The purpose of the study is to use O. intermedium DN2 to degrade nicotine in tobacco extracts for making reconstituted tobacco. Firstly, we studied the effects of various factors on degradation of nicotine in the extracts by strain DN2. When we added 0.1% yeast extract into the extracts, adjusted its pH value to 7.0 by ammonia solution, inoculated 15% cultures and maintained fermentation temperature of 30 degrees C, the degradation rate of nicotine by strain DN2 was the fastest. Furthmore, under these conditions, we studied the degradation rates of nicotine in three fed batches culture which carried out in a 30-L reactor, the result showed that the average degradation rate of nicotine by strain DN2 was 140.55 mg/L/h, which was much higher than that reported in other studies. These results indicated that strain DN2 may be useful for reducing nicotine content of reconstituted tobacco.
Nicotine ; metabolism ; Ochrobactrum ; classification ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; Tobacco ; chemistry

Alanine Transaminase/metabolism ; Liver/drug effects ; Plant Extracts/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVEIn order to provide a scientific fertilizer application for the standardized cultivation, the effects of phosphate (P) fertilizer on the active ingredients and antioxidant activities of Chrysanthemum morifolium were studied.

METHODPot experiment was adopted to study the effects of P supply on the yield and the content of flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, soluble sugar, soluble amino acids and crude protein of C. morifolium flower. And effects of P supply on the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity of flower were researched too.

RESULTThe yield of C. morifolium dry flower increased 129. 94% when P fertilizer was applied. Appropriate application of P fertilizer could also significantly improve the content and accumulation of total flavonoids, chlorogenic acid and soluble sugar in C. morifolium. Thus, the inhibition rates of hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical and DPPH free radical of C. morifolium was increased. When the level of P supply exceeded 0.20 g P2O5 per plant, P had also negative influence on the yield and the content of active ingredients and the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical and DPPH free radical of C. morifolium. Furthermore, there were significant positive correlations between the content of total flavonoids and chlorogenic acid and the inhibition rate of hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical and DPPH free radical, respectively.

CONCLUSIONAppropriate application of P fertilizer could be beneficial to the increase the active components and antioxidant activity of C. morifolium. And recommended level of P fertilizer is 0.26-0.28 g x kg(-1).

Antioxidants ; analysis ; metabolism ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Fertilizers ; analysis ; Phosphates ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism

Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) and Scutellaria barbata (S. barbata) are common medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family. Both produce specific flavonoid compounds, including baicalein, scutellarein, norwogonin, and wogonin, as well as their glycosides, which exhibit antioxidant and antitumor activities. Here, we report chromosome-level genome assemblies of S. baicalensis and S. barbata with quantitative chromosomal variation (2n = 18 and 2n = 26, respectively). The divergence of S. baicalensis and S. barbata occurred far earlier than previously reported, and a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event was identified. The insertion of long terminal repeat elements after speciation might be responsible for the observed chromosomal expansion and rearrangement. Comparative genome analysis of the congeneric species revealed the species-specific evolution of chrysin and apigenin biosynthetic genes, such as the S. baicalensis-specific tandem duplication of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase and chalcone synthase, and the S. barbata-specific duplication of genes encoding 4-CoA ligase. In addition, the paralogous duplication, colinearity, and expression diversity of CYP82D subfamily members revealed the functional divergence of genes encoding flavone hydroxylase between S. baicalensis and S. barbata. Analyzing these Scutellaria genomes reveals the common and species-specific evolution of flavone biosynthetic genes. Thus, these findings would facilitate the development of molecular breeding and studies of biosynthesis and regulation of bioactive compounds.
Evolution, Molecular ; Flavonoids/biosynthesis* ; Genome, Plant ; Plant Extracts/genetics* ; Scutellaria/metabolism* ; Whole Genome Sequencing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the total alkaloid content and find out the variation of total alkaloids content in Dendrobium officinale with different germplasms and harvesting ages with the aim of providing scientific basis for the authenticity identification and the breeding of D. officinale.

METHODForty one samples with 1-3 ages were collected from cultivated fields of Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces and 11 samples were collected from markets. The total alkaloid contents of samples were determined using acid-dye colorimetry method.

RESULTThe determined total alkaloid contents in D. officinale ranged 0.0190%-0.0430%. The averages of total alkaloid contents were 0.0253%, 0.0270% and 0.0326% in 1-year-old, 2-year-old and 3-year-old samples of Zhejiang province, respectively. The average of total alkaloid content was 0.034 3% in 1-year-old samples of Yunnan province.

CONCLUSIONThe total alkaloid content of D. officinale with different germplasms and physiological ages existed significant discrepancy, and it increased with the growth of ages. The total alkaloid content of cultivated D. officinale in Yunnan province was higher than that in samples from Zhejiang province. But the authentic D. officinale had certain range of total alkaloid content. Samples whose total alkaloids content divagates from this range must be counterfeit; Samples whose total alkaloid content is in this range still need to combines with other active chemical groups like polysaccharides content to identify the authenticity and quality of medicinal materials.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; metabolism ; China ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of light quality on growth, polysaccharides content of Ganoderma lucidum.

METHODG. lucidum was planted under different light qualities. The growth of G. lucidum was observed and polysaccharides content was determined in different growth periods.

RESULTThere were significant differences in the form of the thickness and the numbers of ringed of the fruit before the ejection. The maximum content of G. lucidum polysaccharides under different light qualities were appeared in different periods. The content of polysaccharides was higher than that of CK under blue light in the period of budding, parachute phase, after spore ejection. The content of polysaccharides was increased under green light in the period of growth stage. The yield of fruits and spores were different in different light qualities.

CONCLUSIONThe light quality could increase the content of polysaccharides in G. lucidum.

Light ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; metabolism ; Reishi ; growth & development ; metabolism ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVE: Although the protective effects of Momordica charantia L. (MC) extract on chemical-induced testicular damage have been studied, the preventive effects of MC extract on functional proteins in the epididymis under chronic stress have never been reported. This study investigated the protective effects of MC fruit extract on protein secretion, especially tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, in the epididymis of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). METHODS: Total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid compounds (TFC) and antioxidant capacities of MC extract were measured. Adult male rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, CUS group, and 2 groups of CUS that received different doses of MC extract (40 or 80 mg/kg). In treated groups, rats were given MC daily, followed by induction of CUS (1 stressor was randomly applied from a battery of 9 potential stressors) for 60 consecutive days. Plasma corticosterone and testosterone levels were analyzed after the end of experiment. Expressions of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins present in the fluid of the head and tail of the epididymis were quantified using Western blot. RESULTS: MC extract contained TPC of (19.005 ± 0.270) mg gallic acid equivalents and TFC of (0.306 ± 0.012) mg catechin equivalents per gram, and had 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl antioxidant capacity of (4.985 ± 0.086) mg trolox equivalents per gram, radical 50% inhibitory concentration of (2.011 ± 0.008) mg/mL and ferric reducing antioxidant power of (23.697 ± 0.819) µmol Fe(II) per gram. Testosterone level in the epididymis was significantly increased, while the corticosterone level was significantly improved in groups treated with MC extract, compared to the CUS animals. Particularly, an 80 mg/kg dose of MC extract prevented the impairments of HSP-70 and tyrosine-phosphorylated protein expressions in the luminal fluid of the epididymis of CUS rats. CONCLUSION MC fruit extract had antioxidant activities and improved the functional proteins secreted from the head and tail of the epididymis. It is possible to develop the MC fruit extract as a male fertility supplement for enhancing functional sperm maturation in stressed men.
Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Tyrosine/metabolism* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Corticosterone ; Seeds ; Testosterone ; Fruit/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba on periodontitis mice and compare the results of the two herbs for the treatment of the periodontitis mice.

METHODSSixty-four SPF 12-week-old male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups:Control group(C); Experimental periodontitis group (P):the peridontitis models in Kunming mice were prepared by wrapping silk ligature and inoculating with putative periodontopathic bacteria; Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi treatment group (SG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi; Radix paeoniae Alba treatment group (RG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Radix paeoniae Alba.Four mice were sacrificed at each time point of the end of 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks in each group. The histopathological changes of periodontal tissue were observed under microscope with HE staining. The level of serum IgG1 and IgG2a was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .

RESULTSA serious inflammatory response, alveolar progressive absorption and a large number of osteoclasts were observed in the experimental periodontitis group.However, in SG and RG, the inflammation of the periodontal tissue was decreased and tissue repair was significant. The level of serum IgG2a in SG (6 week:0.934 ± 0.006, 8 week:0.743 ± 0.009, 10 week: 0.674 ± 0.008) and RG (6 week: 1.023 ± 0.032, 8 week: 0.851 ± 0.032, 10 week:0.790 ± 0.009) was significantly decreased after the mice were gavaged with the two herbs(P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG2a in SG was significantly lower than that of RG (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG (6 week: 0.314 ± 0.006, 8 week: 0.344 ± 0.004, 10 week: 0.367 ± 0.006) and RG (6 week: 0.287 ± 0.005, 8 week: 0.303 ± 0.058, 10 week: 0.336 ± 0.006) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG was significantly higher than that of RG (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba showed therapeutic effect on periodontitis in mice.Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi was more effective than Radix paeoniae Alba.

Aconitum ; Animals ; Immunoglobulin G ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Paeonia ; Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; Water

OBJECTIVETo study the change of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Pinellia ternata around sprout tumble.

METHODTubers of P. ternata were cultured firstly at (25 +/- 1) degrees C for certain days, and then they were coerced under 37 degrees C stress in the same artificial climate boxes. The chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence during different stages of high temperature stress were measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAfter under high temperature stress, the chlorophyll contents, the ratio of chlorophyll a/b, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), maximum fluorescence (Fm), quantum yield of PS II (phi (PS II)), intrinsic photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm) and the chlorophyll photochemical quenching (qP) decreased, but the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), minimal fluorescence (F0), the chlorophyll nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) increased.

Chlorophyll ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Fluorescence ; Hot Temperature ; Photosynthesis ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

Stratospheric ozone depletion results in an increased level of solar UV-B radiation (UV-B, 280-320 nm) reaching the earth surface. By the effect of UV-B radiation, various medicinal active ingredients changed because of the change of gene expression, enzyme activity and secondary metabolism, clinical effect is also changed. The research status of UV-B radiation and the accumulation of plant secondary metabolites in the past 10 years were summarized in this paper to supply reference for cultivation and exploitation of the medicinal plants.
Ecosystem ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Ultraviolet Rays