Phylogeny relationship and molecular identification of ten Huperzia species (Huperziaceae) based on matK gene sequences / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the phylogeny relationship and molecular identification of 10 species from Huperzia (Huperziaceae) based on matK gene sequences data.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Total DNA of nine species from Huperzia was extracted; matK gene sequence was amplified by PCR. PCR product was directly sequenced after purification.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The chloroplast matK gene nucleotide sequences from 9 species of Huperzia species were sequenced. The matK gene nucleotide sequences length was 1 589 bp. Analysis with Huperzia lucidula matK gene nucleotide sequences (download from GenBank) and taking Lycopodiella cernua as outgroup, Maximum Parsimony, Neighbor-Joining analyses and genetic distances were conducted using MEGA 3.1 software. 35 variable sites and 35 parsimony informative sites have been found. Pairwise genetic distances among 10 species of Huperzia was 1.59% - 0.25%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results were consistent with the taxonomy in morphological of Huperzia. But H. longipetiolata and H. serrata were resolved into in different clade. There are 19 different sites of matK gene sequences between H. longipetiolata and H. serrata, the genetic distances is 0.121%. It is suggested H. longipetiolata should be as an independent species.</p>

ITS sequence of 9 Bupleurum species and its application in identification of Chaihu (Radix Buplurei) / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study the patterns of rDNA ITS sequence variation of 9 medicinal species of genus Bupleurum in China to find the DNA molecular markers for identification of these crude drugs.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The ITS regions of these species were amplified by PCR and sequenced, and their sequences were analyzed by DNAssist Version 2.2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Homologous alignment indicated that the consanguinity of the ITS sequences between genus Bupleurum and outgroups was lower than 75%, and that within genus Bupleurum was higher than 88%. For the same species, the consanguinity was higher than 99%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ITS sequences may serve as reliable molecular markers for identification of Radix Bupleuri.</p>

Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 sequences of 4 Leonurus species / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the nuclear ribosome DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 4 Leonurus species, and the possibility of using them for molecular authentication of the crude drugs from the genus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The nrDNA ITS sequence (including ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2, and partial 18S rDNA and 26S rDNA) of L. japonicus and its 3 adulterant species were amplified and sequenced, and CLUSTRAL X and MEGA software was employed for analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The variation of ITS1 and ITS2 between L. japonicus and its adulterant species ranged between 7.2% and 18.8% and between 14.2% and 27%, respectively. The phylogenic tree derived from the dendrograms based on the ITS sequence data contained some discrepancy from the traditional classification.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The nrDNA ITS sequences can be used potentially as efficient markers for identification of L. japonicus and its adulterants, and further study is needed for studying the phylogeny of Leonurus.</p>

Antidepressant amides from Piper laetispicum C. DC / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the antidepressant constituents of Piper laetispicum C. DC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The compounds were enriched by column chromatography on silica gel. Structural determination of the pure compounds was based on extensive analyses of modern spectroscopic methods including MS, HR-MS, UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra. The mouse forced swimming test was used for chasing antidepressant activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three amides were isolated and identified as N-isobutyl-(3,4-methylendioxyphenyl)-2E, 4E, 9E-undecatrienoamide (I), N-isobutyl-9-phenyl-2E, 4E-nonadienamide (II) and N-isobutyl-7-phenyl-2E, 4E-heptadienamide (III).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>N-Isobutyl-(3,4-methylendioxyphenyl)-2E, 4E, 9E-undecatrienoamide (I) is a new compound named as laetispicine. N-Isobutyl-9-phenyl-2E, 4E-nonadienamide (II) and N-isobutyl-7-phenyl-2E, 4E-heptadienamide (III) were isolated for the first time as natural substance.</p>

Pharmacological studies on extracts from Piper boehmeriaefolium var. tonkinense / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study sedative, analgesic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts from Piper boehmeriaefolium var. tonkinense.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>EtOAc soluble constituents and EtOH soluble constituents were administered 50, 100 mg x kg(-1) to mice respectively. The sedative effects were determined by autonomic action test. The analgesic effects were observed by the twisting test induced by acetic acid. The antidepressant effects were investigated by the forced swimming test. The anti-inflammatory effects were studied by auricle swelling induced by xylene.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>EtOAc extracts could significantly lower autonomic action times, reduce squirming induced by acetic acid accumulated immobility time in forced swimming and auricle swelling values by xylene. But EtOH extracts could only decrease autonomic action times and accumulated immobility time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The active ingredients with sedation, analgesia, antidepressant and anti-inflammation in P. boehmeriaefolium var. tonkinense exist mainly in the EtOAc extracts.</p>