Three new cycloartane triterpenoids, commikuanoids A-C (1-3), together with four known compounds ... more Three new cycloartane triterpenoids, commikuanoids A-C (1-3), together with four known compounds 4-7, were isolated from the resin of Commiphora kua. Their structures were confirmed by advanced NMR techniques such as 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D (HMBC, HSQC, COSY, NOESY and NOE) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Five compounds (1-5) were screened for in vitro carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) inhibitory activity. All the tested compounds demonstrated significant activity against CA II with IC50 values ranging from 4.9-19.6 μM. Moreover, the binding pattern of each compound in the binding site of CA-II was predicted through in silico molecular docking approach. It was observed that compounds 2, 4, and 5 binds with the Zn ion present in the active site of CA II, while compounds 1 and 3 mediated hydrogen bonding with Thr199 of CA-II, and all the compounds showed good binding score (> - 5 kcal/mol).
Populations of Dracaena serrulata are disappearing at an alarming rate in the Arabian Peninsula. ... more Populations of Dracaena serrulata are disappearing at an alarming rate in the Arabian Peninsula. They are being destroyed by herders who use the leaves as fodder for camels, goats, and sheep during the dry season. Up until now, precise information about the current distribution and population status of D. serrulata in Oman have not been published. To fill this gap, the main aim of this work was to map the species distribution in the Dhofar Mountains (Oman) and to define the conservation and health status of the populations. Three isolated sub-populations of the study species were defined and mapped: the Jabal Samhan, Jabal al Qara, and Jabal al Qamar sub-populations. Dracaena serrulata occupies an area of 227 km2 in the Dhofar Mountains. More than 43,000 trees were counted, and 2387 trees were inventoried in total. The Jabal Samhan sub-population is an example of an extensively damaged population with 59% of the trees recorded as dead and only 21% healthy trees. Populationsin the we...
Background and Aims: Southern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of e... more Background and Aims: Southern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of endemic desert-adapted plants. Here we examine evidence for a Pleistocene climate refugium in the southern Central Desert of Oman, and its role in driving biogeographical patterns of endemism. Methods: Distribution data for seven narrow-range endemic plants were collected systematically across 195 quadrats, together with incidental and historic records. Important environmental variables relevant to arid coastal areas, including night time fog and cloud cover were developed for the study area. Environmental niche models were built and tuned for each species and spatial overlap examined. Key Results: A region of the Jiddat Al Arkad reported independent high model suitability for all species. Examination of environmental data across southern Oman indicates that the Jiddat Al Arkad displays a regionally unique climate with higher intra-annual stability, due in part to the influence of the sou...
Abstract The Sultanate of Oman has a rich human history, stretching back millennia, however littl... more Abstract The Sultanate of Oman has a rich human history, stretching back millennia, however little is known about the history of human – plant interactions, particularly within the ancient villages and communities in Oman's northern mountains. An ethnobotanical study to document the most utilized wild plant species in Oman's Western Hajar Mountains (Jabal Shams and Jabal Asarah) and assess the threats facing these species was carried out in 2016. Forty-two wild plant species were recorded. Life forms include, shrubs (25%), trees (22%), large shrubs (15%), grasses (8%), climbing plants (5%) and herbs (5%). Plant uses were divided as follows: medicinal (30%), fuel (14%), fodder (12%), food (9%), honey production (7%), construction (6%), and 4% each for utilitarian, tools, weapons and livestock care. Less than 1% of species were noted for their uses as dyes, perfumes and cosmetics. Twenty-seven plant families were represented; Rhamnaceae had the highest number of uses, followed in order by Fabaceae, Oleaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae. Wild plants play an important role in local communities in the Western Hajar Mountains. However, traditionally important plants, their uses and the associated traditional knowledge are under increasing threat from rapid socioeconomic development and local climate change patterns – reduced rainfall and increasing summer temperatures.
Basananthe berberoides, previously known only from a few collections from Yemen and East Africa, ... more Basananthe berberoides, previously known only from a few collections from Yemen and East Africa, is newly reported from Oman. The new distribution record represents the easternmost known for the genus. A map of the distribution of Basananthe berberoides is presented. Habitat information and population details of Basananthe berberoides in Oman and an assessment of its national conservation status are provided.
Sixty new or updated records of plants species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a resu... more Sixty new or updated records of plants species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a result of fieldwork and research undertaken. Five taxa represent new records for Arabia, twenty-seven taxa are new records for Oman, and twenty-eight records represent an extended distribution within Oman. Some previously doubtful records are confirmed. Brief comments are given on the phytogeography, taxonomy and ecology of the taxa. Most new records have been collected in mountainous areas, either in southern Oman or in northern Oman, mainly in areas that previously were botanically poorly known.
Plants in arid lands with long histories of use by humans may shed light on the past and help dec... more Plants in arid lands with long histories of use by humans may shed light on the past and help decide on management policies, especially with regards agroforestry design and landscape-scale ecological restoration. We focus on five woody species that occur in unexpected sites and habitats in southern Arabia, and the southern Levant (Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon), namely Adansonia digitata L., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC., Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev., Lawsonia inermis L., and Tamarindus indica L.. Little study has been conducted on these taxa in these areas, despite their past and present importance to people in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. Based on herbarium records from 12 major herbaria, field observations, and extensive literature review, we suggest that two of the five taxa are clearly archaeophytes in the Middle East (Adansonia digitata and Lawsonia inermis) introduced as early as 1500e2500 years BP. In contrast, D. sissoo is probably a neophyte, introduce...
Major botanical and scientific references currently identify two species of frankincense, Boswell... more Major botanical and scientific references currently identify two species of frankincense, Boswellia carterii and Boswellia sacra, as being synonymous. We evaluated the Somalian (B. carterii) and Omani/Yemeni (B. sacra) species by chemical analyses to determine if there were any minor or major differences between the two species of frankincense. Components identified with their average percent for B. sacra are α-thujene (0.6%), α-pinene (68.2%), camphene (2.1%), sabinene (2.9%), β-pinene (2.0%), myrcene (0.7%), limonene+β-phellandrene (6.2%). Components identified with their average percent for B. carterii are α-thujene (7.9%), α-pinene (37.3%), camphene (0.8%), sabinene (4.9%), β-pinene (1.8%), myrcene (7.3%), limonene+β-phellandrene (14.4%). Initially, GC-MS analysis did not reveal major statistical differences. However, optical rotation values, B. Sacra (+30.1°) and B. carterii (-13.3°), demonstrated a greater significant difference. Enantiomeric ratio (+)/(-) values of α-pinene for B. sacra and B. carterii are 8.24 and 0.68, respectively, were also calculated aiding our conclusion that B. sacra and B. carterii are not synonymous but rather two distinct and individual frankincense species.
Three new cycloartane triterpenoids, commikuanoids A-C (1-3), together with four known compounds ... more Three new cycloartane triterpenoids, commikuanoids A-C (1-3), together with four known compounds 4-7, were isolated from the resin of Commiphora kua. Their structures were confirmed by advanced NMR techniques such as 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D (HMBC, HSQC, COSY, NOESY and NOE) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Five compounds (1-5) were screened for in vitro carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) inhibitory activity. All the tested compounds demonstrated significant activity against CA II with IC50 values ranging from 4.9-19.6 μM. Moreover, the binding pattern of each compound in the binding site of CA-II was predicted through in silico molecular docking approach. It was observed that compounds 2, 4, and 5 binds with the Zn ion present in the active site of CA II, while compounds 1 and 3 mediated hydrogen bonding with Thr199 of CA-II, and all the compounds showed good binding score (> - 5 kcal/mol).
Populations of Dracaena serrulata are disappearing at an alarming rate in the Arabian Peninsula. ... more Populations of Dracaena serrulata are disappearing at an alarming rate in the Arabian Peninsula. They are being destroyed by herders who use the leaves as fodder for camels, goats, and sheep during the dry season. Up until now, precise information about the current distribution and population status of D. serrulata in Oman have not been published. To fill this gap, the main aim of this work was to map the species distribution in the Dhofar Mountains (Oman) and to define the conservation and health status of the populations. Three isolated sub-populations of the study species were defined and mapped: the Jabal Samhan, Jabal al Qara, and Jabal al Qamar sub-populations. Dracaena serrulata occupies an area of 227 km2 in the Dhofar Mountains. More than 43,000 trees were counted, and 2387 trees were inventoried in total. The Jabal Samhan sub-population is an example of an extensively damaged population with 59% of the trees recorded as dead and only 21% healthy trees. Populationsin the we...
Background and Aims: Southern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of e... more Background and Aims: Southern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of endemic desert-adapted plants. Here we examine evidence for a Pleistocene climate refugium in the southern Central Desert of Oman, and its role in driving biogeographical patterns of endemism. Methods: Distribution data for seven narrow-range endemic plants were collected systematically across 195 quadrats, together with incidental and historic records. Important environmental variables relevant to arid coastal areas, including night time fog and cloud cover were developed for the study area. Environmental niche models were built and tuned for each species and spatial overlap examined. Key Results: A region of the Jiddat Al Arkad reported independent high model suitability for all species. Examination of environmental data across southern Oman indicates that the Jiddat Al Arkad displays a regionally unique climate with higher intra-annual stability, due in part to the influence of the sou...
Abstract The Sultanate of Oman has a rich human history, stretching back millennia, however littl... more Abstract The Sultanate of Oman has a rich human history, stretching back millennia, however little is known about the history of human – plant interactions, particularly within the ancient villages and communities in Oman's northern mountains. An ethnobotanical study to document the most utilized wild plant species in Oman's Western Hajar Mountains (Jabal Shams and Jabal Asarah) and assess the threats facing these species was carried out in 2016. Forty-two wild plant species were recorded. Life forms include, shrubs (25%), trees (22%), large shrubs (15%), grasses (8%), climbing plants (5%) and herbs (5%). Plant uses were divided as follows: medicinal (30%), fuel (14%), fodder (12%), food (9%), honey production (7%), construction (6%), and 4% each for utilitarian, tools, weapons and livestock care. Less than 1% of species were noted for their uses as dyes, perfumes and cosmetics. Twenty-seven plant families were represented; Rhamnaceae had the highest number of uses, followed in order by Fabaceae, Oleaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae. Wild plants play an important role in local communities in the Western Hajar Mountains. However, traditionally important plants, their uses and the associated traditional knowledge are under increasing threat from rapid socioeconomic development and local climate change patterns – reduced rainfall and increasing summer temperatures.
Basananthe berberoides, previously known only from a few collections from Yemen and East Africa, ... more Basananthe berberoides, previously known only from a few collections from Yemen and East Africa, is newly reported from Oman. The new distribution record represents the easternmost known for the genus. A map of the distribution of Basananthe berberoides is presented. Habitat information and population details of Basananthe berberoides in Oman and an assessment of its national conservation status are provided.
Sixty new or updated records of plants species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a resu... more Sixty new or updated records of plants species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a result of fieldwork and research undertaken. Five taxa represent new records for Arabia, twenty-seven taxa are new records for Oman, and twenty-eight records represent an extended distribution within Oman. Some previously doubtful records are confirmed. Brief comments are given on the phytogeography, taxonomy and ecology of the taxa. Most new records have been collected in mountainous areas, either in southern Oman or in northern Oman, mainly in areas that previously were botanically poorly known.
Plants in arid lands with long histories of use by humans may shed light on the past and help dec... more Plants in arid lands with long histories of use by humans may shed light on the past and help decide on management policies, especially with regards agroforestry design and landscape-scale ecological restoration. We focus on five woody species that occur in unexpected sites and habitats in southern Arabia, and the southern Levant (Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon), namely Adansonia digitata L., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC., Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev., Lawsonia inermis L., and Tamarindus indica L.. Little study has been conducted on these taxa in these areas, despite their past and present importance to people in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. Based on herbarium records from 12 major herbaria, field observations, and extensive literature review, we suggest that two of the five taxa are clearly archaeophytes in the Middle East (Adansonia digitata and Lawsonia inermis) introduced as early as 1500e2500 years BP. In contrast, D. sissoo is probably a neophyte, introduce...
Major botanical and scientific references currently identify two species of frankincense, Boswell... more Major botanical and scientific references currently identify two species of frankincense, Boswellia carterii and Boswellia sacra, as being synonymous. We evaluated the Somalian (B. carterii) and Omani/Yemeni (B. sacra) species by chemical analyses to determine if there were any minor or major differences between the two species of frankincense. Components identified with their average percent for B. sacra are α-thujene (0.6%), α-pinene (68.2%), camphene (2.1%), sabinene (2.9%), β-pinene (2.0%), myrcene (0.7%), limonene+β-phellandrene (6.2%). Components identified with their average percent for B. carterii are α-thujene (7.9%), α-pinene (37.3%), camphene (0.8%), sabinene (4.9%), β-pinene (1.8%), myrcene (7.3%), limonene+β-phellandrene (14.4%). Initially, GC-MS analysis did not reveal major statistical differences. However, optical rotation values, B. Sacra (+30.1°) and B. carterii (-13.3°), demonstrated a greater significant difference. Enantiomeric ratio (+)/(-) values of α-pinene for B. sacra and B. carterii are 8.24 and 0.68, respectively, were also calculated aiding our conclusion that B. sacra and B. carterii are not synonymous but rather two distinct and individual frankincense species.
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