Cytotaxonomic Diversity of some Medicinal Species of Hyacinthaceae from Algeria

Abstract

Introduction:The Hyacinthaceae family is a large group of attractive petaloid species which synthesize specialized metabolites involved in their pharmacological usefulness. In Algeria, bulbous plants have long been one of the most trusted sources of traditional medicines. The aim of this work is to highlight the significance of systematic and karyological data to evaluate the diversity of species used in traditional pharmacopeia, particularly those endemics or isolated populations which can produce adapted chemotypes. Materials and Methods: Analyses were performed on natural populations of four endemic and rare Hyacinthaceae, Battandiera amoena, Drimia noctiflora, D. fugax and D. undata sampled in contrasted biogeographic areas of Algeria, in coastal hills and in the Saharan border. Chromosomes number, karyotype formulas and asymmetry indices were established for all taxa. Results: The three species of the genus Drimia were diploid with 2n=2x=20 chromosomes. In Battandiera amoena chromosome number is 2n=2x=18. Karyotype analyses reveal marked variation in length and chromosomes morphology and in the chromosomal asymmetry indices. Conclusion:Cytotaxonomical data are discussed in relation to the endemism and the biogeographical distribution of the species and in the context of the conservation of the biodiversity in Algeria.

Review of Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties of Drimia Elata

“…is a large group of deciduous geophytes belonging to the family Asparagaceae, previously included in the Hyacinthaceae family. The family of Hyacinthaceae is divided into four monophyletic subfamilies, namely Hyacinthoideae, Ornithogaloideae, Oziroeoideae, and Urginoideae [21]. At present, this family is considered as a subfamily Scilloideae in the expanded Asparagaceae sensu [22,23].…”

“…At present, this family is considered as a subfamily Scilloideae in the expanded Asparagaceae sensu [22,23]. The species in each subfamily synthesize specialized secondary metabolites with Hyacinthoideae synthesizing homoisoflavanones and triterpenoids, Ornithogaloideae (cardenolides and steroidal glycosides), and Urgineoideae synthesizing bufadienolides [21]. The subfamily Urgineoideae has flat or winged seeds characterized by brittle, loosely adhering test a comprising genera Bowiea Harv.…”

Karyotype asymmetry in some Scilloideae (Hyacinthaceae) members from Algeria

“…The cytogenetic research carried out by Hamouche et al(2010), Véla and de Bélair (2016), and Azizi et al (2016a), has shed light on the karyotypes of various species that are proliferating in Algeria. However, taking into account the variety of Algeria's ecosystems, it's possible that the genetic diversity found within Algeria's populations is much greater than what was earlier thought.…”

Comparative Cytogenetics and Fluorescent Chromosome Banding in Five Indian Species of Dipcadi Medik

“…The subfamily Scilloideae (family Asparagaceae) sensu Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, (APG III) [1] is a major group of small perennial bulbous plants, consisting of four monophyletic tribes: Hyacintheae, Ornithogaleae, Urgineeae and Oziroeeae [2][3][4][5]. Bulbous geophytes of this subfamily have long been used in traditional medicine and specialized metabolites from members of each tribe have been reported such as homoisoflavonoids and triterpenoids from Hyacintheae, bufadienolides from Urgineeae and cardenolides from Ornithogaleae [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Scilloideae is represented mainly by three genera in India viz.…”