ABSTRACT
Curcumol, as an important component of Curcuma Rhizoma, has anti-virus, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and other pharmacological activities, which has attracted more and more attentions in anti-tumor research area. The progress on the natural source, anti-tumor mechanism, structural modification, and anti-tumor evaluation of curcumol are reviewed in this paper, which will provide a novel strategy for its further structural optimization.
ABSTRACT
Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (CLR) is a commonly used drug in clinic, it is widely used as an important drug of activating blood and Qi in ancient prescription. But the records of the original plant of CLR are not consistent in modern literature: Wenyujin Concisa Rhizoma (WCR) was recorded as the main plants of CLR originally, and then it was excluded. The historical evolution of WCR used as medicine and the similarities and differences among WCR, CLR, and Curcuma Rhizoma (CR) in efficacy were tracked down through the records in ancient and modern literatures. It showed that from the materia medica in Tang and Song Dynasty, WCR was recorded as one of the original plants of CLR which was continually used until the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. In modern literature, WCR was also firstly recorded as one of the original plants of CLR. The longitudinal section of WCR was different from CR in efficacy, but identical with CLR exactly. So that, the means of classifying WCR as a part of the original plant of CLR not only conform to the ancient and modern literatures, but also in accordance with the rules of drug efficacy and the actual clinical application. So this method is beneficial to clinical application of ancient prescriptions.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the genetic diversity and genetic relationship in different cultivars of Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) and identified with molecular marker technique. Methods: Forty-two samples in four cultivars of CR germplasm resources were studied with RAPD-PCR marker. The genetic similar coefficient and genetic distance were analyzed by POPGEN32 software and clustered by UPGMA method. Results: Ten primers were selected from 90 random primers, a total of 83 loci were scored, among which 64 were polymorphic loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci was 77.5%. Genetic distance changed from 0.22 to 0.58. The dendrogram of different CR cultivars was clear. Conclusion: The abundant diversity of CR from different populations exists with significant genetic differentiation, which is the key for screening the germplasm resources of CR and the basis for breeding and biotechnological development of CR.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of Curcuma Rhizoma before and after being processed with vinegar on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 composited factors and to discuss their mechanism. Methods: Rat models of hepatic fibrosis were established by sc injection of 40% CCl4 olive solution and ig administration with alcohol and high fat food for seven weeks. The rats were randomly divided into control, model, colchicin (0.2 mg/kg, positive), raw Curcuma Rhizoma (RCR, 0.95 and 1.90 g/kg), and Curcuma Rhizoma after being processed with vinegar (CRV, 0.95 and 1.90 g/kg) groups. The rats in each group were administered with the corresponding drugs once daily for eight weeks. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBiL), hyaluronic acid (HA), and laminin (LN) in serum, liver index, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver tissue were determined. Liver pathology and fibrosis were observed by HE staining and Masson staining. Results: Compared with the control group, there were classic liver cirrhosis pathological changes in model groups, and the levels of serum ALT, AST, TBiL, HA, and LN and the contents of Hyp and MDA were significantly increased. The activity of SOD was significantly decreased. In comparison with the model group, both RCR and CRV could improve the liver function parameters in different degrees. But the effect of CRV was superior to that of RCR, and the high-dose group of CRV had obvious advantages. Conclusion: CRV shows the better prevention and treatment on hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 composited factor in rats.