OBJECTIVETo study the hereditary relationship between Chinese and Korean medicinal materials of Niuxi achyranthis root.

METHODTen samples of four kinds of Niuxi was studied with the method of RAPD.

RESULTExpanded product showed total record of 100 spectrum bands, which proved that the hereditary gap between Korean self-produced A. japonica and A. bidentata is smallest.

CONCLUSIONKorean self-produced A. japonica is near to A. Sidentata.

Achyranthes ; classification ; genetics ; Amaranthaceae ; genetics ; China ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Korea ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Species Specificity

Chuanniuxi (Radix Cyathule) is one of the most important geo-herb in Sichuan province, which adulterants are Hongniuxi (Cyathula capitata) and Huainiuxi (Achyranthes bidentata). In this paper Chuanniuxi and its adulterants were identified by SCAR markers. Nineteen populations from Tianquan, Baoxin, Huili and Jinkouhe were collected and their RAPD fingerprints were established. Based on the RAPD patterns, two polymorphic bands F300 and F500 were selected, recycled, cloned and sequenced. According to the sequences two pairs of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers were designed and used to amplify all materials to prove the efficiency of identification of the different populations. Chuanniuxi and Huiniuxi could be distinguished by the primer SC-320, Chuanniuxi and Hongniuxi could be distinguished by the primer SC-495. Combining the two SCAR markers, Chuanniuxi, Hongniuxi and huainiuxi could be identified effectively and quickly.
Achyranthes ; genetics ; Amaranthaceae ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Time Factors

To determine the genetic diversity of Haloxylon ammodendron collected from 14 sites in 5 provinces, 103 H. ammodendron samples of 12 wild populations and 2 cultivated which collected from 14 sites in 5 provinces were analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA markers. PopGen32 and NTSYSpc2.1 was applied to evaluate genetic diversity of H. ammodendron populations. The average percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) of total H. ammodendron populations was 94.13%, the average Nei's gene diversity index (H(e)) from 14 populations was 0.308 0, and the Shannon's genetic diversity index (I) was 0.467 6. The results indicated that the genetic diversity of H. ammodendron populations was high. Genetic differentiation index (G(st)) was 0.313 8, and the gene flow (N(m)) was 1.093 5 at the population level. The level of gene flow of H. ammodendron showed it possessed the feature of wind-pollinated outcrossing plants. AMOVA analysis indicated that genetic variation of H. ammodendron was much higher within groups (89.34%) than that among groups (10.66%), moreover genetic variation within groups mainly occurred among populations in different producing areas (84.80%). Cluster analysis (UPGMA) was applied to generate dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distances of 14 populations. Samples from Xinjiang and Qinghai were clustered respectively as a clade for their distant genetic relationship, while Samples from Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia were clustered together for their close genetic relationship. Genetic diversity of H. ammodendron populations is high in China, and genetic differentiation among regions is small, thus abundance within this specie is high at this stage. Therefore, wild nursery and artificial cultivating in different areas are effective measures for the conservation and sustainable utilization of H. ammodendron resources.
Amaranthaceae ; genetics ; Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis ; China ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny

At present, the objective of cutting and pruning Cistanche deserticola is to harvest in successive years and enhance the harvesting yield and quality of C. deserticola in the process of the artificial cultivating C. deserticola. An experiment was conducted focusing on cutting and pruning C. deserticola in artificial forests of Haloxylon ammodendron drip-irrigated with saline water at the hinter-land of the Taklimakan desert, according to different growth stages and lengths. The results were following: (1) The effect of cutting on C. deserticola was similar to that of pruning, which resulted in three kinds of morphological types, not related to the bloom and size of C. deserticola. (2) The growth forms were diversified after pruning. Among them, there had sprouting new body, died or maintaining life with no sprouting, mildewed on its surface layer, etc. However, some of new bodies were sprouting from the lower part of the old body. The death rate of bloomed C. deserticola was higher than that of the underground, and the death rate of the 40 cm in stubble height for C. deserticola was higher than those with the stubble height of 20 cm and 5 cm. (3) Most of the diameter of living C. deserticola after pruning was increasing, but some of them changed little. (4) The mildew and rot of C. deserticola and the broken of the roots of the H. ammodendron and the fallen of the point of the inoculated when it was dug, which would cause the death of the C. deserticola. On the other, the yield-increasing effect and the economic benefit of the techniques of the pruning of Cistanche would need further research and evaluate. Therefore, the application of this technique needs to be cautious.
Amaranthaceae ; growth & development ; Cistanche ; growth & development ; Forests ; Fruit ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo determine the chemical profile and steroids composition of the medicinally important plant Aerva lanata (A. lanata) L.

METHODSPreliminary phytochemical screening was done by the method as Harborne described. HPTLC studies were carried out as Harborne and Wagner et al described. The Ethyl acetate-ethanol-water (8: 2: 1.2) was employed as mobile phase for glycosides.

RESULTSThe desired aim was achieved using Chloroform-acetone (8: 2) as the mobile phase. The methanolic extract of stem, leaves, root, flower and seeds of A. lanata showed the presence of 30 different types of steroids with 30 different Rf values from 0.04 to 0.97. Maximum number (11) of steroids has been observed in leaves followed by root (10).

CONCLUSIONSHPTLC profile of steroids has been chosen here to reveal the diversity existing in A. lanata. Such finger printing is useful in differentiating the species from the adulterant and act as biochemical markers for this medicinally important plant in the pharma industry and plant systematic studies.

Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate antitumor constituents from n-butyl alcohol extract of Alternanthera philoxeroides.

METHODThe constituents were isolated with silica gel, gel permeation chromatography, and purified by HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopy and acid hydrolysis. The antitumor effects of extracts and isolated compounds were tested by MTH method in vitro.

RESULTSeven compounds were isolated and elucidated as followings: oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (1), oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside-6'-O-methyl ester (3), chikusetsusaponin IV a methyl ester (4), hederagenin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside-6'-O-methyl ester (5), 4,5-dihydroblumenol (6), 6S,7E,9R-6,9-di-hydroxymegastigma-4,7-dien-3-one-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compound 1 showed significant inhibitory effect against Hela and L929 with inhibitive ratios 91.3% and 92.9% at 30 mg x L(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 4, 5 and 7 were isolated from this genus for the first time. Compound 1 showed significant inhibitory effect against Hela and L929 at 30 mg x L(-1).

Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrolysis

OBJECTIVETo study the active constituents from Alternanthera philoxeroides.

METHODThe constituents were isolated with silica gel and Toyopearl HW-40C gel column chromatography and purified by HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopy.

RESULTNine compounds were isolated and identified as phaeophytin a (1), pheophytin a' (2), oleanoic acid (3), beta-sitosterol (4), 3beta-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one (5), alpha-spinasterol (6), 24-methylenecycloartanol (7), cycloeucalenol (8), phytol (9).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1,2,5,7-9 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; Chlorophyll ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phytol ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phytosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

The progress in the studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of the genus Pfaffia is summarized in recent 20 years. These plants contain various chemical constituents and have broad bioactivities such as sthenic, anti-tumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory and should be further investigated.
Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

In order to find the anti-virus constituents of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb, the investigation was carried out. The paper reported the five triterpenoid saponins isolated from n-BuOH fraction: 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid]-28-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (1), oleanolic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (calenduloside E, 2), oleanolic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-Obeta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (chikusetsusaponin-IVa, 3), 3-O-(6'-O-butyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl)-oleanolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4) and hederagenin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (HN-sapoins K, 5). 1 is a new compound, saponins 4 and 5 were isolated from the plant for the first time.
Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; Antiviral Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

The present study was designed to investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Cyathula officinalis. Compounds were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. One new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin, 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] hederagenin (1), was isolated from the roots of Cyathula officinalis. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. Compounds 2, 4, and 6 exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activities.
Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; Cells, Cultured ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology