Use of ITS2 and psbA-trnH DNA barcode sequences of wild Phytolacca resources in Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province / 药学学报

In order to explore the use of DNA barcode in the identification of wild Phytolacca resources in the Shaanxi Guanzhong area, 29 DNA samples were amplified and sequenced by using the universal primers ITS2 and psbA-trnH. The sequences were spliced and proof-read by Codon CodeA aligner V3.0, followed by blast comparison and identification analysis; mega 6.0 was used to analyze sequence characteristics, Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) was used to analyze distance and intraspecific or interspecific variation, and Neighbor-Joining trees were established to evaluate the ability of two pairs of candidate sequences to distinguish Phytolaccae Radix from its adulterants. The results showed that the success rate of PCR amplification and sequencing of ITS2 and psbA-trnH was 100%; the NJ tree showed that both ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences could separate P. acinosa, P. americana, other species of the same genus like P. japonica, P. exiensis and two adulterant species into a single clade; primer ITS2 had an advantage over psbA-trnH in determining interspecific genetic distances. Therefore, both ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences can be used for identification of Phytolacca and their adulterants, which provides a theoretical basis for the distribution of wild Phytolacca resources and their rational development and utilization.

Triterpenoid saponins from roots of Phytolacca acinosa / 中国中药杂志

A new triterpenoid saponin named esculentoside U(1), along with the five known compounds, was isolated and characterized from the roots of Phytolacca acinosa, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid activities. The structure of the new saponin was elucidated as 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-2, 23-dihydroxyolean-11, 13(18)-diene-28, 29-dioic acid 29-methyl ester(1). The assignment of all NMR signals of 1 was performed by means of 2D-NMR experiments.

Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications of Phytolaccae Radix / 中草药

Phytolaccae Radix, including Phytolacca acinosa and P. Americana, is recorded by Chinese Pharmacopoeia for its important medicinal property. The most characteristic chemical constituents of Phytolaccae Radix are triterpenoid saponins, and there are also flavone, phenolic acid, sterol, and polysaccharides in it. Phytolaccae Radix has various pharmacological activities, such as diuretic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammation, anticancer effects, and so on, and it is usually used to treat hepatitis B, psoriasis, irritability, and so on. In this paper, we summarize the chemical composition, pharmacyological action, and clinical curative effect of Phytolaccae Radix to prompt the development and utilization of them.

Biotransformation of 6β-santonin by Phytolacca acinosa cell suspension cultures / 药学学报

Aim To obtain more valuable derivatives for the further structural modification of 6β-santonin (1) via biotransformation by using cell suspension cultures of Phytolacca acinosa. Methods The substrate 1 was incubated with cell suspension cultures of P.acinosa, the products were obtained by chromatography, and identified on the basis of their physical and spectral data (HRMS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, NOE and IR). Results After incubation with cell suspension cultures of P.acinosa, 1 was converted into five products (2-6). Among them, 3 is a new compound. Conclusion 6β-santonin could be selectively reduced and hydroxylated by the cell suspension cultures of P.acinosa, which would provide valuable intermediates for its further structural modification.