The first complete chloroplast genome of Vicatia thibetica de Boiss.: genome features, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic relationships.

Vicatia thibetica de Boiss.: a herb in the family Apiaceae, has been used for over a hundred years as an essential medicinal and edible plant in the Bai ethnic group of Dali City. However, due to the lack of study on plastid genomes of V. thibetica, studies of comparison and phylogeny with other related species remain scarce. In the current study, we assembled, annotated, and characterized the entire chloroplast (cp) genome of V. thibetica through high-throughput sequencing for the first time, compared with published whole chloroplast genomes from the same family. A phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genome has also been performed. The whole chloroplast genome of V. thibetica was 145,796 in size and consisted of a large single-copy region (LSC; 92,186 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC; 17,452 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs; 18,079 bp) forming a circular quadripartite structure. Annotation resulted in 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 35 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), eight ribosomal genes (rRNAs), and one pseudogene. Repeat sequence analysis displayed V. thibetica plastid genome contains 75 simple repeats, 37 long repeats, and 29 tandem repeats. Compared with the cp genome of other Apiaceae species, a common feature was that the IR regions of the genome were more conservative compared to the LSC and SSC regions. Highly variable hotspots included rps16, ndhC-trnV-UAC, clpP, ycf1, and ndhB in the genomes, which supply valuable molecular markers for phylogeny, identification, and classification in the Apiaceae family. The results of phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the genus Vicatia as an independent genus in the family Apiaceae, in which the closest affinities to the related species of Angelica, Peucedanum, and Ligusticum were observed. In conclusion, the first chloroplast genome of Vicatia reported in this study may  improve our understanding of phylogenetic relationship of different genera of Apiaceae. In addition, the current data will be valuable as chloroplast genomic resource for species identification and population genetics. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01154-y.

Detection of Gegen Adulteration Using Multiple Fingerprints Coupled With Chemometric Strategy.

BACKGROUND: The root of Pueraria montana var. lobata (gegen) is a well-known traditional Chinese medical herb, which is prone to be accidentally contaminated with Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, Pueraria wallichii, and Pueraria peduncularis due to the morphological character similarity. These adulterations might cause quality confusion and safety issues. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the screening technique to detect adulteration in gegen was developed using multiple fingerprints and chemometrics. METHOD: A range of gegen samples and possible known adulterants including Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, Pueraria wallichii, and Pueraria peduncularis were collected. FT-IR and HPLC coupled with different chemometric techniques, including similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), provide the qualitative chemometric models for gegen adulteration detection. RESULTS: FT-IR and HPLC combined with OPLS-DA successfully differentiated authentic gegen from adulterants. Both FT-IR and HPLC units can be used as alternative methods to traditional methods. The HPLC showed better performance in identifying samples than FT-IR. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FT-IR and HPLC coupled with chemometrics could potentially be the proper selection method for the early quality evaluation of gegen. This method can be used to combat fraud in the herbal industry in the future. HIGHLIGHTS: FT-IR and HPLC combined with chemometrics analysis were developed to discriminate between Pueraria lobata (gegen) and adulterants. The multiple fingerprints combined with multivariate methods were successfully applied to the study of the gegen and its adulterants. The chemometrics analysis using SA and OPLS-DA indicate significant differentiation in the chemical composition of these species. This research provides important chemotaxonomic references in species identification.

Ethnobotanical survey of antifertility medicinal plants in Dali District, Yunnan Province, China.

In recent years, contraceptive medication has been widely used for birth control. It is worth noting that contraceptive medication from botanical source has great potential for clinical use. Yunnan is the province with the most species of plants in China and is known as the "plant kingdom". This study aims to archive herbal remedies traditionally used as antifertility remedies in Dali District, Yunnan Province, P. R. China. The survey was conducted from February 2011 to September 2016 in the population distributed in Dali and the surrounding counties. The data were collected from three groups of practitioners within the study area: therapists using traditional medicines (n = 104), aboriginal families (n = 37), and herbalists in commercial stalls (n = 12), and a total number of 117 plant species were recorded. Among the 117 plant species, 104 of which have been authenticated by a plant taxonomist from the Dali Herbarium. These plants were classified into 98 genera and 54 families, including Leguminosae (12 species), Liliaceae (7 species), Cucurbitaceae, Rosaceae and Rutaceae (5 species, respectively), Malvaceae, Compositae and Euphorbiaceae (4 species, respectively). Our data provides an in-depth delineation of the contraceptive plants used in Dali, which serve as valuable information for the practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in contraceptive use. In addition, these data also hint that plants from different genus contain contraceptive components, which should be avoided by pregnant women. Future studies are required to identify the active contraceptive components, assess the toxicology, and elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of action.

Gallic Acid: A Potential Anti-Cancer Agent.

Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases worldwide and definitive therapeutics for treating cancer are not yet available despite extensive research efforts. The key challenges include limiting factors connected with traditional chemotherapeutics, primarily drug resistance, low response rates, and adverse side-effects. Therefore, there is a high demand for novel anti-cancer drugs that are both potent and safe for cancer prevention and treatment. Gallic acid (GA), a natural botanic phenolic compound, can mediate various therapeutic properties that are involved in anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer activities. More recently, GA has been shown to exert anti-cancer activities via several biological pathways that include migration, metastasis, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis, and oncogene expression. This review discusses two aspects, one is the anti-cancer potential of GA against different types of cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms, the other is the bibliometric analysis of GA in cancer and tumor research. The results indicated that lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and colon adenocarcinoma may become a hot topic in further research. Overall, this review provides evidence that GA represents a promising novel, potent, and safe anti-cancer drug candidate for treating cancer.

Authenticity analyses of Rhizoma Paridis using barcoding coupled with high resolution melting (Bar-HRM) analysis to control its quality for medicinal plant product.

BACKGROUND: Rhizoma Paridis (Chonglou) is a commonly used and precious traditional Chinese medicine. Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand. -Mazz. and Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara are the two main sources of Chonglou under the monograph of Rhizoma Paridis in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In the local marketplace, however, this medicine is prone to be accidentally contaminated, deliberately substituted or admixed with other species that are similar to Rhizoma Paridis in shape and color. Consequently, these adulterations might compromise quality control and result in considerable health concerns for consumers. This study aims to develop a rapid and sensitive method for accurate identification of Rhizoma Paridis and its common adulterants. METHODS: DNA barcoding coupled with high resolution melting analysis was applied in this research to distinguish Rhizoma Paridis from its adulteration. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) barcode was selected for HRM analysis to produce standard melting profile of the selected species. DNA of the tested herbal medicines was isolated and their melting profiles were generated and compared with the standard melting profile of P. polyphylla var. chinensis. RESULTS: The results indicate that the ITS2 molecular regions coupled with HRM analysis can effectively differentiate nine herbal species, including two authentic origins of Chonglou and their seven common adulterants. Ten herbal medicines labeled "Chonglou" obtained from a local market were collected and identified with our methods, and their sequence information was analyzed to validate the accuracy of HRM analysis. CONCLUSIONS: DNA barcoding coupled with HRM analysis is a accurate, reliable, rapid, cost-effective and robust tool, which could contribute to the quality control of Rhizoma Paridis in the supply chain of the natural health product industry (NHP).

Gene losses and partial deletion of small single-copy regions of the chloroplast genomes of two hemiparasitic Taxillus species.

Numerous variations are known to occur in the chloroplast genomes of parasitic plants. We determined the complete chloroplast genome sequences of two hemiparasitic species, Taxillus chinensis and T. sutchuenensis, using Illumina and PacBio sequencing technologies. These species are the first members of the family Loranthaceae to be sequenced. The complete chloroplast genomes of T. chinensis and T. sutchuenensis comprise circular 121,363 and 122,562 bp-long molecules with quadripartite structures, respectively. Compared with the chloroplast genomes of Nicotiana tabacum and Osyris alba, all ndh genes as well as three ribosomal protein genes, seven tRNA genes, four ycf genes, and the infA gene of these two species have been lost. The results of the maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees strongly support the theory that Loranthaceae and Viscaceae are monophyletic clades. This research reveals the effect of a parasitic lifestyle on the chloroplast structure and genome content of T. chinensis and T. sutchuenensis, and enhances our understanding of the discrepancies in terms of assembly results between Illumina and PacBio.

[Analysis of varieties and standards of Composite medicinal plants used in Dai medicine].

The study aims to analyze the varieties and standards of compositae medicinal plants used in Dai medicine. The results showed that there were 78 species (including varieties) compositae plants recorded in literatures, which belongs to 63 medicinal materials varieties. And 47 original plants (60.25%) were recorded in Chinese medicinal material standards. In those standards and literatures of Dai medicine, there are great differences in translated Chinese names, original plants, medicinal parts, and efficacy of medicinal plants. Therefore, the variety systematization and the quality standards of Dai medicine should be strengthened.

Survey of traditional Dai medicine reveals species confusion and potential safety concerns: a case study on Radix Clerodendri Japonicum.

The adulteration of herbal products is a threat to consumer safety. In the present study, we surveyed the species composition of commercial Radix Clerodendri Japonicum products using DNA barcoding as a supervisory method. A reference database for plant-material DNA-barcode was successfully constructed with 48 voucher samples from 12 Clerodendrum species. The database was used to identify 27 Radix Clerodendri Japonicum decoction piece samples purchased from drug stores and hospitals. The DNA sequencing results revealed that only 1 decoction piece (3.70%) was authentic C. japonicum, as recorded in the Dai Pharmacopeia, whereas the other samples were all adulterants, indicating a potential safety issue. The results indicate that decoction pieces that are available in the market have complex origins and that DNA barcoding is a suitable tool for regulation of Dai medicines.

[Identification of Seeds and Seedlings of Chinese Medicinal Materials Using DNA Barcoding Technology:A Case Study in Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

Objective: To establish a novel approach based on DNA barcode sequence, so as to guarantee the quality stability of Chinese medicinal materials. Methods: Eight species of Paris plants were collected, and a standard DNA barcode library was developed by ITS loci. Furthermore, the barcodes also used to identify the seed and seedling products that purchased from the markets. Results: ITS loci can stably and accurately distinguish Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and its adulterants. Conclusion: The seeds and seedlings of Chinese medicinal materials need to be properly authenticated before planting,and DNA barcoding has been found to be effective for this purpose.

[HPLC Analyzed the Iridoid Glycosides of Qingyedan Commonly Used in Folk Medicine in Yunnan].

Objective: To compare the contents of iridoid glycosides in Qingyedan medicinal materials,and to provide the scientific basis for using resources of Qingyedan and rationality of original plant medicinal. Methods: The contens of three iridoid glycosides,including swertiamarin,gentiopicroside and sweroside in Qingyedan medicinal materials were determined by HPLC. Results: The constituents of 30 samples in nine species were significant difference. And the contents of iridoid glycosides in Swertia bimaculata,Swertia tenuis and Swertia pubescens were reported for the first time. Conclusion: The results show that the contents of iridoid glycosides in Qingyedan medicinal materials have a significant difference due to the different species and producing areas. Therefore, these medicinal plants should not be used as alternative medicines for clinical application. Swertiamarin and sweroside can be selected as quality control components, this method is an effective method to identify and control the quality of Qingyedan materials.

[Research status, development and utilization of traditional Dai medicine in China].

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference for the development and utilization of Dai medicine by investigate the present situation and existing problems of traditional Dai medicine. METHOD: Combined with the previous relevant investigations and literature in the field, the key and the development direction of traditional Dai medicine were analyzed. RESULT: The textual research, history, species, distribution, endangered resources, protection status etc. were elaborated and the key strategy of further investigation was expounded. CONCLUSION: Dai medicine resources should strengthen the basic research, such as the protection of traditional knowledge, the textual research, quality standard, chemical composition, biological activity, exploration of medicinal resources, especially monographic study on protection of major endangered medicinal resources should be intensified, which will be rise the level of development and utilization of Dai medicine resources.

[Study on macroscopic and microscopic identification of Saposhnikovia divaricata and its counterfeits].

OBJECTIVE: To provide an identification method for the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata and its three counterfeits. METHODS: Macroscopic identification and microscopic identification of root transverse section and powder were carried out to distinguish these four species. RESULTS: For macroscopic characteristics, Saposhnikoviae Radix and its counterfeits can be distinguished by the head of the residual leaf and sections. As for microscopic identification, the feature was not obvious. But there were some differences to distinguish them,such as the number of cork layer, cambium was evident or not, the number of the xylem catheter,the presence or absence of large oil pipe and longitudinal cracks between the part from cortex to xylem. CONCLUSION: This is a simple and accurate method for distinguish Saposhnikoviae Radix and its counterfeits.

[Macroscopic identification of cultivated and wild Gentiana macrophylla and preliminary screening for high quality germplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference of macroscopic characteristics between cultivated Gentiana macrophylla and wild one, analyze the correlation among its main quality traits and preliminary screen cultivated Gentiana macrophylla from different habitats based on quality traits. METHODS: Measured and obtained characteristic index, including main root length, lateral root number, taproot diameter, residue stem number and dry weight, and analyzed data by SPSS 12.0 statistical software. RESULTS: The main characteristics of cultivated Gentiana macrophylla were all better than those of the wild one. The characteristics was sequenced as follows: lateral root number > dry weight > main root lengthy > taproot diameter > residue stem number in order of difference. There were remarkable positive correlations among main quality traits. The optimal germplasm was located in Yulinpu of Liufengguan Village, Nanxing Town, Feng County in Shaanxi Province. CONCLUSION: Cultivated Gentiana macrophylla is relatively robust, having more branching roots with light colour of surface and section compared with the wild one. The paper provides suggestions for the revising of macroscopic characteristics of Gentiana macrophylla in the next edition of pharmacopoeia; The data offer scientific reference for screening excellent germplasm, introduction expansion and reasonable utilization of resources as well.

[Simultaneous determination of peimisine and sipeimine in Fritillaria walujewii regel and Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk by UPLC-ELSD].

The paper reports the establishment of a method for simultaneous determination of peimisine and sipeimine contents in Fritillaria walujewii Regel and Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk. The analyses were performed on an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (UPLC-ELSD), equipped with a binary solvent manager, a sampler manager and a column compartment, and connected to Waters Empower 2 software. An Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm) was used for all analysis. The investigated compounds were separated with gradient mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.02% triethylamine-water. The temperature of sample manager was set at 25 degrees C. Drift tube temperature was 40 degrees C, and spray parameter was 40% with injection volume of 1 microL. The investigated compounds including peimisine and sipeimine had good linearity (r > or = 0.9991) over the tested ranges. The average recovery was 94.5% and 98.1% with RSD < or = 2.36%. The UPLC-ELSD method is simple, sensitive and accurate with good repeatability, which is available for quality control of F. walujewii Regel and F. pallidiflora Schrenk.