Search

The present study incorporated an environment‐friendly and cost‐efficient green synthesis method for fabricating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) using various parts (leaves, buds, and flowers) of Bauhinia Variegate Linn. UV‐Spectrophotometric analysis was used to confirm the synthesis of ZnO‐NPs, which showed an absorption band within 360–380 nm range. Further techniques like FT‐IR spectroscopy and (SEM) scanning electron microscopy equipped with a novel EDX were also included to confirm the synthesis, size, and shape of ZnO‐NPs. Results obtained by FT‐IR showed that the phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract successfully acted as a capping agent. SEM micrographs confirmed irregularly shaped nanoparticles with an average size of 70–80 nm. The presence of Zinc and Oxygen peaks in EDX also confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The radical scavenging (antioxidant) potential of prepared nanoparticles was also evaluated by DPPH radical assay. The ZnO‐NPs obtained from the ethanolic extract of buds showed the highest %RSA (86%) as compared to the flowers (79%) and leaves (76%). The current study findings showed the versatile morphology of all parts of the plant with significant antioxidant potential, establishing the use of Bauhinia Variegate in biological systems for various biomedical applications. Research Highlights: A thorough comparative analysis of the radical scavenging power of major parts of the Bauhinia Variegate, which is 1st of its kind.Extensive characterization using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FT‐IR, SEM, and EDX to observe the conformational and morphological changes.Analysis of the reduction potential of leaves, buds, and flowers of a single plant for future directions in green synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subfamily Cercidoideae is an early‐diverging lineage of Leguminosae, within which the number and classification of genera have been controversial. Cheniella is a recently described genus in the Cercidoideae which requires revision and testing of its monophyly and circumscription. Here we infer the phylogenetic position and infrageneric relationships of Cheniella as well as the intergeneric relationships of Cercidoideae using 48 newly sequenced plastid genomes, including 34 individuals representing all species of Cheniella. Our phylogenetic analyses yield a well‐resolved tree of Cercidoideae with robust support at most nodes. We also present morphological studies through field work and herbarium studies to re‐assess the classification and circumscription of the genus. Based on the results of molecular analyses and morphological studies combined with distribution data, we broaden the circumscription of Cheniella to comprise a total of 15 species and 3 subspecies, including three new species (C. hechiensis, C. longistaminea, C. pubicarpa), one new combination (C. tianlinensis) and one new status and combination (C. longipes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, automobile industries are paying more attention on fabricating light weight materials for making vehicle body parts. So lots of research work is been carried out on natural fibers owing to their light weight and eco‐friendly nature. In this current research, composites were fabricated by reinforcing treated Bauhinia vahlii bast fiber (BV) fibers with Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic polymer for making light weight automobile parts. Various properties like static and dynamic mechanical properties, thermal as well as morphological properties were studied. To get a better compatibility with ABS matrix, surfaces of fibers were treated with various chemicals. An enhancement in mechanical properties was noticed with the increase in treated BV fiber loading till optimum (23 wt%) thereafter declines. The highest mechanical properties obtained at optimum fiber loading was recorded as 68.94 MPa of tensile strength, 7.02 GPa of young's modulus, 95.27 MPa of flexural strength and 33.25 kJ/m2 of impact strength. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for analysis. Overall, the results show that reinforcing ABS matrix with BV filler improves the characteristics of the manufactured composite materials effectively. It was found that composites fabricated from 23 wt% fiber content shows superior static and dynamic mechanical properties as well as thermal properties as compared with other fabricated composites and can be used for making lightweight automobile parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the natural fibers reinforced thermoplastic polymers have been increasingly used in various automotive, construction, and packaging industries because of their high modulus, strength, and renewability. In this work, the thermoplastic polymer is reinforced by surface‐modified Bauhinia Vahlii (BV) fiber. The fabrication of composite at 10, 20, and 30 wt% BV fiber loading is done by compression molding technique and characterization of the composite is carried out. The tensile and flexural strength is found to be maximum at 10 wt% BV fiber content, indicating a strong interfacial bond between fiber and matrix as supported by scanning electron microscope of fracture surfaces of the composite. The impact strength and hardness of the BV/polypropylene (PP) composite increases with BV fiber loading. According to the dynamic mechanical analysis results, with rise in BV fiber content in the composite, the storage and loss modulus improved, but tan delta reduced. The thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetry inferred that the composite's thermal stability lies between modified BV fiber and PP matrix. The differential scanning calorimetry curve studies the melting and crystallization behavior of the composite. The higher crystallinity index of composite is obtained at 10 wt% BV fiber content supported by tensile strength result. Both hot and cold‐water immersion processes studied the water absorption behavior of the composite. The composite with a higher percentage of fiber absorbs more water and takes less time to reach saturation. Compared to other produced composites and neat PP, it is observed that composites fabricated with 10% BV fiber content have superior characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petiole is a vital part of the leaf that acts as a bridge between the lamina and stem or branch for the transport of photosynthate, minerals, nutrients and provide flexible mechanical support to the lamina. Its anatomy remains unique and species‐specific. Therefore, twelve species of Bauhinia sensu lato were investigated histologically in the present study. The disparities in the petiole outline, structure and composition of secondary xylem and presence of cell inclusions can be wisely employed for species identification. Conducting elements of the xylem and phloem were arranged as irregularly distributed individual vascular bundles in Schnella guianensis. Several vascular bundles joined to form a double ring of the xylem and phloem in Piliostigma foveolatum, P. malabaricum, P. racemosum, two species of Phanera (P. retusa, P. vahlii) and Bauhinia variegata while in the remaining species, it remained as a single ring. Other features of taxonomic importance are xylem ring that can be circular and complete and if incomplete crescent‐shaped or 'U' shaped, arrangement of cortical bundles and their position, accumulation of tannin etc. Deposition of tannin was observed in the pith, xylem and phloem parenchyma of Piliostigma foveolatum, P. malabaricum, Bauhinia tomentosa and B. variegata and in the pith and phloem parenchyma of Phanera phoenicea, Piliostigma racemosum and Phanera scandens. Tannin was found absent in B. acuminata and B. purpurea. All these features played important role in species recognition. Structural details of the petiole are described in detail for all the investigated species using standard anatomical methods and light microscopy. Findings revealed that anatomical characteristics of the petiole are of taxonomic value for this genus and can be valuable for species identification and classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structures of BbKI, a recombinant Kunitz‐type serine protease inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides, complexed with human kallikrein 4 (KLK4) were determined at medium‐to‐high resolution in four crystal forms (space groups P3121, P6522, P21 and P61). Although the fold of the protein was virtually identical in all of the crystals, some significant differences were observed in the conformation of Arg64 of BbKI, the residue that occupies the S1 pocket in KLK4. Whereas this residue exhibited two orientations in the highest resolution structure (P3121), making either a canonical trypsin‐like interaction with Asp189 of KLK4 or an alternate interaction, only a single alternate orientation was observed in the other three structures. A neighboring disulfide, Cys191–Cys220, was partially or fully broken in all KLK4 structures. Four variants of BbKI in which Arg64 was replaced by Met, Phe, Ala and Asp were expressed and crystallized, and their structures were determined in complex with KLK4. Structures of the Phe and Met variants complexed with bovine trypsin and of the Phe variant complexed with α‐chymotrypsin were also determined. Although the inhibitory potency of these variant forms of BbKI was lowered by up to four orders of magnitude, only small changes were seen in the vicinity of the mutated residues. Therefore, a totality of subtle differences in KLK4–BbKI interactions within the fully extended interface in the structures of these variants might be responsible for the observed effect. Screening of the BbKI variants against a panel of serine proteases revealed an altered pattern of inhibitory specificity, which was shifted towards that of chymotrypsin‐like proteases for the hydrophobic Phe and Met P1 substitutions. This work reports the first structures of plant Kunitz inhibitors with S1‐family serine proteases other than trypsin, as well as new insights into the specificity of inhibition of medically relevant kallikreins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2020, symptoms of powdery mildew were observed on Bauhinia variegata, B. blakeana and Desmodium caudatum in Taiwan. The fungus was identified as Erysiphe lespedezae based on morphological characteristics of the anamorph and the molecular analysis of the rDNA ITS sequences. In the phylogenetic tree, the powdery mildews on Bauhinia spp. and D. caudatum were divided into two groups, suggesting that cryptic species may exist in E. lespedezae. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed record of E. lespedezae on the plants in Fabaceae in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracts containing bioactive compounds were obtained from Bauhinia forficata leaves by ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) with three different solvents (n‐hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol) and were compared with those obtained by a conventional method (maceration). Box‐Behnken experimental design was applied to examine and optimize the effect of the extraction temperature (40°C‐60°C), power (20%‐80%), and sample to solvent ratio (1:10 to 1:20 (w/v)) on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of B. forficata leaf extracts. This experimental design generated second‐order polynomial models, which accurately describe the experimental data, allowing the prediction of optimal conditions for the investigated responses. Optimal extraction was achieved under the following conditions: 80% power, temperature of 41°C, and a 1:20 sample to solvent ratio. Under these conditions, the experimental yield was 8.33 ± 0.32%, total phenolic content was 59.47 ± 0.71 mg GAE · gextract−1, total flavonoid content was 62.30 ± 3.38 mg QE · gextract−1, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power was 726.7 ± 15.7 μmol Fe(II)EQ · gextract−1, which were close to the predicted values, which validated the models. The major compounds found in B. forficata extracts were tocopherols, phytol, heneicosane, and β‐Sitosterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aims to analyze the influence of chemical treatment on thermal, morphological, mechanical, and water absorption characteristics of a new natural Bauhinia Vahlii (BV) stem fiber. In this research study, the BV fiber surface was modified through different chemical treatments such as alkalization, bleaching, and benzoylation. The effect of these chemical treatments on the fiber are visualized through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. SEM ensures the presence of voids and rough surfaces with the removal of deleterious substances from the fiber. The results obtained from Fourier transform infrared ensure the presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin compounds in the case of untreated and treated BV fiber. Also, X‐ray diffraction analysis gives a higher crystallinity index for treated BV fiber. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms there is an increase in the thermal stability of the fiber after chemical treatment. The increase in tensile strength and young's modulus confirms improvement in the mechanical properties of the BV fiber after chemical treatment. The water absorptivity test ensures there is a reduction in the hydrophilic nature of the BV fiber after chemical treatment, which promotes better adhesion between fiber and matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the protective effects of the Bauhinia championii (BC) against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced injury in an isolated heart model. Langendorff‐perfused C57BL/6JNarl mice hearts were performed with 30 minutes ischemia and 60 minutes reperfusion by left anterior descending artery ligation. Before reperfusion, boiling water extracts of BC (10 mg/L) was pretreated for 15 minutes. During reperfusion, BC significantly decreased the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias by lead II electrocardiogram (ECG). Electrophysiological effect of BC was further determined in isolated ventricular myocytes by whole‐cell patch clamp technique. The underlying mechanism may result from its Na+ channel blocking activity characterized with reduced rise slope of action potential and Na+ current density. Moreover, BC dramatically reduced I/R‐caused infarct size, which was accessed by 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) assay. Since BC decreased I/R‐induced myoglobin release and oxidation of Ca2+‐calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase, inhibition of myocardial necroptosis may account for the protective effects of BC on myocytes lose. This study indicated that BC may prevent I/R induced ventricular arrhythmias and myocyte death by blocking Na+ channels and decreasing necroptosis, respectively. Since most of the available antiarrhythmic remedies have unwanted adverse actions, BC could be a novel candidate for the treatment of myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing the phylogenetic history of species in large taxonomic groups remains a challenge despite ever increasing access to molecular data. In subfamily Cercidoideae (Leguminosae), the large pantropical Bauhinia s.l. (~380 spp.) is never supported as monophyletic, but the generic boundaries and the number of genera that should be recognised remains a challenging taxonomic and phylogenetic question. Here we reconstruct the phylogeny of Bauhinia s.l. and related genera in the subfamily using sequences obtained from five loci (matK, trnL‐F, Leafy, and two previously undetected duplicate copies of Legcyc), which we analyse individually and in a concatenated matrix (excluding Leafy). The individual and concatenated analyses generally support two distinct lineages in Bauhinia s.l.: (1) the Bauhinia clade, containing Bauhinia s.str., Brenierea, and Piliostigma; and (2) the Phanera clade, containing Barklya, Cheniella, Gigasiphon, Lasiobema, Lysiphyllum, Phanera s.str., Schnella, and Tylosema. Based on our analyses, we recognise 14 genera in Cercidoideae. We resurrect the genus Tournaya from Gigasiphon, and synonymise the Asian segregate genus Lasiobema back into Phanera s.str. Our analyses reveal a clear gene duplication event in CYCLOIDEA that is shared by all Cercidoideae excluding the sister lineage to the subfamily, Cercis, supporting recent hypotheses for a whole genome duplication in all Cercidoideae except this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

However, since the taxonomic treatment of De Wit (l.c.) no one considered I B. cordifolia i as a synonym of either I B. lingua i or I P. lingua i . As Roxburgh stated that his I B. cordifolia i was native of the Moluccas, I referred it to I B. lingua i DC., a common and wide-spread Moluccan species which agrees also entirely with Roxburgh's descriptive data." (l.c.) can be found as an accepted name in both early and recent taxonomic literature: Prain, l.c.: 190; De Wit, l.c.: 505; Wunderlin & al. in Biol. Skr. 28: 22. 1987; Larsen & Larsen in Nordic J. Bot. 13: 663. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Triterpenoids are widely distributed among plants of the legume family. However, most studies have focused on triterpenoids and their biosynthetic enzymes in model legumes.We evaluated the triterpenoid aglycones profile of the medicinal legume tree Bauhinia forficata by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Through transcriptome analyses, homology‐based cloning, and heterologous expression, we discovered four oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) which are responsible for the diversity of triterpenols in B. forficata. We also investigated the effects of the unique motif TLCYCR on α‐amyrin synthase activity.B. forficata highly accumulated α‐amyrin. We discovered an OSC with a preponderant α‐amyrin‐producing activity, which accounted for at least 95% of the total triterpenols. We also discovered three other functional OSCs (BfOSC1, BfOSC2, and BfOSC4) that produce β‐amyrin, germanicol, and cycloartenol. Furthermore, by replacing the unique motif TLCYCR from BfOSC3 with the MWCYCR motif, we altered the function of BfOSC3 such that it no longer produced α‐amyrin. Our results provide new insights into OSC cyclization, which is responsible for the diversity of triterpenoid metabolites in B. forficata, a non‐model legume plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structures of a recombinant Kunitz‐type serine protease inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides (BbKI) complexed with bovine trypsin were determined in two crystal forms. The crystal structure with the L55R mutant of BbKI was determined in space group P64 at 1.94 Å resolution and that with native BbKI in the monoclinic space group P21 at 3.95 Å resolution. The asymmetric unit of the latter crystals contained 44 independent complexes, thus representing one of the largest numbers of independent objects deposited in the Protein Data Bank. Additionally, the structure of the complex with native BbKI was determined at 2.0 Å resolution from P64 crystals isomorphous to those of the mutant. Since BbKI has previously been found to be a potent inhibitor of the trypsin‐like plasma kallikrein, it was also tested against several tissue kallikreins. It was found that BbKI is a potent inhibitor of human tissue kallikrein 4 (KLK4) and the chymotrypsin‐like human tissue kallikrein 7 (KLK7). Structures of BbKI complexed with the catalytic domain of human plasma kallikrein were modeled, as well as those with KLK4 and KLK7, and the structures were analyzed in order to identify the interactions that are responsible for inhibitory potency. Crystal structures of the complex of a serine protease inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides with bovine trypsin were determined in two crystal forms, which served as templates for modeling the structures of its complexes with plasma and tissue kallikreins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery The acetic acid‐induced writhing and hot plate models in mice were utilized to determine the analgesic effect of epicatechin gallate (ECG) isolated from Bauhinia hookeri. The anti‐inflammatory activity of ECG was determined using carrageenan‐induced paw edema model. The pro‐inflammatory mediators (PGE2, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) were estimated in the plasma of different treatment groups. ECG was tested at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o. and diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug (100 mg/kg) in all experiments. ECG significantly (p < .001) suppressed the writhing response in mice. The inhibition percentages were 32, 52, and 62%, at the tested doses of ECG, respectively as compared to the positive control group receiving acetic acid only. Furthermore, ECG significantly (p < .001) increased the reaction time in hot plate model. The maximum analgesic effect was evident after 120 min. ECG demonstrated a significant anti‐inflammatory activity as evidenced by the inhibition of carrageenan‐induced paw edema (46, 50, and 58%, at the tested doses, respectively). This effect was persistent all over the experimental period. ECG produced a significant (p < .001) reduction in plasma PGE2 (by 27, 38, and 50%), TNF‐α (15, 33, and 41%), IL‐1β (17, 25, and 33%), and IL‐6 (22, 32, and 43%), at the tested doses, respectively. This study supports the use of ECG as both analgesic and anti‐inflammatory agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectins have been used at length for basic research and clinical applications. New insights into the molecular recognition properties enhance our basic understanding of carbohydrate-protein interactions and aid in the design/development of new lectins. In this study, we used a combination of cell-based assays, glycan microarrays, and X-ray crystallography to evaluate the structure and function of the recombinant Bauhinia forficata lectin (BfL). The lectin was shown to be cytostatic for several cancer cell lines included in the NCI-60 panel; in particular, it inhibited growth of melanoma cancer cells ( LOX IMVI) by over 95%. BfL is dimeric in solution and highly specific for binding of oligosaccharides and glycopeptides with terminal N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal NAc). BfL was found to have especially strong binding (apparent Kd = 0.5-1.0 n m) to the tumor-associated Tn antigen. High-resolution crystal structures were determined for the ligand-free lectin, as well as for its complexes with three Tn glycopeptides, globotetraose, and the blood group A antigen. Extensive analysis of the eight crystal structures and comparison to structures of related lectins revealed several unique features of Gal NAc recognition. Of special note, the carboxylate group of Glu126, lining the glycan-binding pocket, forms H-bonds with both the N-acetyl of Gal NAc and the peptide amido group of Tn antigens. Stabilization provided by Glu126 is described here for the first time for any Gal NAc-specific lectin. Taken together, the results provide new insights into the molecular recognition of carbohydrates and provide a structural understanding that will enable rational engineering of BfL for a variety of applications. Database Structural data are available in the PDB under the accession numbers , , , , , , , and . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A serine protease inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides (BbKI) belongs to the Kunitz family of plant inhibitors, which are common in plant seeds. BbKI does not contain any disulfides, unlike most other members of this family. It is a potent inhibitor of plasma kallikrein, in addition to other serine proteases, and thus exhibits antithrombotic activity. A high-resolution crystal structure of recombinantly expressed BbKI was determined (at 1.4 Å resolution) and was compared with the structures of other members of the family. Modeling of a complex of BbKI with plasma kallikrein indicates that changes in the local structure of the reactive loop that includes the specificity-determining Arg64 are necessary in order to explain the tight binding. An R64A mutant of BbKI was found to be a weaker inhibitor of plasma kallikrein, but was much more potent against plasmin, suggesting that this mutant may be useful for preventing the breakup of fibrin and maintaining clot stability, thus preventing excessive bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the study: Some of the most striking stem shapes occur in species of Bauhinia (Fabaceae) known as monkey ladder vines. Their mature stems are flattened and develop regular undulations. Although stems have variant (anomalous) secondary growth, the mechanism causing the undulations is unknown. Methods: We measured stem segments over time (20 mo), described stem development using light microscopy, and correlated the changes in stem shape with anatomy. Key results: Growing stems are initially straight and bear tendrils on short axillary branches. The inner secondary xylem has narrow vessels and lignified fibers. As stems age, they become flattened and increasingly undulated with the production of two lobes of outer secondary xylem (OX) with wide vessels and only gelatinous fibers (G-fibers). Similar G-fibers are present in the secondary phloem and the cortical sclerified layer. In transverse sections, the concave side of each undulation has a greater area and quantity of G-fibers than the opposite convex side. Some older stems are not undulated and have less lobing of OX. Undulation causes a shortening of the stem segments: up to 28% of the original length. Conclusions: Uneven distribution of G-fibers produces tensions that are involved in the protracted development of undulations. While young extending shoots attach by lateral branch tendrils, older stems may maintain their position in the canopy using undulations and persistent branch bases as gripping devices. Flattened and undulated stems with G-fibers produce flexible woody stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monophyletic tribe Cercideae is one of the earliest branching lineages in Leguminosae, sister to the rest of the family. It is a highly varied and complex group which has undergone many taxonomic re-organisations, and is currently the subject of further systematic studies. The pollen of the Cercideae has long been known to be diverse and varied, but problematic species and generic delimitations have previously hindered our understanding of the similarities, differences, evolution and taxonomic significance of the various pollen structures found within the tribe. This study aims to better understand the complexities of the pollen morphological variation by assessing them with regard to recent phylogenetic studies, and also to provide pollen characters that will help to gain more resolution in systematic studies. Approximately 250 pollen samples from tribe Cercideae were studied using light as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, with 58 of those samples taken from 55 species of 12 genera matching those analysed in a recent molecular phylogeny. The distribution of morphological structures is examined by mapping them onto a recently published molecular phylogenetic tree. Using the molecular phylogeny to show pollen diversity and distribution, we provide an overview of pollen morphology in the Cercideae. The first branching lineages in tribe Cercideae have an unspecialised pollen type, whereas the more variable and distinct pollen types are found in the more derived lineages, in Schnella, Lasiobema, Phanera and Bauhinia s.str. There is a high degree of specialisation in surface ornamentation, wall structure and aperture type in these groups when compared to other caesalpinioid taxa. The Cercideae is currently the subject of much research. This overview of pollen structure presents a summary of the distribution of pollen morphological variation, providing data which allows the structural variation in pollen to be compared and contrasted in evolutionary and taxonomic contexts. It also provides potential autapomorphic and synapomorphic palynological characters of use in phylogenetic analyses and taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chromatographic fingerprint is a comprehensive method that reveals the distinctive pattern of peaks across the chromatogram for a given sample. It is considered an effective strategy to assess the identity and quality of herbal materials, as well as for the control of the quality of their derived products. HPLC is the most employed technique for these purposes and it is used routinely for quality control in industry. Hence, its impact on the environment should not be neglected. This work provides a rational and generic procedure to qualitatively fingerprint complex matrices. Resource- and time-saving experimental designs were selected; an alternative safer organic solvent was tested and a time-saving and innovative response entitled the green chromatographic fingerprinting response was developed and employed. This procedure was applied in the development of chromatographic fingerprints for extracts of Bauhinia forficata and Casearia sylvestris. Moreover, the response proposed here can be combined with a complementary metric available in the literature to compare methods using different solvents. According to this, the chromatographic fingerprints developed here using ethanol as the organic solvent provided a performance better than that of reference methods in which more harmful acetonitrile or methanol were employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alphabetical list of all the validly published names of Brazilian taxa of Bauhinia L. s.str. (= Bauhinia subg. Bauhinia) including those first published in Pauletia Cav., is presented with details of all types including 30 new typifications. All names are assigned to their accepted taxa following the classification for Leguminosae tribe Cercideae published by Lewis & Forest in 2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion resulting from landslides is a serious problem in mountainous countries such as Nepal. To restore such sites it is essential to establish plant cover that protects the soil and reduces surface erosion. Mycorrhizal fungi growing in symbiosis with plants are essential in this respect because they improve both plant nutrient uptake and soil structure. We investigated the influence of organic matter and P amendment on recently produced biomass of bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in eroded slopes in Nepal. Eroded soil mixed with different types of organic matter or P was placed in mesh bags, which were buried around trees of Bauhinia purpurea and Leucaena diversifolia between June 2003 and December 2003 (the wet season) or between December 2003 and June 2004 (the dry season). Signature fatty acids were used to determine bacterial and AM fungal biomass after the 6-month intervals. The amount and composition of AM fungal spores were analyzed in the mesh bags from the dry season. More microbial biomass was produced during the wet season than during the dry season. Furthermore, organic matter addition enhanced the production of AM fungal and bacterial biomass during both periods. The positive influence of organic matter addition on AM fungi could be an important contribution to plant survival in plantations on eroded slopes. Different AM spore communities and bacterial profiles were obtained with different organic amendments and this suggests a possible way of selecting for specific microbial communities in the management of eroded sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia blakeana Dunn is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region emblem and a popular horticultural species in many Asian countries. It was first described as a new species from Hong Kong almost a century ago. This plant is sterile and has long been considered a hybrid, possibly from two related species, B. purpurea and B. variegata. However, not much evidence based on molecular methods was available to support this hypothesis. In this study, sequences of internal transcribed spacer 1 ( ITS1), rbcL and atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer for five Bauhinia species and two varieties of one of the species were determined and compared. There were two types of ITS1 sequences in B. blakeana, one indistinguishable from that of B. purpurea and the other one identical to that of B. variegata. This confirmed that B. blakeana was a hybrid of these two species. Chloroplast atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer sequence of B. blakeana was identical to that of B. purpurea, indicating that B. purpurea was the female parent. The hybridization event seemed to occur only recently and was a rare incident. Its occurrence was likely facilitated by interspecific pollen competition. It appeared that human efforts played a crucial role in the preservation and ubiquity of B. blakeana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (BbKI) found in Bauhinia bauhinioides seeds has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli and crystallized at 293 K using PEG 4000 as the precipitant. X-ray diffraction data have been collected to 1.87 Å resolution using an in-house X-ray generator. The crystals of the recombinant protein (rBbKI) belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 46.70, b = 64.14, c = 59.24 Å. Calculation of the Matthews coefficient suggests the presence of one monomer of rBbKI in the asymmetric unit, with a corresponding solvent content of 51% (VM = 2.5 ų Da-1). Iodinated crystals were prepared and a derivative data set was also collected at 2.1Å resolution. Crystals soaked for a few seconds in a cryogenic solution containing 0.5 M NaI were found to be reasonably isomorphous to the native crystals. Furthermore, the presence of iodide anions could be confirmed in the NaI-derivatized crystal. Data sets from native and derivative crystals are being evaluated for use in crystal structure determination by means of the SIRAS (single isomorphous replacement with anomalous scattering) method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia blakeana (Leguminosae subfam. Caesalpinioideae tribe Cercideae), or the Hong Kong Orchid Tree, is of great horticultural value. It is completely sterile and is shown here to be the result of hybridization between the largely sympatric species. B. purpurea and B. variegata. Although the analysis of patterns of morphological variation revealed only a few examples of phenotypic intermediacy, study of intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers enabled unequivocal identification of the parental species due to the presence of additive inheritance of alleles and the absence of any bands that are unique to B. blakeana. Investigation of aspects of the reproductive biology of the taxa furthermore revealed that the parental species are largely xenogamous, have flowering periods that overlap seasonally and temporally, and share common pollinators. Evidence is provided to show that B. blakeana is not naturally stabilized and is only maintained horticulturally by artificial propagation. It is therefore recommended that the hybrid be regarded as a horticultural cultivar rather than a naturally occurring species: a new cultivar name, Bauhinia ‘Blakeana’, is accordingly validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Herbivory in natural communities can be high, reducing the growth and reproduction of individual plants. To diminish the impact of herbivores, plants use a variety of defensive mechanisms. It is now recognized that the plant world is characterized by a proliferation of secondary metabolites, but models of the evolution of defence strategies assume that plants are constrained by finite resources, and that defences are costly. In the present study, the relationships between defence, growth and nutrient concentration in Bauhinia brevipes Vog. (Leguminosae) in south-eastern Brazil were investigated. Patterns of herbivory and defence were examined for 170 B. brevipes individuals in 1997 and 1998. Leaf age influenced tannin concentration and herbivore attack on B. brevipes. Mature leaves had higher concentrations of tannins than young leaves, and young leaves were approximately 60% more likely to be attacked than mature leaves. Carbon and nitrogen content explained 36% of the variation in the percentage of attacked leaves in B. brevipes (y = 16.29 – 0.31 C + 0.25 N; r2 = 0.36; F = 9.56; P < 0.0001). Tannins acted as defensive compounds on B. brevipes leaves against free-feeding herbivores, but no clear pattern was observed against galling herbivores. The amounts of nitrogen, carbon, potassium, and aluminium explained approximately 69% of the variation in tannin concentration on B. brevipes leaves (y = 0.62 – 0.16 N – 0.36 K – 0.26 Al + 0.74 C; r2 = 0.69; F = 21.18; P < 0.0001). We found an inverse relationship between shoot growth rates and tannin concentration in B. brevipes, indicating that the production of tannins may be costly, therefore offering some evidence for the trade-off hypothesis. Nevertheless, the weak relationship observed between herbivore damage and tannin concentration indicates that other factors are also involved with herbivore pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a very high CO2 mole fraction (27 000-35000 μmol mol-1) on photosynthesis and water relations was studied during the dry and the rainy season in plants of Spatiphylum cannifolium (Dryand.) Schott and Bauhinia multinervia (H.B.K.) DC. growing near natural cold CO2 springs. Xylem water potential in plants of both species was lowered by drought, high CO2 growth-concentration decreasing it further in S. cannifolium. In plants of both species growing under high CO2 concentration photosynthetic rates measured at a CO2 mole fraction of 1000 μmol mol-1 were higher than in plants growing at ambient CO2 mole fraction and measured at 350 μmol mol-1. The response was the result of a direct effect of CO2 on the photosynthetic machinery. Changes in carboxylation efficiency in response to high CO2 were found during the rainy season, with an increase in S. cannifolium and a decrease in B. multinervia; a significant interaction between growth CO2 concentration and season in B. multinervia resulted from significant effects of both factors. An increase in intrinsic water-use efficiency due to high CO2 was determined in both species by an increase in photosynthetic rate as well as a decrease in leaf conductance. In high-CO2 plants of S. cannifolium a 71% decrease in stomatal density and 73% in stomatal index suggested that CO2 affected stomatal initiation, whereas in B. multinervia an 85% decrease in stomatal index and a 72% decrease in stomatal density indicated that CO2 influenced stomatal initiation as well as epidermal cell expansion. Our results indicate that very high CO2 concentrations did not inhibit photosynthesis in these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauhinia purpurea agglutinin (BpA) was used to enrich the interleukin 2 (IL 2)-producing T-cell subset from mouse spleen. IL 2 was found to be produced by the BpA-non-agglutinated (BpA ) r cells of mouse spleen on stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A), The degree of IL 2 production by BpA-agglutinated (BpA+) T cells was significantly low. The proliferative response to Con A of BpA- T cells was not influenced by the addition of exogenous IL 2. whereas BpA+ T cells were partially dependent on the exogenous addition of IL 2 in the proliferative response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the use of Bauhinia monandra for the management of diabetes. The leaves of B. monandra have been reported to contain b-carotene, fatty acids, quercetin, rutin, and tetrahydroxyflavone. The purified subfractions of leaves were both hyperglycemic and antihyperglycemic. The study examines the butanolic fraction chromatographically.

Bauhinia emarginata Roxb. ex G. Don (1832), non Mill. (1768), nec Jack (1822) has been found to be conspecific with B. retusa Roxb. (1832), non Poir. (1811). So B. roxburghiana Voigt (1845) (≡ B. emarginala Roxb. ex G. Don), the first available name for this Old World species of Bauhinia, is reinstated here, setting aside B. semla Wunderlin (1976) (≡ B. retusa Roxb.), which is also found to be an illegitimate name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a proposal to reject the name Bauhinia ruficarpa, genus of flowering plants, (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) with Bauhinia phoenicea. It reveals that B. ruficarpa is characterized by three fertile stamens while In B. phoenicea, the number of fertile stamens ranges from 4 to 5. Topics include analysis of herbarium specimens and species endemic to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India.

The article focuses on a study that analyzed 17 plants of midhill region of Himachal Pradesh, India, for anthelmintic activity. The study was based on Adult Worm Mortality Assay that used adult mature Haemonchus contortus worms as target parasites. The study showed that the component D-3-0-methyl chiroinositol was responsible for the larvicidal action of the plant Bauhinia variegata.