Histochemical evaluation of alkaloids in rhizome of Coptis chinensis using laser microdissection and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Traditional macroscopic and microscopic identification methods of medicinal materials are economical and practical, but usually experience-based due to few chemical supports. Here histochemical evaluation on bioactive components of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) in anatomic sections using laser microdissection and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LMD-LC-MS) was developed to correlate the inner quality and outer features of materials from different growing areas. Results of a total 33 peaks representing potential different alkaloids were detected and 8 common peaks were identified as the major alkaloids, namely magnoflorine, thalifendine, columbamine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, palmatine, and berberine. Six major alkaloids were quantified in the top and middle sections of raw materials and in their tissues and cells at the same time. Histochemical analyses showed consistent results with direct determination in raw materials and explained the reason why top sections of all samples contained higher contents of alkaloids by giving out attributions of each alkaloid in different anatomic sections. Besides, results manifested the distribution and accumulation rules of alkaloids in diverse tissues and cells of CR. This study demonstrates an effective and scientific way to correlate bioactive components and morphological features of medicinal materials, which is beneficial to future research, agriculture and application.

[Breeding system, morphological and anatomical characteristics of Coptis deltoidea].

OBJECTIVE: To study the morphological and anatomical characteristics of Coptis deltoidea based on the research of its breeding system. METHOD: The flowering process of C. deltoidea was observed dynamically and the out-crossing index was estimated, using Motic BA200 microscope to observe the morphologic characteristics of the mixed bud, stolon and pollen was observed microscopically, and compared with those of C. chinensis. RESULT: The results showed that the breeding system of C. deltoidea was facultative hybridization, it could bloom normally and fruit while cannot form seeds. And there were no statistical differences in the number of stamens, pistils, ovules, pollens in a stamen, pollens in a flower, pollen-ovule ratio, and the pollen grain size between C. deltoidea and C. chinensis. However the pollen of C. deltoidea developed anomaly, most of the pollen grains in it were surface depression, the texture was unsharp or broken, the pollen could not germinate. The lateral bud on the lower side of the mixed bud formed in the bud stage. Pericyclic fibers in the stolon (the vegetative propagation branch) shaped like a cap, and all the shaped-caps nearly formed a ring. CONCLUSION: The abnormal development of the pollen could be the mainly cause to the no formation of seeds in C. deltoidea. The lateral bud forming in the bud stage then developing the stolon is the characteristics of the asexual propagation. Pericycle fibers in the stolon nearly forming a ring is a secondary character to accommodate the vegetative propagation of C. deltoidea.

[Pharmacognostic identification of medicinal Asteropyrum plants in China].

OBJECTIVE: To offer evidences for quality control of medicinal Asteropyrum plants. METHOD: Pharmacognostic studies were made through field collection, market investigation, document utilization, comparative morphology and histology. RESULT: The shape and properties, microscopic characteristics in root, rhizome, leaves were worked out. CONCLUSION: Asteropyrum can be distinguished from close relative Coptis plants by microscopic and histology characteristics. Two species in Asteropyrum can also be identified by microscopic and histology characteristics, and the morphological and histology characteristics can be used as evidences for quality control of medicinal Asteropyrum plants.