OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to optimize the testing methods for seed quality, and to provide a basis for establishing seed testing rules and quality grading standard of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

METHODReferring to the International Seed Testing Rules made by ISTA and Rules for agricultural seed testing (GB/T 3543-1995) issued by China, the seed quality of G. uralensis from different collection areas was measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe seed testing methods for quality items of G. uralensis, including sampling, purity analysis, verification of genuineness, weight of 1 000 seeds, percentage germination, moisture content and seed viability of G. uralensis had been initially established.

OBJECTIVETo study the growth of Glycyrrhiza uralensis under different planting density for providing theoretic evidence for reasonable planting density.

METHODThe field experiment was designed by single factor randomized block.

RESULTThe plant height, root diameter, main root length and branches of main stem were all decreased with increasing planting density of G. uralensis. Meanwhile, dry matter accumulation on root, leaf, aerial part and rhizome were all decreased with increasing planting density.

CONCLUSIONTwo hundred and seventy thousand plants/hm2 was feasible planting density.

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, mainly contains triterpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, coumarins and volatile oils with many pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The widespread applications of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in food, medicine and chemical industries make its demand increase gradually. Therefore, the quality guarantee of the medicinal is of great value. Starting from the elaboration of chemical components and pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and the introduction to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), this study analyzed the Q-markers of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from the aspects of plant phylogene-tics, chemical component specificity, traditional efficacy, traditional medicinal properties, absorbed components, different processing methods and so on, which provides reference for quality evaluation, development and utilization of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Glycyrrhiza ; Rhizome ; Triterpenes

The present study investigated the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The ethanol extract of the aerial parts of G. uralensis was separated and purified by different column chromatographies such as macroporous resin, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20, and through preparative HPLC and recrystallization. Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as(2S)-6-[(Z)-3-hydroxymethyl-2-butenyl]-5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxy-dihydroflavanone(1),(2S)-8-[(E)-3-hydroxymethyl-2-butenyl]-5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxy-dihydroflavanone(2), α,α'-dihydro-5,4'-dihydroxy-3-acetoxy-2-isopentenylstilbene(3), 6-prenylquercetin(4), 6-prenylquercetin-3-methyl ether(5), formononetin(6), 3,3'-dimethylquercetin(7), chrysoeriol(8), diosmetin(9),(10E,12Z,14E)-9,16-dioxooctadec-10,12,14-trienoic acid(10), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-prenyl-dihydroflavanone(11), naringenin(12), dibutylphthalate(13). Compounds 1-3 are new compounds, and compounds 10 and 13 are isolated from aerial parts of this plant for the first time.
Glycyrrhiza uralensis/chemistry* ; Plant Components, Aerial/chemistry*

OBJECTIVEIn order to understand the glycyrrhizin content range in the wild and cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis in China and to find the related influencing factors of glycyrrhizin content.

METHODThe glycyrrhizin content of 165 wild and 1 013 cultivated G. uralensis samples from 37 countries in 9 provinces was determined by HPLC, and the effects of the producing region, medicinal parts, cultivation years, soil type and texture on the glycyrrhizin content were analyzed.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe average glycyrrhizin content was (4.43 +/- 1.32)% in the wild G. uralensis population, and (1.51 +/- 0.49)% in the cultivated and the glycyrrhizin content in the cultivated was less than the minimum sandards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The glycyrrhizin content was significant different in the wild and cultivated G. uralensis in different producing regions, respectively. The glycyrrhizin content in roots and rhizome of the wild G. uralensis had no significant difference, it had no significant difference in the cultivated G. uralensis from 1 to 4 years and it increased rapidly after 5 years, and the effects of the soil types and texture on it were significant.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the current situation about Glycyrrhiza resources, summarize the research achievements on Glycyrrhiza relative industries, and indentify the importance of developing Glycyrrhiza industries to promote the three-dimensional rural economic development in the Three-North areas.

METHODLiteratures and documents were referred to, in combination with overview and analysis of the outcomes and achievements of our group.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe gap between supply and demand of resources is enlarged continuously. To develop high-quality Glycyrrhiza cultivation is the most powerful and effective measure to protect wild resources and the environment and promote the three-dimensional rural economic development in the Three-North areas.

In order to study the spectral reflectance differences of Glycyrrhizae Radix under different growth conditions and lay the foundation for quantitative monitoring of Glycyrrhizae Radix remote sensing images, spectra of Glycyrrhiza species under different growth period and different varieties and different regions were measured by a portable spectrometer. The results showed that the reflectivity of annual G. uralensis was obviously higher than that of the two years plant in the visible light band own to the contents of crown layer chlorophyll. The reflectivity of two years G. pallidiflora was higher than that of G. uralensis in the near infrared band own to the leaf area index and the content of leaf water. The red edge spectrum of annual plant fluctuated largely than that of two years plant due to vegetation coverage and leaf area index. G. pallidiflora grew well than G. uralensis. Under different regions of the Glycyrrhiza species, spectral data analysis showed that within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors to affect the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under different regions owe to the leaf water content, the higher leaf water content, the lower spectral reflectance. The principal component analysis and continuum-removed method of the spectral data under different regions found that, within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors caused by the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under the different regions, Glycyrrhiza species spectral similarity related to the spatial distance.
Geography ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectrum Analysis

OBJECTIVEWe studied the licorice provenance rule under the manual simulative water stress conditions, discussed geographical variation pattern and the ecology mechanism and laid the theoretical basis for the licorice seed regionalization and the seed allocation.

METHODOn the spot we investigated and collected seed materials. Setting up water potential gradient by PEG, we observed the seed germination characteristic through the experiment of indoor germination.

RESULTThe sensitivity of various provenance seed germinative energy show quite remarkable difference for water potential reducing. Along with geographic longitude increasing, the seed germinates variation sensitivity increasing gradually to the water stress. The results of climatic factors' correlation analysis indicated that provenance seed germinate energy to the water stress is sensitive, in which the annual average temperature is low and annual precipitation is abundant. But it is insensitive in which the annual precipitation is little, the annual average temperature, average temperature in July and the annual average ground temperature is high.

CONCLUSIONUnder the water stress condition the licorice provenance seed germination characteristic exists remarkable geographical variation. Geographical variation is the result of natural selection.

OBJECTIVETo find out the licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis) distribution area, resource complexion and resource reserves of northeast China, to analyze the cause of the swing of the pendulum of resources, to put forward the countermeasure of resource protection and to provide evidence for the establishment of relative statutes.

METHODCombination of visit-inquisition and sample-square investigation involving the resource complexion of the 32 counties and cities in the northeast China wasmade.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe east distribution boundary and the whole distribution current of licorice in the northeast China were determined the northeast licorice distributing region was compartmentalized into three typical sub-regions, and the licorice population character and artificial disturbing status in main counties of every sub-region were described. The licorice reserves were also figured out. At the same time, the nature and the artificial factors that influenced the swing of the pendulum of licorice resource were analyzed, and the correlative safeguard measure was brought forward.

This research is to predict anti-Alzheimer's disease active constituents on the target of acetylcholinesterase(AChE) from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with the help of pharmacophore and molecular docking. AChE ligand-based pharmacophore model was set up and the molecular library of the constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were established by collecting literature. Then the constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were screen for the potential AChE inhibitory potency in silico through matching with the best pharmacophore model. The flexible docking was used to evaluate the interactions between compounds screened from pharmacophore model and AChE protein(PDB ID:4 EY7). The interactions were expressed including but not limited to CDOCKER interaction energy, hydrogen bonds and non-bonding interactions. The molecular library of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma contains 44 chemical constituents. As for the pharmacophore model, six kinds of potential AChE inhibitory constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were considered to be the promising compounds according to the results of searching 3 D database of pharmacophore model. The molecular docking was possessed and the interaction patterns were given to show the detail interactions. The compounds screening from the pharmacophore model were consistent with the existing studies to some degree, indicating that the virtual screen protocols of AChE inhibitory constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on pharmacophore and molecular docking was reliable.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Glycyrrhiza ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Rhizome ; Triterpenes