Salvia hypoleuca is used in Iranian traditional medicine as an agent for treatment of some diseases and troubles. In this study, attention was focused on the antioxidant effect of Salvia hypoleuca. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Salvia hypoleuca extract on Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis (EIU) in rats. In addition, the endotoxin-induced expression of the inducible nitric...

BACKGROUND As an important perennial herbaceous flower, Salvia splendens possesses high ornamental value. Understanding its branching processes may help scientists select the best plant type. Although Salvia splendens is a frequently-used horticultural flower, only limited transcriptomic or genomic research is available in public databases. In the present study, we, for the first time, construc...