The Identification of Araliaceae Species by ITS2 Genetic Barcoding and Pollen Morphology.

The genetic barcode ITS2 (ITS: internal transcribed spacer) and pollen morphology were used for the identification of the pharmacologically valuable wild Araliaceae species Panax ginseng, Oplopanax elatus, Aralia elata, Aralia continentalis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus inhabiting the natural forests of Primorye, Russia. The ITS2 locus successfully identified all six species, which supports the use of ITS2 as a standard barcode for medicinal plants. However, the ITS2 locus was insufficient for intra-specific discrimination in these species, neither within Primorye nor from other world representatives within GenBank. Araliaceae pollen was confirmed to undergo size-reducing metamorphosis. The final morphotypes were species-specific for each of the six species but could not discriminate intra-species geographic localities within Primorye. The morphologies of the final pollen morphotypes from homologous species inhabiting other parts of the world are not yet known. Therefore, whether pollen is applicable for Araliaceae intra-species discrimination between Primorye and other world localities could not be established. Based on these findings, we propose that the ITS2 genetic barcode and the final pollen morphotypes are suitable for the identification of Araliaceae species. However, further studies will be needed to determine the suitability of genetic and pollen traits for Araliaceae geographic authentication.

High rabdosiin and rosmarinic acid production in Eritrichium sericeum callus cultures and the effect of the calli on masugi-nephritis in rats.

During an investigation of plant cell cultures that might be useful in the treatment of renal disorders, we established a vigorously-growing E-4 callus culture of Eritrichium sericeum that produced large amounts of caffeic acid metabolites, (-)-rabdosiin (1.8% dry wt) and rosmarinic acid (4.6% dry wt). Elicitation of the calli by methyl jasmonate induced a 38% increase in total polyphenol production. The most efficient method of eliciting (-)-rabdosiin biosynthesis was through the treatment of E-4 calli with cuprum glycerate, which induced an increase in (-)-rabdosiin production of as much as 4.1% dry wt. Oral administration of E-4 callus biomass (100 mg/kg/d for 30 d) to rats with induced Masugi-nephritis caused an increase in diuresis and lowered creatinine excretion and proteinuria levels as compared with Masugi-nephritis untreated rats. While all of the Masugi-nephritis untreated rats began to suffer, near a quarter of the E-4 treated rats remained in good health. This result indicates that the E-4 culture has the potential to alleviate the symptoms associated with nephritis.

Caffeic acid metabolites from Eritrichium sericeum cell cultures.

Eritrichium sericeum (Boraginaceae) callus and root cultures were established and analyzed for caffeic acid metabolite (CAM) production. Two substances, (-)-rabdosiin and rosmarinic acid, were identified as main CAMs produced by these cultures. The E. sericeum Er-1 root culture accumulated up to 1.5 % and 4.5 % DW of (-)-rabdosiin and rosmarinic acid, respectively. Rabdosiin in the Lithospermum erythrorhizon callus cultures was produced exclusively as the (+)-enantiomer while in both Eritrichium cultures it occurred as the (-)-enantiomer. The E. sericeum Er-1 culture accumulated 3-fold higher levels of CAMs than the L. erythrorhizon culture. A new compound, named eritrichin, was isolated from the cultured E. sericeum cells. The structure of this compound was established as (2R)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyloxy]propanoic acid on the basis of spectral data.