An alarming loss of genetic variability of three Andean tubers (Ullucus tuberosus, ullucus; Oxalis tuberosa, oca; and, Tropaeolum tuberosum, mashua) has been observed during the last decades due to many factors such us the introduction of new varieties, droughts, changes in food habits, encroaching agriculture, deforestation and the migration from rural to urban areas. Thus, a pilot study was c...

The umbu tree (Spondias tuberosa) is one of the most important endemic species to the Brazilian tropical semiarid region. The umbu tree has edible fruits with a peculiar flavor that are consumed in natura or in a semi-industrialized form, such as jams, candies and juices. The majority of endemic species to Brazilian semiarid region have not been studied or sampled to form germ-plasm collections...

A new iridoid glucoside, 8-O-acetylshanzhiside (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Phlomis tuberosa, together with two known iridoid glucosides, shanzhiside methyl ester and lamalbide. The known phenylethanoid glycosides acteoside and forsythoside B were also obtained and characterized. The structure of 1 was determined by means of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic evidence.

1. Plant-mediated interactions between co-occurring herbivores play an important role in insect herbivore communities. Although induced resistance pathways associated with jasmonic acid and salicylic acid are often implicated in such plant-mediated interactions, there are few examples from non-model systems involving specialized herbivores that regularly interact in nature. 2. Here, we tested r...

Stemona sessilifolia, S. japonica and S. tuberosa are the three original sources of Stemonae Radix specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (CP), and have been traditionally used for antitussive and insecticidal remedy. Significant variations in alkaloids composition and content, as well as different degrees of antitussive activities were found among them. In order to identify the genuine sources...