Bryopteris

Abstract: Selaginella bryopteris is a lithophyte with remarkable ressurection capabilities. It is full of medicinal properties, hence also known as ‘Sanjeevani’ (one that infuses life). For lack of credible scientific evidence the plant is not in active use as a medicinal herb. We provide scientific evidence for whyS. bryopteris is known as ‘Sanjeevani’. The aqueous extract ofS. bryopteris possesses growth-promoting activity as well as protective action against stress-induced cell death in a number of experimental cell systems including mammalian cells. Treatment of the cells in culture with 10% aqueous extract enhanced cell growth by about 41% in Sf9 cells and 78% in mammalian cells. Pre-treatment of cells with the Selaginella extract (SE) (1-2x5%) protected against oxidative stress (H2O2)-induced cell death. The killing potential of ultra violet (UV) was also significantly reduced when the cells were pre-treated with SE for 1 h. Thermal radiation suppressed cell growth by about 50%. Pre-treatment of cells with SE for 1 h afforded complete protection against heat-induced growth suppression. SE may possess anti-stress and antioxidant activities that could be responsible for the observed effects. Chemical analysis shows that SE contains hexoses and proteins. Taken together,S. bryopteris extract may help in stress-induced complications including those due to heat shock.

Abstract: Chemical investigation of Selaginella chrysocaulos from Northeast India yielded three new (i.e., 1–3) and two known biflavonoids. From Selaginella bryopteris, collected in the southern part of India, one new (11) and eleven known biflavonoids of the amentoflavone- and hinokiflavone-type were isolated and identified. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, and by mass spectrometry. The absolute configurations of chiral biflavonoids with flavanone subunits (from S. bryopteris) were determined with the aid of circular-dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Several very rare or even unprecedented substructures in biflavonoids were found.

Abstract: Selaginella bryopteris (L.) Bak is a resurrection plant. Uniquely, its detached fronds have the ability to survive desiccation similar to that of the whole plant. In order to understand the mechanisms of desiccation tolerance, proteome studies were carried out in this plant using detached fronds to reveal proteins that were differentially expressed in response to dehydration and rehydration. There was not much difference in electrolyte leakage between control, dehydrated and rehydrated fronds. During dehydration the plants showed only respiration and a dr op in F v /F m values. Both fluorescence and photosynthesis regained totally after rehydration. About 250 protein spots were reproducibly detected and analyzed. From the putatively identified spots (proteins), it was observed that proteins involved in transport, targeting and degradation were expressed more in the desiccated fronds. These findings tentatively indicate that some of the proteins could contribute a physiological advantage to S. bryopteris under desiccation.