Comparative analysis of essential oils found in Rhizomes Curcumae and Radix Curcumae by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A comparison of the volatile compounds in Rhizomes Curcumae （Ezhu） and Radix Curcumae （Yujin） was undertaken using gas chromatography mass spectrometi-y （GC-MS）. Ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes, namely, α-pinene, β-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and curdione, in Ezhu and Yunjin. Good linearity （r〉0.999） and high inter-day precision were observed over the investigated concentration ranges. The validated method was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes in Ezhu and Yujin. The quantitative method can be effectively used to evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese curcuma in clinical use.

Evaluation of the Nutritional Status and Phytomedicinal Properties of Dried Rhizomes of Turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and has long been used traditionally for centuries as a spice and medicinal elixir. Hence, the present study aimed to profile the nutritional and phytomedicinal properties of the plant in order to justify its relevance in traditional phytomedicine and advocate its application in novel pharmacological products. Using standard methods (High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry), the dried rhizomes were washed, pulverized and ethanol extracts subjected to proximate, phytochemical, vitamins, amino acid and mineral determinations. Data obtained were analyzed using student’s t-test in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21. Determined proximate indices indicated moisture content of 9.55%, carbohydrate (57.30%), ash (24.70%), crude fiber (1.12%), proteins (2.15%) and fat (5.32%). Mineral composition analyses showed that C. longa rhizomes had higher contents of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in parts per million (ppm) at 38.68 ± 0.114, 19.75 ± 0.001, 9.20 ± 0.002 and 7.06 ± 0.014 respectively. Amino acid profile revealed the presence of both essential and non-essential types with aspartate and glutamate in higher contents at 9.78 g/100 g and 9.65 g/100 g, respectively. Findings showed also the presence of vitamins A, C and D at 254.5 ± 2.19 mg/kg, 19.47 ± 0.16 mg/kg and 10.92 ± 0.92 mg/kg, respectively. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of phenolic compounds with high retention times. This study thus revealed that C. longa possesses various nutritional and pharmacological/medicinal components in considerable quantities and can provide the body with basic nutrients for its therapeutic needs as well as secondary compounds with tremendous phytomedicinal potentials.

Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Rhizomes Essential Oil on Some Reproductive Parameters in Laying Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

To assess the effect of ginger rhizomes essential oil on some reproductive parameters of laying birds, 80 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged 3 weeks and weighing between 120 - 130 g were randomly assigned into 4 dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. From 3 till 13 weeks, birds in group 1 (control) received distilled water orally (100 μl/kg body weight), while the other three test groups during the same period, received respectively by gavage 50, 100 and 150 μl of ginger roots essential oil per kg body weight. At 11 weeks old, eight birds per group in each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered, blood samples collected for analysis. On the other hand, the remaining females were maintained 3 with one untreated male in identical boxes per treatment, for fertility assessment, eggs characteristics and hatchability traits. Throughout the experiment, biochemical parameters, eggs characteristics, fertility and hatchability traits were analyzed. No significant change (p > 0.05) was observed during the experimental period for body and relative ovary weights. Contrary, the relative uterus weight significantly increased (p < 0.05) in dose-dependent manner. The level of serum total proteins, LH, FSH and estradiol significantly increased (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Also, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, total hatchability and chick’s weight significantly increased (p < 0.05) in birds received 100 and 150 μl/kg b.w compared to those of control group. On the other hand, embryonic mortality decreased significantly (p < 0.05) whatever the ginger rhizomes essential oil dose. It was concluded that ginger rhizomes essential oil enhances bird reproductive performances, proteins and reproductive hormone levels and hatchability traits in treated female quails.

Determination of Natural Logarithm of Diffusion Coefficient and Activation Energy of Thin Layer Drying Process of Ginger Rhizome Slices

This study is an extension of the previous work done with ARS-680 Environmental Chamber. Drying is a complex operation that demands much energy and time. Drying is essentially important for preservation of ginger rhizome. Drying of ginger was modeled, and then the effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy were determined. For this purpose, the experiments were done at six levels of varied temperatures: 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and 60°C. The values of effective diffusion coefficients obtained in this work for the variously treated ginger rhizomes closely agreed with the average effective diffusion coefficients of other notable authors who determined the drying kinetics and convective heat transfer coefficients of ginger slices.

Decomposition of Phragmites australis rhizomes in artificial land-water transitional zones （ALWTZs） and management implications

Rhizomes are essential organs for growth and expansion of Phragmites australis. They function as an important source of organic matter and as a nutrient source, especially in the artificial land-water transitional zones （ALWTZs） of shallow lakes. In this study, decomposition experiments on 1- to 6-year-old R australis rhizomes were conducted in the ALWTZ of Lake Baiyangdian to evaluate the contribution of the rhizomes to organic matter accumulation and nutrient release. Mass loss and changes in nutrient content were measured after 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 days. The decomposition process was modeled with a composite exponential model. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between mass loss and litter quality factors. A multiple stepwise regression model was utilized to determine the dominant factors that affect mass loss. Results showed that the decomposition rates in water were significantly higher than those in soil for 1- to 6-year-old rhizomes. However, the sequence of decomposition rates was identical in both water and soil. Significant relationships between mass loss and litter quality factors were observed at a later stage, and P-related factors proved to have a more significant impact than N-related factors on mass loss. According to multiple stepwise models, the C/P ratio was found to be the dominant factor affecting the mass loss in water, and the C/N and C/P ratios were the main factors affecting the mass loss in soil. The combined effects of harvesting, ditch broadening, and control of water depth should be considered for lake administrators.

Trace heavy metals and harmful elements in roots and rhizomes of herbs:Screening level analysis and health risk assessment

Objective:Heavy metal and harmful element contamination are frequently reported in Chinese herbal medicines(CHMs),and roots and rhizomes parts showed a higher content than other parts.To investigate the residue level and assess the potential human health risk of heavy metals and harmful elements in roots and rhizomes,720 batches of the sample representing 20 species of herbs from different sources were collected.Methods:The content of Pb,Cd,As,Hg,and Cu in the digests was determined using ICP-MS.The chronic hazard index estimate based on non-cancer hazard quotient(HQ)was applied for potential health risk assessment of Pb,Cd,As,Hg,and Cu via consumption of CHMs.Results:Compared with the Chinese limit standard(Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission,2020 edition)of Pb,Cd,As,Hg,and Cu in Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,the exceedance percentage of Pb in total samples was 14.1%,which were generally far higher than Cd,As,Hg,and Cu.Health risk assessment results based on hazard quotient calculating showed that total HQ of Cu,Pb,As,Cd,and Hg in Pulsatillae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma exceeded 1,with the value of 1.543 and 1.235.Besides,Arsenic had the highest HQ value(0.957)in Pulsatillae Radix.Conclusion:Consuming raw materials of Pulsatillae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma may pose a potential risk and Arsenic residues in Pulsatillae Radix deserved special attention.

Identification of different degrees of processed ginger using GC-IMS combined with machine learning

Ginger,the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe,was a wellknown edible plant species commonly used in China,which has pungent flavor[1].Ginger has numerous chemical compounds,such as phenolic constituents,volatile compounds(VOCs),and polysaccharides[2].Among them,VOCs are considered one of the effective compounds in ginger due to their functional properties,including anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and analgesic[3].

CHEMICAL CONSTITUTES FROM THE RHIZOMES OF MATTEUCCIA ORIENTALIS AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

The rhizomes of Matteuccia orientalis(HOOK.)TREV(Dong Fang Jia Guo Jue)have been used as traditional folk remedies for rheumatalgia and traumatic hemorrhage in China.Our earlier work on the 50%EtOH eluate from the Diaion HP 20 macroporous adsorption resin column chromatography(CC)of the 60%EtOH extract of

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF THE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE RHIZOMES OF CYPERUS ROTUNDUS ON TRPV1 ION CHANNEL

Cyperus rotundus(Cyperaceae)is used as an analgesic and sedative in oriental medicine,and has been reported to exhibit anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects.On the other hand,transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1(TRPV1),the so-called capsaicin receptor,is a nonselective cation channel that senses various noxious chemical and thermal stimuli.However,it has recently

Studies on Triterpenoid Glycosides from Rhizomes ofPanacis majoris and Their Antiplatelet Aggregation Activity

A new triterpenoid glycoside（l） and seven known triterpenoid glycosides, pseudoginsenoside RT2（2）,yesanchinoside R2（3）, vinaginsenoside R13（4）, vinaginsenoside R8（5）, notoginsenoside E（6）, 6＂＇-O-acetylginsenosideRe（7）, 6＂-O-acetylginsenoside Rbl（8）, were isolated from the rhizomes of Panaeis maforis. The new triterpenoidglycoside was elucidated as 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-（l→2）-fl-D-（6＇-O-ethyl）-glucuronopyranosyl]-oleanolicacid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside by extensive spectroscopic and phytochemical methods. Compounds 2-8 wereobtained from the plant for the first time. Compounds 3 and 4 displayed good activities against adenosine diphosphate（ADP）-induced platelet aggregation, and compounds 1, 5, 6 and 8 showed moderate activities. Compound 6 exhibitedmoderate antiplatelet aggregation activity induced by arachidonic acid（AA）.

Optimization of slow-release fertilizer application improves lotus rhizome quality by affecting the physicochemical properties of starch

To achieve the dual goals of high yield and good quality with low environmental costs,slow-release fertilizer(SRF)has been widely used in lotus cultivation as new type of fertilizer instead of traditional nitrogen fertilizer.However,the optimal amount of SRF and how it would promote lotus rhizome quality remain unclear.This study was designed to investigate the photosynthetic characteristics and the synthesis,accumulation,and physicochemical properties of lotus rhizome starches under six SRF levels(CK,S1,S2,S3,S4,and S5).Compared with CK(0 kg ha^(–1)),the net photosynthetic rate(P_(n))and SPAD values of leaves remained at higher levels under SRF treatment.Further research showed that SRF increased the lotus rhizome yield,the contents of amylose,amylopectin,and total starch,and the number of starch granules.Among the six SRF levels,S3(1035 kg ha^(–1))showed the greatest difference from CK and produced the highest levels.With the increasing SRF levels,the peak,hot and final viscosities decreased at first and then increased,but the setback viscosity and pasting temperature increased.In order to interpret these changes at the molecular level,the activities of key enzymes and relative expression levels of starch accumulation related genes were analyzed.Each of these parameters also increased under SRF treatment,especially under the S3 treatment.The results of this study show that SRF,especially S3(1035 kg ha^(–1)),is a suitable fertilizer option for lotus planting which can improve lotus rhizome quality by affecting starch accumulations related enzymes and genes.These results will be useful for SRF application to high-quality lotus rhizome production with low environmental costs.

Comparative Study on the Acid-Base Indicator Properties of Natural Dye, Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa) and Synthetic Dyes

Acid-Base Indicator, Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa) was extracted from the root of a turmeric plant. The turmeric was peeled, washed and dried in an oven at 60°C. It was ground into powder and soaked in hot and cold ethanol for the extraction. The extract was filtered and part of it was concentrated to yield a reasonable quantity of turmeric indicator. On standardization of acid with a base, 0.05 M base respectively of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and Disodium borate (B4Na2O7) were used. Hot and cold extracts of turmeric were used as indicators and were compared with methyl orange and phenolphthalein. On the preliminary test carried out, hot and cold turmeric indicator showed yellow colour in acid medium and orange colour in the base. Methyl orange showed red colour in acid but yellow in the base, phenolphthalein was colourless in acid but pink in the base. During titration there were colour changes at the end points in the entire test carried out. The average volumes at ends points were calculated, the molar concentrations and mass concentrations of the acids used were also determined. The results showed that there was no difference between the natural indicators used and the existing synthetic indicators which are toxic to our environment.

太白七药窝儿七化学成分的研究

[目的]研究太白山窝儿七的化学成分。[方法]采用硅胶柱色谱、薄层色谱、重结晶等方法对从太白山窝儿七中提取的的化合物进行分离纯化,并根据化合物的理化性质和波谱数据鉴定其化学结构。[结果]从窝儿七中分离得到6个化合物,分别为β-谷甾醇、鬼臼毒素、鬼臼毒酮、山奈酚、山荷叶素、山柰酚-3-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷。[结论]首次从窝儿七中分离出β-谷甾醇和山柰酚-3-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷。

雪里见中草酸钙针晶形态结构与含量

利用显微镜和电镜观察雪里见（Arisaema rhizom C.E.C.Fisch）中草酸钙针晶的形态,并采用RP-HPLC法测定草酸钙的含量。结果表明,草酸钙针晶细长,具有尖锐的针尖;草酸在0.099 64-1.992 80g/L范围内线性关系良好（r=0.999 3）;平均回收率为100.23%,RSD为1.52%。草酸钙针晶显微结构与同科植物的基本相同,建立的含量测定方法操作简便,结果可靠,重复性好,可作为雪里见药材质量控制的方法。

Component Composition of Essential Oils <i>Curcuma longa</i>L. (Zingiberaceae) Introduced in Uzbekistan

This article presents the results of studying the component composition of essential oils of leaves and rhizomes of C. longa grown in Uzbekistan. The chemical composition of essential oils of vegetative organs of the Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) plant introduced in Uzbekistan was studied for the first time. Essential oils of the plant were isolated by hydrodistillation, their chemical composition was studied by chromatography-mass spectrometry. In the composition of essential oils of leaves and rhizomes C. longa L., introduced in the Tashkent oasis, found 27 and 16 components, respectively, among which the leaf is dominated by α-fellandren (33.79%), α-terpinolene (24.28%), n-cymene (12.27%), eucalyptol (9.77%), and in the rhizomes-6-(1,3-dimethyl-buta-1,3-dienyl)-1,5,5-trimethyl-7-oxa-bicyclo [4.1.0] hept-2-EN (22.77%), α-curcumene (4.11%), 2,6,6,9-tetramethyl-tricyclo [5.4.0.0(2.8)] undec-9-EN (3.81%), α-zedren (1.14%), as well as 3 components that were not identified (the mass spectrum did not match the library data) their mass fraction was 47.47%, 10.41% and 3.46%. The composition of leaves and rhizomes of C. longa differ quantitatively and in quality. For example, α-curcumene in percentage content is more contained in rhizomes, and α-fellandren, which is the dominant content in leaves, is not found in the underground part.

Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata and Dioscorea Bulbifera Rhizome Decoctions Display Combined Effects Detected by a Three-Probe Drug Cocktail with Substrates of Rat Hepatic Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

Objectives: Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata (RPMP) and Dioscorea Bulbifera Rhizomes (DBR) are used in Chinese herbal medicine and have been frequently reported for adverse reactions on liver. In this research, we aimed to evaluate in vivo effects of RPMP and DBR on rat cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A2) with their respective substrates as probes. Methods: Rats were orally administered RPMP, DBR and RPMP/DBR combination at 12, 10 and (12 + 10) g/kg, respectively, or saline as a control, once daily for 7 days. Thereafter, a cocktail containing 10 mg/kg caffeine, 20 mg/kg chlorzoxazone and 10 mg/kg dapsone was tail vein injected to rats. At defined time points, plasma drug concentrations were simultaneously evaluated by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters simulated by DAS software were used to assess RPMP and/or DBR effects on cytochrome P450 enzymes activity. ANOVA and Dunnett’s test were used for data analysis. Results: Caffeine metabolism was enhanced in RPMP animals and reduced after pretreatment with DBR, but no effect was observed in RPMP/DBR combination group. Chlorzoxazone and dapsone metabolism was enhanced in both RPMP and DBR groups and consequently in combination group. The data suggested that RPMP independently induces rat CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A2 activity, while DBR independently inhibits activity of rat CYP1A2 and induces that of CYP2E1 and CYP3A2. RPMP/DBR combination showed no significant benefit compared with the two drugs alone and even showed a neutralized effect in CYP1A2 activity. Conclusions: Caution is needed when RPMP and/or DBR are co-administered with drugs metabolized by human CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4.

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.

Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa in carbon tetra chloride intoxicated Swiss albino mice

Objective:To evaluate the hepatoprotective and immunotherapeutic effects of aqueous extract of turmeric rhizome in CCl_4 intoxicated Swiss albino mice.Methods:first group of mice(n=5) received CCl_4 treatment at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg bw(i.p.) for 7 days.Second group was fed orally the aqueous extract of turmeric at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw for IS days.The third group was given both the turmeric extract(for 15 days,orally) and CCl_4(for last 7 days,i.p.).The fourth group was kept as a control.To study the liver function,the transaminase enzymes(SGOT and SGPT) and bilirubin level were measured in the serum of respective groups.For assaying the immunotherapeutic action of Curcuma longa(C.longa),non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration,phagocytosis,nitric oxide release,myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages were studied from the respective groups.Results:The result of present study suggested that CCl_4 administration increased the level of SCOT and SGPT and bilirubin level in serum.However,the aqueous extract of turmeric reduced the level of SGOT, SCFT and bilirubin in CCl_4 intoxicated mice.Apart from damaging the liver system,CCl_4 also reduced non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration,phagocytosis, nitric oxide release,myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages.Administration of aqueous extract of C.longa offered significant protection from these damaging actions of CCl_4 on the non specific host response in the peritoneal macrophages of CCl_4 intoxicated mice.Conclusions:In conclusion,the present study suggests that C.longa has immunotherapeutic properties along with its ability to ameliorate hepatotoxicity.

A new subtribal classification of Arundinarieae(Poaceae,Bambusoideae)with the description of a new genus

A new subtribal classification of the woody bamboo tribe Arundinarieae is proposed based on recent phylogenomic studies.Five subtribes,corresponding to the five major lineages of the ddRAD-seq based phylogenomic trees,are recognised:Arundinariinae(the leptomorph lineage),Ampelocalaminae(the ADH lineage),Gaoligongshaniinae(represented by Gaoligongshania),Hsuehochloinae(represented by Hsuehochloa) and Thamnocalaminae(the pachymorph lineage,i.e.,alpine bamboos).Subtribes Ampelocalaminae,Gaoligongshaniinae and Hsuehochloinae are newly established,while the circumscriptions of subtribes Arundinariinae and Thamnocalaminae differ from the traditional classification.Subtribe Arundinariinae also includes those taxa that were previous members of the subtribe Shibataeinae.Thus,among the five redefined subtribes,Arundinariinae is the most heterogenous in terms of morphology.In Arundinarieae,rhizome type has greater implications for classification than other vegetative and reproductive characters at the subtribal level.In addition,the new monotypic genus Ravenochloa is described on the basis of its mo rphological characteristics and geographical distribution to accommodate the unique phylogenetic entity of Indocalamus wilsonii.

Screening of flavonoid "quercetin" from the rhizome of Smilax china Linn.for anti-psoriatic activity

Objective:To assess anti-psoriatic activity of the methanol extract and the isolated flavonoid quercetin from the rhizome of Smilax china(S.china) Linn.Methods:Mouse tail test was used for the evaluation of anti-psoriatic activity.Methanol extract(100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) and isolated flavonoid quercetin(25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.) were tested in Swiss albino mice.Parameters studied in the mouse tail test were changes in epidermal thickness and percentage orthokeratotic values.The anti-inflammatory role of the methanol extract and isolated flavonoid quercetin was evaluated using carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats.In vitro antiproliferant assay on HaCaT cell lines was also carried out.Results:The isolated flavonoid quercetin from the rhizome of S.china produced significant orthokeratosis(P<0.01) in the mouse tail test.In epidermal thickness,a significant reduction with respect to control was observed in groups treated with retinoic acid and isolated flavonoid quercetin.The methanol extract(200 mg/kg) and isolated flavonoid quercetin(50 mg/kg) showed anti-inflammatory effect in terms of significant inhibition(P<0.001) in leukocyte migration.Maximum antiproliferant activity was shown by isolated flavonoid quercetin(IC_(50),62.42± 10.20 μg/mL).Conclusions:From the above data,the flavonoid quercetin shows significant orthokeratosis,anti-inflammatory and maximum antiproliferant activities.To our knowledge,this is the first report on the anti-psoriatic effect of the flavonoid quercetin which is promising for further investigations to prove its anti-psoriatic activity.