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Objective:To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of ophiopogonin D on lung injury induced by radiation in mice.Methods:A total of 60 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, irradiation group, irradiation+ ophiopogonin D group and irradiation+ dexamethasone group, with 15 mice in each group. The mice were irradiated with a single dose of 6 MV X-rays of 15 Gy. Three days before irradiation, the mice in irradiation+ ophiopogonin D group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg ophiopogonin D solution. The mice in irradiation+ dexamethasone group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg dexamethasone solution. The mice in control group and irradiation group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline once a day until 1 week after irradiation. Tissue samples were collected at 3 d, 1 week, and 6 weeks post-irradiation. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson′s trichrome staining were used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue. The expressions of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), p53, p53 up-regulated apoptosis factor (PUMA), cysteine aspartate proteolytic enzyme-3 (caspase-3), Collagen Ⅰ and Collagen Ⅲ were observed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to verify the expressions of apoptosis related proteins including p53, PUMA and caspase-3.Results:HE staining of lung tissue showed that ophiopogonin D could reduce hemorrhage, exudation, edema and inflammatory infiltration in lung tissue 1 week post irradiation. Moreover, ophiopogonin D reduced the expression of 8-OHdG ( t=8.39, P < 0.05), the oxidative stress, and the expressions of p53, PUMA, caspase-3 apoptosis-related proteins ( t=12.60, 5.92, 7.00, P < 0.05), and inhibited the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells and alleviated other damage in the irradiated lung tissue 1 week post-irradiation. Ophiopogonin D also reduced collagen deposition in lung tissue 6 weeks after irradiation, and reduced the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) ( t=9.32, 8.97, 6.83, P < 0.05) and interleukin-6 ( t=8.22, 7.80, 8.28, P < 0.05) in the blood of mice at 3 d, 1 week, and 6 weeks after irradiation. At 6 weeks after exposure, ophiopogonin D reduced the production of Collagen Ⅰ and Collagen Ⅲ in the lung interstitium ( t=6.41, 7.50, P < 0.05), and alleviated the pulmonary fibrosis in the late stage of radiation. Conclusions:Ophiopogonin D has protective effects on lung injury caused by radiation, including the alleviation of early radiation pneumonia and late pulmonary fibrosis, by reducing oxidative stress, the expression of inflammation-related factors, apoptosis of lung tissue, and collagen production.
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Objective:To study the protective effect of Ophiopogonin D on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophage RAW264.7 and its related mechanism.Methods:Mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into normal control group, model group and Ophiopogonin D pretreatment group according to random number table method. The activity of Ophiopogonin D on RAW264.7 cells was detected by CCK-8 method; the protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), MDA and SOD were detected by ELISA; the protein expression of NF-κB, TLR4, NF-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected by Western Blot.Results:Compared with model group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, ROS and MDA in cell supernatant of Ophiopogonin D group were decreased ( P<0.05), and the level of SOD was increased ( P<0.05). The protein expressions of NF-κB (0.76±0.10 vs. 2.26±0.17) and TLR4 (0.98±0.09 vs. 1.74±0.19) significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The protein expressions of Nrf2 (0.85±0.03 vs. 0.54±0.03) and HO-1 (0.97±0.11 vs. 0.37±0.04) significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Ophiopogonin D may reduce inflammatory response by reducing TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and activate Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to reduce oxidative damage and play a protective role.
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To explore the effect of ophiopogonin D on main fatty acid metabolic enzymes in human cardiomyocyte AC-16,so as to provide reference for cardiovascular protection mechanism and safe clinical application of Ophiopogon japonicus.CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8) was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of ophiopogonin D on the viability of cardiomyocytes.Meanwhile,the effect of different concentrations of ophiopogonin D on the morphology and quantity of cardiomyocytes was observed under microscope.The effect of ophiopogonin D on the mRNA expression of CYP2J2,CYP4F3,CYP4A11,CYP4A22 and CYP4F2 in cardiomyocytes was detected by RT-PCR.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of CYP4F3 in different concentrations of ophiopogonin D.Compared with the control group,low-concentration ophiopogonin D had no effect on the viability of cardiomyocytes.However,ophiopogonin D with a concentration of higher than 20μmol·L~(-1)could promote the viability.Under the microscope,ophiopogonin D with a concentration of below 100μmol·L~(-1)had no significant effect on the morphology and number of cardiomyocytes.RT-PCR results showed that compared with the control group,5μmol·L~(-1)ophiopogonin D could slightly up-regulate mRNA expressions of CYP2J2 and CYP4F3,while high-concentration ophiopogonin D (10 and 20μmol·L~(-1)) could significantly induce mRNA expressions of CYP2J2and CYP4F3 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05).The same concentration of ophiopogonin D had a little effect on the mRNA expressions of CYP4A11,CYP4A22 and CYP4F2.Western blot results showed that 20μmol·L~(-1)ophiopogonin D could significantly induce the protein expression of CYP4F3 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05).Based on the above results,ophiopogonin D (less than100μmol·L~(-1)) has no effect on the viability of AC-16 cardiomyocytes.Ophiopogonin D (less than 100μmol·L~(-1)) can selectively induce the expressions of CYP2J2 and CYP4F3,regulate the metabolic pathway of fatty acid signaling molecules,and thus protecting the cardiovascular system.
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Humans , Fatty Acids , Myocytes, Cardiac , Saponins/pharmacology , Spirostans/pharmacologyABSTRACT
This study investigated the intervention effect and possible mechanism of ophiopogonin D (OPD) in protecting cardiomyocytes against ophiopogonin D' (OPD')-induced injury, and provided relevant experimental data for the clinical use of Ophiopogon japonicas. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate the effect of OPD and OPD' on H9c2 cell viability. The content of reaction oxygen species (ROS) in cells were detected by flow cytometry. The contents of Fe2+ in cells were detected by FerroOrange's fluorescence imaging. The content of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected by kits. The expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), cationic amino acid transporter 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) was detected by Western blot. Results showed that OPD' (1 μmol·L-1) significantly induced the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins, the contents of Fe2+, ROS, and GSH-Px were increased, and the content of GSH were decreased. In addition, different concentrations of OPD (0.5, 1, and 2 μmol·L-1) could partially reverse the myocardial cell injury caused by OPD', and the best effect was obtained when the dose range was 1-2 μmol·L-1. The experimental results show that OPD can interfere with the ferroptosis caused by OPD', and then have a protective effect on H9c2 cells.
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Objective: To investigate the effect of ophiopogonin D (OP-D) on blood lipids and intestinal flora in ApoE-/- mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: A total of 24 male ApoE-/- mice, aged six weeks old, were randomly divided into control group, model group, OP-D group [0.5 mg/(kg∙d)] and simvastatin group [5 mg/(kg∙d)]. Another six male C57BL/6 mice were in blank group. After 12 weeks of HFD, the drugs were given by intragastric administration for 12 weeks. After the end of administration, fresh feces of mice were collected to detect intestinal flora. Serum of mice was separated to detect blood lipid. Liver section staining was prepared to observe the damage. Results: OP-D could reduce the weight gain of mice caused by HFD, inhibit the increase of total cholesterol and triglyceride, improve hepatic steatosis, and regulate intestinal flora imbalance. Conclusion: OP-D may regulate blood lipids and hepatic steatosis by improving intestinal flora imbalance induced by HFD in ApoE-/- mice.
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OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effect and mechanism of ophiopogonin D (OP-D) on oxidative stress injury of H9c2 cells induced by H2O2. METHODS An oxidative damage model of H9c2 cells was established by H2O2 induction. The cells were divided into control group (cultured in serum-free medium for 28 h), H2O2 injury model group (treated with H2O2400μmol·L-1 for 3 h), OP-D 5, 10 and 20 μmol · L-1 pretreatment groups (treated with H2O2400 μmol · L-1 for 3 h after OP-D pretreat?ment for 24 h), and an inhibitor of CYP2J3, 6-(2-proparglyloxyphenyl) hexanoic acid (PPOH) group (OP-D 20μmol·L-1+PPOH 10μmol·L-1, PPOH was added to the cells 1 h before OP-D treatment). Cell activity was measured by MTT method, levels of dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-DHET and 14,15-DHET respectively) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by assay kits. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of CYP2J3, Akt phos?phorylation (p-Akt) protein and endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation (p-eNOS) protein in cells, and the possible mechanism by which OP-D reduces oxidative stress was further verified with PPOH. RESULTS H2O2400μmol · L-1 significantly inhibited H9c2 cell viability (P<0.01), and OP-D signifi?cantly increased the cell survival rate after H2O2 injury (P<0.01). Different concentrations of OP-D increased the level of 11,12- DHET and 14,15-DHET (P<0.05, P<0.01). OP-D increased the level of NO in cells after H2O2-induced injury (P<0.05, P<0.01), enhanced the activity of SOD (P<0.05), and decreased the level of MDA and LDH (P<0.05, P<0.01). OP-D significantly reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis after H2O2 injury (P<0.05, P<0.01). OP-D pretreatment increased the protein and mRNA expression of CYP2J3 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt-eNOS pathway after H2O2 injury (P<0.05, P<0.01). After PPOH was given in advance, the protective effect of OP-D was inhibited (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION OP-D can reduce H2O2-induced H9c2 cell damage, which may be related to the activation of PI3K pathway and the phosphorylation of its downstream factors Akt and eNOS by inducing CYP2J3 expression and increasing the contents of 11,12-DHET and 14,15-DHET.
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This study is aimed to investigate the intervention effect and possible mechanism of ophiopogonin D( OPD) in protecting cardiomyocytes against ophiopogonin D'( OPD')-induced injury,and provide reference for further research on toxicity difference of saponins from ophiopogonins. CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of OPD and OPD' on cell viability. The effect of OPD on OPD'-induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Morphologies of endoplasmic reticulum were observed by endoplasmic reticulum fluorescent probe. PERK,ATF-4,Bip and CHOP mRNA levels were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction( PCR) analysis. ATF-4,phosphorylated PERK and e IF2α protein levels were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS:: showed that treatment with OPD'( 6 μmol·L-1) significantly increased the rate of apoptosis; expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress related genes were increased. The morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum was changed. In addition,different concentrations of OPD could partially reverse the myocardial cell injury caused by OPD'. The experimental results showed that OPD'-induced myocardial toxicity may be associated with the endoplasmic reticulum stress,and OPD may modulate the expression of CYP2 J3 to relieve the endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by OPD'.
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Humans , Apoptosis , Cardiotonic Agents , Pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress , Myocytes, Cardiac , Saponins , Pharmacology , Spirostans , PharmacologyABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of ophiopogonin D (OP-D) on Ang Ⅱ-induced HUVECs apoptosis, in order to provide a reliable basis for the safety and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines. The effect of Ang Ⅱ on survival and total proteins content of HUVECs were measured by MTT and Western blotting. The effect of OP-D on Ang Ⅱ-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release rate in HUVECs was measured by enzyme standard instrument. The effects of OP-D and 11,12-EET on phosphorylation of JNK/c-Jun induced by Ang Ⅱ were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR with the help of JNK specific inhibitor SP600125 and CYP450 isozymes selective inhibitor 6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl) hexanoic acid (PPOH). The cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry. According to the results, different doses of Ang Ⅱ had no significant effect on cell survival; treatment with Ang Ⅱ at 1×10⁻⁶ mol·L⁻¹ could increase the release of LDH (<0.001). The phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun could be inhibited by the pre-treatment with SP600125, 11,12-EET and OP-D. Pre-treatment with OP-D could significantly reduce the release of LDH induced by Ang Ⅱ stimulation, decrease the expression of caspase-3, and diminish the apoptosis of cells. The protective effect of OP-D was suppressed, when being pretreated with PPOH. The experimental results showed that the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by Ang Ⅱ may be associated with JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway. OP-D-mediated CYP2J2 expression increased 11,12-EET levels, and could remarkably resist Ang Ⅱ-induced injury and apoptosis of cells, which is associated with the maintenance of endothelium homeostasis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Angiotensin II , Apoptosis , Arachidonic Acids , Metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System , Metabolism , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells , Cell Biology , Phosphorylation , Saponins , Pharmacology , Signal Transduction , Spirostans , PharmacologyABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the change features of Ophiopogonis Radix in the development process, and to find the accumulation rules of effective components in Ophiopogonis Radix. Methods: The method of chlorfluazuron formulation was analyzed by HPLC. DAD detector, column temperature was set at 30 ℃ and detection wavelength was 203 nm; Flow rate was set at 0.8 mL/min and sample size was 15 μL and the mobile phase was acetonitrile (A)-water (B) with gradient elution mode (0~20 min, 25% A →40% A; 20~50 min, 40%~50% A; 50~60 min, 50%~70% A; 60~70 min, 70% A; 70~80 min, 70%~100% A, 80~90 min, 100% A), at the volume flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. ELSD detector, column temperature was set at 35 ℃, drift tube temperature at 100 ℃ and the gas flow rate was set at 3.0 L/min. The sample size was 15 μL and the mobile phase was acetonitrile (A)-0.1% phosphoric acid water (B) with gradient elution mode: 0~60 min, 35%~65% A, at the volume flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Results: The main components in the chromatogram were both separated well under the two conditions. At 203 nm, there were 14 effective peaks, the main components were flavones whose representative was methylophiopogonanone A. There were 11 effective peaks in the condition of ELSD, and the main peak represent saponins whose representative was Ophiopogonin D. It could be judged that the accumulation law of the each component in Ophiopogonis Radix was inconsistent in the different growth phase according to the peaks area. The overall change tendency of the components is increase to peak value and keep balance and to a slight decrease after the balance. Conclusion: The accumulation rules of effective components in Ophiopogonis Radix could be reflected comprehensively by HPLC specific chromatogram.It could provide abundant information for the produce of Ophiopogonis Radix and quality control.
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OBJECTIVE To study the cardiotoxicity of ophiopogonin D′(OPD′) for rat H9c2 cardio? myocytes. METHODS H9c2 cells were exposed to OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 μmol·L-1 for 24 h. Cell viability was examined by MTS assay, and the morphological changes in H9c2 cells were quanti? fied. The cell nucleus injury was examined by high content immune fluorescence screening and the morphological changes were observed under a fluorescence microscope. After treatment with OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 μmol·L- 1 for 24 h, the effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial mem? brane potential(MMP) and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The viability was sig? nificantly reduced following exposure to OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 μmol·L- 1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The IC50 value was 9.9 μmol ·L- 1 and cell shrinkage and apoptosis occurred. The levels of ROS and apoptosis rate of H9c2 cells were significantly increased after exposure to OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 for 24 h (P<0.05,P<0.01) and MMP markedly declined (P<0.05,P<0.01). CONCLUSION OPD′ has significent cytotoxicity on H9c2 cells. It may be related to inducing apopotsis pathways.
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Objective: Using chemical component content determination and fingerprint analysis to evaluate the effects of different drying methods on quality of Ophiopogonis Radix. Methods: The contents of total saponin, total flavonoids, and total polysaccharide were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and ophiopogonin D and methylophiopogonanone A were determined using HPLC; the chromatograms fingerprint was established by HPLC. Results: The influence of different drying methods on the chemical components in Ophiopogonis Radixa was significantly different, and the coefficient of variation fell in the range of 6.9%-20.8%. Among them, the damage degree of dried in the shade, dried in the sun, freeze drying and dried after semi-died in the sun is small on chemical component of Ophiopogon japonicus. However, the far infrared drying and microwave drying have the most serious effect; Ophiopogonis Radix samples have 18 characteristic peaks through HPLC. The 14 kinds of drying methods were divided into three types by cluster analysis, and a class of drying methods has similar drying conditions. Conclusion: The difference of drying method can be effectively reflected by the change of the content of chemical compositions and the feature of HPLC spectrum, which can be used as indicators of O. japonicus origin screening method. In the producing area, it is best to combine drying in the sun with in air source heat pump dryer in processing of Ophiopogonis Radix.
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Aim To study whether Ophiopogonin D has an effect inhibitory on myocardial hypertrophy induced by AngiotensinⅡand its possible mechanism. Methods Rat myocardial cell line H9 c2 were cultured in vitro. The effect of Ophiopogonin D on cell vitality was tested by;H9 c2 cells were treated with AngⅡ 1μmol ·L-1 after 24h to induce the cardiac hypertrophy,then it was co-treated with different concentrations of Ophio-pogonin D were added for 24h. After above,the total protein content was detected by BCA method;Quantita-tive real-time PCR ( qRT-PCR ) technique was used to examine the expression of marker genes BNP and β-MHC mRNA ,which representing the function of hear-ing; Western blot was used method to detect the ex-pression of autophagy protein LC3 B and high-through-put screening technology was emptoyed to verify it. In addi-tion, the changes of mitochondrial membrane po-tential in H9c2 myocardial cell were also examined. Results The cell viability results showed that H9 c-2 cells exposed to different concentrations of AngⅡ had no significant effect on vitality compared with the con-trol group after 24 h,but high concentrations of Ophio-pogonin D ( 50 ~100μmol · L-1 ) could obviously in-hibit the cell activity. Ot-her experimental results showed that myocardial cells treated with AngⅡ for 24h could cause myocardial hypertrophy,which appar-ently displayed the growth level of specific hypertrophic gene mRNA expression and the marked increase of the total protein expression. As hypertrophy was activated by AngⅡ, cells autophagy would be significantly en-hanced at the same time, more-over, the mitochondrial membrane potential would be reduced. But the effects of Ophiopogonin D could significantly reverse those pathological changes. Conclusion All above experi-mental results indicate that Ophiopogonin D can in-hibitmyocardial hypertrophy induced by AngⅡand pos-sibly plays a critical role in cardiovascular protection.
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Objective: To develop a UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneously determining harpagide, liquiritin, harpagoside, platycodin D, ammonium glycyrrhetate, ophiopogonin D, methylophiopogonanone A, and methylophiopogonanone B in Xuanmai Ganjie Granules (composed with Scrophulariae Radix, Ophiopogonis Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Platycodonis Radix) from different pharmaceutical companies. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved on Phenomenex Kenetix C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) by using a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid water at the flow rate of 0.3 mL/min for gradient elution. Simultaneous monitoring of positive and negative ions and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan mode were applied to the quantification of the components in Xuanmai Ganjie Granules; Sample volume was 5 μL. Results: There was good linearity between the absorption peak area and the concentration for harpagide, liquiritin, harpagoside, platycodin D, ammonium glycyrrhetate, ophiopogonin D, methylophiopogonanone A, and methylophiopogonanone B in the ranges of 9-2250, 8-2000, 3.4-850, 96-24000, 12.4-3100, 3.6-1900, 1.7-425, and 1.5-375 ng/mL, respectively. The average recoveries were ranged from 97.2% to 102.8% (RSD ≤ 2.7%). The contents of harpagide, liquiritin, harpagoside, platycodin D, ammonium glycyrrhetate, ophiopogonin D, methylophiopogonanone A, and methylophiopogonanone B in eight batches of samples were in the ranges of 32.8-107.6, 54.8-178.0, 14.6-70.7, 31.2-280.0, 106.4-287.9, 0.1-0.6, 0.01-0.07, and 0.03-0.17 μg/g, respectively. Conclusion: The developed method is simple, effective, and credible for determining the eight components in Xuanmai Ganjie Granules. It provides more helpful information for the comprehensive quality evaluation of Xuanmai Ganjie Granules.
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Objective: To develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneously analyzing seven components (ginsenosides Rg1, ginsenosides Re, ginsenosides Rb1, ophiopogonin D, ophiopogonin D', methylophiopogonanone A, and methylophiopogonanone B) in Shenmai Injection. Methods: Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan mode was used for the quantification of five saponins and two flavones. The seven constituents were separated within 15 min on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.03% acetic acid water solution with gradient elution. Results: The linear relationships between the concentration and peak areas of the seven target components were ginsenoside Rg1 Y=15.6 X + 1.63 × 104, ginsenoside Re Y=14 X + 5.36 × 103, ginsenoside Rb1 Y=2.46 X + 4.74 × 103, ophiopogonin D Y=11 X + 9.73 × 103, ophiopogonin D' Y=5.56 X + 1.64 × 103, methylophiopogonanone A Y=3.58 × 103 X + 2.33 × 104, and methylophiopogonanone B Y=4.87 × 103 X + 2.72 × 104, respectively. The precisions, repeatabilities, and stabilities of the method were good for the seven components. The average recovery ranged from 95.3%-104.3%, and the precision in terms of RSD was less than 2.4%. Conclusion: The method is rapid and reliable for the determination of the seven constituents in Shenmai Injection. Among these constituents, ophiopogonin D, ophiopogonin D', methylophiopogonanone A, and methylophiopogonanone B are quantified in the Shenmai Injection for the first time.
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Objective: To study the yield of the fibrous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus in Sichuan province and to compare the microscopic characteristics and the content of total ophiopogonins between the root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus. Methods: The ratio for root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus was compared by statistics; The microscopic characteristics of epidermal cell, cortex, stele arrangement, and pith were observed by microscope and photomicrography system; The total saponins in the extract from the root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus were determined by UV, and the content of ophiopogonin D in the extract from the root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus was determined by HPLC-ELSD. Results: The average ratio of fibrous root weight and root tuber weight was 0.68, and there were some differenes in the epidermal cell shape, stele arrangement, and proportion of the cortex between the fibrous roots and root tubers of O. japonicus. The average contents of total saponins in the root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus were 1.204% and 2.847%, and the contents of ophiopogonin D were 0.034% and 0.041% in the root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus. Conclusion: The resource of fibrous roots of O. japonicus is rich, which has the histological differences in the epidermal cell shape, stele arrangement, and proportion of the cortex between the fibrous roots and root tubers of O. japonicus. There is no significant difference in powder between the root tuber and fibrous root; The the content of total saponin in the fibrous roots is obviously higher than that in the root tubers while the content of ophiopogonin D between the root tubers and fibrous roots of O. japonicus is similar.