Two New Cytotoxic Maytansinoids Targeting Tubulin from Trewia nudiflora

Two new maytansinoids, N-methyltreflorine (1) and methyltrewiasine (2), were isolated from the dried fruits of Trewia nudiflora, together with three known congeners (3 – 5). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configuration of 1 and 2 was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1 – 5 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines, including HeLa, MV-4 – 11, and MCF-7, with IC50 values ranging from 0.12 to 11 nM. Compounds 1 and 4 also showed inhibitory activity against the MCF-7/ADR cell line with IC50 values of 13 and 28 nM, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro with IC50 values of 3.6 and 3.2 µM, respectively.

Evidence of bhellar (Trewia nudiflora) seed dispersal by chital (Axis axis) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

In riverine forest of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, Bhellar or trewia (Trewia nudiflora) is one of the most abundant tree species. Similarly, chital (Axis axis) is the most abundant and widely distributed deer species. We documented the potential role of chital in seed dispersal of trewia tree in Chitwan. We observed the trewia seeds regurgitated by chital at the Gharial Conservation and Breeding Center (GCBC), Kasara, Chitwan. The trewia seeds were recorded the following morning of the chital sheltering the GCBC. A detailed study is suggested to understand trewia the seed germination success and trewia-chital relationship.

Phneological Studies on Trewia Nudiflora

Trewia nudiflora Linn belongs to plant genus of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, sub-family Acalyphoideae and is one of the important medicinal plants in Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, etc. It has numerous phytochemical and pharmacological significance. The whole plant is alternative, stomachic and efficacious in swellings. The root decoction is beneficial in flatulence, stomachic, applied locally in form of poultice for the cure of gout rheumatism. Trewia nudiflora is distributed from Kumaon (Himalaya) region of Garwhal up to eastward to Assam and fruits were collected from Dehradun. Trewia nudiflora plants are unisexual. The phenological observations made showed that in the male and female plants from the month March to July.