Study on Supergenus Rubus L.: Edible, Medicinal, and Phylogenetic Characterization

Abstract

Rubus L. is one of the most diverse genera belonging to Rosaceae; it consists of more than 700 species with a worldwide distribution. It thus provides an ideal natural “supergenus” for studying the importance of its edible, medicinal, and phylogenetic characteristics for application in our daily lives and fundamental scientific studies. The Rubus genus includes many economically important species, such as blackberry (R. fruticosus L.), red raspberry (R. ideaus L.), black raspberry (R. occidentalis L.), and raspberry (R. chingii Hu), which are widely utilized in the fresh fruit market and the medicinal industry. Although Rubus species have existed in human civilization for hundreds of years, their utilization as fruit and in medicine is still largely inadequate, and many questions on their complex phylogenetic relationships need to be answered. In this review, we briefly summarize the history and progress of studies on Rubus, including its domestication as a source of fresh fruit, its medicinal uses in pharmacology, and its systematic position in the phylogenetic tree. Recent available evidence indicates that (1) thousands of Rubus cultivars were bred via time- and labor-consuming methods from only a few wild species, and new breeding strategies and germplasms were thus limited; (2) many kinds of species in Rubus have been used as medicinal herbs, though only a few species (R. ideaus L., R. chingii Hu, and R. occidentalis L.) have been well studied; (3) the phylogeny of Rubus is very complex, with the main reason for this possibly being the existence of multiple reproductive strategies (apomixis, hybridization, and polyploidization). Our review addresses the utilization of Rubus, summarizing major relevant achievements and proposing core prospects for future application, and thus could serve as a useful roadmap for future elite cultivar breeding and scientific studies.

Nectar Secretion, Morphology, Anatomy and Ultrastructure of Floral Nectary in Selected Rubus idaeus L. Varieties

“…Plants of the genus Rubus are highly valued for their wide range of consumer, medicinal, cosmetic, decorative, and beekeeping uses [1,2]. Rubus is one of the most numerous and phylogenetically most diverse genera with a complex taxonomy resulting from hybridization and facultative apomixes [1][2][3][4]. It belongs to the tribe Rubeae, subfamily Rosoideae, family Rosaceae, order Rosales, and clade Fabids [1][2][3][5][6][7].…”

“…Rubus is one of the most numerous and phylogenetically most diverse genera with a complex taxonomy resulting from hybridization and facultative apomixes [1][2][3][4]. It belongs to the tribe Rubeae, subfamily Rosoideae, family Rosaceae, order Rosales, and clade Fabids [1][2][3][5][6][7]. The estimated number of species of the genus Rubus ranges from 600 to 800 [8].…”

Biologically Active Preparations from the Leaves of Wild Plant Species of the Genus Rubus

“…It is clear that most green plants, vegetables, and fruits are major sources of natural antioxidants. Consuming these antioxidants in the human diet is a reasonable way to reduce brain dysfunction, cardio-vascular disease, cataracts, and risk of cancers [ 11 , 13 , 14 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…In traditional medicine, the leaves of these plants are applied in infusions because of their diuretic, diastolic, antidiabetic, and anti-diarrheal effects. Compresses or lotions made from the leaves of these plants are used to treat various skin diseases thanks to their strong astringent effect [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Methanolic and ethanolic as well as aqueous–ethanolic extracts from the fruits, shoots, and all parts of different Rubus idaeus varieties are effective against Streptococcus typhi , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus epidermidis , Moraxella catarrhalis , Haemophilus influenzae , Helicobacter pylori , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Enterococcus faecalis , Bacillus subtilis , and Escherichia coli [ 17 ].…”

“…Therefore, the seed oils and extracts obtained from aerial parts of these plants exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, and antiviral. As these plants are famous for their aerial parts and seeds of medicinal, cosmetic, and nutritional value, and are concentrated sources of valuable nutrients and bioactive components of therapeutic importance, we decided to study the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of preparations from the leaves of these plants [ 17 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”