Dynamic Chloroplast Genome Rearrangement and DNA Barcoding for Three Apiaceae Species Known as the Medicinal Herb "Bang-Poong".

Three Apiaceae species Ledebouriella seseloides, Peucedanum japonicum, and Glehnia littoralis are used as Asian herbal medicines, with the confusingly similar common name "Bang-poong". We characterized the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes and 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA (45S nrDNA) sequences of two accessions for each species. The complete cp genomes of G. littoralis, L. seseloides, and P. japonicum were 147,467, 147,830, and 164,633 bp, respectively. Compared to the other species, the P. japonicum cp genome had a huge inverted repeat expansion and a segmental inversion. The 45S nrDNA cistron sequences of the three species were almost identical in size and structure. Despite the structural variation in the P. japonicum cp genome, phylogenetic analysis revealed that G. littoralis diverged 5-6 million years ago (Mya), while P. japonicum diverged from L. seseloides only 2-3 Mya. Abundant copy number variations including tandem repeats, insertion/deletions, and single nucleotide polymorphisms, were found at the interspecies level. Intraspecies-level polymorphism was also found for L. seseloides and G. littoralis. We developed nine PCR barcode markers to authenticate all three species. This study characterizes the genomic differences between L. seseloides, P. japonicum, and G. littoralis; provides a method of species identification; and sheds light on the evolutionary history of these three species.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a traditional Korean medicine: Ojayeonjonghwan.

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-inflammatory properties of OJ. CONTEXT: Ojayeonjonghwan (OJ) is a traditional Korean prescription, which has been widely used for the treatment of prostatitis. However, no scientific study has been performed of the anti-inflammatory effects of OJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages were isolated 3-4 days after injecting a C57BL/6J mouse with thioglycollate. They were then treated with OJ water extract (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL) for 1 h and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for different times. Nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and proinflammatory cytokine levels were determined by NO assay, Western blotting, RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: NO generation and iNOS induction were increased in the LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. However, NO generation and iNOS induction by LPS were suppressed by treatment with OJ for the first time. The IC50 value of OJ with respect to NO production was 0.09 mg/mL. OJ did not influence LPS-stimulated COX-2 induction, but did significantly decrease LPS-stimulated secretions and mRNA expressions of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß. Inhibition rates of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß at an OJ concentration of 1 mg/mL were 77%, 88%, and 50%, respectively. OJ also suppressed the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB. High-performance liquid chromatography showed schizandrin and gomisin A are major components of OJ. CONCLUSIONS: OJ reduces inflammatory response, and this probably explains its positive impact on the prostatitis associated inflammation.

The complete chloroplast genome of the medicinal plant Angelica decursiva (Apiaceae) in Peucedani Radix.

Angelica decursiva (Miquel) Franchet & Savatier (Apiaceae) has been used as a significant medicinal plant in East Asia. We determined its complete chloroplast genome for the first time in this study. The complete chloroplast was circularized and had a typical quadripartite structure genome of 146 719 bp long including the large single copy region (LSC) of 93 256 bp, the small single copy region (SSC) of 17 497 bp and duplicated inverted regions (IRs) of 17 983 bp each. The total GC content was 37.56% and for the four structures it was 35.98% (LSC), 31.06% (SSC), and 44.83% (for each IR). There were a total of 113 genes, comprising four rRNAs, 29 tRNAs and 80 protein coding genes. In the phylogenetic analysis, A. decursiva was grouped with Seseli montanum. This study may contribute to authenticating the plant's correct use as medicine for health and provide an important genetic resource for phylogeny with related species.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ostericum koreanum (Apiaceae).

Ostericum koreanum Kitagawa is an important herbal medicine, whose taxonomic status has been changed to Angelica reflexa as a new species. This study generated the complete chloroplast genome sequence of O. koreanum, and reconsidered its molecular taxonomic status in Angelica by comparing it with related species. The length of the complete chloroplast genome was 147,282 bp, and there were four structures that included the large single copy region (93,185 bp), the small single copy region (17,663 bp) and the duplicated inverted regions (18,217 bp of each). Based on its phylogenetic trees, O. koreanum was grouped by high bootstrap value with the Angelica species. This result proved that O. koreanum is included in Angelica. Therefore, this chloroplast genome data generated for the first time a valuable genetic resource for the discrimination of herbal materials, phylogeny, and evolution.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the medicinal plant, Angelica gigas (Apiaceae).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Angelica gigas, a traditional herbal plant used in treating diseases, was obtained by de novo assembly using illumina sequencing data (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). The circular molecule of the genome was constructed of four parts, with a size of 146,916 bp in total - a large single copy (LSC) region of 93,118 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,582 bp and two inverted repeat (IRa and IRb) regions of 18,108 bp each. There were a total of 113 annotated genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. The phylogenetic result acquired through maximum parsimony analysis showed that A. gigas is closely related with A. decursiva and Seseli montanum.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of an important medicinal plant Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. (Apocynaceae).

Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. is a traditional medicinal herb belonging to the Asclepiadoideae subfamily, whose dried roots have been used as traditional medicine in Asia. The complete chloroplast genome of C. wilfordii was generated by de novo assembly using the small amount of whole genome sequencing data. The chloroplast genome of C. wilfordii was 161 241 bp long, composed of large single copy region (91 995 bp), small single copy region (19 930 bp) and a pair of inverted repeat regions (24 658 bp). The overall GC contents of the chloroplast genome was 37.8%. A total of 114 genes were annotated, which included 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis with the reported chloroplast genomes revealed that C. wilfordii is most closely related to Asclepias nivea (Caribbean milkweed) and Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) within the Asclepiadoideae subfamily.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight (Apocynaceae).

Cynanchum auriculatum is a climbing vine belonging to the Apocynaceae family and shows very similar morphology to Cynanchum wilfordii, a medicinal plant. The complete chloroplast genome of C. auriculatum was generated by de novo assembly using the small amount of whole genome sequencing data. The chloroplast genome of C. auriculatum was 160 840 bp in length and consisted of four distinct regions, such as large single copy region (91 973 bp), small single copy region (19 667 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (24 600 bp). The overall GC contents of the chloroplast genome were 37.8%. A total of 114 genes were predicted and included 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis with the reported chloroplast genomes revealed that C. auriculatum is most closely related to Cynanchum wilfordii, a medicinal plant.

Quantitative analysis of marker compounds in Angelica gigas, Angelica sinensis, and Angelica acutiloba by HPLC/DAD.

Although Danggui is the root of Angelica gigas NAKAI in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, it is determined that Danggui is also the root of Angelica sinensis (OLIV.) DIELS in China and Hong Kong, as well as the root of Angelica acutiloba KITAGAWA in Japan. Accordingly, we tried to develop an identification method using the main compounds in A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba through HPLC/diode-array detector (DAD). This method was fully validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and robustness. Multivariate analysis was also implemented after pattern analysis and monitoring. As a result, each compound pattern of A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba was identified, making it possible to distinguish them from each other.

Impact of acupuncture by using life-energy (qi) oriental needle on the paralysis of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

In acupuncture, adaptation to energy flows in body cycles is the key to health and therapy. From the evolution of our thinking about acupuncture, we developed the Life-Energy (Qi) oriental needle (Qi needle). It contains a rotating electromagnetic wave and has a strong affinity for the meridians. We report for the first time on the effect of acupuncture by using a Qi needle (Qi acupuncture) on rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model of human demyelinating multiple sclerosis. Both Qi acupuncture (QA) and general acupuncture (GA) were used on the limbs, at the shaoshang (LU11) and zhongchong (PC9) acupoints, of rats from one day post-immunization (dpi) to 12 dpi. The therapy in the QA groups significantly blocked the onset of EAE paralysis (3/13, 77%, p < 0.05) while all rats in the control EAE groups (12/15) and GA groups (11/13) showed EAE paralysis. In addition, the duration of paralysis was shortened in QA groups (1.5 ± 0.5 days) compared with those of the vehicle (5.5 ± 0.2 days) and GA groups (3.6 ± 1.1 days). The numbers of inflammatory cells and CD4(+) T cells in the QA treated EAE group were significantly reduced compared with those of the EAE control and EAE with GA (p < 0.05). Collectively, the present findings suggest that QA ameliorates the paralysis in rats in an EAE model. The precise mechanism of the amelioration and human studies, however, needs further study.

Alcohol-fermented soybean increases the expression of receptor-interacting protein 2 and IκB kinase ß in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Soybean is a useful component of traditional Korean medicine with well-documented health-promoting effects. We investigated the effects of alcohol-fermented soybean (AFS) on immune function. When AFS treatment was used in combination with recombinant interferon-γ (rIFN-γ), there was a marked cooperative induction of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. AFS increased the expression of inducible NO synthase mRNA and protein in rIFN-γ-primed macrophages. Treating macrophages with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), decreased the synergistic effects of AFS. In addition, AFS in combination with rIFN-γ increased the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase. However, AFS had no effect on phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by itself. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 or the JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited the AFS-induced NO and TNF-α production. When AFS was used in combination with rIFN-γ, there was a co-operative activation of NF-κB and receptor-interacting protein 2 (Rip2)/IκB kinase (IKK)-ß. Our results indicate that AFS increases the production of NO and TNF-α through the activation of Rip2/IKK-ß in rIFN-γ-primed macrophages.

Antidepressant-like effect of altered Korean red ginseng in mice.

Altered Korean red ginseng has been used as a treatment for patients suffering from anxiety. We assessed whether red ginseng hydrolyzed by malted barley (HRG) and acetate-fermented red ginseng (ARG) would improve brain activity, by using forced swimming test (FST) in mice. The effect of the fluoxetine (a classical antidepressant), ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), red ginseng (RG), HRG, and the ARG groups for two weeks on the immobility time was significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The immobility time of HRG and ARG in FST was lower than that of RG. The plasma level of glucose and total protein was significantly increased in the HRG and ARG group compared with the control group (p<0.05), whereas albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and blood urea nitrogen levels were not changed. In conclusion, altered Korean red ginsengs, HRG, and ARG therapy appeared to be effective in improving depression.

C-kit binding properties of hesperidin (a major component of KMP6) as a potential anti-allergic agent.

Accumulation of mast cells can be causally related to several allergic inflammations. Stem cell factor (SCF) as a mast cell chemotaxin induces mast cell migration. To clarify a new effect of Pyeongwee-San extract (KMP6, a drug for indigestion) for the treatment of allergy, we investigated the effects of KMP6 on SCF-induced migration of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). A molecular docking simulation showed that hesperidin, a major component of KMP6, controls the SCF and c-kit binding by interaction with the active site of the c-kit. KMP6 and hesperidin significantly inhibited SCF-induced migration of RPMCs (P<0.05). The ability of the SCF to enhance morphological alteration and F-actin formation was also abolished by treatment with KMP6 or hesperidin. KMP6 and hesperidin inhibited SCF-induced p38 MAPK activation. In addition, SCF-induced inflammatory cytokine production was significantly inhibited by treatment with KMP6 or hesperidin (P<0.05). Our results show for the first time that KMP6 potently regulates SCF-induced migration, p38 MAPK activation and inflammatory cytokines production through hindrance of SCF and c-kit binding in RPMCs. Such modulation may have functional consequences during KMP6 treatment, especially mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation disorders.

Effects of hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by malted barley on the immunomodulatory response in ICR mice and in Molt-4 cells.

BACKGROUND: Chlorella vulgaris is a unicellular and microscopic algae that is currently used in a variety of forms of tablets, capsules and liquid as a biological response modifier. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by malted barley for its potential reduction of the immobility time in ICR mice and on the cytokine regulation in human T cell line, Molt-4. RESULTS: After a forced swimming test, the changes in aspects of blood biochemical parameters due to the administration of hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by malted barley were examined. The effect of hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by the malted barley-treated group for 14 days on the immobility time was significantly reduced in comparison with that of the control group (P < 0.01). The plasma level of blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased in hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by malted barley-treated group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by malted barley increased interferon-gamma and interlukin-2 levels in Molt-4 cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that hydrolyzed Chlorella vulgaris by malted barley is useful for immune function improvements, enhanced physical stamina, and as a candidate for an anti-fatigue or antidepressant agent.