Structure and Cytotoxicity of Novel Lignans and Lignan Glycosides from the Aerial Parts of Larrea tridentata

Previously, the authors conducted phytochemical investigations of the aerial parts of Larrea tridentata and reported triterpene glycosides and lignan derivatives. In continuation of the preceding studies, 17 lignans and lignan glycosides (1–17) were isolated, including seven new compounds (1–7). Herein, the structure of the new compounds was determined based on spectroscopic analysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. The cytotoxicity of 1–17 against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells was examined. Compounds 4–11 and 14–16 were cytotoxic to HL-60 cells, with IC50 values in the range of 2.7–17 μM. Compound 6, which was the most cytotoxic among the unprecedented compounds, was shown to induce apoptotic cell death in HL-60 cells.

Climate Impacts on Fire Risk in Desert Shrublands: A Modeling Study

Fire is recognized to be an important disturbance in many ecosystems worldwide, although desert ecosystems are not generally thought of as being prone to fire, primarily because of the lack of a continuous fuel bed. However, the likelihood of catastrophic fires in some desert systems is increasing due to the spread of exotic species, which can grow in the open. A second factor increasing fire risk may be extreme rainfall events caused by climate warming that can lead to an increase in fuel loads. Our work explores the impact of increased rainfall on fire risk in creosote shrublands that have been invaded by exotic grasses. We take experimental results from creosote (Larrea tridentata) shrublands in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the Southwestern United States and develop spatially explicit simulation models to explore the impact of shifting rainfall regimes on biomass production and fire spread. In doing this, we explore two scales that are important in the spread of fire: (1) the macro-scale which considers the likelihood that fire arriving at one edge of a modeled landscape will successfully reach the opposite edge, leading to spread at a broader scale; and (2) the micro-scale, which considers fire spread within the landscape. We use a very simple model to first explore how changes in the distribution of fuel in the landscape impact the ability of fire to spread across and within the landscape. We then add more realism by including a direct consideration of creosote shrub distributions and biomass levels produced in different vegetation zones associated with distance from creosote. Our models show that the spread of fire at both macro- and micro-scales can be predicted from a knowledge of the statistical distribution of biomass in the field. The only additional information that is needed to predict the extent of fire spread is the amount of biomass at a local site (g m–2) required to ignite standing biomass in adjacent sites. This will depend upon species composition as well as amount of biomass, the hydration status of the vegetation and climatic conditions, such as windspeed and relative humidity.

Larrea tridentata and its biological activities

Background: Larrea tridentata is a dominant shrub in the deserts of North America and is recognized for its various traditional uses. More than 50 traditional uses have been recorded. Regarding its chemical composition, the products of the mevalonate, shikimate, and malonate pathways are predominant. L. tridentata has nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), one of its most studied secondary metabolites that exhibited remarkable different biological activities: sequestration of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of lipoxygenases (LOX) and activation of the endogenous antioxidant response mediated by nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2). Objective and Methods: This review seeks to draw attention to metabolites other than NDGA and which also contribute to the various biological activities of L. tridentata. Therefore, the present review includes those reports focused on the pharmacological properties of the organic extracts of L. tridentata and its natural products with promising values. Results and Conclusion: Among the most promising and widely reported metabolites from L. tridentata, are: 3’-demethoxy-6-O-demethylisoguaiacin, 3’-O-methylnordihydroguiaretic acid, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid, and tetra-O-methylnorhydroguiaretic acid. These have been reported to exhibit antibacterial, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, and antioxidant activities.

Assessment of the Effects of Four Plant Species Used in Mexican Traditional Medicine Against Microcystis aeruginosa

Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the main harmful bloom-forming cyanobacteria species worldwide. Plant extracts are considered an appropriate practice to obtain effective, economical and sustainable algaecides. For the first time, the effects of Argemone mexicana, Bougainvillea spectabilis, Larrea tridentata and Tradescantia zebrina on the growth of M. aeruginosa in solid and liquid media were investigated by measuring cell density, Chl-a concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), proteins and nucleotides. Total polyphenol content was quantified to reveal the nature of inhibition. The results in solid medium showed that the methanolic extract of L. tridentata had the greatest effect, showing an inhibition zone of 28.67±0.58 mm. In liquid medium, the methanolic extract of L. tridentata again showed the greatest effects on the cell density of M. aeruginosa (93.80%, p<0.0001), followed by B. spectabilis (87.66%, p<0.0001) and A. mexicana with (87.11%, p<0.001), with EC50 = 13.63, 20.27 and 24.47 mg/L, respectively. L. tridentata also showed a decrease of Chl-a of 91.51% (P<0.0001), MDA increased 6.42 times, and proteins and nucleotides 2.09 and 2.12 times in relation to the control, respectively. L. tridentata showed the highest total polyphenol content, 363.51 mgGAEq/gDE. These results indicate that the decrease in photosynthetic capacity and lipid peroxidation are the most probable mechanisms of action of this species against M. aeruginosa.

Anti-infective properties of medicinal plants from the Baja California peninsula, Mexico for the treatment of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici in organic sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Certified-organic farming systems in Baja California Peninsula and Northwest Mexico are nationally and globally recognized, especially due to the production of vegetables and aromatic herbs under protected agriculture systems. Based on the background of some species of the flora of Baja California Sur (BCS) to inhibit a diversity of microorganisms, the effect of 22 medicinal plants of the region was explored to know the in vitro activity against the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici isolated from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The plants processed as crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts were analyzed in duplicate (three replicates) evaluating the inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination. In mycelial inhibition test, all plants extracts (1000 mg L-1) showed an effectiveness of 11 to 40% to inhibit F. oxysporum. The most effective plant extracts according to 50% effective inhibition dose (ED50), were Larrea tridentata, Hymenoclea monogyra and Lippia palmeri with an ED50 of 220, 303 and 3000 mg L-1, respectively. Tukey’s PostHoc tests indicated that H. monogyra and L. tridentata are ten times (ED50 <300 mg L-1) more effective than L. palmeri (ED50 3000 mg L-1). In addition, the dose-response trend analyzes according to the logarithmic-logistic model (drc packages), showed the maximum slope values ​​between 100 and 1000 mg L-1. In the spore germination inhibition tests, most ethanolic extracts (5000 mg L-1) showed an effectiveness between 21 and 80%. The results of this study demonstrated that the inhibitory potential of these plants used in BCS traditional medicine are a viable alternative for the control of F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici in organic basil production systems. Highlights 22 medicinal native plants from the Baja California peninsula can effectively inhibit (in vitro) oxysporum f. sp. basilica. The most effective species were Larrea tridentata, Hymenoclea monogyra and Lippia palmeri with a mycelial growth inhibition (ED50) of 220, 300 and 3000 mg L-1, respectively. In vitro effectiveness of Fusarium-growth inhibition of medicinal plants of BCS were in ED50 ranges from 220 to 3000 mg L-1. Creosote bush (L. tridentata) extract at a dose of 5000 mg L-1 can inhibit the fungal sporulation by up 80%. The ethanol-aqueous extract of the medicinal plants of BCS have the potential to be used for long-term control of the fusariosis disease in basil.

Characterization of the antibacterial activity from ethanolic extracts of the botanical, Larrea tridentata

Background β-lactam antibiotics are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics consisting of all antibiotic agents that contain a β-lactam ring in their molecular structures. β-lactam antibiotics are only known to be isolated from fungi (e.g. Acremonium chrysogenum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus nidulans) and bacteria (e.g. Streptomyces clavuligerus). We have shown that botanical extracts prepared from Larrea tridentata have strong antimicrobial activity against several bacteria, including members of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera. Methods Through resistance studies, inhibitor assays, and ELISA testing, we demonstrated L. tridentata extracts may contain a β-lactam type antibiotic activity. Results Based on the estimated β-lactam concentration within the extract, the antimicrobial activity of the L. tridentata extract was approximately 2000–8000-fold greater against Staphylococcus as compared to other β-lactams, penicillin or ampicillin. In the L. tridentata extract, this increased activity was found to be associated with the likely presence of a cofactor leading to increased potentiation of the β-lactam activity. This potentiation activity was also observed to enhance the activity of exogenously added natural penicillin antibiotics. Conclusions Although constituents were not isolated in this study, the results obtained strongly support the presence of β-lactam type antibiotic activity and antibiotic potentiation activity present in ethanolic extracts prepared from L. tridentata.

Germination and early establishment of dryland grasses and shrubs on intact and wind-eroded soils under greenhouse conditions

Aims Grassland-to-shrubland transition is a common form of land degradation in drylands worldwide. It is often attributed to changes in disturbance regimes, particularly overgrazing. A myriad of direct and indirect effects (e.g., accelerated soil erosion) of grazing may favor shrubs over grasses, but their relative importance is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that topsoil “winnowing” by wind erosion would differentially affect grass and shrub seedling establishment to promote shrub recruitment over that of grass. Methods We monitored germination and seedling growth of contrasting perennial grass (Bouteloua eriopoda, Sporobolus airoides, and Aristida purpurea) and shrub (Prosopis glandulosa, Atriplex canescens, and Larrea tridentata) functional groups on field-collected non-winnowed and winnowed soils under well-watered greenhouse conditions. Results Non-winnowed soils were finer-textured and had higher nutrient contents than winnowed soils, but based on desorption curves, winnowed soils had more plant-available moisture. Contrary to expectations, seed germination and seedling growth on winnowed and non-winnowed soils were comparable within a given species. The N2-fixing deciduous shrub P. glandulosa was first to emerge and complete germination, and had the greatest biomass accumulation of all species. Conclusions Germination and early seedling growth of grasses and shrubs on winnowed soils were not adversely nor differentially affected comparing with that observed on non-winnowed soils under well-watered greenhouse conditions. Early germination and rapid growth may give P. glandulosa a competitive advantage over grasses and other shrub species at the establishment stage in grazed grasslands. Field establishment experiments are needed to confirm our findings in these controlled environment trials.

Bactericidal Activity of Larrea tridentata Hydroalcoholic Extract against Phytopathogenic Bacteria

Due to the emergence of bacterial resistance in phytopathogenic microorganisms, it is necessary to search for new treatment alternatives for these pathogens. Natural extracts are a potential source of bioactive compounds that can act against such bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity of Larrea tridentata against bacteria with public health importance has been documented; however, few reports cover pathogens associated with the agricultural sector. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Larrea tridentata hydroalcoholic extract (LTHE) and fractions against phytopathogenic bacteria. LTHE was obtained by the maceration technique and then subjected to bipartition using solvents of different polarities. Clavibacter michiganensis sbsp. michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae, and Xanthomonas campestris strains were used, and their antibiotic sensitivity was determined. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of LTHE and its fractions (aqueous: LTAq-F; organic: LTEtOAc-F) were determined. LTHE and its organic fraction showed bactericidal activity against the three bacteria, showing better activity against X. campestris, exhibiting an MIC of 0.39 mg/mL and an MBC of 0.78 mg/mL. The results show that LTHE and its organic fraction have bactericidal activity in vitro against Clavibacter michiganensis sbsp. michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae, and Xanthomonas campestris.