Molecular cloning and functional characterization of an isoflavone glucosyltransferase from Pueraria thomsonii / 中国天然药物

Pueraria thomsonii has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Isoflavonoids are the principle pharmacologically active components, which are primarily observed as glycosyl-conjugates and accumulate in P. thomsonii roots. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the glycosylation processes in (iso)flavonoid biosynthesis have not been thoroughly elucidated. In the current study, an O-glucosyltransferase (PtUGT8) was identified in the medicinal plant P. thomsonii from RNA-seq database. Biochemical assays of the recombinant PtUGT8 showed that it was able to glycosylate chalcone (isoliquiritigenin) at the 4-OH position and glycosylate isoflavones (daidzein, formononetin, and genistein) at the 7-OH or 4'-OH position, exhibiting no enzyme activity to flavonones (liquiritigenin and narigenin) in vitro. The identification of PtUGT8 may provide a useful enzyme catalyst for efficient biotransformation of isoflavones and other natural products for food or pharmacological applications.

Analysis of genomic SSRs in Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii and establishment of DNA identity card for different germplasms of P. thomsonii of Jiangxi province / 中国中药杂志

The type and frequency of simple sequence repeats( SSRs) in the genomes was investigated using the DNA sequence data of Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii. Based on these SSRs,20 pairs of SSR primers were designed and 5 high polymorphism primer pairs were selected to analyze genetic diversity of 9 cultivars of P. thomsonii in Jiangxi province. The results showed that the 5 pairs of primers could generate 16 polymorphic alleles bands. The average polymorphism information content( PIC) of each SSR primer pair was 0. 600 7.According to the genetic similarity coefficients,the 9 cultivars of P. thomsonii can be classified into 6 germplasms. This study established DNA identity cards with 5 pairs of SSR primers for different germplasm resources of P. thomsonii in Jiangxi province,which provided reference information for the selection of fine germplasms of P. thomsonii and the theoretical basis for the study of Dao-di herbs.

Geographical distribution of Chinese herbalists：causes of four distribution centers about Huizhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou / 中国中药杂志

Based on the "Zhong Guo Ben Cao Yao Ji Kao", Chinese herbalists in past dynasties were counted and analyzed by their living period,numbers and native places. Combined with GIS, the geographical distribution and the formation causes of the four distribution centers of herbalists in past dynasties were discussed. The results showed that, there was a greater difference between the numbers of herbalists in different periods of time, which achieved to the peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In addition, the distribution of herbalists in past dynasties characterized east more and west less, forming the distribution areas centered by Huizhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. Besides, the geographical distributions of Chinese herbalists showed an obvious southward trend since the Song Dynasty.

Growth rings in roots of seven Sect. Paeonia species and its application on identification of Paeoniae Radix Rubra / 中国中药杂志

The growth years of medicinal materials are closely related to their quality, and "Herb-chronology" has been used to determine the growth years of perennial dicotyledonous plants in recent years. On the basis of conventional paraffin section and freehand section, the anatomical study on roots of seven Sect. Paeonia species and main roots of cultivated Paeonia lactiflora was conducted in this paper. The results showed that, there existed some differences in microstructure of the seven species such as P. lactiflora, P. obovata, P. veitchii, P. mairei, P. anomala, P. sinjiangensis and P. anomala var. intermedia, and this could be used to distinguish different species. In the roots of seven Sect. Paeonia species, distinct growth rings were formed because that the different diameters or density of xylem vessels in the secondary xylem formed clusters and arranged interrupted rings in tangential direction. There were growth rings in the main roots of P. lactiflora cultivated 1-4 years in Siping, Jilin, which were all consistent with their growth years. Due to the similar growth characteristics between wild Sect. Paeonia species and cultivated P. lactiflora, the growth rings can provide a basis for the age identification and lay the foundation for the quality evaluation of Paeoniae Radix Rubra.

Microscopic anatomy of abnormal structure in root tuber of Pueraria lobata / 中国中药杂志

Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.

Reasearch on evolution and transition of processing method of fuzi in ancient and modern times / 中国中药杂志

Fuzi is a medicine used for rescuing from collapse by restoring yang as well as a famous toxic traditional Chinese medicine. In order to ensure the efficacy and safe medication, Fuzi has mostly been applied after being processed. There have been different Fuzi processing methods recorded by doctors of previous generations. Besides, there have also been differences in Fuzi processing methods recorded in modern pharmacopeia and ancient medical books. In this study, the authors traced back to medical books between the Han Dynasty and the period of Republic of China, and summarized Fuzi processing methods collected in ancient and modern literatures. According to the results, Fuzi processing methods and using methods have changed along with the evolution of dynasties, with differences in ancient and modern processing methods. Before the Tang Dynasty, Fuzi had been mostly processed and soaked. From Tang to Ming Dynasties, Fuzi had been mostly processed, soaked and stir-fried. During the Qing Dynasty, Fuzi had been mostly soaked and boiled. In the modem times, Fuzi is mostly processed by being boiled and soaked. Before the Tang Dynasty, a whole piece of Fuzi herbs or their fragments had been applied in medicines; Whereas their fragments are primarily used in the modern times. Because different processing methods have great impacts on the toxicity of Fuzi, it is suggested to study Fuzi processing methods.