Smilax

The early Burdigalian (MN3) plant assemblage of the Güvem area (northwestern Central Anatolia) is preserved in lacustrine sediments of the Dereköy pyroclastics. Its age is well constrained by radiometric dates of basaltic rocks bracketing the pyroclastics, making the Güvem flora one of the extremely few precisely dated early Miocene floras in the Mediterranean region. The rich assemblage of impression fossils comprises ferns and fern allies (2 species), gymnosperms (12 spp.) and angiosperms (129 spp.). Ilex miodipyrena sp. nov. is described as a new fossil-species. The most diverse families in the assemblage are the Fagaceae with 12 taxa and the Fabaceae with 12 leaf morphotypes and one fruit taxon. Aquatic plants are represented by seven taxa, riparian (including palms) and swamp forest elements by >35 taxa, and lianas by three taxa (Smilax spp., Chaneya). The relatively large number of aquatic and riparian/swamp elements is congruent with the rich fish, amphibian and reptile record of the Güvem area. Another characteristic feature of the plant assemblage is the presence of various lobed leaves which show similarities with modern species of different families (e.g. Alangium, various Malvales). Trees and shrubs growing on well-drained soils and forming closed-canopy and open-canopy forests are the most diversified group (>70 taxa). In terms of number of specimens in the collection and based on field observations, by far the most abundant leaf fossils belong to evergreen oaks of Quercus drymeja and Q. mediter-ranea and to various types of foliage that cannot be assigned to a particular extant or extinct genus of Fagaceae. These sclerophyllous trees must have covered vast areas surrounding the wetlands that developed during the early Miocene in the Güvem Basin. Based on a recent reassessment of the ecology and taxonomic affinity of these trees, they are considered to reflect humid temperate climatic conditions but with a brief drier season during the winter months. These forests are more similar to the laurel forests of the southeastern United States and those stretching in a narrow belt south of the Himalayas to eastern central China. The large number of Fabaceae may indicate the presence of warm subtropical environments but this is difficult to assess, as they are known for having wide ecological ranges today and in the past. All in all, a larger part of the plant taxa point to forested vegetation. This is in agreement with previous palynological studies which detected only small amounts of her-baceous and grass pollen. Open patches of vegetation may have been restricted to river banks and to rocky areas in a volcanic landscape. The biogeographic patterns detected for the early Miocene of the Güvem assemblage are manifold; most taxa are widespread Northern Hemispheric elements. A substantial part of the species migrated from Asia into Europe during the (late) Paleogene and reached Anatolia during the early Miocene (Fagus, Paliu-rus, Chaneya, Ailanthus, Quercus kubinyii, Davallia haidingeri, Acer angustilobum, A. palaeosaccharinum). Fewer taxa may have been in Anatolia before they migrated to Europe (e.g. Nerium, Smilax miohavanensis, Quercus sosnowskyi). Finally, very few taxa are Anatolian endemics (e.g. Ilex miodipyrena).

Smilax china Linn. is extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as in Pakistan for several medicinal purposes including their use in inflammatory disorders.The aims of the current study were to validate and assess the folk use of Smilax china Linn. on pharmacological grounds using the isolated compound at molecular, in vivo and computational levels.Seiboldogenin was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the plant crude extract. In vitro lipoxygenase and in vivo carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema models were used in experimental studies while molecular docking technique was used to conduct computational study.Sieboldogenin showed significant lipoxygenase inhibition (IC50: 38 μM). It also exhibited significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema at the doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg. Computational molecular docking showed its molecular interaction with important amino acid residues in the catalytic site of lipoxygenase, revealing its potential binding mode at molecular level.Sieboldogenin seems to be a potential new anti-inflammatory compound responsible for anti-inflammatory activities of Smilax china Linn. Its in vitro and in vivo inflammatory activities are in good agreement with the folk medicinal use of Smilax china Linn. in inflammatory disorders.

The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a polyherbal decoction comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, and Smilax glabra in order to justify its claimed antihepatocarcinogenic activity. Activation of hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), IκB kinase (IKK α/β) proteins, and TNFα and IL-6 expression was investigated in diethylnitrosamine-(DEN-) induced C3H mice-bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes. Acute phase inflammatory response was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema formation. Anti-inflammatory mechanisms were also assessed by determining effect on (a) membrane stabilization, (b) nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity, and (c) inhibition of leukocyte migration. A significant inhibition of the paw edema formation was observed in healthy rats as well as in rats bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes with oral administration of the decoction. As with the positive control, indomethacin (10 mg/kg b.w.) the inhibitory effect was pronounced at 3rd and 4th h after carrageenan injection. A notable IKK α/β mediated hepatic NF-κB inactivation was associated with a significant hepatic TNFα downregulation among mice-bearing hepatocarcinogenic changes subjected to decoction treatment. Inhibition of NO production, leukocyte migration, and membrane stabilization are possible mechanisms by which anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by the decoction. Overall findings imply that anti-inflammatory activity could be one of the mechanisms by which the decoction mediates its antihepatocarcinogenic effects.

A stereospecific method of analysis of racemic taxifolin (+/-3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavanone) in biological fluids is necessary to study pharmacokinetics and disposition in fruit and herbs. A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of all four taxifolin enantiomers. Separation was achieved on a Chiralcel® OJ-RH column with UV detection at 288 nm. The standard curves in serum were linear over a range of 0.5-100.0 mg/mL for each enantiomer. The mean extraction efficiency was >88.0%. Precision of the assay was <15% (CV), and was within 12% at the limit of quantitation (0.5 mg/mL). The bias of the assay was <15%, and was within 6% at the limit of quantitation. The assay was successfully applied to stereospecific disposition of taxifolin enantiomers in rats and to the quantification of taxifolin enantiomers in tu fu ling (Rhizoma smilacis glabrae) and apple (Malus × domestica).

The classic Surtarbrandur floras of Iceland are 12 Ma (late Serravallian) and belong to the Brjánslaekur-Seljá Formation. They make up the most diverse macroflora known from the Miocene of Iceland, with the highest number of exotic angiosperms recorded from this period (Laurophyllum, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Platanus, and Sassafras). Unlike in the older and younger floras, Fagus is absent from the macrofossil and pollen record, suggesting that the older F. friedrichii had not yet been replaced by the later immigrating F. gussonii. The plant assemblages recovered from the Brjánslaekur-Seljá Formation represent azonal riparian lowland and upland forests and zonal hardwood forests in the vicinity of a lake followed higher up by mixed broad-leaved deciduous and conifer forests. The plant assemblages reflect the culmination of warm and moist vegetation in Iceland in the late Serravallian. The climatic and vegetation optimum recorded in Iceland for this stage does not reflect the general trend of cooling after the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum (17-15 Ma), as seen in many other floras in the northern hemisphere.

A stereospecific method of analysis of racemic taxifolin (+/-3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavanone) in biological fluids is necessary to study pharmacokinetics and disposition in fruit and herbs. A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of all four taxifolin enantiomers. Separation was achieved on a Chiralcel® OJ-RH column with UV detection at 288 nm. The standard curves in serum were linear over a range of 0.5-100.0 mg/mL for each enantiomer. The mean extraction efficiency was >88.0%. Precision of the assay was <15% (CV), and was within 12% at the limit of quantitation (0.5 mg/mL). The bias of the assay was <15%, and was within 6% at the limit of quantitation. The assay was successfully applied to stereospecific disposition of taxifolin enantiomers in rats and to the quantification of taxifolin enantiomers in tu fu ling (Rhizoma smilacis glabrae) and apple (Malus × domestica).