ABSTRACT
Many species of genus Bupleurum L. have been pharmaceutically used mainly in Asia and Europe for thousand years. Their roots are the most popular ingredients in Chinese materia medica prescriptions for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases. A plenty of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from the species in Bupleurum L., such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, volatile oils, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, lignins, and coumarins, most of which possess a variety of biological activities, especially for the hepatoprotective effect, antitumor activity, immunoregulation, and febrifuge efficacy. Therefore, the species in genus Bupleurum L. could be potential herbs of immunomodulator, antineoplastic, anti-oxidant, etc. Meanwhile, as potential toxicities have been discovered in some constituents, it is urgent to establish a comprehensive quality evaluation system to ensure the safety and efficiency of herbs. This paper reviews on the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, especially for the toxicology and quality control of the species in Bupleurum L., which is a reference for the species in this genus for safe usage and further development. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the deterioration mechanism of Bupleurum chinense seeds from Qingchuan county, thus to study the seeds harvesting and storage characteristics, and to reveal the deterioration mechanism. Methods: Artificial aging method is used to study the seeds deterioration and to observe the changes of nutrient substance, anti-oxidase activities, and conductivity of seeds. Results: While the seeds deteriorated, their activities of anti-oxidase (POD, SOD, and CAT) decreased, and the content of soluble sugar and soluble protein reduced also as the aging time prolonged. After 3 d treatment, SOD, POD, and CAT activities decreased to a low level. Moreover, the conductivity of seeds leachate decreased. The germination ability of B. chinense seeds lost after 1 d aging treatment. Conclusion: The seeds deterioration mechanisms include the heavy oxidative injury, over consumption of nutrients, and membrane damage. The seeds long-time storage is inappropriate and the seeds storage should avoid from high temperature and humid environment.
ABSTRACT
In order to investigate the comprehensive quality differences of the seeds harvested in different growing time, and offer theoretical guide for the optimization of seeds' production technology, we analyzed the apparent size, 1 000-grain weight, water absorbency, germination indexes, postharvest embryo rate change, relatively contents of coumarins and the yield of single plant of its seeds of different harvesting time, and compared their comprehensive quality by Topsis analysis. The results showed that there existed obvious differences in yield and quality between seeds of 3 harvesting times. While the harvesting time postponed, the yield of single plant raised, and the shrunken seeds rate decreased, the quality of seedlings increased, while the contents of coumarins showed a steady increase, and the germination rate decreased. The comprehensive quality of the seeds harvested in the black ripe time rank the first place, followed by the brown ripe time and the yellow ripe time. As the harvesting time delays, the seeds' comprehensive quality increases, therefore, we could put off the seeds' harvesting time properly for the high efficient seed production.