The family Apiaceae( Umbelliferae) includes some of the world's most important medicinal plants,with more than 100 species recorded in the traditional Chinese medicine,of which more than ten species are commonly used medicinal materials. However,due to morphological similarities,high market demands and regional factors,substitutes and adulterants are often mixed with genuine in the medicinal market. Therefore,a comprehensive sorting for these poorly known plants has been done in this study by combining market survey with literature review,including its species,distribution,price and substitutes. According to the statistics,there are 65 genera and 262 species of medicinal plants of Apiaceae in China,with medicinal part mostly from radix and rhizoma. Sichuan province is the most abundant in distribution and planting resources,with about 137 species,followed by Yunnan,Hubei and Gansu provinces.Furthermore,we summarized the genuine and substitutes of 11 medicinal plants,e. g. Bupleurum,Angelica and Peucedanum etc.,which found that the medicinal plants of Apiaceae were substituted or mixed in different taxonomic ranks. This study would contribute to reduce the risk of medicine misuse,as well as explore other plants of Apiaceae with potential medicinal value,to achieve sustainable development of related industries.
Apiaceae/classification* ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal/classification*

In order to identify Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions of Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants were amplified and bidirectionally sequenced based on the Principles for Molecular Identification of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica Using DNA Barcoding, which has been promulgated by Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Sequences were analyzed and assembled by Codon Code Aligner V3. 7.1. The relevant data were analyzed by MEGA 5. 0. Species identification analyses were performed by using the nearest distance methods and neighbor-joining (NJ) methods. The result showed that the ITS2 sequence lengths of Peucedani Radix were 229-230 bp and the average intra-specific genetic distances were 0.005. The ITS2 sequence lengths of Peucedani Decursivi Radix were 227 bp and the sequences contained no variation site. The average inter-specific K2P genetic distance of Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants species were 0.044 and 0.065 respectively. The minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence of Peucedani Decursivi Radix. The nearest distance methods and NJ trees results indicated that Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants species could be identification clearly. The ITS2 regions can stably and accurately distinguish Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants.
Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; Drug Contamination

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity of Changium smyrnioides and give a reference for utilization of the germplasm.

METHODTen different populations of Ch. smyrnioides were analyzed by the approach of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). Genetic similarity coefficient was calculated, and systematic relationships were constructed based on the UPGMA method.

RESULTSeventeen primer pairs were selected from 160. A total of 363 bands were scored, 314 bands of them were polymorphic and the average was 18.47 polymorphic bands per primer pair, which were up to 86.50% polymorphic ratio. The results indicated that there was abundant genetic diversity among the tested materials. Genetic similarity coefficient was ranged from 0.4959 to 0.8182. Cluster analysis showed that ten different populations of Ch. smyrnioides could be distinguished into two groups.

CONCLUSIONHigh level genetic diversity was in different populations of Ch. smyrnioides, and genetic relationship was correlative to geographic position.

Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Genetic Variation ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo explain the molecular evidence of revision of taxonomic placement of Peucedanum decursivum based on the nrDNA ITS sequence.

METHODPCR amplification, DNA sequencing and cladistic analysis.

RESULTThe ITS sequences and phylogenetic tree of 5 species of Angelica were and Peucedanum were acquired, in which 5 species were divided into 2 groups, Angelica group and Peucedanum group. P. decursivum was placed in the Angelica group.

CONCLUSIONP. decursivum belongs to genus Angelica. The scientific name of P. decursivum should be revised as A. decursivum. A. decursivum and P. praeruptorum should be used as crude drug respectively.

Angelica ; classification ; genetics ; Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

In this study, 31 Notopterygium incisum populations were analyzed using ITS sequences to investigate the genetic structure. The results showed that: the ITS region ranged in size from 634 to 635 bp and base composition was with high G + C content of 57.8%. Thirty-one polymorphic sites were detected from 402 sequences of 31 populations of N. incisum, and the proportion of polymorphic sites was 4.88%, in which parsimony informative sites were up to 12. And 31 haplotypes were identified based on these polymorphic sites. Molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) indicated that high genetic differentiation (57%) existed among population, and gene flow was low (N(m) = 0.38) among populations. Phylogenetic relationships of 31 haplotypes were analyzed using NJ method with N. forbesiias an out-group. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 31 haplotypes from different populations mixed together and did not form distinct geographically separated clades.
Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; Gene Flow ; Genetic Variation ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo analyse botanical morphology in different populations and give a reference for germplasm evaluation of Changium smyrnioides.

METHODRoots and leaves were comprehensively compared among 10 populations of Ch. smyrnioides in the main distribution area, the foliar morphology similarity coefficient was calculated, and the systematic relationships were constructed based on UPGMA method.

RESULTThere was significant morphological difference among populations of Ch. smyrnioides. Plant shape was divided into the loosed-type, compacted-type and intermediated-type. Leaf split was divided into the lobated-type, parted-type and intermediate-type. Root shape was divided into spherical-type, column-type and spindle-type. Foliar morphology similarity coefficient differed significantly and ranged from 0.234 1 to 0.985 1 among 10 populations of Ch. smyrnioides. Zijinshan population was divided into a unique group when similarity coefficient was 0.37.

CONCLUSIONPlant tightness, lobation depth and root shape could be used as the basis for germplasm evaluation on Ch. smyrnioides. Zijinshan population could be used as a special germplasm to be exploited.

Apiaceae ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVEFive heavy metals (Hg, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr) and arsenic (As) contents in 57 samples of from 19 localities in Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii sourcing from two plants Notoperygium incusum and N. forbesii has been analyzed to evaluate the content standard of heavy metal and arsenic for drafting the herbal medicine quality.

METHODICP-AES method was applied to determine As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr and CAAS method was applied to determine Hg.

RESULTHg can not be determined through CAAS, and little Pb was determined except in limited N. forbesii samples from certain sites, while the contents of Cu in most samples are higher than 20 mg x kg(-1). As in N. forbesii samples, and Cd in N. incisum samples are higher or approximate the limitation of related standard of medicinal plants and production. Cr varies from different localities, ranging from 0.48 to 8.36 mg x kg(-1) for N. incisum and 1.44-8.03 mg x kg(-1) for N. forbesii.

CONCLUSIONReferring to the related standards of medicine and vegetable, the heavy metals and arsenic contents of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii samples from traditional producing areas are confirmed the propositional standard, i. e., Pb < or = 5.0 mg x kg(-1), Cd < or = 0.3 mg x kg(-1), Hg < or = 0.2 mg x kg(-1), Cu < or = 28.0 mg x kg(-1), As < or = 2.0 mg x kg(-1), and Cr < or = 1.0 mg x kg(-1). Of these five heavy metals, Cu is much over the limitation standard, which suggested that GAP base of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii must be selected in lower Cu environmental condition in main producing area.

Apiaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; Arsenic ; analysis ; Cadmium ; analysis ; China ; Chromium ; analysis ; Copper ; analysis ; Ecosystem ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

In this study, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix was used to verify the stability and accuracy of DNA barcodes in identification of Chinese materia medica for the first time. All genomic DNAs from thirty one samples were extracted. The ITS (internal transcribed spacer) regions were amplified and sequenced bi-directionally. Obtained sequences were assembled using the CodonCode Aligner. And the sequences of the ITS regions were aligned through Clustal-W and the genetic distances were computed using MEGA 5.0 in accordance with the kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model. The neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were constructed. The ITS2 regions were obtained by using the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based annotation methods from the ITS sequences. Results indicated that the lengths of ITS regions of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix were 603-604 bp, while the lengths of ITS2 regions were 228 bp. The haplotypes of ITS/ITS2 regions of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix were the same as those of the original plant leaves. The intra-specific genetic distances were smaller than inter-specific ones in ITS/ITS2 regions of Notopterygium incisum and N. franchetii. The NJ trees showed that N. incisum, N. franchetii and its adulterants can be easily differentiated according to their monophyly. Therefore, ITS/ITS2 regions as DNA barcodes can stably and accurately distinguish Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix from its adulterants and could provide a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of traditional Chinese medicines.
Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Rhizome ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish scientific and efficient quality control standard of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii through two quantitative parameters.

METHODThe contents of isoimperatorin and volatile oils in 29 commercial samples from 22 localities of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii were determined by HPLC and the method in the pharmacopoeia respectively. The data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTOnly 3 of 29 samples met the required standard in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005 edition), 87% of samples newly produced in 2005 not met the standard. Statistics showed that the contents of volatile oils and isoimperatorin should reach 1.63% and 0.17% respectively when the samples meet requirement of criterion with more than 80% probability. The contents of volatile oil and isoimperatorin were not significantly different (P < 0.05) in the samples of 2005 and 2003, while the contents of isoimperatorin were significantly different between Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii samples.

CONCLUSIONSince the criterion of volatile oils in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005 version) for Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii is too high to satisfy for most Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii samples, it is suggested to reduce it to 1.6% (mL x g(-1)). The content of isoimperatorin is proposed to add to the quality standard of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii as above 0.2% (mg x g(-1)).

Apiaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Furocoumarins ; analysis ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the population genetic diversity and genetic structure and screen species-specific bands for identification of Changium smyrnioides and Chuanminshen violaceum.

METHODSeven wild populations of Changium smyrnioides and one cultivated population of Chuanminshen violaceum were studied by ISSR analysis. The population genetic diversity and population genetic structure were assessed by using POPGENE software.

RESULTA total of 152 ISSR markers were scored, among which 136 (90.8%) were polymorphic. The values of Gst tended to be high (mean Gst = 0.575). The level of genetic divesity of Changium smyrnioides (A = 1.272; P = 27.26%; I = 0.132; H = 0.087) was higher than that of Chuanminshen violaceum (A = 1.217; P = 21.7; I = 0.103; H = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONThe genetic variation of Changium smyrnioides is high and the majority of genetic variation occur among populations. Substantial genetic divergence is shown by cluster analysis (UPGMA) to befound between Changium smyrnioides and Chuanminshen violaceum at DNA level. In addition, one species-specific marker has been obtained in Chuanminshen violaceum. The phylogenetic relationship of two species has also been discussed.

Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Ecosystem ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Structures ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Species Specificity