Analysis of weighted gene co-expression networks and clinical validation identify hub genes and immune cell infiltration in the endometrial cells of patients with recurrent implantation failure.

Background: About 10% of individuals undergoing in vitro fertilization encounter recurrent implantation failure (RIF), which represents a worldwide social and economic concern. Nevertheless, the critical genes and genetic mechanisms underlying RIF are largely unknown. Methods: We first obtained three comprehensive microarray datasets "GSE58144, GSE103465 and GSE111974". The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) evaluation, enrichment analysis, as well as efficient weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), were employed for distinguishing RIF-linked hub genes, which were tested by RT-qPCR in our 30 independent samples. Next, we studied the topography of infiltration of 22 immune cell subpopulations and the association between hub genes and immune cells in RIF using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Finally, a novel ridge plot was utilized to exhibit the potential function of core genes. Results: The enrichment of GO/KEGG pathways reveals that Herpes simplex virus 1 infection and Salmonella infection may have an important role in RIF. After WGCNA, the intersected genes with the previous DEGs were obtained using both variance and association. Notably, the subsequent nine hub genes were finally selected: ACTL6A, BECN1, SNRPD1, POLR1B, GSK3B, PPP2CA, RBBP7, PLK4, and RFC4, based on the PPI network and three different algorithms, whose expression patterns were also verified by RT-qPCR. With in-depth analysis, we speculated that key genes mentioned above might be involved in the RIF through disturbing endometrial microflora homeostasis, impairing autophagy, and inhibiting the proliferation of endometrium. Furthermore, the current study revealed the aberrant immune infiltration patterns and emphasized that uterine NK cells (uNK) and CD4+ T cells were substantially altered in RIF endometrium. Finally, the ridge plot displayed a clear and crucial association between hub genes and other genes and key pathways. Conclusion: We first utilized WGCNA to identify the most potential nine hub genes which might be associated with RIF. Meanwhile, this study offers insights into the landscape of immune infiltration status to reveal the underlying immune pathogenesis of RIF. This may be a direction for the next study of RIF etiology. Further studies would be required to investigate the involved mechanisms.

Rosiglitazone alleviates LPS-induced endometritis via suppression of TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Rosiglitazone (RGZ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced Endometritis and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: The preventive and therapeutic effects of RGZ on Endometritis were studied in vivo and in vitro. A total of 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the following 4 groups: RGZ+LPS, RGZ control, LPS and DMSO control. The mice uterine tissue sections were performed with HE and immunohistochemical staining. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were cultured, and different concentrations of LPS stimulation groups and RGZ and/or a TLR4 signaling inhibitor TAK-242 pretreatment +LPS groups were established to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this protective effect of RGZ. RESULTS: The HE results in mice showed that RGZ+LPS group had less tissue loss than LPS group. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) results showed that the expression of TLR4 after RGZ treatment was significantly lower than that in LPS group. These findings suggested that RGZ effectively improves the pathological changes associated with LPS-induced endometritis by inhibiting TLR4. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis demonstrated that RGZ pretreatment suppresses the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its downstream activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In vitro, RGZ inhibited LPS-stimulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner and also downregulated LPS induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression and inhibited phosphorylation of LPS-induced nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) P65 protein. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RGZ may inhibit LPS-induced endometritis through the TLR4-mediated NF-κB pathway.

Clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer in natural cycles with luteinized unruptured follicles.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of luteinized unruptured follicles (LUF) on frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles performed in natural cycles (FET-NC). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, held in a university hospital with 3415 cycles for frozen-thawed embryo transfer, performed between June 2019 and September 2022. Using propensity score matching, 242 patients with a diagnosis of LUF (LUF group) were matched with 484 ovulated patients (ovulation group). Stratified by the type of embryo transferred, the LUF group included 168 blastocyst transfer patients (blastocyst group) and 74 cleavage-stage embryo transfer patients (cleavage-embryo group). The ovulation group included 324 patients with blastocyst transfer (blastocyst group) and 160 patients with transferred cleavage-stage embryos. Clinical pregnancy rate was retrospectively analyzed between the LUF and ovulation groups, as well as between each subgroup. RESULTS: After using propensity score matching, the general characteristics of the LUF and ovulation groups were similar. The implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in the LUF group were not significantly different from those in the ovulation group (44.98 % vs. 45.29 %, p = 0.93; 53.72 % vs. 52.48 %, p = 0.75). The implantation and pregnancy rates of transferred cleavage-stage embryos in the LUF group were also not significantly different from those in the ovulation group (32.39 % vs. 36.40 %, p = 0.42; 47.30 % vs. 47.50 %, p = 0.98). The implantation and pregnancy rates of transferred blastocysts in the LUF group were also not significantly different from those in the ovulation group (53.11 % vs. 52.03 %, p = 0.82; 56.55 % vs. 54.94 %, p = 0.73). There was also no significant difference in the miscarriage rate between the groups. CONCLUSION: In the natural cycle, LUF does not affect the clinical pregnancy outcomes of FET. If adequate luteal support is given, the clinical pregnancy outcomes were similar between the LUF group and ovulation group.

Increasing expression of STING by ERα antagonizes LCN2 downregulation during chronic endometritis.

Chronic endometritis has a high incidence in infertile women, which is caused by endometrial microbiome infection. In response to microbial infection, the role of defensins during chronic endometritis need explored. Besides, the expression of estrogen and its receptors vary in different menstrual cycles, but their roles in chronic endometritis are still unclear. In this study, we used the human endometrial tissues to examine the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) α-defensin hNP-1 and ß-defensins hBD-1, hBD-2, hBD-3, hBD-4 and LCN2. We found the expression of hBD-1 and LCN2 were downregulated in endometritis tissues, while the expressions of hBD-2, hBD-3, hBD-4, hNP-1, and estrogen and ERα were upregulated in chronic endometritis tissues compared to normal tissues. The expression and phosphorylation of STING, which is a crucial mediator of mammalian innate immunity in response to pathogens, was regulated with the treatment of ERα inhibitor raloxifene (Rx). Furthermore, using with the estrogen receptor inhibitor Rx and STING inhibitor H-151 significantly decreases the LCN2 expression. Taken together, these results suggested ERα was upregulated to modulate STING expression inducing LCN2 antimicrobial peptide expression to modulate the mucosal immunity during chronic endometritis.

The Clinical Efficacy of Personalized Embryo Transfer Guided by the Endometrial Receptivity Array/Analysis on IVF/ICSI Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of displaced window of implantation (WOI) in infertile women, and the clinical utility of personalized embryo transfer (pET) guided by the endometrial receptivity array/analysis (ERA) on IVF/ICSI outcomes. Methods: The protocol was registered at Prospero: CRD42020204237. We systematically searched all published English literature related to the prevalence of WOI displacement and ongoing pregnancy rate/live birth rate in the overall good-prognosis infertile patients (GPP) and/or repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET cycles after ERA test until August 2021. Result(s): 11 published studies were enrolled in the final analysis. The estimate of the incidence of WOI displacement based on ERA was 38% (95%CI 19-57%) in GPP and 34% (95%CI 24-43%) in RIF, respectively. There was no difference in OPR/LBR between patients undergoing routine ET without ERA test and those who following pET with ERA (39.5 vs. 53.7%, OR 1.28, p = 0.49, 95%CI 0.92-1.77, I 2 = 0%) in relative GPP. Notably, the meta-analysis revealed that OPR/LBR of patients with RIF undergoing pET who had non-receptive ERA increased to the level of to those undergoing sET with receptive ERA (40.7 vs.49.6%, OR 0.94, p = 0.85, 95%CI 0.70-1.26, I 2 = 0%). Conclusion: Considering the approximately one third of infertile women could suffered from displaced WOI, the ERA test emerged as a promising tool. Although the present meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with general good-prognosis may not benefit from ERA, pET guided by ERA significantly increases the chances of pregnancy for non-receptive patients with RIF of endometrial origin.

MicroRNA-148a targets ADAMTS5 to inhibit proliferation of endometriosis cells.

To examine miR-148a expression in the serum of patients with endometriosis (EMS), and to further explore the target of miR-148a in HS832.Tc cells and the effect of miR-148a on the proliferation of Hs832.Tc cells. The serum of non-EMS patients and EMS patients were collected and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miR-148a in serum. The EMS cell line Hs832.Tc was cultured and transfected with miR-148aminic, miR-148a inhibitor to construct over expressing and interfering cell lines. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected. The dual luciferase assay identified a target relationship between miR-148a and ADAMTS5 and whether miR-148a regulates proliferation of endometriosis cells via ADAMTS5 was further validated. Compared with normal subjects, miR-148a was significantly reduced in serum of EMS patients (p<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for miR-148a for diagnosis of EMS was 0.91, which was statistically significant (p<0.01). The proliferation of Hs832.Tc cells was significantly inhibited and the cell apoptosis was increased after miR-148a over expression. The proliferation of Hs832.Tc cells was promoted and apoptosis was reduced by miR-148a down regulation. The dual luciferase report demonstrates that ADAMTS5 is a target gene of miR-148a. The addition of ADAMTS5 can directly promote apoptosis of Hs832.Tc cells. The expression of miR-148a in serum of EMS patients was decreased, and miR-148a targets ADAMTS5 to promote apoptosis in EMS cells.

Hemiboeakaiyangensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae endemic to Guizhou, China.

A new species of Gesneriaceae from Guizhou, China, Hemiboeakaiyangensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated. We investigated its phylogenetic position and relationships with 13 other species of Hemiboea C.B.Clarke, which present large morphological diversity in the genus, based on molecular analyses of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the chloroplast trnL-F intron-spacer sequences. The molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species is most closely related to H.ovalifolia. A diagnostic table and discussion of morphological characters are provided to differentiate the new species from H.longisepala, H.flaccida and H.ovalifolia.

NRF2 Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in LPS-Induced gEECs by Inhibiting the Activation of the NF-κB.

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) plays an anti-inflammatory role in several pathological processes, but its function in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced goat endometrial epithelial cells (gEECs) is still unknown. We designed a study to investigate the function of NRF2 in LPS-induced gEECs. LPS was found to increase the NRF2 expression and the nuclear abundance of NRF2 in gEECs in a dose-dependent manner. NRF2 knockout (KO) not only increased the expression of LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8) but also increased the expression of TLR4, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-p65/p65 proteins. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that NRF2 directly binds to p65 in the nucleus and inhibits the binding of p65 to downstream target genes (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8). Even though a NF-κB/p65 inhibitor (PDTC) reduced the LPS-induced NRF2 expression and nuclear abundance of NRF2, overexpressing TNF-α reversed the inhibitory effects of PDTC on the NRF2 expression and on its abundance in the nucleus. Similarly, knockdown of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, or IL-8) significantly decreased the LPS-induced NRF2 expression and NRF2 in the nucleus. In conclusion, our data suggest that proinflammatory cytokines induced by LPS through the TLR4/NF-κB pathway promote the NRF2 expression and its translocation into the nucleus. Our work also suggests that NRF2 inhibits the expression of proinflammatory cytokines by directly binding to p65.

Dyslipidemia Is Negatively Associated With the Cumulative Live-Birth Rate in Patients Without PCOS Following IVF/ICSI.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dyslipidemia on the cumulative live-birth rate (cLBR) in patients without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) cycles. Methods: A total of 1,132 patients from the Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively included. The subjects were distributed into two groups based on their lipid profiles, namely, dyslipidemia group (n = 195) and control group (n = 937). The clinical and laboratory parameters of the two groups were analyzed, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the cLBR was conducted. In addition, subgroup analysis was carried out to avoid deviation according to the body mass index (BMI). Results: Patients with dyslipidemia had significantly greater BMI and longer duration of infertility, as well as lower antral follicle count and basal follicle-stimulating hormone level compared with patients without dyslipidemia. Stratified analysis showed that dyslipidemia was associated with a significantly higher total gonadotrophin dosage required for ovarian stimulation as well as lower number of oocytes retrieved, independent of obesity. The live-birth rate in fresh cycle and cLBR were higher in the control group, although the difference between the groups was not significant (54.9% vs. 47.3%, p = 0.116; 67.6% vs. 62.1%, p = 0.138). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders showed that dyslipidemia was negatively associated with cLBR (OR, 0.702, 95% CI, 0.533-0.881, p = 0.044). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate for the first time that dyslipidemia has a deleterious impact on cLBR, independent of obesity, in non-PCOS population considered to have good prognosis. Assessment of serum lipid profiles as well as the provision of nutritional counseling is essential for increasing successful outcomes in assisted reproductive techniques.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Mouse Endometrial Inflammation via TLR2-Mediated NF-kB and MAPK Pathway.

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HYA) on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-induced mouse endometrial inflammation and to explore its molecular mechanism. We established a mouse endometritis model by intrauterine injection of S. aureus and intrauterine injection of HYA for treatment. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot were used to detect protein expression in uterine tissue, and qPCR was used to measure mRNA expression. HYA could significantly weak uterine pathological changes caused by S. aureus and reduce MPO activity, CD45, CD3, and ED-1 protein expression in uterine tissues of S. aureus-infected mice. Similarly, HYA also significantly decreased S. aureus induced the increase in TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in uterine tissue. In vivo, we found that knockdown of TLR2 was very important could significantly reduce S. aureus induced the elevated expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in mEECs. Importantly, in terine tissues of S. aureus-infected mice, HYA significantly decreased the ratio of p-p65/p65, p-IKBα/IKBα, p-p38/p38, p-Erk/Erk, and p-JNK/JNK expression. HYA displays anti-inflammatory effects on S. aureus mouse endometrial inflammation, and this effect might be related to HYA which could block TLR2-mediated NF-kB and MAPK pathway.

A novel TSC2 c.4511 T > C missense variant associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant hereditary disease characterized by hamartomas of multiple organ systems, including the brain, skin, heart, kidney and lung. Genetically, TSC is caused by pathogenic variants in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a sporadic case of a 32-year-old Han Chinese male diagnosed with TSC, whose spouse had a history of two spontaneous miscarriages and an induced abortion of a 30-week fetus identified with cardiac rhabdomyoma by ultrasound. A novel heterozygous missense variant in the TSC2 gene (Exon35:c.4511 T > C:p.L1504P) was identified in the male patient and the aborted fetus by next-generation sequencing, but not in his wife or both his parents. According to the ACMG/AMP criteria, this variant was classified as a "likely pathogenic" variant. CONCLUSION: The novel TSC2:c.4511 T > C variant identified was highly likely associated with TSC and could potentially lead to adverse reproductive outcomes. IVF-ET and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for TSC are recommended for this patient in the future to prevent fetal TSC.

Esculentoside A rescues granulosa cell apoptosis and folliculogenesis in mice with premature ovarian failure.

Follicular atresia is one of the main processes for the loss of granulosa cells and oocytes from the mammalian ovary and any impairment to premature ovarian failure. Large numbers of studies have demonstrated that granulosa cell apoptosis causes follicular atresia, yet the rescue of these cells remains elusive. We aimed to use Esculentoside A (3-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl-1, 4-b-D-xylopyranosyl) phytolaccagenin, a saponin extracted from Phytolacca esculenta roots, as a potential rescue agent for the apoptosis of granulosa cells. Our results revealed the rescue of normal body and ovary weights, normal ovarian histo-architecture of ovaries, and hormones levels with regular estrus cycle. Consistently, the expression of proliferating and anti-apoptotic markers, i.e. KI67 and BCL-2 in granulosa cells, was enhanced. Meanwhile, the expressions of pro-apoptotic markers, which were BAX and CASPASEs (CASPASE-9 and CASPASE-3), were prominently reduced in Esculentoside A-induced premature ovarian failure mice. Additionally, PPARγ, a potential therapeutic target, has also rescued its expression by treating the premature ovarian failure mice with Esculentoside A. Our results advocated that Esculentoside A could restore folliculogenesis in premature ovarian failure mice. Furthermore, it has the potential to be investigated as a therapeutic agent for premature ovarian failure.

A Systematic Study on DNA Barcoding of Medicinally Important Genus Epimedium L. (Berberidaceae).

Genus Epimedium consists of approximately 50 species in China, and more than half of them possess medicinal properties. The high similarity of species' morphological characteristics complicates the identification accuracy, leading to potential risks in herbal efficacy and medical safety. In this study, we tested the applicability of four single loci, namely, rbcL, psbA-trnH, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and ITS2, and their combinations as DNA barcodes to identify 37 Epimedium species on the basis of the analyses, including the success rates of PCR amplifications and sequencing, specific genetic divergence, distance-based method, and character-based method. Among them, character-based method showed the best applicability for identifying Epimedium species. As for the DNA barcodes, psbA-trnH showed the best performance among the four single loci with nine species being correctly differentiated. Moreover, psbA-trnH + ITS and psbA-trnH + ITS + rbcL exhibited the highest identification ability among all the multilocus combinations, and 17 species, of which 12 are medicinally used, could be efficiently discriminated. The DNA barcode data set developed in our study contributes valuable information to Chinese resources of Epimedium. It provides a new means for discrimination of the species within this medicinally important genus, thus guaranteeing correct and safe usage of Herba Epimedii.

Aberrant Expression of lncRNA ( HOXA11-AS1) and Homeobox A ( HOXA9, HOXA10, HOXA11, and HOXA13) Genes in Infertile Women With Endometriosis.

This study aimed to study the expression of homeobox (HOX)A11-AS1 ( HOXA11 antisense RNA) long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and the expression of homeobox A ( HOXA9, HOXA10, HOXA11, and HOXA13) genes in the eutopic (EU) and ectopic (EC) endometria of women with peritoneal endometriosis. A total of 30 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for peritoneal endometriosis and 15 infertile women without endometriosis were enrolled in this study. Peritoneal EC tissue samples were obtained through surgery. The EU tissues were obtained by curettage. The EC and EU lncRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were measured using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The HOXA11-AS1 lncRNA and HOXA9, HOXA10, HOXA11, and HOXA13 mRNA were expressed at significantly lower levels in the EU than in the EC, that is, in women with peritoneal endometriosis ( P < .05). The expression levels of HOXA10 and HOXA11 in the EU were significantly lower in women with peritoneal endometriosis compared to the control group participants ( P < .05), whereas the levels of lncRNA ( HOXA11-AS1), HOXA9, and HOXA13 did not differ significantly between the 2 patient groups ( P > .05). In conclusion, the study findings suggest that HOXA11-AS1 lncRNA may play a role in the development of peritoneal endometriosis, but HOXA11-AS1 may not influence endometrial receptivity in endometriosis-associated infertility.

Acid sphingomyelinase contributes to evodiamine-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.

Evodiamine-induced apoptosis has been shown to have anticancer activity by eradication of some carcinoma cell lines. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of evodiamine on the viability of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and to define the cell death pathway. Flow cytometry detection showed that 1.5 µM evodiamine significantly induced SGC-7901 cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. This apoptosis was partially inhibited by the pancaspase inhibitor carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoro-methylketone, which suggests that evodiamine-induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells is partially caspase independent. Further, the total content of sphingomyelin was decreased and expression of acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) and neutral SMase genes in the SGC-7901cells was upregulated. Protein expression of aSMase, which was exposed to evodiamine, was shown to be increased by western blot analysis and could have been responsible for inducing caspase-independent apoptosis. Our results indicate that evodiamine stimulates upregulation of aSMase expression and hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide, which might be one of the mechanisms by which apoptosis occurs in SGC-7901 cells.

[Determination of quercetin and kaempferol in Dysosma plants by RP-HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To determine quercetin and kaempferol in the plant of genus Dysosma that come from different species, different plant parts or different growing areas, which provide the basis of rational utilization of Dysosma plants. METHOD: The analysis was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) eluted with the mobile phase of methanol-water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid (60:40). The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1), the detection wavelength was 360 nm; and the column temperature was set at 25 degrees C. RESULT: The linear ranges of quercetin and kaempferol are 0.22-1.1 microg and 0.42-2.1 microg. The average recoveries of quercetin and kaempferol are 97.1% (RSD 1.4%) and 99.6% (RSD 2.4%); respectively. CONCLUSION: The contents of flavones in different species of Dysosma are significantly different.

[Studies on revision of species and distribution of medicinal plants in Guizhou province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the origin of medicinal plants in Guizhou province, revise the incorrectly recorded species, and correct the erroneous and incomplete Latin names. METHOD: Examination was implemented on species, Latin name and geographical distribution of medicinal plants recorded in 'Medicinal Material Resources of Guizhou'. RESULT: It was found that 98 species and 4 varieties were absent in Guizhou province or their Latin names were incorrect in 17 families. CONCLUSION: The origin of medicinal plants in Guizhou province was studied and the incorrect Latin names were revised. It provides a basis for standardization of medicinal plants in Guizhou province.

[Research progress on geographic distribution new records of medicinal plants in Guizhou].

To introduce the advance on the species, ecological environment, distribution areas, the number of the species and efficacy of geographic distribution new records of medicinal plants in Guizhou. This article provides a basis for the collection and conservation as well as reasonable development of the genetic resources of medicinal plants.

[Species and distribution of the medicinal plants peculiar to Guizhou].

OBJECTIVE: To review the species and distribution of the medicinal plants peculiar to Guizhou and provide evidence for application, protection and collection. METHOD: Open-air investigation, data collection and specimen identification. RESULT: More than eighty kinds of the medical plants peculiar to Guizhou have been identified. CONCLUSION: Guizhou has a diversity of medicinal plants. The area of distribution of most species is restricted and the population is small. Some of the species have higher medicinal and scientific research values.

[Species and geographic distribution of large-flowered taxa of Epimedium in China].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce species and geographic distribution of large-flowered taxa of Epimedium L. in China. METHODS: Resources investigation and taxonomy study. RESULTS: There are 27 species large-flowered taxa of Epimedium in China. CONCLUSION: 13 species in Sichuan, 9 species in Hubei, 8 species in Guizhou, 4 species in Hunan, 3 species in Guangxi, 2 species in Chongqing, 2 species in Yunnan, 1 species in Jiangxi, 1 species in Shanxi, 1 species in Jilin, 1 species in Liaoning and 1 species in Heilongjiang.