OBJECTIVE: Scutellarin is a primary active composition come from Erigeron breviscapus. It is well known that scutellarin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant physiological functions. In this study, we detected the effects of scutellarin on hepatocyte cell apoptosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. METHODS: Sprague Dawley (SD) (6-8 weeks, 160-180 g) rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, model, scutellarin low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose treatment, and rosiglitazone positive groups; with 10 SD rats in each group (n = 10). The changes of biochemical factors in serum were detected by automatic biochemical instrument, the pathological changes of liver tissue were detected by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, the apoptosis of liver tissue and cells was detected by tissue staining and flow analyzer, and the expression of apoptosis-related factors were determined by qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry in liver tissues or cells. RESULTS: The results showed that scutellarin decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein and increased the levels of high-density lipoprotein. Meanwhile, scutellarin decreased the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and improved liver function. In addition, scutellarin suppressed the secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and reduced hepatocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, scutellarin inhibited the expression of cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, and cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and promoted the expression of Bcl-2. CONCLUSION Scutellarin can inhibit the apoptotic pathway, thereby relieving T2DM.

OBJECTIVETo establish a quality classification standard for Aucklandia lappa.

METHODSeed purity, 1 000-grain weight, germination rate, water content of 37 seed samples from different areas were measured, and seed external characters were observed. The cluster analysis was applied for establishment of the primary quality classification standard of A. lappa seed.

RESULTThe seed quality grading of A. lappa was described as three grades. The seed quality of each grade should reach following requirements: for first grade seeds, seed germination rate > or = 85%, purity > or = 99%, 1 000-grain weight > or = 26.0 g, water content < or = 8.8%; for second grade seeds, seed germination rate > or = 70%, purity > or = 98%, 1 000-grain weight > or = 23.8 g, water content < or = 10%; for third grade seeds, seed germination rate > or = 50%, purity > or = 96%, 1 000-grain weight > or = 23.0 g, water content < or = 11%.

CONCLUSIONThis quality classification standard of A. lappa can be used as the quality control standard of A. lappa.

Asteraceae ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; physiology