Due to the special biological characteristics, Gastrodia elata suffers from high resource consumption and low utilization rate in modern agricultural production, which significantly block the green and healthy development of this industry. Based on the theory and technology in ecological cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials, this study analyzed the challenges in ecological cultivation of G. elata, such as waste of fungus material, a few cultivation modes available, continuous cropping obstacles, frequent occurrence of diseases, and poor stability of ecological structure. According to the production practice, the following suggestions were proposed for ecological cultivation of G. elata: following the principle of environmental protection and no pollution, selecting suitable habitats to yield high-quality medicinal materials, committing to green control of diseases and pests, upgrading industrial structure to maximize the benefits, establishing a sound mechanism for protecting the genetic diversity of wild G. elata, carrying out simulative habitat cultivation to improve medicinal material quality, adopting science-based planning of fungus resources to relieve forestry pressure, enhancing the recycling and utilization of fungus materials, and applying diversified cultivation modes to improve the stability of ecological structure. The result is expected to provide a reference for the quality development of G. elata industry.
Agriculture ; Gastrodia/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*

The grade of Gastrodia elata pieces is evaluated by quality constant evaluation method.Fifteen batches of G. elata pieces collected were measured for their appearance and morphological indexes. The contents of gastrodin,p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,barrisoside A,B and E were taken as index components for the content determination. The traditional grading standards were combined with modern quality control indicators,and the quality constants were calculated to grade the pieces.The results showed that the quality constants of 15 batches of G. elata ranged between 143. 3 and 1 027. 3. If the percentage mass constant( ≥80%) was the first grade,the percentage mass constant between 50%-80% indicated the second grade,and the remaining percentage mass constant indicated the third grade. The quality constant of the first gradepieces was sality,that of the second grade pieces ranged between 513. 0-821. 0,and that of the third grade pieces was <513. 0. On the basis of the study for the grading method of quality constants,and the natural morphology and cutting characteristics of the pieces,a grading model for the quality constants of the pieces cut along texture was established,which made the method scientific,rational as well as " personalized". The model method is applied in grading G. elata pieces,so as to specify the grading method,further enrich the study data of the grading evaluation of G. elata pieces and provide a useful reference for the grading evaluation of G. elata pieces. Meanwhile,the grading method of mass constants could be further applied and promoted to prove its rationality,scientificity and practicability.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Quality Control

Two new compounds (1 and 2), together with twenty-one known compounds (3-23), were isolated by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over macroporous resin, MCI gel, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis as 4-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl) benzyl methyl ether (1), 4-( methoxymethyl) phenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), hibicutaiwanin (3), 4-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-methoxyphenol (4), 4,4'-methylenebis(2-methoxyphenol) (5), L-phenyllactic acid (6) ,4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl ethol ether (7), p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol (8), p-hydroxylbenzyl methyl ether (9), p-hydroxylbenzyl ethyl ether (10), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (11), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (12), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (13), gastrodin (14), 4-(ethoxymethyl) phenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15), 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy) benzaldehyde (16), p-methylphenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (17 ), methyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (18), 5-hydroxymethl-furan aldehyde (19), parishin (20), parishin B (21), parishin C (22), and diosgenin (23). The 13C-NMR data of compound 4 was first reported.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Water ; chemistry

To study the effect of different storage time on the chemical compositions and sulfur dioxide residues of sulfur-fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR), and provide scientific basis for solving the quality and safety issues of sulfur-fumigated traditional Chinese medicinal materials. GR, sulfur-fumigated GR and its medicinal slices were stored under the same conditions, and then 8 active ingredients and sulfur dioxide residues were measured respectively. The results showed that the content of gastrodins in sulfur-fumigated GR and its medicinal slices was significantly lower than that in the non-fumigated GR. Moreover, the content of sulfur dioxide residue in sulfur-fumigated GR was significantly higher than that in its medicinal slices. That is to say, sulfur fumigation degree had significantly higher effect on GR quality as compared with its medicinal slices. During the whole storage time (8 months), the content of the eight chemical components in GR was not changed greatly in general. However, after the storage for 4 months, the content of 8 components and sulfur dioxide residues in all of GR samples were significantly changed. In particular, the content of sulfur dioxide residue in GR medicinal materials decreased up to 50% or more.
Drug Storage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fumigation ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sulfur ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo develop a reversed-phase HPLC method for simultaneous determination of gastrodin, adenosin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in Rhizoma Gastrodia.

METHODA Kromasil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used with a methanol-water-0.1% acetic acid gradient elution system. The eluates were detected at 270 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 35 degrees C.

RESULTThe linear range of gastrodin, adenosin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde were 19.1-383 (r = 0.999 9), 0.620-12.4 (r = 0.999 9), 2.45-49.0 (r = 0.999 9), 0.280-5.63 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 6), respectively. The average recoveries (n = 9) of the four components were 96.7% -97.7%, RSD < 1.6%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is accurate, sensitive and reliable for determination of gastrodin, adenosin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in Rhizoma Gastrodia.

The contents of adenosine, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, parishin and sulfur dioxide residue were compared in differently-processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma to provide the basis for a reasonable processing method of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. The analysis was performed on a Merck Purospher STAR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) under gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The eluates were detected at 270 nm, and the column temperature was 35°C. The content of adenosin, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and parishin in processing of boiling or sulfur-fumigated were lower than that of in processing of steaming. Furthermore, the sulfur dioxide residue of sulphur-fumigated groups exceed 400 mg x kg(-1). This stable and reliable method will contribute to the quality control of different processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma.
Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Quality constant is a kind of grading evaluation method of traditional Chinese medicine pieces based on the combination of traditional knowledge and modern quality control. This method has been successfully applied in the grading evaluation of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces and traditional Chinese medicine pieces,and with a positive influence in the industry. With Dachuanxiong Formula for example,different grades of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Gastrodia elata pieces formed high-quality,moderate and qualified Dachuanxiong Formula on the basis of the grading evaluation of the pieces,and the pharmacodynamics method was used to evaluate its efficacy. The results showed that the maximum vascular diastolic rates of Dachuanxiong Formula in the three grades were( 80. 3±5. 2) %,( 67. 0±6. 1) %and( 60. 3±6. 5) %,and the strength of pharmacodynamics was positively correlated with the grade of L. chuanxiong and G. elata pieces.The quality constant technique can objectively and quantitatively classify single decoctions,and has important correlations and prompts for the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions composed of these pieces,with important significance in promoting hierarchical management of the industry,implementing better price for high quality and defining high quality and superior effect.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

In the present review, English literature on the pharmacological effects of Gastrodia elata was summarized. The literature mainly reported the effects of G. elata on central nervous system, including anticonvulsant, neuroprotection, improvement on learning and memory, and so on. These pharmacological effects were closely associated with its phenolic components.
Animals ; Central Nervous System ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Humans ; Memory ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the content of mineral elements and the principal components in Gastrodia elata.

METHODMineral elements were determined by ICP and the data was analyzed by SPSS.

RESULTK element has the highest content-and the average content was 15.31 g x kg(-1). The average content of N element was 8.99 g x kg(-1), followed by K element. The coefficient of variation of K and N was small, but the Mn was the biggest with 51.39%. The highly significant positive correlation was found among N, P and K . Three principal components were selected by principal components analysis to evaluate the quality of G. elata. P, B, N, K, Cu, Mn, Fe and Mg were the characteristic elements of G. elata.

CONCLUSIONThe content of K and N elements was higher and relatively stable. The variation of Mn content was biggest. The quality of G. elata in Guizhou and Yunnan was better from the perspective of mineral elements.

As an important active ingredient in the rare Chinese herb Gastrodiae Rhizoma and also the main precursor for gastrodin biosynthesis, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol has multiple pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, and anti-cerebral ischemia. The pharmaceutical products with 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol as the main component have been increasingly favored. At present, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol is mainly obtained by natural extraction and chemical synthesis, both of which, however, exhibit some shortcomings that limit the long-term application of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. The wild and cultivated Gastrodia elata resources are limited. The chemical synthesis requires many steps, long time, and harsh reaction conditions. Besides, the resulting by-products are massive and three reaction wastes are difficult to treat. Therefore, how to artificially prepare 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol with high yield and purity has become an urgent problem facing the medical researchers. Guided by the theory of microbial metabolic engineering, this study employed the genetic engineering technologies to introduce three genes ThiH, pchF and pchC into Escherichia coli for synthesizing 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol with L-tyrosine. And the fermentation conditions of engineering strain for producing 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in shake flask were also discussed. The experimental results showed that under the conditions of 0.5 mmol·L~(-1) IPTG, 15 ℃ induction temperature, and 40 ℃ transformation temperature, M9 Y medium containing 200 mg·L~(-1) L-tyrosine could be transformed into(69±5)mg·L~(-1) 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, which has laid a foundation for producing 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol economically and efficiently by further expanding the fermentation scale in the future.
Benzyl Alcohols ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Gastrodia/chemistry* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Tyrosine/metabolism*