Gene coexpression networks allow the discovery of two strictosidine synthases underlying monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Uncaria rhynchophylla.

Plant-derived monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) from Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) have huge medicinal properties in treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Although many bioactive UR-MIA products have been isolated as drugs, their biosynthetic pathway remains largely unexplored. In this study, untargeted metabolome identified 79 MIA features in UR tissues (leaf, branch stem, hook stem, and stem), of which 30 MIAs were differentially accumulated among different tissues. Short time series expression analysis captured 58 pathway genes and 12 hub regulators responsible for UR-MIA biosynthesis and regulation, which were strong links with main UR-MIA features. Coexpression networks further pointed to two strictosidine synthases (UrSTR1/5) that were coregulated with multiple MIA-related genes and highly correlated with UR-MIA features (r > 0.7, P < 0.005). Both UrSTR1/5 catalyzed the formation of strictosidine with tryptamine and secologanin as substrates, highlighting the importance of key residues (UrSTR1: Glu309, Tyr155; UrSTR5: Glu295, Tyr141). Further, overexpression of UrSTR1/5 in UR hairy roots constitutively increased the biosynthesis of bioactive UR-MIAs (rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, etc), whereas RNAi of UrSTR1/5 significantly decreased UR-MIA biosynthesis. Collectively, our work not only provides candidates for reconstituting the biosynthesis of bioactive UR-MIAs in heterologous hosts but also highlights a powerful strategy for mining natural product biosynthesis in medicinal plants.

Changes in metabolism modulate induced by viroid infection in the orchid Dendrobium officinale.

Dendrobium officinale is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and the stem tissue is the main medicinal that is harvested from D. officinale. Recently, the first viroid was identified from D. officinale in China, and it has been named Dendrobium viroid (DVd). Whether DVd interferes with metabolic pathways in dendrobium plants and affects the medicinal value of the host is unknown. In this study, metabolomics data from stem tissues supported by transcriptome studies were used to investigate how metabolism modulate of D. officinale is altered by DVd infection. Our results show that metabolism of D. officinale is reprogrammed in many ways during DVd infection, and this is reflected by significant changes in the levels of flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids. Furthermore, we found that DVd infection significantly decreased the accumulation of flavonoids and alkaloid metabolites in infected stems, and the decreases in these metabolites appears to affect the medicinal components of the infected plants, weakening the host antiviral immune response as well. Conversely, phenolic acids occupy a larger proportion of the up-regulated metabolites from DVd infection in comparison with the mock-inoculated control, and the increase in the total phenolic acids may reflect the activation of the pathogen defense response in D. officinale. Taken together, our results provide an interesting overview and give a better understanding of the relationship between metabolism and DVd infection in the orchid D. officinale.

Hepato-protective effects and chemical constituents of a bioactive fraction of the traditional compound medicine-Gurigumu-7.

BACKGROUND: Gurigumu-7 is an important traditional Mongolian medicine frequently used for liver diseases. However, the pharmacological effects and the bioactive constituents are not well understood. METHOD: This research was to use CCl4-induced liver damage in mice to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Gurigumu-7 and the methanol eluted fraction from a DIAION column of an extract of Gurigumu-7 (MF). The chemical constituents of MF were analyzed by UPLC-MS. RESULTS: Pretreated orally with MF (66, 132 and 264 mg/kg) once a day for 4 days dose-dependently suppressed CCl4-induced mice liver histopathological changes and serum aminotransferase activities (alanine transaminase: 1144.0 ± 787.2 v.s. 2461.8 ± 1072.7 U/L, p < 0.05; aspartate transaminase: 1173 ± 785.3 v.s. 2506.6 ± 1140.7 U/L, p < 0.01). MF treated group demonstrated increased levels of SOD (108.19 ± 30.32 v.s. 75.75 ± 5.37 U/mg protein, p < 0.01) but decreased levels of malonyldialdehyde (7.68 ± 1.95 v.s. 44.32 ± 16.68 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.01) compared to the CCl4 control group. More than 30 chemical constituents were quantified, and MF was found to be rich in ellagic acid (297.97 mg/g), luteolin and its glucosides (35.10 mg/g), apigenin and its glucosides (>30 mg/g), ursolic acid (14.91 mg/g), bidenoside C (8.75 mg/g), and proanthocyanidins (15.64 mg/g in proanthocyanidin A2 equivalent). CONCLUSION: The methanol eluted fraction (MF) from a DIAION column of an extract of the Mongolian medicine-Gurigumu-7 was found to be more hepatoprotective than Gurigumu-7. The results suggested that MF is a promising bioactive fraction for the development of new hepatoprotective medicine with better formulation and quality control properties.

[New variety breeding of Dioscorea alata, cultivar "Wenshanyao No.1].

To breed a new yam cultivar of Dioscorea alata, the different and excellent germplasm resources were investigated within artificially cultivated population and some superior individuals, with a higher yield and medicinal properties, were selected. Considering results of the yield and medicinal properties during 2006-2013 cropping season, strains and lines were established and selected. As a result, the yield of the new developed cultivar (Wenshanyao No. 1, WSY01-1) reached 2217. 0 kg per 667 m2 (fresh weight) and 348.3 kg per 667 m2 (dry weight), and increased 23.8% and 23.9% comparing with control cultivars (landraces). Comparing with control cultivars, the level of polysaccharide, allantoin, and dioscin increased 36.9%, 48.3%, 20.9%, and reached 12.2%, 1.30%, 579.7 µg · g(-1), respectively. This result showed that the systematic selection method can significantly improve yield and medicinal properties of D. alata, and the developed " Wenshanyao No. 1" exhibits wide spreading prospects.

α-Lipoic acid protects against the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by cadmium in HepG2 cells through regenerating glutathione regulated by glutamate-cysteine ligase.

Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) is an important antioxidant that is capable of regenerating other antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH). In the present study, we examined the protective effects of α-LA against the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by cadmium in human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2) and investigated if the process was mediated through regenerating GSH. Our results showed that after exposure to 25 µM cadmium for 16 h, there was a significant decrease in the cell viability and glutathione levels and a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (p<0.01) compared with untreated cells. The presence of α-LA significantly attenuated cadmium-induced cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation, and reversed cellular GSH levels compared with cadmium-treated cells (p<0.05). Compared with the cells treated with cadmium, co-treatment with α-LA and cadmium significantly increased the activities of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (γ-GCL), the rate limiting enzyme in GSH biosynthesis and the mRNA and the protein levels of γ-GCL catalytic subunit (GCLC) and a modifier subunit (GCLM). In conclusion, our results indicated that α-LA is an effective agent to reduce the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by cadmium by regenerating GSH levels through increasing the activities and the expressions of γ-GCL.

[Effects of Jiji decoction on the cognitive function and oxidative stress in mice with vascular dementia induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Jiji decoction (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on the cognitive function and oxidative stress in mice with vascular dementia (VD) induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into nonnal group (n = 8), sham group (operation, but no cerebral ischemia/reperfusi6n, n = 8), model group (vascular dementia model induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, n = 8), and Jiji decoction-treated group (vascular dementia model plus treatment with Jiji decoction, n = 8). Fourteen days of treatment after operation, the cognitive behavior was measured in step-through test, spatial probe test and platform test. Afterwards, to assess the levels of oxidative stress, the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in brain of these mice were measured. RESULTS: Data from step-through test indicated that the escaping latency of Jiji decoction-treated group was prolonged and the error counts were decreased significantly ( P <0.01) compared with those of model group. Data from spatial probe test indicated that the time of entering darkroom, the time of climbing height and the time of entering bright room in Jiji decoction-treated group were shortened and the counts of climbing height were increased (P < 0.05-0.01) significantly compared with those of model group. Data from platform test showed that the escaping latency of Jiji decoction-treated group was prolonged significantly (P < 0.01) compared with that of model group. Compared with normal and sham group, the activity of SOD was decreased and the content of MDA was increased in model group significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with those of model group, the levels of SOD and MDA in Jiji decoction-treated group were improved significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Jiji decoction could improve cognitive function of VD mice. Its mechanism might be related with the inhibition of oxidative stiess in the brain.

[Protective effect of tadalafil against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (tadalafil) on the testis following testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Eighty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham operation), B (testicular torsion + low-dose tadalafil), C (testicular torsion + high-dose tadalafil), and D (testicular torsion + placebo). Models were established in the latter three groups by 7200 torsion of the right testis for 2 hours. The animals in groups A and B were treated by gavage with tadalafil at the dose of 0. 5 mg per kg per day, those in group C at 2 mg per kg per day, and those in group D with saline at the same dose. After 3, 7, and 14 days of treatment, the torsioned testes were harvested for evaluation of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the testis tissue. The pathological changes in the testis were observed under the light microscope. RESULTS: At 3, 7, and 14 days, the SOD activity was (254.46 +/- 7.43), (278.49 +/- 8.33), and (317.99 +/- 3.31) nU/mg prot in group B, and (277.12 +/- 8.80), (309.40 +/- 2.14), and (320.39 +/- 4.72) nU/mg prot in group C, all obviously higher than in D ([223.21 +/- 4.65], [231.45 +/- 4.16] and [248.28 +/- 5.74] nU/mg prot), while the MDA content was lower in the former two groups than in the latter. At 3 and 7 days, the SOD activity was significantly higher and the MDA level significantly lower in group C than in B (both P < 0.01) , while at 14 days, neither showed any remarkable differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious histopathological change was observed in the testis tissue of group A. At 3 and 7 days, pathological examination of the testis tissue revealed significant differences in the number of seminiferous epithelial layers, testicular histological score, and seminiferous tubule diameter in group B (P < 0.01), but the three indexes at 14 days in group B and at 7 days in group C exhibited no remarkable differences from those at 14 days in group A. CONCLUSION: Tadalafil can alleviate testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Ginkgo biloba extract promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a pathway involving Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are a novel cell source used in stem cell therapy to treat bone diseases owing to their high potential to differentiate into osteoblasts. Effective induction of osteogenic differentiation from human BM-MSCs is critical to fulfill their therapeutic potential. In this study, Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a traditional herbal medicine, was used to stimulate the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human BM-MSCs. The present study revealed that GBE improved the proliferation and osteogenesis of human BM-MSCs in a dose-dependent manner in the range 25-75 mg/l, as indicated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content. However, such effect was decreased or inhibited at 100mg/l or higher. The dose-dependent improvement in osteogenesis of human BM-MSCs by GBE was further confirmed by the dose-dependent upregulation of marker genes, osteopontin (OPN) and Collagen I. The increased osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and minimal expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) suggested that GBE also inhibited osteoclastogenesis of human BM-MSCs. Further mechanistic study demonstrated that the transcriptional levels of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in the BMP signaling, ß-catenin and Cyclin D1 in the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, increased significantly during GBE-promoted osteogenesis. Meanwhile, loss-of-function assay with the signaling inhibitor(s) confirmed that the BMP and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways were indispensable during the GBE-promoted osteogenesis, suggesting that GBE improved osteogenesis via upregulation of the BMP and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. The present study proposed GBE to be used to upregulate the osteogenic differentiation of human BM-MSCs for new bone formation in BM-MSC-based cell therapy, which could provide an attractive and promising treatment for bone disorders.

Research on choleretic effect of menthol, menthone, pluegone, isomenthone, and limonene in DanShu capsule.

Danshu capsule (DSC) is a medicinal compound in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is commonly used for the treatment of acute & chronic cholecystitis as well as choleithiasis. To study its choleretic effect, healthy rats were randomly divided into DSC high (DSCH, 900mg/kg), medium (DSCM, 450mg/kg), and low (DSCL, 225mg/kg) group, Xiaoyan Lidan tablet (XYLDT, 750mg/kg), and saline group. The bile was collected for 1h after 20-minute stabilization as the base level, and at 1h, 2h, 3h, and 4h after drug administration, respectively. Bile volume, total cholesterol, and total bile acid were measured at each time point. The results revealed that DSC significantly stimulated bile secretion, decreased total cholesterol level and increased total bile acid level. Therefore, it had choleretic effects. To identify the active components contributing to its choleretic effects, five major constituents which are menthol (39.33mg/kg), menthone (18.02mg/kg), isomenthone (8.18mg/kg), pluegone (3.31mg/kg), and limonene (4.39mg/kg) were tested on our rat model. The results showed that menthol and limonene could promote bile secretion when compared to DSC treatment (p > 0.05); Menthol, menthol and limonene could significantly decrease total cholesterol level (p<0.05 or p<0.01) as well as increase total bile acid level (p<0.05 or p<0.01); Isomenthone, as a isomer of menthone, existed slightly choleretic effects; Pluegone had no obvious role in bile acid efflux. These findings indicated that the choleretic effects of DSC may be attributed mainly to its three major constituents: menthol, menthone and limonene.

[Mechanism exploration on synthesis of secondary metabolites in Sorbus aucuparia cell cultures treated with yeast extract].

Suspension cultures cell of Sorbus aucuparia (SASC) was used as materials, the changes of physiological and biochemical indexes of SASC after treatment with yeast extract (YE) were detected, and the synthetic mechanism of secondary metabolites in SASC treated with YE was preliminarily explored. The results were as follows: under the assay conditions, SASC was induced to synthesize five biphenyl compounds, and these compounds content changed differently with induction time prolonging; YE treatment inhibited cell growth, the culture medium pH was gradually reduced after treatment; water-soluble protein content showed a trend of slow decline, which was significantly increased in YE treatment group (YE group) compared with the control group (CK group), the maximum relative content was 147.76% in contrast with CK group; both YE group and CK group were extracellular Ca2+ flow influx, but the YE group flow was significantly slow than CK group. The results indicate that YE induced the cells in a stress state, which was not conducive to the growth of cells and forced the cells to synthesize biphenyl compounds against external stress; water-soluble protein may serve as intracellular enzymes involved in the synthesis of compounds regulation; Ca2+ may as signal molecule mediate cell signal transduction respond to YE stress.

[Optimization of expression and purification of recombinant Salvia miltiorrhiza WRKY1 protein in Escherichia coli].

WRKY transcription factor is one of the Zinc finger proteins which contains a highly conserved WRKY domain and is a family of the plant-specific transcription factor. The plasmid pET28a-SmWRKY1 harboring Salvia miltiorrhiza WRKY1 (SmWRKY1) gene was successfully transformed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The conditions on protein expression of SmWRKY1 in E. coli, including induction duration, temperature, IPTG concentration and the E. coli concentration were optimized. The results showed that the highest protein expression of SmWRKY1 was obtained at 24 hours after the E. coli was cultured in the presence of 0.2 mol x L(-1) IPTG at 20 degrees C with A600 values of 1.0-1.5. This recombinant histidine-tagged protein was expressed at 2.454 g x L(-1) as inclusion body, which was first extracted using urea, and then purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography and identified by SDS-PAGE. The expression of SmWRKY1 in E. coli was further confirmed by western blotting analysis.

[Restriction endonuclease digest - melting curve analysis: a new SNP genotyping and its application in traditional Chinese medicine authentication].

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) is an important molecular marker in traditional Chinese medicine research, and it is widely used in TCM authentication. The present study created a new genotyping method by combining restriction endonuclease digesting with melting curve analysis, which is a stable, rapid and easy doing SNP genotyping method. The new method analyzed SNP genotyping of two chloroplast SNP which was located in or out of the endonuclease recognition site, the results showed that when attaching a 14 bp GC-clamp (cggcgggagggcgg) to 5' end of the primer and selecting suited endonuclease to digest the amplification products, the melting curve of Lonicera japonica and Atractylodes macrocephala were all of double peaks and the adulterants Shan-yin-hua and A. lancea were of single peaks. The results indicated that the method had good stability and reproducibility for identifying authentic medicines from its adulterants. It is a potential SNP genotyping method and named restriction endonuclease digest - melting curve analysis.

[Cloning and expression analysis of pathogenesis-related protein 1 gene of Panax notoginseng].

By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), an open reading frame of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) was isolated from Panax notoginseng and named as PnPR1. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses of PnPR1 revealed that an open reading frame of 501 bp was predicted to encode a 166-amino acid protein with a deduced molecular mass of 18.1 kD. Homology analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of PR1 protein of Panax notoginseng had a high similarity with other higher plants had the same conservative structure domain of cysteine-rich secretory protein (CAP). The recombinant expressed plasmid pET28a(+)-PnPR1 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The expression conditions were optimized by induction at different times, different temperatures, different IPTG concentrations and different giving times. The optimum expression condition was 0.4 mmol.L-1 IPTG at 28 degrees C for 20 h. The successful expression of PnPR1 provides some basis for protein purification and preparation of the monoclonal antibody.

[Breeding of new Curcuma wenyujin variety "Wenyujin No. 1"].

In order to breed and spread a new cultivar of Curcuma wenyujin, the C. wenyujin germplasm resources were investigated in authentic regions. Better varieties were chosen by comparing the yield, economic characters and quality differences between different cultivars. The results showed that the character of new selected cultivar was stable, the yield of zedoary, turmeric and curcuma was reached 313.7, 177.9, 91.2 kg per 667 m2, respectively, it increased 11.6%, 10.2%, 14.2% comparing with farmer varieties. The volatile oil contents in zedoary and turmeric was 4.0%, 3.0%, respectively. The target ingredients (germacrone) content was stable. It is demonstrated that the new cultivar "Wenyujin No. 1" has value for extension at authentic regions.

Chemical components and antioxidant activity of the peels of commercial apple-shaped pear (fruit of Pyrus pyrifolia cv. pingguoli).

UNLABELLED: The apple-shaped pear, the fruit of the Pyrus pyrifolia cv. pingguoli (Rosaceae) tree, is one of the most popular fruits in the northern part of China. The current study is the 1st report of its bioactive components. We identified 10 metabolites from the peels (exocarp) of apple-shaped pear and assessed their toxicity. We then compared the anti-oxidant activity, amount of total phenolic compounds, and total condensed tannin content of the peels and flesh (mesocarp) of apple-shaped pear. The 6 major components in the peels and flesh of this fruit were quantified with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Results revealed that the peels possessed stronger anti-oxidant activity and contained larger amounts of phenolic compounds than the flesh. These results provide insights into the potential health benefits of this fruit and support the use of the fruit peels and products containing peels or peel components. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The present research provided evidences that the pulp and peel waste from the juice industry of apple-shaped pear may be a source of useful compounds.

Isolation, identification and quantification of unsaturated fatty acids, amides, phenolic compounds and glycoalkaloids from potato peel.

Eleven compounds were isolated from potato peels and identified. Their structures were determined by interpretation of UV, MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectral data and by comparison with reported data. The main components of the potato peels were found to be chlorogenic acid and other phenolic compounds, accompanied by 2 glycoalkaloids, 3 low-molecular-weight amide compounds, and 2 unsaturated fatty acids, including an omega-3 fatty acid. The potato peels showed more potent radical scavenging activity than the flesh. The quantification of the 11 components indicated that the potato peels contained a higher amount of phenolic compounds than the flesh. These results suggest that peel waste from the industry of potato chips and fries may be a source of useful compounds for human health.

[Effects of plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride on content of active compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride (DPC) on the growing development of plant and the content of active compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis. METHOD: After spraying DPC during the seedling period, the length of taproot, fresh weight of root, diameter of taproot and the length of stem were measured. The contents of baicalin, baicalein and wogonin were determined by HPLC, respectively. Total flavonoids and scavenging DPPH were determined with ultraviolet spectrophotometry. RESULT: After spraying DPC, fresh weight of S. baicalensis root was significant increased, and root diameter was also increased. The contents of baicalin and total flavonoids were significantly increased and baicalein and wogonin were decreased remarkably. Compared with controls, scavenging activity of ethanol extracts on DPPH free radical was no significant changed after spraying DPC. CONCLUSION: Plant growth regulator DPC could regulate the growth on the ground and underground effectively, and could enhance the content of flavonoids compounds of S. baicalensis.

[Different pruning to yield and quality of Lonicerea Japonicae Flos].

OBJECTIVE: To find out the influence of differences pruning on Lonicerea Japonicae Flos on it's yield and quality, and provide reference for reasonable pruning. METHOD: Using different pruning treatments, the growth and yield and chlorogenic acid and galuteolin contents of Lonicerea Japonicae Flos were measured and compared. And the source and sink theory were used to interpret the rationality of the best way. RESULT: There existed significant differences in the growth and branching and yield at differences pruning methods, but not including chlorogenic acid and galuteolin contents of Lonicerea Japonicae Flos. CONCLUSION: The best pruning treatments is in shearing.

[Authentication of Lonicera japonica using bidirectional PCR amplification of specific alleles].

OBJECTIVE: To identify SNP in flos Lonicerae, and authenticate Lonicera japonica from its adulterants and the mixture by using bidirectional PCR amplification of specific alleles (Bi-PASA). METHOD: SNP of L. japonica and its adulterants was identified by using ClustulW to align trnL-trnF sequences of the Lonicera genus from GenBank database. Bi-PASA primer was designed and the PCR reaction systems including annealing temperature optimized. Optimized result was performed in 84 samples to authenticate L. japonica, its adulterants and the mixture. RESULT: When the annealing temperature was 61 degrees C, DNA from L. japonica would be amplified 468 bp whereas PCR products from all of the 9 adulterants were 324 bp. The established method also can detect 5% of intentional adulteration DNA into L. japonica. CONCLUSION: The Bi-SPASA could authenticate L. japonica from its adulterants and the mixture.

[Effect of different developmental stage on plant growth and active compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the developmental phase on the growth and active compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis. METHOD: Seeds of wild plants were collected from Laiwu and sowed in Fangshan (Beijing) and Laiwu (Shandong). Samples of aerial and underground parts were collected in five growth periods of sprouts, seedlings, flowering, seed drop and withered periods respectively. The length of taproot, fresh weight of root, diameter of taproot and the length of stem were determined. The content of active compounds and total flavonoids were determined by HPLC and ultraviolet spectrophotometry respectively. The transcripted level of PAL1, PAL2, PAL3, C4H, 4CL, CHS, GUS and UBGAT were analyzed with RT-PCR. RESULT: The results showed that the aerial part of S. baicalensis grew quickly before flowering stage, and the underground part grew mostly between the periods of flowering and withered. In the whole growing developmental periods, the content of total flavonoids was not changed significantly, the content of baicalin was increased gradually and the content of baicalein was decreased gradually. Expression level of PAL and 4CL was the highest in withered period, CHS was increased between flowering and seed drop and decreased in withered period. CONCLUSION: Seedlings and withered periods may be the key phase affecting the growth and active compounds in S. baicalensis.