Sarcomelicope glauca

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Sarcomelicope glauca
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Sarcomelicope
Species:
S. glauca
Binomial name
Sarcomelicope glauca
T.G.Hartley

Sarcomelicope glauca is a species of plant in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia, mainly on the Isle of Pines at the southern tip of New Caledonia. As with other Sarcomelicope species, S. glauca is widely regarded for its unique alkaloids.

Contents

Description

S. glauca grows as shrubs on ultramafic substrate up to 200 metres (660 ft) above sea level. Sarcomelicope species in general can be regarded as having leaves opposite or whorled, with inflorescences patterned as axillary, paniculate or apparently racemose, with its flowers being functionally unisexual. The fruits are a drupe, consisting of 4 completely fused or basally fused carpels, with its seeds being dull to shiny, and colored dark brown to black. [2]

It is only known primarily from one locality on the Isle of Pines (Ile des Pins), with its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both equal to 4 square kilometres (990 acres). [3] S. glauca is the only Sarcomelicope in the isle, as originally described in 1982. [4] In general, S. glauca grows in wet tropical biomes. [5]

Biochemical profile

S. glauca, together with other Sarcomelicope species, is widely researched for its novel alkaloids. In 1986, a new furoquilonine alkaloid was extracted from S. glauca, 7-hydroxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-methoxyfuro[2,3b]quinoline, together with two acridone alkaloids, from its leaves and bark, respectively, together with other various alkaloids, with acronine being its main secondary metabolite in the bark. [6] Other notable alkaloids extracted include dictamnine, evolitrine, haplopine, kokusaginine, and skimmianine. [7] The alkaloids were later on discovered having a moderate antimalarial property against Plasmodium falciparum. [8]

References

  1. Amice, R.; Barrabé, L.; Barrière, R.; Bruy, D.; Cazé, H.; Lannuzel, G. (2019). "Sarcomelicope glauca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T35306A155011854. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T35306A155011854.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Richards, P.G. "Genus Sarcomelicope". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. "Sarcomelicope glauca T.G.Hartley". Endemia.nc.
  4. Hartley, T. G. (1982). "A revision of the genus Sarcomelicope (Rutaceae)". Australian Journal of Botany. 30 (3): 359-372.
  5. "Sarcomelicope glauca T.G.Hartley". Plants of the World Online.
  6. Mitaku, Sofia; Skaltsounis, Alexios-Leandros; Tillequin, François; Koch, Michel; Pusset, Jacques; Chauvière, Gérard (1986). "Plantes de Nouvelle-Calédonie, CVI. Alcaloïdes de Sarcomelicope glauca". Journal of Natural Products (in French). 49 (6): 1091-1095.
  7. Grundon, M. F. (1988). "Quinoline, quinazoline, and acridone alkaloids". Natural Product Reports (3): 293–307.
  8. "In vitro activities of furoquinoline and acridone alkaloids against Plasmodium falciparum". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 38 (5): 1169–1171. 1994.