The study of the biological activities of Ziziphora clinopodioides

Abstract The aim of the current study was to determine the chemical constituents of essential oil and to study the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oil and the extracts obtained from the raw material of Ziziphora wild growing in the floras of Armenia and Artsakh cultivated in the hydroponic conditions. The essential oils were obtained by the method of hydro-distillation. The determination of the essential oil constituents were performed by the GC-MS method. Agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antimicrobial activity of essential oils. The antioxidant activity determination was carried out DPPH test by the spectrophotometric method, at the same time IC50 was determined. The highest values of the essential oils yield (1.25 ± 0.01%) and IC50 13.83±0.218(x10-5)g/l) were received for the plant cultivated in hydroponic conditions. For the first time in the above studied samples, by the method of GC-MS more than 70 components were revealed. The results of the study showed that essential oils of Ziziphora exhibit antimicrobial activity and the extracts revealed relatively expressed antioxidant activity. The study results show the future prospects of the use of Ziziphora not only as the source of flavonoids and essential oils, but also antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.

Protective effect of polysaccharides isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. polysaccharides (PCCL) on 5-fluorouracil-(5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis (IM) in mice. Methods: PCCL was orally administered at a dose of 20 mg·kg­1 for 7 days and its protective effect on 5-FU-induced IM (5-FU, 50 mg·kg­1 for 5 days) was evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight, degree of diarrhea, levels of tissue inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1ß levels), apoptosis rates, and the expression levels of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. Results: The severity of mucosal injury (as reflected by body weight changes, degree of diarrhea, height of villi, and damage to crypts) was significantly attenuated by PCCL administration. PCCL also reduced the levels of tissue inflammatory factors, the apoptosis rate, and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax, and increased Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions: PCCL administration may be significantly protective against 5-FU-induced IM by inhibiting apoptosis and regulating the abnormal inflammation associated with it.

Xintahua water extract improves the disease indexes of atherosclerosis model rats / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the effect of water extract of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam (WEZ) on improving atherosclerosis model rats. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly selected and 50 rats of them were randomly selected for atherosclerosis model with high-fat emulsion and vitamin D3, and then randomly divided into atherosclerosis (AS) model group, low, medium, high WEZ group and the positive control group. After 8 weeks of drug intervention, the plasma of each group of rats was collected to detect total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) level. The correlation between plasma TMAO and TNF-α and IL-6 levels in AS rats was detected. The aortic tissue-embedded sections of rats in each group were taken out to compare the aortic plaque area/aortic lumen area (PA/LA) ratio. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the serum TC and TG levels of the AS model group increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the AS model group, the serum TC and TG levels of the middle and high dose WEZ group and the positive control group were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the AS model group increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the AS model group, the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels of the high-dose WEZ group and the positive control group were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the plasma TMAO level of rats in the AS model group increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the AS model group, the plasma TMAO levels of rats in the high-dose WEZ group and the positive control group decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The analysis of the correlation between TMAO level and TNF-α/IL-6 level showed that TMAO level was positively correlated with TNF-α level (P=0.001, r=0.673), and positively correlated with IL-6 level (P=0.002, r= 0.646). Compared with the blank control group, the PA/LA ratio of the AS model group increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the AS model group, the PA/LA ratio of rats in the medium and high dose WEZ group and the positive control group decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: WEZ may regulate TMAO levels, down-regulate TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and reduces TC and TG levels, thereby improving AS, but its mechanism still needs further study.

Does the residual effect of n-fertilization applied on corn phase maintain forage production of the following pasture phase in an integrated crop-livestock system? / O efeito residual da adubação nitrogenada aplicada na fase de milho mantém a produção de forragem da fase pastagem em sucessão em um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária?

Nutrient cycling represents an important nutrient source in the Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems (ICLS). In general, only the crop phase of the ICLS is fertilized, however little is known about this residual effect of nitrogen fertilization from summer crop to succeeding winter pasture. This research aimed to evaluate the forage growth dynamic and botanical composition of a mixed pasture of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) affected by two canopy height managements (high and low) and nitrogen fertilization applied to either the summer crop (corn) or winter pasture phase of an ICLS. The experiment was established in 2012 in southern Brazil. Black oat and ryegrass were growing during winter season and corn (Zea mays L.) during summer season, being this paper related to the 2014 pasture period. Treatments were composed by two canopy heights (25 and 10 cm) and two N-Fertilization Times (N-Pasture or N-Corn) of 200 kg of N ha-1. Canopy height was regulated by beef steers grazing through continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate. Forage mass was lower in the 10 cm canopy height on average, however this forage mass was composed by greater proportion of ryegrass leaves and lower proportion of dead material in relation to the treatment with 25 cm canopy height. The N-fertilization applied directly on pasture phase (N-Pasture) increased forage mass, tiller population density, participation of ryegrass and ryegrass leaf proportion in the forage mass. Furthermore, when pasture was fertilized with N, the forage accumulation rate increased about 69%, highlighting that the corn N-fertilization did not present significant effect on forage productivity. The residual effect of corn N-fertilization was not enough to maintain high forage accumulation. Thus, the pasture N-fertilization is fundamental to keep high-productive crop-livestock system. (AU)

A ciclagem de nutrientes representa uma importante fonte de nutrientes em sistemas de Integração Lavoura-Pecuária (ILP). Em geral, apenas a fase de lavoura é fertilizada, entretanto pouco se sabe sobre esse efeito residual da adubação nitrogenada realizada na lavoura de verão para as pastagens de inverno em sucessão. Esse trabalho objetivou avaliar a dinâmica de acúmulo de forragem e a composição botânica de uma pastagem mista de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) manejada com duas alturas do pasto (alta e baixa) e com adubação nitrogenada realizada na cultura de grãos (milho) ou na fase pastagem de um sistema ILP. O experimento foi estabelecido em 2012 no sul do Brasil. Aveia preta e azevém eram cultivados durante o inverno e milho para grãos (Zea mays L.) era cultivado durante o verão, sendo esse trabalho relacionado ao período de pastagem em 2014. Os tratamentos foram compostos por duas alturas de manejo do pasto (25 e 10 cm) e duas épocas de adubação nitrogenada no sistema ILP (N-Pastagem ou N-Milho), na dose de 200 kg de N ha-1. A altura do pasto foi regulada por meio de pastejo com lotação contínua e taxa de lotação variável de novilhos de corte. Em média, a massa de forragem foi menor na altura do pasto de 10 cm, entretanto essa massa de forragem foi composta por uma maior proporção de folhas de azevém e menor proporção de material morto em relação ao tratamento com 25 cm. A adubação nitrogenada realizada diretamente na fase pastagem (N-Pastagem) aumentou a massa de forragem, a densidade populacional de perfilhos, a participação de azevém e a porcentagem de folhas de azevém na massa de forragem. Além disso, a adubação nitrogenada na fase pastagem aumentou a taxa de acúmulo de forragem em 69%, evidenciando que não há efeito significativo da adubação feita na lavoura de milho sobre a produtividade de forragem. O efeito residual da adubação nitrogenada na fase lavoura (milho) não foi suficiente para manter o alto acúmulo de forragem. Dessa forma, a adubação nitrogenada da fase pastagem em sistema ILP é fundamental para manter esses sistemas de produção agrícola e pecuária altamente produtivos. (AU)

Saline water and bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched on jackfruit seedlings var. soft / Água salina e biofertilizante enriquecido em mudas de jaqueira var. mole

Water scarcity and water quality is a subject of constant debate around the world, with the accumulation of salts in water and on soils causing a negative impact on food production, man and herds, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. The use of bovine manure biofertilizers that potentiate the use of brackish water, normally restricted in agriculture due to its salinity, has been suggested for seedling formation and crop production, including jackfruit plants. An experiment was carried out from October/2012 to February/2013, in a protected environment, at Agrarian Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia county, Paraíba State, Brazil, to evaluate the effects of saline water and bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched with gypsum, cow's milk and molasses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replications of a plant, in a factorial scheme 5 × 2, corresponding at values of electrical conductivity of the water of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1 substrate with and without bovine biofertilizer. Measurements were made of substrate salinity, height of growth, stem diameter, length mean root, leaf area, leaf area ratio, and total dry mass (root, shoots and leaves). The biofertilizer enriched with cow's milk, sugar cane molasses and agricultural gypsum increased the salinity of the soil; however, it attenuated the negative effects of the salts during establishment of jackfruit seedlings, to 95 days after emergence. All the growth variables studied were higher for seedlings developed in substrate with bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched.

A escassez e a qualidade da água são assuntos de constante debate em todo o mundo, com o acúmulo de sais na água e nos solos, causando um impacto negativo na produção de alimentos, homem e rebanhos, especialmente nas regiões áridas e semiáridas. O uso de biofertilizante de esterco bovino que possibilita o uso de água salobra, normalmente restrita à agricultura devido à salinidade, tem sido sugerido para formação demudas e produção agrícola, inclusive de jaqueira. Um experimento foi desenvolvido entre outubro de 2012 e fevereiro de 2013, em ambiente protegido, no Centro de Ciências Agrárias, da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brasil, para avaliar os efeitos da água salina e biofertilizante bovino enriquecido quimicamente com calcário, leite de vaca e melaço. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições e uma planta, em esquema fatorial 5 × 2. Água com condutividade elétrica de 0,5, 1,0, 2,0, 3,0 e 4,0 foram aplicadas no substrato com e sem biofertilizante bovino. Foi avaliada a salinidade do substrato, crescimento em altura, diâmetro caulinar, crescimento da raiz principal, área foliar, razão de área foliar e massa seca total (raiz, parte aérea e folhas). O biofertilizante enriquecido com leite de vaca, melaço de cana-de-açúcar e gesso agrícola aumentou a salinidade do solo, no entanto, atenuou os efeitos negativos da salinidade durante o estabelecimento das mudas de jaqueira, aos 95 dias após a emergência. Todas as variáveis estudadas foram maiores nas mudas que cresceram no substrato com biofertilizante enriquecido quimicamente.

Fatty acid compositions of ether extracts of Bryophyllumpinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. and Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt / Composición de ácidos grasos de extractos etéreos de Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. y Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt

SUMMARY Currently, there is a growing interest in identifying alternative sources of fatty acids due to the present increasing demand for oil-rich botanicals in industrial applications. The main objective of this work was to identify the fatty acid compositions of ether extracts of dried leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. and Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt. The fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. Among the evaluated ether extracts, the higher contents of saturated fatty acids were found in H. latifolia (27.96%) with the principal presence of stearic acid compared to the content of the saturated fatty acids in B. pinnatum (0.53%), F. exasperata (0.04%) and G. herbaceum (0.47%). Equally, the result showed that H. latifolia contained the highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids with the predominant presence of oleic acid with the amount of 41.04%. Linoleic acid was also found to have the highest value in H. latifolia with the amount of 20.41%. Stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were found in all the samples. The extract of H. latifolia contained a healthy mixture of different types of fatty acids thus suggesting it as a probable source of suitable fatty acids.

RESUMEN Actualmente, existe un creciente interés en identificar fuentes alternativas de ácidos grasos debido a la creciente demanda actual de productos botánicos ricos en aceite en aplicaciones industriales. El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue identificar las composiciones de ácidos grasos de extractos de éter de hojas secas de Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. y Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt. Los ácidos grasos fueron analizados por cromatografía de gases con detector de ionización de llama. Entre los extractos de éter evaluados, los mayores contenidos de ácidos grasos saturados se encontraron en H. latifolia (27,96%) con presencia principal de ácido esteárico en comparación con el contenido de los ácidos grasos saturados en B. pinnatum (0,53%), F. exasperata (0,04%) y G. herbaceum (0,47%). Igualmente, el resultado mostró que la H. latifolia contenía el mayor porcentaje de ácidos grasos insaturados con presencia predominante de ácido oleico con una cantidad de 41,04%. También se encontró que el ácido linoleico tiene el valor más alto en H. latifolia con una cantidad de 20,41%. Se encontró ácido esteárico, ácido oleico y ácido linoleico en todas las muestras. El extracto de H. latifolia contenía una mezcla saludable de diferentes tipos de ácidos grasos, lo que sugiere que es una fuente probable de ácidos grasos adecuados.

Canopy structure and morphogenesis of Italian ryegrass intercropped with red clover under cutting intervals determined by thermal sum / Estrutura do dossel e morfogênese do azevém anual consorciado com trevo vermelho em intervalos de corte determinados por soma térmica

ABSTRACT: The canopy structure and morphogenesis of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was investigated after it was over seeded with Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) and intercropped with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Time intervals between cuts were determined by different thermal sums (125, 250, 375, and 500 degree-days [DD]). Cuts were conducted at a height equivalent to 50% of the average canopy height. Morphogenic and structural data were collected from July to October of 2016 and 2017, from a completely randomized block experimental design. Canopy height, extended tiller height, pseudostem length, and forage mass were fitted to linear equations according to the thermal sums. Interaction of ryegrass with red clover was the highest (12.1%) for longer cut intervals (375 and 500 DD). The leaf appearance rate (0.0080 leaf/DD), phyllochron value (128.8 DD), and senescence rate (0.10 cm/DD) of ryegrass were comparable between the different intervals. The slowest elongation rate (0.06 cm/DD) with the shortest interval duration between cuts (171.6 DD) was observed in the 125 DD interval. According to the findings from this 2-year experiment, the use of a 250 DD cut interval was recommended between grazing events, taking into account the efficiency of forage use, ryegrass leaf, stem ratio, and interactions with red clover in the canopy under rotational stocking.

RESUMO: A estrutura do dossel e a morfogênese do azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) foram investigadas após a sobressemeadura em Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) e consorciado com trevo vermelho (Trifolium pratense L.). Os intervalos de tempo entre os cortes foram determinados por diferentes somas térmicas (125, 250, 375 e 500 graus-dia [GD]). Os cortes foram realizados a uma altura equivalente a 50% da altura média do dossel. Os dados morfogênicos e estruturais foram coletados no período de julho a outubro de 2016 e 2017, em um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso. A altura do dossel, a altura estendida do perfilho, o comprimento do pseudocolmo e a massa de forragem se ajustaram a equações lineares de acordo com a soma térmica. A consorciação de azevém e trevo vermelho foi maior (12,1%) para intervalos de corte mais longos (375 e 500 GD). A taxa de aparecimento foliar (0,0080 folha/GD), filocrono (128,8 GD) e a taxa de senescência (0,10 cm /GD) do azevém não foram diferentes entre os intervalos de corte. A menor taxa de elongação (0,06 cm/GD) e duração de elongação (171,6 GD) foi observada no menor intervalo entre cortes, 125 GD. De acordo com os achados deste experimento de dois anos, recomenda-se o uso de um intervalo de corte de 250 GD entre os eventos de pastejo, levando em consideração a eficiência do uso de forragem, proporção de folhas e colmo de azevém e trevo vermelho no dossel, sob lotação rotativa.

Nitrogen fertilization of self-seeding Italian ryegrass: effects on plant structure, forage and seed yield / Adubação nitrogenada em azevém anual, proveniente de ressemeadura natural: efeitos sobre a estrutura de plantas, produção de forragem e de sementes

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of self-seeding Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and nitrogen rates - applied additionally after two defoliations - on plant structure, in forage and seed yield. Levels of self-seeding were classified as very high (777 kg ha-1), high (736 kg ha-1), intermediate (624 kg ha-1), and low (234 kg ha-1). Populations were fertilized with zero, 20.25, 40.50, and 60.75 kg ha-1 of supplemental nitrogen applied after two defoliations; respectively, in very high, high, intermediate, and low levels. Higher levels of self-seeding promoted greater forage yield and uniformity of vegetation structure. Number of fertile tillers and number of seeds per plant have benefited by the combination of high self-seeding and supplemental nitrogen fertilization. Despite influencing the uniformity and amount of forage obtained in two defoliations, the very high and low self-seeding levels did not differ in Italian ryegrass seed production. However, linear addition for this same variable was obtained with the inclusion of supplemental nitrogen fertilization. In pastures from low and intermediate self-seeding levels, total dry mass increases linearly with the levels of nitrogen fertilization assessed in this research.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de ressemeadura natural de azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), bem como, doses suplementares de nitrogênio sobre a estrutura de plantas, produção de forragem e de sementes. Os níveis de ressemeadura foram classificados como: muito elevada (777 kg ha-1); elevada (736 kg ha-1); intermediária (624 kg ha-1) e baixa (234 kg ha-1). Populações oriundas destes níveis foram fertilizadas com zero, 20.25, 40.50, and 60.75 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio, aplicado de forma suplementar após duas desfolhas. Maiores níveis de ressemeadura propiciaram maior colheita de forragem e maior uniformização da estrutura da vegetação. A quantidade de perfilhos férteis e o número de sementes por planta foram beneficiados pela combinação de elevada ressemeadura e aplicação de nitrogênio. Apesar de influenciar a uniformização e a quantidade de forragem obtida em duas desfolhas, os níveis de ressemeadura natural, muito elevada e baixa não diferiram entre si na produção de sementes no ano subsequente. Todavia, acréscimo linear para esta mesma variável foi verificado com avanço suplementar da adubação nitrogenada. Em pastagem de azevém anual proveniente dos níveis baixo e intermediário, a produção de massa seca total é acrescida linearmente com os níveis de fertilização avaliados no presente trabalho.

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) cultivated in the Cerrado has high content of bioactive compounds and great antioxidant potential / Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) cultivada no Cerrado possui altos teores de compostos bioativos e elevado potencial antioxidante

ABSTRACT: Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a Brazilian berry native to the Atlantic Rainforest. Information on nutritional and bioactive profiles of the fruit cultivated in the Brazilian Savannah (Cerrado) is not available in literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical and proximate composition; mineral, total phenolics, total tannins and total carotenoids contents; and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP assays) of the dark purple grumixama cultivated in the Cerrado area (Goiás State). Results showed a similar physical and proximate composition to those of grumixama native to the Atlantic Rainforest. However, grumixama from Cerrado presented the highest dietary fiber and magnesium contents. In addition, the Cerrado grumixama showed higher content of total phenolics (with a large amount of tannins), carotenoids and antioxidant capacity than those of grumixama native to the Atlantic Rainforest, cherry, blueberry, and fruits native to the Cerrado. Thus, the consumption of whole fruit (peel, pulp and seed) in healthy diets and its use as an ingredient for functional food products should be encouraged.

RESUMO: Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) é uma 'berry' nativa da Mata Atlântica. Informações sobre o perfil nutricional e bioativo do fruto cultivado no Cerrado não estão disponíveis na literatura. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a composição física e centesimal; o conteúdo em minerais, fenólicos totais, taninos totais e carotenoides totais; e a capacidade antioxidante (ensaios DPPH and FRAP) da grumixama roxa cultivada na região do Cerrado (Estado de Goiás). Os resultados mostraram uma composição física e centesimal similar à da grumixama nativa da Mata Atlântica. Entretanto, a grumixama cultivada no Cerrado apresentou teores de fibra alimentar e magnésio superiores. Além disso, a grumixama do Cerrado apresentou maiores teores de compostos fenólicos totais (com grande quantidade de taninos) e carotenoides e maior capacidade antioxidante do que os teores da grumixama nativa da Mata Atlântica, cereja, mirtilo e frutos nativos do Cerrado. Assim, o consumo do fruto inteiro (casca, polpa e semente) em dietas saudáveis e seu emprego como ingrediente em produtos alimentícios funcionais devem ser estimulados.

Screening and determination of estrogen-like quality markers of Cuscuta chinensis / 中草药

Objective: To preliminarily screen out the estrogen-like quality markers of small grain Cuscuta chinensis from Heilongjiang Province, so as to provide reference for its subsequent experimental research and quality control. Methods: UPLC- Q-TOFMS/MS was used to qualitatively analyze the extract of C. chinensis and the fingerprints of different polar fractions were established. The estrogenic activity of different polar fractions was evaluated with uterine coefficient, endometrial thickness and serum estrogen level of mice. The bivariate correlation analysis and gray relational analysis were used to construct the composition-activity relationship between chemicals and the effects of estrogen for screening quality markers. And the content determination methods of the five quality markers were established. Results: A total of 10 quality markers related to the estrogenic effect from C. chinensis were found in the positive and negative ion scanning modes. They were hyperoside, astragalin, stigmasterol, neocuscutoside C, apigenin, kaempferol, 6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-α-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and 2,6-octadecadiynoic acid. The contents of the five quality markers were determined as follows: hyperoside (2.753 ± 0.097) mg/g, quercetin (1.139 ± 0.107) mg/g, apigenin (1.104 ± 0.047) mg/g, kaempferol (1.144 ± 0.079) mg/g and isorhamnetin (0.697 ± 0.074) mg/g. Conclusion: The quality markers of small grain C. chinensis from Heilongjiang Province can be screened out according to the composition-activity relationship, and the method for the detect the concentrations of the quality markers is accurate and stable.

Research progress of biological activity of Ipomoea batatas and its main components in vivo / 中草药

Ipomoea batatas is a kind of both edible and medicinal plant, which provides a dietary source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, anthocyanins, essential fatty acids, trace elements and other nutrients, and these active substances play a role in many pharmacological activities such as antitumor, immune regulation, hepatoprotective effect, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-aging, intestinal regulation, anti-obesity, anti-radiation, anti-fatigue, etc, and promote health in many aspects. The Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Materia Medica recorded that I. batatas have the characteristics of tonifying deficiency and replenishing qi, strengthening spleen and kidney. In recent years, it has become a research hotspot in multidisciplinary fields for its rich nutritional components and functional characteristics. In this paper, the research progress of biological activity of I. batatas in vivo was reviewed from aspects of basic and clinical researches, which may provide references for its further development, research and comprehensive utilization.

Discrimination and Quantification of Gleditisa sinensis Powder with Adulterants Using NIR Combined with Pattern Recognition Analysis / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To discriminate and quantify of Gleditsia japonica Miq. thorn (SZJ) and Gleditsia microphylla Gordon ex Y. T. Lee thorn (YZJ) in the Gleditsia sinensis Lam thorn (GST). METHODS: Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) combined with linear discriminate analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), as while as back propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithms were applied to construct the identification models. The SZJ and YZJ content in adulterated GST were determined by partial least squares regression (PLSR). RESULTS: The SVM models performance best compared with LDA and BP-NN models for it could reach 100% accuracy in training and validation set for identifying authentic GST and GST adulterated with SZJ and YZJ based on the spectral region of 5 000-4 200 cm-1 combined with SG+VN processing. The rp, RMSEP (the root mean standard error of prediction) and bias for the prediction by PLS regression model were 0.993, 2.919% and -0.330 3 for SZJ, 0.995, 2.57% and 0.364 9 for YZJ, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the combination of NIR spectroscopy and chemometric methods offers a simple, fast and reliable method for classifification and quantifification of SZJ and YZJ adulterants in the GST.

Immunomodulatory, Anticancer And Antioxidant Activities Of Cyclea Peltata (LAM.) Hook. F. And Thomson

Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidative properties of the fraction (CP_2) isolated from Cyclea peltata. Methods: Immunomodulation was evaluated in lymphocytes by lymphocyte proliferation assay and in THP-1 macrophage cell lines by MTT assay. The nitrite production by the macrophages was also measured by the nitrite assay using griess reagent. The anticancer activity of the fraction was determined by MTT assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH assay and total antioxidant assay by phosphomolybdenum method. It is expressed as number of gram equivalent of ascorbic acid. Results: The plant fraction showed the presence of flavonoids which induced lymphocyte proliferation rate of 4.29±0.007 at 100 μg/ml. It was not toxic to THP-1 macrophage cells and also could induce nitrite production at 1 mg/ml. It also exhibited good anticancer activity at 100 μg/ml after 48h of incubation. The DPPH activity was found to be low since 100 μg/ml showed only an inhibition rate of 22±0.026. The total antioxidant activity at 1000 μg/ml of CP_2 was found to be equivalent to 79±0.03 μg/ml of ascorbic acid exhibiting moderate antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The fraction CP_2 containing flavonoid, isolated from Cyclea peltata has good immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancerous property.

Análise bioeconômica do farelo de arroz na recria de bezerras de corte em azevém / Bioeconomics analyses of rice brain use for reaning of beef heifers on Italian ryegrass pasture

Objetivou-se avaliar a economicidade, o desempenho produtivo e o desenvolvimento das estruturas corporais relacionadas ao trato reprodutivo de bezerras de corte mantidas exclusivamente em pastagem de azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ou em pastagem de azevém recebendo 0,5 e 1,0% do peso corporal (PC) de farelo de arroz integral (FAI) como suplemento. O método de pastejo foi o rotativo, e o intervalo entre pastejos foi estabelecido considerando-se a soma térmica necessária para a emissão de 1,5 folha de azevém (187,5ºC). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com medidas repetidas no tempo. O ganho médio diário das bezerras não diferiu entre os sistemas alimentares. A taxa de lotação e o ganho de peso por área foram maiores quando as bezerras receberam 1,0% do PC de farelo de arroz integral. A maior margem bruta foi observada quando as bezerras receberam 0,5% de FAI. O custo variável obtido para os diferentes sistemas alimentares apresentou comportamento crescente em função dos níveis de FAI, superando o uso exclusivo do azevém em 49,4% e 81,8%. O peso corporal final, o escore de condição corporal e o escore do trato reprodutivo não diferiram entre os sistemas alimentares. Considerando-se um animal adulto com peso corporal médio de 450kg, as bezerras ao início do experimento apresentaram 34% do peso corporal adulto e peso corporal final médio de 56% do peso adulto. A utilização de níveis de farelo de arroz integral (FAI) na recria de bezerras de corte sob pastejo rotativo em azevém não modifica o ganho médio diário e o escore do trato reprodutivo. O fornecimento de 1% de FAI mostrou efeito substitutivo, proporcionando um incremento de 31,2% na taxa de lotação e de 38,3% no ganho por área. O sistema alimentar AZ0,5 permitiu uma maior margem bruta; já o retorno financeiro direto foi positivo em todos os sistemas alimentares, com melhor retorno calculado para o uso exclusivo do azevém.(AU)

The experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating the gross margin, the productive and reproductive performance of beef heifers kept exclusively on ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or ryegrass receiving 0.5 and 1.0% of body weight (BW) of whole rice bran as supplement. The grazing method was the rotational and the interval between grazings was set by the thermal sum required for the appearing of 1.5 ryegrass leaf (187.5ºC). The experimental design was completely randomized with repeated measures. Heifers average daily gain did not differ between the feeding systems. The stocking rate and weight gain per area were higher when heifers received 1.0% BW of whole rice bran. The higher gross margin was observed when heifers received 0.5% BW. The variable cost obtained for the different feeding systems showed increasing behavior depending on the WRB levels, surpassing the exclusive use of ryegrass in 49.4% and 81.8%. The final body weight, body condition score and reproductive tract score did not differ between the feeding systems. Considering an adult animal with an average body weight of 450kg, the heifers at the beginning of the experiment showed 34% of mature body weight and final average body weight of 56% of adult weight. The use of rice bran levels (FAZ) in the rearing of beef heifers under rotational grazing on ryegrass does not change the average daily gain and the reproductive tract score. The supply of 1% FAI showed substitutive effect, providing an increase in capacity of 31,2% and 38.3% rate of the gain per area. The food system AZ0,5 allowed a higher gross margin, as the economic return was positive in all food systems, with better return calculated for the exclusive use of ryegrass.(AU)

The effect of processing methods on the content of toddaline in Toddalia asiatica Lam / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of processing methods on the content of toddaline in Toddalia asiati- ca Lam., so as to provide reference for the development and clinical application of T. asiatica in the future. Methods: The root of T. asiatica was processed by the processing methods of water-washing, water-boiling, water-steaming, winesteaming and stir-frying with wine. The content of toddaline in the processed products of T. asiatica was determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Further, the orthogonal test design methodology was used for the stirfrying with wine process to investigate the effect of frying fire power, time and solid-liquid ratio(the ratio of raw material to yellow rice wine)on the toddaline content in T. asiatica. Results: The processing of the T. asiatica roots by the pro- cessing methods of water-washing, water-boiling, water-steaming and stir-frying with wine could all reduce the toddaline content in T. asiatica roots and the reducing effect was especially significant in the stir-frying with wine process. In con- trast, the steaming with wine(the wine-steaming)could increase the toddaline content in T. asiatica. The results of the orthogonal test for the stir-frying with wine process showed that the processing time most greatly influenced the toddaline content, the influence on the content came next from the solid-liquid ratio, and the influence from the frying fire power was lowest. The toddaline content in T. asiatica roots was increased by processing with Wen Huo (the weak frying fire power), with processing time 10 min and solid-liquid ratio 1:1. In contrast, the toddaline content was most significantly reduced when the roots were processed with Zhong Huo(the medium frying fire power), with processing time 30 min and solid-liquid ratio 1:1. Conclusion: The effect of different processing methods on the content of toddaline in T. asiatica was differed in the tested five processing methods. For the stir-frying with wine process, the change of processing parame- ters also caused the different effect on the toddaline content in in T. asiatica.

Quality of Agarwood Produced by Whole Tree Agarwood-inducing Technique (Agar-Wit) from China and Southeast Asian Countries / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the similarities and differences of the quality of agarwood produced by agar-wit from China and Southeast Asian countries. METHODS: The sensory characteristic, identification item, extract, content determination, characteristic chromatogram and total chromone content of agarwood produced by agar-wit from 11 place of origins of China and Southeast Asian countries were mainly evaluated, according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition). RESULTS: The morphological characteristics, TLC and characteristic chromatograms of 11 batches of agarwood produced by agar-wit were similar. Special structures such as included phloem, vessel and rays were observed in all samples. The extract and total chromone contents of agarwood produced by agar-wit from the six producing areas in China were higher than those from the five producing areas in Southeast Asia. Compared with other agarwood-inducing method, the sensory characteristics of the agarwood produced by agar-wit were relatively stable, and the average contents of the extract and total chromone were significantly higher, but the average content of agarotetrol was slightly lower than that of the agarwood produced by peripheral-inducing and iron-inducing. CONCLUSION: In terms of quality, the agar-wit is superior to the traditional agarwood-inducing method. It is not only applicable to the agarwood production of Aquilaria sinensis in China, but also applicable to the species of Aquilaria Lam. in Southeast Asian countries. The quality of agarwood produced by agar-wit is good in general, but the quality of the agarwood produced by A. sinensis is better than the species of Aquilaria Lam. in the Southeast Asian.

Investigation of chemical constituents of Mongolia medicine Hostae Flos (II) / 中草药

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of Mongolia medicine Hostae Flos (Flowers of Hosta plantaginea). Methods Chemical constituents of Mongolia medicine Hostae Flos were isolated and purified by Solvent method and chromatographic method. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physio-chemical identification and spectral analysis. Results Twelve compounds were obtained from Hostae Flos. Their structures were identified as adenosine (1), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)- β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]- β-D-glucopyranosyl}-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), hydroxybenzoic acid (6), hydroxyphenyl propionate (7), kaempferol 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→3)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosy-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside} (8), kaempferol 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside}(9), kaempfero-3,7-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), 7-methoxyl-kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), and ursolic acid (12). Conclusion Compounds 2-4 and 9 are obtained from H. plamtaginea for the first time. Compounds 1, 5-8, 10-12 are isolated from the genus Hosta for the first time.

Chemical constituents from Achyrocline satureioides (I) / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from Achyrocline satureioides. Methods Chemical constituents from A. satureioides were separated and purified by a variety of chromatographic techniques, and their structures were identified by various spectroscopic methods. Results Twenty-one compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the plant, which were α-amyrin (1), ergosta-4,6,8,22-tetraene-3-one (2), (R)-24-ethylcholest-4-en-3,6-dione (3), clovandiol (4), caryolane-1,9β-diol (5), lepidissipyrone (6), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone (7), quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (8), pinocembrin (9), (2R,3R)-taxifolin (10), quercetin-4’-O-β-D-glucoside (11), helichrysetin (12), 3-[5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-8-(2-(S)-methyl-butanoyl)-2H-chromen-6- yl-methyl]-6-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-pyran-2-one (13), quercetin (14), protocatechuic acid (15), (+)-(3R)-3-hydroxyl-4,4- dimethyl-4-butyrolactone (16), (4S,5R)-5-(4’-methyl-3’-pentenyl)-4-hydroxy-5-methyldihydrofuran-2-one (17), genkwanin (18), quercetin-3-methyl ether (19), galangin (20), and neosakuranin (21). Conclusion Compounds 1, 4, 5, 16, 17, and 21 are obtained from the genus for the first time, and compounds 1-12, 16-18, and 21 are obtained from the plant for the first time.

Studies on chemical constituents and activities of lignans and terpenes from stem of Moringa oleifera / 中草药

Objective: To study lignans and terpenes of Moringa oleifera Lam. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatographic techniques and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The structures of the compounds were identified through the combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence. The antineoplastic activity, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of compounds were evaluated by MTT method, PNPG method and Ellman colorimetric method, respectively. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated from M. oleifera by various chromatographic methods and were identified as lariciresinol (1), 3-(α,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-4-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzyl) tetrahydrofuran (2), (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (3), macadiol (4), diethyl pinoresinol (5), pinoresinol (6), evofolin B (7), erythro-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4’-dihydroconiferyl alcohol (8), tricyclohumuladiol (9), 9α-hydroxy-2β-methoxyclovane (10), 3β-hydroxy-oleana-11,13 (18)-dien-28-oic acid (11), oleanolic acid (12). Compounds 12 showed antineoplastic activity. Compound 1 and 2 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Conclusion: Compounds 1-11 are separated from Moringa Adans for the first time. This plant has the potential of developing functional product for their antineoplastic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Ornamental potential of sweet potato accessions / Potencial ornamental de acessos de batata-doce

Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] is a multipurpose plant due to the different uses for its roots, leaves, and branches. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ornamental potential of sweet potato accessions from the Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Hortaliças, Brasilia, DF, Brazil. The morphological characterization and evaluation of the ornamental potential used five accessions with distinct leaf shape (CNPH 980, CNPH 1205, CNPH 895, CNPH 796, CNPH 1284) and 12 qualitative and quantitative descriptors [plant type (PT), leaf lobe type (LLT), immature leaf color (ILC), leaf lobe number (LLN), branch color (BC), shape of central leaf lobe (SCLL), petiole pigmentation (PP), mature leaf size (MLS), mature leaf color (MLC), leaf shape (LS), branch yield (BY), and root yield (RY)]. In the evaluation of the ornamental potential, each criterion was scored from 10 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). Leaf lobe number was the trait that pleased the evaluators the most, and the greater the number of lobes, the greater was the ornamental potential. CNPH 980, CNPH 1205, and CNPH 1284 stood out for this trait. CNPH 1284 (almost divided leaf type) had the greatest score and was considered, by the evaluators, as the accession with the most harmonious aesthetics, indicating a great ornamental potential for the consumer market. All accessions studied presented considerable ornamental potential and could be used in floral arrangements or garden beds.

A batata-doce [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] é uma planta com diferentes aptidões de uso das suas raízes, folhas e hastes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial ornamental de acessos de batata-doce oriundas do banco de germoplasma mantidos na Embrapa Hortaliças, Brasília, DF, Brasil. Para a caracterização morfológica e avaliação do potencial ornamental, foram escolhidos cinco acessos com formatos de folhas diferentes (CNPH 980, CNPH 1205, CNPH 895, CNPH 796, CNPH 1284) e utilizados doze descritores qualitativos e quantitativos [tipo de planta (TP), tipo de lóbulo da folha (TLF), cor da folha imatura (CFI), número de lóbulos por folha (NLF), cor das ramas (CR), formato do lóbulo central (FLC), pigmento no pecíolo (PP), tamanho da folha madura (TFM), cor da folha madura (CFM), formato da folha (FF), produção de ramas (BY) e produção de raízes (RY)]. Na avaliação do potencial ornamental, cada critério foi pontuado por meio de notas variando de 10 (mínimo) a 100 (máximo). A característica número de lóbulos da folha foi a que mais agradou os avaliadores. Observou-se que quanto mais lóbulos, maior o potencial ornamental, sendo que os acessos CNPH 980, CNPH 1205 e CNPH 1284 se destacaram para essa característica. CNPH 1284, com folhas no formato quase dividido, obteve a maior nota e foi considerado como o acesso com a estética mais harmoniosa, indicando grande potencial ornamental para o mercado consumidor, na opinião dos avaliadores. Os cinco acessos estudados apresentaram considerável potencial ornamental, podendo ser usados como forragem, complementos para arranjos florais ou como jardineiras.