RAPD Analysis of Germplasm Resources of Kudingcha Species in Oleaceae

The random amplified polymorphic DNA marker （RAPD） was applied to detect the genetic relationships and diversity among 21 germplasm materials of Kudingcha species in Oleaceae, which involved 8 species, i.e., Ligustrum robustum （Roxb.） Blume, L. henryi Hemsl., L. japonicum Thunb, L. japonicum Thunb. var. pubscens Koidz, L. lucidum Ait., L. pedunculare Rehd, Osmanthus masumuranus Hayata, and L. delavayanm Hariot. 20 RAPD primers selected were applied for the amplification on the 21 germplasm materials mentioned above. 427 bands were obtained, and the percentage of polymorphic bands （PPB） was 97.7%. The genetic similarity coefficients （GS） ranged from 0.1522 to 0.8322 with an average of 0.5466. There was a significant genetic difference among germplasm materials of Kudingcha species in Oleaceae, and UPGMA cluster based on the GS of RAPD could distinguish all test germplasm materials clearly and indicated the relationship of the 8 species mentioned above, all of which indicated that RAPD markers could be used for the studies of genetic diversity and relationship and classification of germplasm resources of Kudingcha species in Oleaceae. Analysis results of RAPD showed that L. japonicum Thunb. var. pubscens Koidz has closer genetic relationship with L. pedunculare Rehd and further genetic relationship with L. japonicum Thunb. among all tested species. The authors suggest that further research is needed to study whether L. japonicum Thunb. var. pubscens Koidz should be classified into a variata of L. japonicum Thunb, or should be considered as an independent species. The analysis results supported that L. pururascens Y. C. Yang should be combined into L. robustum （Roxb.） Blume.

The chromosome-level genome of double-petal phenotype jasmine provides insights into the biosynthesis of floral scent

Jasmine(Jasminum sambac Aiton)is a well-known cultivated plant species for its fragrant flowers used in the perfume industry and cosmetics.However,the genetic basis of its floral scent is largely unknown.In this study,using PacBio,Illumina,10×Genomics and highthroughput chromosome conformation capture(Hi-C)sequencing technologies,a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome for J.sambac was obtained,exploiting a double-petal phenotype cultivar‘Shuangbanmoli’(JSSB).The results showed that the final assembled genome of JSSB is 580.33 Mb in size(contig N50=1.05 Mb;scaffold N50=45.07 Mb)with a total of 39618 predicted protein-coding genes.Our analyses revealed that the JSSB genome has undergone an ancient whole-genome duplication(WGD)event at 91.68 million years ago(Mya).It was estimated that J.sambac diverged from the lineage leading to Olea europaea and Osmanthus fragrans about 28.8 Mya.On the basis of a combination of genomic,transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses,a range of floral scent volatiles and genes were identified involved in the benzenoid/phenylpropanoid and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways.The results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of its fragrance biosynthesis in jasmine.

Selection of quality markers of Jasminum amplexicaule based on its anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory activities: Effect-target affiliation-traceability-pharmacokinetics strategy

Objective:To investigate therapeutic mechanism in Jasminum amplexicaule(Oleaceae)and verify its main active component as quality control markers Methods:Established mouse models of diarrhea,intestinal angina,and inflammation were firstly used to select herb fractions with optimum efficacy,followed by an in vitro experiment to determine key targets associated with effects of J.amplexicaule extract.The selected fractions were isolated and purified,its components were identified,and the obtained compounds were verified for their effects on NF-κB and i NOS.Finally,effective compounds were administered to rats,their plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated,and quality markers(QMs)reflecting therapeutic activities of J.amplexicaule were confirmed.Results:Trichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions had significant anti-diarrheal,anti-inflammatory,and analgesic effects.The trichloromethane fraction also reduced BDNF,p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK,NF-κB p65,and p-NF-κB p65 levels in the ileum in a rhubarb-induced diarrhea mouse model.Additionally,it inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB transcription and nitric oxide(NO)production in RAW264.7 macrophages,which suppressed i NOS expression.Therefore,the trichloromethane fraction was further investigated.QMs candidate selection identified 17 compounds,and results of in-vitro therapeutic validation indicated that methyl caffeate and isochlorogenic acid B had the strongest anti-diarrheal,anti-inflammatory,and analgesic activities.After being validated by a UHPLC–MS-MS method,concentrations of these target compounds were accurately determined in the rat plasma and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.Cmax,tmax,and t1/2 were respectively 575.35 ng/mL(2.963 nmol/mL),0.5 h,and 0.45 h for methyl caffeate and 262.03 ng/m L(0.5034 nmol/mL),0.25 h,and 2.03 h for isochlorogenic acid B.Because these candidate compounds exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics,they were considered as QMs of J.amplexicaule.Conclusions:The present study accurately and effectively identified QMs of J.amplexicaule that act as indicators of efficacy and quality.

Two new phenethanol glycosides from Ligustrum robustum

Two new phenethanol glycosides,named ligurobustoside P（1）,ligurobustoside Q（2） have been isolated from the leaves of Ligustrum robustum,together with the known compound angoroside A（3） which was firstly isolated from this species.The structures of the two new phenethanol glycosides（1-2） were elucidated by a combination of high-resolution electron ionization mass spectrometry（HR-ESI-MS）,~1H NMR,^（13）C NMR,HMQC,and HMBC spectra for the first time.

Herbivory effects of Argopistes tsekooni, a chrysomelid beetle, on container-grown Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense

The impact ofArgopistes tsekooni Chen （Coleoptera： Chrysomelidae）, a herbivore, on Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Lout. （Scrophulariales： Oleaceae）, an invasive shrub in the United States, was studied in China. Five densities of adults were inoc- ulated into 3-year-old potted Chinese privet plants in cages under field conditions for 1 month. Plants exposed to high densities of adults were severely damaged and the aboveground portions of some were killed, while the survival rates of adult A. tsekooni were comparatively high. The amount of new growth of the main stem, the number of new leaves, and oven-dried biomass were significantly reduced by the combined feeding of larvae and adults. Above-ground plant mortality was 100% when plants were exposed to 24 and 30 adults/plant. In this study A. tsekooni had a significant negative impact on Chinese privet growing in pots, which suggests that it may be a promising candidate for biological control of Chinese privet in the field in North America.