Phytochemistry of Genus Buxus and Pharmacology of Cyclovirobuxine D.

BACKGROUND: Genus Buxus plants, commonly known as "boxwood", are widely distributed in China. The stems, branches, and leaves of the plant are traditionally used for rheumatism, toothache, chest pain, abdominal gas, and other diseases. However, an overview of the genus Buxus remains to be provided. PURPOSE: To provide a scientific basis for the appropriate use and further research the recent advancements in the traditional usage, phytochemistry, and, pharmacology of Buxus. STUDY DESIGN: Chemical composition and pharmacological correlation studies through a literature review. METHODS: Between 1970 and 2023, the available data concerning Buxus was compiled from online scientific sources, such as Sci-Finder, PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Plant names were verified from "The Plant List" (http://www.theplantlist.org/). RESULTS: To date, 266 structurally diverse chemicals have been extracted and identified from the genus Buxus. Alkaloids constitute one of its primary bioactive phytochemicals. A summary of the channels of action of Cyclovirobuxine D on the cytotoxicity of a variety of cancers has been provided. CONCLUSION: Numerous findings from contemporary phytochemical and pharmacological studies support the traditional use, facilitating its application. Further research is necessary to address various shortcomings, including the identification of the active ingredients and quality control of the genus Buxus.

[Effects of fungi fraction on growth and anti-oxidative activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus].

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of endophytic fungi fraction on growth and anti-oxidative activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus. The growth,yield,contents of MDA,and antioxidant activities were assessed in E. senticosus under five fungi fractions,namely BZ,MH,DT,JS,and XFZ. The results showed that fungi fractions and component significantly affected the growth,low concentration of DT fungi fraction significantly increased the biomass of E. senticosus,reduced the MDA content in cells,and the antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts were superior to the others. The results indicated that low concentration of DT fungi fraction was the optimum fraction to achieve high yield and quality of E. senticosus.

[General situation and comprehensive utilization of medicinal fungi resources in Heilongjiang province].

In order to develop and utilize the macrofungi in Heilongjiang province, numerous literatures have been investigated to make a comprehensive analysis of the number of known species of fungi in Heilongjiang province. There exists a total of 546 species of macrofungus in Heilongjiang province belonging to 53 families and 13 orders of 6 classes and 2 subdivisions. And its application value is classified, summarized and reviewed. Three hundred and twenty kinds of edible fungi, 214 species of fungi with medicinal value, medicinal value in the anti-cancer effects of 167 species of fungi, 141 wood rot fungi, 141 species of ectomycorrhizal fungi, 88 poisonous species, 67 macrofungus which are not clarified whether could be edible or toxic. It shows a broad prospects for development and utilization of macrofungus resources in Heilongjiang province.

Two new iridoid glycosides from the root barks of Sambucus williamsii Hance.

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the root barks of Sambucus williamsii Hance collected in the Heilongjiang province of China resulted in the isolation of two new iridoid glycosides, williamsoside A (1) and williamsoside B (2). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D-NMR and HRESIMS) and chemical studies. Iridoid glycosides have for a long time been considered as characteristic ingredients of S. williamsii. However, the presence of iridoid glycosides with apiofuranosyl moieties in S. williamsii is reported for the first time in this study.

The improvement of bioactive secondary metabolites accumulation in Rumex gmelini Turcz through co-culture with endophytic fungi.

Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Ramularia sp. were endophytic fungi isolated from Rumex gmelini Turcz (RGT), all of these three strains could produce some similar bioactive secondary metabolites of their host. However the ability to produce active components degraded significantly after cultured these fungi alone for a long time, and were difficult to recover. In order to obtain more bioactive secondary metabolites, the co-culture of tissue culture seedlings of RGT and its endophytic fungi were established respectively, and RGT seedling was selected as producer. Among these fungi, Aspergillus sp. showed the most significant enhancement on bioactive components accumulation in RGT seedlings. When inoculated Aspergillus sp. spores into media of RGT seedlings that had taken root for 20d, and made spore concentration in co-culture medium was 1×104mL-1, after co-cultured for 12d, the yield of chrysophaein, resveratrol, chrysophanol, emodin and physcion were 3.52-, 3.70-, 3.60-, 4.25-, 3.85-fold of the control group. The extreme value of musizin yield was 0.289mg, which was not detected in the control groups. The results indicated that co-culture with endophytic fungi could significantly enhance bioactive secondary metabolites production of RGT seedlings.

[Study on correlation of soil nutrients and content of active constituents in root of Rumex gmelini].

OBJECTIVE: To provide scientific basis for the selection of agrotype and property fertilization for Rumex gmelini cultivated in compliance with good agricultural practice (GAP). METHOD: HPLC method was applied to determinate the content of seven active constituents (resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion) of annual R. gmelini. And the correlation between soil nutrients and content of active constituents in the root of R. gmelini were analyzed by stepwise regression analysis. RESULT: Seven regression equation were established. The statistic significance was found in three of them. CONCLUSION: The soil with high total K level is not suitable for R. gmelini cultivation. But the higher available N, available P, available K level of soil is suitable.

[Study on the optimal harvesting time of Rumex gmelini by analyzing the contents of principal components].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method used for optimization of harvesting time and determine the best time for harvesting Rumex gmelini. METHOD: An HPLC method was applied to determinate the contents of seven active constituents(resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion)of R. gmelini at different development stage. The result was analyzed by principal component analysis. RESULT: The accumulation of active constituents showed a regular pattern. CONCLUSION: The best harvesting time of R. gmelini is early July.

The improvement of bioactive secondary metabolites accumulation in Rumex gmelini Turcz through co-culture with endophytic fungi

Abstract Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Ramularia sp. were endophytic fungi isolated from Rumex gmelini Turcz (RGT), all of these three strains could produce some similar bioactive secondary metabolites of their host. However the ability to produce active components degraded significantly after cultured these fungi alone for a long time, and were difficult to recover. In order to obtain more bioactive secondary metabolites, the co-culture of tissue culture seedlings of RGT and its endophytic fungi were established respectively, and RGT seedling was selected as producer. Among these fungi, Aspergillus sp. showed the most significant enhancement on bioactive components accumulation in RGT seedlings. When inoculated Aspergillus sp. spores into media of RGT seedlings that had taken root for 20 d, and made spore concentration in co-culture medium was 1 × 104 mL-1, after co-cultured for 12 d, the yield of chrysophaein, resveratrol, chrysophanol, emodin and physcion were 3.52-, 3.70-, 3.60-, 4.25-, 3.85-fold of the control group. The extreme value of musizin yield was 0.289 mg, which was not detected in the control groups. The results indicated that co-culture with endophytic fungi could significantly enhance bioactive secondary metabolites production of RGT seedlings.