Nepetaefolins A-J, Cytotoxic Chinane and Abietane Diterpenoids from Caryopteris nepetaefolia.

Nepetaefolins A-J (1-10) and seven known compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Caryopteris nepetaefolia. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic data. Compounds 6 and 7, with IC50 values of 6.3-9.0 µM, showed higher cytotoxicity than paclitaxel in one non-small-cell lung cancer, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model when tested using PDX models and the adenosine triphosphate-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA).

Identification of four cornua by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with principal component analysis.

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method coupled with principal component analysis was developed and applied to the identification of Cornu Antelopis, Cornu Bubali, Cornu Naemorhedi, and Cornu Bovis. The data obtained from the trypsin-digested samples were subjected to principal component analysis to classify these four cornua. Additionally, marker peptides of the cornua were determined by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis, and fragmentation tandem mass spectra of these marker peptides were evaluated. The results from this study indicate that the proposed method is reliable, and it has been successfully applied to the identification of variants of cornua commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine.

[Development of rapid setting-drying device for herbarium specimens and its application in survey of Chinese materia medica resources in Anhui].

Herbarium specimens are the basis for the plant classification and indispensable media in teaching, scientific research and resources investigation. They have also played an important role in identifying and producing traditional Chinese medicine. High-quality herbarium specimens shall meet high requirements for integrity, smoothness, color and fabricating efficiency. Therefore, we designed a rapid setting and drying device for herbarium specimens, which could make the herbarium specimens smooth, colorful and not easy to mildew. In this paper, we pointed out the deficiency of traditional methods in making herbarium specimens, and introduced the structure and working principle of the device. Besides, we also discussed the effect of the device in setting and drying herbarium specimens and its application in the fourth national survey of the Chinese material medica resources (CMMR) in Anhui province. As a result, the device provides new ideas for producing herbarium specimens, with a reasonable design, good uniformity, high efficiency, safety and portability, and so is worthy of promotion and application in the national survey of CMMR.

[Resources investigation of medicinal plants of Huangfu mountain in city of Chuzhou based on grid sampling method].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct preliminary investigation to the species and reserves of medicinal plants in Huangfu Mountain, and to provide references to the general survey of those plants for medicine. METHOD: Combined with global positioning system (GPS), the program of investigation with grid sampling was used in this resource survey of medicinal plants. RESULT: After the preliminary investigation of the plants for medical use of Huangfu Mountain, it is found that there are 103 families with 313 kinds of plants. There are many medicinal plants and large distribution, such as Pseudostellaria heterophylla, Semiaguilegia adoxoides and Pinellia ternate. CONCLUSION: Huangfu Mount, with so many different kinds of medicinal plants and comfortable environment for part of the medicinal plants to grow, could be developed as a base for planting Chinese herbal medicines.

[Micro-macroscopical identification of Siegesbeckiae herba].

OBJECTIVE: To comprehend the connections and differences of the three sources of Siegesbeckiae Herba. METHOD: Using traditional Chinese medicine micro-macroscopical identification to identify these three sources of Siegesbeckiae Herba. RESULT: Three sources of Siegesbeckiae Herba are obviously different when using micro-macroscopical identification. CONCLUSION: Micro-macroscopical identification can distinguish three sources of Siegesbeckiae Herba veritably and directly.

[Endangered resources and origin changes of Pinellia ternate in Huanghuai plain].

The wild Pinellia ternata resource was surveyed by field investigation, visiting surveys combine with literature study and changing factors of the wild P. ternata in the area of Huanghuai Plain were analyzed. The results indicated that Huanghuai Plain wild P. ternata resources were scarce and nearly extinct. The chemical farming methods in Huanghuai Plain have endangered the survival of the wild P. ternata.

[The characters of various commodity of chrysanthemums].

OBJECTIVE: To provide basis for making the quality standard of medicinal chrysanthemums [Dendranthema morifolium (Ramat.) Tzvel.]. METHOD: The character of pharmacognosy. RESULT: The characters of many of chrysanthemums as well as the differences between them have been clarified.