Ultrastructural Study of Secondary Wall Formation in the Stem Fiber of Phyllostachys pubescens

Ultrastructural changes in secondary wall formation of Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel fiber were investigated with transmission electron microscopy. Fiber developed initially with the elongation of cells containing ribosomes, mitochondria and Golgi bodies in the dense cytoplasm. During the wall thickening, the number of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies increased apparently. There were two kinds of Golgi vesicles, together with the ones from endoplasmic reticulum formed transport vesicles. Many microtubules were arranged parallel to the long axis of the cell adjacent to the plasmalemma. Along with the further development of fiber, polylamellate structure of the secondary wall appeared, with concurrent agglutination of chromatin in the nucleus, swelling and disintegration of organelles, while cortical microtubules were still arranged neatly against the inner side of plasmalemma. Lomasomes could be observed between the wall and plasmalemma. The results indicated that the organelles, such as Golgi bodies together with small vesicles, rough endoplasmic reticulum and lomasomes, played the key role in the thickening and lignification of the secondary wall of bamboo fiber, though cortical microtubules were correlative with the process as well.

Research Progress in Cultivation and Pharmaceutical Chemicals of Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var. pubescens

Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var. pubescens are rare timber species. In China, Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var. pubescens distribute sporadical y with smal popuIation size but have huge deveIopment potential. The paper reviewed the research progress of their seedIing breeding, nutrient characteristics, fertiIization technoIogy, afforestation design, timber utiIization, chemistry and pharmacoIogy, and then Iooked into the future research and utiIization of Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var. pubescens.

Accumulation Characteristics of Cd in Polygonum pubescens Bl

[Objective] The research aimed to study the response and accumulation characteristics of Cd in Polygonum pubescens Bl.[Method] Taking Hoagland nutritional solution as the culture substrate,eight kinds of Cd concentrations （0,25,50,100,200,500,800,1 000 mg/L） were set up.[Result] Under low concentrations of Cd （25 and 50 mg/L）,the biomass of P.pubescens had no significant difference with CK （P0.05）.Under all the test concentrations of Cd,Cd content in the roots and shoots of P.pubescens exceeded 100 mg/kg and the enrichment coefficients of Cd were over 1.With the increasing of Cd concentration,Cd content and Cd accumulation amount in P.pubescens increased significantly.When Cd concentration exceeded 50 mg/L,translocation capacity coefficient was greater than 1.[Conclusion] Polygonum pubescens has high tolerance and accumulation capacity of Cd,and it may has some potential on the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

Study on Species and Behaviors of Flowervisiting Insects on Mussaenda pubescens

[Objective] This study aimed to understand the species and behaviors of flower-visiting insects on Mussaenda pubescens Ait.f.in the Mount Emei National Nature Reserve.[Method] The species,visiting frequency,visiting time and behaviors of flower-visiting insects on M.pubescens were studied by collection,identification and image capture.[Result] The flower-visiting insects on M.pubescens in the Mount Emei covered total 26 species with 21 species from Lepidoptera,2 species from Hymenoptera,and 3 species from Diptera.Thus,Lepidoptera were the main group of pollinators for c in the Mount Emei National Nature Reserve.The daily activity rhythms of Lepidoptera,Hymenoptera and Diptera showed different characteristics,and they were characterized by single-peak type and double-peak type.[Conclusion] This study will provide certain theoretical basis for studies on the diversity of flower-visiting insects on plants in the Mount Emei National Nature Reserve.

Measurement of Water Content in Different Organs of Phyllostachys pubescens

The height growth of bamboo in 2008 and 2009 as well as the water contents of bamboo stump,leaves,straw,and rhizome in 2009 were measured at the Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve.The results revealed that the relationship between the height growth（Pn）and growth time（t）showed S-shaped curve in the two years;the water contents of bamboo stump,leaf,straw,rhizome and bamboo shoot were 0.50-2.31,0.46-1.8,0.50-1.38,0.56-1.58 and 0.89-8.96,respectively.Among them,the water content of bamboo shoot was the highest and noticeable changed,followed by bamboo stump,leaves,rhizome and straw in order.The water contents of the underground and aboveground parts respectively were 0.34-0.62 and 0.33-0.57.

Research on Genetic Physiological Ecology of Precious Species: Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var. pubescens

Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var. pubescens are timber species of national second-class protective plants. In China, Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var.pubescens distribute sporadically with small population size but with great development potential. Plus selection on phenotype of Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var.pubescens, molecular genetic marker of Toona ciliata var. pubescens, research progress in physiology and ecology of Toona ciliata and Toona ciliata var.pubescens were summarized in this paper. Suggestions and prospect forecast were proposed for relative research and utilization.

New diterpenoid glucosides from Siegesbeckia pubescens

Five new diterpenoids isolated from Siegesbeckia pubescens, pubesides A similar toE, were established as ent-2 alpha ,15,16-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-2-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside (1), ent-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside (2), beta -D-glucopyranosyl-ent-15,16-dihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-oiclate (3), ent-2-oxo-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-O-beta -D-gluco-pyranoside (4), ent-2-oxo-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside-15,16-acetonide (5) by 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of hexane extract of Morinda pubescens leaves in human liver cancer cell line

Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of hexane extract of Morinda pubescens leaves and to find the primary bioactive compound responsible for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.Methods:The individual compounds were isolated using column chromatography and were characterized by spectroscopic techniques.The antioxidant activity was evaluated for all individual isolated compounds by DPPH method using L-Ascorbic acid as standard and cytotoxicity was assessed for the extract and the hyoscyamine by MTT assay, caspase test and RT-PCR study.Results:The antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds and the extract increased as the concentration increased.One of the isolated compound hyoscyamine showed the high antioxidant activity.The extract and the hyoscyamine dose-dependently decreased the cell viability in HepG2 cells.Hyoscyamine induced caspase-3 mediated apoptosis. Up regulation of p53 gene expression provides cue for apoptotic activity of hyoscyamine. Conclusions:The results indicate that hexane extract possessed potent antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and hyoscyamine is the principal bioactive compound in hexane extract.

Effect of the Interference Instant of Zeolite HY Catalyst on the Pyrolysis of Pubescens

A laboratory reactor was designed to test the effect of the interference instant of HY on the pyrolysis of pubescens.The time instant for intermediate species from pyrolysis to contact HY was controlled by varying the position of the catalyst bed relative to the pyrolytic cell.It was found that the effect of the interference instant was significant on the variation of different intermediate species,and the yield and quality of the products.The results also showed that,with the increase in the distance between the pyrolytic cell and the catalyst bed,the yield of liquid and relative content of the organics such as aldehyde,phenols,etc.,decreased,while the yield of residue and relative content of acetic acid increased.The deoxygenation of the intermediate species was favored when the catalyst exerted its performance on them immediately after their formation.

A new lignan derivative from the root of Ilex pubescens

One new compound, ilexlignan A （1）, was isolated from the root of llex pubescens. Its structure was elucidated by the combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR analysis, mass spectrometry, CD spectrum measurement and chemical evidence.

Culm form analysis for bamboo, Phyllostachys pubescens

We investigated the culm form for one of the largest bamboo species, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houz. in relation to the me- chanical constraint principles, i.e., elastic, stress and geometric similarity. The fine-resolution analysis of the culm taper indicated that the culm for P. pubescens consisted of three or four segments with various forms, except for the butt swell. This implied that the taper of the whole culm for P. pubescens could be expressed by neither of these principles. The regression slope between culm height and diameter at breast height on the double logarithmic coordinates was 0.629, which was significantly different from the values predicted from these principles. In conclusion, none of these mechanical constraint principles can express the culm taper and height-diameter relationship, and there may be a need for a more complicated model to express the culm form for P. pubescens.

A new angelol-type coumarin glucoside from Angelica pubescens

A new angelol-type coumarin glucoside, 6-[（1R,2R）-1, 2-dihydroxy-3-β-D-glucosyloxy-3-methylbutyl]-7-methoxycoumarin, was isolated from the roots of Angelica pubescens. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.

Essential Oil from Siegesbeckia pubescens Induces Apoptosis through the Mitochondrial Pathway in Human HepG2 Cells

Siegesbeckia pubescens（SP） has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of and inflammatory diseases. However, the activities of SP against hepatocellular carcinoma and the related mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the essential oil of SP（SPEO） on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the possible mechanisms. The growth inhibition of Hep G2 cells was analyzed by MTT assay. Hoechst 33258 and fluorescence microscopy were utilized to observe the nuclear morphological changes of apoptotic cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle. The expressions of the target proteins were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that SPEO obviously inhibited the proliferation of Hep G2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. SPEO activated a series of apoptotic proteins in Hep G2 cells, increasing expression levels of Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreasing the bcl-2 expression level. SPEO displayed promising anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities in vitro, partly by inducing apoptosis in Hep G2 cells through activating the mitochondrial pathway.

Repression of Polyol Pathway Activity by Hemidesmus indicus var.pubescens R.Br.Linn Root Extract,an Aldose Reductase Inhibitor:An In Silico and Ex Vivo Study

Development of diabetic cataract is mainly associated with the accumulation of sorbitol via the polyol pathway through the action of Aldose reductase(AR).Hence,AR inhibitors are considered as potential agents in the management of diabetic cataract.This study explored the AR inhibition potential of Hemidesmus indicus var.pubescens root extract by in silico and ex vivo methods.Molecular docking studies(Auto Dock tool)betweenβ-sitosterol,hemidesminine,hemidesmin-1,hemidesmin-2,and AR showed thatβ-sitosterol(−10.2 kcal/mol)and hemidesmin-2(−8.07 kcal/mol)had the strongest affinity to AR enzyme.Ex vivo studies were performed by incubating isolated goat lenses in artificial aqueous humor using galactose(55 mM)as cataract inducing agent at room temperature(pH 7.8)for 72 h.After treatment with Vitamin E acetate−100μg/mL(standard)and test extract(500 and 1000μg/mL)separately,the estimation of biochemical markers showed inhibition of lens AR activity and decreased sorbitol levels.Additionally,extract also normalized the levels of antioxidant markers like SOD,CAT,GSH.Our results showed evidence that H.indicus var.pubescens root was able to prevent cataract by prevention of opacification and formation of polyols that underlines its potential as a possible therapeutic agent against diabetic complications.

Determination of Chlorogenic Acid in Stems of Mussaenda pubescens Ait.f.by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

[Objectives] This study was conducted to establish a method for determination of chlorogenic acid in Mussaenda pubescens Ait.f.[Methods]HPLC used SHISEIDO C_(18) MG Ⅱ column( 5 μm,4.6 mml.D.× 250 mm) as chromatographic column and acetonitrile-0.4% phosphoric acid solution( 9∶91) as mobile phase.The separation was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and a column temperature of 30 ℃,and the detection wavelength was set at 327 nm.[Results]Chlorogenic acid had a good linear relation in the range of 0.254 7-2.547 5 μg( R2= 0.999 9).The recovery rate was 97.8%,RSD = 1.82%( n = 9).[Conclusions]The content of chlorogenic acid in M.pubescens was determined by ultrasonic extraction and HPLC.The method was simple,stable and reliable and could be used for the quality control of M.pubescens.

TWO NEW COUMARINS FROM ANGELICA PUBESCENS F.BISERRTA

Two new coumarins,4'-hydroxycolumbianetin named angelidiol(A)and 6- [(?)(R),2(S)-3-trihydroxy-3-methylbutyl]-7-methoxycoumarin named angelitriol(B),were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the 80% EtOH extract and structurally eluciated on the basis of spectral analyses.

Room temperature pretreatment of pubescens by AlCl_3 aqueous solution

Room temperature(about 16°C)pretreatment of pubescens by Al Cl_3aqueous solution with different concentrations was studied.In the presence of 20 wt%Al Cl_3for pretreatment within 24 h,the degradation of hemicellulose reached 19.5 wt%without obvious degradation of cellulose and lignin(2.7 wt%and2.4 wt%,respectively).The extracted hemicellulose from pubescens could be divided into two parts,i.e.,small molecular weight products(saccharides and carboxylic acid,which occupy approximately 28.2%)and oligomers(approximately 71.8%).Low concentration of AlCl_3(<10 wt%)slightly promoted the formation of oligomers with molecular weight in the range of 200–1000 Da,while high concentration of Al Cl_3(10–20 wt%)promoted the formation of oligomers in the molecular weight range above 20,000 Da.The conversion of hemicellulose with acceptable selectivity resulted in the cleavage of bond between hemicellulose and lignin yielding three classical Lignin-Carbohydrate complexes.

Construction of Biomass Model of Phylloctachys pubescens Forest in Hunan

To accurately calculate carbon fixation capacity of P.pubescens forest in Hunan Province and promote the balanced and stable development of P.pubescens forestry in Hunan Province,standard sample plot was set in major producing area of P.pubescens in Hunan Province,and biomass of 258 P.pubescens was measured according to DBH and age class.Multivariate regression method was used to establish univariate (DBH as independent variable) and bivariate (DBH and age class as independent variables) models of total aboveground biomass and organ biomass of P.pubescens .Model evaluation and test showed that each model accorded with the applicable precision and had the appropriate prediction level.

A review of the ethnobotanical value,phytochemistry,and pharmacology of Physalis pubescens L.

Physalis pubescens L.(P.pubescens)was widely used for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases,such as sore throat,aphonia,phlegm,heat,and cough in folk medicine.The fruits of P.pubescens are commonly consumed as fruit in many areas of the world.In the past few decades,the phytochemistry and pharmacology of P.pubescens were extensively investigated.About 170 chemical constituents were purified from P.pubescens.The extract and chemical constituents of P.pubescens demonstrate diverse pharmacological effects,including anti-oxidation,anti-inflammation,anticancer,antimicrobial activity,immunomodulation,diuretic effect,hypoglycemic,and hypolipidemic in vitro and in vivo.Herein,we systematically summarized the ethnomedicinal uses,botanical characterization,distribution,phytochemistry,and pharmacology of P.pubescens,and establish the correlation between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects.

Effects of Canopy Closure on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Ilex latifolia Thunb.in Phyllostachys pubescens Forests

Plantation under the forest is a good way of agroforestry,but the canopy closure has a great influence on understory herbs’growth.In the study,different canopy closures of Phyllostachys pubescens forests were set up to explore its influence on the growth of Ilex latifolia Thunb.The photosynthetic characteristics of Ilex latifolia leaves under different canopy closures were determined by Li-6400 portable photosynthetic system.The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate curve of Ilex latifolia leaves of T1(canopy closure of 0.56)was bimodal with an obvious"midday depression"phenomenon,while the net photosynthetic rate curves of T2(canopy closure of 0.72)and T3(canopy closure of 0.86)were unimodal.The results of light response curve showed that the photosynthetically active radiation and transpiration rate reduced with the increasing of canopy closures.The photosynthetically active radiation,transpiration rate,stomatal conductance,and net photosynthetic rate of Ilex latifolia leaves of T2 were higher than those of T3.Although the net photosynthetic rate of T2 was lower than that of T1,it had no obvious photo-inhibition which affected plant growth.Overall,the canopy closure of 0.72 was more suitable for the growth of Ilex latifolia.The herb plantation in the bamboo forest should be considered with the canopy closure for a better growth.