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Gamochaeta (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae) consists of about 60 species primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical America. Gamochaeta americana and G. coarctata are closely related species that have been mainly differentiated by its phyllary apices, plant height, width of basal leaves, and involucre height. In order to evaluate whether G. americana and G. coarctata can be differentiated on a morphological basis, we performed a morphometric analysis. A matrix of 24 morphological characters and 99 specimens was analyzed using two multivariate approaches: Cluster Analysis and Principal Coordinate Analysis. Both, the dendrogram and the Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA), showed that the two species are not clearly distinguished. No discriminating morphological characters for the two species have been found. In conclusion, all available data support that G. coarctata should be considered a synonym of G. americana. Lectotype is designated for Gnaphalium purpureum var. macrophyllum, and G. americana is described and illustrated.

Gnaphalium pulvinatum Delile (Asteraceae) has been reported first time as a new record to the flora of Kachchh district from ‘Kundh’ pond of Ratiya forest of Bhuj taluka. A description, distribution and detail photographs of the species are provided to easy identification.

First records of 151 species in the family Agromyzidae are presented for 40 countries and major islands in the Palaearctic Region (Russia being split into four subregions): from Afghanistan (1 sp.), Albania (15 spp.), Algeria (1 sp.), Andorra (2 spp.), Armenia (4 spp.), Austria (14 spp.), Balearic Islands (4 spp.), Canary Islands (2 spp.), China - Palaearctic part (2 spp.), Corsica (5 spp.), Crete (6 spp.), Croatia (16 spp.), Czech Republic (4 spp.), Dodekanese Islands incl. Rhodes (5 spp.), Egypt (1 sp.), European Russia (2 spp.), Finland (12 spp.), France (1 sp.), Georgia (1 sp.), Germany (14 spp.), Great Britain (2 spp.), Greece (4 spp.), Iceland (1 sp.), Iran (8 spp.), Israel (1 sp.), Italy (12 spp.), Jordan (6 spp.), Kyrgyzstan (6 spp.), Lithuania (2 spp.), Macedonia (2 spp.), Mongolia (2 spp.), Morocco (6 spp.), Netherlands (1 sp.), Norway (3 spp.), Oman (1 sp.), Poland (1 sp.), West Siberia (1 sp.), East Sibiria (3 spp.), Kamchatka (5 spp.), Sardinia (1 sp.), Slovakia (4 spp.), South Korea (13 spp.), Spain (10 spp.), Sweden (7 spp.), Switzerland (5 spp.) and Turkey (1 sp.). For a few species morphological details or plant genera from the collecting localities are added as possible host plants. Phytomyza parvicella (Coquillett, 1902) exhibits an extremely disjunct distribution, occurring in the high Arctic from Alaska to west Greenland and on the highest mountains of Germany and Poland. Other rare species with Boreo-alpine disjunctions are recorded. Cerodontha (Cerodontha) phragmitophila Hering, 1935 reached a tiny artificial patch of its host plant within the Sahara sand desert. The thermophilic mediterranean Phytoliriomyza pectoralis (Becker, 1908) was detected on the Swedish sun-blessed island Öland. Chromatomyia obscuriceps (Hendel, 1936) (emerged from Triticum crop) is specified as a valid species occurring from Iceland to Kamchatka. A new definition for Chromatomyia nigra (Meigen, 1830) sensu stricto is presented. The American Amauromyza (Cephalomyza) abnormalis (Malloch, 1913), a possible agent against the harmful neophyte Amaranthus retroflexus, was detected for the first time in the Palaearctic Region. Gnaphalium is attributed as a first detected host plant genus of Phytoliriomyza venustula Spencer, 1976.

Gnaphalium unionis var. tweediae (Hilliard) Beentje — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMWF, LMDF, BZ, UMF, HZ; up to 3 000 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Timau Track, Alt. 3 317 m, 21 Jan. 2015, SAJIT 002759 (HIB). Reference: Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 93, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Gnaphalium unionis Sch.Bip. ex Oliv. & Hiern var. rubriflorum (Hilliard) Beentje — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMWF, LMDF, BZ; 1 500–3 200 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Naro Moru Track, Alt. 2 432 m, 23 Jul. 2014, SAJIT 002068 (HIB). References: Bussmann (1993, 1994), Beentje (2002), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 93, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Bussmann, R. W. (1993) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): A phytosociological approach with special reference to ecological problems. Ph. D. Thesis, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, 119 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1994) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): Vegetation, ecology, destruction and management of a tropical mountain forest ecosystem. Ph. D. dissertation, Universitat Bayreuth Startseite, Bayreuth, 252 pp.","Beentje, H. J. (2002) Compositae (Part 2). In: Beentje, H. J. & Smith, S. A. L. (Eds.) Flora of Tropical East Africa. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 230 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.1201 / 9781482298284","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Several noteworthy species of the genera Neoramularia and Ramularia (Mycosphaerellaceae) were recorded in August 2018 in the territory of Prypyat’-Stokhid National Nature Park (Volyn Region, Liubeshiv District, Ukraine). Neoramularia bidentis, a species so far only known from South Korea and Poland, was collected on withering leaves of Bidens frondosa (a new host species). Ramularia crepidis on Crepis tectorum was recorded only for the second time in Ukraine since the 1950th and R. gnaphalii was found on a new host plant, Laphangium luteoalbum. The latter species was so far known from Ukraine only on Omalotheca sylvatica (Gnaphalium sylvaticum) and Gnaphalium uliginosum from Kyiv Region collected about 45 years ago. The plant pathogenic fungus R. lysimachiae on leaves of Lysimachia vulgaris was found to be abundant in Volyn Region. All species are described, illustrated with original scanning electron microscope micrographs, supplemented with host range, distribution data and comments.

Ethno-pharmacological relevance Gnaphalium polycaulon commonly known as “cudweed” has been used throughout South America as an infusion to treat colds, bronchitis, fever or pneumonia. Aim of the study This study aimed to determine the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of Gnaphalium polycaulon and identify the related compounds. Materials and methods A bio-guided isolation of the active compounds of Gnaphalium polycaulon was carried out, selecting the fractions depending on their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. The antibacterial effect was studied against Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae; and the anti-inflammatory study was performed by measuring the inhibition of NF-κB in BEAS-2B and IMR-90 cell cultures. Results Three compounds were obtained and characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. These compounds are 2-(4-(1-H-tetrazol-1-yl) phenyl)-2-aminopropanoic acid (1), N-phenyl-4-(3-phenyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl) piperazine-1-carboxamide (2) and N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(2-methylimidazo-[1,2-α] pyridine-3-yl) thiazol-2-amine (3). All compounds showed antibacterial activity with MIC values of 44.80–44.85, 0.017–0.021 and 0.0077–0.0079 μM, respectively, in the Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, while the positive control, Ofloxacin, had a MIC value of 27.64–27.67 μM. This was corroborated through a zone inhibition assay, where compound 3 (11.36–11.67 mm) was much more active than the positive control (Ofloxacin, 23.41–24.12 mm), while compounds 2 (26.47–27.64 mm) and 1 (28.39–29.76 mm) displayed similar antibacterial potential to the positive control. Finally, all the compounds presented NF-κB inhibitory activity, compounds 3 (IC50 = 0.0071–0.0073 μM) and 2 (IC50 = 0.016–0.019 μM) being the most promising. Compound 1 (IC50 = 44.24–44.26 μM) had less anti-inflammatory potential, being also the closest to the values displayed by the positive control (Celastrol, IC50 = 7.41 μM). Conclusion In the present study, three compounds were isolated for the first time from the aqueous extract of Gnaphalium polycaulon. Their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential was tested and showcased.

Cudweed herb is not only a conventional health-protection wild vegetable, but also a traditional Chinese medicine known as “Shu-qu-cao”, refers to Gnaphalium affine D. Don (renamed as Pseudognaphalium affine), an annual plant in the family Asteraceae. However, due to the similarity of phenotypic characteristics between G. affine and some related species, it is difficult to identify G. affine accurately; besides, “Shu-qu-cao” is usually sold dried, making traditional identification methods difficult, to a certain extent, it caused the species confusion of Gnaphalium medicinal plants, which threatened the safety and effectiveness of cudweed herb in clinical treatment. To more accurately distinguish cudweed herb from its adulterants, DNA barcoding was used in this study. Leaves of not only G. affine, but also the potential adulterant species were also collected. After DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gene sequencing, GeneBank searching and annotation, ITS2 sequences were obtained. 34 ITS2 sequences representing 5 genera (Gnaphalium, Leontopodium, Pulsatilla, Potentilla, Datura) and 13 species (Gnaphalium affine, Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Gnaphalium norvegicum, Gnaphalium supinum, Gnaphalium tranzschelii, Gnaphalium hypoleucum, Gnaphalium luteoalbum, Gnaphalium adnatum, Gnaphalium japonicum, Leontopodium leontopodioides, Pulsatilla chinensis, Potentilla chinensis, Datura stramonium) were analyzed by MEGA7.0 software. GC content, intraspecific and interspecific genetic distance of K2P (Kimura 2-parameter) were calculated. The neighbor joining (NJ) method was used to construct the genetic cluster tree, and bootstrap (self expanding support rate 1000 times) was used to test the supporting rate of each branch. The ITS2 secondary structures were predicted by the ITS2 Database. The results showed that a barcoding gap existed among all tested taxa, and the difference in the secondary structures of ITS2 also indicates that cudweed herb and its potential adulterants can be distinguished. Therefore, ITS2 barcode can be used for accurate identification of cudweed herb and its adulterants, and provide the basis for safety and accuracy of rational use of G. affine in clinical application.

In the present research the essential oil from aerial parts of Gnaphalium elegans was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) and Gas ...

A new, weighted matrix identification key for 34 largely undisputed species of Synchaeta was created with the aim of providing comparable, detailed and diagnostic character sets for each species that can be applied to live and/or preserved specimens. As part of this process, 14 species of Synchaeta were intensively re-investigated with respect to their habitus and trophi morphology using binocular, light, and scanning electron microscopy, which, together with behavioural observations, revealed several new discriminating characters. Whenever possible, missing information for any character was added for the remaining species from the literature, with the two recently described species Synchaeta arcifera and Synchaeta squamadigitata being considered for the first time in an identification key. Beyond its completeness, our key has two distinct advantages. First, the characters are supported by detailed illustrations of their respective character states whenever possible to both simplify identification and minimize any uncertainty in the descriptions themselves. Second, the new approach of weighting the characters according to their reliability, robustness and/or ease of determination was employed. This latter approach is especially advantageous for soft-bodied rotifers such as species of Synchaeta, where, for example, several external characters can be influenced by preservation and are therefore less diagnostic or reliable. Although the key is as comprehensive as possible, information for many species remains missing for many characters, thereby highlighting the need for additional comprehensive and detailed species (re-)investigations within Synchaeta.

Gnaphalium affine D. Don extract (GAD) enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity of benzbromarone (BBR) in combination use. However, little is known about effects of GAD on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and metabolic enzymes of BBR.To investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) mechanism of the herb-drug interactions (HDIs) between GAD and BBR.Intragastric single BBR (4.5 or 50 mg/kg), single BBR (4.5 or 50 mg/kg) + single GAD (450 mg/kg, 2 h after BBR-administration), or single BBR (4.5 or 50 mg/kg) + multiple GAD (450 mg/kg/day, once daily for 7 days) were administered to both sexes for BBR PK studies in normal rats. Intragastric multiple BBR (4.5 mg/kg/day), or multiple BBR (4.5 mg/kg/day) + multiple GAD (450 mg/kg/day, 2 h after BBR-administration) were administered for BBR PK and PD studies in male rats with hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN). The cumulative anti-hyperuricemic effects of BBR and BBR+GAD were determined by plasma uric acid (UA) concentration-time curve and area under curve (AUCIn normal rats, the repeated dose administration of GAD induced a significant increase of BBR AUC and prolonged the mean residence time (MRT) (p0.05). systemic exposure to BBR and metabolically derived hydroxybenzbromarones was significantly greater in female compared with male rats (p 0.05). In HN rats, post-administration of GAD resulted in significantly higher bioavailability and enterohepatic recycling (ER) of BBR relative to the BBR alone administrated group from the prolongation of terminal elimination half-life (TPD synergism demonstrated with the BBR+GAD combination could be explained by the PK interaction observed partially from CYP2C11(9)-mediation and enterohepatic recycling.

Gnaphalium affine D. Don is an important Traditional Chinese herbal Medicine (TCM) used to treat hyperuricemia, asthma, rheumatic arthritis, antitussive, expectorant and cardiovascular in folk medicine because of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effect of G. affine extract (GAE) on hydrogen peroxide (HThe ingredients of GAE were isolated and tentatively identified by HPLC-ESI-Q-Qribatrip-MS/MS. The cardioprotective and anti-oxidant effects of GAE were evaluated in the experimental model with HFirstly, seventeen polyphenols and flavonoids compounds with the characteristics of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant in GAE were tentatively identified by HPLC-ESI-Q-Qribatrip-MS/MS. In the experimental model, GAE not only significantly improved cells viability, but also showed anti-oxidant effects through improving SOD activity, up-regulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and decreasing intracellular concentration of ROS and MDA and the proteins expression of p47Our data suggested that GAE showed strong anti-oxidant effect to ameliorate oxidative stress and attenuate apoptosis induced by H

The Jammu and Kashmir Himalaya enjoys remarkable richness and diversity in Asteraceae, representing nearly 50% of all the taxa of this family in India. A total of 554 species belonging to 133 genera under 12 tribes are reported from the Kashmir Himalaya; these species constitute ca. 11% of its entire angiosperm flora. The constituent members are distributed in all three climatic zones, subtropical, temperate and alpine; 68.8% species inhabit the Kashmir region, while the rest 31.2% occur in the Jammu region. The tribe Cichorieae is the largest, contributing 27.7% species in 20 genera; followed by Cardueae with 16.4% species in 21 genera, and Inulaeae with 12.8% species in 16 genera. Ten larger Asteraceae genera in two regions are Taraxacum, Artemisia, Saussurea, Erigeron, Lactuca, Senecio, Aster, Inula, Anaphalis, and Gnaphalium; these together contain 46.5% of all species in the family. Overall, 63 genera are represented by a single species each. Many of these species (95; 18.6%) in 24 genera are endemic to this Himalayan region. The rich endemic genera are Taraxacum (42.1%), Saussurea (10.5%), Artemisia (6.3%), Lactuca (4.44%), Chondrilla (4.2%), Senecio (4.2%), Jurinella (3.33), Crepis (3.1%) and Erigeron (3.1%). As many as 54 species are exotic. Information on economic importance of taxa is also appended.

This study aims to conduct basic research on identifying and managing the current status of invasive alien plants by identifying the distribution of invasive alien plants and the structure of invasive alien plants colonies for each ecological type in Jejudo susceptible to inflow of invasive alien plants resulting from increasingly frequent international exchanges. According to the site survey, total 28 families, 82 genera, 115 species, three varieties, and 118 taxa were identified: 106 dwelling taxa, the greatest number of invasive alien plants; 58 coastal taxa; and 41 forest taxa. With regard to species composition, Compositae (27.1%) showed the largest distribution. The distribution of eight families and 49 taxa, such as parts of Amaryllidaceae, etc., were identified only in the Dwelling District; eight taxa, such as Diplotaxis muralis DC., etc., only in coastal areas; and six taxa, such as Gnaphalium purpureum L., etc., only in forest areas. Compositae, etc., are mostly sun plants with ecological features that allow them to easily invade disturbed areas, such as roadside, cutting areas, etc., rather than forest with low exposure to sunlight.

Gnaphalium affine D. Don, a medicinal and edible plant, has been used to treat gout in traditional Chinese medicine and popularly consumed in China for a long time. A detailed phytochemical investigation on the aerial part of G. affine led to the isolation of two new esters of caffeoylquinic acid named (-) ethyl 1, 4-di-O-caffeoylquinate (1) and (-) methyl 1, 4-di-O-caffeoylquinate (2), together with 35 known compounds (3-37). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data and first-order multiplet analysis. All the isolated compounds were tested for their xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity with an in vitro enzyme inhibitory screening assay. Among the tested compounds, 1 (IC50 11.94 μmol·L-1) and 2 (IC50 15.04 μmol·L-1) showed a good inhibitory activity. The current results supported the medical use of the plant.

An account of the nine species of Pseudognaphalium occurring in Peru is provided, i.e. P. cheiranthifolium, P. dysodes, P. elegans, P. gaudichaudianum, P. lacteum, P. lanuginosum, P. luteoalbum, P. psilophyllum, and P. viravira. A number of species are placed in synonymy: Gnaphalium ecuadorense, G. ecuadorense var. boliviense, andPseudognaphalium pellitum are synonymized under P. cheiranthifolium; Gnaphalium imbaburense, G. jelskii, G. peruvianum, G. sodiroi, and Pseudognaphalium cabrerae are synonymized under P. gaudichaudianum; Gnaphalium humillimum and Pseudognaphalium dombeyanum are synonymized under P. dysodes; Gnaphalium helichrysoides and Pseudognaphalium melanosphaeroides are synonymized under P. lanuginosum; and Gnaphalium polium is synonymized under Pseudognaphalium viravira. Lectotypes are designated for Gnaphalium dombeyanum, G. elegans, G. gaudichaudianum, G. gaudichaudianum var. subrufescens, G. helichrysoides, G. jelskii, G. luteoalbum var. pallidum, G. multiceps, G. poeppigianum, and G. sodiroi. Descriptions, notes on habitat and phenology, distribution maps, full specimen citations for all taxa treated, an identification key, as well as line drawings of four of the nine species, are provided.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The Gnaphalium affine D. Don is used in China as a folk medicine to treat gout, anti-inflammatory, antitussive and expectorant activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the extract of G. affine to treat hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis in animal model. Materials and methods G. affine extract was evaluated in an experimental model with potassium oxonate (PO) induced hyperuricemia in mice which was used to evaluate anti-hyperuricemia activity and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition. Therapies for acute gouty arthritis was also investigated on monosodium urate (MSU) crystal induced paw edema model. Results G. affine extract showed expressive results on active in reducing serum uric acid (Sur) through effect renal mGLUT9 and mURAT1 mainly and inhibit XO activity in vivo . The extract of G. affine also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and reduced the paw swelling on MSU crystal-induced paw edema model. Meanwhile, eight major compounds were identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Conclusions The extract of G. affine showed significant effect on evaluated models and therefore may be active agents for the treatment of hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis.

Chryselium Urtubey & S. E. Freire, a new monotypic genus, is here described and illustrated to accomodate one species that was initially placed in Helichrysum, H. gnaphalioides, as Chryselium gnaphalioides. The new genus, Chryselium, is a monoecious herb with single stems and terminal capitulescences that are densely glomerulate from the Tropical Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. This genus differs fundamentally from Helichrysum by having a stoloniferous habit and corollas with purple apices. Amolecular analysis using DNA sequences from nuclear (ITS and ETS) markers placed this genus in a clade with Chevreulia, Cuatrecasasiella, Antennaria, and Diaperia in the FLAG group. Affinities of the new genus with genera previously assigned to Chryselium are also discussed. Fil: Freire, Susana Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentina Fil: Urtubey, Estrella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentina

RESUMEN Se presentan los Pucciniales colectados sobre la familia Asteraceae en el Páramo del Sol, Páramo Serranía las Baldías, Páramo de Sonsón y Páramo de Santa Inés, ubicados en el departamento de Antioquia (Colombia). Las colecciones parasitadas por royas fueron colectadas entre 2800 y 4050 m, identificándose un total de diez especies de royas sobre esta importante familia botánica. En los resultados se destacan: dos nuevas especies para la biota de Pucciniales: Puccinia baccharidis-antioquensis y Puccinia oritrophiae; Baeodromus eupatorii como nuevo registro de roya para Colombia; Gnaphalium antennarioides, Hieracium frigidum, Jungia ferruginea y Munnozia senecionidis como nuevos hospedantes parasitados por roya; y Puccinia alia, Puccinia gnaphaliicola y Puccinia mutisiae como nuevos registros para el departamento de Antioquia. Estos resultados amplían el conocimiento de la biota de Pucciniales colombianos, así como su distribución geográfica. ABSTRACT The Pucciniales collected on the family Asteraceae in Páramo del Sol, Páramo Serranía las Baldías, Páramo de Sonsón and Páramo de Santa Inés, located in the department of Antioquia (Colombia) are presented. The collections parasitized by rusts were collected between 2800 and 4050 m, identifying a total of ten species of rust fungi on this important botanic family. Stand out: two new species for the Pucciniales biota: Puccinia baccharidis-antioquensis and Puccinia oritrophiae; Baeodromus eupatorii as a new record of rust fungi for Colombia; Gnaphalium antennarioides, Hieracium frigidum, Jungia ferruginea and Munnozia senecionidis new hosts parasitized by rust fungi; and Puccinia alia, Puccinia gnaphaliicola and Puccinia mutisiae new records for the department of Antioquia. These findings extend the knowledge of the Colombian Pucciniales biota, as well as its geographical distribution.

Weeds can reduce yield, which justify the need for their efficient management. The stage that precedes the management consists of identifying the species present in the area, and then making the decision of the best method of control. Thus, this study aimed to perform a phytosociological survey, and to analyze the composition and floristic similarity of weeds between the end of the corn crop cycle and in the off-season period. The authors analyzed nine areas representing the second crop corn and six in the off-season period, distributed in four municipalities: Francisco Alves, Marechal Cândido Rondon, Palotina and Terra Roxa. For estimation of weed species, the square inventory technique of 1 m2 was used. The sampling design consisted of three collection ranges, the first starting at 5 m from the edge, followed by 25 and 50 m inside the crop. In the second crop corn, 29 species grouped into 17 families, in the off-season period, and 35 species grouped into 18 families were recorded. Parietaria spp. and Conyza spp. stood out as main species in areas occupied by second crop corn and Parietaria spp. and Gnaphalium spicatum Lam. in areas of the off-season period and inside sampling range of this period. The similarity index evidenced a high similarity between the periods sampled. Key words: Weeds, identification, importance value, density.

Se documenta el conocimiento sobre las especies vegetales para el tratamiento de afecciones respiratorias entre los habitantes de la comunidad de Loma Alta en el Área Natural Protegida del Nevado de Toluca, México. Se identificaron las plantas medicinales, formas de uso, partes utilizadas, métodos de preparación, vías de administración y sitios de obtención. La representatividad de la muestra se determinó con la curva de acumulación de especies propuesta por Balick y O’Brien y las de mayor importancia cultural a través del Consenso de Informantes y el Índice de Friedman (FL). Se registran trece taxa: Arceuthobium vaginatum, Barkleyanthus salicifolius, Calendula officinalis, Cosmos parviflorus, Didymaea alsinoides, Eucalyptus globulus, Gnaphalium canescens, Matricaria recutita, Pelargonium x domesticum, Pinus hartwegii, Plantago australis, Simsia amplexicaulis y Symphoricarpos microphyllus. La familia mejor representada es Asteraceae (6 spp.). Las principales afecciones respiratorias tratadas son la tos, gripe, catarro, anginas y acumulación de flemas. Las plantas con mayor trascendencia de acuerdo con el índice de importancia cultural son G. canescens (FL = 82), E. globulus (FL = 80) y M. recutita (FL = 50). Tales especies son altamente accesibles a los usuarios y están disponibles con relativa frecuencia en las zonas perturbadas aledañas al área de estudio así como en mercados locales. Se concluye que la utilización de plantas combinadas con productos farmacéuticos es uno de los principales factores que potencialmente afecta el conocimiento sobre la flora medicinal.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Gnaphalium affine D. Don (GA) has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb in China for the treatment of many ailments including rheumatoid arthritis. However, the anti-arthritic mechanism of GA has still not been demonstrated. This study aims to reveal the anti-inflammatory activity and anti-arthritic mechanism of ethanol extract of G. affine D. Don. Materials and methods Anti-inflammatory potential of GA was analyzed in vivo in carrageenan induced mice paw edema (acute study). Also, in vivo study was applied in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. In vitro experiments for analyzing the anti-inflammatory potential of GA were performed on rat alveolar macrophages cell line (NR8383). Analysis of nitric oxide release in NR8383 cells was done by Griess reaction. RT-PCR and western blotting experiment was performed to analyze the expression of phosphorylated p65 and IκBα/β-actin in NF-κB pathway. The production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2 in NR8383cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The chemical profile of GA was analyzed by HPLC-VWD. Results GA significantly reduced the paw volume in carrageenan induced rat paw edema rat at different doses (300 and 600 mg/kg), compared with the standard indomethacin treatment. In CIA, GA can obviously ameliorate the inflammatory symptom, including cytokine, histological symptom and paw swelling. In the vitro study, GA was able to reduce the nitric oxide (NO) levels in NR8383 cells that had been stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The level of TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2 was also decreased with GA treatment in NR8383 cells that had been stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interestingly, GA was found to decrease the level of phosphorylated p65 and IκBα in NR8383 cells. Fifteen compounds were identified by HPLC-VWD with the reference substances and verified by LC–MS. Conclusions The results of the experiment scientifically validated its traditional use in inflammatory conditions.