Comparative performance and digestive physiology of Diaphania indica (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Trichosanthes anguina (Cucurbitaceae) cultivars.

Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an important phytophagous pest of Trichosanthes anguina L. in India. We studied life table parameters by age-stage, two-sex, amylolytic and proteolytic activities, and food utilization parameters of D. indica on the leaves of three T. anguina cultivars (Baruipur Long, Polo No. 1 and MNSR-1). Further, nutrients (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids and nitrogen) and antinutrients (total phenols, flavonols and tannins) in leaves were determined. The development time (egg to adult emergence) was the shortest on MNSR-1 (19.79 d) and the longest on Polo No. 1 (25.72 d). Fecundity was the highest and lowest on MNSR-1 (259 eggs) and Polo No. 1 (151.22 eggs), respectively. The lowest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and net reproductive rate (R0) of D. indica on Polo No. 1 were 0.1112 d-1 and 27.22 offspring individual-1, respectively. The mean generation time (T) was the shortest on MNSR-1 (23.99 days) and the longest on Polo No. 1 (29.70 d). The larvae of D. indica fed with MNSR-1 had the highest level of amylolytic and proteolytic activities, and the lowest activities were in the larvae fed with Polo No. 1. The fifth-instar larvae fed with Polo No. 1 had the lowest consumption index and growth rate. The higher larval development time and lower fecundity of D. indica on Polo No. 1 were due to the lower level of nutrients and a higher level of antinutrients than other cultivars. Our results concluded that Polo No. 1 cultivar could be suggested for cultivation.

[Comparison on surface ultrastructure characteristic and drought resistance of different Trichosanthes kirilowii strains].

Trichosanthes kirilowii has been widely cultivated as its medicinal use, health care and food value. Drought resistance of seedlings is an important feature in breeding. Seeds of two T. kirilowii strains were used to research the difference of surface ultrastructure characteristic and drought resistance. Scanning electron microscope was used to identify the surface ultrastructure characteristic of seeds and PEG was used to simulate drought stress. The seeds germination rate, MDA content, chlorophyll content and the antioxidant enzymes activity were measured under the drought stress. The results showed that the seed surface colour of KXY-001 was lighter than that of KXY-005. The testa cobwebbing of KXY-001 was more intensive than that of KXY-005. The germination rate of KXY-001 was higher than that of KXY-005 under drought stress. The MDA content was increased and the chlorophyll content was decreased with the increasing of drought degree. The SOD activity of KXY-001 was higher than that of KXY-005, while the activity of POD and CAT was also increased firstly and decreased later. Surface reticulate of seeds and hilar traits can be used as identification points to identify the investigated strains. SOD and POD are activated to resist drought in T. kirilowii seedlings and the drought resistance of KXY-001 is superior than that of KXY-005.

[A new molecular identification method: anchored primer amplification polymorphism DNA].

To build up a stable and easy doing method for molecular identification in traditional Chinese medicine, on basis of RAPD, the new method mainly changed the primer length and PCR annealing temperature. Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius and its nine adulterants were used to establish the method and test it using MARMS primers published in 2004. The new method also used to authenticate Chinese Materia Medica of Tian-hua-fen (Radix Trichosanthes) and Bai-zhi (Radix Angelica). Primer Pg-q36F obtained polymorphic bands of P. Ginseng, P. quinquefolius and its adulterants. The identification result is identical to that published before and more stable. Primer TkS1-64F obtained polymorphic bands of Tian-hua-fen and its nine adulterants. Primer AfS1-100F obtained polymorphic bands of Bai-zhi and its three adulterants. The method has good stability and reproducibility and can easily identify authertic medicines from their adulterants. It was a potential molecular method to identify other Chinese Materia Medica. The method was named as anchored primer amplification polymorphism DNA (APAPD).

[A new molecular method to authenticate radix trichosanthis as well as its adulterants and substitutes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a new molecular method to authenticate Radix Trichosanthis. METHOD: Three 20 mer primers based on the ITS sequence was designed. The PCR reaction system was optimized and applied to nineteen different sources of Radix Trichosanthis and nine adulterants and substitutes. RESULT: Polymorphic map of Radix Trichosanthis and its adulterants was obtained from primer TKS1-64. 560 bp and 960 bp bands were authentic markers for Radix Trichosanthis. CONCLUSION: Primer TKS1-64F possesses the advantages of good stability and reproducibility. This new method is named as anchored primer amplification polymorphism DNA(APAPD). It was a potential method to used in molecular identification of other meteria medica.

[Study on isozymes of farm cultivars of Fructus trichosanthis from Shandong].

OBJECTIVE: To determine different cultivars of Fructus trichosanthis of Shandong, and explore their genetic relationships. METHODS: The peroxidase isozyme and esterase isozyme of cultivars and wild plant were studied by means of polyarcylamide gel electrophresis, and the finger-prints were established. RESULTS: The zymogram of the peroxidase isozyme and the esterase isozyme of different cultivars and wild plant of Frustus trichosanthis consisted of common bands, but they had more or less difference in the number of isozymic bands, their positions and activity intensity. CONCLUSION: There are closer genetic relationships between Niuxin Gualou with Ren Gualou, and Xiao Guang-dan with wild sample; Mingpi and Xiao Guang-dan are two different cultivars; The isozyme analysis can provide reliable basis for determining different cultivars of Fructus trichosanthis of Shandong.

[Studies on micromorphological characters of fruit coats in cultivated Fructus Trichosanthis in Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the affinity relation among land race of Trichosanthes kirilowii and to provide evidence tor the classification and authentication. METHOD: Using scanning electron microscope, characteristics of the pericarp surface were studied comparatively. RESULT: The pericarp surface of the cultivated Fructus Trichosanthis in Shandong showed the characteristics of generality and diversity. CONCLUSION: The results of the study could be used for the identification of the cultivated Fructus Trichosanthis in Shandong.

Purification, physicochemical characterization, saccharide specificity, and chemical modification of a Gal/GalNAc specific lectin from the seeds of Trichosanthes dioica.

A new galactose-specific lectin has been purified from the extracts of Trichosanthes dioica seeds by affinity chromatography on cross-linked guar gum. The purified lectin (T. dioica seed lectin, TDSL) moved as a single symmetrical peak on gel filtration on Superose-12 in the presence of 0.1 M lactose with an M(r) of 55 kDa. In the absence of ligand, the movement was retarded, indicating a possible interaction of the lectin with the column matrix. In SDS-PAGE, in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol, two non-identical bands of M(r) 24 and 37 kDa were observed, whereas in the absence of beta-mercaptoethanol, the lectin yielded a single band corresponding to approximately 55,000 Da, indicating that the two subunits of TDSL are connected by one or more disulfide bridges. TDSL is a glycoprotein with about 4.9% covalently bound neutral sugar. Analysis of near-UV CD spectrum by three different methods (CDSSTR, CONTINLL, and SELCON3) shows that TDSL contains 13.3% alpha-helix, 36.7% beta-sheet, 19.4% beta-turns, and 31.6% unordered structure. Among a battery of sugars investigated, TDSL was inhibited strongly by beta-d-galactopyranosides, with 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside being the best ligand. Chemical modification studies indicate that tyrosine residues are important for the carbohydrate-binding and hemagglutinating activities of the lectin. A partial protection was observed when the tyrosine modification was performed in the presence of 0.2 M lactose. The tryptophan residues of TDSL appear to be buried in the protein interior as they could not be modified under native conditions, whereas upon denaturation with 8 M urea two Trp residues could be selectively modified by N-bromosuccinimide. The subunit composition and size, secondary structure, and sugar specificity of this lectin are similar to those of type-2 ribosome inactivating proteins, suggesting that TDSL may belong to this protein family.

[Morphological studies on 18 species of gualoupi].

OBJECTIVE: To gain a clear idea of the drug Gualoupi and its adulterants. METHOD: Collecting data and spot investigating in 30 provinces, cities and autonomous regions in China. RESULT: Gualoupi used as drug in China consists of 15 species of Trichosanthes, 1 species of Momordica, 1 species of Citrullus and 1 species of Adenia(Passifloraceae). CONCLUSION: The main commodity is the rind of T. kirilowii or T. rosthornii, and the main adulterant is the rind of T. hupehensis.

[Analysis of the genetic relationship among the three types of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)].

OBJECTIVE: Discussing the discordance in purchasing and utilizing a new type of Trichosanthes kirilowii called "Niuxin-gualou" from Shandong Province. METHOD: The genetic relationship among the three types of T. kirilowii including "Ren-gualou", "Tang-gualou" and "Niuxin-gualou" from Shandong was analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD). RESULTS: Among the three types studied, the genetic distance is the smallest between "Niuxin-gualou" and "Ren-gualou", and the largest between "Niuxin-gualou" and "Tang-gualou". CONCLUSION: "Niuxingualou" is genetically more similar to "Ren-gualou".

[Histological studies on rinds of 18 species of Gualou].

OBJECTIVE: To make clear the histological characteristics of rinds for eighteen species of Gualou. METHOD: Observing the cross sections and separate divide of the rinds with light microscope. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Of eighteen rinds of Gualou, each trichome on exocarp, wood fiber and thickness of ring of stone cell are different from one another, this distinction can be used to identify the different rinds of Gualou.