In vitro evaluation of the anti-pathogenic activity of Okoubaka aubrevillei on the human gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: Okoubaka aubrevillei is used in traditional West African medicine and in homeopathy for treatment and prevention of several gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of repeated doses of two Okoubaka products (10 % ethanolic tincture, mother tincture (MT); 3rd decimal potency, 3X) on the microbial activity of physiological human colon microbiota using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) and to investigate any preventive effect against infections with diarrhea-causing pathogens. METHODS: Upon inoculation with fecal microbiota from a healthy donor, 4 parallel proximal colon compartments of the SHIME were treated either with Okoubaka MT, Okoubaka 3X, ethanol control or blank control for 7 days. Using the Okoubaka-adapted microbial community from SHIME, 48 h challenge tests were performed with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Salmonella enteritidis in 4 different doses (103-108 colony forming units as typical in vivo infectious doses). Pathogen concentrations, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched SCFA production were measured in triplicate at 0, 24 and 48 h. RESULTS: In the challenge tests, both Okoubaka products were able to restrict the colonization of ETEC and Salmonella at 3 of the 4 pathogen doses (except the highest doses), with a stronger anti-pathogenic effect for MT, which included a reduction of 2.0 log-units of ETEC (p < 0.0001) and 1.1 log-units of Salmonella (p < 0.0001). Total SCFA levels remained unaffected, but butyrate increased during the first 24 h (p < 0.0001 for ETEC), accompanied by decreased acetate production. CONCLUSION: We observed in vitro a systemic activating effect of Okoubaka on intestinal microbiome resistance, which resulted in an anti-pathogenic effect, especially against ETEC. We hypothesize that the mode of action in vivo is also based on systemic regulative effects.

[Effects of weeds on crops and their ecological control in ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica].

Weeds is one of the important parts of agricultural ecosystem of Chinese materia medica. Weeds is a double-edged sword with advantages and disadvantages for the cultivated medicinal plants. In this study, we firstly analyzed the positive and negative effects of weeds on the yield and quality of Chinese materia medica. We then explored the possible mechanisms for the weeds' positive effects from the aspects of interspecific relationship, soil microecological environment, light environment, natural control of pests and so on. We also summarized three basic principles of weed control, that is, "making medicinal plants and weeds coexist harmoniously, achieving the overall optimum growth of medicinal plants", "prevention first, integrated control" and "preserving beneficial weeds and increasing their beneficial effects, removing harmful weeds and control their adverse effects". Finally, we introduced several common weed ecological control technology in field of the cultivated medicinal plants in China, including technology of controlling weeds by no-tillage, stral mulch, rotation, alternative herbs, competitive crops, and allelopathy. This study is aimed to apply the ecology theory to guide weed management and control, so as to achieve the goal of advantages promotion and disadvantages elimination of weeds to cultivated medicinal plants, making weeds into treasure and to promote the sustainable and healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials production and the protection of weed diversity.

[Pattern and matching technology of ecological planting for Chinese materia medica based on system level].

The ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica(CMM) has become the most dynamic and promising new field in the global ecological agriculture. The development of ecological planting of CMM has become the national strategy of Chinese traditional medicine agriculture. It has been highly valued and has flourished throughout the country, and has formed some more mature ecological planting models of CMM. Based on the system level, this paper sorts out the common ecological cultivation patterns of CMM, and obtains five basic patterns: landscape pattern at the ecological landscape level, circulation pattern at the ecosystem level, stereo model at the bio-community level, biodiversity patterns at the level of biological populations and well-established models at the level of biological individuals. On this basis, eight common ecological planting techniques of CMM were obtained, includingwild tending techniques, fine agricultural farming techniques, directional cultivation techniques, soil improvement techniques, soil testing and fertilization techniques, mycorrhizal cultivation techniques, green control technology for pests and diseases and facility cultivation techniques.This paper aims to provide theoretical basis for scientific research and popularization and application of CMM ecological planting.

[Ecological agriculture: future of agriculture for Chinese material medica].

The ecological agriculture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is generally acknowledged as the most advanced agricultural mode. However, it's still a doubt whether ecological agriculture could be widely applied in TCM agriculture. In this study, we first analyze both the differences and relationships between ecological and organic agriculture, which suggesting that ecological agriculture does not need all the inputs as traditional agriculture. After introducing the situation of ecological agriculture from all across the world, we analyze the differences and characteristics between ecological and chemical agricultures. Considered with the big challenge caused by chemical agriculture, we pointed out that ecological agriculture could definitely replace chemical agriculture. Last but not the least, combined with the situation and problems of Chinese agriculture, we analyze the distinctive advantages of TCM ecological agriculture from 3 aspects as its unique quality characteristics, its unique habitat requirements in production and its unique application and market characteristics, respectively. In conclusion, ecological agriculture is the straight way of TCM agriculture.

[Ecological agriculture: future of Good Agriculture Practice of Chinese materia medica].

Based on the ecological and economic problems in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) of Chinese material medica, we introduced the origin, concept, features and operative technology of eco-agriculture worldwide, emphasizing its modes on different biological levels of landscape, ecosystem, community, population, individual and gene in China. And on this basis, we analyzed the background and current situation of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica, and proposed its development ideas and key tasks, including: (1) Analysis and planning of the production pattern of Chinese material medica national wide. (2) Typical features extraction of regional agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (3) Investigation of the interaction and its mechanism between typical Chinese materia medica in each region and the micro-ecology of rhizosphere soil. (4) Study on technology of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (5) Extraction and solidification of eco-agriculture modes of Chinese materia medica. (6) Study on the theory of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. Also we pointed out that GAP and eco-agriculture of Chinese material medica are both different and relative, but they are not contradictory with their own features. It is an irresistible trend to promote eco-agriculture in the GAP of Chinese material medica and coordinate ecological and economic development.

[The standard operating procedure of the standardization breeding for Poecilobdella manillensis].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the artificial breeding technology of Poecilobdella manillensi. METHODS: The environment of producing area and breeding technology, the control of diseases, reserving seeds for breeding, harvesting and processing,the standard of the product quality and supervision for the standardization breeding of Poecilobdella Manillensis was studied. RESULTS: The average yield of vital specimen of Poecilobdella Manillensis was 420.88 kg/mu, the natural hirudin in 1kg of the living specimen of Poecilobdella Manillensis contained 430,000 AT-U, and the quality index and hygienic standard of all products complied with the regulations and standards of the State. CONCLUSION: SOP is applicable for the breeding of Poecilobdella manillensi for Guangxi district.

[Comparing of different methods on habitat adaptive division of Chinese material medica].

OBJECTIVE: To comparing two kinds habitat adaptive division of Chinese material medica with different models. METHOD: The habitat adaptive divisions of A. lancea according essential oil accumulation with two kinds pattern, model pattern and template pattern were carrid and compared. RESULT: Two habitat adaptive divisions of A. lancea maps according essential oil accumulation were gotten. CONCLUSION: Both model pattern and template pattern were efficient on habitat adaptive division of Chinese material medica, but they shoud bu used with different processesd and based different background [corrected]

Nest refuse of Acromyrmex balzani (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) increases the plant vigor in Turnera subulata (Turneraceae) / O substrato de descarte de Acromyrmex balzani (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) aumenta o vigor da planta Turnera subulata (Turneraceae)

Abstract Some studies report the positive effect of organic residues from ant nests on soil properties and on the structure of the adjacent plant community in field experiments, but there is a gap about the effect on individual species. The purpose of the present study was to compare the soil nutrient content and the development of Turnera subulata Smith, an ornamental species, in the presence of the nest refuse (basically composed of fragments of grass leaves and the symbiotic fungus) produced by the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex balzani (Emery, 1890) or in control soil through a greenhouse pot experiment. The experiment was carried out with two treatments: control soil and soil with 25% of nest refuse. The plants were kept in 1L pots for 90 days. We evaluated the parameters: plant height, stem diameter, root length, number of leaves, dry weight of the root, dry and fresh aboveground biomass. Additionally, the relative chlorophyll content and leaf nutrients were used as nutritional parameters. As a result, plants that grew in the soil with nest refuse showed significant higher values of all parameters evaluated when compared to the control treatment (p < 0.001). We conclude that this biofertilizer contributed to the production of more vigorous plants, being able to act on the local dynamics of nutrients in the ecosystems where A. balzani occurs. As it is relatively abundant and easy to collect, the refuse of A. balzani has the potential to be used as an alternative substrate in the production of shortlife cycle plants.

Resumo Alguns estudos relatam o efeito positivo de resíduos orgânicos de formigueiros nas propriedades do solo e na estrutura da comunidade de plantas adjacentes em experimentos de campo, mas há uma lacuna sobre o efeito em espécies individuais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o desenvolvimento de Turnera subulata Smith, uma espécie ornamental, na presença do substrato de descarte (SD) de formigueiros produzido pela formiga cortadeira Acromyrmex balzani (Emery, 1890) por meio de experimento em casa de vegetação. O experimento foi conduzido com dois tratamentos: solo controle e solo com 25% de SD. As plantas foram mantidas em vasos de 1L por 90 dias. Foram avaliados os parâmetros: altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, comprimento da raiz, número de folhas, massa seca da raiz, biomassa seca e fresca da parte aérea. Além disso, o conteúdo relativo de clorofila e os nutrientes foliares foram usados como parâmetros fisiológicos. Como resultado, as plantas que cresceram no solo com SD apresentaram valores significativamente maiores de todos os parâmetros avaliados quando comparadas ao tratamento controle (p < 0.001). Concluímos que esse biofertilizante contribuiu para a produção de plantas mais vigorosas, podendo atuar na dinâmica local de nutrientes nos ecossistemas onde A. balzani ocorre. Além disso, por ser relativamente abundante e fácil de coletar, o SD de A. balzani tem potencial para ser utilizado como biofertilizante na produção de plantas de ciclo de vida curta.

[Quality evaluation on eighteen samples of forest frog's oviduct from different habitat of northeast China].

OBJECTIVE: To compare eighteen samples of Forest frog's oviduct from different regions of northeast China, in order to fomulate the quality evaluation standard. METHODS: According to the documents, comparing the target constituent of Forest frog's oviduct, including the mositure, ash, protein, lipid and expansibility were analysed. RESULTS: It was similar to the chemical constituent in Forest frog's oviduct from different habitiat of northeast China. CONCLUSION: The germplasm of this species is stable.

[Studies on fingerprints of ant nest of Macrotermes annadalei from different areas].

OBJECTIVE: To study comparatively the fingerprint of zhuang medicinal material-ant nest of Macrotermes annadalei from different areas in Guangxi. METHOD: The fingerprint of total amino acid of 12 lots of ant nest of M. annadalei from different areas was determined by high speed amino acid analyzer. Separation was perform on anylytical column (4.6 mm x 40 mm), column temperature at 57 degrees C. The flow rate of buffering solution was 0.4 mL x min(-1), and the flow rate of ninhydrin was 0.3 mL x min(-1). RESULT: 18 characteristic peaks in the fingerprints were identified in 12 lots of samples, the chromatographic overlap rate was 89.4%-100.0%, and the total relative peak area of 7 lots of samples was over 52% in eight main peaks. CONCLUSION: The components of amino acid of ant nest of M. armadalei from different areas in Guangxi are very similar. The qualities of majority samples are good as well. The fingerprints can provide the useful information for the quality evaluation and the identification of ant nest of M. annadalei.

[Conservation of endangered species resources of Tibetan medicine in China].

OBJECTIVE: To further investigate and discuss the cause of species endangerment, the status and present problem of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine in China. METHOD: Previous relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field. The present situation of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was analyzed. RESULT: The status of endangered resources, cause of species endangerment, the conserving status and conserving measures etc were elaborated. The classification was made and suggestion of species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine were put forward. CONCLUSION: The endangered species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was carried out by building protective area of endangered species resources and plant garden, setting up germplasm bank, developing the domestication and cultivation of Tibetan medicinal herbs most in use, strengthening the investigation and study of endangered species, launching exchange and cooperation of conservation techniques on endangered species, enhancing the protective awareness of endangered species traditional Tibetan medicine etc. By so doing we can facilitate the sustainable development of traditional Tibetan medicine in China.

[Study on the biology of adults parasite of Cordyceps sinensis, Hepialus biruensis].

OBJECTIVE: To supply the basis of the breeding the host of parasite of Cordyceps sinensis for it's natural culturing, by studying the biology of the host of parasite of C. sinensis, Hepialus biruensis. METHOD: The host of parasite was collected in field, eclosion, mating and spawning in the different conditions were made, and it's biology and the regularity of the growth and development were observed. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: In the natural condition, H. biruensis has the rate of eclosion, 42.3%, and the sex ratio, 1:0.86, and it's lifespan is 2-5 days. It has the rate of eclosion, 67.4%, in the constant temperature. At the 18 degrees C, H. biruensis has the highest rate of mating and spawning, 92% and 98%, and its rate of mating and spawning varies in the different temperature conditions. The male moth cherishes average 814.4 eggs and lays 607.2 eggs. In the open country, the optimum air relative humidity for mating and laying eggs is 75%-90%, while indoors, the optimum air relative humidity is 78%.

[Habitats and present situations of 13 rare precious medicinal materials in Funiu mountains].

The living resources are very abound in the Funiu mountains area because of its special geographical position and climate, and there are also many rare precious living beings and Chinese medicinal herbs, for example, Taxus mairei, Ginkgo biloba, Gastrodia elata, Dendrobium huashanense, Physochlaina infunbularis, Cypripedium japonicum, Dysosma versipellis, Moschus moschiferus, Megalobatrachus davidanus, Succinum, etc, and conscious protection and rational development is an urgent task.

A crise da biodiversidade e a medicina homeopatica / The biodiversity crisis and the homeopathic medicine

A autora relata o problema mundial da Biodiversidade e ressalta a importancia da extincao das especies medicinais para a Medicina Homeopatica

A crise da biodiversidade e a medicina homeopatica / The biodiversity crisis and the homeopathic medicine

A autora relata o problema mundial da Biodiversidade e ressalta a importancia da extincao das especies medicinais para a Medicina Homeopatica

Consideraciones ecológicas y de inocuidad alimentaria en productos de origen vegetal / Ecological and food safety considerations in productos of plant origin

En años recientes los medios de comunicación han prestado mucha atención a problemas microbiológicos emergentes en alimentos de origen vegetal. Las posibilidades de contaminaciónde las frutas y hortalizas son altas debido a la gran variedad de condiciones a las que son expuestas durante el cultivo, cosecha , procedimiento y distribución. Estas consideraciones adquieren gran interés en el panorama actual presentado por las nuevas técnicas de procedimiento que ofrecen atributos de conveniencia y frescura en respuesta a los cambios en los patrones de consumo y la gran demanda de frutas y vegetales frescos o minimamente procesados. Existe entonces ahora una gran dependencia del uso de refrigeración y de nuevos materiales y técnicas de empaque. Aunque los productos vegetales frescos no habían sido considerados vectores de importancia en la transmisión de enfermedades, las nuevas tecnilogías que aumentan su vida útil, aumentar los riesgos asociados con organismos patógenos en especial de naturaleza psicrotrófica al retardar el desarrollo de la flora competitiva deteriorativa. Adicionalmente cualquier etapa del procedimiento puede modificar los microambientes de los alimentos y abrir nuevas posibilidades a patógenos que por razones ecológicas nunca hubiesen estado presentes naturalemente en el producto. En este artículo se revisan aspectos ecológicos y de inocuidad así como brotes de enfermedades atribuidas al consumo de productos de origen vegetales causados por Salmonella y Shigella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, Aeromonas hydrophila y Campylobacter jejuri