Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the biosynthetic mechanisms of pigments and main taste compounds in an albino tea cultivar.

Significant variations in leaf colours, pigment contents, and main taste compounds in young shoots from albino tea plants (Camellia sinensis) influence tea flavour. However, the seasonal metabolic pattern and molecular regulatory mechanism of these metabolites remain largely elusive. Herein, we conducted morphological, biochemical, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses between an albino tea cultivar 'Zhonghuang 3' ('ZH3') and a green strain 'Tai cha 15' ('TC15') at four-time points (April 12, May 31, July 14, and August 17) to elucidate dynamic changes in these compounds and predict the relationships among transcription factors (TFs), target genes (TGs), and metabolite abundance. Generally, leaf colours and pigment contents were significantly lighter and lower, respectively, in 'ZH3' than in 'TC15' from spring to summer, but were subsequently similar. Compared to 'TC15', 'ZH3' had a lower and broader phenol/ammonia ratio as well as stable caffeine content and showed more significantly different metabolites and differentially expressed genes. The relationship between pigments, main taste compounds, and their biosynthetic genes, as well as TFs and their TGs, had genetic specificity. These results suggested that the biosynthesis of these compounds was probably both season- and variety-dependent. In total, 12 models of the TF-TG-metabolite regulatory network were proposed to uncover the biosynthetic and regulatory mechanisms of these metabolites in tea plants. A high correlation was observed between some structural genes and TFs with the accumulation of these metabolites. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying accumulation of pigments and main taste compounds in tea plants.

[Effect of "Yinqi Guiyuan" needling on primary insomnia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of "Yinqi Guiyuan" needling in the treatment of primary insomnia. METHODS: A total of 79 primary insomnia outpatients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=40) and control group (n=39). The patients in the control group were given oral Estazolam tablets once a day, for successive 4 weeks. For patients of the treatment group, Zhongwan (CV12), Xiawan (CV10), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Baihui (GV20), etc., were punctured with filiform needles for 30 min. The treatment was conducted three times per week for 4 successive weeks. The sleep quality (sleeping quality, falling asleep time, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, hypnotic and daytime dysfunction, 0 to 21 points) was evaluated by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The severity of insomnia (self-perception, sleep satisfaction, daytime function damage, sensibility change, and concern for sleep problems, 0 to 28 points) was assessed using insomnia severity index (ISI) score. The therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the PSQI score reduction rate = (pre-treatment PSQI score-post-treatment PSQI score)/pre-treatment PSQI score ×100%. RESULTS: After treatment, the total score of PSQI, ISI and the score of each item were all significantly reduced in the two groups relevant to their own pre-treatment (P<0.05). The total score, and scores of hypnotic and daytime dysfunction were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Of the 40 and 39 cases in the treatment and control groups, 5 (12.50%) and 4 (10.25%) were cured, 20 (50.00%) and 18 (46.15%) experienced marked improvement, 12 (30.00%) and 13 (33.33%) were effective, and 3 (7.50%) and 4 (10.25%) ineffective, with the total effective rate being 92.50% and 89.74%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the effective rate (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: "Yinqi Guiyuan" needling and Estazolam are comparable in treatment primary insomnia, and the former is superior to the latter in avoiding hypnotic drug use and in improving daytime function.