Relationship between age, size, fecundity and climatic factors in Panax wangianus an endangered medicinal plant in the sacred grove forest of North-East India

Panax wangianus （Syn. Panax pseudoginseng） S. C. Sun （Araliaceae） is a critically endangered, medicinal plant of North-East India. The objective of this study was to determine how plant size affects flowering phenology and to evaluate the effect of climatic factors on flowering, fruiting and seed production. Data on vegetative and repro- ductive characters were monitored from 2016 individuals of Panax wangianus population in Law Lyngdoh, Smit sacred grove in Nongkrem, Shillong, India. Leaflet area was measured by a planimeter. Size variables of both vegetative and reproductive traits in different age classes were measured. Climatic factors were recorded from 2007 to 2009. Age was recorded by counting the number of bud scale scars on the rhizome. Light intensity and relative humidity were measured using a photometer, LiCor Model LI-189 and thermohygrometer respectively. Different climatic variables are correlated with vegetative and reproductive phenological events. Statistical analysis revealed that a strong positive correlation was observed between the age versus vegetative and reproductive characters, except 1%–2% plants showed neoteny. Morphological variations were observed in natural conditions on the basis of the number of prong and carpellate conditions. Phenological status revealed that most of the individuals of the age class 35–50 years and above 50 years contributed the most to flowering, fruiting and seed production. Age class was significant to predict the size of the plant and its reproductive capacity. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation and relative humidity show synergistic effect on both the vegetative and reproductive phases in Panax wangianus in the undisturbed Nongkrem sacred grove. The color of flowers of P. wangianus also varied depending upon the sunlight intensity. Therefore, in the view of conservationand management, the age class of 35–50 years and above 50 years is the most important for population sustainability.

Comparing Ginsenoside Production in Leaves and Roots of Wild American Ginseng (<i>Panax quinquefolius</i>)

American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L., is an herbaceous perennial species that is destructively harvested for its bioactive compounds called ginsenosides. The demand for this herb fosters illegal poaching and over-harvesting that reduces genetic variability and population viability. Five wild populations in western North Carolina were studied to better understand the production of ginsenosides in leaf and root tissues. Total ginsenoside concentration was significantly higher in leaves than roots, though total yield was higher in roots due to greater root biomass. However, some ginsensosides (Rb2, Rd and Re) had higher or more consistent yields in leaves than roots, so might be developed into a sustainable source of these medicinally-active compounds. Additionally, we identified regional root chemotypes that differed in the production of the ginsenosides Rg1 and Re and could be developed into regional cultivars depending on the desired panel of ginsenosides.

Macropropagation and Production of Clonal Planting Materials of Panax pseudoginseng Wall.

Panax pseudoginseng Wall., a highly medicinal, herbaceous, long-lived plant, grows in the forest litter of shady primary forest. The species is threatened in the natural habitat due to unsustainable harvesting of rhizome for medicine and habitat destruction. The species has very poor adaptive power to the synthetic environment and fails to grow and propagate. Present study was undertaken to develop suitable low cost propagation technique and produce clonal planting materials through rhizome splitting and root cutting. Rhizomes and roots were cut into segments and sowed in the raised soil bed prepared by mixing decayed wood powder, sand and top black soil at 1:1:3 ratios in a shaded poly house. Of the sowed rhizome segments ~55% segments remained recalcitrant to morphogenetic response in the first year of the study and the response improved in the subsequent years. In the third year ~51% rhizome segments responded positively. The horizontal root cuts mostly remained morphogenetically dormant but inclined root cuts exhibited better response. The morphogenetic response from the roots was comparatively very poor compare to rhizome segments. The plantlets formed both rhizome segments and root cuttings were maintained for three years in the bed/pots followed by transferring in the cultivated plots.

Antibacterial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L.alone and in combination with cefuroxime against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Objective:To determine the antimicrobial activity of rosemary(Rosmarinus of ficinalis L.) and to investigate the synergistic effects of this extract combined with ceforuxime against methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).Methods:The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract,alone and in combination with cefuroxime,were studied.Results:The minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the range of 0.39-3.13 mg/mL.The minimum bactericidal concentrations(MBCs) were usually equal to or double that MICs.The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their synergistic effects against all MRSAs.Conclusions:The present work clearly demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of susceptibility toβ-lactams.

Antibacterial activity of Bixa orellana L.(achiote) against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis

Objective: To evaluate the cytotoxic and antibacterial effect of Bixa orellana L.(B. orellana)(achiote) methanol extract against Streptococcus mutans(ATCC 25175)(S. mutans) and Streptococcus sanguinis(ATCC 10556)(S. sanguinis).Methods: Two methanol extracts of B. orellana were prepared in vitro, from the seeds and leaves. The antibacterial activity of extracts against S. mutans and S. sanguinis was evaluated using the cup-plate agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) was determined using the microdilution method and the cytotoxic activity was determinated by using the cell line MDCK.Results: A stronger antibacterial effect was observed with the leaves methanolic extract with an inhibition zone of(19.97 ± 1.31) mm against S. mutans and(19.97 ± 1.26) mm against S. sanguinis. The methanolic extract of the seeds had an activity of(15.11 ± 1.03)mm and(16.15 ± 2.15) mm against S. mutans and S. sanguinis, respectively. The MIC of the leaf and the seed extracts against S. sanguinis was 62.5 and 125 mg/m L, respectively,and the MIC of the leaf extract against S. mutans was 62.5 mg/m L, and for the seed extract it was 31.25 mg/m L. The 50% cytotoxic concentration was 366.45 and 325.05 mg/m L for the leaves and seeds extracts, respectively.Conclusions: The experimental findings demonstrated the antibacterial effect of the methanolic extract of B. orellana(achiote) on S. mutans and S. sanguinis. The extract of this plant is cytotoxic at high concentrations.

Garlic:Medicinal Plant and Natural Aromatic Condiment

Objective:To relate the presence of active metabolites with therapeutic effects of the Allium sativum L whose common name is Garlic,as well as its contraindications and adverse reactions and its use as condiment.Methods:Searching about the topic in the last 5 years and present a general view of the Allium sativum L whose common name is Garlic.Conclusions:Technological prevision was based on the search of articles in the Virtual Library in Health(BVS)and using the key words“medicinal plants”/“spice”/Allium sativum L/garlic/adverse reactions and contraindications,and the association among them.

Antioxidant activity and phenol and flavonoid contents of eight medicinal plants from Western Nepal

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoids contents of selected medicinal plants form the Western region of Nepal.METHODS: The antioxidant activity of selected medicinal plants were determined by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity; total ferric ion reducing ability through spectroscopic analysis. The content of total phenols was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, whereas Aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for flavonoid determination.RESULTS: Extracts of Syzygium Operculatus(87%),Astilbe Rivularis(83%) and Mallotus Philippnensis(88%) showed significant free radical scavenging activity with effective concentration(EC50) close to that of ascorbic acid. Syzygium Operculatus(96%),Astilbe Rivularis(97%) and Mallotus Philippnensis(97%) had potent reducing power in concentration dependent fashion. Those plant extract with higher free radical scavenging and ferric reducing effect also showed the greater content of both phenols and flavonoids, suggesting the correlation between polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity. Those plant extracts which showed better antioxidant activity assays, also demonstrated higher total phenol and flavonoid contents. These three plants showed the presence of higher amount of phenols and flavonoids.CONCLUSION: This study may provide the scientific basis for the traditional use of those plants and may provide valuable idea for further research.

Bongardia chrysogonum(L.)Spach:a valuable source for nutraceutical and pharmacological industries

Background:Bongardia chrysogonum(L.)Spach,also known as“Uruf-el-Deek”,has been used by rural communities for the treatment of various diseases and disorders,owing to its wide array of secondary metabolite compositions.Methods:The current study was conducted to determine the total polyphenolic content of Bongardia chrysogonum(L.)Spach as well as its potential free radical scavenging and metal-chelating antioxidant capacities.Its leaves,stems,and tubers were separately extracted using ethanol,water,and chloroform;their antioxidant activities were analyzed using in vitro models,including DPPH,ABTS,FRAP,and CUPRAC assays.The total polyphenolic content of the extracts was spectrophotometrically measured.Results:The richest polyphenolic content of the extracts was yielded by tuber chloroform and leaf ethanol extraction(215.09±0.53 mg/g extract as gallic acid equivalent and 240.74±1.12 mg/g extract as quercetin equivalent,respectively).Almost all of the tested extracts exhibited remarkable antioxidant activities,with the highest antioxidant capacity observed in the leaf extracts.On the other hand,the tuber ethanol extract demonstrated the weakest DPPH radical scavenging activity(%inhibition=49.75±0.38,P<0.01),while the tuber chloroform extract showed the weakest ABTS radical scavenging activity(%inhibition=62.61±0.06,P<0.05).These were closely followed by the tuber water extract(%inhibition=63.28±0.65,P<0.01).In terms of their FRAP and CUPRAC assays,the leaf ethanol extract was determined as the best one,with absorbance values of 3.64±0.01 and 2.22±0.01(P<0.01),respectively.Conclusion:Bongardia chrysogonum(L.)Spach possesses rich polyphenolic content and strong antioxidant activities.Thus,it could be a valuable source for the pharmaceutical industry in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.

抚松县人参、西洋参2021年生产调查分析与发展建议

目的:分析2021年抚松县人参、西洋参,以及其他中小药材种植面积、产量情况,明确人参、西洋参产业家底,更好地服务于抚松县人参、西洋参为主体的中药材产业布局规划。方法:通过整理各乡镇的药材生产数据,分析抚松县园参、林下参、西洋参的总面积及其不同生长年限的面积数据,以及五味子等中小生产数据详情,结合地理信息系统对抚松县各乡镇人参、西洋参、中小药材的面积进行空间自相关性分析。结果:2021年抚松县中药材面积:园参在地面积为1.5万亩(1亩≈666.67 m^(2)),西洋参在地面积为0.18万亩,林下参在地面积为2.7万亩,中小药材种植面积为0.53万亩。抚松县2021年度药材总产量为5736 t(鲜品),其中园参2941 t、西洋参428 t、中小药材2369 t。西洋参种植面积分布呈现空间聚集特征。根据留存面积,预测抚松县未来1~3年内,园参每年可采收面积在1000亩以上,其中2024年可采收面积在5000亩以上;抚松县15年以上的林下参面积在2021年已超过万亩。预测抚松县西洋参2023年可采收面积为500多亩,2024可采收面积为450亩,2025年可采收面积为300多亩。结论:明确了园参、林下参、西洋参生产统计指标。抚松县不同乡镇中药材种植品种的侧重点不同,万良镇园参种植面积最大,沿江乡林下参种植面积最大,兴参镇西洋参种植面积最大,抽水乡五味子种植面积最大,泉阳镇中小药材种植面积最大。各乡镇依据自身特点发展中药材,以人参为代表的抚松县中药材产业发展态势良好。

人参属中药材重金属残留研究进展

三七、人参和西洋参是人参属名贵中药材,但均存在不同程度的重金属超标问题。为了解3种人参属中药材重金属超标情况及种间差异,以《中华人民共和国药典》 2020年版对重金属的限量值为评判标准,分析了三七、人参和西洋参研究文献报道中的铜、铅、砷、镉、汞5种重金属的数据。结果表明,三七中铜、铅、砷、镉、汞的超标率分别为1.04%、1.65%、9.98%、1.58%、1.03%;人参中汞、砷超标率分别为7.4%、0.23%;西洋参中汞超标率为1.86%。目前,3种药材的研究多聚焦于重金属的含量检测,重金属的消减措施研究较少,今后应加强重金属残留的安全风险评估研究,根据药材的植物学特征和区域土壤重金属特征制定更加科学的限量标准,以增强含重金属中药材的安全。

基于多元素快速筛查西洋参中毒性元素的非致癌性与致癌性风险评估

目的采用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法对西洋参中多种重金属及毒性元素进行半定量快速筛查,并进行风险评估。方法西洋参药材经微波消解前处理后,采用ICP-MS半定量测定方式,选择扫描全谱范围内所有元素,测定重金属及毒性元素。按照风险评估的基本步骤,对其中的Al、As、Cu、Pb、Mn、Ni、Cd的风险进行确定性评估。结果西洋参中的Pb、Cd、As、Hg、Cu的残留量均低于现行药典限定范围。多元素测定结果表明,西洋参中Fe、Mn的含量最高(含量范围分别为29.27~140.17 mg·kg^(-1)和33.01~87.46 mg·kg^(-1));Zn的含量其次(含量范围为8.27~22.72mg·kg^(-1));Se(含量≤0.43 mg·kg^(-1))、Sn的含量再次(含量范围为0.01~0.18 mg·kg^(-1))。风险评估结果表明,西洋参中重金属及毒性元素的日暴露量遵从规律Mn>Al>Cu>Ni>Cd>Pb>As。西洋参中Al、As、Cu、Pb、Mn、Ni、Cd的非致癌性风险可被接受,其中As和Pb的致癌性风险亦可被接受。结论建立半定量分析方法与风险评估技术相结合,能够快速确定西洋参中有害目标元素的浓度范围及风险情况,为有效应对中药药害事故提供技术储备。

水杨酸对干旱胁迫下西洋参不定根生化指标和药用成分含量及相关基因表达的影响

为探讨西洋参不定根对干旱胁迫的应答机制及外源水杨酸(SA)对西洋参不定根抗旱性的影响,本研究使用质量分数为10%的PEG-6000模拟干旱胁迫预处理,然后添加不同浓度(0,10,40,80μmol/L)的外源SA,分别在处理2、4、6、8 d时检测西洋参不定根中抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含量以及药用成分总黄酮、总皂苷、单体皂苷Rb1和Re的积累量,并检测人参皂苷生物合成途径中相关合成和调控基因的表达量。结果显示:(1)西洋参不定根中过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性以及游离脯氨酸含量均在80μmol/L SA处理4 d时出现峰值,而丙二醛(MDA)含量在40μmol/L SA处理4 d时达到峰值。(2)西洋参不定根中总黄酮的含量在80μmol/L SA处理6 d时达到最大值,总皂苷和单体皂苷Re含量在40μmol/L SA处理8 d时达到最大值,单体皂苷Rb1含量在40μmol/L的SA处理6 d时达到最大值。(3)Pq-HMGR和Pq-DS基因表达量在40μmol/L SA处理2 d时提高了3倍以上,Pq-CYP6H、Pq-D12H、Pq-3-O-UGT1和Pq-bHLH25基因表达量在40μmol/L SA处理后提高了1倍以上。研究表明,适宜浓度的外源SA可以有效改善西洋参不定根在干旱胁迫环境下的生理生化指标,提高相关基因的表达量,从而提高其抗旱能力和药用成分含量。

濒危药用植物竹节参种子形态特征与萌发特性研究

[目的]探索竹节参种子的休眠特性,研究能够促进其种子萌发的有效方法。[方法]通过测定竹节参种子的千粒重、含水量、生活力以及不同浓度激素处理下种子的萌发率、根长和茎长,为竹节参高效繁育提供理论和技术支撑。[结果]竹节参在鲜果成熟时,种胚处于球形胚阶段,发育不完全,种子具有休眠特性。种子形态休眠自然解除需180 d,湿沙储藏能够有效促进竹节参种子完成“胚后熟”过程,加快种子萌发。竹节参种子籽粒饱满,含水量为54.64%,生活力为85.12%,250 mg/L GA3可有效提高竹节参种子的萌发率,该处理下竹节参茎长的平均值达到54 mm,其次是150mg/L IAA和25 mg/L 6-BA处理,茎长度分别为23 mm和20 mm。[结论]在竹节参种子繁育过程中,湿沙储藏结合250mg/L GA3浸种处理可有效提高种子发芽率,使出苗更加整齐,可作为竹节参高效繁育的重要手段。

甘肃省悬钩子属药用植物资源

对甘肃省悬钩子属药用植物的资源分布、化学成分、药理作用及在医药、食品等方面的应用进行综述 ,并提出了 8种具有较大开发潜力的野生悬钩子 ,为该属植物的开发利用提供科学依据。

植物药材总DNA提取

目的 为获得高质量的 DNA,研究木质部较发达的根、根茎类以及茎木类药材的 DNA提取方法。方法 总 DNA的提取过程包括用 Tris缓冲液洗净、CTAB抽提和纯化。结果 对升麻、木、木香、乌药、芍药和木通等进行了 DNA提取 ,能较好的去除色素、多糖等干扰 PCR物质。结论 本法使用常用试剂 ,成本低 ,易于推广 ,为药材

国产缬草属4种药用植物镇静催眠作用的比较研究

目的研究比较国产缬草属4种药用植物的镇静催眠活性。方法通过观察其乙醇提取物对小鼠自主活动及戊巴比妥钠诱导小鼠睡眠时间的影响来评价其镇静催眠活性。结果中国缬草、宽叶缬草、蜘蛛香、黑水缬草均具有镇静催眠活性,以宽叶缬草和蜘蛛香活性较强。结论宽叶缬草及蜘蛛香药用植物等在镇静催眠方面具有开发利用潜力。

薏苡研究的新进展

就近10年来对薏苡的最新研究现状作一综述,简要分析主要存在的问题,并展望薏苡的发展前景,为进一步开发和利用薏苡提供参考。

黔产药用植物泽漆中化学成分及其抗肿瘤活性研究

目的:对黔产药用植物泽漆Euphorbia helioscopia L.中的化学成分以及其体外抗肿瘤作用进行研究。方法:应用正、反相硅胶(RP-18型)柱层析;葡聚糖凝胶(Sephadex LH-20型)柱层析,结合重结晶方法进行分离纯化,运用1H-NMR、13C-NMR、ESI-MS和EI-MS等现代波谱技术对化合物的结构进行鉴定;采用磺酰罗丹明蛋白染色法对部分化学成分进行体外抗肿瘤活性的测试。结果:从黔产药用植物泽漆乙醇提取物中分离纯化了9个化合物,分别鉴定为:euphohelioscopin A(1)、euphoscopin(2)、9,19-cyclolanost-23E-ene-3,25-diol(3)、euphoscopin C(4)、euphornin A(5)、euphoheliosnoid A(6)、ent-kaurane-3-oxo-16β,17-diol(7)、9,19-cyclolanost-25-ene-3β,22-diol(8)和helioscopinolide A(9);化合物9对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7的增殖有一定的抑制作用。结论:其中,化合物3、7、8和9为首次从泽漆中分离得到,化合物9具有潜在的抗肿瘤活性。