Sequence analysis and identification of a chloroplast matK gene in Rhei Rhizoma from different botanical origins / 药学学报

Rhei Rhizoma is a Chinese medicine with multiple botanical origins. There is a problem to identify it with conventional methods. To compare the characteristics of chloroplast matK gene sequences of different Rheum species and authenticate inspected species, the matK gene sequences of different species from different origins were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Genomic DNA of Rheum plants was extracted using modified DNA extracted Kit and matK gene sequences were analyzed by ContingExpress, DNAman and MEGA5.0. The length of matK gene sequences of Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. officinale were 1 518 bp containing 57 variable loci. According to the mutation sites, R. palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. officinale were divided into different genotypes separately. Based on the established method according to the loci 587, 707, 838, we successfully identified the genuine Rheum species from its adulterants.

Study on effect of different processing methods on seven main chemical components of wild and cultivated Paeonia lactiflora / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on the effect of different processing methods on the contents of seven major constituents in wild and cultivated Paeonia lactiflora, gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, pentagalloylglucose, benzoic acid and paeonol, in order to provide reference basis for different efficacy and formation mechanism of Paeonia Radix Rubra and Paeonia Radix Alba.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Wild and cultivated P. lactiflora were dealt with by four processing methods, direct drying, drying after boiling, drying after decorticating and boiling, and drying after boiling and decorticating. HPLC was use to simultaneously determine the contents of seven chemical constituents.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Wild P. lactiflora showed notable higher content of paeoniflorin and catechin than cultivated P. lactiflora, whereas cultivated P. lactiflora showed higher content of albiflorin than wild P. lactiflora. Both of them were less affected by process methods in above three constituents. Drying after boiling, drying after decorticating and boiling, and drying after boiling and decorticating methods reduced the content of benzoic acid and paeonol to trace in both wild and cultivated P. lactiflora. Clustering analysis results showed that all processing methods assembled wild and cultivated P. lactiflora in 2 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The content differences of Paeonia Radix Rubra and Paeonia Radix Alba are mainly caused by their own differences and less affected by processing methods.</p>

Comparative study of plant morphological characteristics and photosynthetic physiological characteristics of wild and cultivated Paeonia lactiflora / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to compare the plant morphological characteristics and photosynthetic physiological characteristics of Paeonia Radix Rubra and Paeonia Radix Alba, and find evidence of whether there are intraspecific variations of Paeonia lactiflora.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>With wild and cultivated P. lactiflora of the roots as asexual reproduction materials for cultivation experiment, morphological index, photosynthetic parameters and photosynthetic pigment content were measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In the 9 of morphological characteristics between wild and cultivated P. lactiflora, the number of leaf, blade length, the width of leaf and the length of top leaf showed a significant difference. The variances within wild P. lactiflora group were big than those within cultivated P. lactiflora in 8 of morphological characteristics. In photosynthetic physiological characteristics, wild P. lactiflora were significantly higher than cultivated P. lactiflora in Max. net photosynthetic rate (P(max)), light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point(LSP), CO2 saturation point (CSP) and CO2 saturated P(n) (P(m)). And significantly lower than cultivated P. lactiflora in maximum net photosynthetic rate (P(max)), light compensation point (LCP), light in apparent quantum yield (AQY), CO2 compensation point (CCP), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and photosynthetic pigment content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Wild and cultivated P. lactiflora have significant difference in morphological characteristics of leaf and photosynthetic physiological characteristics.</p>

Analysis of broad-sense heritability and genetic correlation of production and content of glycyrrhizin of annual Glycyrrhiza uralensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate the broad-sense heritability of the production of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and the content of glycyrrhizin as well as the genetic relationship of various growth indexes and biomass indexes, and provide the scientific basis for establishment of high quality licorice cultivate technology system.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The randomized method was used to assign the provenance trial, the content of glycyrrhizin was determined by HPLC, and the method of classic genetics was applied to estimate the broad-sense heritability and genetic correlation coefficient.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>The content of glycyrrhizin is influenced by the growth environment and gene, but the growth environment is the dominant factor. The estimated result of single sites about broad-sense heritability (h2) showed that the production of G. uralensis (W(u)) and the content of glycyrrhizin was controlled by gene which the broad-sense heritability was 0.663 2, 0.751 1 respectively, they had some potential on genetic modification. The results of genetic analysis correlation showed that the plant height and the stem diameter was positive (P < 0.01) correlated significantly with the production (W(u)) either on phenotype or on genetic, it suggests that the plant height and the stem diameter could be the index above ground to assessment the production of the G. uralensis. The content of glycyrrhizin had a positive correlation with the number of lateral root (P < 0.05), but it had a negative correlation with the plant height, stem diameter, diameter of root top (D(r)), the total biomass (W(t)) and the biomass underground (W(u)) on inheritance. It is suggested that it was difficult to achieve both high content and high yield simultaneously in the genetic improvement, so we should have a deeply thought about the specific improvement target when making the reformed scheme.</p>

Preliminary study in glycyrrhizin content and its influencing factors of wild and cultivated in different region of China / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to understand the glycyrrhizin content range in the wild and cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis in China and to find the related influencing factors of glycyrrhizin content.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The glycyrrhizin content of 165 wild and 1 013 cultivated G. uralensis samples from 37 countries in 9 provinces was determined by HPLC, and the effects of the producing region, medicinal parts, cultivation years, soil type and texture on the glycyrrhizin content were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>The average glycyrrhizin content was (4.43 +/- 1.32)% in the wild G. uralensis population, and (1.51 +/- 0.49)% in the cultivated and the glycyrrhizin content in the cultivated was less than the minimum sandards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The glycyrrhizin content was significant different in the wild and cultivated G. uralensis in different producing regions, respectively. The glycyrrhizin content in roots and rhizome of the wild G. uralensis had no significant difference, it had no significant difference in the cultivated G. uralensis from 1 to 4 years and it increased rapidly after 5 years, and the effects of the soil types and texture on it were significant.</p>

Comparative and correlational studies on contents of flavonoids in axial root and lateral root of Scutellaria baicalensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the contents of flavonoids in axial root and lateral root of Scutellaria baicalensis, and study their correlation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The contents of 5 major flavonoids, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A, were determined in axial root and lateral root of S. baicalensis by HPLC. The correlation and regression analysis between the contents of flavonoids in the lateral root and whole root was carried out.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The contents of baicalin and wogonoside showed no significant difference among upper part and lower part of the axial root, lateral root and whole part of the root. The contents of baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A showed a significant difference between upper part and lower part of the axial root. There was only the content of wogonin existing significant difference between lateral root and whole part of the root. The results of the correlation and regression analysis indicated that the contents of flavonoids in the lateral root and whole root were significant positively correlated, the coefficient of determination for all components were quite higher, except for wogonin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The contents of flavonoids are uniformly distributed in axial and lateral root of S. baicalensis. The contents of flavonoids in lateral root could be used to estimate the content of the whole root. The result could be useful for breeding and preserving excellent germplasm at the system breed process for S. baicalensis.</p>

Simultanenous determination of contents of four nitrogenous compounds in Pinellia peda-tisecta by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a HPLC method for the quantitative determination of four nitrogenous compounds in Pinellia peda-tisecta.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The determination was carried out on Diamonsil-C18 column(4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile-water-triethylamine in gradient elution acetonitrile-water- triethylamine. The mobile phase was a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and detection wavelength as 254 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The linear ranges of trigonelline, thymine, amidopurine and hypoxanthine were 0.2 - 1.0 microg (r = 0.999 6), 2.6-13 microg (r = 0.999 8), 0.55-2.75 microg (r = 0.999 9), 0.65-3.25 microg (r = 0.999 8), respectively. The average recoveries of trigonelline, thymine, amidopurine and hypoxanthine were 100.6%, 99.89%,100.5% and 100.0% respectively, and the RSD of the above four compounds were 2.4%, 0.20%, 1.1%, 1.4%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method is reliable, accurate and specific. It can be used for quality control of the tube of P. peda-tisecta.</p>

Investigation on medicinal plant resources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in China and chemical assessment of its underground part / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to find out the current situation of wild and cultivated resources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, at the same time, the contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were detected by HPLC.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Field investigation was carried out, and chemical composition of collected underground part was analyzed in laboratory.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The natural distribution range of wild G. uralensis in China has no significant change. We can still find its distribution in the distribution areas recorded ten years ago, but the intensity of species group has greatly changed. Estimated according to the survey data obtained by quadrat reserves and distribution (i.e., reserves per unit area) or cultivation area, that the current wild reserves is less than 500,000 tons and the less than 150,000 tons for cultivated. The analysis results of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents in 99 wild samples of collected underground part show that the average contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were respectively 34.8, 17.3 mg x g(-1), of which 61.6% samples can reach the standard (not less than 20, 10 mg x g(-1)) marked by "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" (2005 edition); The average glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents of cultivated samples were respectively 28.5, 15.3 mg x g(-1), which were much lower than the wild samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We should enhance efforts in protecting the wild resources, strive to improve the quality of cultivated herbs, vigorously develop high-quality G. uralensis cultivation industries and promote farmers income to resolve the resource crisis, which is the reasonable way to achieve continuable use of G. uralensis resources.</p>

Enhance technique researches on Glycyrrhiza industries, promote three-dimensional rural economic development in three-north areas / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the current situation about Glycyrrhiza resources, summarize the research achievements on Glycyrrhiza relative industries, and indentify the importance of developing Glycyrrhiza industries to promote the three-dimensional rural economic development in the Three-North areas.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Literatures and documents were referred to, in combination with overview and analysis of the outcomes and achievements of our group.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>The gap between supply and demand of resources is enlarged continuously. To develop high-quality Glycyrrhiza cultivation is the most powerful and effective measure to protect wild resources and the environment and promote the three-dimensional rural economic development in the Three-North areas.</p>

Review of pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza radix and its bioactive compounds / 中国中药杂志

Glycyrrhiza Radix is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine, derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, G. glabra and G. inflata. The main bioactive constituents of licorice are triterpene saponins and flavonoids. There are various types of pharmacological properties of licorice are proved, including antiulcer, antiinflammation, spasmolysis, antioxidative, contravariance, antiviral, anticancer activities, hepatoprotective, eliminating phlegm and reinforcing remembrance effects. Triterpene saponins are the main components of Glycyrrhiza Radix and its pharmacological activities are comparatively thorough and clear. In recent years, licorice flavonoids, proved to have a variety of pharmacological activities, become one of the hot of pharmacological studies. In this review, we summarized the latest five-year progress in pharmacological activities of licorice extract, its triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids, and experimental researches indicated that licorice had both accommodation and protection activity on the digestive system, respiratory system, nervous system, and endocrine system, etc.

Geographical variation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seed germination character on water stress / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We studied the licorice provenance rule under the manual simulative water stress conditions, discussed geographical variation pattern and the ecology mechanism and laid the theoretical basis for the licorice seed regionalization and the seed allocation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>On the spot we investigated and collected seed materials. Setting up water potential gradient by PEG, we observed the seed germination characteristic through the experiment of indoor germination.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The sensitivity of various provenance seed germinative energy show quite remarkable difference for water potential reducing. Along with geographic longitude increasing, the seed germinates variation sensitivity increasing gradually to the water stress. The results of climatic factors' correlation analysis indicated that provenance seed germinate energy to the water stress is sensitive, in which the annual average temperature is low and annual precipitation is abundant. But it is insensitive in which the annual precipitation is little, the annual average temperature, average temperature in July and the annual average ground temperature is high.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under the water stress condition the licorice provenance seed germination characteristic exists remarkable geographical variation. Geographical variation is the result of natural selection.</p>

Identification of differentially expressed genes in different anomalies of Glycyrrhiza uralensis by cDNA-AFLP method / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the molecular mechanism in genetic variation within species, and identify the differentially expressed genes among 8 anomalies of Glycyrrhiza uralensis under the same genetic background and cultivated environment.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The differentially expressed genes in roots of different anomalies of G. uralensis in vigorous growing stage were identified by cDNA-AFLP and confirmed by reverse-Northern hybridization. Their functions were inferred through bioinformatics method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen differentially expressed genes were identified, among which, the function of 6 were unknown, and the rest were involved in antibacterium, regulating metabolism, enhancing the heat resistance ability, increasing the nitrogen fixation ability, and other bioprocesses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For the first time, the differentially expressed genes were cloned from the different anomalies of G. uralensis. This provided the basis for the screening of fine anomalies and varieties, and the research of functional genomics.</p>

Influence of drought stress on imbibition germination of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seed / 中草药

Object To study the influence of drought stress on imbibition germination of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seed and the drought resistance of its seedling. Methods To measure the imbibition rate, germination rate, seedling growth, relative tissue moisture content, relative electrical conductivity, SOD enzyme activity under drought stress simulated by PEG-6000. Results The imbibition rate, germination rate, SOD enzyme activity, and seedling growth present rising tendency then following by the decrease, while the relative tissue moisture content and the relative electrical conductivity tend to decrease. Conclusion The appropriate drought stress increases both the G. uralensis seed germination rate and the seedling drought resistance.