Selecting and Characterizing Tyrosinase Inhibitors from Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma Based on Spectrum-Activity Relationship and Molecular Docking.

Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (AMR) is a famous classical Chinese traditional medicine (CTM), which has been used as a tonic for many diseases for thousands of years. In ancient China, it was used as a supplementary food for beauty in the palace. In preliminary studies, the function of whitening skin and the significant inhibiting effect on tyrosinase (TYR) which is the reactive enzyme in the composition of melanin of AMR were discovered, and the relevant research was rarely reported. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) along with partial least squares regression analysis (PLS) was applied to survey the coherence between the chemical constituents and the inhibiting activity of 11 batches of AMR on TYR activity. The results of PLS showed that the chromatographic peaks 11 (atractylenolide III) and 15 could be important effective ingredients of the inhibition TYR activity as ascertained by spectrum-activity relationships. Furthermore, TYR inhibitory activity of atractylenolide III was validated by in vitro test by ß-arbutin served as a positive control drug. The results of the in vitro test and the molecular docking showed that atractylenolide III has high TYR inhibitory activity and could link to the residues in TYR catalytic pocket. Therefore, bioassay, molecular docking, and spectrum-activity relationships are appropriate for linking the quality of samples with pharmaceutical-related active ingredients. And our studying would lay a theoretical foundation for applying the water extracts of AMR in whitening cosmetics.

[Determination and analyse of soil fertility of Pseudostellariae Radix planting base of Shibing County and Huangping County in Guizhou Province].

OBJECTIVE: To determine soil fertility of the Pseudostellariac Radix planting base of Shibing County and Huangping County in Guizhou Province, and to provide experimental basis for soil improvement and balanced fertilization. METHODS: 12 soil samples from Shibing County and 10 soil samples from Huangping County were involved in the detection. RESULTS: In the soil samples from Shibing County, the contents of organic matter, total N, available N, total P, available P and available K were higher, while the content of total P was at middle level. In the soil samples from Huangping County, the contents of total N, available P, total K and available K were higher,the contents of organic matter, total K and available N were at middle level. CONCLUSION: The level of soil fertility of the Pseudostellariae Radix planting base in Guizhou Province is common. The soil fertility of Shibing County is superior to that of Huangping County. The soil pH value of Shibing and Huangping County is low. In Shibing County, lime, farmyard manure and neutral fertilizer can be used to increase the pH of soil. Potash fertilizer can be increased, while nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer can be reduced in the soil of Shibing County. Potash fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer will be increased, while nitrogen fertilizer can be reduced in the soil of Huangping County. The soil fertility can be improved by these measures.