Pollen morphological variation of Berberis L. from Pakistan and its systematic importance.

Due to overlapping and diverse morphological characters, Berberis is among the most taxonomically complex genera. Palynology is one of the taxonomic tools for delimitation and identification of complex species. In this study, pollens of 10 Berberis species were analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative features (pollen shape, size, presence or absence of colpi, colpi length and width, exine thickness, ornamentation, pollen class, aperture, and polar-equatorial ratio) were measured. Five species were observed to have colpate (pantocolpate) with elongated ends, radially symmetrical, isopolar, monads, and psilate-regulate pollens. In polar view, six pollen were spheroidal, two were ovoid, one spherical, and one oblate. Similarly, variation in pollen length was prominent and the largest pollen on polar view was recorded for B. psodoumbellata 60-65 µm (62.4 ± 0.9), while the smallest one was observed for B. lycium 29-35 µm (32.2 ± 1). The observed variation in both quantitative and qualitative features were important in taxonomic identification. This shows that palynological characters are helpful in identification of Berberis genus at the species level.

[Determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex and comparative study of its different species].

In order to clarify the characteristic components of Berberidis Cortex,the preparative liquid chromatography and spectral analysis methods were used to separate and identify the unknown components in the water extract of Berberidis Cortex. Two compounds were isolated and identified as bufotenidine and ferulic acid 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside. They were both isolated for the first time from Berberidis Cortex and Berberis. In addition,an HPLC method was successfully established for simultaneously determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex,and chemometric methods were used to study the chemical differences among three main species of Berberidis Cortex. The results suggested that jatrorrhizine and bufotenidine are the main difference compounds among the three species.Compared with B. kansuensis and B. diaphana,B. vernae contains significantly more jatrorrhizine(P<0. 01),and the content of bufotenidine in B. vernae was significantly higher than that in B. kansuensis(P<0. 05). Considering these results,further research is necessary to reveal the pharmacological activities of bufotenidine and the pharmacodynamic differences between the three species. The results could provide a reference for quality control,the basic research on effective substances,and development of Berberidis Cortex.

[A new herbs traceability method based on DNA barcoding-origin-morphology analysis--an example from an adulterant of 'Heiguogouqi'].

The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum is a common folk medicine in China. Now it is popular for its antioxidative effect and other medical functions. The adulterants of the herb confuse consumers. In order to identify a new adulterant of L. ruthenicum, a research was performed based on NCBI Nucleotide Database ITS Sequence, combined analysis of the origin and morphology of the adulterant to traceable varieties. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the materials, and nuclear DNA ITS sequences were amplified and sequenced; DNA fragments were collated and matched by using ContingExpress. Similarity identification of BLAST analysis was performed. Besides, the distribution of plant origin and morphology were considered to further identification and verification. Families and genera were identified by molecular identification method. The adulterant was identified as plant belonging to Berberis. Origin analysis narrowed the range of sample identification. Seven different kinds of plants in Berberis were potential sources of the sample. Adulterants variety was traced by morphological analysis. The united molecular identification-origin-morphology research proves to be a preceding way to medical herbs traceability with time-saving and economic advantages and the results showed the new adulterant of L. ruthenicum was B. kaschgarica. The main differences between B. kaschgarica and L. ruthenicum are as follows: in terms of the traits, the surface of B. kaschgarica is smooth and crispy, and that of L. ruthenicum is shrinkage, solid and hard. In microscopic characteristics, epicarp cells of B. aschgarica thickening like a string of beads, stone cells as the rectangle, and the stone cell walls of L. ruthenicum is wavy, obvious grain layer. In molecular sequences, the length of ITS sequence of B. kaschgarica is 606 bp, L. ruthenicum is 654 bp, the similarity of the two sequences is 53.32%.

[Species and distribution of the medicinal plants peculiar to Guizhou].

OBJECTIVE: To review the species and distribution of the medicinal plants peculiar to Guizhou and provide evidence for application, protection and collection. METHOD: Open-air investigation, data collection and specimen identification. RESULT: More than eighty kinds of the medical plants peculiar to Guizhou have been identified. CONCLUSION: Guizhou has a diversity of medicinal plants. The area of distribution of most species is restricted and the population is small. Some of the species have higher medicinal and scientific research values.

[Distribution of four alkaloids in plants of Berberis].

In order to assess a simple and effective method for sensitive detection of alkaloids in Berberis plants, HPLC with gradiation elution is described. This method was developed for determination of four kinds of alkaloids including berbamine, jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine in methanolic extracts from bark and core of root and stem of Berberis. The linear correlations of berberine, jatrorrhizine, berbamine and palmatine were in the range of 0.028 - 4.74 microg (r = 0.9998), 0.012 - 2.0 microg (r = 0.9996), 0.026 - 0.52 microg (r = 0.9999), 0.015 - 2.56 microg (r = 0.9998), respectively. The content of alkaloids had obvious difference in Berberis plants from different habitats and different parts.

[Determination of four alkaloids in Berberis plants by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: In order to assess Berberis, a simple and effective high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was established. METHOD: By applying HPLC with gradiation elution, this method was developed for determination of four kinds of alkaloids including berbamine, Jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine in methanolic extracts from root bark, root, stem bark and stem of Berberis. RESULT: The alkaloids berbamine, jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine shown good linear correlations in the range of 0.028-4.74 microg (r = 0.9998); 0.012-2.0 microg (r = 0.9996); 0.026-0.52 microg (r = 0.9999); 0.015-2.56 microg (r = 0.9998), respectively. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curve for the analytes exceeded 0.9998. CONCLUSION: The optimized HPLC method was applied to analyze various samples, and the results shown that the content of alkaloids were obvious difference in Berberis from different area, different species and different parts.