Characterization, antioxidant and antitumor activities of polysaccharides from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.

Polysaccharides were extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge using response surface methodology (RSM) with ultrasonication. A Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the extraction parameters to maximize the polysaccharide extraction yield. The polysaccharide SMP-U1 was isolated and characterized; then the antioxidant and antiproliferation activities were evaluated in vitro. The modified optimal conditions were an ultrasonic power of 180 W, an extraction temperature of 54°C, and an extraction time of 32 min, achieving an extraction yield of 40.54±0.25%. The results indicate that SMP-U1 has significant antioxidant activity, scavenging the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. It has also exhibited effect on the proliferation of human breast carcinoma cells Bcap-37 and human esophageal carcinoma cells Eca-109, especially at a concentration of 0.30 mg/mL. In conclusion, SMP-U1 has remarkable in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferation activity, and has potential for application as a natural antioxidant or antitumor agent.

[Neuroprotective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells].

This study is to investigate the protective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. While PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, cell survival rate was reduced and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased. In parallel, corticosterone caused significant elevations of DNA fragmentation, [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity. However, when the PC12 cells were incubated with longistyline A (4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 micromol x L(-1)) in the presence of 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, the effects were evidently alleviated, but dose-dependent manner was not obvious. In summary, longistyline A could generate a neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells possibly by decreasing [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity.

[Study on isozymes in six species of Curcuma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore genetic relationships of the 39 materials in six species of Curcuma. METHOD: The peroxidase isozyme (POD) and esterase isozyme (EST) were studied using vertical slab polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique, and the zymograms were analyzed using the software of NTSYSpc2. 1. RESULT: The interspecific zymogramatic differences were obvious. Each species possessed its own specific zymogram distinguishing form the others. In the analysis of EST isozyme, C. phaeocaulis, C. wenyujin, C. kwangsiensis and C. chuanhuangjiang had their own specific zymogram. In the analysis of POD isozyme, just C. phaeocaulis and C. kwangsiensis had their specific zymogram. CONCLUSION: The genetic relationships are not associated with the geographical distributions and the genetic relationship between C. longa and C. sichuanensis are very close.

[Principal component and cluster analysis of trace elements in Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza and its relative species].

The contents of trace elements, including copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, chromium, lead, molybdenum, manganese, and cadmium in Chinese traditional herb S. miltiorrhiza and its relative species such as S. miltiorrhiza f. alba, S. evansiana, S. yunnanensis, S. przewarlskii, S. cavaleriei, S. cavaleriei var. simplicifolia, S. roborowskii, S. omeiana, S. tricuspis, S. brevilabra and S. cynica were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The principal components analysis of SPSS was applied to the study of characteristic elements in S. miltiorrhiza and its relative species. Three principal components which accounted for 79.3% of total variance were extracted from the original data. The first factor accounted for 49.6% of the total variance, which means that iron, manganese, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead are the characteristic elements in S. miltiorrhiza and its relative species. The results of cluster analysis show that the samples could cluster reasonably into two groups. The samples of S. miltiorrhiza from different regions were classified into one group except S. miltiorrhiza from Zhejiang and S. miltiorrhiza f. alba. The other Salvia species were classified into another group except S. cavaleriei. The S. miltiorrhiza and other Salvia species can be distinguished by this method, whose accuracy of classification is 90%. The cluster analysis based on the contents of trace element in S. miltiorrhiza and its relative species provided a quick, accurate and simple method for authentication of herb Salvia miltiorrhiza.

[Studies on chromosome numbers of Salvia miltiorrhiza, S. flava and S. evansiana].

OBJECTIVE: To study the numbers of chromosome in Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza from 7 provinces in China, and S. flava as well as S. evansiana from Yunnan province in China. METHOD: The young root was treated with the mixture of ice and water for 24 h, fixed with Carony's fixative for 6-12 h. After differentiating for 10-12 min with 1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid at 60 'C and staining with carbol fuchsin,the section was observed under microscope. RESULT: Chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza and S.flava were 2n = 2x = 16. The numbers of S. evansiana were 2n = 4x = 32. The basic numbers of the chromosomes were x = 8. And tetraploids were observed in S. miltiorrhiza from Sichuan provices and Shandong provices. CONCLUSION: The basic number of the chromosomes are x = 8. The chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza, S.flava and S. evansiana are 16,16 and 32 respectively. As the chromosomes are the small or micro-small ones, it is difficult to use them for karyotype.

[Analysis on yield and quality of different Houttuynia cordata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the yield of different Houttuynia cordata and the changing regularity of their main officinal components in different periods, and provide a basis for harvesting in good time and breeding new varieties. METHOD: The main officinal composition and wet weight of overground parts per acreage of different accessions were determined periodically. The plot yields were tested when harvested and analyzed by analysis of variance. RESULT: The difference of the yields of different accessions was significant. The varying tendency of the content of main officinal component methyl nonyl ketone and its total content per acreage of different accessions were different. CONCLUSION: The integrate characters of Qionglai and Wangyu wild accessions are relatively better, worthy to be widely applied in production.