Diterpenes, an important class of natural compounds, are widely distributed in nature. As the valuable diterpenoids continue to be found, diterpene synthase in the course of diterpene synthesis get as much attention as possible. The multiformity of end-product-diterpenoids were also due to the diversity of diterpene synthase. This paper focuses on the advances in recent biosynthesis pathway of diterpene and types, cloning, catalytic mechanism, synthetic biology application.

To study on the four natures (cold, hot, warm, and cool) of Chinese materia medica (CMM) is a central and knotty issue in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and no substantial progress has been made so far, which is an obstacle in the course for the modernization of TCM. By application of apoptosis for researching the four natures of CMM, the relationship between the biological efficiency and apoptosis has been explained in a qualitative and quantitative way. A pattern recognition system for the four natures of CMM has been set up in a molecular level. That is a breakthrough to measure the four natures of CMM. Based on the abundant literatures at home and abroad, and the study done as well, the original thinking and fresh viewpoint on the orientation and development for the four natures of CMM have been put forward and then the explanation and prospective analysis on them have been carried out.

Through our pre-investigation and literature analysis, it was found that rhubarb could be categorized into two types, chrysophanol-type and rhein-type, based on the proportion of the two constituents in the total content of anthraquinones after acid hydrolysis. In this paper, the antimicrobial activities of chrysophanol-type and rhein-type rhubarbs against Staphylococcus aureus were compared with microcalorimetric analysis, in order to illustrate the bioactive differentiability between the two chemotypes. For the aim to display the distinction of chrysophanol and rhein percentage in total anthraquinones, the sampling volume was regulated to make the total anthraquinones equivalent, thus, the antimicrobial difference was only attributed to the difference of chemotypes. The results indicated that the antimicrobial difference between the two chemotypes was confirmable labeled at the biothermokinetic parameters of S. aureus growth affected by the rhubarb samples. The growth rate constant (k1) of the first exponential phase for the growth of S. aureus affected by the rhein-type rhubarb was significantly lower than that of chrysophanol-type (P<0.01), which suggested stronger antimicrobial activity of rhein-type rhubarb than that of chrysophanol-type. However, the antimicrobial activities of rhein-type rhubarbs were not positively correlated to the contents of rhein. It suggested that the antimicrobial activity of rhubarb might be related to some unknown components which were of same accumulating pattern of rhein. The findings in present study provided some experimental evidence on categorizing rhubarb into two chemotypes through the difference of antimicrobial activity on S. aureus by microcalorimetric analysis and, further, offered references to revision of the commercial specification of rhubarb from chemical view.

Objective To establish an objective method for evaluating the intrinsic characteristics between cold and hot nature of Chinese materia medica(CMM)through the different effects of Mahuang decoction(MHD)and Maxing Shigan decoction(MSD)on animal temperature tropism.Methods The equipment with cold/hot pads was used to investigate the variety ofthe temperature tropism between two groups of mice treated by MHD and MSD,respectively.Meanwhile,the activities ofadenosine triphosphatase(ATPase),superoxide dismutase,succinate dehydrogenase,and malondialdehyde were measured.Results After treated by MHD,the macroscopic behavioral index of remaining rate on warm pad(40 ℃)of mice decreasedsignificantly(P < 0.05),suggesting the enhancement of cold tropism,meanwhile,the internal indices of ATPase activity and oxygen consuming volume increased significantly(P < 0.05),suggesting the enhancement of energy metabolism.On theother hand,the above-mentioned indices in MSD group changed on the inverse way.Conclusion The relative drug natureof MHD and MSD revealed in this study is consistent with the theoretical prognostication or definition.It indicates that theinternal cold and hot nature of CMM could be reflected in ethological way on the changes of animal temperature tropismwhich might be internally regulated by body energy metabolism.

Object To demonstrate the naked truth of four therapeutic features of TCM (cold, hot, warm and cool) from biophysical and biochemical point of view. Methods Growth thermogenesis curves of Escherichia coli were determined under different conditions by microcalorimetry to give biothermodynamic parameters, such as multiplication constant (k), median inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ), and enthalpy (?H). Differences between folia ginseng and flos ginseng were comprehensively compared with reference to classical Chinese literatures on material medica. Results The bacteriostatic curve of both drugs were basically similar. With increasing concentration of decoctions of both drugs, the lag phase was delayed and the peaks shifted to the right. While the difference of ?H was stable, which decreases with the increasing concentration of Folium ginseng, but increases with increasing concentration of Flos ginseng. Conclusion Microcalorimetry is not only a new effective method to describe the therapeutic features of TCM, but also could be used as a tool for the screening of active TCM.

OBJECTIVE: To establish GC-MS fingerprint of volatile oil from Citrus aurantium. METHODS: GC-MS method was adopted. The determination was performed on RTX-5MS capillary column with injector temperature of 250 ℃, high pure helium as carrier gas(≥99. 999％), flow rate of 1. 0 mL/min, split ratio of 10:1,and sample size of 1 μL (temperature programming). Mass spectrum condition included electron bombardment ion source, ion source temperature of 230 ℃, detector temperature of 250 ℃, 3 min solvent delay, scanning range of m/z 35-550. GC-MS chromatograms of 21 batches of volatile oil samples were determined using Laurene as reference. The similarity of them was evaluated by using TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System (2004 A edition), and common peak was determined. The components of common peak were determined by LC Solution 2 mass database (NIST05. LIB and NIST05s. LIB). Relative content of common peak was determined with area normalization. RESULTS; There were 20 common peaks in GC-MS chromatograms of 21 batches of volatile oil samples, and the similarity was higher than 0. 90. After validation, GC-MS chromatograms of 21 batches of volatile oil samples were in good agreement with control fingerprint. The main constituents of the volatile oil of C. aurantium were Limonene, Terpinene, Laurene and D-Cadinene. CONCLUSIONS: Established fingerprint can provide reference for identification and quality evaluation of volatile oil of C. aurantium.

OBJECTIVETo measure and compare the content of d-borneol in the different parts of Cinnamomum camphora by GC-MS.

METHODWith water-steam distillation and GC-MS method, d-borneol was extracted and determined.

RESULTThe linear range of d-borneol was 0.4-2.8 microg (r = 0.999 9). The average recovery was 95.40%, and RSD was 0.56%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and accurate with good separation. The content of d-borneol in the dried leaves 63.97% in the crude exfract. It can provide the proof of the exploitation of C. camphora.

Bornanes ; analysis ; Cinnamomum camphora ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Structures ; chemistry

In this study the reliability and scientificity of organoleptic evaluation for the commercial specification of Chinese medicinal materials (CMM) was investigated with Delphi method, using rhubarb as an example. The consensus panel of panelists being expert in organoleptic evaluation for CMM was cogitatively selected, with high average authority index of 0.81. The average individual repeatability of selected panelists was 85%, while the group repeatability was above 70%. It was found that the career time of the expert had significant influence on the evaluation result (P < 0.05), which suggested that practice makes repeatability. Some panelists of different career type and education background concluded different results, but no statistical significance was found. Furthermore, four predominant organoleptic parameters, shape, color, texture and section characteristics, were selected based on statistics and panelists' discussion to judge the commercial specification of rhubarb. In conclusion, we firstly demonstrated the organoleptic evaluation is an objective and repeatable approach to judge the commercial specification of CMM; and we recommend Delphi method to do validation and standardization for the conventional experiences of traditional Chinese medicine.
Delphi Technique ; Rheum ; standards ; Sensation

As national strategic resources,traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resource is the material basis for the pharmaceutical industry and health services.The high-efficiency utilization of TCM resource is a major strategic issue that realize the resource conservation and environment friendly recycling economy,guarantee the sustainable development of medicine.But currently,on one hand,the wild TCM resource was seriously damaged and in a serious shortage of stock,the cultivation variety was degenerated,the tending of endangered medicinal materials and the development of alternative varieties were faced many problems.On the other hand,the limited resources cannot be effectively utilized,which results in the waste of resources.Therefore,two ecological restricted resources,poria cocos and Chinese gall,were studied for comprehensive utilization of resources to explore the comprehensive exploitation and utilization of TCM resource as well as the pattern of sustainable development.We suggested that TCM resource should be taken into account as a whole for comprehensive utilization.We should especially pay attention to basic research for the sustainable development of TCM resource,discovery of bioactive substance,excavation and transformation for functional components,the use of biotechnology,the product development,the formation and extension of industry chain.So as the comprehensive exploitation and utilization of TCM resources and sustainable development would be realized.