Eleven compounds (1–11) were isolated from the rhizomes of Osmunda japonica, and their structures were elucidated based on 1H, 13C-NMR and LC-IT-TOF MS data. Of these compounds, all compounds (1 – 11) have been previously reported, although five (6 – 9, 11) have not previously been isolated from this plant. The antioxidant activities of isolated compounds (1 – 11) were measured by DPPH and ABTS assays, and compound 10 showed the high antioxidant activity.
Plants ; Rhizome*

Rhizome rot is one of the main disease in the cultivation of Polygonatum cyrtonema, and it is also a global disease which seriously occurs on the perennial medicinal plants such as Panax notoginseng and P. ginseng. There is no effective control method at present. To identify the effects of three biocontrol microbes(Penicillium oxalicum QZ8, Trichoderma asperellum QZ2, and Brevibacillus amyloliquefaciens WK1) on the pathogens causing rhizome rot of P. cyrtonema, this study verified six suspected pathogens for their pathogenicity on P. cyrtonema. The result showed that Fusarium sp. HJ4, Colletotrichum sp. HJ4-1, and Phomopsis sp. HJ15 were the pathogens of rhizome rot of P. cyrtonema, and it was found for the first time that Phomopsis sp. could cause rhizome rot P. cyrtonema. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of biocontrol microbes and their secondary metabolites on three pathogens were determined by confrontation culture. The results showed that the three tested biocontrol microbes significantly inhibited the growth of three pathogens. Moreover, the secondary metabolites of T. asperellum QZ2 and B. amyloliquefaciens WK1 showed significant inhibition against the three pathogens(P<0.05), and the effect of B. amyloliquefaciens WK1 sterile filtrate was significantly higher than that of high tempe-rature sterilized filtrate(P<0.05). B. amyloliquefaciens WK1 produced antibacterial metabolites to inhibit the growth of pathogens, and the growth inhibition rate of its sterile filtrate against three pathogens ranged from 87.84% to 93.14%. T. asperellum QZ2 inhibited the growth of pathogens through competition and antagonism, and P. oxalicum QZ8 exerted the inhibitory effect through competition. The research provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of rhizome rot of P. cyrtonema and provides a basis for the di-sease control in other crops.
Polygonatum ; Rhizome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale.

METHODIsolation and purification of the chemical constituents were carried out on the column chromatography of silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. The structures were elucidated on basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTTen compounds were isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol palmitate (1), isovanillin (2), glycol monopalmitate (3), hexacosanoic acid 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (4), maleimide-5-oxime (5), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (6), adenine (7), 6-gingerol (8), 6-shogaol (9), and 1-(omega-ferulyloxyceratyl) glycerols (10a-10f).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-7 and 10a-10e are obtained from Z. officinale for the first time, and compound 10f is a new compound.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the dried rhizome of Ardisia gigantifolia.

METHODThe 60% ethanol extract was extracted with EtOAc, and then separated and purified by column chromatography using silica gel and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and physico-chemical properties.

RESULTNine compounds were isolated and identified as 11-O-galloylbergenin (1), 11-O-syringylbergenin (2), 11-O-protocatechuoylbergenin (3), 4-O-galloylbergenin (4), 11 -O-vanilloylbergenin (5), (-) -epicatechin-3-gallate (6), stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (-) -4'-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl-beta-D-[6-O-(4"-hydroxy-3", 5"-dimethoxybenzoyl)] -glucopyranoside (8), and beta-sitosterol (9).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 3, 4 and 7 were isolsted from the genus Ardisia for the first time, while compounds 1, 2, 5 and 6 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Study on ‘Cot toai bo’ (Drynaria bonii Rhizome) product was processed from fresh stem and root of Drynaria bonii Christ., collected at Lang Son from July 2003 to September 2003. Results: chemical analysis showed that Cot toai bo contains flavonoids, steroid saponins, sterols, tannins, deoxidized sugar. Total flavonoid in stem and root accounted for 0.60±0.03% and total saponin was 3.71±0.06%. After processing by traditional method, total flavonoids and saponins in processed materials reduced in comparison with raw material. Compare 2 processing methods: in rice alcohol processed material, whose chemical constituents were reduced very little but in fried material, whose chemical constituents were reduced more than raw material. Rice alcohol processed Cot toai bo had analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects better than raw material and this processing was a more appropriate method than fried method
Polypodiaceae ; Rhizome ; Chemistry

Alpinia laosensis Gagnep. is a specific plant of Laos, but it also grows in some districts of Vietnamese – Laos frontier. The different components of rhizome of Alpinia laosensis Gagnep. was extracted in order of the solvents: The ether petroleum, the ethylacetate and the methanol. The antifungal compound 3-(p-acetylphenyl) – 3-methylcarboxyl – 1-propen was isolated from residue of the ether petroleum by method bioassay – guided
Antibiotics, Antifungal ; Rhizome ; plants

As revealed by the investigation on the name change, biological characteristics, artificial cultivation, and edible history of Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium, it was described as a variation pattern of P. kingianum in the Chinese version of Flora of China(1978) and as a variant of P. kingianum in the revised English version of the Flora of China(2000). P. kingianum var. grandifolium, long been consumed as food by local folks, has been widely cultivated in its natural distribution area and circulated as Polygonati Rhizoma in the market. The important biological properties of P. kingianum var. grandifolium make it possess a great potential of being consumed as both medicine and food. The shoots of P. kingianum var. grandifolium sprout immediately out of the ground after seed germination and a new seedling will be formed at the same year, implying that its seedling cultivation period is at least two years shorter than that of P. cyrtonema. It can sprout more than twice a year, and the adult plants always remain evergreen, thereby obtaining higher biomass. Its rhizome biomass can be more than one time higher than that of P. cyrtonema. With reference to the diploid P. cyrtonema, flow cytometry revealed the polyploid and aneuploid forms in natural populations, which were tall and light-adapted with large underground rhizome. It can grow normally under the forest canopy and in the open field. Furthermore, P. kingianum var. grandifolium has important theoretical values for the study of ploidy variation, bud dormancy mechanism, etc.
China ; Medicine ; Polygonatum ; Rhizome

Steam distillation of fresh roots, small rhizomes, large rhizomes, stems and leaves of Curcuma elata Roxb (Zingiberaceae) produced oils in yields of 0.25%, 0.26%, 0.34%, 0.02%, 0.19% repectively. The oils were analyzed by high resolution GC and GC/MS. Among the more than 40 compounds identified in the stem and leaf oils-pinene (9.1% and 9.7%) 1.8-cineole (17.8%; 21.9%) and humelene (7.5% and 6.7%) we found predominatly. The oils of the roots, small rhizomes and large rhizomes contained great amounts of oxygenated terpenes such as ar-curcu-mene (22.3%, 26.7% and 25.4%),  bisabolene (14.7%, 16.9% and 15.9%) and cuzerenone (20.6%, 13.9% and 12.0%). The oxygenated compounds contribute to the special odor of these oils.
Oils, Volatile ; Plant Roots ; Rhizome

In order to explore the effect of different drying methods(drying-in-the-shade, sun-drying, and hot air drying) on appearance characteristics, internal structure and composition of Belamcandae Rhizoma, so as to provide a theoretical basis for screening out suitable drying methods for primary processing. In this study, the Belamcandae Rhizoma's dynamic changes of the moisture content ratio and drying rate with different drying time under different drying methods, as well as the effects of different drying methods on the appearance, drying rate, density, ash, extractives and the contents of six flavonoids(mangiferin, tectoridin, iridin, tectorigenin, irigenin, irisflorentin) were compared. The results showed that fresh Belamcandae Rhizoma consumed the longest time to reach the water balance point by traditional dry drying in the shade, whiche was about 311 h; that by sun drying was 19.3%, which was shorter than drying in the shade; both drying curves were smoother. The section color of the sun drying samples was the closest to that of fresh samples, but the interior is full of holes, with a low density and loose structure. Hot air drying(40, 60, 80 ℃) could save about 27% to 88% of the drying time, which was greatly shorter, with less pores, a larger density and compact structure. Compared with the traditional drying method, the drying rate of hot air drying was reduced by 13.7%. Ash was affected by temperature, the drying conditions under 40 ℃ and below were not significantly different from those of conventional drying. The ash content decreased by 7.73% to 18.5% compared with conventional drying at 60,80 ℃. After conventional drying and 40 ℃ hot air drying, the contents of tectoridin and iridin(glycosides) in the samples were significantly higher than those in 60,80 ℃ hot air drying, while the contents of tectorigenin, irigenin and irisflorentin(aglycones) dried at 60 ℃ were the best. Therefore, considering comprehensive appearance characteristics and content of medicinal ingredients, traditional Chinese medicinal materials after 60 ℃ hot air drying show a solid texture, tight internal structure, good appearance, appropriate reduction of toxic parasides and higher aglycone content.
Desiccation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Rhizome

Dao-di medicinal materials produced in a specific environment always present excellent appearance and high quality. Because of the unique appearance, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is regarded as a paradigm in the research on excellent appearance. This paper systematically summarized the research progress in the genetic and environmental factors influencing the formation of the excellent appearance of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, aiming to provide reference for the quality improvement of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and the scientific connotation of Dao-di Chinese medicinal materials. The Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma with high quality generally has a robust and long rhizome, a large angle between branch roots, and the simultaneous presence of a robust basal part of rhizome, adventitious roots, rhizome bark with circular wrinkles, and fibrous roots with pearl points. The cultivated and wild Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma have significant differences in the appearance and no significant difference in the population genetic diversity. The differences in the appearance are associated with cell wall modification, transcriptional regulation of genes involved in plant hormone transduction, DNA methylation, and miRNA regulation. The rhizosphere soil microorganisms including Fusarium and Alternaria, as well as the endophytes Trichoderma hamatum and Nectria haematococca, may be the key microorganisms affecting the growth and development of Panax ginseng. Cultivation mode, variety, and root exudates may be the main factors influencing the stability of rhizosphere microbial community. Ginsenosides may be involved in the formation of the excellent appearance. However, most of the available studies focus on the partial or single factors in the formation of Dao-di medicinal materials, ignoring the relationship within the complex ecosystems, which limits the research on the formation mechanism of Dao-di medicinal materials. In the future, the experimental models for the research involving genetic and environmental factors should be established and mutant materials should be developed to clarify the internal relationship between factors and provide scientific support for the research on Dao-di medicinal materials.
Alternaria ; Microbiota ; Panax/genetics* ; Rhizome