Jiedu Xiaozheng Yin Inhibits the Progression of Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Stimulating Macrophage Polarization Towards an M1 Phenotype via the TLR4 Pathway.

To investigate the effect of Jiedu Xiaozheng Yin (JXY) on the polarization of macrophages in colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC). An orthotopic model of CAC was established to monitor changes in the pathological state of mice. Colon length, number of colon tumors were recorded, and indices for liver, spleen, and thymus were calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was employed to observe intestinal mucosal injury and tumor formation. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was utilized to investigate the effect of JXY on M1 and M2 polarization of macrophages in the colonic mucosa of CAC mice. For in vitro experiments, RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription-quantitative PCR) and flow cytometry were used to observe the effect of JXY on various M1-related molecules such as IL-1ß, TNF-α, iNOS, CD80, CD86, and its phagocytic function as well as M2-related molecules including Arg-1, CD206, and IL-10. Subsequently, after antagonizing the TLR4 pathway with antagonists (TAK242, PDTC, KG501, SR11302, LY294002), the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-1ß mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR. In vivo experiments, the results showed that JXY improved the pathological condition of mice in general. And JXY treatment decreased the shortening of colon length and number of tumors as compared to non-treated CAC mice. Additionally, JXY treatment improved the lesions in the colonic tissue and induced a polarization of intestinal mucosal macrophages towards the M1 phenotype, while inhibiting polarization towards the M2 phenotype. In vitro experiments further confirmed that JXY treatment promoted the activation of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype, leading to increased expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α, iNOS, CD80, CD86, as well as enhanced phagocytic function. JXY treatment concomitantly inhibited the expression of M2-phenotype related molecules Arginase-1 (Arg-1), CD206, and IL-10. Furthermore, JXY inhibited M1-related molecules such as IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-1ß after antagonizing the TLR4 pathway. Obviously, JXY could exhibit inhibitory effects on the development of colon tumors in mice with CAC by promoting M1 polarization through TLR4-mediated signaling and impeding M2 polarization of macrophages.

High-efficiency green management of potato late blight by a self-assembled multicomponent nano-bioprotectant.

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is a devastating disease worldwide. Unlike other plant pathogens, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is poorly taken up by P. infestans, which is a key obstacle in using dsRNA for disease control. Here, a self-assembled multicomponent nano-bioprotectant for potato late blight management is designed based on dsRNA and a plant elicitor. Nanotechnology overcomes the dsRNA delivery bottleneck for P. infestans and extends the RNAi protective window. The protective effect of nano-enabled dsRNA against infection arises from a synergistic mechanism that bolsters the stability of dsRNA and optimizes its effective intracellular delivery. Additionally, the nano-enabled elicitor enhances endocytosis and amplifies the systemic defense response of the plants. Co-delivery of dsRNA and an elicitor provides a protective effect via the two aspects of pathogen inhibition and elevated plant defense mechanisms. The multicomponent nano-bioprotectant exhibits superior control efficacy compared to a commercial synthetic pesticide in field conditions. This work proposes an eco-friendly strategy to manage devastating plant diseases and pests.

Intercrops can mitigate pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic cotton while simultaneously reducing pest densities.

Genetically modified (GM) cotton, engineered to express Bt toxins that protect it from insect damage, has become the most successfully commercialized GM crop in China since its authorization in 1997. In light of the potential ecological consequences of pollen-mediated gene flow (PGF) from GM plants, a two year field trial was conducted to test the effects on PGF of sunflower, Helianthus annuus, buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum, and soybean, Glycine max, as intercrops in non-GM cotton fields during 2017 and 2018. DNA tests for hybridized seed were used to estimate rates of PGF in intercrop treatments. PGF was the lowest in cotton intercropped with either buckwheat or sunflower, likely due to the trapping of pollen in these flowers, and/or the diversion of pollinators away from cotton flowers. PGF declined as an exponential function of distance from the GM cotton; Y = -lnx was the model of best fit for estimating pollen dispersal potential. A sunflower intercrop reduced the peak abundance of Aphis gossypii, (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and Nysius ericae (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) on cotton plants, although densities of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Acari: Tetranychidae), were increased. A buckwheat intercrop had very similar effects on these pests, likely due to attraction of their natural enemies. We conclude that sunflower and buckwheat are suitable intercrops for reducing PGF from GM cotton, and may be useful for reducing PGF from other insect-pollinated GM crops in the agricultural landscape, while simultaneously contributing to control of specific pests. This is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that intercrops can be used to reduce PGF from transgenic plants.

Antidepressant active ingredients from herbs and nutraceuticals used in TCM: pharmacological mechanisms and prospects for drug discovery.

Depression is a widespread psychological disorder that affects up to 20% of the world's population. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its unique curative effect in depression treatment, is gaining increasing attention as the discovery of novel antidepressant drug has become the pursuit of pharmaceutical. This article summarizes the work done on the natural products from TCM that have been reported to conceive antidepressant effects in the past two decades, which can be classified according to various mechanisms including increasing synaptic concentrations of monoamines, alleviating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunctions, lightening the impairment of neuroplasticity, fighting towards immune and inflammatory dysregulation. The antidepressant active ingredients identified can be generally divided into saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides and others. Albiflorin, Baicalein, Berberine chloride, beta-Asarone, cannabidiol, Curcumin, Daidzein, Echinocystic acid (EA), Emodin, Ferulic acid, Gastrodin, Genistein, Ginsenoside Rb1, Ginsenoside Rg1, Ginsenoside Rg3, Hederagenin, Hesperidin, Honokiol, Hyperoside, Icariin, Isoliquiritin, Kaempferol, Liquiritin, L-theanine, Magnolol, Paeoniflorin, Piperine, Proanthocyanidin, Puerarin, Quercetin, Resveratrol (trans), Rosmarinic acid, Saikosaponin A, Senegenin, Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside and Vanillic acid are Specified in this review. Simultaneously, chemical structures of the active ingredients with antidepressant activities are listed and their sources, models, efficacy and mechanisms are described. Chinese compound prescription and extracts that exert antidepressant effects are also introduced, which may serve as a source of inspiration for further development. In the view of present study, the antidepressant effect of certain TCMs are affirmative and encouraging. However, there are a lot of work needs to be done to evaluate the exact therapeutic effects and mechanisms of those active ingredients, specifically, to establish a unified standard for diagnosis and evaluation of curative effect.

[Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine in treatment of chronic urticarial].

To analyze the efficacy and safety of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine as well as desloratadine alone in the treatment of chronic urticaria by Meta-analysis,in order to provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment.PubMed,CBM,Wan Fang,VIP database and CNKI database were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials( RCT) about Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine( test group) as well as desloratadine alone( control group) in the treatment of chronic urticaria. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5. 3 software after data extraction and quality evaluation( a total of 15 RCTs were included,involving 1 411 patients). Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate( RR = 1. 28,95%CI[1. 22,1. 35],P<0. 000 01) and the quality of life improvement rate( RR = 1. 49,95% CI[1. 33,1. 66],P< 0. 000 01) of the test group were better than those of the control group,and the recurrence rate( RR = 0. 29,95%CI[0. 21,0. 40],P<0. 000 01) was significantly lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences; there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions( RR = 1. 02,95%CI[0. 68,1. 53],P = 0. 92) compared with the control group. Based on the included RCTs,the efficacy of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine in the treatment of chronic urticaria were superior to those of desloratadine alone,with similarity in safety. However,due to the low quality of RCTs and the lack of large-scale multi-center studies,the results shall not be further verified by clinical trials.

Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine in treatment of chronic urticarial / 中国中药杂志

To analyze the efficacy and safety of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine as well as desloratadine alone in the treatment of chronic urticaria by Meta-analysis,in order to provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment.PubMed,CBM,Wan Fang,VIP database and CNKI database were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials( RCT) about Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine( test group) as well as desloratadine alone( control group) in the treatment of chronic urticaria. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5. 3 software after data extraction and quality evaluation( a total of 15 RCTs were included,involving 1 411 patients). Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate( RR = 1. 28,95%CI[1. 22,1. 35],P<0. 000 01) and the quality of life improvement rate( RR = 1. 49,95% CI[1. 33,1. 66],P< 0. 000 01) of the test group were better than those of the control group,and the recurrence rate( RR = 0. 29,95%CI[0. 21,0. 40],P<0. 000 01) was significantly lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences; there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions( RR = 1. 02,95%CI[0. 68,1. 53],P = 0. 92) compared with the control group. Based on the included RCTs,the efficacy of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets combined with desloratadine in the treatment of chronic urticaria were superior to those of desloratadine alone,with similarity in safety. However,due to the low quality of RCTs and the lack of large-scale multi-center studies,the results shall not be further verified by clinical trials.

Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic cotton is constrained by physical isolation measures.

The public concern about pollen-mediated gene flow (PGF) from genetically modified (GM) crops to non-GM crops heats up in recent years over China. In the current study, we conducted greenhouse and field experiments to measure PGF with various physical isolation measures, including 90, 80, 60 and 40 holes/cm2 separation nets and Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays and Lycopersicon esculentum separation crops between GM cotton and non-GM line (Shiyuan321) by seed DNA test during 2013 to 2015, and pollen grain dyeing was also conducted to assess the pollen flow in greenhouse during 2013. Our results revealed that (1) PGF varied depending on the physical isolation measures. PGF was the lowest with 90 holes/cm2 separation net and S. bicolor separation crop, and the highest with 40 holes/cm2 separation net and no isolation measure. (2) Similar to PGF results, 90 holes/cm2 separation net and S. bicolor separation crop could minimize the pollen dispersal. (3) PGF declined exponentially with increasing distance between GM cotton and Shiyuan321. Because of the production mode of farm household (limited cultivated area) in China, our study is particularly important, which is not only benefit for constraining PGF, but also has potential application value in practical production and the scientific researches.

Salvianolic acid B ameliorates depressive-like behaviors in chronic mild stress-treated mice: involvement of the neuroinflammatory pathway.

AIM: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental disorder associated with dysfunction of the neurotransmitter-neuroendocrine system and neuroinflammatory responses. Salvianolic acid B (SalB) has shown a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we examined whether SalB produced antidepressant-like actions in a chronic mild stress (CMS) mouse model, and explored the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like actions of SalB. METHODS: Mice were subjected to a CMS paradigm for 6 weeks. In the last 3 weeks the mice were daily administered SalB (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), ip) or a positive control drug imipramine (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), ip). The depressant-like behaviors were evaluated using the sucrose preference test, the forced swimming test (FST), and the tail suspension test (TST). The gene expression of cytokines in the hippocampus and cortex was analyzed with RT-PCR. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) and cerebral cytokines levels were assayed with an ELISA kit. Neural apoptosis and microglial activation in brain tissues were detected using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Administration of SalB or imipramine reversed the reduced sucrose preference ratio of CMS-treated mice, and significantly decreased their immobility time in the FST and TST. Administration of SalB significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α, and markedly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß in the hippocampus and cortex of CMS-treated mice, and normalized their elevated plasma CORT levels, whereas administration of imipramine did not significantly affect the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and cortex of CMS-treated mice. Finally, administration of SalB significantly decreased CMS-induced apoptosis and microglia activation in the hippocampus and cortex, whereas administration of imipramine had no significant effect on CMS-induced apoptosis and microglia activation in the hippocampus and cortex. CONCLUSION: SalB exerts potent antidepressant-like effects in CMS-induced mouse model of depression, which is associated with the inhibiting microglia-related apoptosis in the hippocampus and the cortex.

Antidepressant-like effects of Sanyuansan in the mouse forced swim test, tail suspension test, and chronic mild stress model.

Natural products have been widely reported as effective therapeutic alternatives for treatment of depression. Sanyuansan is a compound recipe composed of ginseng total saponins, fish oil, and valeriana. The aims of this study were to validate whether Sanyuansan has antidepressant-like effects through acute behavioral tests including the forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), locomotor activity test, and chronic mild stress (CMS) mice model of depression. C57BL/6 mice were given oral administration of 30 mg/kg imipramine, Sanyuansan, and saline, respectively. The acute behavioral tests including the TST, FST, and locomotor activity test were done after the administration of drugs for consecutively three times (24 hours, 1 hour, and 0.5 hour prior to the tests). Furthermore, the sucrose preference and the serum corticosterone level of mice in the CMS model were examined. Sanyuansan only at 900 mg/kg markedly reduced immobility time in the TST compared with the saline-treated group of mice. Sanyuansan at doses of 225 mg/kg, 450 mg/kg, and 900 mg/kg significantly reduced immobility time of mice in the FST. Sanyuansan reversed the CMS-induced anhedonia and hyperactivation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. In addition, our results showed that neither imipramine nor Sanyuansan at any dosage increased spontaneous motor activity. These results suggested that Sanyuansan induced significant antidepressant-like effects in mice in both acute and chronic animal models, which seemed unlikely to be attributed to an increase in locomotor activities of mice, and had no sedative-like effects.

Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic cotton under greenhouse conditions is dependent on different pollinators.

With the large-scale release of genetically modified (GM) crops, there are ecological concerns on transgene movement from GM crops to non-GM counterparts and wild relatives. In this research, we conducted greenhouse experiments to measure pollen-mediated gene flow (PGF) in the absence and presence of pollinators (Bombus ignitus, Apis mellifera and Pieris rapae) in one GM cotton (resistant to the insect Helicoverpa armigera and the herbicide glyphosate) and two non-GM lines (Shiyuan321 and Hai7124) during 2012 and 2013. Our results revealed that: (1) PGF varied depending on the pollinator species, and was highest with B. ignitus (10.83%) and lowest with P. rapae (2.71%); (2) PGF with B. ignitus depended on the distance between GM and non-GM cottons; (3) total PGF to Shiyuan321 (8.61%) was higher than to Hai7124 (4.10%). To confirm gene flow, we tested hybrids carrying transgenes for their resistance to glyphosate and H. armigera, and most hybrids showed strong resistance to the herbicide and insect. Our research confirmed that PGF depended on pollinator species, distance between plants and the receptor plant.

Functional architecture of two exclusively late stage pollen-specific promoters in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Late stage pollen-specific promoters are important tools in crop molecular breeding. Several such promoters, and their functional motifs, have been well characterized in dicotyledonous plants such as tomato and tobacco. However, knowledge about the functional architecture of such promoters is limited in the monocotyledonous plant rice. Here, pollen-late-stage-promoter 1 (PLP1) and pollen-late-stage-promoter 2 (PLP2) were characterized using a stable transformation system in rice. Histochemical staining showed that the two promoters exclusively drive GUS expression in late-stage pollen grains in rice. 5' deletion analysis revealed that four regions, including the -1159 to -720 and the -352 to -156 regions of PLP1 and the -740 to -557 and the -557 to -339 regions of PLP2, are important in maintaining the activity and specificity of these promoters. Motif mutation analysis indicated that 'AGAAA' and 'CAAT' motifs in the -740 to -557 region of PLP2 act as enhancers in the promoter. Gain of function experiments indicated that the novel TA-rich motif 'TACATAA' and 'TATTCAT' in the core region of the PLP1 and PLP2 promoters is necessary, but not sufficient, for pollen-specific expression in rice. Our results provide evidence that the enhancer motif 'AGAAA' is conserved in the pollen-specific promoters of both monocots and eudicots, but that some functional architecture characteristics are different.

Proteomics insights into the basis of interspecific facilitation for maize (Zea mays) in faba bean (Vicia faba)/maize intercropping.

Faba bean/maize intercropping significantly promotes maize productivity in phosphorus-deficient soils. This has been attributed to the below-ground interactions including rhizosphere effects and spatial effects. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions have been scarcely investigated. Here, three types of pots were used to distinguish the influences of rhizosphere effects vs. spatial effects. Phosphorus and nitrogen uptake of shoots, biomass, total root length, and root classification were evaluated between the three treatments. Quantitative RT-PCR and proteomics analyses were conducted to investigate the putative components in the molecular basis of these interactions. Quantitative RT-PCR results indicated that rhizosphere effects promoted maize phosphorus status at molecular levels. 66 differentially accumulated protein spots were successfully identified through proteomics analyses. Most of the protein species were found to be involved in phosphorus, nitrogen, and allelochemical metabolism, signal transduction, or stress resistance. The results suggest that rhizosphere effects promoted phosphorus and nitrogen assimilation in maize roots and thus enhanced maize growth and nutrient uptake. The reprogramming of proteome profiles suggests that rhizosphere effects can also enhance maize tolerance through regulating the metabolism of allelochemicals and eliciting systemic acquired resistance via the stimulation of a mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results obtained contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the response of maize to the changes of rhizosphere condition influenced by the below-ground interactions in faba bean/maize intercropping at molecular levels. The identified protein species involved in nutrient metabolisms and stress resistance reveal the molecular basis underlying the major advantages of effective nutrient utilization and higher stress tolerance in legume/cereal intercropping systems. This work provides essential new insights into the putative components in the molecular basis of interspecific facilitation for maize in faba bean/maize intercropping.

Functional conservation of MIKC*-Type MADS box genes in Arabidopsis and rice pollen maturation.

There are two groups of MADS intervening keratin-like and C-terminal (MIKC)-type MADS box genes, MIKC(C) type and MIKC* type. In seed plants, the MIKC(C) type shows considerable diversity, but the MIKC* type has only two subgroups, P- and S-clade, which show conserved expression in the gametophyte. To examine the functional conservation of MIKC*-type genes, we characterized all three rice (Oryza sativa) MIKC*-type genes. All three genes are specifically expressed late in pollen development. The single knockdown or knockout lines, respectively, of the S-clade MADS62 and MADS63 did not show a mutant phenotype, but lines in which both S-clade genes were affected showed severe defects in pollen maturation and germination, as did knockdown lines of MADS68, the only P-clade gene in rice. The rice MIKC*-type proteins form strong heterodimeric complexes solely with partners from the other subclade; these complexes specifically bind to N10-type C-A-rich-G-boxes in vitro and regulate downstream gene expression by binding to N10-type promoter motifs. The rice MIKC* genes have a much lower degree of functional redundancy than the Arabidopsis thaliana MIKC* genes. Nevertheless, our data indicate that the function of heterodimeric MIKC*-type protein complexes in pollen development has been conserved since the divergence of monocots and eudicots, roughly 150 million years ago.

Antidepressant-like effects of salvianolic acid B in the mouse forced swim and tail suspension tests.

AIMS: Salvianolic acid B (SalB), one of the most abundant and bioactive compounds extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), shows neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo and in vitro. This research was intended to investigate the antidepressant effect of SalB by forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). MAIN METHODS: SalB was extracted from S. miltiorrhiza roots and followed by HPLC analysis. Thirty five male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: three SalB groups of different doses, one imipramine group, and one control group. The SalB groups received intraperitoneally (i.p.) 5mg/kg SalB, 10mg/kg SalB, and 20mg/kg SalB respectively. At the same time, the imipramine group received 20mg/kg imipramine, and the control group saline only. The behavioral tests including FST, TST and locomotor activity test were done after administration of drugs for consecutively three times, at 24, 1, and 0.5h before the tests. KEY FINDINGS: SalB, from S. miltiorrhiza with purity of 95%, significantly reduced the immobility time in both the FST and TST tests (doses at 5, 10, 20mg/kg, i.p.), without changing locomotion in spontaneous motor activity. SIGNIFICANCE: This data suggests that besides neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities, SalB has promising therapeutic potential in treatment of depressive disorders.

Effects of Space Flight on the Chemical Constituents and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch).

Licorice, the oldest Chinese traditional medicine, is widely used in the treatment of human diseases. Due to the deficiency of wild resource, selecting and breeding becomes a key issue to expanding the supply of licorice. Spaceflight technology will become a new method for medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spaceflight on the components and anti-inflammatory activity in licorice. After flowing on a recoverable satellite for 18 days, licorice seeds were germinated and grown to maturity and the parallel ground-based seeds were also planted under the same conditions. The main components in licorice root were analyzed through HPLC. The contents of two components in spaceflight groups were higher than that of the ground control ones. Three acute inflammatory models including xylene-induced auricular edema, carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability were utilized to compare the anti-inflammatory activity of licorice pre and post spaceflight. The licorice extract showed the significant anti-inflammation activity. After the spaceflight, the pharmacological activity of licorice got higher than that of the ground control one. All of the models gained the tendency that the spaceflight group of species Hangjinqi had the strongest activity than other groups. The research provided the scientific data for a new breeding of medicinal plant through the spaceflight and indicated that the technology of space flight may be a new effective method for the breeding and cultivation of licorice.

[Effects of space flight on protein content and electrophoresis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the space environment on the role of licorice mutagenesis analysis of proteins. METHOD: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) seeds were carried by a recoverable satellite for 18 days (the average radiation dose in the flight recovery module was 0.102 m x d(-1), the orbit semidiameter 350 km, gravity 10(-6)). After return, The satellite-flown seeds and the unflown seeds (ground control) were planted in the fields of experimental farm. The leaves of each group were used for studying the effects of space flight on CAT, SOD activity, the protein content and electrophoresis. RESULT: After the space flight, CAT, SOD activity of licorice increased in varying degrees, the difference was significant (P<0.05), two types of enzyme activity of sample from Ordos were higher than that from Hangjinqi. The protein content of licorice increased in a certain extent, the difference was significant (P<0.05), while protein electrophoresis also showed differences, weak new bands appeared. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that spaceflight has effect on protein of licorice, these changes may be used as a tool for accelerating the progress in G. uralensis breeding.

[Research progress on mutation by spaceflight in medicinal plants breeding].

Space breeding in medicinal plants is special characteristics in China. Compared with other plants, in spite of a relatively small number, Medicinal plants have more obvious characteristics and advantages. Research on medicinal plants has also been carried into all aspects, such as biological traits, physiology and biochemistry, genomics, as well as differences in chemical composition, and chemical composition analysis is also involved. However, compared with other plants, especially crops and vegetables, biological research is an obvious deficiency, that is mainly reflected in the insufficient genetics and breeding researches, the stability of genetic traits from generation to generation were not followed up and in-depth study in breeding areas was not carried out. If medicinal plants resources from space with the genetic stability good quality were selected, it would address the problem of lack of resources and ease the pressure on wild resources of medicinal plants. It would at the same time play an important role in promoting the development of medicinal botany space breeding and the implementation of modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Affects of different bioreactors in process of Salvia miltiorrhiza adventitious root culture].

OBJECTIVE: To study the affects of the different bioreactors on the Salvia miltiorrhiza adventitious root culture. METHOD: Adventitious roots of S. miltiorrhiza were induced and in vitro cultured in bioreactors. The type of bioreactors was optimized and the kinetics of root growth, accumulation of the active ingredients was also investigated by HPLC. RESULT: It showed that the 3-1 conical bubble bioreactor (CNBB) with 60 degrees taper favors achieved the highest active compounds accumulation in adventitious roots. The growth curve and secondary metabolites accumulation curve looks like "S" in CNBB bioreactor. The maximum adventitious roots biomass of 16.24 g x L(-1) (fresh weight) was obtained at 35 day. The highest content of tanshinone IIA (TA) and protocatechuic aldehyde (PA) reached 0.23 mg x g(-1) DW and 0.51 mg x g(-1) DW at 40 day, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 3-1 conical bubble bioreactor (CNBB) with 60 degrees taper favors was the best bioreactors for the accumulation of active compounds.

Effects of space flight on DNA mutation and secondary metabolites of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.).

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) seeds were flown on a recoverable satellite for 18 days(the average radiation dose in the flight recovery module was 0.102 mGy/d, the distance from flight apogee to earth was 350 km, gravity 10(-6)). After returning to earth, the seeds were germinated and grown to maturity. The parallel ground-based seeds were also planted under the same conditions. The leaves of licorice were used for inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis and the two main secondary metabolites in one-year-old roots were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among 22 random primers used in this experiment, 6 primers generated different DNA band types. Analysis of HPLC showed that the content of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and liquiritin (LQ) in the roots from seeds flown in space was respectively 2.19, 1.18 times higher than that of the control group. The results demonstrated that the extraterrestrial environment induced mutagenic effects on licorice and affected its secondary metabolites. These changes indicated that extraterrestrial orbit is possible means of breeding of licorice so as to preserve this endangered medicinal plant.

[Effects of space flight on glycyrrhizic acid-related gene mutation in Glycyrrhiza uralensis].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effects of spaceflight on the glycyrrhizic acid-related gene mutation in Glycyrrhiza uralensis. METHOD: Licorice (G. uralensis) seeds were carried by a recoverable satellite for 18 days (the average radiation dose in the flight recovery module was 0. 102 m x d(-1), the orbit semidiameter 350 km, gravity 10(-6)). After returned to the earth, the satellite-flown seeds and the un-flown seeds (ground control) were planted in the fields of experimental farm. The leaves of each group were used for studying the effects of space flight on the glycyrrhizic acid-related gene mutation including ITS sequence and beta-amyrine synthase gene. RESULT: The ITS sequence of glycyrrhizic acid related gene showed no changes after spaceflight. While beta-amyrine synthase gene had some different points after spaceflight and the different points could get the expression. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that spaceflight induce genetic variation in G. uralensis and spaceflight could also have effects on glycyrrhizic acid-related gene mutation in G. uralensis. It may need to further research how the spaceflight induced the mutation of the glycyrrhizic acid related gene. The results suggested that recoverable satellite-flown condition could bring inheritable mutagenic effects on G. uralensis seeds and maybe used as a tool for accelerating the progress in G. uralensis breeding.