Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Phragmites australis as a Chinese herb from Phragmites and Poaceae.

The root of Phragmites australis can often be used as the Chinese herb in China. In this paper, the complete chloroplast genome of P. australis was studied for more genetic information. The chloroplast genome was 137,561 bp in length as the circular and typical quadripartite structure, which contained a large single-copy region (LSC) of 82,328 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 12,699 bp, and a pair of inverted-repeat regions (IRs) of 21,267 bp. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome is: 42,300 bp A (30.7%), 42,090 bp T (30.6%), 26,500 bp C (19.3%), 26,671 bp G (19.4%) and the total G + C content of 38.7%. However, 134 genes were found that included 87 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 39 transfer RNA (tRNAs), and 8 ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The Maximum-Likelihood (ML) method phylogenetic relationship with the reported chloroplast genomes showed that Phragmites australis is closely related to Setaria viridis and Setaria italic of the family Poaceae.

The complete chloroplast genome of Aloe vera from China as a Chinese herb.

Aloe vera has been used as a Chinese herb and an ingredient in many cosmetic products in China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. vera was determined for more genetic data information. The chloroplast genome was 152,875 bp length as a typical quadripartite structure that contained a large single-copy region (LSC) of 83,505 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 16,178 bp and a pair of inverted-repeat regions (IRs) of 26,596 bp. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome is: 47,185 bp A (30.8%), 48,123 bp T (31.5%), 29,326 bp C (19.2%), 28,241 bp G (18.5%) and the total G + C content of 37.7%. Then, 131 genes were found that included 85 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 38 transfer RNA (tRNAs) and 8 ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The phylogenetic analysis showed that A. vera closely related to A. maculata in the phylogenetic relationship of the family Asphodelaceae by the Maximum-Likelihood (ML) method.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Citrus reticulate (Rutaceae, Citrus).

The peel of Citrus reticulata can be useful as a kind of traditional Chinese medicine in China. The circular complete chloroplast genome of Citrus reticulata was 160,101 bp in length with the typical quadripartite structure of angiosperms, including 87,721 bp large single-copy region (LSC), 18,394 bp small single-copy region (SSC) of and a pair of 26,993 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome sequence is 30.5% A, 31.0% T, C (19.6%), G (18.9%), and the total G + C content of 38.5%. A total of 138 genes were annotated in chloroplast genome of C. reticulata. The phylogenetic tree result showed that C. reticulata was evolutionarily close to Citrus sinensis in the family Rutaceae the genus Citrus by the maximum-likelihood (ML) method.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of a medicinal plant, Portulaca oleracea.

Portulaca oleracea is an important and widely distributed medicinal and edible plant, which has great economic value in the medical and food industries in the whole world. The complete chloroplast genome of Portulaca oleracea was found to possess a total length 156,533 bp and had the circular structure. It was the typical quadripartite structure the same as many plants, including 87,437 bp large single-copy region (LSC), 18,096 bp small single-copy region (SSC) of and a pair of 25,500 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The total of 132 genes was successfully annotated, which contained 87 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. Nineteen genes were found in one of IR, which included eight protein-coding gene, seven tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome sequence is: 31.5% (A), 32.1% (T), 18.5% (C), 17.9% (G), and the total GC content of 36.4%. The phylogenetic analysis result showed that Portulaca oleracea was close to Carnegiea gigantean in the phylogenetic relationship by the neighbor-joining (NJ) method in this study.

Phylogenetic analysis and characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Dipsacus asperoides, the endemic medicinal herb in China.

Dipsacus asperoides is a traditional and endemic medicinal herb in China. Its roots was considered top grade herb as early as in the Shen Nong Herbal Classic. In this study, we assembled and analyzed the complete chloroplast genome of D. asperoides. The complete chloroplast genome is 160,481 bp in length, exhibiting a large single-copy region (88,546 bp), a small single-copy region (19,671 bp), and two inverted-repeat regions (26,132 bp in each one). The chloroplast genome of D. asperoides contains 133 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 transfer RNA (tRNAs), and eight ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The overall nucleotide content of the chloroplast genome is A of 30.2%, T of 31.0%, C of 19.7%, and G of 19.1%, with a total AT content of 61.2% and GC content of 38.8%. However, the phylogenetic Maximum-Likelihood (ML) analysis based on the amino acid sequences of 89 PCGs from 14 species chloroplast genome that D. asperoides is closely related to Dipsacus asper. This study can be used for medicinal herb value research and clinical drug development.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of a common Chinese medicinal herb, Eriocaulon buergerianum (Eriocaulaceae: Eriocaulon).

Eriocaulon buergerianum is a common Chinese medicinal herb and belongs to the family Eriocaulaceae genus Eriocaulon the annual herbs. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of E. buergerianum was assembled and reported. The complete chloroplast genome of E. buergerianum is 157,016 bp in length as the circular, which harbours a large single-copy region (LSC) of 81,534 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 17,114 bp, and two inverted-repeat regions (IRs) of 26,393 bp each one. The overall nucleotide content of the chloroplast genome: A of 31.8%, T of 32.4%, C of 18.2% G of 17.6%, and 35.8% GC content. The chloroplast genome of E. buergerianum contains 133 genes, which includes 88 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 37 transfer RNA (tRNAs), and 8 ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The evolutionary analysis used neighbour-joining (NJ) method and the result showed that E. buergerianum was closely related to Eriocaulon sexangulare in the family Eriocaulaceae. This study will be helpful for genome data and genomic resources of the family Eriocaulaceae for further.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae: Bletilla), the herb in China.

Chloroplast (cp) genome sequences have been become a useful tool for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies in the herb. In this study, the complete cp genome of Bletilla striata was assembled. The complete cp genome is circular of 157,016 base pairs (bp) in length, which harbours a large single-copy region (85,821 bp), a small single-copy region (17,743 bp), and two inverted-repeat regions (each one of 26,726 bp). The cp genome of B. striata contains 139 genes, including 94 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 37 transfer RNA (tRNAs), and 8 ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The overall nucleotide content of the cp genome is A of 31.0%, T of 31.8%, C of 18.9%, and G of 18.3%, with a total AT content of 62.8% and GC content of 37.2%. However, the phylogenetic relationship analysis using maximum-likelihood (ML) method, which the result showed that the position of B. striata was situated as Bletilla ochracea in Orchidaceae. This study will be helpful for studies on the cp genetic engineering and medicinal herb value of Orchidaceae species in further.

Characterisation of the complete chloroplast genome of an endemic herb plant species, Rheum palmatum (Polygonaceae) in China.

Rheum palmatum has a long history in medicine, which is one of the main export medicinal herb in China. The complete chloroplast genome of R. palmatum was assembled and reported in this study. The R. palmatum chloroplast genome was 161,541 bp in length as the circular and consisted a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,519 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 13,112 bp and a pair of inverted-repeat (IR) regions of 30,955 bp. The nucleotide composition was asymmetric 31.2% A (Adenine), 31.5% T (Thymine), 19.0% C (Cytosine), and 18.3% G (Guanine) with an overall G + C content of 37.3%. It encoded 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes (76 PCG species), 37 transfer RNA genes (26 tRNAs species), and eight ribosomal RNA genes (four rRNAs species). The Phylogenetic relationships used neighbour-joining (NJ) method and the result showed that R. palmatum and Rheum officinale are phylogenetically related to each other in the family Polygonaceae. This study will be very important for Chinese medicinal herb research value and clinical drug development for future in China.

The chloroplast genome of an important herb species, Ephedra sinica (Ephedraceae).

Ephedra sinica has been utilized by humans for over 5000 years as Chinese herbal medicine in China. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of E. sinica. The chloroplast genome of E. sinica is 109,550 bp in length as the circular, which harbors a large single-copy (LSC) region of 59,962 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 8106 bp and separated by a pair of inverted-repeat (IR) regions of 20,742 bp each. The overall nucleotide content of the chloroplast genome: A of 31.2%, T of 32.1%, C of 18.4% G of 18.3%, and 36.7% GC content. This chloroplast genome contains 118 genes, which includes 74 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 transfer RNA (tRNAs) and 8 ribosome RNA (rRNAs). Phylogenetic analysis result showed that E. sinica was most closely related to Ephedra equisetina in the family Ephedraceae using the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method.

Characterization of the chloroplast genome of the family Lauraceae plant species, Cinnamomum cassia.

The fruit of Cinnamomum cassia is an important spice material and its branch is a common Chinese herbal medicine as the family Lauraceae. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of C. cassia. The chloroplast genome of C. cassia with length of 152,675 bp is a characteristic quadripartite structure. The length of the inverted-repeats regions (IRs), large single-copy (LSC) region, and small single-copy (SSC) region of C. cassia was 20,068 bp, 93,663 and 18,876 bp. The chloroplast genome of C. cassia contains 124 genes, which includes 80 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) and 8 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). The overall nucleotide content of the chloroplast genome: 30.0% A (Adenine), 30.8% T (Thymine), 19.7% C (Cytosine), 19.5% G (Guanine), and 39.2% GC content. Evolutionary relationship result showed that Cinnamomum cassia was most closely related to Cinnamomum parthenoxylon in the family Lauraceae by the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Platycladus orientalis (Cupressaceae), an herb to treat lumbar tuberculosis in China.

Platycladus orientalis belongs to the family Cupressaceae that the branches and leaves is an important Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. In this article, the complete chloroplast genome of P. orientalis was studied and illustrated to add the more genetic information. The chloroplast genome of Platycladus orientalis is 1127,113 bp in length as the circular, which exhibits 120 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes (PCG), 33 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) and 4 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome is: 32.1% of A, 33.2% of T, 17.9% of C, 16.8% of G and the total AT content of 65.3% and GC of 34.7%. Phylogenetic relationship shown that Platycladus orientalis is more closely related to Thuja standishii on genetic relationship using the Maximum-Likelihood (ML) method. The chloroplast genome may contribute to the medicinal valuable and evolutionary studies of this species.

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines in oral lichen planus by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is a bioactive compound extracted from paeony roots and has been widely used to ameliorate inflammation in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of TGP on oral lichen planus (OLP), a chronic inflammatory oral condition characterized by T-cell infiltration and abnormal epithelial keratinization cycle remains unclear. In this study, we found that TLR4 was highly expressed and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway was obviously observed in the OLP tissues. Moreover, there was significant higher mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in OLP keratinocytes than normal oral epithelial keratinocytes. With the help of the cell culture model by stimulating the keratinocyte HaCaT cells with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), we mimicked the local inflammatory environment of OLP. And we further confirmed that TGP could inhibit LPS-induced production of IL-6 and TNF-α in HaCaT cells via a dose-dependent manner. TGP treatment decreased the phosphorylation of IκBα and NF-κB p65 proteins, thus leading to less nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in HaCaT cells. Therefore, our data suggested that TGP may be a new potential candidate for the therapy of OLP.

Clinical observation on the treatment of oral lichen planus with total glucosides of paeony capsule combined with corticosteroids.

INTRODUCTION: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common, chronic immune-mediated disease. The main treatment for OLP has been the administration of topical or systemic corticosteroids, but side effects have limited their use. We aimed to assess the effect and adverse reaction of total glucosides of paeony capsule (TGPC) in combination with corticosteroids for the treatment of OLP. METHODS: Eighty one patients with a confirmed clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of OLP (44 reticular OLP [ROLP] patients, 37 erythematous/erosive OLP [EOLP] patients) were enrolled. Patients were treated with topical or systemic corticosteroids, with or without 1200mg TGPC in the ROLP and EOLP groups, respectively. Patients were followed for 6months. The pain and severity of the lesions were recorded at the initial visit and monthly thereafter during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Seventy three of 81 patients completed the scheduled treatment period. In the ROLP patient group, combined treatment significantly reduced the visual analogue scale (VAS) at months 3, 5, and 6. The clinical signs (CS) of ROLP patients worsened during the follow-up period in control group. However, CS in the combined treatment group remained largely unchanged at months 4-6. In the EOLP patient group, the VAS decreased almost equally in patients with and without combined treatment at months 1-2, but continued to significantly decrease in the combined treatment group in months 4-6. The CS of the combined treatment group decreased gradually over time in the study period, with significantly lower scores in the treatment versus control group (which decreased slightly in the first three months, then remained almost unchanged during the following visits). The effective rates of combined treatment were statistically higher versus control groups both in ROLP and EOLP patients. CONCLUSIONS: TGPC is a safe and effective drug for OLP with rare side effects. Combined treatment of TGPC with corticosteroids shows a definite therapeutic effect. More than four months of medical treatment of TGPC is recommended to achieve the full effect.