ABSTRACT
Sinocalycanthus chinensis, an endangered species endemic to China, is cultivated as an ornamental landscape tree in China. However, S. chinensis, Chimonanthus species and Calycanthus floridus are difficult to be distinguished in seedling market because of their similar morphological characters. In this study, ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) were applied to detect S. chinensis from its closely related species. A unique 748-bp band was found in all accessions of S. chinensis. SCAR (sequence characterized amplified regions) markers were created by cloning and sequencing the specific band, and designing a pair of primers to amplify the band of 748 bp. Diagnostic PCRs were performed using the primer pair with the total DNAs of S. chinensis, Chimonanthus species and C. floridus as templates, with only S. chinensis being able to be amplified. This amplification is not only rapid (results can be obtained in less than 3 h), but is also easy to perform. Hence it is a feasible method for identifying S. chinensis in seedling market.
Subject(s)
Calycanthaceae , Genetics , DNA, Plant , Genetics , Genetic Markers , Genetics , Plant Leaves , Genetics , Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the toxic effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on cultured rat Sertoli cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The viability of Sertoli cells was detected and morphological examination was performed, followed by flow cytometric assay to evaluate the toxic effect of PCP on rat Sertoli cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MTT assay showed that PCP induced a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in Sertoli cell viability. Flow cytometric assay revealed that the number of dead Sertoli cells grew along with increased exposure to PCP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PCP, with obvious cytotoxic effects, can cause necrosis of Sertoli cells in vitro.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Cell Survival , Cells, Cultured , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Pentachlorophenol , Toxicity , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Sertoli Cells , PhysiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To assess the antioxidative properties and the mechanism of action of dihydromyricetin (DMY) from Ampelopsis grossedentata.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antioxidative properties of DMY were measured by scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO4-edetic acid in linoleic acid. The mechanism of antioxidative properties of DMY was tested by measuring the chelating activities of DMY for Fe2+ with ultraviolet spectrum (UV) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The specific absorption of DPPH radical solution at 517 nm was reduced 73.3%-91.5% when DMY was added into the reaction solution in the concentration range from 0.01% to 0.04%. DMY was shown to greatly inhibit the increase of lipid peroxidation (LPO) values in linolei acid system catalyzed by FeSO4-edetic acid. The reaction rates (A532.min-1) of lipid peroxidation were 0.0021-0.0004 in the concentration range from 0.01% to 0.04% and the inhibition activities of DMY was found to be in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism of antioxidative properties of DMY was chelating Fe2+ in the Fe(2+)-dependent lipid peroxidation system.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DMY showed great antioxidative effect and would be a good natural antioxidant.</p>