The first complete chloroplast genome of Vicatia thibetica de Boiss.: genome features, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic relationships.

Vicatia thibetica de Boiss.: a herb in the family Apiaceae, has been used for over a hundred years as an essential medicinal and edible plant in the Bai ethnic group of Dali City. However, due to the lack of study on plastid genomes of V. thibetica, studies of comparison and phylogeny with other related species remain scarce. In the current study, we assembled, annotated, and characterized the entire chloroplast (cp) genome of V. thibetica through high-throughput sequencing for the first time, compared with published whole chloroplast genomes from the same family. A phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genome has also been performed. The whole chloroplast genome of V. thibetica was 145,796 in size and consisted of a large single-copy region (LSC; 92,186 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC; 17,452 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs; 18,079 bp) forming a circular quadripartite structure. Annotation resulted in 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 35 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), eight ribosomal genes (rRNAs), and one pseudogene. Repeat sequence analysis displayed V. thibetica plastid genome contains 75 simple repeats, 37 long repeats, and 29 tandem repeats. Compared with the cp genome of other Apiaceae species, a common feature was that the IR regions of the genome were more conservative compared to the LSC and SSC regions. Highly variable hotspots included rps16, ndhC-trnV-UAC, clpP, ycf1, and ndhB in the genomes, which supply valuable molecular markers for phylogeny, identification, and classification in the Apiaceae family. The results of phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the genus Vicatia as an independent genus in the family Apiaceae, in which the closest affinities to the related species of Angelica, Peucedanum, and Ligusticum were observed. In conclusion, the first chloroplast genome of Vicatia reported in this study may  improve our understanding of phylogenetic relationship of different genera of Apiaceae. In addition, the current data will be valuable as chloroplast genomic resource for species identification and population genetics. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01154-y.

[Development strategy of Paris based on combination of domestic patent and current resource application and development].

Paris is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and has antitumor, antibacterial, sedative, analgesic and hemostatic effects. It has been used as an ingredient of 81 Chinese patent medicines, with a wide application and large market demand. Based on the data retrieved from state Intellectual Property Office patent database, a comprehensive analysis was made on Paris patents, so as to explore the current features of Paris patents in the aspects of domestic patent output, development trend, technology field distribution, time dimension, technology growth rate and patent applicant, and reveal the development trend of China's Paris industry. In addition, based on the current Paris resource application and development, a sustainable, multi-channel and multi-level industrial development approach was built. According to the results, studies of Paris in China are at the rapid development period, with a good development trend. However, because wild Paris resources tend to be exhausted, the studies for artificial cultivation technology should be strengthened to promote the industrial development.

[Quantitative HPLC analysis of main effective constituents and integrated chemical quality index(ICQI)in Dida].

"Dida" is one of the most representative commonly used Tibetan medicines in treatment of hepatobilaiary diseases. To analyze and compare the content of 7 effective constituents in 11 species which are used as Dida. Integrated evaluation of them, which supply a basis for the resources exploitation for them. In this paper, most appropriate absorption wavelengths of different natural iridoid compounds, xanthones and oleanolic acid have been performed by using 3D spectrum technique. According to the results, the wavelength 210, 240 and 265 nm were used for detection of 7 effective constituents. By means of calculation, determination of 7 effective constituents indicated good linearity over the linear range with coefficients (r) of 0.999 9 respectively. The recoveries were found in the average range of 99% to 101% with RSD being less than 3%. Normalize and integrate by three-dimension the data. Get their integrated chemical quality index(ICQI). Results suggested that these plants used as Dida in Tibet medicine mostly contain these 7 effective constituents, but the different is notable. The integrated evaluation by the integrated chemical quality index (ICQI) has reference value for quality control.

[Identification of Seeds and Seedlings of Chinese Medicinal Materials Using DNA Barcoding Technology:A Case Study in Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

Objective: To establish a novel approach based on DNA barcode sequence, so as to guarantee the quality stability of Chinese medicinal materials. Methods: Eight species of Paris plants were collected, and a standard DNA barcode library was developed by ITS loci. Furthermore, the barcodes also used to identify the seed and seedling products that purchased from the markets. Results: ITS loci can stably and accurately distinguish Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and its adulterants. Conclusion: The seeds and seedlings of Chinese medicinal materials need to be properly authenticated before planting,and DNA barcoding has been found to be effective for this purpose.

[HPLC Analyzed the Iridoid Glycosides of Qingyedan Commonly Used in Folk Medicine in Yunnan].

Objective: To compare the contents of iridoid glycosides in Qingyedan medicinal materials,and to provide the scientific basis for using resources of Qingyedan and rationality of original plant medicinal. Methods: The contens of three iridoid glycosides,including swertiamarin,gentiopicroside and sweroside in Qingyedan medicinal materials were determined by HPLC. Results: The constituents of 30 samples in nine species were significant difference. And the contents of iridoid glycosides in Swertia bimaculata,Swertia tenuis and Swertia pubescens were reported for the first time. Conclusion: The results show that the contents of iridoid glycosides in Qingyedan medicinal materials have a significant difference due to the different species and producing areas. Therefore, these medicinal plants should not be used as alternative medicines for clinical application. Swertiamarin and sweroside can be selected as quality control components, this method is an effective method to identify and control the quality of Qingyedan materials.

Detection of Gegen Adulteration Using Multiple Fingerprints Coupled With Chemometric Strategy.

BACKGROUND: The root of Pueraria montana var. lobata (gegen) is a well-known traditional Chinese medical herb, which is prone to be accidentally contaminated with Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, Pueraria wallichii, and Pueraria peduncularis due to the morphological character similarity. These adulterations might cause quality confusion and safety issues. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the screening technique to detect adulteration in gegen was developed using multiple fingerprints and chemometrics. METHOD: A range of gegen samples and possible known adulterants including Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, Pueraria wallichii, and Pueraria peduncularis were collected. FT-IR and HPLC coupled with different chemometric techniques, including similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), provide the qualitative chemometric models for gegen adulteration detection. RESULTS: FT-IR and HPLC combined with OPLS-DA successfully differentiated authentic gegen from adulterants. Both FT-IR and HPLC units can be used as alternative methods to traditional methods. The HPLC showed better performance in identifying samples than FT-IR. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FT-IR and HPLC coupled with chemometrics could potentially be the proper selection method for the early quality evaluation of gegen. This method can be used to combat fraud in the herbal industry in the future. HIGHLIGHTS: FT-IR and HPLC combined with chemometrics analysis were developed to discriminate between Pueraria lobata (gegen) and adulterants. The multiple fingerprints combined with multivariate methods were successfully applied to the study of the gegen and its adulterants. The chemometrics analysis using SA and OPLS-DA indicate significant differentiation in the chemical composition of these species. This research provides important chemotaxonomic references in species identification.

Sequencing and characterization of the chloroplast genome of Aconitum forrestii Stapf provide insights into phylogenetics in Aconitum.

Aconitum forrestii Stapf is an essential traditional Chinese medicine, and is beneficial in dispelling wind, removing dampness, warming, and relieving pain. However, its phylogenetic position of Aconitum is not accepted yet. In order to clarify the evolutionary relationship of A. forrestii, complete sequencing of chloroplast genome was carried out using Illumina sequencing technology. In total, the chloroplast genome was about 155,869 base pair (bp) in length and carried a typical tetrad structure that included a large single-copy, a small-single copy and two inverted repeat regions. A total of 132 genes were annotated, that included 85 protein -coding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and two pseudogenes. The phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that Aconitum forrestii is closely related to Aconitum episcopale and Aconitum delavayi.

The complete chloroplast genome of Verbascum thapsus L. (Scrophulariaceae) and its phylogenetic affinities.

Verbascum thapsus L. has extensive pharmacological effects, including antioxidative and antineoplastic action, memory improvement and neuroprotection. However, its phylogenetic position is not established in Scrophulariaceae. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome sequence of V. thapsus L. for the first time and investigate its phylogenetic relationship in Scrophulariaceae. The assembled chloroplast genome is a circular 153,338 bp sequence, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 84,627 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,829 bp and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,441 bp. The genome contains 135 genes, including 86 protein coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic tree showed that V. thapsus is closely associated with V. chinense and V. phoeniceum.

Characterisation of the complete chloroplast genome of Gentiana delavayi Franch. (gentianaceae), a medicinal plant in southwest of China.

Gentiana delavayi is a medicinal plant commonly used in southwest of China. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of G. delavayi to investigate its phylogenetic relationship in the family Gentianaceae. The chloroplast genome of G. delavayi was 151,569 bp in length with 37.8% overall GC content, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 81,177 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 16,921 bp and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,471 bp. The cp genome contained 114 genes, including 78 protein coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated G. delavayi was closely related to G. stipitata.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Ajuga forrestii (Lamiaceae), a medicinal plant in southwest of China.

Ajuga forrestii is a medicinal plant commonly used in southwest of China. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of A. forrestii to investigate its phylogenetic relationship in the family Lamiaceae. The chloroplast genome of A. forrestii was 150,492 bp in length with 38.3% overall GC content, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 82,148 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,160 bp and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,592 bp. The cp genome contained 112 genes, including 79 protein coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated Ajuga was closely related to Scutellaria.

[Chemical constituents from herbs of Swertia delavayi].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify the chemical constituents of 95% alcohol extract from Swertia delavayi. METHOD: The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatogrphy and their structures were identified by the physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. RESULT: Seven compounds were isolated and identified as oleanolic acid (1), gentiopcroside (2), swertiamarin (3), daucosterol (4), swertiadecoraxanthone-II (5), isovitexin (6), isoorientin (7). CONCLUSION: Compounds 2-7 were isolated from S. delavayi for the first time. While the compound 6 was firstly reported from the genus Swertia.