[New records of medicinal plants in Tibet].

By the fourth survey of Chinese medicinal resources, new medicinal plants records of 2 genera and 5 species were reported in Tibet. They are two genera Rhynchoglossum and Asteropyrum, and five species including Rh. obliquum, A. peltatum, Urena repanda, Schefflera khasiana and Mimulus tenellus. All the voucher specimens are preserved in Herbarium of Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University.

Identification of green energy ranunculaceous flora of district Chitral, Northern Pakistan using pollen features through scanning electron microscopy.

Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The utilization of this plantmayhelpfulin the areas of lignocellulosic conversion to biofuels and diversify application toward biomass. The current study was planned with the aim to evaluate the pollen features of complex Ranunculaceous flora of District Chitral, Northern Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollens of 18 Ranunculaceous species belonging to 6 genera were collected from different localities of the research area. SEM and LM were used to examine both qualitative and quantitative micro-morphological features. Sculptring of the sexine include; Scabrate, psilate, echinate, verrucate, perforate gemmate, and reticulate and so forth. Shape of the pollens was sub-spheroidal, spheroidal, prolate, subprolate and oblate and so forth. Type of pollen was ranged from mono to tricolpate and tricolporate. Quantitative characters include length/width of the pollen, colpus, exine thickness, and P/E ratio. Based on these micro-morphological features a taxonomic key was prepared for the fast and correct identification. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Study of the pollen micro-morphological features of Ranunculaceous species by SEM and LM. Analysing both qualitative and quantitative characters of the pollens. Preparation of taxonomic key based on micro-morphological features for the correct and fast identification.

Plant Functional Diversity Can Be Independent of Species Diversity: Observations Based on the Impact of 4-Yrs of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Additions in an Alpine Meadow.

Past studies have widely documented the decrease in species diversity in response to addition of nutrients, however functional diversity is often independent from species diversity. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to examine the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization ((NH4)2 HPO4) at 0, 15, 30 and 60 g m-2 yr-1 (F0, F15, F30 and F60) after 4 years of continuous fertilization on functional diversity and species diversity, and its relationship with productivity in an alpine meadow community on the Tibetan Plateau. To this purpose, three community-weighted mean trait values (specific leaf area, SLA; mature plant height, MPH; and seed size, SS) for 30 common species in each fertilization level were determined; three components of functional diversity (functional richness, FRic; functional evenness, FEve; and Rao's index of quadratic entropy, FRao) were quantified. Our results showed that: (i) species diversity sharply decreased, but functional diversity remained stable with fertilization; (ii) community-weighted mean traits (SLA and MPH) had a significant increase along the fertilization level; (iii) aboveground biomass was not correlated with functional diversity, but it was significantly correlated with species diversity and MPH. Our results suggest that decreases in species diversity due to fertilization do not result in corresponding changes in functional diversity. Functional identity of species may be more important than functional diversity in influencing aboveground productivity in this alpine meadow community, and our results also support the mass ratio hypothesis; that is, the traits of the dominant species influenced the community biomass production.

[Identification of radix et rhizoma clematidis and its adulterants using DNA barcoding].

This study provides the candidate sequences in the identification of Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis and its adulterants using DNA barcoding. We amplified and sequenced the region psbA-trnH, with the data of 284 sequences from GenBank, the differential intra- and inter-specific divergences, genetic distance, barcoding gap were used to evaluate five barcodes, and the identification efficiency was assessed using BLAST1 and Nearest Distance methods. The results showed that psbA-trnH barcodes performed high identification efficiency and inter-specific divergences among the five different DNA barcodes. Analysis of the barcoding gap and NJ tree showed psbA-trnH was superior to other barcodes. Based on the identification and PCR amplification efficiency, psbA-trnH can be the ideal barcode to identify Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis and its adulterants accurately.

Early reproductive developmental anatomy in Decaisnea (Lardizabalaceae) and its systematic implications.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Decaisnea insignis, known as 'dead man's fingers' (Lardizabalaceae), is widely distributed in China and the Himalayan foothill countries. This economically important plant, which is the only species in the genus, has not been the subject of any embryological studies aside from one brief, older paper that lacks micrographs. Data on Decaisnea are also important because its systematic position has been unstable since the genus was established in 1855. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (a) to use modern microscopy to document early reproductive anatomical development in Decaisnea; and (b) to compare qualitatively these early embryological characters with allied taxa in a systematic context. METHODS: Decaisnea insignis floral buds and inflorescences were regularly collected from Shaanxi Province, China and prepared for light microscopy. The embryological characters studied were qualitatively compared with those of allied taxa via a thorough examination of the existing literature. KEY RESULTS: Early reproductive anatomy in Decaisnea was documented and novel revelations made. It was discovered that the pollen is shed when three-celled (not two-celled, as previously reported), and that endosperm formation is nuclear (not cellular or helobial, as previously reported). These two newly revealed embryological characters are not found in any other members of Lardizabalaceae. Furthermore, neither are persistent antipodal cells, which we confirmed to be present in Decaisnea. CONCLUSIONS: Decaisnea and other Lardizabalaceae characteristically have tetrasporangiate anthers, a secretory tapetum, simultaneous microsporocyte cytokinesis, primarily bitegmic, crassinucellate ovules, and a Polygonum type embryo sac. However, in the family, persistent antipodals, nuclear endosperm, and pollen shed at the three-celled stage are only found in Decaisnea. These embryological data prompted the suggestion that Decaisnea needs elevation above the level of genus.

Genetic variation among wild and cultivated populations of the Chinese medicinal plant Coptis chinensis (Ranunculaceae).

To examine if the cultivation process has reduced the genetic variation of modern cultivars of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Coptis chinensis, the levels and distribution of genetic variation was investigated using ISSR markers. A total of 214 C. chinensis individuals from seven wild and three cultivated populations were included in the study. Seven ISSR primers were used and a total of 91 DNA fragments were scored. The levels of genetic diversity in cultivated populations were similar as those in wild populations (mean PPL = 65.2% versus PPL = 52.4%, mean H = 0.159 versus H = 0.153 and mean I = 0.255 versus I = 0.237), suggesting that cultivation did not seriously influence genetic variation of present-day cultivated populations. Neighbour-joining cluster analysis showed that wild populations and cultivated populations were not separated into two groups. The coefficient of genetic differentiation between a cultivar and its wild progenitor was 0.066 (G(st)), which was in good accordance with the result by amova analysis (10.9% of total genetic variation resided on the two groups), indicating that cultivated populations were not genetically differentiated from wild progenitors. For the seven wild populations, a significant genetic differentiation among populations was found using amova analysis (45.9% of total genetic variation resided among populations). A number of causes, including genetic drift and inbreeding in the small and isolated wild populations, the relative limited gene flow between wild populations (N(m) = 0.590), and high gene flow between cultivars and their wild progenitors (N(m) = 7.116), might have led to the observed genetic profiles of C. chinensis.

Authentication of Radix Aucklandiae and its substitutes by GC-MS and hierarchical clustering analysis.

Radix Aucklandiae (Muxiang in Chinese), the dried root of Aucklandia lappa, is used as a medicinal material for digestive system disorders in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Owing to the similarity of morphologies and trade names, Radix Vladimiriae (Chuan-Muxiang), the roots of Vladimiria souliei and V. souliei var. cinerea, and Radix Inulae (Tu-Muxiang), the roots of Inula helenium and Inula racemosa, as well as the renal toxic aristolochic acid containing Radix Aristolochiae (Qing-Muxiang), the roots of Aristolochia debilis and Aristolochia contorta, are often used confusedly as the substitutes of Radix Aucklandiae. In order to ensure the effective and safe utility of Radix Aucklandiae, a GC-MS method was developed to generate the chemical profiles of essential oils of Radix Aucklandiae and its substitutes. In addition, hierarchical clustering analysis was used to compare the similarities of these chemical profiles. It was found that all the samples of A. lappa have similar chemical profiles and were clustered into one group, while the samples of Radix Vladimiriae, Radix Inulae, and Radix Aristolochiae were clustered into their own independent groups, respectively, suggesting that together with hierarchical clustering analysis, chemical profiles of essential oils generated by GC-MS could objectively discriminate Radix Aucklandiae from its common substitutes.

[Pharmaphylogenetic study on isopyroideae (Ranunculaceae)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmaphylogenetic of medicinal plants of Isopyroideae (Ranunculaceae). METHOD: Comprehensively analyze the correlation between phylogeny, chemical constituents and pharmaceutical aspects of Isopyroideae plants, based on chemical, pharmaceutical (both ethnopharmacologic and pharmacological) information, linking with different plant systems of Ranunculaceae. RESULT: Plants from Aquilegia mainly contain flavonoids constituents while the major chemical constituents of Isopyrum are bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Chemical characteristics also support that this taxon should be separated from Thalictrodeae, and constituted an independent subfamily, namely, Isopyroideae.

[Preliminary pharmaphylogenetic study on Ranunculaceae].

OBJECTIVE: To deal with the correlation between phylogeny, chemical constituents and pharmaceutical aspects of Ranunculaceae, namely a pharmaphylogenic study of this taxon. METHOD: Based on chemical, pharmaceutical (both ethnopharmacologic and pharmacological) information, linking with different plant systems of Ranunculaceae. RESULT: Chemical constituents of this taxon included several natural groups: benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, ranunculin, triterpenoid glycoside and diterpene alkaloid etc. Ranunculin and magoflorine were found to present simultaneously in some plants of this taxon. CONCLUSION: Combining with therapeutic information, pharmaphylogenic research were in accordance with the phylogenetic system presented by Tamura that Ranunculaceae was proposed to be divided into six sub-families: Helleboroideae, Ranunculoideae, Cimicfugoideae, Isopyroideae, Thalictroideae and Coptidoideae. Results also supported the establishment of Cimicifugoideae.

[Identification study of different Flos Trollii by IR].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method to identify different Flos Trollii with IR spectra and to provide a new technique for their science estimation and quality identification. METHODS: Their IR spectra were obtained by the method of intuitionistic analysis-selecting point to normalization. RESULTS: Differences on the shape, the position, the height and the relative intensity of absorption peaks were shown in IR spectra of the ten samples. CONCLUSIONS: Different Flos Trollii can be identified using IR spectra obtained by the method of intuitionistic analysis-selecting point to normalization. This new method can be used to study the identification features of the influence factors of Traditional Chinese Medicine quality.

[The anti-microbial activity of the extraction from leaves of Sargentodoxa cuneata].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anti-bacterial activity of the extracts from different organs and the leaves from different locations of Sargentodoxa cuneata, and to provide the basis for the exploitation of the leaves. METHODS: The leaves was distilled with 60% acetone and the water phase after the extraction with petroleum ether and chroloform was used in the test. The Staphylococcus cureus and Pseudononas aerujinosa were used as the experimental strain. The minimal inhibition concentration was calculated using agar plate dilution method. The minimal bacterialcidal concentration was calculated using tube dilution method. RESULTS: The anti-bacterial activity of the extraction of S. cuneata from leaves was the highest. That from slices took the second place and the third was that from old stems. That from twins was the lowest. The sequence of the anti-bacterial activity of S. cuneata from different locations was Daleishan > Bianshanzu > Huadingshan > Changhua > Kuochangshan. CONCLUSION: The anti-bacterial activity of the extraction from the leaves of S. cuneata can be detected and the foreground of the exploitation and utilization is good.

[LC-MS analysis of three kinds of Mutong medicinal materials].

Three kinds of Mutong medicinal materials (Lardizabalaceae, Ranunculaceae, Aristolochiaceae) were analyzed qualitatively by LC-MS. The results show Mutong of Lardizabalaceae and Mutong of Ranunculaceae have more the same chemical constituents, and Mutong of Aristolochiaceae has less the same constituents with them. These results are consistent with their medicinal properties and explain the similarity and difference in medicinal properties from chemical basis.

Thalictricoside, a new phenolic compound from Thalictrum orientale.

From the underground parts of Thalictrum orientale Boiss., a new phenolic compound 1 was isolated in addition to one known cyanoglycoside, lithospermoside (2). For the structure elucidation of all compounds, 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques (DEPT, COSY, HMBC, HSQC) and MS (HR-MALDI) were used. The structure of the new compound was established as 2-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-nitroethane-4'-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-glucopyranoside] (1).

Isolation, structure elucidation, and absolute configuration of 26-deoxyactein from Cimicifuga racemosa and clarification of nomenclature associated with 27-deoxyactein.

A new triterpene glycoside, 26-deoxyactein (1), along with two known compounds, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (2), previously designated as "27-deoxyactein", and actein (3), were isolated from the roots/rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa. The structures and absolute stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods (FABMS, (1)H and (13)C NMR) and single-crystal X-ray data analysis.

[Medicinal plant resources of Trib. Isopyreae and prospects of exploitation].

There are 17 species of medicinal plants from Trib. Isopyreae Schröd in China. This paper reports their resources, habitats and medicinal properties. On the basis of referring to the native and abroad medical studies on the plants from same Trilbe, their prospects of exploitation were advised.

[Studies on separation and identification of Rhizoma coptidis brugs based on microemulsion thin-layer chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of microemulsion TLC for the separation and identification of Rhizoma Coptidis drugs. METHOD: Thirteen Rhizoma Coptidis drugs were separated and identified with six kinds of SDS/n-C4H9OH/n-C7H16/H2O microemulsions as mobile phase on polyamide film. Effects of microemulsions on separation were investigated. RESULTS: The best mobile phase was the O/W microemulsion(containing 75% water). Compared with general mobile phases, the separation and detection could be improved and the test conditions were more tolerant. CONCLUSION: This new method is simple, accurate and efficient for the separation and identification of Rhizoma Coptidis drugs.

[The pharmacogonostical identification of Asteropyrum cavaleriei].

The descriptions and microscopy identification of Asteropyrum cavaleriei were studied and compared with A. poltatum. The morphological and histological characteristics of the medicinal plants from the genus was presented.

[Classification distribution and medicinal sorts of endemic plants in Anhui province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the natural resources of endemic medicinal plants in Anhuei, for reference in regional study of Chinese medicines. METHOD: Investigating the natural resources of medicinal plants in Anhuei and collating and studying the findings. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: There are 109 species of 37 families, of which Aristolochiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Crassulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Labiatae, Liliaceae and Berberidaceae, Compositae, Orchidaceae are of greater medicinal value.