Influence of vegetation parameters on runoff and sediment characteristics in patterned Artemisia capillaris plots

Vegetation patterns are important in the regulation of earth surface hydrological processes in arid and semi-arid areas. Laboratory-simulated rainfall experiments were used at the State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Yangling, northwestern China, to quantify the effects of Artemisia capillaris patterns on runoff and soil loss. The quantitative relationships between runoff/sediment yield and vegetation parameters were also thoroughly analyzed using the path analysis method for identifying the reduction mechanism of vegetation on soil erosion. A simulated rainfall intensity of 90 mm/h was applied on a control plot without vegetation （Co） and on the other three different vegetation distribution patterns： a checkerboard pattern （CP）, a banded pattern perpendicular to the slope direction （BP）, and a single long strip parallel to the slope direction （LP）. Each patterned plot received two sets of experiments, i.e. intact plants and roots only, respectively. All treatments had three replicates. The results showed that all the three other different patterns （CP, BP and LP） of A. capillaris could effectively reduce the runoff and sediment yield. Compared with Co, the other three intact plant plots had a 12%-25% less runoff and 58%-92% less sediment. Roots contributed more to sediment reduction （46%-70%）, whereas shoots contributed more to runoff reduction （57%-81%）. BP and CP exhibited preferable controlling effects on soil erosion compared with LP. Path analysis indicated that root length density and plant number were key parameters influencing runoff rate, while root surface area density and root weight density were central indicators affecting sediment rate. The results indicated that an appropriate increase of sowing density has practical significance in conserving soil and water.

An Experiment on Standardized Cell Culture Assay in Assessing the Activities of Composite Artemisia Capillaris Tablets against Hepatitis B Virus Replication in vitro

Objective: To explore the activities of Composite Artemisia Capillaris Tablet (复方茵陈片, CACT) against hepatitis B virus replication in vitro . Methods: By means of radioimmunoassay (RIA), Dot blot and Southern blot, the surface and e antigen production of 2.2.15 cells, HBV DNA in 2.2.15 cell culture medium and that in 2.2.15 cells were examined respectively. Results: HBsAg, HBeAg values of 2.2.15 cells treated by CACT were lower than those of the control, the HBV DNA quantities in culture medium and in 2.2.15 cells decreased as compared with those cells with no treatment by CACT given to them. Conclusion: CACT could inhibit HBV DNA replication, showing its potential antiviral activity in hepatitis B treatment.

Rapid chemome profiling of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. using direct infusion-mass spectrometry

Background:As one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)for the treatment of various liver diseases,virgate wormwood herb(Artemisia capillaris Thunb.)has a long application history in TCM practices.It has been well established that the chemical composition is responsible for the pronounced therapeutic spectrum of A.capillaris.Although they are comprehensive,the time-intensive liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry(LCeMS/MS)assays cannot fully satisfy the analytical measurement workload from many test samples.Direct infusion-MS/MS(DIeMS/MS)may be the optimal choice to achieve high-throughput analysis if the mass spectrometer can universally record MS2 spectra.Methods:According to the application of gas phase ion fractionation concept,the MS/MSALL program enables to gain MS2 spectrum for each nominal m/z value with a data-independent acquisition algorithm via segmenting the entire MS1 ion cohort into sequential ion pieces with 1 Da width,when sufficient measurement time is allowed by DI approach.Here,rapid clarification of the chemical composition was attempted for A.capillaris using DIeMS/MSALL.A.capillaris extract was imported directly into the electrospray ionization interface to obtain the MS/MSALL measurement.After the MS1-MS2 dataset was well organized,we focused on structural characterization through retrieving information from the available databases and literature.Results:Twenty-six compounds were found,including 12 caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives,7 flavonoids,and 7 compounds belonging to other chemical families.Among them,24 ones were structurally identified.Compared with the LCeMS/MS technique,DIeMS/MSALL has the advantages of low-costing,solvent-saving,and time-saving.Conclusions:Chemical profiling of A.capillaris extract was accomplished within 5 min by DIeMS/MSALL,and this technique can be an alternative choice for chemical profile characterization of TCMs due to its extraordinary high-throughput advantage.

Study on polymorphism ofArtemisia capillaris by using RAPD for Terengganu population in Malaysia

Artemisia capillaris is a herbaceous aromatic and therapeutic plant. The genetic variability among individuals of Artemisia capillaris from state of Terengganu, Malaysia was examined by using the random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） technique to assess the polymorphism at the species level, The samples from differences regional in Terengganu State. The genomic DNA was extracted from the samples leaves using Sarkosyl method. The results produced by the machine showed clear RAPD banding pattern. Fifty-seven oligonucleotide primers were screened and five primers were selected （OPA 04, OPA 09, OPA 16, OPA 17 and OPA 18） to amplify DNA from five samples of Artemisia capillaris from State of Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 135 RAPD fragments （RAPDs） with all polymorphic fragments （100%） with size ranging from 250--3000 bp were scored from the population. Genetic distance for samples ranges from 0.0000 to 0.320000. For similarity index samples ranges from 0.0000 to 0.7547.

STUDY OF THE MECHANISM OF ARTEMISINE CAPILLARIES AND RADIX CURCUMAE PREVENTING GALLSTONE FORMATION INDUCED BY HIGH CHOLESTEROL DIET IN GUINEA PIGS

To study the effect of chinese herbal medicine preventing gallstone formation, morphology of livers and gallbladders as well as conjugated bile acids of the bile. 58 female guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups. The control group was fed on normal diet; the lithogenous groups was high cholesterol diet (HCD) and the antilithic group was high cholesterol and the chinese herbal medicine capsule (13 5 g/kg). 8 weeks later the guinea pigs were killed. Liver and gallbladder were removed for light and electroscope observation. Gallbladder bile were withdrawn and gallbladder were collected. The minute construction of gallstones were observed by scanning electron microscope and gallstone components were quantified by Fourier Transform Infrand Spectros Copy (FT IR). The morphology of liver and gallbladder were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Conjugated bile acid of biles were determined by Thin layer Chromatograph. The effect of chinese herbal medicine preventing gallstone formation, morphololgy of livers and gallbladders as well as conjugated bile acids of the bile were also observed. We measured conjugated bile acids in all groups and found that decreased in lithogenic group and increased notably in antilithic group (P<0 01) . The gallstone formation rate was 100% when the animals were fed on HCD in lithogenic group. The rate decreased to 5 3% when the animals were fed on HCD and Chinese herbal medicine capsule inantilithic group. It indicates that changes in diet is an important factor in the process of gallstone formation and the chinese herbal medicine can prevent gallstone formation effectively.