First report of bicolour FISH of Berberis diaphana and B. soulieana reveals interspecific differences and co-localization of (AGGGTTT)3 and rDNA 5S in B. diaphana.

BACKGROUND: Berberis consists of approximately 500 species and is the largest genus in Berberidaceae. Most Berberis species lack cytological data, and bicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has never been performed on Berberis. In this work, a karyotype of Berberis diaphana, an alpine Berberis species obtained from an altitude of 3600 m in Wolong National Nature Reserve, China, was analysed and compared with Berberis soulieana Schneid. via FISH using oligonucleotide telomere probes for (AGGGTTT)3 and 5S rDNA (41 bp) for the first time. RESULTS: Berberis diaphana belonged to cytotype 2A and had the karyotype formula 2n = 2x = 28 = 26 m + 2 sm (2SAT). The mitotic metaphase chromosome lengths ranged from 1.82 ± 0.04 µm to 2.75 ± 0.00 µm. Clear (AGGGTTT)3 signals were detected at two telomeres in every chromosome and were co-localized with 5S rDNA at the terminal regions of the long arms in the 6th pair of chromosomes. One pair of (AGGGTTT)3 sites was localized in the satellites of the 7th pair of chromosomes, which are the only submetacentric chromosomes in this species. Totally 28 chromosomes with one pair of satellited chromosomes were observed in B. soulieana. This species had four 5S rDNA signals with two weak signals at the end of long arms in the 5th pair of chromosomes and another two strong signals detected in the interstitial region close to the end of short arms in the 6th pair of chromosomes. Each large signal consisted of two smaller signals with secondary constrictions around them. CONCLUSIONS: FISH physical mapping of B. diaphana suggested that (AGGGTTT)3 and rDNA 5S co-localize at the 6th pair of chromosomes. The density, location and number difference of 5S rDNA loci indicated structural differences among the chromosomes between B. diaphana and B. soulieana. Our results provide information that may contribute to future studies on the physical assembly of the Berberis genome and the evolution of rDNA and telomere FISH patterns in Berberis.

[Determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex and comparative study of its different species].

In order to clarify the characteristic components of Berberidis Cortex,the preparative liquid chromatography and spectral analysis methods were used to separate and identify the unknown components in the water extract of Berberidis Cortex. Two compounds were isolated and identified as bufotenidine and ferulic acid 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside. They were both isolated for the first time from Berberidis Cortex and Berberis. In addition,an HPLC method was successfully established for simultaneously determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex,and chemometric methods were used to study the chemical differences among three main species of Berberidis Cortex. The results suggested that jatrorrhizine and bufotenidine are the main difference compounds among the three species.Compared with B. kansuensis and B. diaphana,B. vernae contains significantly more jatrorrhizine(P<0. 01),and the content of bufotenidine in B. vernae was significantly higher than that in B. kansuensis(P<0. 05). Considering these results,further research is necessary to reveal the pharmacological activities of bufotenidine and the pharmacodynamic differences between the three species. The results could provide a reference for quality control,the basic research on effective substances,and development of Berberidis Cortex.

Determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex and comparative study of its different species / 中国中药杂志

In order to clarify the characteristic components of Berberidis Cortex,the preparative liquid chromatography and spectral analysis methods were used to separate and identify the unknown components in the water extract of Berberidis Cortex. Two compounds were isolated and identified as bufotenidine and ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. They were both isolated for the first time from Berberidis Cortex and Berberis. In addition,an HPLC method was successfully established for simultaneously determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex,and chemometric methods were used to study the chemical differences among three main species of Berberidis Cortex. The results suggested that jatrorrhizine and bufotenidine are the main difference compounds among the three species.Compared with B. kansuensis and B. diaphana,B. vernae contains significantly more jatrorrhizine(P<0. 01),and the content of bufotenidine in B. vernae was significantly higher than that in B. kansuensis(P<0. 05). Considering these results,further research is necessary to reveal the pharmacological activities of bufotenidine and the pharmacodynamic differences between the three species. The results could provide a reference for quality control,the basic research on effective substances,and development of Berberidis Cortex.