Localization and dynamic change of saponin in vegetative organs of Polygala tenuifolia.

Anatomical, histochemical and phytochemical methods were used to investigate the structure, localization and dynamic changes of total saponin and senegenin of vegetative organs in Polygala tenuifolia Willd. Histochemical localization results showed that saponin accumulated mainly in parenchyma cells of vegetative organs. The phytochemical results also showed that the saponin accumulated in the vegetative organs of P. tenuifolia, with higher content in roots and lower content in the aerial parts that included stems and leaves. The saponin content and dry weight of the vegetative organs of P. tenuifolia had dynamic variance at the developmental stages and all reached the highest level in the post-fruit period. Hence, the roots and aerial parts should be gathered in August to make full use of the plant. As the root is the main medicinal organ of P. tenuifolia, the content of total saponin and senegenin of different aged and different parts of the root were determined. The content of total saponin and senegenin exhibited a sustained decreasing trend with increasing root age; therefore, the annual roots had high quality. The content of total saponin and senegenin in different parts of the root showed obvious variation. The content in the "skin areas" was much higher than that of xylem. The results offer a theoretical basis for determining the appropriate harvesting stage and a reasonable harvest of P. tenuifolia.

[Germplasm resources of Polygala tenuifolia and determination of presenegenin in processing products].

OBJECTIVE: To research the germplasm resources and the contents of senegenin in processing products of Polygala tenuifolia. METHOD: The contents of senegenin in wild Polygala tenuifolia and cultivated samples of Polygala tenuifolia were determined by RP-HPLC, and compared. RESULT: The contents of senegenin in wild reduce gradually along Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei to Dongbei. The contents of senegenin in cultivated three-year samples of three year Polygala tenuifolia from five main place was similar, 0.44%-0.49%. The content of senegenin were 0.44%-0.64% in the wand and 0.03%-0.09% in the residual part of stem, and the content of senegenin in Polygala tenuifolia was more than that in processing products. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between the content of senegenin in Polygala tenuifolia and ecology environment that show a is inverse proportion with the quality grade, and the contents in the processing products were decreased. Senegenin can be used as a characteristic marker in range. This research provides a reference for search a index for quality control of Radix polygala and its processing products.

[The structure of vegetative organs, and saponins histochemical localization and content comparization in Polygala sibirica L].

Anatomical, histochemical and phytochemistry methods were used to investigate the structure of vegetative organs, and saponins localization and dynamic changes in Polygala sibirica L. The root consisted of developed periderm and secondary vascular. The secondary phloem was thick, and mainly composed of parenchyma. There were well-developed vessels and fibers in the secondary xylem. The stem was composed of epidermis, cortex and vascular bundle. The ring of sclerenchymatous cells lied between cortex and phloem might be the apoplastic protective screen which could protect the stem from drought. The leaf was bifacial one. The root and stem possessed characteristics adapting to arid environment. Histochemical localization results showed that saponins distributed in secondary phloem and phelloderm of root, in epidermis, cortex and phloem of stem, mainly in mesophyll of leaf. It displayed that saponins accumulated mainly in parenchyma cells of vegetative organs, among of which, the secondary phloem was the main storage site. The HPLC results also showed that the saponins accumulated in all the vegetative organs of Polygala sibirica L., with higher content in roots and lower content in the aerial part that included stems and leaves. The study indicated the aerial part of Polygala sibirica L. also had medicinal value. The saponins content had dynamic variance at the developmental stage, the crude drug should be gathered at period from April to May.