[Evaluation of nutritional value of Bambusae Concretio Silicea based on content of 15 amino acids].

The content of 15 total amino acids(TAAs) in Bambusae Concretio Silicea was determined by HPLC with phenyl-isothiocyanate(PITC) for pre-column derivatization. The results showed that the content of TAA was 0.61-12.25 mg·g~(-1), and aspartic acid(Asp), glutamic acid(Glu), proline(Pro), glycine(Gly), and valine(Val) were the top five amino acids in terms of the average content. The content of essential amino acids(EAAs), conditionally essential amino acids(CEAAs), non-essential amino acids(NEAAs), and medicinal amino acids(MAAs) was 0.24-4.75, 0.30-4.73, 0.40-7.50, and 0.36-6.51 mg·g~(-1), respectively. Among the delicious amino acids, sweet amino acids(SAA), bitter amino acids(BAA), fresh-taste amino acids(FAAs), and odourless amino acids(OAAs) had the content of 0.22-4.70, 0.19-4.03, 0.13-2.26, and 0.06-1.26 mg·g~(-1), respectively. The 21 batches of Bambusae Concretio Silicea samples presented the same composition but significant differences in the content of amino acids. Among the three producing areas, Guangdong was the area where the samples had the highest content of TAAs, EAAs, CEAAs, NEAAs, MAAs, and delicious amino acids. Furthermore, the ratio of amino acid(RAA), ratio coefficient of amino acid(RCAA), and score of ratio coefficient of amino acid(SRCAA) were calculated to evaluate the nutritional value of Bambusae Concretio Silicea. The results showed that the Bambusae Concretio Silicea samples from Guangdong had better nutritional value. The nutritional value evaluation based on the content of 15 amino acids was proposed to provide data support for the quality grading of Bambusae Concretio Silicea and lay a foundation for the development and utilization of the medicinal material resources.

Multi-Omics Analysis Provides Crucial Insights into the Drought Adaptation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.

Drought adaptation of plants is closely related to resistance and tolerance to drought stress as well as the ability to recover after the elimination of the stress. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch is a commonly applied herb whose growth and development are greatly affected by drought. Here, we provide the first comprehensive analysis of the transcriptomic, epigenetic, and metabolic responses of G. uralensis to drought stress and rewatering. The hyper-/hypomethylation of genes may lead to up-/downregulated gene expression, and epigenetic changes can be regarded as an important regulatory mechanism of G. uralensis under drought stress and rewatering. Moreover, integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed that genes and metabolites involved in pathways of antioxidation, osmoregulation, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis may regulate the drought adaptation of G. uralensis. This work provides crucial insights into the drought adaptation of G. uralensis and offers epigenetic resources for cultivating G. uralensis with high drought adaptation.

[Textual research on Bambusae Concretio Silicea].

By studying various ancient texts such as herbal classics and medical literature from different eras, it was found that there were discrepancies in the records about Bambusae Concretio Silicea(Tian Zhu Huang). In order to establish an accurate foundation, this research was based on ancient herbal literature and combined with plant morphology and investigative studies to examine its earliest mentions in ancient texts, nomenclature, medicinal properties, indications, and quality assessment standards. In the early records, Bambusae Concretio Silicea was referred to by several different names, such as "Zhu Huang" "Tian Zhu Huang" "Zhu Gao" "Zhu Tang", and "Zhu Huang". The earliest known formal usage of the name "Tian Zhu Huang" was found in the book Ri Hua-zi's Materia Medica(Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao). Throughout various ancient texts, the earliest recorded information about Bambusae Concretio Silicea also appeared in Ri Hua-zi's Materia Medica, not in Materia Medica of Sichuan(Shu Ben Cao) or other ancient texts. Ri Hua-zi's Materia Medica provided relevant descriptions of its origin, medicinal properties, and indications, albeit with some errors due to limited knowledge. However, this has been a valuable starting point for future research on Bambusae Concretio Silicea and holds pioneering significance in forming a mature system. As the research delved deeper, the medicinal properties of Bambusae Concretio Silicea have been consistent since Ri Hua-zi's Materia Medica, and the understanding has gradually improved through years of clinical verification. During the investigation process, the authors found limited records on the quality evaluation of Bambusae Concretio Silicea in ancient texts. Although the information is scarce, it serves as a foundational basis for establishing corresponding quality grading standards for Bambusae Concretio Silicea in the future.

[Correlation between chemical composition,ecological factors and soil factors of Chinese herbal medicine Daphnes Cortex].

In this paper, the correlation between the chemical constituents of Chinese herbal medicines Daphnes Cortex and the ecological factors and soil factors was studied, which provided a reference for the selection of suitable areas for artificial cultivation of Daphne giraldii and wild tending. The geographic information system(GIS) was applied to obtain the ecological factor information of 23 collection sites of Daphnes Cortex, and the soil factor information was determined by the standard procedure in the soil test standard manual. Combining the information of 93 chemical constituents of Daphnes Cortex in 23 collection sites the correlation between components and ecological factors and soil factors was analyzed by statistical methods. The correlation analysis showed that the longitude, annual average rainfall, annual sunshine intensity, annual average temperature in the ecological factors, soil type, effective copper and pH value were the dominant factors affecting the chemical composition of Daphnes Cortex.

[New qualities control strategy of Scutellaria baicalensis by isothermal titration calorimetry].

It has been focused on that there will be precipitates when decoction of Scutellariat Radix mixed with Coptidis Rhizoma. Precipitation was derived from interaction between acidic and basic compounds. This study was based on the interaction between active ingredients after compatibility, strived to explore whether it was feasible to judge the qualities of different Scutellariat Radix by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), build a new method established to characterize the qualities of traditional Chinese medicine by taking a series of active ingredients as index. We selected Scutellariat Radix (including three batches of different Scutellariat Radix bought from market and immature Scutellariat Radix which usually was used as adulterant) in different batches as the samples. First, we used ITC to determine the binding heat of the reactions between berberine and the decoctions of different Scutellariat Radix. The test showed that the binding heat of berberine titrated Scutellariat Radix was Scutellariat Radix A (－317.20 µJ), Scutellariat Radix B (－292.83 µJ), Scutellariat Radix C (－208.95 µJ) and immature Scutellariat Radix (－21.53 µJ), respectively. We chose deionized water titrated by berberine (2.51 µJ) as control. The heat change of berberine titrated immature Scutellariat Radix was much less than berberine titrated Scutellariat Radix. Then we determined the absorbance of different decoctions of Scutellariat Radix by UV Spectrophotometry on the maximum absorption wavelength, and the result is： Scutellariat Radix A (0.372), Scutellariat Radix B (0.333), Scutellariat Radix C (0.272), immature Scutellariat Radix (0.124). The absorbance of immature Scutellariat Radix was also less than Scutellariat Radix. The result of ITC assay was corresponded to UV spectrophotometry test. In conclusion, ITC could be used to characterize the quality of Scutellariat Radix. The new method to characterize the qualities of traditional Chinese medicine by taking a kind of active ingredients as index building by ITC was simple, scientific and feasible.

Effect of exogenous phytohormones treatment on glycyrrhizic acid accumulation and preliminary exploration of the chemical control network based on glycyrrhizic acid in root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

ABSTRACT One-year-old Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC, Fabaceae, was treated with three exogenous phytohormones in June and July, namely gibberellin, auxin (indole-3-acetic acid), methyl jasmonate at different concentrations. Control plants were treated with water. Roots of controls and hormones-treated G. uralensis plants were harvested at different times, and the contents of seven main chemical components were determined. Root glycyrrhizic acid content of plants treated in June increased significantly compared with controls, and the difference was significant. As for plants treated in July, root glycyrrhizic acid content increased in which sprayed with appropriate concentrations of hormones, but the effects of hormones were more evident in plants treated in June coincided with the vigorous growth period than those treated in July. Gibberellin at 40 mg/l and auxin at 40 mg/l applied in the two treatment periods significantly promoted the accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid in G. uralensis root. Treatment with methyl jasmonate at 100 and 25 mg/l in June and July, respectively, also increased glycyrrhizic acid content significantly. The determination of major active compositions indicated that liquiritin, isoliquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside and liquiritin apioside contents were positively related to glycyrrhizic acid content. The study preliminarily found phytohormones and the main chemical components associated with glycyrrhizic acid content, and these discoveries could provide a basis for establishing a chemical control network with glycyrrhizic acid as the core, confirming the secondary product metabolic pathways in the network and completely uncovering synthesis mechanism underlying glycyrrhizic acid-combined functional gene polymorphism.

[Resource situation investigation and analysis about endangered Chinese herbal medicine Daphnes Cortex].

In order to figure out the status and distribution of the wild and cultivated resources of traditional Chinese medicine Daphnes Cortex, its suitable habitat and endangering factors were analyzed to provide the basis for its rational use, protection and cultivation.Our research group tooka resources survey in Shanxi, Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, which include 23 counties. Investigation and sampling investigation combined with interview were carried out. The total reserve of resources was estimated through route-quadrat method in combination with the vegetation and soil-type map area method. The results indicated that there was no obvious change between the present distribution ranges of the wild Daphnes Cortex and its historical records, but the density of the population has undergone major changes. The wild reserves resources has declined seriously, even on the verge of exhaustion in some regions. According to the survey results, the current total reserve of the wild Daphnes Cortex in the four provinces was no more than 600 tons. Simultaneously, we only found the cultivated resource in a mountain at an altitude of about 2 800 m in Kang county of Gansu province, which cropping scope was about 33 000 m². The cultivated resource can't provide medicinal products at present, because their growing period is too short to have curative effect. Destructive excavation and the longer growth cycle result in a sharp decline of the wild resources reserves, even to the point of extinction. Artificial cultivation of product will become the main source of medicinal resources in the future. Therefore, we must protect its suitable habitat, formulate rational harvesting policy, strengthen the supervision of government departments, collect and establish the germplasm nursery and seed bank. On the basis, we must carry out studies into seed-selecting and breeding as well as rapid propagation and growth technology at once.

[Effect of Chemical Constituents from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Induced by Exogenous 6-Benzylaminopurine in Different Growth Periods].

Objective: To study the effect of chemical constituents from Glycyrrhiza uralensis induced by exogenous 6-benzylaminopurine( 6-BA) in different growth periods, aim to explore the regulatory network of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Methods: The transplants of two-year-old Glycyrrhiza uralensis were subjected to four concentrations of 6-BA( 15,20,50,100 mg / L) at June and July. The content of seven kinds of chemical constituents including glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin apioside,isoliquiritin apioside were determined by HPLC. Then long-term dynamic changes of the content of seven chemical compositions were analyzed. Results: In June, the content of seven compositions increased remarkably after 6-BA stimulating than that in July. Seven kinds of chemical constituents increased remarkably after 100 mg / L 6-BA stimulating for 3 months, and the increase rates were59. 34%,71. 14%,57. 31%,16. 36%,30. 17%,80. 26%,91. 90%,respectively. The greatest impact was glycyrrhizic acid with different concentration stimulating. 6-BA stress had a protection ability against the decrease of flavonoids in licorice under natural growth condition. The treatment of 6-BA had effect to the content of Glycyrrhiza uralensis,but hardly altered the ratio of their chemical composition. Conclusion: A regulatory network is existed among medicinal ingredients of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Glycyrrhizic acid and flavonoids accumulation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis can be affected by exogenous 6-BA stimulation in certain case.

[Effect of exogenous brassinolide on morphological characters and contents of seven chemical constituents of Glycyrrhiza uralensis].

The transplants of the two-year-old Glycyrrhiza uralensis were subjected to four concentration of brassinolide (BR 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, 1.0 mg•L⁻¹) in July. The morphological characters ( plant height, stem diameter, nodes number, internode length and root length , root thick, root fresh weight and root dry weight ) were measured and seven kinds of chemical constituents (glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin apioside) were determined by HPLC with the aim of increasing sinter output and improving quality of G. uralensis. Then the long-term dynamic changes of these morphological characters and chemical compositions' content were analyzed. The results showed that morphological characters of plant height, stem diameter, root length , root thick, root fresh weight and root dry weight increased remarkably with the 0.7 mg•L⁻¹ BR stimulating 2 months later,the increase rates were： 15.09%,6.15%,16.52%,8.46%,21.90%,29.41%, respectively. The content of glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, liquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin apioside were increased 20.16%,45.31%,53.56%,27.66%,23.54%,8.46% with the 0.7 mg•L⁻¹ BR stimulating 2 months later. The best effects were achieved in 2 months after brassinolide stimulating. The conclusions prove that morphological characters and the main chemical constituents accumulation of G. uralensis could be effected by exogenous BR stimulation in certain case.

[Wild-tending techniques study on Glycyrrhiza uralensis--effect of irrigation and rhizome length on survival ratio, yield and quality].

This research aimed at studying the effects of irrigation and rhizome length on the survival of ratio, yield and quality of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in wild tending condition. Employed the split-block design to carry out the field experiment, sampled with the quadrat method to measured the relative growth indexes and to estimate the yield, used the HPLC (high performance liquid chromatog- raphy ) method to measure the glycyrrhizin in the rhizome and adventitious root of the G. uralensis in this study. The quantity of the adventitious roots and the survival ratio were increased significantly as the length of the rhizome increased (P < 0.01), but the length of the rhizome had no remarkable effect on the content of glycyrrhizin. The average content of the glycyrrhizin in the adventitious root and rhizome could reach 3.03% and 2.12% after 3-year wild tending, respectively, and this results indicated that the quality of the glycyrrhiza using this method was much better than that from cultured glycyrrhiza with the reproducing method of seeding. so using the rhizome as reproductive material to produce the glycyrrhiza under the wild tending condition could get the high quality glycyrrhiza quick- ly and steadily, this phenomenon could be explained by the Hypothesis of synthetic inertia of the medicinal components from the wild material of G. uralensis. But the maximum yield with this method was just more than 945 kg x hm(-2) in this study. So the further work of how to increase the yield in the practical application with the method found in this study need to be done in the next research.

[Resource situation investigation about Rheum tanguticum and its sustainable utilization analysis in main production area of China].

This study was conducted to investigate the wild and cultivated resource situation of Rheum tanguticum in main production area of China, estimate its reserves, and put forward the feasible approach for the sustainable utilization of R. tanguticum. On the basis of the literature data about R. tanguticum, conbined with interview, investigation and sampling investigation, the total reserve of resources is estimated using the route-quadrat method and the vegetation and soil-type map area method proposed by our research group. The results indicate that there is no obvious change between the present distribution ranges of the wild R. tanguticum and its historical records, but its population density has changed clearly. The reserve of the wild R. tanguticum has seriously declined in lots of place, even faced the exhaustion in some regions. According to the investigation, the resource reserve of the wild R. tanguticum is no more than 5 000 t, and the cultivated is about 1 607 t. The resource reserve of the wild R. tanguticum is nearly depleted, and this suggests that the wild R. tanguticum should be enrolled in the protection plant list, and the cultivated will become the main resource of Rhubarb in the future. So it is extremely neccessary to collect and protect the germplasm resource of R. tanguticum, establish the germplasm nursery and repository, and conduct breeding research on those bases.

[Procedure of seed quality testing and seed grading standard of Prunus humilis].

So far there exists no corresponding quality test procedures and grading standards for the seed of Prunus humilis, which is one of the important source of base of semen pruni. Therefor we set up test procedures that are adapt to characteristics of the P. humilis seed through the study of the test of sampling, seed purity, thousand-grain weight, seed moisture, seed viability and germination percentage. 50 cases of seed specimens of P. humilis tested. The related data were analyzed by cluster analysis. Through this research, the seed quality test procedure was developed, and the seed quality grading standard was formulated. The seed quality of each grade should meet the following requirements: for first grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 68%, thousand-grain weight 383 g, purity ≥ 93%, seed moisture ≤ 5%; for second grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 26%, thousand-grain weight ≥ 266 g, purity ≥ 73%, seed moisture ≤9%; for third grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 10%, purity ≥ 50%, thousand-grain weight ≥ 08 g, seed moisture ≤ 13%.