Gentiana is an important but complicated group in Gentianaceae. The genus covers numerous medicinal plants which are difficult to be identified. In the present study, several medicinal species in Gentiana from Yunnan province, including G. rigescens, G.rhodantha, and G. delavayi, were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 system. Three complete chloroplast genome sequences were obtained after assembly and annotation. According to several published genome sequences of G. crassicaulis, the DNA super-barcoding of species in Gentiana was preliminarily carried out. The results revealed that chloroplast genomes of the three species were conservative with short lengths(146 944, 148 992, and 148 796 bp, respectively). The genomes encoded 114 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, 4 rRNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes. Furthermore, these medicinal species in Yunnan province were identified using DNA super-barcoding based on chloroplast genomes. The results showed that the Gentiana species could be gathered into monophyletic branches with a high support value(100%). It indicated that DNA super-barcoding possessed obvious advantages in discriminating species in complicated genera. This study is expected to provide a scientific basis for the identification, utilization, and conservation of Gentiana species.
China ; DNA ; Genome, Chloroplast/genetics* ; Gentiana/genetics* ; Phylogeny

Objective:To analyze and determine heavy metal content in Paridis Rhizoma from different genus and localities,in order to provide a reference for selecting cultivation areas and establishing the quality standard of Paridis Rhizoma of heavy metals content. Method:Microwave digestion method combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry method (ICP-AES) method were applied to determine the contents of 6 heavy metals,i.e. As,Cu,Hg,Cd,Pb and Cr in 39 samples of Paridis Rhizoma of different genus and localities in Yunnan Province. Cluster analysis,statistical analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to compare the differences of heavy metals contents in different localities and species. Result:The contents of six heavy metals in Paridis Rhizoma met the ISO international standard of Heavy Metal Limit of Traditional Chinese Medicine-traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials. Under the limited value standard of Green Trade Standards of Importing Medicinal Plants and Preparations,the over-standard rate of heavy metal As was 15.4%,the excess rate of Cd was 5.1%,and the excess rate of Pb was 2.6%. The contents of Cu and Hg conformed to relevant requirements. Cluster analysis,statistical analysis and principal component analysis showed that for the same variety,differences in producing places had significant effects on heavy metal content,while differences in species had little effects. Conclusion:The results of this study indicated that the heavy metal content of Paris planted in and around Dali basically conformed to relevant standards. The differences of heavy metal content in Paris were mainly regional differences,which provided a theoretical basis for standardizing the cultivation of medicinal materials and formulating the limit standards of heavy metals for Paridis Rhizoma.

Objective:To investigate the differences of chemical constituents of Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma and its closely related species,and to provide reference for the clinical application of Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma. Method:Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis (PCA),cluster analysis (HCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to study the differences of components between Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma and its closely related species,and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to compare the differences of water-soluble components between them. Result:There were some differences between Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma and its closely related species acrcording to FTIR spectroscopy and HPLC fingerprint,especially the water-soluble polar components were more abundant in Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma than other species. The chemical components of Salvia trijuga,S. przewalskii and S. bulleyana were more similar in terms of their genetic relationship. The result showed that the Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma and its closely related species can be clearly distinguished by FTIR combined with chemometrics method. Conclusion:Compared with its closely related species,Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma has a unique chemical composition,which has great therapeutic potential for blood stasis. The FTIR combined with chemometrics model can be used for rapid identification of Salviae Yunnanensis Radix et Rhizoma and its closely related species.

Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome has genetic heterogeneity, and the clinical manifestations of some patients may overlap with Clouston syndrome. A 34-year-old female patient came to our department with a complain of “sparse hair, rough skin, photophobia and deafness for more than 30 years.” We found that the proband and two other family members (57-year-old mother and 4-year-old daughter) had similar clinical manifestations:systemic hair loss, generalized skin hyperkeratosis, especially in the metacarpophalangeal area. Subungual hyperkeratosis, finger/toenail dystrophy, as well as photophobia and epiphora. According to the investigation, one of the family members also had similar clinical manifestations (grandfather of the proband) and he’s died. The other three members of the family had no hearing impairment, and all patients had typical nail dystrophy, hair loss and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, similar like as seen in Clouston syndrome, so we suspected to diagnose the case as Clouston syndrome. However, after genetic testing, it was found that the proband, his mother and daughter all had p.Asp50Asn heterozygous mutations in the GJB2 gene, and no mutation was detected in GJB6. The modified diagnosis was KID syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Based on magnetic resonance imaging technology, the dangerous depth of straight needling and the safety of deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) are discussed, and data support is provided for standardizing deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25). METHODS: The horizontal cross-sectional images of 148 healthy adult subjects under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra were collected by magnetic resonance instrument, the anatomical structure was analyzed, and the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) was measured. RESULTS: The dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) was (11.2±1.3) cm and (11.0±1.2) cm on the left and right sides of males, and (9.8±1.3) cm and (9.7±1.3) cm on the left and right sides of females. There was a positive correlation between the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) and body mass index (BMI). In the case of similar body size, the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu(BL 25) in males was greater than that in females (P<0.01). CONCLUSION At present, the deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) used in clinic is safe. In clinical application of the deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25), the depth of needle insertion can be determined according to body size and gender.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Needles

10.3969/j.issn.1000-8179.2013.12.003

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate on the contents of 4 kinds of secoiridoid substance （gentiopicrin， swertiamain， sweroside and amarogentin） and biochemical indexes in the leaves of Gentiana rigescens， and to provide scientific evidence for the application of methyl jasmonate in standardized planting of G. rigescens. METHODS： 2， 4， 6， 8， 10 d after spraying 10， 50， 100， 200 mg/L methyl jasmonate （spraying amount was 500 mL） for G. rigescens strain， the leaves of medicinal material were collected as sample， and the other leaves without spraying methyl jasmonate were collected as control. HPLC method was used to determine the contents of 4 kinds of secoiridoid substance in the leaves of G. rigescens after spraying 4 kinds of concentrations of methyl jasmonate for 10 d. The concentration of methyl jasmonate was optimized （the content of effective component was the highest）. HPLC method was adopted to determine the contents of 4 kinds of secoiridoid substance in the leaves of G. rigescens after spraying the optimal concentration of methyl jasmonate for different time. The levels of relevant biochemical indexes （SOD， POD， CAT， MDA） were determined. RESULTS： 10 d after spraying 10， 50， 100， 200 mg/L methyl jasmonate for G. rigescens strains， the contents of 4 kinds of secoiridoid substance in the leaves were increased to different extent. Compared with untreated leaves， 100 mg/L methyl jasmonate had the best effect after spraying， and the contents of gentiopicrin， swertiamain and sweroside in treated leaves were 1.88， 2.36 and 1.87 times of those in untreated leaves， respectively （P＜0.05）. 2， 4， 6， 8， 10 d after spraying 100 mg/L methyl jasmonate， the contents of 4 kinds of secoiridoid substance in treated leaves were higher than untreated leaves at corresponding stage； the content of secoiridoid had significant difference after spraying for 4 d （P＜0.05）. The contents of active components in general were relatively high after spraying for 6 d， and the contents of gentiopicrin， swertiamain， sweroside and amarogentin in treated leaves were 1.88， 1.88， 1.47， 1.82 times of those in untreated leaves， respectively （P＜0.05）. The levels of relevant biochemical indexes in treated leaves were increased significantly since 4 d of spraying， compared with untreated leaves （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： After spraying 100 mg/L methyl jasmonate for 6 d， the contents increase of 4 kinds of secoiridoid substance in the leaves of G. rigescens are most obvious， which may be associated with improving the levels of related biochemical indexes.

OBJECTIVE： To observe improvement effects of fingolimod on middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion （MCAO/R） injury model rats. METHODS： Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group and fingolimod low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.5， 1， 2 mg/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group， MCAO/R injury model was induced by suture-occluded method in other groups. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically after reperfusion [1 h after reperfusion （1st day）， 22.5 h after reperfusion （2nd day）， and then every 24 h until 142.5 h of reperfusion （7th day）]. Sham operation group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for consecutive 7 d. The scores of neurological deficit and balance beam test， the times of memory error [work memory error （WME）， reference memory error （RME） and total error] were recorded in each group. The contents of serum inflammatory cytokines （IL-6， IL-8， IL-10， TNF-α） were determined by ELISA， and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining method was used to detect the rate of cerebral infarction. RESULTS： Compared with sham operation group， neurological deficit scores （at different time points of 1st-7th day after administration）， balance beam test scores （2nd， 4th， 7th day after administration）， times of memory error （2nd， 4th， 7th day after administration）， the contents of serum inflammatory cytokines and the rate of cerebral infarction were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， neurological deficit scores （low-dose group at different time points of 3rd-7th day， medium-dose and high-dose groups at different time points of 2nd-7th day after administration）， balance beam test scores （low-dose group at 7th day， medium-dose group at 4th and 7th day， high-dose group at 2nd， 4th， 7th day）， RME times and total error times （low-dose group at 4th and 7th day， medium-dose group and high-dose group at 2nd， 4th， 7th day after administration）， WME times （administrations groups at 7th day after administration）， serum contents of IL-6， IL-8 and IL-10 （administrations groups）， serum contents of TNF-α （medium-dose and high-does groups） and cerebral infarction rate （medium-dose and high-dose groups） were all decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： Intragastric administration of fingolimod can significantly reduce neurological deficit score， balance beam test score and the times of memory error in MCAO/R injury model rats， and has a protective effect on cerebral tissue and memory function. These effects may be related to the down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α by fingolimod.

The aim of this paper was to study the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3 K), protein kinase B(Akt) and mamma-lian target of rapamycin(mTOR) in the inhibition of premature ovarian failure induced by D-galactose(D-gal) in mice model by ginsenoside Rg_1(Rg_1). Fifty-four female SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into PBS group, D-gal group, and Rg_1 group. In the D-gal group, D-galactose(200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) was injected subcutaneously into the neck and back for 42 days. In the PBS group, an equal amount of phosphate buffered saline(PBS) was injected into the neck and back for 42 days. In addition to the therapy of D-gal group, Rg_1 group was given Rg_1(20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) through intraperitoneal injection since the 15 th day for 28 days, at the same time, the D-gal group and the PBS group were also given an equal amount of PBS through intraperitoneal injection since the 15 th day for 28 days. After the treatment, the estrous cycle changes of the mice were detected, and the ovarian SA-β-Gal staining was used to detect the changes of ovarian aging. Western blot was used to detect the changes in protein expressions of PI3 K, Akt, mTOR, S6 k, LC3-Ⅱ and P16~(INK4 a). Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the changes in mRNA expressions of PI3 K, Akt, mTOR, S6 k, LC3-Ⅱ and P16~(INK4 a). According to the findings, compared with the PBS group, the D-gal group began to show estrous cycle disorder in the 3 rd week,the ovarian SA-β-Gal staining positive granulosa cells increased in the D-gal group, the expression of senescence marker P16~(INK4 a) increased, while the expression of autophagy signaling molecule LC3-Ⅱ decreased. After treatment with Rg_1, the positive rate of ovarian SA-β-Gal staining in Rg_1 group decreased, the expression level of autophagy signaling molecule LC3-Ⅱ in Rg_1 group was higher than that in D-gal group, while the expression level of senescence marker P16~(INK4 a) was lower than that in D-gal group. Compared with the PBS group, the protein and mRNA expressions of PI3 K, Akt, mTOR and S6 k in the D-gal group were up-regulated, the protein expressions of Akt, mTOR and S6 k in the Rg_1 group were up-regulated, and the mRNA expressions of PI3 K and mTOR were up-regulated. After treatment with Rg_1, the protein expressions of PI3 K, Akt, mTOR and S6 k in the Rg_1 group were lower than those in the D-gal group, while the mRNA expressions of Akt, mTOR and S6 k in the Rg_1 group were lower than those in the D-gal group. The finding ssuggested that Rg_1 has the effect in delaying ovarian premature failure in D-gal-induced mouse models, and PI3 K/Akt/mTOR autophagy signaling pathways play an important role.
Animals ; Autophagy ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Aim To determine the effect of SYL934 , a novel immunosuppressant, on skin allograft rejec-tion. Methods HTRF-IP1 assay was used to evaluate the agonistic activity of SYL934-P, the active form of SYL934 in vivo, on S1P1 and S1P3 in vitro. SD rat peripheral blood lymphocytes ( PBL ) test and heart rate test was used to assess the in vivo immunosuppres-sive effect and heart rate effect of SYL934 . Mice skin graft transplantation experiment was used to observe the effect of SYL934 on skin allograft refection. ResultsSYL934-P selectively activated S1 P1 but not S1 P3 in vitro. Single orally administration of SD rats with
SYL934 decreased the PBL significantly and played an obviously immunosuppressant role, but did not affect the heart rate. Daily orally administration of mice with SYL934 significantly increased the survival rate of al-lografts of skin slice in mice. Conclusion SYL934 has great selectivity in vitro and good activity in vivo, which indicated it potential use as an anti-rejection drug in skin transplantation.