Sixty-three morphological traits from 743 specimens of the 41 taxa within the cultivated Lonicera japonica were observed and measured, such as the height of plants, the length of leaf, the width of leaf, the length of anther, the alabastrum's number of one branch, the color of alabastrum and so on. A numerical taxonomy is presented by using the cluster analysis, principal components analysis (PCA) and factor analysis. Sixteen of 63 characters were screened by means of PCA and used for cluster analysis of 41 taxa with the method of Ward linkage and average euclidean distance. The cluster analysis showed that the 41 taxa could be divided into 5 groups when the Euclidean distance coefficient was 11.84. The factor analysis indicated that the shape of leaf, color of alabastrum, the pilosity and color of twiggery were of significance for the cultivated L. japonica classification. The results of this study will be a base for the core collection and breeding of L. japonica.
Breeding ; China ; Flowers ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Quantitative Trait Loci

We collected 22 cultivated population of Lonicera japonica from 17 areas. The characteristics of non-glandular hairs were observed and measured by the scanning electron microscopy. The principal components analysis and correlation analysis were conduct based on length and density of L. japonica. The results showed a significant negative correlation between length and density of non-glandular hairs, and the characteristics of non-glandular was not corrrelated significantly with latitude. The correlation results indicated that the density was a key to separate "Damaohua" and "Jizhuahua". The contribution of climate and soil was important to the cultivated population. This reminded that the characteristics of non-glandular hairs were affected by environmental and genetic interaction.
Lonicera ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; ultrastructure

To clarify the origin and development of the traditional Chinese medicine "Duhuo" and "Qianghuo" with medicinal literatures. Medical literatures of past dynasties were analysed and combined with the modern material. The "Duhuo" in Herbal writing Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing include traditional Chinese medicine "Duhuo" and "Qianghuo", "Qianghuo" was separated from "Duhuo" due to the distinguish of clinical application. The origin of "Qianghuo" is Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii, However, The origin of "Duhuo" is very complex, Angelica pubescens f. biserrata as authentic "Duhuo" was used from Song Dynasty. "Qianghuo" was originated from "Duhuo".
Angelica ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Apiaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; Geography ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research ; Species Specificity

This paper employed UPLC-Electrospray Ionization /Quadrupole-Time of Flight-Mass /Mass Spectrometry( UPLC-ESI/Q-TOF-MS/MS) to analyze the chemical constituents in the stems of Nelumbo nucifera. The stems of N. nucifera were extracted with 75% methanol, and we applied an Agilent Zorbax SB-Aq column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.8 μm) to UPLC analysis with water methanol-water( containing 0.05% formic acid) in gradient as mobile phase. The eluates were then detected by ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Results indicated that 22 benzylisoquinoline alkaloids were indendified. Among them, one alkaloid may be a new compound and a component was found in the Lotus for the first time. We fully identify the composition of the Lotus stems for the first time, Which could provides theoretical foundation for further study and utilization of the medicinal resources.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Nelumbo ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

To clarify the origin and application development of the traditional Chinese medicine " Zi-hua Qianhu" and " Qianhu", the medicinal literatures of past dynasties and modern researches were analysed. The plant Angelica decursivum was used as a substitute for traditional Chinese medicine "Angelica sinensis Radix" for a long historical period, it is used incorrectly for traditional Chinese medicine "Qianhu" due to origin research in modern times. The plant origin of "Qianhu" is Peucedanum praeruptorum. There are significant differences in clinical applications and chemical composition of the two drugs. The same efficacy description of "Zi-huaQianhu" and "Qianhu" could not stop "Zi-huaQianhu" used as "Qianhu" in practical application. Therefore, we need to further research for the plant A. decursivum, delimit its medicinal attribution.
Angelica ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; history ; pharmacology ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Pharmacopoeias as Topic ; history ; Phytotherapy ; history

Through the investigation of Phellodendron Cortex on the market, and 28 batches of samples were collected. By using spectrophotometer the color values of outer surface, inner surface and cross - section of these samples were measured. These measured color data was translated into 3D structure diagram by using the Lab color space tool. The level difference value, the mean value and the threshold value were calculated based the measured color data of these different batches of samples. All 28 groups measured data was analyzed using the methods of Ward linkage and average Euclidean distance. At the same time, we invited Professor Jin Shiyuan, the "Chinese medicine master", to identify, quality-evaluate and grade these 28 batches of Phellodendron Cortex samples base on the traditional experience, then compared the traditional empirical results with the spectrophotometer measurement results. The result showed that, the Phellodendron Cortex could be divided into Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by color numerical clustering, and classified according to quality. The classification result has a high degree of consistency with the traditional experience.
China ; Color ; Herbal Medicine ; economics ; Phellodendron ; chemistry ; classification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control ; Spectrophotometry

Objective To identify potential serum biomarkers specific for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Eighty-one patients wilh hepatitis B-related HCC and 80 healthy controls were randomly divided into a training set (48 HCC,47 controls) and a testing set (33 HCC,33 controls).Serum proteomic profiles were measured using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-offlight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS).A classification tree was established by the Biomarker Pattern Software.Candidate biomarkcrs were separated by HPLC and identified by MA1DI-MS/MS and database searching.Forty-eight patients with HCC,54 cirrhotic patients and 42 healthy subjects were clinically validated using candidate biomarkers by SELDI-Immunoassay.Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to observe GRO-1 and Thrombin in 55 HCC tissues and 13 normal hepatolage tissues.Results Two up-regulated protein peaks were automatically chosen as a classification tree in the training set.These biomarkers were identified as thrombin light chain and CXC chemokines ligand 1 (GRO-1).The sensitivity and specificity of this classification tree were 89.6％.The multivariate model using the two biomarkers and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) resulted in a sensitivity of 91.7％ and specificity of 92.7％,which was significantly better than AFP alone.The mRNA expression of GRO-1 and Thrombin were found in all HCC tissues.There were significant associations between GRO-1 gene expression and some clinical and pathological findings such as metastasis and recurrence (P＜0.05).Significant differences of 5-year survival rates wee observed among subgroups according to the expression of GRO-1 (P＜0.05).There were significant associations between Thrombin gene expression and some clinical and pathological findings such as recurrence and AFP (P＜0.05).Significant differences of 5-year survival rates were observed among the subgroups according to the expression of THROMBIN (P＜0.05).A positive correlation was found between GRO-1 and Thrombin (r=0.73,P＜0.01).Conclusion Thrombin light chain and GRO-1 are potential biomarkers of HCC.The expression of GRO-1 in HCC tissues was a valuable indicator in estimating metastasis and recurrence in HCC patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Stellaria media.

METHODThe compounds were isolated with various column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures were determined by modem spectroscopic methods (IR, UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, ESI-MS).

RESULTFive compounds were isolated and identified as apigenin 6-C-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-8-C-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1), apigenin 6-C-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2), apigenin 6-C-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-8-C-beta-L-arabinopyranoside (3), apigenin 6-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-beta-D-galactopyranoside (4), apigenin 6, 8-di-C-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (5).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-5 were obtained from Stellaria genus for the first time.

Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Galactosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Stellaria ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

Objective To investigate the effects of methylprednisolone on the release of cytokines in patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR).Method Thirty patients after CPR with restoration of spontaneous circulation(ROSC)were randomly divided into two groups:group A(methylprednisolone group,n=14)and group B(control group,n=16)during the period from May 2005 through May 2007.The patients of group were treated with methylprednisolone 3 mg/kg by intravenously twice a day after ROSC.The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),interleukin-10 (IL-10)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)before CPR,and 24,48,72 hours and 7 days after ROSC.The data were analyzed studentis t test and chi-gquare test.A P value less than 0.05 indicated significant difference.Results There was on significant difference in the mean time from cardiac arrest to return of spontaneous circulation,and the levels of serum cytokines between the two groups before CPR(P＞0.05).In comparisorl with group B,the levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 decreased markedly at 24 and 48 hour after ROSC in group A(P＜0.05-0.01),and the levels of serum IL-8 decreased markedly at 72 hours after ROSC in groupA(P＜0.05).Thelevels of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 were not of significant differences between the two groups at 7 hys after ROSC(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the levels of serum IL-10between the two groups at different time points after ROSC(P＞0.05).Conclusions Methylprednisolone plays a role of preventive effects on patients with ROSC after PCR through decreasing the levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8.