Abundant and diverse endophytic bacteria associated with medicinal plant Arctium lappa L. and their potential for host plant growth promoting.

Arctium lappa L. is one of the medicinal and food homologous plants in China, which is rich in nutrients and medicinal ingredients. The use of plant growth-promoting (PGP) endophytic bacteria is an alternative to reducing chemical fertilizers in agricultural production. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of endophytic bacteria in different cultivars of A. lappa L. collected from two geographical locations in China and evaluate PGP traits of the isolates and their potential PGP ability in greenhouse condition. Endophytic bacterial community was investigated by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Isolates were screened and investigated for multiple PGP traits, and representative strains were inoculated host seedlings to evaluate the growth promoting effect. A total of 348 endophytic bacteria were obtained and they were distributed into 4 phyla and 30 genera. In addition, high throughput sequencing revealed more abundant bacterial community, including 17 bacterial phyla and 207 genera. A high proportion of PGP traits were detected, including production of indole acetic acid, siderophore, ammonia and phosphate solubilization. Four representative strains with multiple PGP traits of the most dominant genera (Bacillus, Pantoea, Microbacterium and Pseudomonas) were further selected for host inoculation and growth promoting evaluation, and they significantly increase seedlings length, root length and fresh weight. This study demonstrated that A. lappa L. harbors abundant endophytic bacteria, and some endophytic bacteria showed good potential for the development of microbial fertilizer in the future.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the medicinal shrub Daphne Giraldii Nitsche. (Thymelaeaceae).

Daphne giraldii Nitsche. (Thymelaeaceae) is a slow-growing shrub which has been used in Chinese folk medicine and commonly called 'Zu Shima'. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of D. giraldii using data from high-throughput Illumina sequencing. The D. giraldii cp genome is 171,643 bp in size and includes two inverted repeat regions of 41,798 bp each, which is separated by a large single copy region of 85,171 bp and a small single copy region of 2876 bp. A total of 137 genes were predicted, including 38 tRNA, 8 rRNA, and 90 protein-coding genes. In addition, 10 PCG genes possess a single intron, 92 PCG genes no intron, 1 gene harbor two introns. Six tRNA genes harbor a single intron. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that D. giraldii is closer to Daphne kiusiana and Daphne tangutica than other taxa.

[Enzymatic extraction and antibacterial activity of aucubin from Eucommia ulmoides leaves].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the technology of Aucubin in Eucommia ulmoides leaves extracted by enzymatic method and its antibacterial activity. METHODS: Aucubin in Eucommia ulmoides leaves was extracted by cellulase method. The extraction technology was optimized using the content of Aucubin as index. The antibacterial activity of Aucubin was determined. RESULTS: The results showed that the optimum technology was as follows; The solid-liquid ratio was 1:12, extracted for 50 min by 0.4% enzyme at 50 degrees C in pH 6.0. The extraction rate of Aucubin was as high as 17.892 mg/g. The Aucubin extracted could obviously inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the MIC of Aucubin against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 4.832 mg/mL and 9.664 mg/mL respectively. However, Aucubin presented weak inhibitory effect on Streptococcus pneumonia and MG-hemolytic streptococcus, the MIC of Aucubin against them were all 28.946 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: The extraction technology obtained in this experiment is reasonable and feasible with high extraction rate, and the Aucubin has some antibacterial activity.

Application of the nuclear factor-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate for the treatment of endometriosis: an in vitro study.

This study demonstrated that pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a potent nuclear factor-κB inhibitor, showed stronger inhibitory effects on nuclear factor-κB activation in endometriotic stromal cells than in normal endometrial stromal cells as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot analysis. Pretreatment of endometriotic stromal cells with PDTC attenuated tumor necrosis factor-α-induced expressions of CD44s, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor whereas reversed tumor necrosis factor-α-reduced expressions of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 revealed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, suggesting that PDTC may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of endometriosis.

[Study on growth and dry substance accumulation of Curcuma longa].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the growth characteristics of Curcuma longa, and provide basis for standardized cultivation. METHOD: Plant samples were collected and investigated periodically. RESULT: According to the growth of different parts and the characteristics of dry substance accumulation of C. longa, the development of C. longa could be divided into five stages: emergence of seedlings, seedling, leaf, root tuber expansion, and dry substance accumulation of root tuber. In terms of number, leaf of C. longa increases gradually from one at first to eight at the final stage. Leaf size increases at a very low speed at the stage of seedling. However, leaves expands their sizes at a much higher speed at the stage of leaf. The dry substance in different parts accumulates increasingly with the development of C. longa dry substance mainly accumulates in leaves at the stage of leaf, and in rhizome at the stage of root tuber expansion. At the final stage, it mainly accumulates in root tuber. CONCLUSION: Cultivation technologies of C. longa and the relevant management methods could be established according to the growth of different parts of C. longa and the characteristics of dry substance accumulation in different stages.

[The key of increasing the therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture on hemiplegia due to stroke].

Discuss the 5 aspects for increasing the therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture for treatment of hemiplegia due to stroke. First is deqi (getting qi), which is an important factor for acupuncture effect, and the needling sensation of scalp acupuncture should be the feeling of sucking the needle as main; second is needling manipulation, which should be selected for getting proper needling sensation, conducting direction and intensity; third is effective stimulating amount, only stimulating intensity and amount match with response state in the body of the patient, can produce resonance of energy, and attain the best therapeutic effect; fourth is treatment opportunity: the increase of rehabilitation level for hemiplegia of stroke depends on early scalp acupuncture treatment; fifth is rehabilitation training: scalp acupuncture needs combination with rehabilitation training in scalp acupuncture treatment of hemiplegia of stroke to exert positive effects. Clinically, taking note of these five aspects, the therapeutic effects of scalp acupuncture on hemiplegia of stroke can be consolidated and increased.