Phellodendron Amurense Research Articles

Limited plasticity in embolism resistance in response to light in leaves and stems in species with considerable vulnerability segmentation.

Xylem resistance to embolism is a key metric determining plant survival during drought. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the degree of plasticity in vulnerability to embolism. Here, we tested whether light availability influences embolism resistance in leaves and stems. The optical vulnerability method was used to assess stem and leaf resistance to embolism in Phellodendron amurense and Ilex verticillata acclimated to sun and shade microenvironments within the same canopy. In both species, we found considerable segmentation in xylem resistance to embolism between leaves and stems, but only minor acclimation in response to light availability. With the addition of a third species, Betula pubescens, which shows no vulnerability segmentation, we sought to investigate xylem anatomical traits that might correlate with strong vulnerability segmentation. We found a correlation between the area fraction of vessels in the xylem and embolism resistance across species and tissue types. Our results suggest that minimal acclimation of embolism resistance occurs in response to light environment in the same individual and that the degree of vulnerability segmentation between leaves and stems might be determined by the vessel lumen fraction of the xylem.

Development of a novel functionality for a highly efficient imidazole-based ionic liquid non-aqueous solvent system for the complete extraction of target alkaloids from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. under ultrasound-assisted conditions

Solvent application in industrial processes is inevitable due to its required role in dissolving solutes, promoting mass and heat transfer, and facilitating separation and purification processes. Notably, woody plants have a high degree of fibrosis and lignification with a mass transfer barrier effect from their multi-scale structure and complex component effects, which makes it difficult for solvents to seep into these plant cells. An ultrasound-assisted complete extraction in ionic liquid non-aqueous solvent system (UACE-ILNAS) method was successfully designed and applied to achieve excellent extraction of five alkaloid components (berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, magnoflorine and phellodendrine) from the bark and leaves of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. From single-factor design and response surface methodology (RSM), the significant factors affecting the average yield of the alkaloids, the ionic liquid concentration, liquid-solid ratio and ultrasonic irradiation temperature, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the average yields of the alkaloids from the bark and leaves of P. amurense were 4.22 ± 0.20 and 2.47 ± 0.12 mg/g, respectively, which were highly consistent with the response surface optimization and kinetics analysis results. The non-aqueous aprotic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was innovatively used as a co-solvent for the ionic liquid [C4mim][OAc]. The DMSO plays a positive role in promoting penetration, helping cell wall dissolve, reducing viscosity, etc. The proposed method overcomes the poor water solubility of isoquinoline alkaloids and the negative effects from the high viscosity of ionic liquids to effectively guarantee the alkaloid quality and yield. In addition, ultrasound plays a reinforcing role in achieving full extraction. Therefore, the developed method shows good application prospects for the separation of low-polarity constituents, especially those present in woody plants.

Abstract PO-085: Therapeutic targeting of RPS6KB1/SQSTM1 axis to prevent biochemical recurrence

Abstract Radiation therapy (RT) is a standard treatment for organ confined prostate cancer (PCa). Given that both intrinsic and acquired resistance to radiation causes progression to advanced metastatic PCa, there is an unmet need for adjuvant therapies that synergize with radiation to improve therapeutic efficacy. Previously, we demonstrated strong synergistic tumor growth inhibitory activities for Phellodendron amurense bark extract in combination with radiation in part through downregulation of ribosomal protein S6K (encoded by RPS6KB1). Subsequently we identified berberine (Ber), one of the active constituents of Nexrutine as a potential pharmacological inhibitor of RPS6KB1. Given these findings, we hypothesized that targeting RPS6KB1 could be an approach to enhance sensitivity to radiation. We tested the efficacy of Ber alone and in combination with radiation using an orthotopic implantation model and the mechanism associated with radio-sensitization using prostate cancer cells stably silenced and deleted for RPS6KB1. We observed that (i) RPS6KB1 deletion in androgen responsive early stage LNCaP cells and (ii) stable silencing in castrate resistant C4-2B cells increased sensitization to radiation relative to respective parental or non-targeted cells. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of RPS6KB1 with Ber sensitized cells to radiation. Mechanistically, RPS6KB1 silencing increased autophagic activity as revealed by changes in proteins identified through reverse phase protein array (RPPA) and decreased expression and levels of SQSTM1 via downregulation of NFkB. Pretreatment with chloroquine (CQ) rescued the observed radio-sensitization effects. Treatment with Ber alone or Ber plus radiation decreased levels of PSA that was sustained during the course of the experiment in mice orthotopically implanted with C4-2B cells. On the other hand animals treated with radiation alone developed recurrent cancer as evidenced by a resurgence of PSA. Notably, RPS6KB1 mRNA levels increased in tumor samples in patients experiencing biochemical recurrence (BCR). Taken together, these findings demonstrate that RPS6KB1 is a clinically relevant target and that Ber sensitizes prostate cancer cells to radiation in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, targeting RPS6KB1 signaling is an attractive strategy to prevent progression to BCR; given that rising PSA following conventional therapeutic approaches such as radiation remain a major clinical challenge. This work is supported in part by CPRIT RP190012 (APK). Citation Format: Addanki P. Kumar, Alison Clark, Michelle R. Villarreal, Shih-Bo Huang, Suleman S. Hussain, Xiaoyu Yang, Roble G. Bedolla, Paul Rivas, Sridharan Jayamohan, Li-Ju Wang, Yidong Chen, Caroline Xavier Paul Ezhilan, Mohan Natarajan, Joel E. Michalek, Robert Reddick, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Rita Ghosh. Therapeutic targeting of RPS6KB1/SQSTM1 axis to prevent biochemical recurrence [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-085.

The disease resistance potential of Trichoderma asperellum T-Pa2 isolated from Phellodendron amurense rhizosphere soil

To promote the application of Trichoderma, many countries have collected Trichoderma resources. In the present study, nine isolates were isolated from a rhizosphere soil of Phellodendron amurense and were identified as three species: Trichoderma brevicompactum (one isolate), T. asperellum (two isolates), T. atroviride (six isolates). Dual culture experiments showed that T. asperellum T-Pa2 grew fast and produced the best inhibition rates against six tested pathogens (80.25–91.65%) via competition and mycoparasitism. Populus davidiana × P. alba var. pyramidalis Louche (PdPap poplar) was treated with T-Pa2, which increased the catalase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and content of osmosis molecules significantly (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, induction by T-Pa2 increased the resistance of PdPap poplar against Alternaria alternata via modulating the expression of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and auxin transduction pathway genes. The results will form the basis for the collection and application of biocontrol agents in forestry.

Обґрунтування природної цінності території "Дублянського парку" для надання статусу парку-пам'ятки садово-паркового мистецтва

Проаналізовано ландшафтну, планувальну, просторову структури "Дублянського парку" Самбірського району Львівської області. Встановлено, що на дослідженій території відсутні ознаки функціонального зонування, немає проєкту організації його території. Об'ємно-просторова структура цього парку, в основному, представлена закритим простором. Напіввідкриті простори виявлені вздовж русла річки Веретено та алеї біля північної межі парку. Переважає лісовий тип ландшафту, який виник на місці порушеного паркового ландшафту. Залишились окремі елементи регулярного парку у вигляді ділянки перерослого грабового боскету, які потребують реконструкції та збереження. Визначено основні види деревних і трав'яних рослин, що присутні на території, запропонованій для охорони у смт Дубляни Самбірського району. У дендрофлорі дослідженого парку більшість рослин належить до відділу Magnoliophyta. Видовий склад деревних рослин представлений 39 видами, які належать до 16 родин. Серед життєвих форм, які формують основу цього парку, переважають дерева (30 таксонів). Кущі представлені такими лісовими видами: Euonymus europaeus L., Cornus sanguinea L., Rosa canina L. У складі паркового фітоценозу смт Дубляни присутні інтродуковані вікові види, а саме: Juglans nigra L. та J. мandshurica Maxim,, Phellodendron amurense Rupr, Acer sacharinum L. та A. negundo L. За таких умов зростання для цих видів характерна досить висока стійкість, деякі з них дають природне поновлення, мають історичну та ботанічну цінність. У складі трав'яних рослин, здебільшого, переважають лісові види, що свідчить про відсутність належного догляду і витіснення штучних угруповань. Найвища частота трапляння та проєктивного вкриття спостерігається у Carex brizoides L., Stellaria holostea L., Aegopodium podagraria L., Pulmonaria obscura Dumort., Galeobdolon luteum Huds. Узагальнено назрілі проблеми функціонування досліджуваного парку, встановлено причини деградації зелених насаджень, намічено невідкладні природоохоронні та ландшафтно-планувальні завдання, обґрунтовано доцільність надання парку статусу парку-пам'ятки садово-паркового мистецтва місцевого значення у смт Дубляни Самбірського району Львівської області.

Intra- and inter-species variations in carbon content of 14 major tree species in Northeast China

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the major challenges in combating global warming. Carbon, including in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), is considered an essential greenhouse gas under human control to demonstrate success in emission reductions. However, many carbon stock quantifications in forest ecosystems still rely on the estimated 50% carbon content instead of more precise species-, tissue- and site-specific values. Thus, this study aimed to thoroughly measure and analyze the carbon content and variability using the 14 major tree species in Northeast China. Over 600 trees were destructively sampled from three different major mountainous regions (i.e., the Changbai, Daxing’an, and Xiaoxing’an mountains), and the carbon contents of each species were precisely measured to the sub-tissue level. Carbon contents varied significantly between species, with foliage carbon mostly found to be the highest, while root carbon contents were the lowest. Average carbon contents can be ranked as: Ulmus laciniata (43.4%) < Phellodendron amurense (43.5%) < Acer mono (43.8%) < Tilia amurensis (44.2%) < Populus davidiana (44.5%) < Fraxinus mandshurica (44.7%) < Juglans mandshurica (44.9%) < Quercus mongolica (45.3%) < Betulla davurica (45.8%) < Betulla platyphylla (46.7%) < Picea koreansis (46.9%) < Larix gmelinii (47.4%) < Pinus koreansis (48.3%) < Abies nephrolepis (48.3%). Carbon contents were higher in conifers (47.7%) compared to broadleaf species (44.9%). In addition, both tree tissues and growing sites also had a significant effect on carbon content. At the sub-tissue level, only stem’s sub-tissues (i.e., bark, heartwood, and sapwood) carbon contents showed significant variations. The results suggest that bark should be separated from other stem sub-tissues and considered separately when determining carbon stocks. This research contributes to improving estimates of terrestrial carbon quantifications, and in particular, the values obtained can be used in China’s National Forest Inventory.

燕山山脉黄檗种群结构与动态特征

燕山山脉黄檗种群结构与动态特征

Study on Genetic Diversity of Phellodendron amurense based on cpDNA

In this study, 3 haplotypes were found in populations of Phellodendron amurense based on two combined cpDNA regions (psbA-trnH and trnT-trnL). Nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity were 0.43×10-3 and 0.41, respectively at the level of species. The AMOVA revealed that only 8.53% of the variation was explained by differences among geographical groups, whereas inter-population and intrapopulation differences explained 18.32% and 71.35% of the variation, respectively. Phylogeographical relationships showed that all haplotypes were clustered into two lineages. Haplotype H1 and H2 cluster together, and Haplotype H3 composed a group. TCS network of haplotypes showed that haplotype H1 located in the center of the lineage, and it appears to be an ancestral haplotype. So we hypothesized that Northeast China populations and North China populations had a common origin. The mismatch distribution of this species suggested that all populations and populations in North China had not undergone recent expansion, but populations in Northeast China had undergone recent expansion. The results were consistent with the results of Tajima’s D and Fu’s and Li’s D test.

Phellodendron amurense Extract Protects Human Keratinocytes from PM2.5-Induced Inflammation via PAR-2 Signaling.

Dietary supplement and personal care products aiming to provide protection from air pollution have been of great interest for decades. Epidemiology demonstrated that PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter (PM) are an actual threat to public health worldwide, but the detailed processes of how these particles attack the cells are not fully understood. Here, we report that the measurement of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) using human respiratory or skin cells can illustrate pollutant challenges by triggering Ca2+ influx in these cells. This signal was generated by proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), confirmed by competition analyses, and Phellodendron amurense bark extract (PAE), a traditional medicine, was able to control the response and expression of PAR-2. Increase in proinflammatory cytokines and decrease in cell adhesion components could suggest a severe damage status by air pollutants and protection by PAE. Finally, we identified 4-O-feruloylquinic acid (FQA), an active compound of PAE, showing the same effects on Ca2+ influx and PAR-2 regulation. The results presented here should help understand the underlying mechanism of PM insults and the beneficial effect of standardized PAE as dietary supplement or cosmetical ingredient.

Laboratory germination and storage of seeds of tree and shrub introduced species

The article presents the results of research on laboratory germination of seeds of tree and shrub introduced species. Introduced seeds were collected from existing plantings in Irkutsk and the Irkutsk region. To speed up germination and increase the percentage of germination, seed stratification was performed. Seeds of Spiraea media, Betula pendula, Picea obovata, Picea pungens, Pinus sylvestris, as a rule, do not require stratification, or for violation of shallow rest, the seeds need short-term cooling (for several hours, days or weeks). Cold stratification is required for seed germination of Betula ermanii, Clematis fusca, Corylus avellana, Juglans mandshurica, Phellodendron amurense, Syringa vulgaris . Multistage stratification is recommended for Schisandra chinensis seeds. Within a few days, the seeds of Populus alba and Scopulus balsamifera lose their ability to germinate. Quercus mongolica seeds completely lose their germination by spring sowing when stored dry. Seeds of Corylus avellana, Juglans mandshurica, Phellodendron amurense, Schisandra chinensis can be stored for only one year. The shelf life of Betula ermanii and Betula pendula seeds is 3-4 years. Picea obovata, Picea pungens, Pinus sylvestris retain germination for 4-5 years. Studies have shown that the shelf life of Spiraea media, Syringa vulgaris, Clematis fusca seeds for 4-5 years did not affect the percentage of their germination.

Non-invasive study of natural dyes in textiles of the Qing Dynasty using fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy

Abstract Four kinds of fibers with 11 traditional natural dyes were measured using a portable spectrometer equipped with optical fibers working in reflectance mode (fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy, FORS) in the ultraviolet to near-infrared (NIR) regions. The absorption spectra of Kubelk–Munk transformation in ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) region were demonstrated to be valid for analysis of dyes on textiles and the characteristic absorption spectra of fiber in near-infrared region provide information to discriminate the type of fibers. The technique was applied to examine a collection named of ‘Lohan Rubbing’ of Qing Dynasty from Tibet Museum, then the established spectra library was further applied to analyze the collection. With the comparison to the references of spectra library, sappanwood, madder, indigo and amur-cork tree were successfully identified in the inlay colored textile. The mixture of sappanwood and indigo for the purple color, amur-cork tree and indigo for the green color were detected. The application of portable fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy provides a rapidly and non-invasive way for natural dye identification in historical textiles and it is beneficial to large-scale on-site survey.

Observation of leaf phenology of trees in a secondary deciduous broad‐leaved forest in northern Chugoku mountain range, western Japan, from 2004 to 2016

AbstractLong‐term record of leaf phenology of woody plants that have high longevity and that have been growing on the same site for a longer time could be one of the good indicators for assessing the effects of climate change on forest ecosystem functioning. Since climatic conditions could be different among locations, we need to record the phenology of forest plants growing under various climate types. Here, we report seasonal changes in leaf abundance of deciduous trees during a 13‐year period in the Sambe Forest of Shimane University located in northern Chugoku mountain range, western Japan (35°9′N, 132°37′–40′E, 300–628 m above sea level [asl]). Northern Chugoku mountain range is situated in the west end of Japan Sea side climate. Our study would provide the first record of tree phenology in this region. We examined eight species belonging to eight genera common in a secondary deciduous broad‐leaved forest in western Japan. Habitats of native trees ranged from canopy to understory in the forest and pioneers in an open site. Some of trees were exceptionally planted in an arboretum in the Sambe Forest. Leaf types included single leaf (i.e., Carpinus tschonoskii, Swida macrophylla, etc.) and pinnate leaves (i.e., Aesculus turbinata and Phellodendron amurense). We observed changes in the relative leaf abundance caused by budburst, leaf expansion and leaf shedding of the fixed shoots of targeted trees during 3‐day to 3‐week intervals from March to December each year from 2004 to 2016. Over the 13‐year period, we used a digital camera to take photographs of the shoots that were processed to estimate the leaf abundance. Our data was obtained from common tree species that have a wide habitat range and are distributed nationwide. Therefore, comparison of our data with those data in other climate types may significantly contribute to understand the effect of climate change across Japan on forest plants.The complete data set for this abstract published in the Data Paper section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2020-20.1/jalter-en.

A Laconic Review on Extraction, Biological Activities of Herbal Formulations of Berberine: A Traditional Drug

Herbal formulation dosage form consists of one or more herbs processed in specified quantities to provide specific nutritional, cosmetic benefits use to diagnose the disease. Herbal formulations contain an active substance and preparation in combination of one or more herbal compounds. Berberis aristata is one of herbs of an ancient Ayurveda medicine and different properties along with various treatment of illness. Berberine, is a type of alkaloid which is quarternary protoberberine, is one of the known bioactive compounds scattered extensively in a number of clinically significant medicinal plants such as Hydrastis canadensis L., Phellodendron amurense R. ,Coptis japonica M., and Berberine containing plants have been used in traditional and folk medicine around the globe for centuries. It has been used for a, anti-pyretic diarrhea, bitter tonic, and eye infections. In the past three eras, Berberine has been studied intensively in over thousands cases because of its therapeutics, physicochemical effects, pharmacological, and physiological effects such as cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, anti leshmanial, and anti- secretory, effects. Berberine act as a phytoconstituents in formulations and available in ayurveda, allopathy, and homeopathy medicines. With this review, we will evaluate the various traditional and medicinal use of Berberine and their isolation and extraction procedure. We will also review the potential of this plant as various dosage forms for the treatment of various diseases.&#x0D; Keywords: Berberine; Extraction Method; Isolation method; Skin problems

Genetic diversity and structure of Prunus padus populations in South Korea based on AFLP markers

We applied seven pairs of primer-restriction enzyme combinations to investigate the genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, and genetic structure of Prunus padus populations with AFLP markers. The values obtained for average of effective alleles (A e), percentage of polymorphic loci (%P), Shannon’s diversity index (I), and expected heterozygosity (H e) were 1.38, 81.4, 0.357, and 0.223%, respectively. The expected heterozygosity (Hj) obtained by using a Bayesian method was 0.256. The level of genetic diversity obtained for P. padus was low compared to that of Prunus species and other species with a similar life history. The inbreeding coefficient (F IS) from the approximated Bayesian method was 0.767. This value was lower than that obtained for Ulmus davidiana, which undergoes both sexual and asexual reproduction. However, the value obtained was larger than that for other species that undergo sexual reproduction, such as, Carpinus laxiflora, Phellodendron amurense, and Acer pseudosieboldianum. The value of genetic differentiation was 0.245 from AMOVA (ΦST) and 0.278 from Bayesian method (θII). The obtained level of genetic differentiation was large compared to that of other Prunus species plants and other species with a similar life history. According to UPGMA and Bayesian clustering, 11 populations were divided into two genetic groups. However, some populations were detected as weak genetic structures according to the geographical distribution. It was occurred by forest succession, asexual propagation strategies to adapt local environmental change, and gene flow being gradually decreased due to population fragmentation by demographic disturbances.

Development and Validation of a HPLC–PDA Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Berberine, Palmatine, Geniposide, and Paeoniflorin in Haedoksamul-tang

Haedoksamul-tang (HST) is a traditional medical prescription comprising eight medicinal herbs: Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, Coptis japonica, Gardenia jasminoides, Paeonia lactiflora, Phellodendron amurense, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Scutellaria baicalensis. HST is used to treat blood circulation disorders and has anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and anticonvulsant effects. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array detector (HPLC–PDA) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of four marker compounds in HST, namely, berberine, palmatine, geniposide, and paeoniflorin. Four standard solutions and HST sample solutions were analyzed using a reverse-phase SunFire®C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) using a 0.05% aqueous formic acid/methanol gradient. The column temperature, flow rate, injection volume, and wavelengths used were 28 ± 2 ℃, 1.0 mL/min, 10.0 μL, and 230 nm and 240 nm, respectively. Calibration curves of the four marker compounds showed good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9994), and limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges 0.131–0.296 μg/mL and 0.398–0.898 μg/mL, respectively. Ranges of intra- and inter-day precisions and accuracies values were 96.74–102.53% and 97.95–100.83%, respectively, and relative standard deviation (RSD) values were all &lt;4%. Recoveries averaged 92.33–116.72% with RSD values &lt;5%. Quantitative analysis for the four marker compounds showed geniposide (10.77 mg/g) was most abundant in HST.

Antibacterial and fungicidal activities of ethanol extracts of 38 species of plants

Galenic preparations are broadly used against microorganisms pathogenic to humans, thought their poteintial in this aspect is not studied completely. In our in vitro experiment we studied the influence of alcohol tinctures from 38 species of plants on 15 species of bacteria and one species of fungus. Zones of growth inhibition of colonies measuring over 8 mm were observed during the use of ethanol extracts of Maclura pomifera against eight species of microorganisms (Escherichia сoli, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella typhimurium, Rhodococcus equi, Campylobacter jejuni and Corynebacterium xerosis), Ginkgo biloba – against eight species (Enterococcus faecalis, S. marcescens, Y. enterocolitica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria іnnocua, L. monocytogenes, Р. аeruginosa and C. jejuni), Genista tinctoria – against seven species (E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, Р. аeruginosa and Rh. equi), Phellodendron amurense – against seven species (E. faecalis, S. marcescens, S. typhimurium, Rh. equi, C. jejunі, C. xerosis and Candida albicans), Berberis vulgaris – against seven species (P. mirabilis, S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, C. jejuni, Р. аeruginosa and C. xerosis), Vitex negundo – against six species (E. faecalis, E. coli, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium and Rh. equi), Koelreuteria paniculata – against six species (E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, S. marcescens, S. typhimurium, C. jejunі and E. coli), Magnolia kobus – against six species (E. faecalis, E. coli, P. mirabilis, S. marcescens, S. typhimurium, C. jejunі and C. xerosis), Liriodendron tulipifera – against six species (K. pneumoniae, Listeria іnnocua, Р. аeruginosa, C. jejuni, Rh. equi and C. albicans), Clematis flammula – against six species (E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, L. monocytogenes, Р. аeruginosa, C. jejuni and C. xerosis), Wisteria sinensis – against five species (E. coli, S. typhimurium, L. monocytogenes, Rh. equi and C. albicans), Chimonanthus praecox – against five species (E. faecalis, S. marcescens, L. monocytogenes, C. jejuni and Rh. equi), Colchicum autumnale – against five species (S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, L. ivanovi, L. monocytogenes and Р. аeruginosa). As a result of the study, these plants were found to be the most promising for further study of in vivo antibacterial activity. In the search of antibacterial and antifungal activities, the following plants were observed to be less promising: Ailanthus altissima, Aristolochia manshuriensis, Artemisia absinthium, Callicarpa bodinieri, Campsis radicans, Catalpa duclouxii, Celastrus scandens, Dictamnus alba, Eucommia ulmoides, Geranium sanguineum, Laburnum anagyroides, Nepeta racemosa, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Polygonatum multiflorum, Prunus dulcis, P. laurocerasus, Ptelea trifoliata, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus castaneifolia, Q. petraea iberica, Salvia officinalis, Securigera varia, Styphnolobium japonicum, Tamarix elongata and Vitex agnus-castus.

Chemical identification on the origins of phellodendri cortex

Twenty-eight samples of commercial articles of Phellodendri Cortex, originating from Phellodendron amurense RUPRECHT, P. chinense SCHNEID, P wilsonii HAYATA et KANEHIRA, and P chinense SCHNEID. var. glabrius culum SCHNEID, were collected from different herbal markets in Taiwan and Mainland China. The five alkaloids berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, phellodendrine, and magnoflorine were determined by capillary electrophoresis for their contents in the samples, thereby a chemical identification method was established for identifying the sources of the drug materials. As this study turned out, P. chinense var. glabrius culum-was found to be the predominant variety prevailing in Taiwan markets owing to their considerably high alkaloid contents (18-38 mg/g), and was currently introduced into Taiwan. With the analytical results obtained in this study, characteristic fingerprint for the variety of P. chinense var. glabrius culum was made and the suitability of the previously established chemical identification methods in the identification of other species of the drug materials were further verified. In addition, a facile identification flowchart based on the various chemical identification methods for Phellodendri Cortex was devised.

Suppression of FAK by nexrutine inhibits gastric cancer progression

AimNexrutine, an herbal extract of Phellodendron amurense, has been found to play a tumor-suppressive role in many cancers. However, its role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer remains unclear. Materials and methodsGastric cancer cells (SGC-7901 and MGC-803) were treated with nexrutine, and cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis were analyzed. And the MGC-803 cells-derived xenograft mouse models were fed pelleted diet containing 600 mg/kg nexrutine for 21 days after inoculation. Mechanically, we focused on the influences of nexrutine on the levels and activation of STAT3 and NF-κB as well as their upstream regulator FAK. Additionally, we further verified whether nexrutine affected the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via FAK by upregulating FAK expression before nexrutine treatment. Key findingsWe found nexrutine inhibited the viability, invasion, and expression levels of PCNA, CyclinD1 and Bcl-2, promoted the apoptosis and Bax expression, decreased levels of STAT3, phospho-STAT3, NF-κB p65, phospho-p65, FAK and phospho-FAK in gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of FAK reversed the impacts of nexrutine on the levels of STAT3, phospho-STAT3, NF-κB p65, phospho-p65, as well as the malignant characteristics of gastric cancer cells. Moreover, nexrutine suppressed tumor volumes and weights, and decreased expression and phosphorylation of FAK, STAT3 and NF-κB p65 in vivo. SignificanceNexrutine inhibited the malignant progression of gastric cancer via negatively regulating STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway by suppressing FAK expression and activation.

Chijabyukpi-Tang Inhibits Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines via the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway in TNF-α/IFN-γ-Stimulated HaCaT Cells and Ameliorates 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in Mice.

Chijabyukpi-tang (CBT) is an oriental herbal formula consisting of three herbs (Gardeniae Fructus (Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis.), Phellodendri Cortex (Phellodendron amurense Rupr.), Glycyrrhizae Radix (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC.) at the ratio of 2: 2: 1. CBT has traditionally been used to treat eczema with inflammation in Northeast Asia. The components of CBT have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, but the exact role and mechanism of CBT on atopic dermatitis (AD) remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of CBT in the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line and investigated the anti-atopic effect in mice models of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. In the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells, CBT inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and elevated the nuclear translocation of NF-E2 p45 related factors 2 (Nrf2) and subsequent production of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). CBT improved the symptoms of atopic dermatitis-like lesions in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated mice by suppressing the levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and various pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The improvement effect of CBT on atopic dermatitis-like lesions can be predicted to be due to increased Nrf2 and HO-1 gene expression. These results suggest that CBT is an herbal medicine with the potential for use as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

Comparative Analysis of Conditions for Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Korean Pine Plantations (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) on the Territory of Vladivostok Agglomeration

The forest cover of the Far East is very high. The forests of the Russian Far East (FE) occupy from 3 to 16% of the areas, that is stock of wood, and biological diversity of this form of vegetation cover. In order to restore and diversify the forest fund in Primorsky Krai, to determine the possibility of obtaining various wood within a short time and the possibility of switching to mass planting, pure crops of Manchurian walnut, Manchurian ash, Amur cork tree, Maksimovich poplar, Korean pine and Scotch pine has been created on the territory of the state forest fund since the early 1950s. The article analyzes the growth of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) plantations. The yield class, age, diameter and height, density and stock were determined on 5 trial areas. The analysis of the condition of artificial plantings for Korean cedar and Scotch pine, which were planted from 1954 to 1980, indicates their low capacity for survival, which decreases to 14–25% in 25–40 years, depending on the location of the research object. It confirms the need to expand and reconstruct the green zones of towns of “Great Vladivostok.” The main reasons for reducing the capacity for survival of plantings are forest fires and unauthorized logging.