Search

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (L.) popularly known as ‘Parijat’ belongs to the family Oleaceae and is widely used in the traditional system of medicines in India. It has immense biological properties. In the present study, the shade-dried flowers were extracted in three different solvents such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, and water. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by four different in vitro assays—DPPH free radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation, and reducing power determination. Phytoconstituents like total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extracts were also measured. The maximum antioxidant activity was observed in ethanolic extract of the flower. The higher phenolic content was found in aqueous extract (177.0 ± 0.17 µg mg−1 gallic acid equivalent). Flavonoid content was higher in ethanolic extract 29.25 ± 0.13 µg mg−1 equivalent to rutin) of flower than the other two extracts. This indicates that both phenolic and flavonoid contents might be responsible for the antioxidant potential of the flower. Ethanolic extract of the flower was found most potent in antioxidant activity in all assays. Thus, the ethanolic extract of the flower can be used as a cheap natural source of antioxidants.

The leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Oleaceae) are used in Ayurvedic medicine for the management of a range of diseases, but reports on its phytochemicals and pharmacological properties are inadequate. Herein, we report purification of an antioxidative polysaccharide (F2) extracted from its leaves by water. The presence of a highly branched polysaccharide (75 kDa) containing esterified phenolic acids was revealed by chemical, chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses. Particularly, ESMS analysis of per acetylated oligomeric fragments derived by Smith degradation provides important structural information on a spectrum of glycerol tagged oligosaccharides. This polysaccharide showed dose dependent free radical scavenging capacity as evidenced by DPPH and Ferric reducing power assay. This pharmacologically active compound (F2) formed a water soluble complex with bovine serum albumin over pH 4.0–7.4. Accordingly, traditional aqueous extraction method provides a molecular entity that induces a pharmacological effect: this could epitomize a smart approach in phytotherapeutic management.

Background Skin forms an important part of human innate immune system. Wrinkles, thinning and roughening of skin are some of the symptoms that affect the skin as it ages. Reactive oxygen species induced oxidative stress plays a major role in skin aging by modulating the elastase enzyme level in the skin. Extrinsic factors that affect skin aging such as UV radiation can also cause malignant melanoma. Here we selected four medicinal plant materials, namely, leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, unripe and ripe Aegle marmelos fruit pulp and the terminal meristem of Musa paradisiaca flower and investigated their anti-aging properties and cytotoxicity in vitro individually as well as in a poly herbal formulation containing the four plant extracts in different ratios. Methods The phytochemical contents of the plant extracts were investigated for radical scavenging activity and total reducing power. Based upon its anti-oxidant properties, a poly herbal formulation containing leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, unripe and ripe fruit pulp of Aegle marmelos, and the terminal meristem of Musa paradisiaca flower in the ratio 6:2:1:1 (Poly Herbal Formulation 1) and 1:1:1:1 (Poly Herbal Formulation 2), respectively were formulated. Result It has been observed that the Poly Herbal Formulation 1 was more potent than Poly Herbal Formulation 2 due to better anti-oxidant and anti-elastase activities in NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. In addition Poly Herbal formulation 1 also had better anti-cancer activity in human malignant melanoma cells. Conclusion Based on these results these beneficial plant extracts were identified for its potential application as an anti-aging agent in skin creams as well as an anti-proliferation compound against cancer cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2097-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Here we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using ethanolic flower extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis, UVvisible spectra and TEM indicated the successful formation of silver nanoparticles. Crystalline nature of the silver nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy analysis established the capping of the synthesized silver nanoparticles with phytochemicals naturally occurring in the ethanolic flower extract of N. arbortristis. The synthesized silver nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against the pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli MTCC 443. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of the silver nanoparticles was tested on mouse fibroblastic cell line (L929) and found to be non-toxic, which thus proved their biocompatibility. Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity assay carried out in this study open up an important perspective of the synthesized silver nanoparticles.

Flowers of the plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (NAT) are widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of several Asian countries. In the present study, potential genotoxicity and modulatory effects of ethanolic extract of NAT flower calyx (NAT FCE) and crocin, a carotenoid principle were evaluated employing standard Salmonella assay. Experiments evaluating the genotoxic potential of NAT FCE and crocin, with and without the S9-activation in TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102 showed a lack of increase in revertant mutants. Evaluation of modulatory effects of NAT FCE and crocin, without the S9, showed significant decrease in the number of 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine-, sodium azide- and ethyl methanesulfonate-induced revertants. However, with S9, NAT FCE and crocin moderately increased the 2-aminoanthracene-induced revertants in TA 98; they moderately decreased revertants in TA 100 and TA 102. Both NAT FCE and crocin have been shown to be non-genotoxic and to be able to modulate responses of standard mutagens.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) is a mythological plant; has high medicinal values in Ayurveda. The popular medicinal use of this plant are anti-helminthic and anti-pyretic besides its use as a laxative, in rheumatism, skin ailments and as a sedative. Vitally, the natives plant it in their home gardens to pass on its medicinal usage to oncoming generations. Aim of the review The present review encompasses an ethnopharmacological evaluation focusing on information on the chemical constituents, pharmacological actions and toxicology in order to reveal the therapeutic potential and gaps requiring research involvement. Materials and methods The present review is based on searches in Scifinder®, Pubmed (National Library of Medicine) and books published on the subject during the period 1933 to 2012. Results Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is most important in local and traditional medicines especially in India for treating intermittent fevers, arthritis and obstinate sciatica. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from the plant were shown to be pharmacologically active against inflammation, malaria, viral infection, leishmanisis and as an immunostimulant. The major class of biologically active compounds are the iridoid glucosides incl., Arbortristoside A, B and C from the seeds active as anticancer, anti-leishmania, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory and antiviral. Other molecules; calceolarioside A, 4-hydroxyhexahydrobenzofuran-7one and β-sitosterol from leaves have been reported to be active as anti-leishmanial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory, respectively. The crude extracts have been found to be safe with an LD50 of 16 gm/kg, while the LD50 of arbortristoside-A isolated from the seeds was found to be 0.5 g/kg. Conclusion Mostly in-vitro or in some cases in-vivo models provide some evidence especially in the treatment of inflammatory conditions like arthritis, fevers related to malaria and protozoan diseases especially leishmaniasis. The only clinical study found, is for treating malaria, but with crude extract only. Further, more detailed safety data pertaining to the acute and sub-acute toxicity, cardio and immunotoxicity also needs to be generated for crude extracts or pure compounds.

Objective To study detailed Pharmacognosy of the bark of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn (Oleaceae), an important plant in Indian system of medicine. Methods the macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical testing of powder of the plant bark and other WHO recommended methods for the standardization was done. Results Trunk bark consists of two distinct regions i.e. outer bark and inner bark. Outer bark consists of broad periderm of a wide phellem and inner phelloderm regions. Inner bark is broader than the outer part and it includes all the secondary phloem tissues. It can be distinguished into 2 zones viz. collapsed secondary phloem and non-collapsed secondary phloem regions. Collapsed secondary phloem region consist of thick blocks of phloem sclereids and radially oblique dark streaks of crushed sieve tubes and dilated axial parenchyma cells. Non-collapsed secondary phloem region is the conducting part of the phloem where the sieve elements are intact. It consists of intact sieve tube members, companion cells, axial parenchyma cells and narrow undilated ray. Calcium oxalate crystals are abundant in collapsed phloem region. Conclusions it can be concluded that the pharmacognostic profile of N. arbortristis bark is helpful in developing standards for quality, purity and sample identification.

A carotenoid aglycone Ag-NY1 was isolated from the orange coloured tubular calyx of flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The elucidation of the structure through a detailed spectroscopic study revealed that the carotenoid molecule is crocetin, which is the major aglycone present in the stigma of Crocus sativus. The compound exhibited a good membrane stabilising activity as compared to the corresponding glycoside crocin.

Although the floral morphology of Oleaceae appears to be simple at first sight, fundamental problems still exist. The most detailed morphological studies date back to the 1920s but do not contain developmental data. Such data, based on the SEM investigation of 15 species out of 10 genera and covering most tribes and subtribes of the family, are presented here. In the dominant floral type, the perianth is tetramerous. The four sepals initiate simultaneously in orthogonal positions on the floral apex. The corolla partly emerges as a continuous ringlike structure from which four petal lobes arise in diagonal positions (early sympetaly). In other cases, the petal primordia emerge separately, fusing later to a corolla tube (late sympetaly). The primordia of the two stamens arise in transverse positions. The gynoecium is bicarpellate throughout the family, with the two carpel primordia emerging in median positions. Deviations from the common pattern are represented in Nyctanthes and Jasminum (as well as in Meno...

Screening of natural products for mosquito larvicidal activity against three major mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles stephensi resulted in the identification of three potential plant extracts viz., Saraca indica/asoca, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, and Clitoria ternatea for mosquito larval control. In the case of S. indica/asoca, the petroleum ether extract of the leaves and the chloroform extract of the bark were effective against the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus with respective LC(50) values 228.9 and 291.5 ppm. The LC(50) values of chloroform extract of N. arbor-tristis leaves were 303.2, 518.2, and 420.2 ppm against A. aegypti, A. stephensi, and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The methanol and chloroform extracts of flowers of N. arbor-tristis showed larvicidal activity against larvae of A. stephensi with the respective LC(50) values of 244.4 and 747.7 ppm. Among the methanol extracts of C. ternatea leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds, the seed extract was effective against the larvae of all the three species with LC(50) values 65.2, 154.5, and 54.4 ppm, respectively, for A. stephensi, A. aegypti, and C. quinquefasciatus. Among the three plant species studied for mosquito larvicidal activity, C. ternatea was showing the most promising mosquito larvicidal activity. The phytochemical analysis of the promising methanolic extract of the seed extract was positive for carbohydrates, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, and proteins. In conclusion, bioassay-guided fractionation of effective extracts may result in identification of a useful molecule for the control of mosquito vectors.

The bactericidal activities of the aqueous and methanol extracts of the leaves of three plants used as popular medicine in India were studied. The dried leaf extracts of Vangueria spinosa. B. (Rubiaceae), Cestrum nocturnum. L. (Solanaceae), and Nyctanthes arbortristis. L. (Oleaceae) were tested in vitro. by the disk diffusion method against four bacterial strains, namely, Staphylococcus aureus. (MTCC 2940), Bacillus subtilis. (MTCC 441), Escherichia coli. (MTCC 739), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (MTCC 2453). Both the aqueous and the methanol extracts of V. spinosa. showed the strongest activity, followed by C. nocturnum. and N. arbortristis.. The only exception was P. aeruginosa., which, in turn, was found to be resistant against the aqueous extract of N. arbortristis.. Aqueous extracts of the leaves of all the plants appeared to have less antibacterial activity than the methanol extracts.

The present communication is a first-time report on the analyses of n-alkane profile of epicuticular wax extracted from the mature leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. during a calender year. The composition of n-alkanes revealed hentriacontane (n-C31), tritriacontane (n-C33), tetratriacontane (n-C35) and nonacosane (n-C29) as the major constituents with tritriacontane (n-C33) being the dominant constituent. The cumulative percentage of these four odd-numbered alkanes also showed phenological variation being highest during the fruit ripening stage (average value 63.29%) followed by the flowering stage (mean value 60.74%). The values remained moderate on an average of 54.31% for the rest of the year. This study also confirms the xerophytic feature of the plant having higher proportion of longer carbon chain n-alkanes greater than C31 (dominant peaks are of C33 and C35).

The distribution and biosynthesis of iridoid glucosides in the Oleaceae is reviewed and five distinct biosynthetic pathways to iridoids have been identified in the family, deoxyloganic acid apparently being a common intermediate. Likewise, the distributions of caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycosides (CPGs), i.e. verbascoside and its analogues, as well as cornoside are listed. Iridoid glucoside data exist for 17 genera of Oleaceae and the occurrence of iridoids from the different biosynthetic pathways correlate extremely well with the phylogenetic classification inferred from recent chloroplast DNA sequence data. Thus the tribe Fontanesieae (Fontanesia) contains "normal" secoiridoids, Forsythieae (Abeliophyllum, Forsythia) contains cornoside and/or iridoids from the forsythide pathway, Myxopyreae (Myxopyrum, Nyctanthes) have iridoids from the myxopyroside pathway, and finally, the two tribes Jasmineae and Oleeae (the remaining genera) both contain iridoids from the oleoside pathway. Within Jasmineae, one group of Jasminum sp. is characterized by the presence of jasminin or similar compounds, while another group of Jasminum species and Menodora display derivatives of 10-hydroxyoleoside, compounds not present in the other group. CPGs are reported from about half of the species investigated. With regard to taxonomy at the order level, the chemical data might support a position within or close to Lamiales due to the common presence of CPGs, the iridoids being of less significance since they are of a type that are barely found elsewhere.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Nyctanthes arbortristis L. (Oleaceae) is widely used in the traditional medicine of India. The plant is shown to have antibacterial and antileishmanial activities. Aim of the study: Evaluation of iridoid glucosides from the plant as inhibitor of trypanothione reductase (TryR), a validated drug target enzyme of the Leishmania parasite. The study contributes towards understanding mechanism of antileishmanial effect of the plant. Materials and methods: TryR of Leishmania parasite is expressed and purified. Iridoid glucosides are isolated from the plant and tested as inhibitor of TryR enzyme of the parasite. Results: Inhibitory constant (Ki) of various iridoid glucosides ranges from 3.24 ± 0.05 Mt o 6.49 ± 0.05M. Thus, the molecular mechanism underlying antileishmanial activity of these compounds is mediated through inhibition of TryR. Conclusion: The current study also points out towards potential application of iridoid glucosides as novel drugs against the disease.

The prevalence of cough is reflected in antitussives being one of the most widely used therapies in the world; however no new class of drugs has been introduced into the market for many years. Water decoction of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. is used in Indian Ayurvedic system to alleviate a wide range of diseases including cough. Herein, we have isolated a carbohydrate polymer (CP) containing fraction from its leaves by aqueous extraction method. CP is a branched polysaccharide containing, amongst others, 1,3-/1,3,6-linked galactopyranosyl, 1,5-/1,3,5-linked arabinofuranosyl and 1,2-/1,2,4-linked rhamnopyranosyl residues. Oral administration of CP fraction in doses of 25 and 50 mg kg(-1) body weight significantly inhibited the number of citric acid-induced cough efforts in guinea pigs in a dose dependent manner. Remarkably, CP did not altered specific airway resistance of animals significantly. Consequently, aqueous extraction method provided a molecular entity, which exhibited the cough suppressive activity: this could symbolize an attractive approach in phytotherapeutic treatment.

Phylogenetic relationships among 76 species of Oleaceae, representing all 25 recognized genera of the family, were assessed by a cladistic analysis of DNA sequences from two noncoding chloroplast loci, the rps16 intron and the trnL-F region. Consensus trees from separate and combined analyses are congruent and agree well with nonmolecular data (chromosome numbers, fruit and wood anatomy, leaf glycosides, and iridoids). The two debated genera Dimetra and Nyctanthes, previously suggested to belong to Verbenaceae (sensu lato) or Nyctanthaceae, are shown to belong to Oleaceae, sister to the hitherto genus incertae sedis Myxopyrum. This clade is also supported by anatomical and chemical data. The subfamily Jasminoideae is paraphyletic, and a new classification is presented. The subfamily level is abandoned, and the former Jasminoideae is split into four tribes: Myxopyreae (Myxopyrum, Nyctanthes, and Dimetra), Fontanesieae (Fontanesia), Forsythieae (Abeliophyllum and Forsythia), and Jasmineae (Jasminum and Menodora). The tribe Oleeae (previous subfamily Oleoideae) is clearly monophyletic, comprising the subtribes Ligustrinae (Syringa and Ligustrum), Schreberinae status novus (Schrebera and Comoranthus), Fraxininae status novus (Fraxinus), and Oleinae (12 drupaceous genera). An rps16 sequence obtained from Hesperelaea, known only from the type specimen collected in 1875, confirmed the placement of this extinct taxon in the subtribe Oleinae.

Nyctanthes arbortristisL. (Oleaceae) is widely used in the Indian system of traditional medicine and is reported to have various biological activities. The present study was intended to evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of flower extracts ofNyctanthes arbortristis. The shade dried flowers were extracted with 95% ethanol under sonication and the antioxidant activities were investigated usingin vitroassays along with the determination of phytochemical constituents (total polyphenol and total flavonoid). Arborside C andβ-monogentiobioside ester ofα-Crocetin were identified in crude active extracts through LCMS/MS analysis. The antiproliferative activity was carried out by MTT assay by employing different human cancer cell lines. The lowest IC50value of 24.56 ± 6.63 μg/mL was observed against Colo 205 cell line. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant and antiproliferative properties and the observed biological activities in this study provide scientific validation of ethnomedicinal use of this plant.

Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn (Oleaceae) is widely distributed in sub-Himalayan regions and southwards to Godavari, India commonly known as Harsingar and Night Jasmine. In continuation of our drug discovery programme on Indian medicinal plants, we isolated arbortristoside-A (1) and 7-O-trans-cinnamoyl 6β-hydroxyloganin (2) from the seeds of N. Arbortristis, which exhibited moderate in vitro anticancer activity. Chemical transformation of 2 led to significant improvement in the activity in derivative 8 and 15 against HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines. The compounds 8 and 15 were also capable of cell cycle arrest and caspase dependent apoptosis in HepG2 cell lines. These iridoid derivatives hold promise for developing safer alternatives to the marketed drugs.

Stem bark ofNyctanthes arbor-tristisLinn. was extracted in methanol to evaluate their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The analgesic activity was determined on Wistar albino rats by hot plate method, tail flick assay, and tail immersion method using Morphine sulphate as standard drug at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight and the results were expressed as mean increase in latency after drug administration ± SEM. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by Carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema using diclofenac sodium as standard drug at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight and expressed in terms of mean increase in paw volume ± SEM. Stem bark extract was given at a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight. Both standard drugs and extract were administered orally to the animals. Control received distilled water orally. Results showed thatNyctanthes arbor-tristisLinn. had potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn (Oleaceae) is widely distributed in sub-Himalayan regions and southwards to Godavari, India commonly known as Harsingar and Night Jasmine. In continuation of our drug discovery program on Indian medicinal plants, we isolated arbortristoside-A (AT) and 7-O-trans-cinnamoyl-6β-hydroxyloganin (6-HL) from the seeds of N. arbortristis. AT and 6-HL exhibited anti ulcer activity in experimentally induced ulcer models including cold restraint stress (CRU), alcohol (AL), pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer (PL) models and they also showed ulcer healing effect in chronic acetic acid-induced ulcer model (AC).

Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. (Oleaceae) is one of the well-known Indian medicinal plant. Various extracts of leaves of the plant were screened for analgesic activity by hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhings and anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema method at the dose of 50 mg/kg, i.p. Petroleum ether extract was found to be most active and hence subjected to activity-guided fractionation. Results showed that β-sitosterol (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was responsible for the significant and dose-dependent activity comparable with the standard extract. β-Sitosterol from N. arbortristis leaves might be responsible for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Rapid differentiation of multiple shoots was observed in 94% of nodal explants of one year old Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. plants. Shoot bud induction and multiplication took place on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with two cytokinins, i.e. Benzyladenine (BA) or Kinetin (Kn) either alone or in combination with different auxins, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Between different media, pH levels and growth regulators tried, the optimum condition for maximum regenerative response was obtained on MS + Kn (2.5 μM) + N AA (0.5 μM) media at 5.8 pH, forming cultures with 23.26 ± 0.89 number of shoots and 6.36 ± 0.80 cm shoot length after 8 weeks of culture. Histological sections confirmed the formation of multiple buds from nodal explants. Rooting was achieved ex vitro by dipping the basal ends of microshoots in 200 μM IBA for 30 min followed by their transplantation in sterile soilrite. The plantlets with well-developed shoot and root system were successfully established in garden soil and grown outside in a greenhouse with a 80% survival rate.

An efficient tissue culture technology has been designed for mass multiplication of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. by preculturing nodal explants in thidiazuron (TDZ)-supplemented liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) media. Direct inoculation of nodal segments on semi-solid MS medium augmented with various concentrations of TDZ (0.1 to 0.9 μM) produced shoots but with low regeneration response and few shoots per explant. Hence, nodal explants were pretreated with greater concentrations of TDZ (5 to 100 μM) in liquid MS media for different durations (4, 8, 12, and 16 days) with the aim of improving shoot regeneration response from cultured explants. After pretreatment, explants were transferred to agar-solidified hormone-free MS medium. Best response in terms of percent regeneration (94%), number of shoots per explant (20.00 ± 1.15), and greatest shoot length (7.23 ± 0.83 cm) were obtained with nodal segments pretreated in 75 μM TDZ for 8 days. Similarly, root induction was obtained from pulse-treated microshoots for 24 h with 200 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) followed by their transfer to 1/2 MS medium which produced an average of 5.50 ± 0.92 roots per microshoot. The rooted plantlets were transplanted to soil with 80% success rate.

The distribution and biosynthesis of iridoid glucosides in the Oleaceae is reviewed and five distinct biosynthetic pathways to iridoids have been identified in the family, deoxyloganic acid apparently being a common intermediate. Likewise, the distributions of caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycosides (CPGs), i.e. verbascoside and its analogues, as well as cornoside are listed. Iridoid glucoside data exist for 17 genera of Oleaceae and the occurrence of iridoids from the different biosynthetic pathways correlate extremely well with the phylogenetic classification inferred from recent chloroplast DNA sequence data. Thus the tribe Fontanesieae (Fontanesia) contains "normal" secoiridoids, Forsythieae (Abeliophyllum, Forsythia) contains cornoside and/or iridoids from the forsythide pathway, Myxopyreae (Myxopyrum, Nyctanthes) have iridoids from the myxopyroside pathway, and finally, the two tribes Jasmineae and Oleeae (the remaining genera) both contain iridoids from the oleoside pathway. Within Jasmineae, one group of Jasminum sp. is characterized by the presence of jasminin or similar compounds, while another group of Jasminum species and Menodora display derivatives of 10-hydroxyoleoside, compounds not present in the other group. CPGs are reported from about half of the species investigated. With regard to taxonomy at the order level, the chemical data might support a position within or close to Lamiales due to the common presence of CPGs, the iridoids being of less significance since they are of a type that are barely found elsewhere.

Scabrita triflora Linnaeus, Mantissa Plantarum: 37. 1767. "Habitat in India." RCN: 836. Type not designated. Original material: Herb. Linn. No. 124.1? (LINN). Generitype of Scabrita Linnaeus. Current name: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Oleaceae). Note: Scabrita L. was monospecific when published simultaneously in Syst. Nat., ed. 12 and Mant. Pl Scabrita triflora was the binomial given in Mant. Pl., but it appeared as S. scabra in Syst. Nat., presumably in error., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part S), pp. 806-877 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 825, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Nyctanthes hirsuta Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 1: 6. 1753. "Habitat in India." RCN: 41. Lectotype (Ridsdale in Manilal, Bot. Hist. Hort. Malab. 132. 1980): [icon] ���Rava-pou��� in Rheede, Hort. Malab. 4: 99, t. 48. 1683. Current name: Nyctanthes hirsuta L. (Oleaceae). Note: Green (in Kew Bull. 39: 653. 1984) discussed the name and its typification in some detail, but the type choice is attributable to an earlier account by Ridsdale., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part N), pp. 690-695 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 694, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 1: 6. 1753. "Habitat in India." RCN: 38. Type not designated. Original material: [icon] in Rheede, Hort. Malab. 1: 35, t. 21. 1678. Generitype of Nyctanthes Linnaeus (vide Hitchcock in Amer. J. Bot. 10: 514. 1923). Current name: Nyctanthes arbor - tristis L. (Oleaceae). Note: Moldenke & Moldenke (in Dassanayake & Fosberg, Revised Handb. Fl. Ceylon 4: 179. 1993) indicated "Grimm 116" (LINN) as type, but no such specimen (which in any case seems most unlikely to be an original element) has been traced., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part N), pp. 690-695 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 694, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Aqueous extract of three indigenous medicinal plants viz., Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Oleaceae), Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis Nees (Acanthaceae) and Sapindus mukorossi L. (Sapindaceae) was evaluated in the laboratory against the tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Tetranychidae) to determine its effect on adult mortality, viability of eggs, oviposition deterrence and repellent properties. The direct spray method was used in the laboratory at concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/l. Mortality of O. coffeae was dependent on both concentration and time after application. Deposition of eggs by adult mites on treated leaf surfaces decreased significantly and the viability of eggs was also significantly reduced. In addition, different concentrations of the aqueous extract of these chosen plants also exhibited repellent properties against adult mites. Among the chosen plant extracts, S. mukorossi registered highest mortality in both adults and egg forms, whereas P. thyrsiformis showed significantly higher repellence property against O. coffeae. The plant extracts caused no mortality to the adults and 4th instar larvae of Stethorus aptus, a natural predator of O. coffeae and no significant change in predatory efficiency was recorded in comparison with untreated control. Availability and distribution of these plants in and around tea growing areas of Assam, along with the feasibility of processing, may be thus included in the current IPM programme in tea.

From a single leaf of a herbarium sheet of Myxopyrum smilacifolium was isolated the iridoid glucosides myxopyroside (1) and its 6-O-acetyl-7-O-(E/Z)-p-methoxycinnamoyl esters (2/3) of dimethyl forsythide. The presence of these compounds indicates a close relationship with the genus Nyctanthes, from which similar compounds have earlier been reported. This finding corroborates relationships recently found within the family Oleaceae by modern gene sequencing techniques.

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Oleaceae), a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of India, has recently been reported to possess hepatoprotective, antileishmanial, antiviral and antifungal activities. In the present study strong stimulation of antigen specific and non-specific immunity, as evidenced by increases in humoral and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and in the macrophage migration index (MMI), has been demonstrated in mice fed with 50% ethanolic extract of seeds, flowers and leaves of this plant. Maximum activity was found in the seeds in which the active principle(s) appear to be mainly associated with lipids. In flowers and leaves, however, the major activity was found in the aqueous fraction of the 50% ethanol extract. The immunostimulant substance(s) found in N. arbor-tristis L. are likely to play a role in its antiamoebic, antileishmanial, antiviral and certain other activities.

The decoction of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. of Oleaceae widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of sciatica, arthritis, fevers, various painful conditions and diuretics, liver disorders and as laxative. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis for hepatoprotective effect against carbontetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats.Administration of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis protect the liver from toxic effects of carbontetrachloride by reducing the elevated levels of Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum bilirubin (total and direct). Results revealed that both the alcoholic and aqueous extracts showed significant hepatoprotective activity by reducing the elevated levels of biochemical parameters at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. The results were supported by histopathological studies of liver samples which showed regeneration of hepatocytes by the extracts.

The attributes ofNyctanthes (habit, floral morphology, fruit and seed, stem and leaf anatomy, flower vasculature, embryology, pollen, chromosome number and phytochemistry) are reviewed and found compatible with accommodation of the genus in the Oleaceae, tribe Jasmineae. The treatment ofNyctanthes in Verbenaceae or as a separate does not reflect its true affinities.

Two new iridoid glucosides, arbortristoside A and B have been isolated from the seeds of Nyctanthes arbortristis. The structures of the two new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical reactions.

TEM observations were carried out on 40 taxa of the familyVerbenaceae and 35 taxa of the familyOleaceae, in order to ascertain distribution, ultrastructure and morphology of the intranuclear proteinic inclusions in the mesophyll parenchymatic cells. The investigated genera amount to some 25% and 60% respectively of the genera of the two families. Inside theVerbenaceae, lamellar inclusions (L-type) occur in 6 out of 23 investigated genera: they are mostly present inside the tribesCitharexyleae andVerbeneae (both belonging toVerbenoideae), while they are absent in other subfamilies. All of the investigatedOleaceae genera show intranuclear crystalline inclusions (C 1-type) of three different shapes. Among theAsteridae this is a character peculiar toOleaceae. They appear to be a well defined natural group, including the controversial genusNyctanthes.

Vessels in 12 genera, 58 species of the Oleaceae and 11 genera and 18 species of the Verbenaceae are described. In both the families vessels fall under three categories: long, medium, and short, with similar disposition and number of perforation plates. In the Oleaceae simple and scalariform and in the Verbenaceae only simple perforation plates are noticed. Spiral side wall thickening of metaxylem vessels observed in the Oleaceae is absent in the Verbenaceae. Similarly border pitted side wall thickening of the metaxylem seen in the Verbenaceae is absent in the Oleaceae. The vessels vary in their size in both the families. Vessel studies add one more evidence for retention of the genus Nyctanthes in the Oleaceae. Die Gefase von 12 Gattungen mit 58 Arten der Oleaceae und 11 Gattungen mit 18 Arten der Verbenaceae werden beschrieben. In beiden Familien gibt es lange, mittlere und kurze Gefase, einfach angeordnet und mit einer Anzahl von Siebplatten. Bei den Oleaceen werden einfache und leiterformige Platten und bei den Verbenaceen nur einfache Siebplatten beobachtet. Spiralige Seitenwandverdickung wurde bei den Metaxylem-Gefasen der Oleaceen beobachtet, fehlen aber bei den Verbenaceen. Letztere haben als Seitenwandverdikkungen einfache Hopftupfel im Metaxylem, die Oleaceen nicht. In ihrer Grose variieren die Gefase in beiden Familien. Die Gefasuntersuchungen erbringen einen weiteren Beweis fur das Verbleiben der Nyctanthes in der Familie Oleaceae.

A STUDY of the floral anatomy of the Oleacese, including Jasminum pubescens, J. Sambac, J. auriculatum, J. arborescens J. grandiflorum, J. humile, Nyctanthes arbortristis, Olea cuspidata, O. fragrans, Syringa vulgaris, S, emodi and Ligustrum spp., has brought to light many interesting facts, particularly with regard to the anatomy of the pedicel in Jasminum species and the vascular supply of the ovule. As the fall work will take still some time to be completed, the more important observations made so far are recorded here.

Nyctanthes angustifolia, spec. nov. 5. Nyctanthes foliis obtusis lanceolatis ovatisque. Jasminum indicum angustifolium, fructu gemino. Tournef. inst. 598. Katu-pitsiegam mulla. Rheed. mal.6. p.93. t.53. Raj. hist. 1602. Habitat in Malabariae arenosis. ���, Published as part of Linnaeus, Carolus, 1753, Species plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas, Stockholm :Laurentius Salvius on page 6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3931989

Nyctanthes sambac, spec. nov. 2. Nyctanthes foliis inferioribus cordatis obtusis, superioribus ovatis acutis. Hort. ups.4. Nyctanthes caule volubili, foliis subovatis acutis. Hort. cliff.5. Hort. ups.4. * Flor. zeyl. 12. Roy. lugdb. 398. Jasminum arabicum. Clus. cur.3. t.3. Angl. hort. t.27. Habitat in India . ���, Published as part of Linnaeus, Carolus, 1753, Species plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas, Stockholm :Laurentius Salvius on page 6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3931989

Nyctanthes undulata, spec. nov. 3. Nyctanthes foliis ovatis acuminatis undulatis, ramis teretibus. Jasminum indicum, flore polypetalo exalbido, fructu minori. Ray. hist. 1601. Tsieregam-mulla. Rheed. mal.6. p.97. t.55. Habitat in Malabaria . ���, Published as part of Linnaeus, Carolus, 1753, Species plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas, Stockholm :Laurentius Salvius on page 6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3931989

Nyctanthes hirsuta, spec. nov. 4. Nyctanthes petiolis pedunculisque villosis. ��� Rava-pou. Rheed. mal.4. p.99. t.48. Habitat in India . ���., Published as part of Linnaeus, Carolus, 1753, Species plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas, Stockholm :Laurentius Salvius on page 6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3931989

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, spec. nov. 1. Nyctanthes caule tetragono, foliis ovatis acuminatis, pericarpiis membranaceis compressis. Fl. zeyl.11. Arbor tristis myrto similis. Bauh. pin. 469. Manja-pumeram. Rheed mal.1. p.35. t.21. Habitat in India . ���, Published as part of Linnaeus, Carolus, 1753, Species plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas, Stockholm :Laurentius Salvius on page 6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3931989

THE pioneers of biometry published many figures on the variation in flowers of numbers of petals, sepals, stigmatic bands, and so on. As they worked on herbs, they counted small numbers, and though they found differences in the means of different plants, were unable to compare the variances, either between plants or between the same plant at different times. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (Oleaceae) sheds up to 1,492 flowers nightly, and up to 32,790 in a season, normally from September to early January in Calcutta.

Nyctanthes elongata was described from China by Bergius in 1771 and transferred to Jasminum by Willdenow in 1797, but the name wrongly disappeared into synonomy. In Jasminum it was used by Roxburgh (1820) but misapplied to a different Indian species and, in this, he was followed by G. Don (1837) and De Candolle (1844). C. B. Clarke (1882) did not mention the name, while in the Index Kewensis (Jackson, 1893) J. elongatum Willd. was said to be a synonym ofJ. roxburghianum Wall. ex C. B. Cl. However, if one turns to Wallich's original publication of this name, as a nomen nudum (1831), he had, as a synonym, "Jasm. elongatum? Herb Roxb. (hd. Vahl)", it seems clear from this that he believed that the plants of Roxburgh and Vahl (that is of Bergius by back reference) were different. Through the courtesy of Dr Lars Kers of the Bergianska Stiftelsen, Stockholm, to whom I offer my grateful thanks, I have been able to examine photographs of Bergius's type specimen, and it is clear, as suspected from the figure Bergius published along with his original description, that his plant is the same species as that which has long been known as J. amplexicaule Buch.-Ham. ex G. Don. On grounds of priority, therefore, it must take its place as the correct name for this species from China, Burma and India.