[Comparative analysis on seedling growth dynamics and physiological indices of Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium and B. scorzonerifolium].

With Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium and B. scorzonerifolium as test objects, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the introduction and domestication of B. smithii var. parvifolium, the growth and development dynamics of seedlings, biomass accumulation, the content of malonaldehyde(MDA), the activity of antioxidase such as SOD, POD, CAT and APX between them were comparatively analyzed by direct sowing culture in the open field. The results indicated that the morphological index and the biomass accumulation of B. smithii var. parvifolium such as root diameter, root length, plant height and leaf number were inferior to B. scorzonerifolium, the antioxidase SOD and POD activity of B. smithii var. parvifolium was significantly inferior to B. scorzonerifolium (P<0.05), the antioxidase CAT and APX activity of B. smithii var. parvifolium was inferior to B. scorzonerifolium but the difference wasn't significant, while MDA content was superior to B. scorzonerifolium(P<0.05). Thus, compared with cultivated B. scorzoneri folium, the plant growth velocity of wild B. smithii var. parvifolium was relatively slower and its resistance was relatively weaker after introduction and domestication.

[Effects of Different Altitudes and Sowing Dates on Direct Sowing Angelica sinensis Yield and Quality].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of different altitudes and sowing dates on direct sowing Angelica sinensis biomass, yield and quality, and to provide a theoretical basis for Angelica sinensis direct sowing cultivation techniques. METHODS: Two factors trials were used to research the influence of altitude and sowing dates on yield and quality of direct sowing Angelica sinensis. The altitudes were located at 2500, 2000 and 1500 m, and the sowing dates were set up at autumn August 29, and Spring April 3 and April 24. The experiments were designed with split plot. RESULTS: Under the same altitude, roots and aboveground biomass of direct sowing Angelica sinensis were higher when sowing earlier. In the same sowing date, the root and aboveground biomass was the maximum at 2 000 m altitude, followed by elevation of 1 500 m. At 2 500 m altitude, Angelica sinensis root and aboveground biomass was the minimum. Sowing at 2 000 m altitude at August 29 direct sowing Angelica sinensis showed the highest biomass and yield, reaching 13 840.95 kg/hm2, significantly higher than the other treatments. Compared with transplanting Angelica sinensis in this region, the production of direct sowing Angelica sinensis was also 15. 3% higher. Angelica sinensis medicinal grade was significantly higher than the rest of the process. Angelica sinensis extract, volatile oil and ferulic acid content had reached the standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. CONCLUSION: Angelica sinensis sowed in late August at 2000 m altitude has the best yield and quality on root length, root diameter, plant height, leaf number, dry and fresh matter accumulation, followed by 1500 m altitude, and 2500 m worst. Therefore, altitude range of Angelica sinensis direct sowing cultivation area can be reduced to 1500-2000 m. CONCLUSION: Angelica sinensis sowed in late August, at 2000 m altitude, the indicators like root length,root diameter,plant height,leaf number,and dry and fresh matter accumulation showed the best, followed by 1500 m altitude, 2500 m worst. Therefore, altitude range of Angelica sinensis direct sowing cultivation area can be reduced to 1500~2000 m.

[Comparative study of growth potential on hardwood cutting of Lycium barbarum strains].

OBJECTIVE: To lay foundation of strains selection through primary selection of 44 strains of Lycium barbarum. METHODS: Used the single plant selection. RESULTS: Screened out 22 strains of Lycium barbarum by preliminary determination of germination rates and seeding rates of hardwood cutting, the growth potential of 2009-26, 2009-21, 2009-17, 2009-29, 2009-2 were better than those of others strains. CONCLUSION: 2009-26 has better growth potential except the length of root, the result provides a basis for further screening can focus on research for 2009-26.

[Effects of covering on growth potential and chlorophyll content of hardwood cutting of Lycium barbarum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of plastic film covering, straw covering, plastic film covering in greenhouse and no-covering cutting on growth and Chlorophyll content of Lycium barbarum hardwood cutting seedlings. METHODS: Single factor randomized block design method was used in this research. RESULTS: The effect of different covering treatments on germination rate, seedling rate and growth potential were all plastic film covering in greenhouse > plastic film covering > straw covering > no-covering cutting. Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Chlorophyll a + b content and Ca/Cb were significantly different with different coverings in different periods. CONCLUSION: The optimal covering on hardwood cutting of Lycium barbarum is plastic film covering in greenhouse. Both plastic film and straw covering are better than no-covering cutting.

Involvement of cholinergic system in suppression of formalin-induced inflammatory pain by cobratoxin.

AIM: To investigate the analgesic effect of cobratoxin (CTX), a long-chain α-neurotoxin from Thailand cobra venom, in a rat model of formalin-induced inflammatory pain. METHODS: Inflammatory pain was induced in SD rats via injecting 5% formalin (50 µL) into the plantar surface of their right hind paw. CTX and other agents were ip administered before formalin injection. The time that the animals spent for licking the injected paw was counted every 5 min for 1 h. RESULTS: CTX (25, 34, and 45 µg/kg) exhibited a dose-dependent analgesic effect during the phase 1 (0-15 min) and phase 2 (20-60 min) response induced by formalin. Pretreatment with naloxone (0.5 or 2.5 mg/kg) did not block the analgesic effect of CTX. Pretreatment with atropine at 5 mg/kg, but not at 2.5 mg/kg, antagonized the analgesic effect of CTX. Treatment with the nonselective nAChR antagonist mecamylamine (3 mg/kg) inhibited the analgesic effects of CTX in Phase 1 and Phase 2 responses, while with the selective α7-nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (3 mg/kg) antagonized the effect of CTX only in the Phase 1 response. Treatment with the α7-nAChR agonist PNU282987 (3 mg/kg) significantly reduced the formalin-induced phase 2 pain response, but only slightly reduced the Phase 1 pain response. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that CTX exerts an antinociceptive effect in formalin-induced inflammatory pain, which appears to be mediated by mAChR and α7-nAChR.

[Study on effects of fertilizer on polysaccharide and flavonoids of Radix Hedysari in different growth stage].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of fertilizer on polysaccharide content, flavonoids content and output of Radix Hedysari in different growth stage. METHODS: The content of polysaccharide and flavonoids in different part of Radix Hedysari was examined in different growth stage by using spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Fertilizer could improve polysaccharide content of Radix Hedysari aerial part and total flavonoids content of root, increase polysaccharide accumulation amount of Radix Hedysari root in middle and late growth stage. The output of Radix Hedysari in the fertilizer group was 1430 kg/hm2 higher than that of no treatment group. CONCLUSION: Fertilizer can improve output and quality at harvest time in Radix Hedysari cultivation.

[Response of applying palygorskite and fertilization on growth rules of Radix Hedysari].

OBJECTIVE: Study on the growth development and fertilizer requirement regularity of Radix Hedysari. METHODS: Adopted the field experiment, investigate the influence of Radix Hedysari by applying different amount of palygorskite and fertilization. RESULTS: The growth process of plant height and branch height of Radix Hedysari were divided into two stages, the stage from emergence to late July was fast growth phase, and the stage from late July was slow growth stage. The dry matter accumulation center of Radix Hedysari transferred from aerial part to underground part in late July. Single application of palygorskite (1500 kg/hm2) and single application of palygorskite (2250 kg/hm2) increased plant height, promoted dry matter accumulation in aerial part and root of Radix Hedysari. Combined application of palygorskite (1500 kg/hm2) and NPK fertilizer and combined application of palygorskite (2250 kg/hm2) and NPK fertilizer improved growth indexes of Radix Hedysari compared with single application of NPK fertilize. CONCLUSION: The yield of Radix Hedysari was improved by applying palygorskite and fertilization.

[Effects of palygorskite application on volatilization and leaching losses of urea nitrogen in loess soil].

By the methods of adsorption and soil column leaching, a laboratory simulation test was conducted to study the effects of palygorskite application on the volatilization and leaching losses of urea nitrogen in loess soil. Comparing with applying urea fertilizer alone, the addition of palygorskite could decrease the volatilization rate of soil urea N at peak time, with the ammonia volatilization loss decreased by 13.6%-15.0%. When the palygorskite application rate was 0.3 and 0.6 g x kg(-1), the leaching rate of soil NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N decreased, with the leaching loss of soil mineral N decreased by 13.7% and 13.6%, respectively. Applying 0.9 g x kg(-1) of palygorskite application increased the leaching rate of soil NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N, with the leaching loss of soil mineral N increased by 6.1%. Applying 0.3 g x kg(-1) of palygorskite increased soil NH4(+) -N content by 0.20 mg x kg(-1), while applying 0.9 g x kg(-1) of palygorskite decreased soil NH4(+) -N content by 0.42 mg x kg(-1). Palygorskite application increased soil NO3(-) -N content by 1.24-2.52 mg x kg(-1). It was concluded that the application of palygorskite could decrease the volatilization rate of urea N, and applying appropriate amounts of palygorskite could decrease the leaching loss of soil mineral N and increase the contents of soil NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N.

Suppression of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced adjuvant arthritis by cobratoxin.

AIM: Cobratoxin (CTX), the long-chain alpha-neurotoxin from Thailand cobra venom, has been demonstrated to have analgesic action in rodent pain models. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of CTX on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats. METHODS: Arthritis was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in rats. Paw swelling and hyperalgesia of AA rats were measured at various times after CFA administration. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in serum were determined with ELISA. Histopathological changes in synoviocytes were examined under a microscope. Involvement of the cholinergic system in the effects of CTX was examined by pretreatment of animals with the alpha(7) nicotinic receptor (alpha(7)-nAChR) antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA). RESULTS: CFA induced marked paw swelling and reduced thresholds of mechanical and cold-induced paw withdrawal. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-2 in the serum of AA rats were increased, whereas the level of IL-10 was decreased. Histopathological examination of synoviocytes showed pronounced inflammation and accumulation of collagen. The administration of CTX (17.0 microg/kg, ip) significantly reduced paw swelling and mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. CTX also reduced the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-2 but increased the production of IL-10 and altered pathohistological changes. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of CTX was significantly reduced by MLA (3 mg/kg, sc). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that CTX has a beneficial effect on CFA-induced arthritis by modulating the production of inflammatory cytokines. alpha(7)-nAChR appears to mediate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of CTX.

[Study on growth law of Glycyrrhiza uralensis under different planting density].

OBJECTIVE: To study the growth of Glycyrrhiza uralensis under different planting density for providing theoretic evidence for reasonable planting density. METHOD: The field experiment was designed by single factor randomized block. RESULT: The plant height, root diameter, main root length and branches of main stem were all decreased with increasing planting density of G. uralensis. Meanwhile, dry matter accumulation on root, leaf, aerial part and rhizome were all decreased with increasing planting density. CONCLUSION: Two hundred and seventy thousand plants/hm2 was feasible planting density.

[Effects of long-term fertilization on water-stable aggregates in calcic kastanozem of Loess Plateau].

The study on the size distribution of water-stable aggregates (WSAs) in calcic kastanozem of Loess Plateau after 27 years fertilization showed that compared with those of natural soil, the contents of > 0.25 mm WSAs in 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm layers of cultivated soil decreased by 21.35% and 38.82%, respectively, and those of > or = 0.5 mm WSAs also had a decreasing trend, with the greatest decrement of > 5 mm and 5-2 mm WSAs. On the contrary, the contents of 0.5-0.25 mm WSAs in the two soil layers increased by 104.75% and 23.13%, respectively. All sizes WSAs had higher contents in 0-10 cm than in 10-20 cm soil layer. Fertilization had remarkable effects on the formation of WSAs. Under the applications of organic manure and its combination with chemical fertilizers, the content of 5-2 mm WSAs increased most, followed by that of > 5 mm WSAs. After applying organic manure, organic manure plus chemical fertilizers, and straws, the contents of larger sizes WSAs increased significantly, being beneficial to the improvement of soil structure. In all fertilization treatments, the mean mass diameter (MMD) of WSAs was larger in 0-10 cm than in 10-20 cm soil layer. Compared with non-fertilization, long-term fertilization increased the MMD of WSAs, and organic manure was superior to chemical fertilizers. The MMD of WSAs was positively correlated with the amount of > 0.25 mm WSAs.

[Influence of humic acid fertilizer on biomass accumulation and quality of Angelica sinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of humic acid fertilizer on plant growth, assimilation base, dried biomass accumulation, yield, quality and disease infection of Angelica sinensis. METHOD: Three kinds of humic acid fertilizer and an amino acid liquid fertilizer were tested in randomized groups at 1 level with 3 times repeat. RESULT: T1 promoted plant and root growth effectively, increased dried biomass accumulation and fresh root average weight remarkably, the yield was increased, the content of ethanol extract was increased by 11.31%. T3 promoted plant and root growth quickly, enlarged leaves area and increased dried plant weight, but effect lasted shortly, the content of ethanol extract was increased by 5.23%. T4 increased more leaves in late growth period, enlarged leaves area, the yield was increased, the content of ethanol extract was increased by 3.09%. T2 increased fresh root average weight remarkably, the yield was increased. CONCLUSION: Humic acid fertilizer and amino acid liquid fertilizer could effectively promote plant growth, enlarge leaves area, promote dried biomass accumulation and transformation to root and increase yield and content of ethanol extract effectively.

[Effects of nitrogenous phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on yield of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different fertilizer assortment (nitrogenous, phosphorus and potassium) on Bupleuram scorzonerifolium yield. METHODS: Three factors were designed by quadratic regression and D-optimum designation. RESULTS: As far as the biomass concerned, the best design of fertilizer was N 120. 3 - 333. 3 kg/hm(2) P2O5 0-939. 45 kg/hm(2), K2O 0 - 227. 25 kg/hm(2). As to R/T, the best design was N 62. 66 -333. 3 kg/hm(2), P2O5 0 -922. 54 kg/hm(2) , K2O 0 -227. 25 kg/hm(2). And for the root weight, the best design was N 34. 5 -333. 3 kg/hm(2), P2O5, 0 -939. 45 kg/hm2 , K2O 0-227. 25 kg/hm(2). CONCLUSION: Application quality of nitrogenous, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer are closely related with yield of B. Scorzonerifolium.

[Study on dynamic growth of Codonopsis pilosula].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the dynamic changes of Codnopsis pilosula for the guidance of the field management. METHOD: Using the random method the influences of the cultivating density and fertilizing weight at four different levels was observed. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The dynamic changes of the biomass, growth period andbiological changes at different growth stages were found out. The most predominant combination of the two factors, the 1.05 million roots/hm2 of the cultivating density and 240 kg x hm(-2) of the fertilizing weight reached the highest accumulation of stems & leaves; 652 mg x d(-1) the 0.6 million roots/hm2 and 240 kg x hm(-2) reached the heaviest single fresh root. The results could be used for the cultivating, fertilizing and practicing SOP of C. pilosula.