Mechanism of Ginsenoside Rh2 Against Liver Cancer / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Ginsenoside Rh2 is a tetracyclic triterpenoid saponin monomer containing a dammarane-type skeleton, with advantages of low toxicity, low molecular weight, good fat solubility and strong anticancer effect, and is the main anticancer effective in ginseng. In recent years, there have been emerging findings on ginsenoside Rh2, indicating an obvious anticancer activity against a variety of cancers with a high morbidity and mortality. Particularly, ginsenoside Rh2 has a significant anti-hepatocarcinoma effect, so the studies on the mechanism of action have gradually been given attention. In this paper, we have reviewed more than 100 domestic and foreign relevant literatures in Chinese and English databases in the past 20 years, such as CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Data, Pub Med, and conducted detailed collection, analysis and summary for the contents of the anti-hepatocarcinoma mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2. According to the findings, although there are many reports on the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect of ginsenoside Rh2, the mechanism of action of ginsenoside Rh2 against liver cancer has not been systematically elaborated. Therefore, this paper comprehensively discusses the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect of ginsenoside Rh2, clarifies that the mechanism of action of ginsenoside Rh2 against liver cancer may be related with the inhibition of the proliferation of hepatoma cells, the induction of differentiation of hepatoma cells, the promotion of apoptosis of hepatoma cells, the inhibition of invasion and metastasis of hepatoma cells, the reduction of drug resistance of liver cancer cells, and the improvement of immunity. For the first time, the mechanism of action of ginsenoside Rh2 against liver cancer was comprehensively summarized, which provided reference for researches on ginsenoside Rh2 against liver cancer, evidence and ideas for further researches on ginsenoside Rh2, new research directions for the treatment of liver cancer and new hope to patients with liver cancer.

Seed quality test methods of Marsdenia tenacissima / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the testing methods for seed quality of Marsdenia tenacissima, and provide basis for establishing seed quality standard of M. tenacissima. Methods: The seed quality of M. tenacissima from different producing areas was measured based on the International Seed Testing Protocol made up by ISTA and Rules for Agricultural Seed Testing issued by China. Results: The samples weight of M. tenacissima were at least 900 g for purity analysis and were at least 90 g for testing. The 1 000-seed weight was determined by 500-seed method, and the water content was carried out by higher temperature (133 ± 2)℃ for 6 h. After soaking in water for 24 h, M. tenacissima seeds were cultured in wet sand at 30℃ for 1-8 d under illumination for germination testing. Seed viability was tested by TTC method in 35℃ for 3 h. Conclusion: The seed testing methods for quality items of M. tenacissima have been initially established.

Effects of seed priming on physiology of seed germination and seeding growth of Marsdenia tenacissima under NaCl stress / 中国中药杂志

To offer the reference and method for salt damage in the cultivation of Marsdenia tenacissima, the seeds of M. tenacissima collected from Maguan city ( Yunnan province) were taken as the test materials to study the effects of different priming materials on improving germination and growth under high-level salt stress condition. Four different treatments, which were GA3, KNO3-KH2PO4, PEG-6000, NaCl, combined with ANOVA were applied to test the performance of germination energy, germination percentage, germination index, MDA, SOD, and CAT. The results showed that the seed germination was obviously inhibited under salt stress and the soaked seeds with different priming materials could alleviate the damage of salt stress. Under these treatments, the activities of SOD, CAT the content of soluble protein significantly increased. While the content of MDA significantly decreased. The maximum index was obtained when treated with 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage increased from 52.67% to 87.33% and the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 219.44 respectively. Comparing with the treatment of 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage of treating with 300 mg x L(-1) GA3 increased from 52.67% to 80.67%, while the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 444.61.

Studies on germination condition of Marsdenia tenacissima seeds / 中草药

In order to identify the germination behavior of Marsdenia tenacissima seeds. We studied on ground substance, soaking time, temperature, illumination, and pH value, which have the effects on the germination of M. tenacissima seeds. The results showed that M. tenacissima seeds can germinate in different ground substances especially in sandy soil, the effect of soaking time on the seed germination of M. tenacissima is not significant, the seeds could germinate well during 25-30℃. Based on these appropriate conditions, the effect of illumination is not significant but the illumination should be the key factor under inappropriate temperature. The effect of acidic soil is lighter than that of alkaline soil. The optimal germination condition of M. tenacissima seeds is 24 h of soaking at the temperature of 30℃ with sandy soil by which pH value is 7.0-7.5 under illumination.

FTIR fingerprint spectrograms of traditional Chinese medicine Marsdenia tenacissima / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy fingerprint analysis of Marsdenia tenacissima samples was used to develop a reliable method of tracing the geographical origins. Forty-eight samples from four provinces of China were analyzed by FTIR. We analyzed and characterized the fingerprints in both the full spectrum peaks and characteristic peaks, then the principal component analysis and the cluster analysis were carried out. The results of fingerprint analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis can identify the geographic origins correctly, which verified and supplemented each other; the identification results and the actual location showed a high degree of consistency, namely the lower the space distance, the greater the similarity of different samples. These results revealed the obvious superiority and practical value in comparison to the more tedious and time-consuming wet chemistry method normally used. Using appropriate metrology methods can trace the geographical source correctly. The M. tenacissima materials from the region of Maguan should be considered as genuine medicinal materials taking into account the good quality.

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Radix Angelica sinensis / 中国天然药物

The roots of Angelica sinensis (RAS), are a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used in prescriptions for replenishing blood, treating abnormal menstruation, and other women's diseases. It has also been widely marketed as health food for women's care in Asia, and as a dietary supplement in Europe and America. RAS is well-known for its hematopoietic, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory activities. RAS also possesses anti-cancer, memory, radioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Phytochemical investigations on this plant led to organic acids, phthalides, polysaccharides, and other metabolites. Based on recent animal studies and clinical trials, RAS has been used in the treatment of gynecologic diseases, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, nervous system diseases, and nephrotic syndrome. In this review, the recent phytochemical and pharmacological studies, drug-drug interactions, clinical applications, and toxicity of RAS are summarized.