Tree peony transcription factor PrWRI1 enhances seed oil accumulation.

BACKGROUND: WRINKLED1 (WRI1) encodes a transcription factor, belonging to the APETALA2 (AP2) family, and plays a key role in regulating plant oil biosynthesis. As a newly woody oil crop, tree peony (Paeonia rockii) was notable for the abundant unsaturated fatty acids in its seed oil. However, the role of WRI1 during the accumulation of P. rockii seeds oil remains largely unknown. RESULTS: In this study, a new member of the WRI1 family was isolated from P. rockii and was named PrWRI1. The ORF of PrWRI1 consisted of 1269 nucleotides, encoding a putative protein of 422 amino acids, and was highly expressed in immature seeds. Subcellular localization analysis in onion inner epidermal cells showed that PrWRI1 was located at the nucleolus. Ectopic overexpression of PrWRI1 could significantly increase the total fatty acid content in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf tissue and even PUFAs in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. Furthermore, the transcript levels of most genes related to fatty acids (FA) synthesis and triacylglycerol (TAG) assembly were also up-regulated in transgenic Arabidopsis seeds. CONCLUSIONS: Together, PrWRI1 could push carbon flow to FA biosynthesis and further enhance the TAG amount in seeds with a high proportion of PUFAs.

Phytochemical components and bioactivities of novel medicinal food - Peony roots.

Peony as an important medicinal material is widely cultivated in China, which is one of the natural distribution centers of wild peony species. So far, however, there has not been a systematic study of the roots from China's wild peonies. In this study, the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), other secondary metabolites, and microelement content, as well as the antioxidant, antibacterial, anticholinesterase, and antitumor activities of peony roots from 15 species and 2 subspecies were measured. Thirteen secondary metabolites were detected, with Paeoniflorin and Paeonol being the highest content bio-activities compounds. Additionally, the peony roots had a significant antioxidant activities and bacteriostatic effect against Gram-positive bacteria, with MIC varying from 0.063 to 1 mg/mL. P. anomala subsp. veitchii and P. lactiflora showed outstanding anticholinesterase capacities and cytotoxic activities. Taken together, the data presented here provide new insights into both the medicinal and edible potential of roots from wild peony species.

Bioactive components, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Paeonia rockii fruit during development.

In last ten years, much attention focused on tree peony fruit (TPF) for edible oil production despite other potential utilization. The present study identified and quantified 29 bioactive components by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QqQ-MS) targeted approach during the development of TPF. Trans-resveratrol, benzoic acid, luteolin, and methyl gallate were selected as predominant chemical markers between seeds and pods through principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Extremely high levels of paeoniflorin (1893 mg/100 g) and trans-resveratrol (1793 mg/100 g) were observed at stage 2 (S2) and S6 in seeds, respectively. Antioxidant activities determined by ABTS+•, DPPH•, and FRAP assays showed significant correlations with total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The strongest antibacterial effects of pod and seed against Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris occurred at initial stages and maturation stages. TPF could be a potential source of bioactive compounds with functional properties.

Phenotypic Characteristics and Fatty Acid Composition of Seeds from Different Herbaceous Peony Species Native to China.

Herbaceous peony has been widely cultivated in China due to its substantial ornamental and medicinal value. In the present study, the phenotypic characteristics, total fatty acid (FA) content, and nine FA compositions of herbaceous peony seeds from 14 populations belonging to six species and one subspecies were determined by normal test and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the phenotypic characteristics of seeds varied dramatically among species. The concentrations of five major FAs in seed oils were as follows: linoleic acid (173.95-236.51 µg/mg), linolenic acid (227.82-302.71 µg/mg), oleic acid (135.32-208.81 µg/mg), stearic acid (6.52-11.7 µg/mg), and palmitic acid (30.67-47.64 µg/mg). Correlation analysis demonstrated that oleic acid had the highest partial correlation coefficient with total FAs and might be applied to develop a model of phenotypic characteristics. FAs were significantly influenced by the following environmental factors: latitude, elevation, and annual average temperature. Based on the FA levels in the seed oils, clustering analysis divided 14 populations into two clusters. It was found that the average contents of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and total FAs in cluster I (147.16 µg/mg, 200.31 µg/mg, and 671.24 µg/mg, respectively) were significantly lower than those in cluster II (196.65 µg/mg, 220.16 µg/mg, and 741.78 µg/mg, respectively). Cluster I was perfectly consistent with subsect. Foliolatae, while cluster II was in good agreement with subsect. Dissectifoliae. Therefore, the FA composition of wild herbaceous peony seed oil might be used as a chemotaxonomic marker.

Ameliorative effect of Xiaoyao-jieyu-san on post-stroke depression and its potential mechanisms.

A stroke is a severe life-threatening disease with high fatality and disability rate. This investigation aimed to study the effect of Xiaoyao-jieyu-san (XYJY) on post-stroke depression (PSD) and its potential mechanisms. PSD rats were prepared using middle cerebral artery embolization (MCAO) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and divided into six groups (n = 10)-sham; MCAO; MCAO + CUMS (PSD); PSD + fluoxetine (1.84 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks); and PSD + XYJY (450 mg/kg/day and 900 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks). Body weight recording, despair swimming test, and sucrose preference test were performed at 0, 3 and 7 weeks. Histopathological examination and levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens (VTA-NAc) tissue were determined at the end of a 7-week period. Real-time polymerase chain reaction PCR was used to determine mRNA expression of 5-HT1AR and 5-HT2AR, and Western blot was performed to determine expression of BDNF, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), and cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R) in VTA-NAc tissue. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectroscopy revealed that the constituents of XYJY are mainly paeoniflorin, imperatorin, naringin, arnesene, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxyl-diphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin, hesperidin, cycloastragenol and atractylenolide III. XYJY (900 mg/kg) increased the body weight of PSD rats, while XYJY (450 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg) shortened the duration of immobility and enhanced the sucrose preference of PSD rats. XYJY (450 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg) increased the levels of 5-HT, NE and BNDF, up-regulated mRNA expression of 5-HT1AR, down-regulated 5-HT2AR, and up-regulated BNDF, CB1R, and CB2R expression in the VTA-NAc tissue of PSD rats but down-regulated CRF. Collectively, the present findings suggested that XYJY has an ameliorative effect on PSD in rats via modulation of BNDF, cannabinoid receptors and CRF in VTA-NAc tissue.

[Study on force feedback of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20)].

Acupuncture manipulations on Fengchi (GB 20) of famous doctors were taken through force feedback device, then the data was input into a digitized virtual human. Virtual Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture force feedback simulation system was built through the virtual reality technology to achieve one-to-one high simulative manipulation effect for acupuncture students. The interaction force of the needle body and human tissues was analyzed during the acupuncture process on the 3D digital human integrated with information of Fengchi (GB 20) according to the physical characteristics of the tissues under this point. The mechanical model which is used to imitate the stress received by the body of the needle was established, and transmitted truly to the operator by the force feedback device. Thus, Fengchi (GB 20) virtual acupuncture force feedback simulation was preliminary established, and the sense of touch could be reproduced lively on the visualized virtual acupuncture human. It is held that Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture force feedback research is a preliminary exploration for virtual acupuncture that integrated with the information of visual, tactile and force feedback. And it also provided a dynamic one-to-one simulation approach for acupuncture teaching.

[Study on the angle and depth of needle insertion at Huantiao (GB 30) by three-dimensional reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the anatomic structure of Huantiao (GB 30) visually, to imitate the inserting process of the needle to explore the safty of needle insertion and improve the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in clinic. METHODS: Combined with anatomic structure of acupoint, muscles and other tissues related with Huantiao (GB 30) were interactively segmented in VOXEL-MAN with the computer graphics technology. Nerves and blood vessels were reconstructed by establishing mathematic model, and the needle-inserting animation of Huantiso (GB 30) was obtained by running script file. RESULTS: The three-dimensional (3-D) visualization of Huantiao (GB 30) on needle-inserting animation was accomplished, the spatial location and expression of Huantiao (GB 30) in the digitized virtual human body were observed, the virtual inserting process was imitated realistically, and the 3-D animation of needle insertion at Huantiao (GB 30) was created. CONCLUSION: Building mathematic model is favorable for expressing the anatomic structure of Huantiao (GB 30) in 3-D space, imitating the process of needle insertion realistically and observing the spatial structure of the point and the around tissues, which can provide a solid foundation for the safety of needle insertion of acupoints and improve therapeutic effect of acupuncture in clinic.

[Study on force feedback of acupuncture manipulation at Jianliao (TE 14) based on VOXEL-MAN].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the mechanical virtual reality when acupuncture on Jianliao (TE 14) so as to get perform perceptual knowledge of acupuncture for beginners through studying 3D reconstruction of surrounding tissues of this acupoint. METHODS: Related tissues were segmented and reconstructed by establishing mathematics model based on the operational platform of VOXEL-MAN (vision reappearance); and mechanical model was constructed and fused with related data of virtual human (touch reappearance); data communication between the force feedback apparatus and the operational platform of virtual human were set up by interchanging vision reappearance module and touch reappearance module. RESULTS: In Linux system, the operator could experience the mechanical changes while needle-tip passing various tissues of Jianliao (TE 14) as well as lifting and thrusting evenly in needling process through the force feedback apparatus. CONCLUSION: Based on the platform of VOXEL-MAN, the sensation of needling at jianliao (TE 14) could be reappeared idealy by strength feedback instrument, so that the beginners could imitate, learn and practice the virtual acupuncture.

[Study on the visualization of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin].

OBJECTIVE: To display the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin at the body surface in a virtual human. METHODS: After defining the acupoints as the control points, chose suitable function interpolation to compose skeleton curve, actualize surface rendering and to rebuild a tube-like meridian model. RESULTS: The rebuilt tubular meridian model had a good visual effect, and clearly showed different anatomic structures of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin. CONCLUSION: We primarily and successfully accomplish the visualization display of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin in a virtual human, which affords a data carrier for building a meridian research platform.

[Brief analysis on scientifity of the international scalp acupuncture].

By comparing and analyzing the similarity among the international scalp acupuncture, JIAO's scalp acupuncture and ZHU's scalp acupuncture, it is believed that the international scalp acupuncture is a combination of traditional acupuncture and other scalp acupuncture on the basis of channel theory of TCM, and this combination is worthy of discussion. However JIAO's scalp acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. So, the international scalp acupuncture following most contents of JIAO's scalp acupuncture is worthy of discussion.

[Preliminary study on force feedback of acupuncture in virtual reality based on the visible human].

This paper discusses the application of virtual reality technology in the 3-D visible human body and acupuncture research. Based on the 3-D visible human fused with the localization information and hierarchy of acupoints, the paper analyzes the force against the needle and haptic rendering during the needle manipulation according to the physical properties of different tissues. A haptic model is constructed to demonstrate the force behaviors during acupuncture, and the force will be produced and passed to the manipulator by a force feedback device. It enriches the contents of 3-D visible human project, provides a dynamic simulation instrument for acupuncture teaching, and supplies a platform for acupuncture research.

[Three-D visualization study on the acupoint of Jianliao (TE 14) based on the operational platform of Voxel-man].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the problem difficult to be presented for nerves and blood vessels in the 3D reconstruction of acupoints through studying 3D reconstruction of Jianliao (TE 14). METHODS: Muscles and other tissues were segmented by applying cointeractive segmentation method based on chromatic characteristic space; the nerve and blood vessels can be reconstructed by establishing mathematics model, and the needle-inserting animation of Jianliao (TE 14) could be obtained by running script file. RESULTS: During the course of 3D needle-inserting animation of Jianliao (TE 14), the spatial location between all kinds of tissues including the nerve and blood vessels and the needle body could be systematically observed. CONCLUSION: The difficulty of presenting the nerve and blood vessels in the study on 3D reconstruction of acupoints can be resolved by establishing mathematics model. The generation of 3D animation for acupoints with the nerve and blood vessels is benefit to acupuncture teaching and study on the essence of acupoints and channels.

[Study on the visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body].

OBJECTIVE: To study on visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body. METHODS: Tube model-building method and computer technique were used, and data came from Voxel-Man dummy human body development platform. RESULTS: The visual effect of re-building Meridian is very good and it can display the different layers of anatomic structures on the Meridian lines. CONCLUSION: The visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body is preliminary realized, which provides data carriers for establishing the platform of Meridian study.

[Comparative experimental study on treatment of rat's injured sciatic nerve with electroacupuncture and Buyang Huanwu Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the electroacupuncture and Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) on the regeneration of the rat's injured sciatic nerve. METHODS: Rat's sciatic nerve injury model was made by operation. The rats were treated with electroacupuncture or BYHWD and their nerve electro-physiological indices and histological changes tested by HRP were observed. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the recovery ratios of nerve conduction velocity and muscle evoked action potential of the group treated with electroacupuncture and the group treated with BYHWD were higher than those of the group treated with western medicine or the group without treatment. The differences were significant. The labeling cells in anterior horn of spinal marrow and spinal ganglion of the group treated with electroacupuncture and the group treated with BYHWD were more abundant than those of the group treated with western medicine or the group without treatment. The differences were significant. The effect of electroacupuncture was better than that of the BYHWD. CONCLUSION: It suggests that both electroacupuncture therapy and BYHWD can promote the recovery of the function in early stage of injured nerve, and they are effective methods for promoting the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve.