Mechanism Study on Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Nodular Goiter.

Nodular goiter has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Clinically, there has been a burgeoning interest in nodular goiter due to the risk of progression to thyroid cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Chinese medicine (CM) in nodular goiter. Articles were systematically retrieved from databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. New evidence showed that CM exhibited multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics in the treatment of nodular goiter, involving hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis, oxidative stress, blood rheology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy, especially inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cell apoptosis, involving multiple signal pathways and a variety of cytokines. This review provides a scientific basis for the therapeutic use of CM against nodular goiter. Nonetheless, future studies are warranted to identify more regulatory genes and pathways to provide new approaches for the treatment of nodular goiter.

Tubeimoside-1: A review of its antitumor effects, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and targeting preparations.

Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS-1), a natural triterpenoid saponin found in traditional Chinese herbal medicine Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma, is present in numerous Chinese medicine preparations. This review aims to comprehensively describe the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and targeting preparations of TBMS-1, as well the therapeutic potential for cancer treatement. Information concerning TBMS-1 was systematically collected from the authoritative internet database of PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure applying a combination of keywords involving "tumor," "pharmacokinetics," "toxicology," and targeting preparations. New evidence shows that TBMS-1 possesses a remarkable inhibitory effect on the tumors of the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, genital system as well as other systems in vivo and in vitro. Pharmacokinetic studies reveal that TBMS-1 is extensively distributed in various tissues and prone to degradation by the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, causing a decrease in bioavailability. Meanwhile, several lines of evidence have shown that TBMS-1 may cause adverse and toxic effects at high doses. The development of liver-targeting and lung-targeting preparations can reduce the toxic effect of TBMS-1 and increase its efficacy. In summary, TBMS-1 can effectively control tumor treatment. However, additional research is necessary to investigate in vivo antitumor effects and the pharmacokinetics of TBMS-1. In addition, to reduce the toxicity of TBMS-1, future research should aim to modify its structure, formulate targeting preparations or combinations with other drugs.

[Effects of light intensity on physio-biochemical characteristics of Chrysanthemum indicum].

By analyzing the effects of light intensity on the growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Chrysanthemum indicum, the light intensity suitable for the growth of Ch. indicum was revealed, which provided a reference for the planting of Ch. indicum. There were five treatment groups of Ch. indicum, which was planted under 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% all natural light intensity conditions, respectively. In the meantime, these indicators of photosynthetic physiology, such as relative growth, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic parameters, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters etc. were measured in the peak period of growth of Ch. indicum as well as related indicators of the protective enzyme system, and the ultrastructure of chloroplast was observed with the use of transmission electron microscope technique. In our study, the results showed that the leaves of Ch. indicum occurred yellow phenomenon in different degrees when Ch. indicum was placed at more than 80% of the total natural light intensity condition, the height and stem diameter of plant reached the maximum at 60% of the total natural light intensity. More importantly, the number of branches of Ch. indicum was significantly increased under the total natural light intensity of more than 60%. Both the content of photosynthetic pigment and net photosynthetic rate were negatively correlated with light intensity, while photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters showed a trend of rising first and then decreasing with the decrease of light intensity. The physiological indexes of Ch.indicum including stomatal conductivity, intracellular CO_2 concentration, transpiration rate, water use efficiency and actual photochemical quantum yield of PS Ⅱ had been determined, and the results showed that all of them were at the highest level under 60% total natural light intensity condition. The chloroplast structure of Ch. indicum was not obviously abnormal under 60% and 80% total natural light intensity treatments, but the stroma lamella was broken under 100% total natural light intensity, and not only the number of chloroplast, but also the number and volume of starch grains were decreased significantly under 20% and 40% total natural light intensity. With the decrease of light intensity, the enzymes activities of SOD and CAT decreased, the activity of POD increased in the early stage and decreased in the later stage, and the content of MDA showed a decreasing trend. The analysis of results indicated that the Ch. indicum can grow under 20%-100% total natural light intensity, but the best growth condition was under 60% total natural light intensity.

[Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium formula fertilizer on growth and chemical composition content of Inula japonica].

Inula japonica was used as the research object, "3414" fertilization experiment were conducted to study the effects of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium formula fertilizer on the growth and chemical composition content of I. japonica. The characteristics of fertilizer requirement were preliminarily revealed and the study provided fertilization guidance for artificial cultivation of I. japonica. The results showed that different nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium formula fertilizers had significant effects on plant morphology,physiological and biochemical indexes,dry matter accumulation and chemical composition content. The growth indexes and chemical components of I. japonica showed an upward trend with the increase of fertilization amount,especially the nitrogen fertilizer was the most significant. The indicators were analyzed by membership function. After comprehensive evaluation,the optimal nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium formula fertilization level was N3 P2 K2,namely high level nitrogen fertilizer,medium level phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. I. japonica is a high fertilizer demand plant,and the rational fertilization scheme is " applying nitrogen fertilizer again and applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizer properly".

[Effect of compound planting on soil physical and chemical properties and soil enzyme activities of Salvia miltiorrhiza].

The effects of four kinds of different plant populations on the soil physical and chemical properties and soil enzyme activities of Salvia miltiorrhiza were analyzed by setting up four kinds of mixed planting groups, such as S. miltiorrhiza and Cassia obtusifolia, Capsicum annuum, Perilla frutescens and Zea mays. And through the root isolation treatment, we preliminarily explored the formation mechanism of the four kinds of matching plants of soil physical and chemical properties and soil enzyme activities of S. miltiorrhiza, and chose the matching plants suitable for the establishment of the compound population with S. miltiorrhiza,and provided the basis for constructing high efficiency compound planting pattern of S. miltiorrhiza. The results showed that there were significant differences in soil physical and chemical properties and soil enzyme activitiesof Salvia miltiorrhiza in different compound population mixed.The combination of C. obtusifolia, P. frutescens, Z. mays and S. miltiorrhiza mixed planting were all reduced the soil cation exchange capacity and soil enzyme activities, and increased the soil electric conductivity. The compound planting of P. frutescens and S. miltiorrhiza increased the soil cation exchange capacity and soil enzyme activities, and reduced the soil electric conductivity. Therefore,The compound planting population of P. frutescens and S. miltiorrhiza is conducive to improve soil physical and chemical properties and increase soil microbial activity, which is the best collocation species of S. miltiorrhiza.

[Effects of compound planting on growth and quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza].

The effects of four kinds of different plant populations on the morphology, the dry matter accumulation, active ingredient content and antioxidant activty in vitro of Salvia miltiorrhiza were analyzed by setting up four kinds of mixed planting groups, such as S. miltiorrhiza and Cassia obtusifolia, Capsicum annuum, Perilla frutescens and Zea mays. And through the root isolation treatment, we preliminarily explored the formation mechanism of the four kinds of matching plants of the yield and quality of S. miltiorrhiza, and chose the matching plants suitable for the establishment of the compound population with S. miltiorrhiza,and provided the basis for constructing high efficiency compound planting pattern of S. miltiorrhiza. The results showed that there were significant differences in plant morphology, dry matter accumulation of root, active ingredient content and antioxidant activty in vitro of S. miltiorrhiza in different compound population mixed. The growth and yield of S. miltiorrhiza were unfavorable to the combination planting of Cassia obtusifolia, Z. mays and Salvia miltiorrhiza.The compound planting of P. frutescens and S. miltiorrhiza significantly promoted the growth of S. miltiorrhiza, but significantly reduced the quality of S. miltiorrhiza.The yield and quality of S. miltiorrhiza were significantly improved by the combination of C. annuum and S. miltiorrhiza. Therefore, among the four plants of C. obtusifolia, C. annuum, P. frutescens, and Z. mays, the P. frutescens of Solanaceae is the best matching species for the construction of compound planting group with S. miltiorrhiza.

[Analysis on character of mineral elements in Changium smyrnioides and rhizosphere soil].

The contents of 22 kinds of mineral elements in different parts of Changium smyrnioides and in the rhizosphere soil of 10 different populations were determined by microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The characteristics of mineral elements in the plants and the soil of main distribution area of Ch. smyrnioides was analyzed and the mechanism of the quality formation of Ch. smyrnioides was explored to provide the basis for the quality evaluation and cultivation regulation of Ch. smyrnioides.The results showed that the quality of soil environment was better in the main distribution area of Ch. smyrnioides, the content of trace elements was higher, the contents of P and K were lower and the contents of mineral elements in the soil of each distribution area was significantly different. The three elements of Se, P and K are significantly accumulated in the root of Ch. smyrnioides. There were significant differences in the total contents of mineral elements in the roots of Ch. smyrnioides in different producing areas. The contents of mineral elements in different parts of Ch. smyrnioides were significantly different. Ch.smyrnioides of the main distribution area of Ch. smyrnioides belonged to the safety level, the distribution of mineral elements in the plants can be used as an indicator of the quality of medicinal herbs.

Physiological characteristics, dry matter, and active component accumulation patterns of Changium smyrnioides in response to a light intensity gradient.

CONTEXT: Changium smyrnioides Wolff (Apiaceae) is an endangered medicinal plant with numerous pharmacological uses. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of light intensity levels on the growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites of C. smyrnioides, cultivated seedlings were subjected to different relative light intensities via sun-shading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Changium smyrnioides seedlings were subjected to five irradiance treatments (100, 60.54, 44.84, 31.39, and 10.56% sunlight) in glasshouse for 9 months. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants with spectrophotometric method, photosynthetic parameters with Li-6400XT, dry matter accumulation and active component contents in the root with spectrophotometric and HPLC method were analyzed. RESULTS: With an increase in relative light intensity levels, activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were increased overall, while net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and dry matter accumulation patter first increased and then declined. The highest net photosynthetic rate (30.68 µmol/m2·s) and dry root weight (5.07 g) were achieved under 60.54% sunlight. Lower relative light intensity levels stimulated the accumulation levels of bioactive compounds in the roots so that the highest contents of mannitol (1.35%) and choline (405.58 µg/g) were recorded under 31.39% sunlight, and the highest polysaccharide content (10.80%) were achieved under 44.84% sunlight. With a decrease in the relative light intensity levels, the water-soluble component content increased first and then decreased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results revealed that 31.39-60.54% sunlight serve as appropriate relative light intensity conditions for cultivated C. smyrnioides.

[Quality classification criteria of Paeonia suffruticosa seeds].

In order to establish the quality classification criteria of Paeonia suffruticosa seeds, thirty-one batches of P. suffruticosa seeds from different provenances were selected. The seed rooting rate, seed germination rate, seed purity, seed viability, 1,000-seed weight and moisture content were determined and analyzed through SPSS 20.0 software. Seed rooting rate, seed germination rate and seed purity were selected as the main index for classification, while 1,000-seed weight, seed viability and moisture content could be used as important references. The seed quality grading of P. suffruticosa was set as three grades. The seed quality of each grade should meet following requirements: For the first grade seeds, seed rooting rate ≥ 80%, seed germination rate ≥ 80%, seed purity ≥ 90%, seed viability ≥ 80%, 1,000-seed weight ≥ 250 g, moisture content, ≤ 10. For the second grade seeds, seed rooting rate ≥ 50%, seed germination rate ≥ 60%, seed purity ≥ 70%, seed viability ≥ 75%, 1,000-seed weight ≥ 225 g, moisture content ≤ 10. For the third grade seeds, seed rooting rate ≥ 20%, seed germination rate ≥ 45%, seed purity ≥ 60%, seed viability ≥ 45%, 1,000-seed weight ≥ 205 g, moisture content ≤ 10. The quality classification criteria of P. suffruticosa seeds have been initially established.

[Analysis on morphological characteristics, photosynthetic characteristics and chemical constituents of Inula lineariifolia from different populations].

Twelve populations of Inula lineariifolia were used as materials to measure morphological characteristics, photosynthetic parameters and chemical constituents. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for germplasm resources evaluation. The results showed that I. lineariifolia had relatively rich morphological diversity, there were significant differences of morphological characteristics, photosynthetic parameters and chemical constituents among populations. There was positive correlation on morphological characteristics and P(n). Twelve populations were divided into three-type. The three populations of Xuyi, Mingguang and Fengyang were of narrower-longer leaf, bigger biomass,better photosynthetic and higher chemical constituents. Then they were classified for a similar group. It proved that the three populations were more suitable for cultivation and promotion.

[Retrospect and prospect of medicinal plants cultivation in China].

There is time-honored history and culture of medicinal plant cultivation in China. In the present review, the medicinal plant cultivation history in china was summarized, its current situation and question were analyzed, and the prospects of medicinal plant cultivation research were pointed out, with the purpose of accelerating the growth of medicinal plant cultivation research.

[Study on winter dormancy of Thesium chinense and its phenological phase].

In order to explore reasonable artificial cultivation pattern of Thesium chinense, the biological characteristics and nutrients change in the process of winter dormancy of T. chinense was studied. The phenological period of T. chinense was observed by using fixed-point notation and the starch grains changes were determined dynamically by PAS-vanadium iron hematoxylin staixjing method. Soluble sugar and starch content were measured by anthrone-sulfuric acid method and amylase activity was determined by DN'S method. The results showed that the normal life cycle of T. chinense was two years. T. chinense was growing by seed in the first year, but growing by the root neck bud in the second year. During the process of dormancy, starch and soluble sugar could mutual transformation in different periods. T. chinense had sufficient carbohydrate to maintain growth and also a lot of small molecules to improve their ability to fight against adversity.

[Identification of chemical signals and haustorium induced of Thesium chinense].

To separate and identify chemical signals which induce Thesium chinense haustorium formation, the components of T. chinense roots secretion collected with XAD-4 resin were detected by GC-MS. The effect of DMBQ as exogenous signals to induce haustorium formation in T. chinense was studied. Fifty-three compounds of 9 types had been detected, including hydrocarbons, esters, organic acids, ketones, alcohols, nitrogen containing compounds, phenolic acids, aldehyde and quinine. It is worth noting that the 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone has the core structure of 1,4-benzoquinone, which may play an important role in the parasitic relationship of Prunella vulgaris and T. chinense: DMBQ worked effectively on inducing haustoria, but induction effects vary widely in different concentrations. DMBQ with the concentration of 1 µmol x L(-1) showed the best effect of the inducing ability with a ratio of 110.52 when treated to induce haustoria.

[Seed quality test methods of Paeonia suffruticosa].

In order to optimize the testing methods for Paeonia suffruticosa seed quality, and provide basis for establishing seed testing rules and seed quality standard of P. suffruticosa. The seed quality of P. suffruticosa from different producing areas was measured based on the related seed testing regulations. The seed testing methods for quality items of P. suffruticosa was established preliminarily. The samples weight of P. suffruticosa was at least 7 000 g for purity analysis and was at least 700 g for test. The phenotypic observation and size measurement were used for authenticity testing. The 1 000-seed weight was determined by 100-seed method, and the water content was carried out by low temperature drying method (10 hours). After soaking in distilled water for 24 h, the seeds was treated with different temperature stratifications of day and night (25 degrees C/20 degrees C, day/night) in the dark for 60 d. After soaking in the liquor of GA3 300 mg x L(-1) for 24 h, the P. suffruticos seeds were cultured in wet sand at 15 degrees C for 12-60 days for germination testing. Seed viability was tested by TlC method.

[Effect of light quality on growth and quality of Pinellia ternata].

Measuring the content of soluble reducing sugar, total sugar, soluble protein, guanosine, alkaloids, and succinic acid of Pinellia ternata tuber were measured by anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetric method, Coomassie brilliant blue method, RP-HPLC, reverse potentiometric titration, acid dye colorimetry, respectively. The result showed that yellow light could promote the growth and development of P. ternata and increase the content of soluble reducing sugar, total sugar, alkaloids, and succinic acid. Under blue light could promote the content of soluble protein and guanosine. Red and yellow light increased the content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, contrastively blue light reduced the content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. White film through the most uniform spectrum was most conducive to the synthesis of chlorophyll a. As single film, blue film, yellow film were more conducive to the synthesis of chlorophyll a, green film and red film had been relatively beneficial to the synthesis of chlorophyll b. Bulbil formed the largest number and the biggest propagation coefficient of P. ternata under red light showed that it could increase the production of P. ternata under red light.

[Study on seed quality test and quality standard of Changium smyrnioides].

OBJECTIVE: To study seed quality test methods, and provide basis for establishing seed quality standard of Changium smyrnioides. METHOD: According to the seed testing regulations, the seed quality of C. smyrnioides from different producing area and in different growing years was measured. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The range of seed purity, weight per 1000 seeds, seed moisture content, seed viability were determined and the primary seed quality classification standard was established.

[Effect of seedling and fertilizering on yield and quality of cultivated Changium smyrnioides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of seedling and fertilizer on yield and quality of cultivated Changium smyrnioides and build a basis for its GAP. METHOD: Experiments were conducted to study the effects of seedling quality and different fertilizering measures on yield and quality of cultivated C. smyrnioides. RESULT: The seedling and fertilizering depth affected the yield of roots obviously. Organic fertilizer combined with nitrogen and phosphorus could increase the amylose content obviously. CONCLUSION: In cultivation, the seedling (root length > 5.0 cm, root diameter > 0.3 cm, fresh root weight > 0.3 g) is optimal. The ideal combination is nitrogen, phosphorus and organic fertilizer. The suggested fertilizering depth ranged from 10 to 15 cm.

[Investigation on biologically characterst of wild species and herbal quality of Changium smyrnioides].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species resources of Changium smyrnioides. METHOD: Nine habitat populations of C. smyrnioides, included with population environment, time limit, morphological characters and so on were investigated. The phylogenetic relationship of different habitat populations of C. smyrnioides was studied by isoenzyme electrophoretic analysis of the EST. RESULT: The results showed that wild resources of C. smyrnioides were endangered. Seed germinating rate of cultivated plant was significantly higher than that of wild seed, but polysaccharide content in the root of wild species was significantly higher than that of cultivated plant. There existed a geographic phylogenetic relationship among different habitat populations. CONCLUSION: The wild C. smyrnioides resources are endangered. The wild C. smyrnioides around Nanjing city are better than the others, it could be used for the further selecting of species resources.

[Study on seed dormancy mechanisms of Changium smyrnioides and its geminating conditions].

OBJECTIVE: To study the seed dormancy mechanisms and the optimal seed germinating conditions, so as to provide basis for the seed testing of Changium smyrnioides. METHOD: Put the seeds into wettish sand under temperature of 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 degrees C, observe the shape changing of embryo and measure its length every other 10 days. Carry on experiments of seed germination under temperature of 25,20, 15, 10, 5 degrees C on the paper bed and sand bed, determine the time of germination starting, time of germination lasting, germination rate and germination energy. RESULT: Embryo grew the most quickly under 15 degrees C. The seed germination was largely prohibited when the temperature is higher than 20 degrees C. The mildew rate was very high under 25, 20, 15, 10 degrees C. Put the seeds under 5 degrees C for 45 days could quickly break off its dormancy, and its mildew rate was lower. The seeds germinate fastest under the condition of 15-10 degrees C on the paper bed, and its germination rate was the highest. CONCLUSION: The morphological post-maturation seems the major dormancy mechanism of C. smyrnioides. Temperature is a major factor that affect seed germination of C. smymioides. The best pretreatment method is to put the seeds into 5 degrees C of wettish sand for 45 days. The best germination bed is the paper bed, and the best germination temperature is 15-10 degrees C.

[RAPD analysis for genetic diversity of Chrysanthemum morifolium].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic diversity of Chrysanthemum morifolium at the level of molecular biology. METHOD: The total genomic DNA was extracted from medicinal chrysanthemums by 2% CTAB method. And the genetic diversity of 22 C. morifolium accessions was tested by RAPD marks. The NTSYS software was used to analyze the marks. RESULT: 26 10-mer arbitrary primers were found to acquire polymophic results. A total of 233 bands were amplified, of which 89.7% bands were found to be polymophic. 8.04 polymophic bands were amplified by each primer on the average. The results of cluster analysis by using UPGMA method showed that all the tested accessions could be differentiated by RAPD marks. CONCLUSION: There actually existed much genetic diversity at the molecular level among the germplasm resources of C. morifolium. RAPD marks could be effective tools to construct DNA fingerprintings of C. morifolium. The differences between the tested chrysanthemums are related to the environments. However, it was affected by genetic facters more significantly.