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To promote the rational development and utilization of Epimedium sagittatum, and to propose the utilization strategies and future research suggestions. The distribution was illuminated based on the examination of herbarium specimens and our field investigation. At the same time, the quality characteristics of different harvest time, different parts and different producing areas were summarized according to the literature review and our previous researches. In terms of the distribution, E. sagittatum is a widely distributed species in Epimedium. However, there were many errors in the identification of herbarium specimens. At least 13 taxa were wrongly identified as E. sagittatum. The distribution of E. sagittatum was not as extensive as previously recorded in the literature. Although the distribution of E. sagittatum has been recorded in 12 provinces and in Chongqing Municipality, it was mainly distributed in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei provinces, and the resources in each region were not abundant. In terms of quality characteristics, there were great differences in both composition and contents of the active components among different germplasm. Some of the germplasm in Hunan, Hubei and Sichuan provinces were excellent. However, the stability and homogeneity were not ideal. Therefore, the utilization of E. sagittatum should depend on the quality characteristics. It was found that there were great differences among populations and which were closely related to the genetic basis. The effect of physiological ecology on quality and its mechanism, as well as the molecular mechanism of quality formation should be paid more attention in the future.
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Objective To evaluate the metabolism, anti-osteoporosis efficacy and toxicity of Epimedium sagittatum based on zebrafish M-Act/Tox integration method. Methods The safety of E. sagittatum (crude drug 200, 500, 1 000, 1 500, and 2 000 μg/mL) was evaluated with 1-6 dpf zebrafish, the morphology of fish organs was observed and the number of deaths was counted and the half death concentration of zebrafish (LC50) was calculated; The 5 dpf zebrafish were exposed to E. sagittatum (crude drug 250 μg/mL ) for 24 h, six representative flavonoids, including epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, sagittatoside C, and baohuoside I, were analyzed; The zebrafish osteoporosis model was induced with 25 μmol/L prednisolone, microscopic detection and digital imaging of zebrafish larvae of each group cultured to 8 dpf were performed using alizarin red, and the bone staining area was quantitatively analyzed by image software to evaluate the anti-osteoporosis activity of E. sagittatum. Results E. sagittatum caused zebrafish poisoning at crude drug 500 μg/mL and above concentration (organs deformation or death), and toxicity was related to drug concentration and exposing time; After the action of zebrafish, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, and icariin were almost completely transformed, and sagittatoside C and baohuoside I were the main metabolites; E. sagittatum had significant anti-prednisolone-induced bone loss in zebrafish at a certain concentration (crude drug 6.25, 12.5, and 25 μg/mL). Conclusion The metabolism, anti-osteoporosis efficacy and toxicity of E. sagittatum are evaluated using zebrafish. The zebrafish M-Act/Tox integration method integrates the advantages of zebrafish metabolism, osteoporosis model and toxicity evaluation method, and realizes the effect/toxicity evaluation based on in vivo process, providing new ideas and method for screening anti-osteoporosis Chinese medicine.
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Objective: In order to evaluate the quality of Epimedium sagittatum and to provide the references for screening germplasm as well as for the utilization of resources. The concentration variations of main flavonoids, epimedins A-C, and icariin among 15 representative populations of E. sagittatum and one population of E. sagittatum var. glabratum were assessed by HPLC. Methods: The chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax SB-C8 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-1.44% acetic acid aqueous solution in gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the detection wavelength was 272 nm, and the column temperature was 25 ℃. Results: Remarkable variations within and among the populations were observed in epimedin A (1.00 - 16.64 mg/g), epimedin B (1.00 - 17.21 mg/g), epimedin C (1.00 - 76.21 mg/g), and icariin (1.00 - 46.19 mg/g). As far as the content of icariin concerned, only five populations (HBHF, HBLT, HNLS, HNZJ, and JXWN) had acceptable quality recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, four populations were lower than the standard, and seven populations were even lower than the detectability. Conclusion: The present study suggests that E. sagittatum should not be recorded in Chiese Pharmacopoeia indiscriminately, but the populations of HNZJ, HBLT, HBHF, and HNLS are outstanding and excellent, which were the best candidates for germplasm selection. Meanwhile, their habitat can also provide the reference for cultivation.
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Epimedium sagittatum and its related species are the most controversially defined in Epimedium taxonomy, and are referred as E. sagittatum species complex. So far 11 taxa are included in the complex, but the taxonomical status of most species/varieties is probably open to question. New species based on a single of solely on vegetative characters are of frequent occurrence. Species based on plasticity of phenotype variation should not be regarded as "good species". Based on the investigation in the herbaria, literature, and fields, we found that the morphological variations between some taxa were continuous. Thus E. sagittatum var. guizhouense and E. pudingense were treated as a synonym of E. sagittatum and E. sagittatum var. glabratum, respectively. Six taxa, namely E. coactum, E. coactum var. longtouhum, E. myrianthum var. jianheense, E. multiflorum, E. lobophyllum, and E. jingzhouense were integrated into E. myrianthum. Therefore, the taxonomic problems of E. sagittatum species complex now are back to the relationship between E. myrianthum and E. sagittatum. In morphology, E. myrianthum closely resembles E. sagittatum with only obvious difference in the form of inflorescence, and might be easily confused. Furthermore, in terms of several key taxonomic characters, there was overlapping question between the two taxa, and further research on taxonomy based on more extensive field investigation were needed. A correct species concept stems from a correct and thorough understanding of the nature of variation pattern of plants and its taxonomical value. In general, lack of scientific field investigation and morphological observation, inadequate study on variation range, variation pattern, taxonomical value, and narrow species concept are the reasons for the taxonomical difficulty to deal with.