Dried herb of Delphinium brunonianum Royle (Ranunculaceae) has long been used under the herbal name "Xiaguobei" (Delphinii Brunoniani Herba) in traditional Tibetan medicine and prescribed for the treatment of influenza, itchy skin rash and snake bites. In order to find a useful and convenient method for the identification of microscopic features, the technique of fluorescence microscopy was applied to authenticate "Xiaguobei" of Tibet. The transverse sections of stem and leaf, as well as the powder of "Xiaguobei" were observed to seek for typical microscopic features by normal light and fluorescence microscopy. A style-like, single-cell glandular hair containing yellow secretions on the leaf, young stem and sepal of "Xiaguobei" was found. Under the fluorescence microscope, the xylem and pericycle fiber group emitted significant fluorescence. This work indicated that fluorescence microscopy could be an useful additional method for the authentication work. Without the traditional dyeing methods, the main microscopic features could be easily found by fluorescence microscopy. The results provided reliable references for the authentication of "Xiaguobei".

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution and dynamic change of coumarins in the leaf and root of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum at different developmental stages, and provide an experimental evidence for utilizing the medicinal plant.

METHODThe leaf and root materials were collected at vegetative and reproductive stage. By applying laser scanning confocal microscopy, relative quantity of coumarins of each sample was observed and analyzed.

RESULTCoumarins located in D. thyrsiflorum leaf except fibers in vascular bundles which were close to the upper or lower epidermis. Coumarins were found in D. thyrsiflorum root structure at different developmental stages and walls of cells within cortex were especial appropriate places for the components distribution. Relative quantity of coumarins was changed obviously when plant was growing. The components reached the highest level during profuse flowering period whereas there were less coumarins at vegetative period and little during initial fruit period.

CONCLUSIONIn order to utilize D. thyrsiflorum reasonably and thoroughly, coumarins should be extracted from the plant leaf and root.

Coumarins ; metabolism ; Dendrobium ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective Application of a new molecular marker to the identification of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) species. Methods Complete sequences of the mitochondrial nad 1 intron 2 for nine species of Dendrobium Sw. were amplified and determined. Results Seventeen variable sites were found in the aligned 872 bp of nad 1 intron 2 sequences. Eight of the nine Dendrobium species except D. loddigesii could be identified by the nad 1 intron 2 sequences. Conclusion The mitochondrial nad 1 intron 2 sequences could be used as a new molecular marker for the identification of Dendrobium species.

Object To explore the method for high quality DNA extract from plant Chinese medicinal materials containing developed xylem Methods The process of DNA includes wash with Tris buffer, extract with CYAB buffer and purification mainly Results Using this method, the total DNA was isolated from Cimicifugae foelida L., Arlia chinensis L., Paeoniae lactiflora Pall.,Aucklandia lappa Decne.,Lindera aggregata (Slms) Kostern., and Akebia quinata Decne. etc This method is preferable in removing pigments, polysaccharides, substance disturbing PCR Conclusion In this process, common reagents are used, lower cost is of advantage to popularize This study provids the applying foundations for the DNA identification of plant Chinese medicinal materials

Object To study the antitumor effects of extracts from the fruits, roots and rhizomes of Sinopodophyllum emodi (Wall.) Ying, the roots and rhizomes of Dysosma furfuracea S.Y. Bao and the podophyllotoxin, deoxypodophyllotoxin of Guijiu plants in mice. Methods Tumor borne mice with transplanted HepA and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) were used to observe the antitumor and the liver protective effects of the above five samples, which were given orally. Results Extracts of roots and rhizomes of S. emodi, and D. furfuracea showed the significant antitumor effects. Conclusion All the five samples have antitumor activity.

Objective To observe the histological structure of plant roots of Dendrobium Sw. for assisting identification of crude drug Herba Dendrobii. Methods Morphological and histological studies were carried out on 11 medicinal plant roots in Dendrobium Sw. by microstructural observation. The 11 species were divided into three groups according to their stem morphology: a) pair fleshy-stem group, including D. chrysanthum, D. crepidatum, D. primulinum, D. hercoglossum, and D. crystallium; b) thick-and rigid-stem group, including D. fimbriatum and D. aurantiacum var. denneanum; c) node-or inter- node- bulgy-stem group, including D. findlayanum, D. gratiosissimum, D. pendulum, and D. wardianum. The surface descriptions of velamen were conducted for D. fimbriatum and D. aurantiacum var. denneanum which are similar in characters of cross section. Results There were differences in shape and layers of velamen cell, number of xylem bundles, maximum diameter of vessels, organization of pith, as well as the types, quantity, and size of crystals. D. fimbriatum could be distingushed from its adulterant species D. aurantiacum var. denneanum by the different surface structure of velamen cells. Conclusion The histological characters of the roots can be used for assisting identification of Herba Dendrobii.

A survey on drug resources and identification or the commercial drugs showed that Heshouwu was derived from Polygonum multiflorum and the roots of another two species of the same family were misused as Heshouwu. The roots of 6 species of Cynanchum genus, Asclepiadaceae were used as Baishouwu in different regions. The index of botanical identification was listed. Botanical origins, distribution, production and sale of "Shouwu" were investigated.

A survey of the resources of Dendrobium Sw. and identification of commercially available samples showed that 22 speices of Dendrobium Sw., 1 species of Ephermerantha Hunt et Summerh. and 1 species of Pholidota Lindl. were processed as Chinese drug "Shihu" in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. But the commercial drug came mainly from D. crystallinum Rchb.f., D. fimbriatum Hook., D. moschatum (Buch.-Ham. ) Sw. and D. chrysotoxum Lindl..