Ilex

Il genere Ilex è comprende oltre 560 specie di piante da fiore nella famiglia delle Aquifoliaceae ed è l'unico genere vivente in quella famiglia. Le specie di Ilex sono alberi, arbusti e rampicanti sempreverdi o decidui dai tropici alle zone temperate di tutto il mondo. La specie tipo è Ilex aquifolium, l’agrifoglio comune europeo.

Micropropagation of Ilex dumosa var. dumosa R. ("yerba señorita") from nodal segments containing one axillary bud was investigated. Shoot regeneration from explants of six-year-old plants was readily achieved in 1/4 strength Murashige and Skoog medium (1/4 MS) plus 30 gr x L(-1) sucrose and supplemented with 4.4 microM BA. Further multiplication and elongation of the regenerated shoots were obtained by subculture in a fresh medium of similar composition with 1.5 gr x L(-1) sucrose. Rooting induction from shoots were achieved in two steps: 1) 7 days in 1/4 MS (30 gr x L(-1) sucrose, 0.25% Phytagel) with 7.3 microM IBA and 2) 21 days in the same medium without IBA and 20 microM of cadaverine added. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to soil. This micropropagation schedule can be implemented in breeding programs of Ilex dumosa.

Ilex is a genus comprising over 560 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and it is the only living genus in that family. The Ilex species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly.

Reversed-phase preparative HPLC analysis of the methanol extract of the seeds of Ilex aquifolium afforded two antioxidant phenylacetic acid derivatives, 2,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (1) and 2,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester (2). The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. In the DPPH assay for antioxidant activity, the IC(50) values of 1 and 2 were 1.50 x 10(-3) and 2.55 x 10(-3) mg mL(-1), respectively, compared to 2.88 x 10(-5) mg mL(-1) of quercetin, a natural antioxidant.

Background: Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire (Aquifoliaceae) (“Mate” or “Yerba mate”) is one of the most commercialized plants of South America which grows naturally in NE Argentina, Uruguay, SE Brazil and E Paraguay, where it is also cultivated. It is used to prepare a tea-like beverage (infusions or decoctions) appreciated for its peculiar flavor, stimulation and nutritional properties. Ilex brevicuspis Reisseck grows in the same habitat and is widely used as a substitute or adulterant of Ilex paraguariensis. In a previous work, methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline) were not detected in it by HPLC. Aim of the study: This study was undertaken in order to isolate, identify and quantify the polyphenolic compounds (caffeoyl derivatives and flavonoids) and to investigate some of the pharmacological activities of I. brevicuspis, related with the traditional use of the “Mate” (choleretic, intestinal propulsion and antioxidant activities). Acute toxicity was also investigated. Methods: Decoctions, like extracts, were prepared in order to compare the results with preparations commonly used by the local people. For the phytochemical analysis, the extracts were analyzed by HPLC with a diode array detector. Choleretic and intestinal propulsion activities were assayed in rats. Sodium dehydrocholate (DHC) was used as a choleretic reference standard. Antioxidant activity was tested in liposomes that were oxidized by the free radical generator 2,2'-azobis [amidinopropane] chloride (AAPH). Results: For the first time in I. brevicuspis the following compounds were isolated and quantified: A) caffeoyl derivative compounds (chlorogenic acid; caffeic acid; 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid; 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. B) flavonoids (rutin, quercetin and kaempferol). Biological activity assays demonstrated that I. brevicuspis extracts produced a significant increase of bile flow (BF) in rats in the first 30 min period and in the percentage of BF increase accumulated at 120 min. It also produced an increase in the intestinal propulsion activity. Moreover, this species showed a high antioxidant activity. The acute toxicity test showed that Ilex brevicuspis did not produce any sign of toxicity at the analyzed doses. Conclusions: An Argentinean Ilex specie (I. brevicuspis) has choleretic, intestinal propulsion, antioxidant activities and these results may lead to the potential development of a new “Yerba Mate” and/or phytopharmaceutical products, without central nervous system (CNS) stimulant activity.

Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of pottery from 18 sites in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest reveal combinations of methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) indicative of stimulant drinks, probably concocted using either cacao or holly leaves and twigs. The results cover a time period from around A.D. 750–1400, and a spatial distribution from southern Colorado to northern Chihuahua. As with populations located throughout much of North and South America, groups in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest likely consumed stimulant drinks in communal, ritual gatherings. The results have implications for economic and social relations among North American populations.

Title of Document: THE ROLE OF HOST-PLANT HYBRIDIZATION IN HOST-ASSOCIATED POPULATION DIVERGENCE IN PHYTOMYZA GLABRICOLA (DIPTERA: AGROMYZIDAE). Julie Byrd Hébert, Ph.D. 2012 Directed By: Associate Professor, Dr. David Hawthorne Department of Entomology Phytomyza glabricola (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a leaf-mining fly native to the eastern United States that mines two sympatric native holly species, Ilex coriacea and I. glabra. Recent work revealed significant genetic divergence between host-associated populations of flies in North and South Carolina, suggesting the populations are host forms and recent work in Ilex phylogenetics hint the two holly hosts may hybridize. In this work, I investigated potential ecological speciation in P. glabricola, hybridization in its host plants, and how the hybridization among host plants may affect gene flow between host forms of the flies. No-choice mating trials in a greenhouse revealed reproductive isolation between host forms of P. glabricola a...

Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of pottery from the large site of Cahokia and surrounding smaller sites in Illinois reveal theobromine, caffeine, and ursolic acid, biomarkers for species of Ilex (holly) used to prepare the ritually important Black Drink. As recorded during the historic period, men consumed Black Drink in portions of the American Southeast for ritual purification. This first demonstrated discovery of biomarkers for Ilex occurs in beaker vessels dating between A.D. 1050 and 1250 from Cahokia, located far north of the known range of the holly species used to prepare Black Drink during historic times. The association of Ilex and beaker vessels indicates a sustained ritual consumption of a caffeine-laced drink made from the leaves of plants grown in the southern United States.

Reversed-phase preparative HPLC analysis of the methanol extract of the seeds of Ilex aquifolium afforded two antioxidant phenylacetic acid derivatives, 2,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (1) and 2,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester (2). The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. In the DPPH assay for antioxidant activity, the IC(50) values of 1 and 2 were 1.50 x 10(-3) and 2.55 x 10(-3) mg mL(-1), respectively, compared to 2.88 x 10(-5) mg mL(-1) of quercetin, a natural antioxidant.

Two species of Trochila recorded on leaves of relict plants (T. ilicina on Ilex spp. and T. laurocerasi on Laurocerasus officinalis) are reported for the first time from Bulgaria. A key for determination of the species of Trochila in this country based on essential morphological characters is presented. The three species of the genus are briefly described and illustrated. The known distribution in the Balkans is outlined and some considerations on the possible occurrence of the species in neighbouring countries are given. The possible threat status in Bulgaria of some of the species is also briefly discussed.