Kinetin (Kn) is a cytokinin growth factor that exerts several anti-aging and antioxidant effects on cells and organs. To investigate the mechanism underlying apoptotic events in aging cells induced by D-galactose (D-gal), we examined the effect of Kn delivered via nuchal subcutaneous injection on D-gal-induced aging and apoptosis in rats. Our results showed that interleukin (IL)-2 levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) were decreased by Kn in aging rats while IL-6 production and apoptosis increased. In addition, the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was low while that of Bax was high in the aging group. After treated with Kn, compared with aging group, there showed obvious difference in Kn group with elevated IL-2, proliferation index, Bcl-2, DeltaPsim and decreased IL-6 and Bax in splenic lymphocyte. Based on these results, we concluded that Kn can effectively protect the rat spleen from aging, apoptosis, and atrophy.
Aging/drug effects/physiology ; Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects/*physiology ; Female ; Galactose/*pharmacology ; Interleukin-6/physiology ; Interleukins/physiology ; Kinetin/pharmacology/*physiology ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects/physiology ; Rats ; Spleen/*cytology/drug effects/physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the difference of the shapes of fruits and germination characters of seeds of Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. officinale.

METHODThe seeds of three Rheum species including wild and cultivation one were collected from different regions. Character of the fruits appearance were observed. The purification, weights per thousand seeds, content of moisture, seed vigor and different germination rates of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei were measured. The germination rates of the seeds of R. palmatum were determined under different temperature and hormone treatment .

RESULTIt was markedly variant in shapes of the fruits, rates of germination and all quality characters of the three category of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei. As reported, the size of the fruit and seed and weights per thousand seeds of R. officinale was the biggest. The seed vigor and germination rate of R. palmatum caltivated in Ming county of Gangsu were 95.7% and 94% respectively. The rate of seed vigor was closely correlated with the rate of germination for other species. Results indicated that temperature had some effects on the germination, and there were obvious difference in the active effect of gibberellin, kinetin and 6-benzyl aminopurine on the germination of the seed. Our experimental results showed that the kinetin concentration of 50 x 10(-6) g x L(-1) had the most active effect, and its rates of germination increase 18 percent than the control one.

CONCLUSIONSignificant differences exist in the shapes of fruits, rates of germination of the seeds of Rheum, which are affected by the factors of temperatures and hormones. The result of this study provides scientific evidences for identify, growth and cultivation of Rheum.

Benzyl Compounds ; Fruit ; anatomy & histology ; Germination ; drug effects ; Gibberellins ; pharmacology ; Kinetin ; pharmacology ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Purines ; Rheum ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Seeds ; physiology ; Species Specificity ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo explore an effective way to increase drought tolerance of Prunella vulgaris seed.

METHODThe treatment of drought stress to P. vulgaris seeds was made by the different concentrations of PEG solutions. Primed seeds germinated under 25% PEG.

RESULTAs concentrations of PEG increasing, seed germination percentage, germination index and vitality index reduced. Primed with 20%-25% PEG, 300-500 mg x L(-1) GA3 and 1.6%-2.0% KNO3-KH2PO4 could enhance three population seeds germination index and vitality index under drought stress. Treated with NaCl, seeds germination percentage and germination index of two population increased, which came from Nanjing Zijinshan and Anhui Jinzhai, respectively, while those of seeds from Gansu Chengxian reduced.

CONCLUSIONTreated with PEG, GA3, KNO3-KH2 PO4 under proper concentration, seed vigor, seed resistance under drought stress would increase.

Desert Climate ; Droughts ; Germination ; drug effects ; Kinetin ; pharmacology ; Osmotic Pressure ; drug effects ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Proteins ; Prunella ; drug effects ; physiology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sodium ; pharmacology ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Temperature