Chemical Characteristics Combined with Bioactivity for Comprehensive Evaluation of Tumuxiang Based on HPLC-DAD and Multivariate Statistical Methods

Background: The dried roots of Inula helenium L.(IH) and Inula racemosa Hook f.(IR) are used commonly as folk medicine under the name of "tumuxiang(TMX)". Phenolic acid compounds and their derivatives, as main active constituents in IH and IR, exhibit prominent anti-inflammation effect.Objective: To develop a holistic method based on chemical characteristic and anti-inflammation effect for systematically evaluating the quality of twenty-seven TMX samples(including 18 IH samples and 9 IR samples) from different origins.Methods: HPLC fingerprints data of AL(Aucklandia lappa Decne.) whose dried root was similar with HR was added for classification analysis. The HPLC fingerprints of twenty-seven TMX samples and four AL samples were evaluated using hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and principle component analysis(PCA). The spectrum-efficacy model between HPLC fingerprints and anti-inflammatory activities was investigated by principal component regression(PCR) and partial least squares(PLS).Results: All samples were successfully divided into three main clusters and peaks 7, 9, 11, 22, 24 and 26 had a primary contribution to classify these medicinal herbs. The results were in accord with the appraisal results of herbs. The spectrum-efficacy relationship results indicated that citric acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid-β-D-glucopyranoside, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, 1,3-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid, tianshic acid and 3β-Hydroxypterondontic acid had main contribution to anti-inflammatory activities.Conclusion: This comprehensive strategy was successfully used for identification of IH, IR and AL, which provided a reliable and adequate theoretical basis for the bioactivity relevant quality standards and studying the material basis of anti-inflammatory effect of TMX.

Spatial variation assessment of groundwater quality using multivariate statistical analysis(Case Study:Fasa Plain,Iran)

Groundwater is considered as one of the most important sources for water supply in Iran.The Fasa Plain in Fars Province,Southern Iran is one of the major areas of wheat production using groundwater for irrigation.A large population also uses local groundwater for drinking purposes.Therefore,in this study,this plain was selected to assess the spatial variability of groundwater quality and also to identify main parameters affecting the water quality using multivariate statistical techniques such as Cluster Analysis(CA),Discriminant Analysis(DA),and Principal Component Analysis(PCA).Water quality data was monitored at 22 different wells,for five years(2009-2014)with 10 water quality parameters.By using cluster analysis,the sampling wells were grouped into two clusters with distinct water qualities at different locations.The Lasso Discriminant Analysis(LDA)technique was used to assess the spatial variability of water quality.Based on the results,all of the variables except sodium absorption ratio(SAR)are effective in the LDA model with all variables affording 92.80%correct assignation to discriminate between the clusters from the primary 10 variables.Principal component(PC)analysis and factor analysis reduced the complex data matrix into two main components,accounting for more than 95.93%of the total variance.The first PC contained the parameters of TH,Ca2+,and Mg2+.Therefore,the first dominant factor was hardness.In the second PC,Cl-,SAR,and Na+were the dominant parameters,which may indicate salinity.The originally acquired factors illustrate natural(existence of geological formations)and anthropogenic(improper disposal of domestic and agricultural wastes)factors which affect the groundwater quality.

Analysis of morphological characteristics of gravels based on digital image processing technology and self-organizing map

A comprehensive understanding of spatial distribution and clustering patterns of gravels is of great significance for ecological restoration and monitoring.However,traditional methods for studying gravels are low-efficiency and have many errors.This study researched the spatial distribution and cluster characteristics of gravels based on digital image processing technology combined with a self-organizing map(SOM)and multivariate statistical methods in the grassland of northern Tibetan Plateau.Moreover,the correlation of morphological parameters of gravels between different cluster groups and the environmental factors affecting gravel distribution were analyzed.The results showed that the morphological characteristics of gravels in northern region(cluster C)and southern region(cluster B)of the Tibetan Plateau were similar,with a low gravel coverage,small gravel diameter,and elongated shape.These regions were mainly distributed in high mountainous areas with large topographic relief.The central region(cluster A)has high coverage of gravels with a larger diameter,mainly distributed in high-altitude plains with smaller undulation.Principal component analysis(PCA)results showed that the gravel distribution of cluster A may be mainly affected by vegetation,while those in clusters B and C could be mainly affected by topography,climate,and soil.The study confirmed that the combination of digital image processing technology and SOM could effectively analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of gravels,providing a new mode for gravel research.