Optimum Reaction Conditions for the Synthesis of Selenized Ornithogalum caudatum Ait. (Liliaceae) Polysaccharides and Measurement of Their Antioxidant Activity In Vivo.

This study determined the optimum reaction conditions for synthesizing selenium-containing polysaccharides. Polysaccharide IIA (with the highest yield) from Ornithogalum caudatum Ait. (Liliaceae) (OCAPIIA) was extracted and purified. Then, three parameters were selected to optimize the synthesis of selenized OCAPIIA (Se-OCAPIIA) using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The morphology of Se-OCAPIIA was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The characteristic peaks and the monosaccharide composition of Se-OCAPIIA were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography. A D-galactose-induced aging mouse model was established, and the in vivo antioxidant activity of Se-OCAPIIA was measured. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of Se-OCAPIIA were as follows: reaction temperature, 72.38 °C; Na2SeO3 to OCAPIIA mass ratio, 0.93 g/g; and reaction time, 8.05 h. The selenium content of Se-OCAPIIA obtained using the optimized process was 3.131 ± 0.090 mg/g, close to the maximum predicted value (3.152 mg/g). Se-OCAPIIA contained D-mannose, D-glucose, and D-galactose at a molar ratio of 1.00:0.34:0.88. SEM showed that Se-OCAPIIA was spherical and flocculated. Compared with OCAPIIA, Se-OCAPIIA exhibited two characteristic peaks at 833 and 610 cm-1 in the infrared spectrum. Se-OCAPIIA increased catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities and decreased MDA concentrations in the mouse liver. Moreover, Se-OCAPIIA treatment improved liver morphology, decreased the levels of IL-1ß and IL-6, and increased IL-10 concentration. In conclusion, the synthesis of Se-OCAPIIA is effective, simple, and feasible. Se-OCAPIIA demonstrated high antioxidant activity in vivo and is a promising antioxidant and therapeutic agent.

[Analysis and identification of Geranium by two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy].

Tri-step infrared spectroscopy (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with second derivative spectra and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy (2D-COS)) was employed to identify and analyze the main components of Heilongjiang (HLJG), Jilin (JLG), Liaoning (LNG) genuine Herba Geranium. The emergence of several characteristic absorption peaks of tannins including 1 730 and 1 337 cm(-1) and peaks around 1 618 and 1 318 cm(-1) belonging to calcium oxalate suggested that Herba Geranii contained tannins and calcium oxalate. Differences near 1 370 and 1 230 cm(-1) were found among the three Herba Geranii. In light of second derivative spectra, four more peaks of tannin components around 1 509, 1 204, 764 and 763 cm(-1) and evident differences around C=O stretching bands (1 750-1 600 cm(-1)) were observed. By 2D-COS spectra with further improved resolution, the three genuine Geraniums were visually distinguished due to their significant differences in auto-peak profile. HLJG has 7 auto peaks with a strongest peak around 1 621 cm(-1), while JLG and LNG both have only 4 auto peaks with a strongest peak around 1 580 and 1 659 cm(-1), respectively. It was demonstrated that the Tri-step infrared spectroscopy was successfully applied to fast analyze and identify genuine Geraniums from different geographical regions and subsequently would be applicable to the study of Chinese medicinal resources and quality standards.

[Discrimination of eleven genera of Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae by FTIR spectroscopy and clustering analysis].

A fast identification method of eleven genera of Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae was developed by the combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with clustering analysis. FTIR spectroscopy was employed to identify and analyze eleven genera of Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae. On the basis of a principal component analysis (PCA) model, three genera of Chinese herbs were rapidly classified by using the method of SIMCA clustering analysis. These samples could be successfully classified by SIMCA. Recognition rate and rejection rate reached up to 98%. The accuracy of clustering reached up to 91% during blind sample testing. It is concluded that in combination with clustering analysis, FTIR method provides an effective way to rapidly evaluate Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae.

Complete chloroplast genome of adonis amurensis (ranunculaceae), an important cardiac folk medicinal plant in east asia.

Adonis amurensis Regel et Radde is an important cardiac folk medicinal plant which endemic to Northeast Asia. We determined the first complete chloroplast genome of A. amurensis using genome skimming approach. The cp genome was 157,032 bp long, with a large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,218 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,212 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,301 bp. It encodes 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. We also reconstructed the phylogeny of Adonideae and Isopyreae using maximum likelihood (ML) method, including our data and previously reported cp genomes of related taxa. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that A. amurensis is close related with Adonis sutchuenensis.

[Changes of lignans' content in stems of Schisandra chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine lignan content in the vine stem of Schisandra chinensis during 12 months and provide the scientific basis for the development and utilization of the resources. METHOD: Analysis was carried out on an Eclipse XDB C18 column eluted with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-water (43: 28: 29) as the mobile phase. The flowrate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 250 nm. Schisandrin, deoxyschizandrin and schisandrin B were used as reference substance, and the external standard method was used. RESULT: The content of three constituents in the vine stem varied under different months. Schisandrin's maximum is 2.3 mg x g(-1) in December, minimum is 1.4 mg x g(-1) in April. A Deoxyschizandrin's maximum is 0.8 mg x g(-1) in November, minimum is 0.4 mg x g(-1) in March; Schisandrin B's maximum is 3.0 mg x g(-1) in January, minimum is 1.1 mg x g(-1) in April. CONCLUSION: The collection seasons for the vine stem of S. chinensis are autumn and winter.