[Karyotype and evolutionary trend analysis of Scutellaria species in Jinyun mountain, Chongqing].

Traditional squash method was used to analyze chromosome number and karyotypes of four Scutellaria species in Chongqing Jinyun Mountain Natural Reserve： Scutellaria tsinyunensis, S.yunnanensis, S.franchetiana and S.indica.The result showed that the chromosome numbers were 26 except for S.franchetiana, which had 24 chromosomes.These species were all diploid with metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes.Their karyotypes were symmetrical and primitive.The karyotype formula of S.tsinyunensis is 2n=2x=26=24m+2sm, 1B type, As.k=55.28%; the karyotype formula of S.yunnanensis var.salicifolia is 2n=2x=26=26m, 1B type, As.k=56.11%; the karyotype formula of S.franchetiana is 2n=2x=24=20m+4sm, 2B type, As.k=58.50%; the karyotype formula of S.indica is 2n=2x=24=20m+4sm, 2B type, As.k=58.41%.The results were compared with the reported data of S.baicalensis and S.alaschanica.S.alaschanica is expected to be the most advanced one whereas S.tsinyunensis, and S.yunnanensis var. salicifolia primitive.These results are expected to provide some references to the origin and differentiation of genus Scutellaria.

[Study on relieving effects of exogenous SNP, Spd on Belamcanda chinensis under salt-alkalline stress].

The study is aimed to provide the theoretical basis for exploiting and utilization of salt-alkaline soil and cultivating Belamcanda chinensis. In this study, we exerted exogenous substances SNP, Spd to relieve the damage of the mixing salt-alkaline stress on B. chinensis seedling which is NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 four kinds of salt molar ratio of 9: 1: 9: 1, salt concentration of 100 mmol x L(-1). The result illustrated that high pH stress is a major factor caused the salt-alkaline stress, the interaction between time and the concentration of each, treatment was observed, what is more, there are synergies between the salt and alkali stress. The content of B. chinensis seedling leaves' membrane peroxidation index (MDA, O2-*) and metabolites (soluble protein, soluble sugars, organic acids) are showing an upward trend in varying degrees under 100 mmol x L(-1) salt-alkaline stress. It is effective to reduce the content of MDA and O2-*. and improve the levels of metabolites, in which the SNP (0.05 mmol x L(-1)) and Spd (0.5 mmol x L(-1)) to alleviate damage effects is the best. Therefore we can hold the conclusion that SNP and Spd can effectively mitigate the damage of B. chinensis seedling on salt-alkaline stress, improve the resistance ability of B. chinensis seedling which can provide the scientific basis for the utilization of salt-alkaline soil, and the cultivation of B. chinensis.

Cancer Chemoprevention by Ginseng in Mouse Liver and Other Organs

Oral administration of red ginseng extracts (1% in diet for 40 weeks) resulted in the significant suppression of spontaneous liver tumor formation in C3H/He male mice. Average number of tumors per mouse in control group was 1.06, while that in red ginseng extracts-treated group was 0.33 (p<0.05). Incidence of liver tumor development was also lower in red ginseng extracts-treated group, although the difference from control group was not statistically significant. Anti-carcinogenic activity of white ginseng extracts, besides red ginseng extracts, was also investigated. In the present study, the administration of white ginseng extracts was proven to suppress tumor promoter-induced phenomena in vitro and in vivo. It is of interest that oral administration of the extracts of Ren-Shen-Yang- Rong-Tang, a white ginseng-containing Chinese medicinal prescription, resulted in the suppression of skin tumor promotion by 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated CD-1 mice. These results suggest the usefulness of ginseng in the field of cancer prevention.

Anti-tumor-promoting effects of isoflavonoids on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis.

As a part of screening studies for anti-tumor promoters, fifteen isoflavonoids isolated from plants of the genus Millettia (Leguminosae) were evaluated by examining their possible inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. All of the compounds tested in this study showed inhibitory activity against EBV, without showing any cytotoxicity. Auriculasin (11) and millepurone (13), which is an oxidized isoflavone analogue, both having one or more prenyl side-chains and a 3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl group in the molecule, showed more potent activity than any of the other compounds tested. Furthermore, millepurone (13) exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on mouse skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test. The results of the present investigation indicate that some of these isoflavonoids might be valuable anti-tumor promoters.