Sophora tonkinensis: response and adaptation of physiological characteristics, functional traits, and secondary metabolites to drought stress.

The medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis is a characteristic Chinese shrub of karst areas. The arid climate in karst areas produces high-quality S. tonkinensis; however, the mechanisms of drought tolerance are not clear, which restricts sustainable plantings of S. tonkinensis. This study involved a 20-day drought stress experiment with potted S. tonkinensis and threee soil water regimes: control (CK), mild drought (MDT), and severe drought (SDT). Plant morphology, biomass, physiological indicators, alkaloid content, and other changes under drought stress were monitored. The content of soluble sugars and proteins, and activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots were higher under drought than CK, indicating that S. tonkinensis is tolerant to osmotic stress in early drought stages. Content of matrine and oxymatrine increased gradually with increasing drought duration in the short term. The epidermis of S. tonkinensis leaves have characteristics of desert plants, including upper epidermal waxy layer, lower epidermal villi, and relatively sunken stomata, suggesting that S. tonkinensis has strong drought tolerance. In conclusion, drought stress changed the cell structure of S. tonkinensis, induced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased its resistance to drought.

Effect of dietary graded resistant potato starch levels on growth performance, plasma cytokines concentration, and intestinal health in meat ducks.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary graded raw potato starch (RPS) levels on growth performance, plasma cytokines concentration, ileal barrier function, and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in meat ducks from 1 to 35 D of age. This study included 2 experiments. In experiment (Exp.) 1, sixteen 35-day-old meat ducks were used to evaluate the AME of RPS by orogastric administration. Results showed the AME value of RPS on ducks is 2.76 kcal/g. In Exp. 2, a total of 600 one-day-old ducklings were randomly assigned to 5 isonitrogenous and isoenergetic dietary treatments that included 0 (control), 6, 12, 18, and 24% RPS, respectively. Samples were collected at both of 14 and 35 D. Neither growth performance nor ileal parameters (length, weight, and pH) at both of 14 and 35 D was affected by dietary RPS. However, the mucosal thickness (14 D), villus height (except for 18% RPS at 14 D), and the villus height: crypt depth ratio (14 and 35 D) of the ileum were increased in the 12 and 18% RPS diets when compared to 0% RPS diet. Meanwhile, proinflammatory factors such as plasma interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 (14 D) reduced in 12% RPS diet and tumor necrosis factor α decreased in 12% (except for 14 D) and 18% RPS groups. When compared with the control group, diets with 18% RPS significantly increased mucin 2 gene expression at 14 D, and 12% RPS elevated the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins including Zonula occludens-1 and Claudin 1 (except for 14 D) in the ileal mucosa of birds. Furthermore, ducks fed 12% RPS diet had higher concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in cecal digesta than other groups. These findings indicated that diets with 12 and/or 18% RPS increased the cecal SCFA concentration, which subsequently enhanced the barrier function and improved intestinal health in the ileum for 14 and 35-day-old meat ducks.

Efficacy and safety of Rhizoma curcumea longae with respect to improving the glucose metabolism of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Clinical evidence suggests that curcuminoids, as a natural polyphenol, can provide support for cardioprotection and glucose metabolism. This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of curcumin with respect to improving glucose metabolism in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase) were searched up to June 2018. The inclusion criteria included (i) randomised controlled trials (RCT) and (ii) subjects with risk factors for cardiovascular disease supplemented with curcumin and curcuminoids. A random-effects model and a standardised mean difference with a 95% confidence interval were used to perform quantitative data synthesis. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the effects. RESULTS: Fourteen eligible RCT with 1277 subjects were included. In the overall analyses, curcumin led to significant decreases in fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The subgroup analyses suggested that curcumin or combined curcuminoids were more effective at reducing FBG and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes patients than in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Supplementation with curcuminoids at doses ≥300 mg day-1 showed significant decreases in FBG, HbA1c and HOMA-IR. The effects of supplementation on FBG, HbA1c and HOMA-IR were more significant over long periods (≥12 weeks) than short periods. Curcumin and curcuminoids were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin or combined curcuminoids could exert cardioprotective effects in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease by improving glucose metabolism. However, further high-quality studies and larger sample sizes are required to confirm these results.

Selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves growth, antioxidant status and selenoprotein gene expression in Arbor Acres broilers.

One hundred and fifty 7-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned into five groups: group 1 served as a control that was fed a basal diet without selenium (Se) supplementation; groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15, 0.5 and 1.5 mg Se as Se-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SSC) per kg of diet; and group 5 was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg per kg of Se as sodium selenite (SS). Growth performance, glutathione peroxidase (GPX ) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma and liver, and cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX -1) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPX -4) mRNA levels in liver were determined. Compared with group 1, groups 2-4 exhibited higher body weights (p < 0.05), lower feed/gain ratios, and higher GPX activities in plasma (p < 0.05) and GPX and SOD activities and GPX -1 and GPX -4 mRNA levels in liver (p < 0.05). Compared with group 5, group 2 exhibited higher GPX activity in plasma on day 21 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 2 and 5, group 3 exhibited lower MDA content in plasma on day 7 (p < 0.05), higher GPX activity in plasma, SOD activity and GPX -1 mRNA levels in liver on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher GPX -4 mRNA levels on day 14 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 4, group 3 exhibited lower MDA contents in plasma on day 14 (p < 0.05) and in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05), higher T-AOC in plasma and higher GPX -1 mRNA levels on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher SOD activity in plasma and higher SOD and GPX activities in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05). Thus, SSC improves growth and antioxidant status of broilers; the short-term bioavailability of SS was faster than that of SSC, but the long-term bioavailability of SSC was greater than SS.

THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY IDENTIFICATION FOR RHUBARB AND PHELLODENDRI AMURENSIS CORTEX IN SHUANG-BAI CATAPLASM AND STUDY OF SKIN IRRITATION ASSAY.

This paper aimed to raise a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification method for rhubarb and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex and inspected skin irritation induced by them. It applied the TLC identification for Rhubarb and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex in Shuang-bai cataplasm prescription. In this study six rabbits were divided into two groups to observe the skin irritation from Shuang-bai cataplasm on intact and defected skin. Another 36 were randomly divided into 6 groups to observe the acute toxicity from Shuang-bai cataplasm on intact and defected skin. Also 30 guinea pigs were divided into 3 groups to observe skin allergy to Shuang-bai cataplasm. The results showed that the average weight of the group of intact-skin rabbits was 2.026±0.10 kg and 2.427±0.023 kg after medication; the average weight of the group of defected-skin rabbits was 2.170±0.05 kg and 2.540±0.15 kg after medication; Shuang-bai cataplasm produced no irritation on intact or defected rabbit skin, no acute toxicity in rabbits and no allergy on the skin of guinea pigs. The skin allergy rate on guinea pigs of the medication group was 0 at each time quantum. Therefore, it can be concluded that this preparation produces no extreme skin irritation for rabbits, guinea pigs or human beings, and it can be safely put into practice.

Extra-nuclear estrogen receptor GPR30 regulates serotonin function in rat hypothalamus.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, are used to treat mood disorders. SSRIs attenuate (i.e. desensitize) serotonin 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor signaling, as demonstrated in rats through decreased release of oxytocin and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) following 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation. Maximal therapeutic effects of SSRIs for treatment of mood disorders, as well as effects on hypothalamic 5-HT(1A) receptor signaling in animals, take 1 to 2 weeks to develop. Estradiol also attenuates 5-HT(1A) receptor signaling, but, in rats, these effects occur within 2 days; thus, estrogens or selective estrogen receptor modulators may serve as useful short-term tools to accelerate desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors in response to SSRIs if candidate estrogen receptor targets in the hypothalamus are identified. We found high levels of GPR30, which has been identified recently as a pertussis-toxin (PTX) sensitive G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor, in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats. Double-label immunohistochemistry revealed that GPR30 co-localizes with 5-HT(1A) receptors, corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and oxytocin in neurons in the PVN. Pretreatment with PTX to the PVN before peripheral injections of 17-beta-estradiol 3-benzoate completely prevented the reduction of the oxytocin response to the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, (+)-8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin (DPAT). Treatment with the selective GRP30 agonist, G-1, attenuated 5-HT(1A) receptor signaling in the PVN as measured by an attenuated oxytocin (by 29%) and ACTH (by 31%) response to DPAT. This study indicates that a putative extra-nuclear estrogen receptor, GPR30, may play a role in estradiol-mediated attenuation of 5-HT(1A) receptor signaling, and potentially in accelerating the effects of SSRIs in treatment of mood disorders.

Antitumour and antimicrobial activities of endophytic streptomycetes from pharmaceutical plants in rainforest.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to screen antitumour and antimicrobial activities of endophytic actinomycetes isolated from pharmaceutical plants in rainforest in Yunnan province, China. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antitumour activity was studied by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and antimicrobial activity was determined by agar well diffusion method. The high bioactive endophytic isolates were identified and further investigated for the presence of polyketide synthases (PKS-I, PKS-II) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) sequences by specific amplification. The molecular identification confirmed that the 41 isolates showed significant activities were members of the genus Streptomyces. Among them, 31.7% of endophytic streptomycete cultures were cytotoxic against A549 cells, 29.3% against HL-60 cells, 85.4% against BEL-7404 cells, 90.2% against P388D1 cells, 65.9% were active against Escherichia coli, 24.4% against Staphylococcus aureus, 31.7% against Staphylococcus epidermidis, 12.2% against Candida albicans and no strain displayed antagonistic activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. High frequencies of positive PCR amplification were obtained for PKS-I (34.1%), PKS-II (63.4%) and NRPS (61.0%) biosynthetic systems. CONCLUSIONS: Many endophytic streptomycetes isolated from pharmaceutical plants in rainforest possess remarkable and diverse antitumour and antimicrobial bioactivities. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These endophytic streptomycetes are precious resources obtained from rainforests, and they could be a promising source for bioactive agents.

[Pattern recognition of stereoscopic features of the leaves epidermis of medicinal Curcuma plants in China by image analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To provide new ways for classifying and identifying medicinal curcuma plants. METHOD: Based on classical taxonomy, the microscopic features of the epidermis of Curcuma plants in China were scored quantitatively by stereology and image analysis. RESULT: It showed that there were a lot of differences in density, size and shape of the epidermic cells among the medicinal Curcuma plants in China; that the average perimeter of the upper epidermic cells, average sectional area of the lower epidermis, stoma density and trichoma distribution of the upper and lower epidermis, etc. could be considered to be the main evidences for the microscopic identification of leaves of Curcuma. The 21 materials which belong to 11 species of Curcuma in China were systematized into 6 species, 1 species complex, 2 cultivated varieties. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that stereology, and image analysis are advanced and feasible in pharmacognosy and taxonomy especially in the authentication of the relative and easily confused species.

[Rhubarb extracts in treating complications of severe cerebral injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of the Chinese medicinal herb, Rhubarb, on severe brain injury. METHODS: Rhubarb extracts in ethyl alcohol and water were used to treat 20 patients with severe cerebral injury complicated by hyperthermia, renal failure, hemorrhage in the upper digestive tract, and increased intracranial pressure. Vital signs, variations of Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and intracranial pressure (ICP) of the patients were observed. The degree of hemorrhage in the digestive tract and the change in creatinine value were also observed. Other 20 patients served as controls. RESULTS: The result of the treatment group was more marked than that of the control group. Three days after administration of the rhubarb extract, the body temperature decreased by 1.1 degrees C, ICP by 0.4 kPa (1 mm Hg = 0.1333 kPa) on average, and the incidence of hemorrhage in the digestive tract by 30%. The volume of hemorrhage of the digestive tract decreased by 700 +/- 250 ml, and the time for turning occult blood to negative by 10%. CONCLUSION: The Chinese medical herb, rhubarb, has multiple therapeutic effects on severe brain injury.

[Survey on traditional medicinal resources of Uncaria distributed in China].

OBJECTIVE: To make clear the botanical origin of medicinal Uncaria distributed in China and the situation of its use in folk medicines. METHODS: Collecting data and making on-the-spot investigation. RESULTS: There are thirteen medicinal plants which belong to Uncaria genus, and ten of them are commercially available. A clear idea was obtained of their geographical distribution, distribution features and practical experiences in folk application. CONCLUSION: This investigation is helpful in further researching and exploring the resources of Uncaria for medical use, as well as provides a scientific basis for production, management and safe use of crude drugs.

[A survey on botanical origins of drug tiannanxing produced in Sichuan].

According to the investigation and identification of botanical origins of 7 species and 1 variety of the traditional Chinese drug Tiannanxing produced in Sichuan, it has been found out that the main species available on the market are Arisaema erubescens and A. heterophyllum, while A. asperatum, A. wilsonii and A. fargesil come second. A key for their identification is presented in this paper.

[Optimal high-yield agronomic measures for Curcuma longa L].

Regression method of orthogonal conic substitution with factors was employed to build up a tuber yield simulation model. Three main measures (sowing time, plant population, application rate of fertilizer) affecting the tuber yield were analyzed by the mathematical model of three unknown second order orthogonal rotative regression. The optimal agronomic measures were obtained. The results indicate that sowing time and plant population play a important role in raising the tuber yield. Sowing time is clearly interrelated with plant population, and likewise, plant population application rate of fertilizer.

[Effect of cultivating measures on the tuber yield of Curcuma longa L].

The effect of cultivating measures on the tuber yield of Curcuma longa was observed. dibble planting has been proved move effective in raising the tuber yield than drill culture, and the dibble planting quantity has no effect on the tuber. The rational producing area, soil, seed tuber and so on were selected according to the experiments.

[Ontogeny of Curcuma longa L].

Based on the research of growth of organs, accumulation of dry matter, distribution of photosynthetic production and displacement of growth centre, the growth of turmeric can be divided into three stages. There are 13 leaves in the life of turmeric. Leaf formation takes place rapidly to form 8 leaves in the seedling stage. The leaf area and increase of dry matter per day in roots and leaves are smaller or lower in the seedling stage. In the daughter rhizome formation stage, NAR reaches the maximum (3.54/m2.d), and the leaf area reaches the maximum(3302.9 cm2/plant, LAI 4.95). Before the daughter rhizome formation stage, more than 75% of dry matters are distributed in leaves, and in the daughter rhizome formation stage, 50%-75% of dry matters are distrbuted in leaves. In the late growing period, more than 40% of dry matters are distributed in the daughter rhizome. The growth centre of turmeric changes two times in life. When CGRr is equal to CGRt, the crossing of CGRt and CGRr curves may be regarded as the evidence of the transfer of growth centre from leaves to daughter rhizome.

[Patterns of systematic development for the resources of traditional Chinese drugs and herbs in the Three Gorges Reservoir areas].

Based on the comprehensive survey, the status and countermeasures of systematic development for the resources of traditional Chinese drugs and herbs in the rural exploitative emigration and eco-agricultural economy in the Three Gorges Reservoir Areas are put forth constructively.

[Effect of organic fertilizer and mineral fertilizer on the tuber yield of Curcuma longa L].

Regression method of orthogonal conic substitution with factors was employed to build up the tuber models for yield, quality and benefit. Three main measures affecting the tuber yield, quality and benefit were analyzed by these mathematical models. The effect of agronomic measures on the tuber yield is human and livestock excreta, rape cake > Ca3(PO4)2 > KCl. The optimal combination of farming practices has been obtained according to the analysis of these models.

[Curcuma longa L. tuber yield simulation model and its application under combined agronomic measures for good-quality, high-yield and obvious economic results].

A design of second order orthogonal rotative regression was developed and field tested, and the tuber models for yield, quality and benefit were simulated and built. The effect of agronomic measures on the tuber yield is plant density > phosphorus > sowing date > nitrogen > potassium. There is a clear interrelation effect among agronomic measures. The results of simulation experiment have shown that the optimal combination of farming practices can greatly increase the tuber yield, quality and benefit, and is adjusted according to climate, soil, ferilizer or manure sources, and so on.

[Folk medicine of the Qiang nationality].

Based on a two-year investigation of folk medicine of the Qiang Nationality, systematic studies have been made on its formation and development, specific methods of physical therapy and experiences and features of clinical application.

Cloning of the human eosinophil chemoattractant, eotaxin. Expression, receptor binding, and functional properties suggest a mechanism for the selective recruitment of eosinophils.

The CC chemokine eotaxin, identified in guinea pigs and also recently in mice, may be a key element for the selective recruitment of eosinophils to certain inflamed tissues. Using a partial mouse eotaxin CDNA probe, the human eotaxin gene was cloned and found to be 61.8 and 63.2% identical at the amino acid level to guinea pig and mouse eotaxin. Human eotaxin protein was a strong and specific eosinophil chemoattractant in vitro and was an effective eosinophil chemoattractant when injected into the skin of a rhesus monkey. Radiolabeled eotaxin was used to identify a high affinity receptor on eosinophils (0.52 nM Kd), expressed at 4.8 x 10(4) sites per cell. This receptor also bound RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 with lower affinity, but not macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha. Eotaxin could desensitize calcium responses of eosinophils to RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein-3, although RANTES was able to only partially desensitize eosinophil calcium responses to eotaxin. Immunohistochemistry on human nasal polyp with antieotaxin mAbs showed that certain leukocytes as well as respiratory epithelium were intensely immunoreactive, and eosinophil infiltration occurred at sites of eotaxin upregulation. Thus eotaxin in humans is a potent and selective eosinophil chemoattractant that is expressed by a variety cell types in certain inflammatory conditions.

[Culture techniques of Asarum sieboldii Miq].

Asarum sieboldii was domesticated in Sichuan, China. The rational planting density was selected according to this study. In the deep, loose and fertile soil, it grows well under semisunlight. Seedlings are raised in the seedling bed for two or three years, and then transplanted to the field, Harvest is started after three of four years of growth. Fertilizer is applied at the beginning of March and the beginning or middle of July.