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Owing to its great medicinal and ornamental values, is frequently adulterated with other species on the market. Unfortunately, the utilization of the common DNA markers ITS, ITS2, and + is unable to distinguish from 5 closely related species of it (, , , and ). Here, we compared 63 plastomes comprising 40 newly sequenced plastomes of the 6 species and 23 previously published plastomes. The plastomes of and its closely related species were shown to have conserved genome structure and gene content. Comparative analyses revealed that small single copy region contained higher variation than large single copy and inverted repeat regions, which was mainly attributed to the loss/retention of genes. Furthermore, the intraspecific sequence variability among different species was shown to be diversified, which necessitates a cautious evaluation of genetic markers specific for different species. By evaluating the maximum likelihood trees inferred from different datasets, we found that the complete plastome sequence dataset had the highest discriminatory power for and its closely related species, indicating that complete plastome sequences can be used to accurately authenticate species.
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Objective To explore the effects of N-butylphthalide on the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5 in blood-brain barrier (BBB) in rats with acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Methods A total of 144 adult healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group, CO poisoning group, and NBP treatment group, with 48 rats in each group. The acute CO poisoning model was reproduced in hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and all model rats were given hyperbaric oxygen therapy once daily. The rats in the normal control group were free to breathe fresh air. The rats in NBP treatment group were administered orally NBP 60 mg/kg twice a day at 2 hours after poisoning until death. The rats in normal control group and CO poisoning group were treated with equal amount of pure olive oil. Four rats were sacrificed from each group at 1, 3, 7, 14 days after model reproducing, respectively. The changes in ultrastructure of BBB were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5 proteins were determined by immunofluorescence staining and Western Blot. The localization of the two target proteins was observed by immunofluorescence double staining. The correlation between the two proteins was analyzed by linear regression. Results The ultrastructure of BBB was normal in normal control group, some ZO-1 and a large number of claudin-5 positive cells were observed. The ultrastructure of BBB was seriously injured, ZO-1 and claudin-5 positive cells in brain tissue were significantly decreased, and the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5 proteins in brain tissue at 1 day after poisoning in CO poisoning group were significantly lower than those of normal control group (ZO-1 protein:3.38±0.30 vs. 24.50±5.62, claudin-5 protein: 11.38±0.93 vs. 46.35±6.88, both P < 0.05), and although gradually restored, they were maintained at relatively lower levels until 14 days as compared with those in normal control group (ZO-1 protein: 10.35±0.80 vs. 24.63±3.57, claudin-5 protein: 32.35±3.11 vs. 46.43±7.20, both P < 0.05). NBP treatment could significantly alleviate the ultrastructure injury of BBB induced by acute CO poisoning, the amount of ZO-1 and claudin-5 positive cells in brain tissue were significantly increased, as well as the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5 proteins were significantly increased, which were significantly higher than those of CO poisoning group from 1 day and 3 days on, respectively (1-day ZO-1 protein: 7.57±0.69 vs. 3.38±0.30, 3-day claudin-5 protein:20.46±1.42 vs. 11.43±0.86, both P < 0.05), and which showed an increase tendency with time prolongation. The results of immunofluorescence double staining showed that ZO-1 and claudin-5 proteins could not only coexist in the same cell, but also could be expressed separately in different cells. Linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation between the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5 proteins in brain tissue of rats with acute CO poisoning (R2= 0.917, P = 0.022). Conclusion NBP could markedly improve the ultrastructure and functional integrity of BBB through up-regulating the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5 proteins, and then reduce brain damage caused by CO poisoning.
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species and their corresponding medicinal slices have been extensively used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in many Asian countries. However, it is extremely difficult to identify species based on their morphological and chemical features. In this study, the plastomes of were used as a model system to investigate the hypothesis that plastomic mutational hotspot regions could provide a useful single nucleotide variants (SNVs) resource for authentication studies. We surveyed the plastomes of 17 species, including the newly sequenced plastome of . A total of 19 SNVs that could be used for the authentication of were detected. On the basis of this comprehensive comparison, we identified the four most informative hotspot regions in the plastome that encompass to , to , to and to . Furthermore, to established a simple and accurate method for the authentication of and its medicinal slices, a total of 127 samples from 20 species including their corresponding medicinal slices (Fengdous) were used in this study. Our results suggest that and its medicinal slices can be rapidly and unequivocally identified using this method that combines real-time PCR with the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS).
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Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of Xingzhi Yinao (XZYN) particles combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction in patients with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP). Methods Sixty-seven patients with DEACMP were admitted to the Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2011 to December 2015, and they were randomly divided into a control group (given conventional treatment such as inhalation of oxygen, cytidine diphosphate cholin and vitamin B, 19 cases), a hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment group (given conventional treatment + hyperbaric oxygen therapy once a day, 24 cases) and a XZYN particles treatment (XZYN group, given conventional treatment, hyperbaric oxygen and XZYN particles, 24 cases), the therapeutic course being 2 months in the three groups. Before and after treatment for 1 and 2 months, the cognitive function and motor function of the patients were evaluated by the use of activity of daily living (ADL) scale, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale; the severity of cerebral white matter injury was assessed by age related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale; and the electromyographic evoked potential was used to detect the amplitude and latency of P300 to assess the severity of cognition impairment and prognosis. Results With the prolongation of therapeutic time, after treatment, the neurological function scores of ADL, MoCA, MMSE and amplitude of P300 were increased, while ARWMC was decreased and the latency of P300 was shortened gradually in the three groups, and the changes of above indexes after treatment for 2 months in XZYN group were more significant than those in either HBO group or control group[ADL score: 70.2±8.3 vs. 60.5±8.1, 23.0±6.1, MoCA score: 26.1±3.1 vs. 22.2±2.7, 18.2±3.6, MMSE score:25.9±4.1 vs. 22.4±3.5, 18.1±4.5, ARWMC score: 7.0±2.1 vs. 8.7±2.2, 15.2±3.3, latency of P300 (ms):332.9±20.4 vs. 352.5±23.6, 381.7±30.3, amplitude of P300 (μV): 6.5±1.6 vs. 5.6±1.3, 4.1±1.5, all P < 0.05]. Conclusion The hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with XZYN particles for treatment of patients with DEACMP can significantly improve their cognitive and motor functions and ameliorate the severity of cerebral white matter injury.
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Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of targeted regulation Nrf2 gene on rats with brain injury caused by acute severe carbon monoxide ( CO ) poisoning. Methods A total of 180 healthy adult SD rats were divided into 4 groups at random:normal control group( NC group) ,CO poisoning group(CO group),lentivirus group(LV group) and Nrf2 gene therapy group(Nrf2 group),and 45 rats in each group. An acute CO toxic rat model was established by inhalation in a hyperbaric oxygen tank. The lentivirus group was directly injected with lentivirus dilution (4×106 TU/μl) into striatum with a microsy-ringe guided by a stereotactic apparatus,and the Nrf2 gene therapy group was administrated the same dose of recombinant Nrf2 gene lentivirus dilution,while rats in the normal control group and the CO poisoning group were received the same amount of normal saline. Five rats were taken and decapitated at day 1,day 7 and week 2 from each group,respectively. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of neurons in brain tis-sue was detected by JC-1 method,and the expressions of Nrf2 and GCLC proteins were observed by immuno-histochemistry and Western Blot. Results Compared with the NC group (cortex:(75. 3±6. 8);hippocam-pus:(76. 4±7. 1);striatum:(73. 8±7. 3)) at the same time point,the MMPs of neurons in CO group (cor-tex:(34. 5±6. 7);hippocampus:(30. 3±5. 6);striatum:(41. 5±6. 1) and LV group (cortex:(36. 8±6. 2);hippocampus:(30. 8±6. 0);striatum:(42. 7±6. 3)) were significantly decreased,and the difference was sig-nificant(P<0. 05). However,there was no significant difference between the CO poisoning group and the lentivirus group (P>0. 05). A small amount of Nrf2 protein (0. 22±0. 05) and GCLC protein (0. 24±0. 04) were expressed in the brain tissue of normal control rats. The expressions of Nrf2 protein (0. 31±0. 06,0. 31 ±0. 05) and GCLC protein (0. 30±0. 04,0. 31±0. 07) in CO group and LV group were slightly increased (P<0. 05). Similarly,there was no significant difference between the CO poisoning group and the lentivirus group (P>0. 05). The MMPs value of nerve cells in the Nrf2 group (cortex:(53. 3±5. 3);hippocampus:(56. 9±6. 1);striatum:(60. 6±6. 0)) also decreased,but it was significantly higher than that in the CO group and the LV group at the same time point (P<0. 05) . The expression of Nrf2 in brain tissue was signifi-cantly increased (0. 59±0. 05),and there was significant difference between CO group and LV group at the same time point (P<0. 05);GCLC protein increased slightly (0. 37±0. 06),but there was no statistical difference compared with CO poisoning group and lentivirus group (P>0. 05). Conclusion CO poisoning could induce oxidative stress and damage mitochondrial function of nerve cells. The active state of targeted regulation Nrf2 could significantly enhance the antioxidant capacity of rats and positively protect rats against brain injury induced by acute severe CO poisoning.
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Objective To investigate the effect of Xing-Zhi-Yi-Nao (XZYN) particles on the expressions of Nogo and OMgp proteins in brain of rats after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.Methods A total of 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group,CO poisoning group and XZYN particles treatment group (40 rats in each group).The rats in CO poisoning group and treatment group of acute CO poisoning were established by using an animal chamber,and then received hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Meanwhile,rats in treatment group were further given additional XZYN particles twice a day by gavage.At 1 day,1 week,1 month and 2 months after CO poisoning,the neurobehavioral score of rats was evaluated by a Morris water maze test and a shuttle box test,and the expressions of neurite outgrowth inhibitor (Nogo) and oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) were investigated in rat brain tissue by immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting assay,respectively.Results Compared with those in normal control group((11.6±8.4)s,(41.8±4.4)%,(16.1±2.3)s,and (1.2±0.2)s),the escape latency in CO group was significantly prolonged ((14.1±6.1)s),and the T1/ T total was obviously decreased (23.6±2.4) %,the escape time ((26.3±3.8)s),the active escape latency ((2.3±0.3)s) were notably extended at 1 d (P1 week) in Xing-Zhi-Yi-Nao treatment group (P0.05).Conclusion The expression of Nogo and Omgp proteins may be associated with brain injury and demyelination in rats induced by CO poisoning.XZYN particles can down-regulate the expression of Nogo,and pave a way for the treatment of acute brain damage and delayed encephalopathy after CO poisoning.
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Objective To investigate the effects of N-butylphthalide (NBP) on cognitive function in acute severe carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning rats and its mechanism. Methods 120 health Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 40): normal control group (NC group), CO poisoning group (CO group) and NBP treatment group (NBP group). The acute severe CO poisoning model was established in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber by intoxicated with 1 000 ×10-6CO for 40 minutes, followed with 3 000 ×10-6CO for another 20 minutes, and then received hyperbaric oxygen therapy 1.5 hours once a day until sacrificed. Rats in NBP group were administered orally NBP 60 mg/kg for 2 times daily until death. NC group and CO group were treated with equal amount of pure olive oil. Four rats in each group were taken from 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 days after model setup, respectively. The cognitive function score was assessed by Morris water maze test. The changes in ultrastructure of hippocampus were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expressions of calpain 1 and Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(CaMK Ⅱ) in hippocampus of brain tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining, and the localization of the two target proteins in neurons was observed by immunofluorescence double staining. Results Compared with NC group, the escape latency at 1 day after poisoning in CO group was significantly prolonged (s: 55.6±3.2 vs. 44.5±3.5, P < 0.05), and the times of the platform crossing was significantly decreased (times: 1.3±0.8 vs. 6.6±1.2, P < 0.05);the ultrastructure of hippocampus was obviously injured; the protein expressions of calpain 1 and CaMK Ⅱ in brain tissue were significantly increased at 1 day after CO poisoning [calpain 1 (A value): 41.24±5.21 vs. 6.44±1.13, CaMK Ⅱ (A value): 56.19±5.04 vs. 9.84±1.53, both P < 0.05], and the protein expression of calpain 1 reached the peak at 3 days (A value: 59.34±6.11), the protein expression of CaMK Ⅱ reached the peak at 1 day (A value:56.19±5.04). Compared with CO group, the cognitive function was significantly improved in NBP group in the late stage of poisoning [7-30 days, escape latency (s): 40.3±1.9 vs. 49.1±3.1 at 7 days, 30.1±2.9 vs. 39.4±3.1 at 30 days;times of the platform crossing (times): 2.8±1.0 vs. 1.0±0.9 at 14 days, 3.2±0.8 vs. 1.0±0.9 at 30 days, all P < 0.05];the degree of injury of hippocampal neuron was relatively slight; the protein expression of calpain 1 in brain tissue was significantly decreased from 3 days after CO poisoning (A value: 39.63±3.03 vs. 59.34±6.11, P < 0.05), and the protein expression of CaMK Ⅱ was significantly decreased from 1 day after CO poisoning (A value: 42.22±3.84 vs. 56.19±5.04, P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence double staining suggested that calpain 1 and CaMK Ⅱ protein could not only coexist in the same cell, but also could be expressed separately in different cells. Linear regression analysis showed that the expression of calpain 1 and CaMK Ⅱ was positively correlated (R 2= 0.852, P = 0.002). Conclusions NBP treatment could maintain ultrastructure integrity of hippocampus, balance the expression levels of calpain 1 and CaMK Ⅱproteins, and significantly improve cognitive impairment induced by CO poisoning, thus play a protective role against hippocampus damage in rats with acute severe CO poisoning.
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Bletilla striata has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for several centuries. In recent years, the quality and quantity of wild B. striata plants have declined sharply due to habitat deterioration and human over-exploitation. Therefore, it is of great urgency to evaluate and protect B. striata wild plant resource. In this study, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were applied to assess the level and pattern of genetic diversity in twelve populations of B. striata. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity (PPB = 90.48%, H = 0.349 4, I = 0.509 6) and moderate genetic differentiation among populations (G(st) = 0.260 9). Based on the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA), twelve populations gathered in three clusters. The cluster 1 included four populations. There are Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Xuancheng and Hangzhou. The seven populations which come from Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Jiangxi Province and Guizhou Province belonged to the cluster 2. The cluster 3 only contained Wenshan population. Moreover, Mantel test revealed significant positive correlation between genetic distances and geographic distances (r = 0.632 9; P < 0.000 1). According to the results, we proposed a series of conservation consideration for B. striata.
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In this study, 17 kinds of Dendrobium species of Fengdous including 39 individuals were collected from 4 provinces. Mitochondrial gene sequences co I, nad 5, nad 1-intron 2 and chloroplast gene sequences rbcL, matK amd psbA-trnH were amplified from these materials, as well as nrDNA ITS. Furthermore, suitable sequences for identification of Dendrobium species of Fengdous were screened by K-2-P and P-distance. The results showed that during the mentioned 7 sequences, nrDNA ITS, nad 1-intron 2 and psbA-trnH which had a high degree of variability could be used to identify Dendrobium species of Fengdous. However, single fragment could not be used to distinguish D. moniliforme and D. huoshanense. Moreover, compared to other combined fragments, new type combined fragments nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2 was more effective in identifying the original plants of Dendrobium species and could be used to identify D. huoshanense and D. moniliforme. Besides, according to the UPGMA tree constructed with nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2, 3 inspected Dendrobium plants were identified as D. huoshanense, D. moniliforme and D. officinale, respectively. This study identified Dendrobium species of Fengdous by combined fragments nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2 for the first time, which provided a more effective basis for identification of Dendrobium species. And this study will be helpful for regulating the market of Fengdous.
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This study aimed to examine whether ophiopogonin D (OP-D) is capable of protecting cardiomyocytes against DOX-induced injury and the mechanisms involved. H9c2 cells were cultured. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability and toxicity. Mito-tracker as fluorescence probe was used to measure ROS content raised from mitochondria. The mRNA and protein expression of ATF6alpha, GRP78 and CHOP were analyzed using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that a significant endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was induced upon exposure of H9c2 cells to DOX as indicated by the increase in the expression of ERS related proteins, which was paralleled with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease in the viability of H9c2 cells. Whereas, DOX-induced ROS accumulation and up-regulation of ERS related proteins were partially abolished by pretreatment with OP-D. Consequently, a DOX-induced ERS was mitigated by application of OP-D. Similarly, DOX-induced decrease in cell viability was partially attenuated by either inhibiting CHOP or pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant. Moreover, cardiac ultrastructural abnormalities seen in mouse receiving DOX injections were obviously ameliorated by pretreatment of OP-D. Taken together, the present study proved that OP-D protects cardiomyocytes against DOX-induced injury, at least in part, through reducing ROS accumulation and alleviating ERS.
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To identify adulterants from medicinal plants of Bletilla H. G. Reichenbach, the suitable candidate DNA barcoding of Bletilla was evaluated. In this study, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA, the LFY homologous gene intron 2 and chloroplast ycfl gene were amplified and sequenced from forty-one samples. The intra-specific and inter-specific divergences of Bletilla were calculated, and the identification efficiency was assessed using Barcoding Gap, NJ tree by K2P distance and BLAST1 method. The result showed the intra-specific divergence of nrDNA ITS and ycJfl (0.022-0.106 and 0.017-0.106) were obviously higher than the inter-specific divergence (0-0.012 and 0-0.015), and four species of Bletilla were also accurately distinguished in NJ trees. Whereas, there was no Barcoding Gap on LFY homologous gene intron 2, thus it cannot effectively identify species of Bletilla. Using NJ tree of nrDNA ITS and ycfl gene, powdery medicine and the adulterants of Bletilla were successfully unidentified. In conclusion, nrDNA ITS and ycfl can be used as a potential DNA barcoding to identify the medicinal plants in Bletilla and its adulterants. There were only three basic differences on nrDNA ITS between "Jujing baiji" and Bletilla striata of Lu'an in Anhui province, and two basic differences in ycfl. Based on morphological and molecular data, "Jujing baiji" could be recognized as the species of Bletilla striata.
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The LEAFY (LFY) homologous gene of Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. was cloned by new primers which were designed based on the conservative region of known sequences of orchid LEAFY gene. Partial LFY homologous gene was cloned by common PCR, then we got the complete LFY homologous gene Den LFY by Tail-PCR. The complete sequence of DenLFY gene was 3 575 bp which contained three exons and two introns. Using BLAST method, comparison analysis among the exon of LFY homologous gene indicted that the DenLFY gene had high identity with orchids LFY homologous, including the related fragment of PhalLFY (84%) in Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar, LFY homologous gene in Oncidium (90%) and in other orchid (over 80%). Using MP analysis, Dendrobium is found to be the sister to Oncidium and Phalaenopsis. Homologous analysis demonstrated that the C-terminal amino acids were highly conserved. When the exons and introns were separately considered, exons and the sequence of amino acid were good markers for the function research of DenLFY gene. The second intron can be used in authentication research of Dendrobium based on the length polymorphism between Dendrobium moniliforme and Dendrobium officinale.
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Random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) markers were used to access the genetic diversity among 112 samples of nine populations of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo. Using 16 informative primers, 123 bands were amplified and 86 (69.92%) were polymorphic. The polymorphic bands from three to eight could be detected for each RAMP primer, with a mean of 5, indicating abundant genetic diversity among populations. Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.250 to 0.813. UPGMA dendrogram illustrated 9 populations clustered into 3 groups, and the cluster pattern showed correlation with the locations of the D. officinale populations. These results were supported by the previous conclusions that were achieved by other molecular markers, and RAMP is proved to be effective for evaluating the genetic diversity of wild populations of Dendrobium officinale.
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Simple sequence repeat (SSR) was used to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of Dendrobium officinale. A total of 15 primer pairs with stable and repeatable polymorphism were screened out from 60 SSR primer pairs developed by the method of microsatellite enrichment by magnetic beads. Forty-eight samples of Dendrobium officinale were analyzed in genetic polymorphism. These loci were polymorphic and displayed 3 to 9 alleles per locus with a mean number of 6.1. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.60 to 0.85 and from 0.49 to 0.85 respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) of each SSR locus varied from 0.437 to 0.829 with an average of 0.702. Fifteen primer pairs were used in Dendrobium cross-species amplification and totally 13 primer pairs were proved to have the transferability in D. officinale related species. In addition, 500 tissue culture plantlets of D. officinale were tested for purity identification by means of PCR amplification with four SSR primer pairs. The results showed that SSR technique is a feasible, simple and inexpensive method for determining adulterants in germplasm identification.
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Object To analyze the rDNA ITS sequences between wi ld plants and cultivars of Trapa L. and study the utility in p hylogenesis and identification of these two groups. Methods The ITS gene fragments were PCR amplified and sequenced. The rDNA ITS regions w ere analyzed by means of the software of Clustal and Mega 2.0. Result s The rDNA sequences of 234-236 bp ITS1, 220-221 bp ITS2 gene fragment , and 5.8 S rDNA for 164 bp evenly were obtained from ten populations of Trapa L. The intraspecific substitution varies from 0.22% to 2. 94%. The variable sites are 16 while informative sites are six. The phylogenet ic tree based on ITS data was set up by NJ method. Conclusion ITS sequence is a pretty good molecular marker which can identify wild plants of Trapa L. from their cultivars. Diversity of ITS in differen t populations is less at intraspecific level. It is infered that the plants of Trapa L. may be derived from the same population of one species .