Effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination and tube growth: A global meta-analysis.

Despite widespread recognition of pollen's potential sensitivity to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280-315 nm), there remains ongoing debate surrounding the extent and mechanisms of this effect. In this study, using published data on pollen germination and tube growth including 377 pair-wise comparisons from 77 species in 30 families, we present the first global quantification of the effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination and tube growth, along with its underlying mechanisms. Our results showed a substantial reduction in both pollen germination and tube growth in response to UV-B radiation, affecting 90.9 % and 84.2 % of species, respectively. Notably, these reductions exhibited phylogenetic constraints, highlighting the role of evolutionary history in shaping the sensitivity of pollen germination and tube growth to UV-B radiation. A negative correlation between elevation and the sensitivity of pollen tube growth was detected, suggesting that pollens from plants at higher elevations exhibit greater resistance to UV-B radiation. Our investigation also revealed that the effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination and tube growth were influenced by a range of abiotic and biotic factors. Nevertheless, the intensity and duration of UV-B radiation exposure exhibited the highest explanatory power for the effects on both pollen germination and tube growth. This suggests that the responses of pollens to UV-B radiation are profoundly influenced by its dose, a critical consideration within the context of global change. In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into the diverse responses of pollen germination and tube growth to UV-B radiation, highlighting the environment and species-dependent nature of pollen's susceptibility to UV-B radiation, with substantial implications for our understanding of the ecological and agricultural consequences of ongoing changes in UV-B radiation.

Global analysis of floral longevity reveals latitudinal gradients and biotic and abiotic correlates.

The length of time a flower remains open and functional - floral longevity - governs important reproductive processes influencing pollination and mating and varies considerably among angiosperm species. However, little is known about large-scale biogeographic patterns and the correlates of floral longevity. Using published data on floral longevity from 818 angiosperm species in 134 families and 472 locations world-wide, we present the first global quantification of the latitudinal pattern of floral longevity and the relationships between floral longevity and a range of biotic and abiotic factors. Floral longevity exhibited a significant phylogenetic signal and was longer at higher latitudes in both northern and southern hemispheres, even after accounting for elevation. This latitudinal variation was associated with several biotic and abiotic variables. The mean temperature of the flowering season had the highest predictive power for floral longevity, followed by pollen number per flower. Surprisingly, compatibility status, flower size, pollination mode, and growth form had no significant effects on flower longevity. Our results suggest that physiological processes associated with floral maintenance play a key role in explaining latitudinal variation in floral longevity across global ecosystems, with potential implications for floral longevity under global climate change and species distributions.

Commercial Harvesting Has Driven the Evolution of Camouflage in an Alpine Plant.

Color in nature mediates numerous among and within species interactions,1 and anthropogenic impacts have long had major influences on the color evolution of wild animals.2 An under-explored area is commercial harvesting, which in animals can exert a strong selection pressure on various traits, sometimes greater even than natural selection or other human activities.3,4 Natural populations of plants that are used by humans have likely also suffered strong pressure from harvesting, yet the potential for evolutionary change induced by humans has received surprisingly little attention.5 Here, we show that the leaf coloration of a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine (Fritillaria delavayi) varies among populations, with leaves matching their local backgrounds most closely. The degree of background matching correlates with estimates of harvest pressure, with plants being more cryptic in heavily collected populations. In a human search experiment, the time it took participants to find plants was greatly influenced by target concealment. These results point to humans as driving the evolution of camouflage in populations of this species through commercial harvesting, changing the phenotype of wild plants in an unexpected and dramatic way.

The preventive effect of Chinese herbal preparation Xuebijing against hyperactive inflammation after hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery is a primary treatment for benign and malignant diseases of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. Hyperactive inflammation has been indicated as a critical risk factor of post-operation death after HPB surgery. Xuebijing is an anti-inflammatory intravenous herbal preparation made from traditional Chinese medicines. Emerging evidence has implicated a protective role of Xuebijing against hyperactive inflammation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. We analyzed a total of 638 cases of HPB surgery, including hepatectomy, Whipple's surgery, and surgeries for cholelithiasis, which were divided into a Xuebijing treatment group and a conventional treatment group according to whether they were treated with Xuebijing injection or not. Clinical data related to liver function and inflammation were compared between the two groups after operation, including liver function index, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil percentage (NE%), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), body temperature, mortality, incidence of adverse reaction, length of postoperative hospital stay, and hospitalization cost. RESULTS: Xuebijing injection was found to decrease the levels of inflammatory markers in the blood significantly, including WBC, NE%, CRP, IL-6, and reduce the incidence of postoperative fever without prolonging in-hospital length or increasing cost compared to the conventional treatment group. Moreover, our data demonstrated that Xuebijing injection did not impact liver function after hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Xuebijing injection alleviates hyperactive inflammation caused by HPB surgery, and support the application of Xuebijing injection as a safe therapeutic approach against hyperactive inflammation in patients with HPB surgery.

Infraspecific Variation of Huperzine A and B in Icelandic Huperzia selago Complex.

The alkaloids huperzine A and huperzine B were originally isolated from the Chinese club moss Huperzia serrata. They are known inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, and especially huperzine A shows pharmaceutical potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Its supply heavily relies on natural plant sources belonging to the genus Huperzia, which shows considerable interspecific huperzine A variations. Furthermore, taxonomic controversy remains in this genus, particularly in the Huperzia selago group. With focus on Icelandic H. selago taxa, we aimed to explore the relatedness of Huperzia species using multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, and to investigate correlations between huperzine A contents, morphotypes, and genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with five chloroplastic loci (the intergenic spacer between the photosystem II protein D1 gene and the tRNA-His gene, maturase K, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit, tRNA-Leu, and the intergenic spacer region between tRNA-Leu and tRNA-Phe). Huperzine A and huperzine B contents were determined using an HPLC-UV method. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that previously proposed Huperzia appressa and Huperzia arctica should not be considered species, but rather subspecies of H. selago. Three genotypes of Icelandic H. selago were identified and presented in a haplotype networking diagram. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher amount of huperzine A was found in H. selago genotype 3 (264 - 679 µg/g) than genotype 1 (20 - 180 µg/g), where the former shows a typical green and reflexed "selago" morphotype. The huperzine A content in genotype 3 is comparable to Chinese H. serrata and a good alternative huperzine A source. Genotype 2 contains multiple morphotypes with a broad huperzine A content (113 - 599 µg/g). The content of huperzine B in Icelandic taxa (6 - 13 µg/g) is much lower than that in Chinese H. serrata (79 - 207 µg/g).

[Effect of Xuebijing injection on postoperative inflammatory response in patients after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries: a retrospective cohort study].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of Xuebijing injection on inflammatory response in patients after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries, and to evaluate its safety and clinical value. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. 708 patients received hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2015 to September 2017 were enrolled and divided into Xuebijing treatment group and conventional treatment group according to whether they were treated with Xuebijing injection or not. The inflammatory response indexes included white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil (NE), C-reactive protein (CRP), body temperature, which were compared between the two groups at 1, 3, and 5 days after operation. The incidence of adverse reactions, the length of postoperative hospital stays and hospitalization costs were compared. RESULTS: A total of 209 patients were prescribed with Xuebijing injection, and 499 patients were allocated into conventional treatment group. The two groups were stratified by liver, biliary and pancreatic surgery types, and further 1:1 propensity score matching was performed. After propensity score match, 189 patients were included in each group, with 101, 46, and 42 patients undergoing liver, biliary, and pancreas surgery, respectively. There were no significant differences in baseline data such as gender, age and inflammatory response indexes before surgery between the two groups. In both groups, the WBC and NE showed a gradual decline after operation, CRP were increased gradually and then decreased after 3 days. Compared with the conventional treatment group, Xuebijing treatment group showed obvious anti-inflammatory effect from 3 days after operation [WBC (×109/L): 10.1±4.0 vs. 11.0±3.5, NE: 0.71±0.10 vs. 0.76±0.12, CRP (mg/L): 73.1±38.7 vs. 82.2±41.8, all P < 0.05]. On the 5th day, it still showed a strong anti-inflammatory trend [WBC (×109/L): 7.0±2.8 vs. 7.9±2.6, NE: 0.62±0.10 vs. 0.68±0.12, CRP (mg/L): 43.4±31.0 vs. 50.9±25.3, all P < 0.05]. The cases of postoperative fever in the Xuebijing treatment group were significantly less than that in the conventional treatment group (cases: 98 vs. 119, χ2 = 4.711, P = 0.029). There was no significant different in the total incidence of adverse drug reactions such as rash, nausea and vomiting (5.0% vs. 3.2%), the length of postoperative hospital stays [days: 9.3 (6.1, 13.5) vs. 9.1 (5.5, 13.3)] and hospitalization costs [wanyuan: 5.8 (3.6, 9.5) vs. 5.7 (3.5, 9.8)] between Xuebijing treatment group and conventional treatment group (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Xuebijing injection has a good anti-inflammatory effect on patients undergoing hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries. Xuebijing injection has good safety and can be applied to the prevention and treatment of excessive inflammatory reaction after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries.

Botanical origin and chemical constituents of commercial Saposhnikoviae radix and its related crude drugs available in Shaanxi and the surrounding regions.

Saposhnikoviae radix (SR) is described in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia as a crude drug derived from the root of Saposhnikovia divaricata Schischkin (Umbelliferae). According to Flora of China, the root of Peucedanum ledebourielloides K. F. Fu is used as a regional substitute for SR. Therefore, we surveyed the botanical origin of the drug used in China, especially Shaanxi and the surrounding regions, through nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA. As a result, several samples from Shaanxi () and Shanxi () provinces were identified as Peucedanum ledebourielloides. To prevent this substitute from being distributed as genuine SR, we developed a thin-layer chromatography analysis condition to enable a specific compound of this species to be easily detected. The specific compound was identified as xanthalin, based on 1D- and 2D-NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry data. The established TLC conditions were as follows-extraction solvent, n-hexane; applied volume, 5 µL; chromatographic support, silica gel; developing solvent, n-hexane:ethyl acetate:acetic acid (20:10:1); developing length, 7 cm; detection, UV (365 nm); R f value, 0.4 (blue fluorescence; xanthalin).

Sex allocation in gynodioecious Cyananthus delavayi differs between gender morphs and soil quality.

KEY MESSAGE: Sex allocation in Cyananthus delavayi. Gynodioecy, where females and hermaphrodites coexist in the same natural population, is particularly suitable for predicting the ecological pressures that drive the stability of gender polymorphism. Since females have a disadvantage in that they only contribute to the next generation via ovules, they should gain an advantage via other means, of which resource allocation is an important component. Thus, to study their sex allocation is very helpful to understand how the dimorphic sexual system is maintained in natural systems. We studied the sex allocation patterns and reproductive output of the gynodioecious Cyananthus delavayi in three populations with different soil qualities (organic matter, N, P and K). The hermaphroditic flowers and pistils were much larger than those of female individuals. Although both gender morphs invested similar biomass in the pistils, females allocated more of their resource pool to the seed production, while hermaphrodites allocated more to pollinator advertisement. The pollen production of hermaphrodites did not differ between populations, suggesting that pollen production by hermaphrodites was not limited by soil nutrients. Fruit set of females, but not hermaphrodites, decreased with declining soil quality, whereas seeds per fruit of both females and hermaphrodites were highest in poor soils. Overall, this study shows that females achieve greater reproductive success by allocating more of their resource pool to enhancing seed production, which should favor their presence in gynodioecious populations. The hermaphrodites achieve reproductive success from both pollen and seed production, and unnecessarily reduce their allocation to pollen production. Soil quality should explain, at least partially, the sexual allocation patterns. Furthermore, some of our findings contradict previous hypotheses, thus adding a new example to the body of research on plant sex allocation and the development of future theories.

Overlapping Leaves Covering Flowers in the Alpine Species Eriophyton wallichii (Lamiaceae): Key Driving Factors and Their Potential Impact on Pollination.

Extrafloral structures are supposed to have evolved to protect flowers from harsh physical environments but might have effects on pollination. Overlapping leaves cover flowers in Eriophyton wallichii, an alpine perennial endemic to the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains. In previous study, it has showed that these extrafloral leaves can protect interior flowers from temperature fluctuations caused by drastic solar radiation fluctuations, but these leaves may also protect interior flowers from rain wash and UVB damage, and we do not know which one is the main function. In this study, we investigated whether rain and UVB protection are the main functions of overlapping leaves covering flowers and their potential impact on pollination. We first measured the intensities of UVB radiation in open air, beneath leaves and corollas, and then examined pollen susceptibility to different intensities of UVB and rain in the laboratory to estimate whether corollas per se protect interior pollen from UVB and rain damage. We also carried out pollination treatments and observed pollinator visitation of flowers with and without leaves in the field to assess whether the overlapping leaves covering flowers impair pollinator attraction. Our results showed that (1) water and strong UVB significantly decreased pollen germinability, but corollas per se could protect pollen from UVB and rain damage; (2) no autonomous self-pollination and apomixis occurred, and pollinators were essential for the reproduction of E. wallichii; however, flower coverage by overlapping leaves did not limit pollination. We suggested that rain and UVB protection was not the main function of overlapping leaves covered flowers, given that this protection can be provided by corollas per se. Alternatively, this extrafloral structure in E. wallichii may have evolved in response to extreme high temperatures associated with the strong solar radiation fluctuations. This indicates that, even in alpine plants, extreme high temperature may affect the evolution of plant extrafloral structures.

Phenolic Compounds from the Leaves and Twigs of Osteomeles schwerinae That Inhibit Rat Lens Aldose Reductase and Vessel Dilation in Zebrafish Larvae.

Three new phenolic biphenyl derivatives (1-3) and one new lignan glycoside (4) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Osteomeles schwerinae. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic data interpretation. The inhibitory effects of 1-4 on rat lens aldose reductase in vitro were examined, and compounds 1-3 markedly inhibited the enzyme with IC50 values of 3.8 to 13.8 µM. In addition, the effects of these isolates on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose (HG) in zebrafish larvae were investigated. Compound 1 was the most effective in reducing HG-induced dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels.

Ethnomedicinal uses of Edible Wild Fruits (EWFs) in Swat Valley, Northern Pakistan.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This study documents the ethno-pharmacological importance of Edible Wild Fruits (EWFs) resource in the wild floral emporium of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Northern Pakistan. This is imitated in the great diversity of plants used for medicinal purposes as well as in their wide range of therapeutic applications. METHODS: Ethnomedicinal data was collected through semi-structured and open ended interviews, questionnaires, field surveys and local gatherings. Use value (UV), Relative importance (RI), Relative frequency of citation (RFC), Informant consensus factor (ICF) and Family importance value (FIV) was calculated to elaborate the EWFs, their families, disease treated and significant fruit species based on use reports by informants. RESULTS: A total of 47 species of EWFs belonging to 32 genera and 23 families were reported to be used in traditional medicines. Family Rosaceae dominated with 26% species followed by Moraceae (12%) and Rhamnaceae (10%), with mostly tree type of growth form (55%). The most consumed part of plants was fruit (72%) followed by leaves (21%). Decoction (26%) and unprocessed fruit (24%) were the major modes of crude drug preparation. The Informant consensus factor (ICF) of Joint/body aches was the highest followed by digestive disorders. Use value index of Vitis vinifera (3.8), being the highest, followed by Malus pumila (2) and Vitis parvifolia (2). CONCLUSION: The tradition of using EWFs in treating ailments is a common practice among the tribal communities, depending on the socio-economic conditions of the people. The multiple uses of these EWFs suggest further investigation regarding phytochemical analysis and pharmaceutical applications.

Lignans from the stems and leaves of Brandisia hancei and their effects on VEGF-induced vascular permeability and migration of HRECs and DLAV formation in zebrafish.

In our continuing search for novel antiangiogenic agents, a new lignan glycoside, (7R,8R)-1-(4-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-{2-methoxy-4-[1-(E)-propene-3-ol]-phenoxyl}-propane-1,3-diol (1), along with three known lignans (2-4), were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of Brandisia hancei stems and leaves. These isolates (1-4) were subjected to an in vitro bioassay to evaluate their effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced vascular permeability and migration of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs). Of the compounds tested, compound 1 resulted in the greatest reduction in VEGF-induced vascular permeability by about 31.5% at 10 µM compared to the VEGF-treated control. In the migration assay, compounds 1 and 2 significantly decreased VEGF-induced HREC migration. Furthermore, zebrafish embryos treated with compounds 1 and 2 showed mild reductions of dorsal longitudinal anastomotic vessel (DLAV) formation.

A new pollinating seed-consuming mutualism between Rheum nobile and a fly fungus gnat, Bradysia sp., involving pollinator attraction by a specific floral compound.

Pollinating seed-consuming mutualisms are regarded as exemplary models for studying coevolution, but they are extremely rare. In these systems, olfactory cues have been thought to play an important role in facilitating encounters between partners. We present a new pollinating seed-consuming mutualism from the high Himalayas between the endemic herb, Rheum nobile, and a fly fungus gnat, Bradysia sp. Seed production resulting from pollination by Bradysia flies and seed consumption by their larvae were measured to determine the outcome of this interaction. Floral scent analyses and behavioural tests were conducted to investigate the role of olfactory cues in pollinator attraction. Rheum nobile is self-compatible, but it depends mainly on Bradysia sp. females for pollination. Seed production resulting from pollination by adult flies is substantially higher than subsequent seed consumption by their larvae. Behavioural tests showed that an unusual floral compound, 2-methyl butyric acid methyl ester, emitted by plants only during anthesis, was attractive to female flies. Our results indicate that the R. nobile-Bradysia sp. interaction represents a new pollinating seed-consuming mutualism, and that a single unusual compound is the specific signal in the floral scent of R. nobile that plays a key role in attracting its pollinator.

Caffeoylated phenylpropanoid glycosides from Brandisia hancei inhibit advanced glycation end product formation and aldose reductase in vitro and vessel dilation in larval zebrafish in vivo.

In our continuing efforts to identify effective naturally sourced agents for diabetic complications, five caffeoylated phenylpropanoid glycosides, acteoside (1), isoacteoside (2), poliumoside (3), brandioside (4), and pheliposide (5) were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of Brandisia hancei stems and leaves. These isolates (1-5) were subjected to an in vitro bioassay evaluating their inhibitory activity on advanced glycation end product formation and rat lens aldose reductase activity. All tested compounds exhibited significant inhibition of advanced glycation end product formation with IC50 values of 4.6-25.7 µM, compared with those of aminoguanidine (IC50=1,056 µM) and quercetin (IC50=28.4 µM) as positive controls. In the rat lens aldose reductase assay, acteoside, isoacteoside, and poliumoside exhibited greater inhibitory effects on rat lens aldose reductase with IC50 values of 0.83, 0.83, and 0.85 µM, respectively, than those of the positive controls, 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (IC50=4.03 µM) and quercetin (IC50=7.2 µM). In addition, the effect of acteoside on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose in larval zebrafish was investigated. Acteoside reduced the diameters of high glucose-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels by 69% at 10 µM and 81% at 20 µM, compared to the high glucose-treated control group. These results suggest that B. hancei and its active components might be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of diabetic vascular complications.

Proanthocyanidins from Spenceria ramalana and their effects on AGE formation in vitro and hyaloid-retinal vessel dilation in larval zebrafish in vivo.

Three new A-type proanthocyanidins (1-3), ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-afzelechin 3'-O-ß-D-glycopyranoside (1), ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-afzelechin (2), and ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-epicatechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-afzelechin (3), and three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from the whole plant of Spenceria ramalana. The structures of the new proanthocyanidins were established by spectroscopic and chemical studies. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1-6 on the formation of advanced glycation end products were examined in vitro. Compounds 3 and 6 showed the strongest inhibition, with IC50 values of 17.4 ± 0.5 and 14.1 ± 1.6 µM, respectively. The effects of these isolates on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose (HG) in larval zebrafish were also investigated. Compound 3 reduced the dilation of HG-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels most effectively. This compound reduced the diameters of HG-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels by about 157.7% and 164.1% at 10 and 20 µM, respectively, versus the HG-treated control group.

Proteomic changes in different growth periods of ginseng roots.

For the first time, proteomics and biochemical variables have been employed to unravel the growth strategies for the different root growth periods of ginseng (Panax ginseng CA May., Araliaceae). Enzymatic activities and cellular contents, except for starch, related to defence and metabolism were significantly increased in the slow-growth period but decreased in the fast-growth period. Proteomic characterisation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) showed 83 differentially expressed spots; 62 spots were up-regulated and 21 spots were down-regulated in the slow-growth period when compared to the fast-growth period. The identification of these spots indicated that the major groups of differential proteins were associated with energy metabolism (37%) and defence (17%), which was consistent with the changes observed in the biochemical measurements. These results clearly demonstrate that ginseng stores energy during its fast-growth period to promote root elongation, whereas it expends energy to improve the synthesis of secondary metabolites and stress resistance during its slow-growth period. The levels of many proteins were changed during the conversion period from fast to slow growth, providing new insights into ginseng proteome evolution. The proposed hypothetical model explains the interaction of metabolic proteins associated with the growth strategies of ginseng.

Multifunctional bracts enhance plant fitness during flowering and seed development in Rheum nobile (Polygonaceae), a giant herb endemic to the high Himalayas.

Specialized bracts are thought to be important for the successful reproduction of some plants and are regarded as adaptations to diverse driving forces. However, few empirical studies have quantified the adaptive significance of bracts within a cost-benefit framework. We explored the adaptive significance of large and showy bracts for reproduction in Rheum nobile, a giant herb endemic to the high Himalayas. We examined whether the bracts enhance reproductive success during flowering and seed development. Bracts increased flower and fruit temperature on sunny days, greatly decreased the intensity of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation reaching flowers and fruits, and prevented pollen grains being washed away by rain. Experiments indicated that high temperature could promote pollen germination, while pollen grains exposed to rain and UV-B radiation at ambient levels were seriously damaged. Furthermore, bract removal decreased the number of pollinators visiting flowers. When bracts were removed before or after flowering, fecundity and progeny quality were adversely affected, but seed predation by larvae of pollinators decreased. A cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that the cost of bracts, i.e., increased seed predation, is modest. Our results suggest that the bracts of R. nobile promote pollen germination, protect pollen grains from rain and intense UV-B radiation, enhance pollinator visitation during flowering, and facilitate the development of fertilized ovules during seed development. We conclude that multifunctional bracts of R. nobile are an effective adaptive strategy in alpine environments and might have been selected for because of abiotic environmental conditions as well as for enhancing pollination success.

Inhibitory activities of pancreatic lipase and phosphodiesterase from Korean medicinal plant extracts.

To find new pancreatic lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) inhibitors from natural products, 61 medicinal plants from Korea were screened for their antilipase activity for prevention of obesity. Dried and powdered plants were extracted three times with EtOH and extracts were obtained by removal of the solvent in vacuo. Lipase activity was determined by measuring the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate to p-nitrophenol. Also, the inhibitory effect was measured on phosphodiesterase (PDE), another therapeutic target for obesity. Of the extracts tested, Sorbus commixta (stem, leaf) and Viscum album (whole plant) exhibited antilipase activity (with IC(50) values of 29.6 µg/mL and 33.3 µg/mL, respectively) and only anti-PDE activity (IC(50) values of 20.08 µg/mL and 35.15 µg/mL, respectively).

Phylogeographic structure of Terminalia franchetii (combretaceae) in southwest China and its implications for drainage geological history.

Following the rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the reorganization of the major river drainages in southwest China was primarily caused by river capture events. However, the impact of these past changes in drainage patterns on the current distribution and genetic structure of the endemic flora of this region remains largely unknown. Here we report a survey of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in Terminalia franchetii, an endemic shrub or small tree of the deep and dry-hot river valleys of this region. We surveyed AFLP variation within and among 21 populations (251 individuals) of T. franchetii, distributed disjunctively between northern and southern drainage systems. Using STRUCTURE, principal coordinates analysis, and genetic distance methods, we identified two main population genetic groups (I and II) and four subgroups within the species, as follows: (I) the Upper Jinshajiang Valley (subgroup I((north))) and the Honghe drainage area (subgroup I((south))); (II) the Middle and Lower Jinshajiang and Yalongjiang Valleys (subgroup II((north))) and the Nanpanjiang drainage area (subgroup II((south))). Genetic diversity was lower in group I than in group II. According to the genetic diversity and genetic structure results, we suggest that the modern disjunctive distribution and associated patterns of genetic structure of T. franchetii result from vicariance caused by several historical drainage capture events, involving the separation of the Upper Jinshajiang, Yalongjiang and Daduhe from the Honghe or Nanpanjiang in southwest China.

Core/shell nanoparticles for pH-sensitive delivery of doxorubicin.

Core/shell nanoparticles with lipid core were prepared and characterized as pH-sensitive delivery system of anticancer drug. The lipid core is composed of drug-loaded lecithin and the polymeric shell is composed of Pluronics (poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) tri-block copolymer, F-127). Based on the preparation method in the previous report by us, the freeze-drying of drug-loaded lecithin was performed in the F-127 aqueous solution containing trehalose used as a cryoprotectant to form stabilized core/shell nanoparticles. For the application of core/shell nanoparticles as a pH-sensitive drug delivery system for anticancer drug, doxorubicin was loaded into the core/shell nanoparticles and the drug loading amount and drug release behavior in response to pH change were observed.