Population Genetic Structure of the Medicinal Plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: Implications for its Use and Conservation

Vitex rotundifolia L. is an important plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine. For its efficient use and conservation, genetic diversity and clonal variation of V. rotundifolia populations in China were investigated using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. Fourteen natural populations were included to estimate genetic diversity, and a large population with 135 individuals was used to analyze clonal variation and fine-scale spatial genetic structure. The overall genetic diversity （GD） of V. rotundifolia populations in China was moderate （GD=0.190）, with about 40% within-population variation. Across all populations surveyed, the average within-population diversity was moderate （P = 22.6%; GD = 0.086）. A relatively high genetic differentiation （Gst = 0.587） among populations was detected based on the analysis of molecular variance data. Such characteristics of V. rotundifofia are likely attributed to its sexual/asexual reproduction and limited gene flow. The genotypic diversity （D = 0.992） was greater than the average values of a clonal plant, indicating its significant reproduction through seedlings. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a clear within-population structure with gene clusters of approximately 20 m. Genetic diversity patterns of V. rotundifolia in China provide a useful guide for its efficient use and conservation by selecting particular populations displaying greater variation that may contain required medicinal compounds, and by sampling individuals in a population at 〉20 m spatial intervals to avoid collecting individuals with identical or similar genotypes.

Qualitative Analysis and Quality Evaluation of Cnidium monnieri Using UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS

Objective To identify the coumarins constituents in Cnidium monnieri and classify ten samples into three groups and this helpful chemical information could be used for the further pharmacological and clinical study on C. monnieri. Methods Qualitative analysis of coumarins in C. monnieri was detected by UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS. Quadrupole TOF/MS in either full scan mode or extracted ion mode was used for the qualitative analysis of the constituents. Relative peak area of each component was used for the hierarchical cluster analysis. Results According to UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS data, chemical structures of 28 coumarins in the fruits of C. monnieri were identified, including 19 simple coumarins, seven linear coumarins, and two angular coumarins. Among these constituents, ten coumarins were firstly identified in C. monnieri. In addition, hierarchical cluster analysis suggested that C. monnieri from different regions could be classified into four groups, and this clustering was correlated to the distribution significantly, Xuzhou could be regarded as the genuine producing area. Conclusion UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS is a viable method for qualitative analysis and quality evaluation of coumarins from the fruit of C. monnieri. Coumarins in C. monnieri exists intra-species variance, which indicates significant meaning for the quality control and choice of famous region drug for C. monnieri in the clinic medication.