Benincasa Hispida Cogn Research Articles

A point mutation in the zinc-finger transcription factor CqLOL1 controls the green flesh color in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How).

Flesh color is an essential trait in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How); however, the inheritance and molecular basis of green flesh trait remain unclear. In the present study, two F2 populations, derived from 1742 (white flesh) × FJ3211 (green flesh) and J16 (white flesh) × FJ5 (green flesh), were used to identify the green flesh (Cqgf) locus. Genetic analysis revealed that the presence of green flesh was a quantitative trait that closely followed a normal distribution. Combining the results from QTL mapping and BSA-seq analysis, the Cqgf locus was preliminarily determined to be located on chromosome 05 and was narrowed down to a 2.55-Mb interval by linkage analysis. A large J16 × FJ5 F2 population comprising 3,180 individuals was subsequently used to screen the recombinants, and the Cqgf locus was fine-mapped to a region of 329.70 kb that harbors six genes. One of the candidate genes, Bch05G003700, the zinc-finger transcription factor LOL1 (lsd one like 1 protein; CqLOL1), was the strongest candidate gene for the Cqgf locus according to sequence variation and expression analysis. Additionally, a point mutation (A > C) in CqLOL1 resulted in the substitution of threonine (T) with proline (P) in the amino acid sequence, showing a complete relationship linked with flesh color in a panel of 45 germplasms. The study suggests that CqLOL1 promotes the accumulation of chlorophyll content in chieh-qua and lead to green flesh. Our findings establish a theoretical and technical foundation for breeding different flesh color lines and elucidating the underlying mechanisms of flesh color in chieh-qua.

RNA-seq-based transcriptome profiling of early fruit development in Chieh-qua and analysis of related transcription factors

Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How.) fruit development starts post pollination. With the continuous expansion of the fruit, the soluble solid content of the fruit decreases. Because there are no reports on the early development of Chieh-qua fruit, this study compared fruit transcriptomes at 0-, 3-, and 7 day post pollination (dpp). 104,747 unigenes were assembled from clean reads and compared using six public databases for similarity searching. Compared with those of 0 dpp (C), there were differences in the expression of 12,982 and 6541 genes in the fruit tissue at 3 dpp and 7 dpp, respectively. Compared with 3 dpp (B), there were 14,314 differentially expressed genes in the fruit at 7 dpp (A). Based on the analysis of transcription factors, 213 nucleotides in the MYB superfamily were identified; among them, 94 unigenes of the MYB superfamily were differentially expressed at the three stages. In the pairwise comparison of differential expression, eight unigenes (Gene_id: TRINITY_DN32880_c1_g2, TRINITY_DN35142_c2_g2, TRINITY_DN32454_c11_g6, TRINITY_DN34105_c2_g7, TRINITY_DN32758_c3_g3, TRINITY_DN33604_c4_g10, TRINITY_DN34466_c3_g1, TRINITY_DN35924_c3_g2) were homologous to those of MYB59, MYB-GT3b, MYB18, MYB4, MYB108, MYB306, MYB340, and MYB-bHLH13. These unigenes differed significantly among the three stages. Furthermore, MYB59 and MYB18 exhibited higher expression at 7 dpp. MYB4, MYB-GT3b, MYB108, and MYB306 showed the highest expression levels in fruits at 3 dpp. In addition, MYB340 and MYB-bHLH13 showed higher expression levels during the unpollinated stage. MYB59, MYB-GT3b, MYB18, MYB4, MYB108, MYB306, MYB340, and MYB-bHLH13 may play crucial roles in Chieh-qua fruit development, defense, and blossoming. This study provides a basis for further investigation of MYB superfamily genes involved in early fruit expansion in chieh-qua.

Virome Profiling, New Virus Identification and the Prevalence and Distribution of Viruses Infecting Chieh-Qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. chieh-qua How) in China.

The cucurbit vegetable chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua How) is an important crop in South China and southeast Asian countries. Viral diseases cause substantial loss of chieh-qua yield. To identify the viruses that affect chieh-qua in China, ribosomal RNA-depleted total RNA sequencing was performed using chieh-qua leaf samples with typical viral symptoms. The virome of chieh-qua comprises four known viruses (melon yellow spot virus (MYSV), cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) and two novel viruses: cucurbit chlorotic virus (CuCV) in the genus Crinivirus and chieh-qua endornavirus (CqEV) in the genus Alphaendornavirus. The complete genomes of the two novel viruses in chieh-qua and three other isolates of CuCV in pumpkin, watermelon and cucumber were determined and the recombination signals of pumpkin and watermelon isolates of CuCV were detected. A reverse transcriptase PCR indicated that the dominant viruses of chieh-qua in Hainan are MYSV (66.67%) and CCYV (55.56%), followed by CuCV (27.41%), WSMoV (7.41%), cucumber mosaic virus (8.15%), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (6.67%), PRSV (6.67%) and CqEV (35.56%). Our findings support diagnostic and prevalence studies of viruses infecting chieh-qua in China, enabling sustainable control strategies for cucurbit viruses worldwide.

Pharmacological Evaluation of Benincasa Hispida Cogn. Fruit on Chronic Foot Shock Induced Stress in Mice

Stress can be defined as a brain-body reaction towards stimuli arising from the environment or from internal cues that are interpreted as a disruption of homeostasis. A number of reports indicated that treatment with herbal plant extracts could lead to a significant reduction in stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antistress activity through Inescapable electric chronic foot shock model in mice and to assess the effect of extract on stress induced behavioral changes in animals and to determine the efficiency of Benincasa hispida Cogn. Extract on Motor activity and Elevated plus maze to assess anxiety. In this study, mice were divided into five groups with five animals each. The first group received ip dose of the vehicle saline (2ml/kg). The second group received diazepam 1mg/kg ip along with foot shock. Third, fourth, and fifth groups received oral dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg /kg of fruit extract of Benincasa hispida along with foot shock. Inescapable electricFoot-shocks (intensity 0.8mA, interval: 10sec, duration:10sec) were delivered through a grid floor once daily for 21 days. The results showed that Benincasa hispida extract (200 and 400mg/kg) was found to have an antistress effect. The dose of Benincasa hispida extract (200 and 400mg/kg), increased entries into open arm and the time spend in open arm on the elevated plus maze test indicate that extract reduced the stress level and it significantly reduced the spontaneous motor activity and decreased the anxiety. The results suggest that the ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida has potential antistress effect that can be explored for therapeutic advantage as an alternative treatment in medical conditions.

First report of zucchini tigre mosaic virus infecting four cucurbit crops in China.

Cucurbits including ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How), Trichosanthes anguina, and sponge gourd (L. cylindrica) are important vegetables in most Asian countries. The 90 viruses known to infect cucurbits include 15 species in genus Potyvirus. In October 2020, nine cucurbit samples with leaf distortion, blister and mottle were collected from the same field of Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. All samples were tested by western blot with potyvirus-specific antibody (Agdia lnc., Elkhart, IN) and RT-PCR with potyvirus degenerate primers Sprimer/M4T (Chen et al. 2001). Seven out of nine samples were positive for potyvirus in both tests, including one ridge gourd, one Chieh-qua, one sponge gourd, two bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) and two T. anguina. All PCR products (~700-bp) were cloned and sequenced. Sequences of seven amplicons (OM522614 to OM522618, OP090158 to OP090159) containing partial nib and cp genes shared 80.3-100% nucleotide (nt) identity among themselves, and 81.2-97.7% nt identity with ZTMV isolates from China (MN267689, LC371337, MK988416). Except for one Chieh-qua sample, papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) was detected in the same samples where ZTMV was found through sequencing of the amplicons mentioned above. The obtained sequences (OM808942 to OM808945, OP090170 to OP090171) were 95.4-100% identical with PRSV isolates from China. Further RT-PCR was conducted with ZTMV-specific primers ZTMVdF/ZTMVdR targeting partial P3 and 6K1 genes, and PRSV-specific primers PRSV3778F/PRSV4630R targeting partial P3, full-length 6K1 and partial CI genes for all nine samples. Consistently, seven samples were positive for ZTMV, among which one Chieh-qua sample was infected with only ZTMV and six samples were co-infected with ZTMV and PRSV. Interspecific recombination event has been reported for ZTMV (Peng et al. 2021), to detect the recombinants, RT-PCR was conducted for all nine samples with primers ZTMV600F/ZTMV2400R covering the interspecies recombination site (Peng et al. 2021). A fragment (~1.8 kb) was amplified from one T. anguina sample and sequenced (OP090172), which had 97.0% nt identity with the reported recombinant ZTMV-KF17 (MK988415). To fulfill Koch's postulates, a Chieh-qua sample detected with ZTMV but not PRSV, was used for mechanical inoculation on Chieh-qua seedlings. Blister and leaf distortion similar to the field symptoms were observed 21 days post-inoculation. ZTMV infection was verified by RT-PCR with primer pairs Sprimer/M4T and ZTMVdF/ZTMVdR, respectively, followed by sequencing. No amplicon was detected with primer pairs PRSV3778F/PRSV4630R and ZTMV600F/ZTMV2400R. To study the incidence of ZTMV and PRSV, 33 samples including T. anguina, ridge gourd and Chieh-qua were collected from three different fields in Foshan City in May 2022, and were tested by RT-PCR with ZTMV and PRSV primers aforementioned. 30.3% (10/33) of the samples were positive for ZTMV, 39.4% (13/33) tested positive for PRSV, and 21.2% (7/33) were co-infected with the two viruses. Amplicons of ZTMV (600 bp) from all positive samples were sequenced (OP090160 to OP090169), and were 84.8-85.5% identical with ZTMV-TW (LC371337). Recombinant of ZTMV was detected in one T. anguina with primers mentioned above and was sequenced (OP090173), which had 96.2% nt identity with ZTMV-KF17. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ZTMV infecting ridge gourd, Chieh-qua, T. anguina and sponge gourd. The results implied that ZTMV had a potential risk to more cucurbit crops in the field.

Valorization of Polysaccharides From Benincasa hispida: Physicochemical, Moisturizing, and Antioxidant Skincare Properties.

Benincasa hispida Cogn. (B. hispida) is a popular vegetable in China, and studies have been reported on B. hispida polysaccharides (BPS) preparation. However, few studies have been reported on its physicochemical and skincare properties. In this study, we analyzed the physicochemical properties of BPS, free radical scavenging capability, moisturizing and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Our results show that BPS was an inhomogeneous acidic polysaccharide that could scavenge a variety of free radicals. Also, BPS had a good moisturizing and antioxidant capability both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, BPS could alter some key antioxidant enzyme activities and pro-inflammatory factor levels via activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway, thereby preventing H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis of HDF-1 cells. Our results suggest that BPS exhibited favorable moisturizing and anti-aging properties and might be an attractive candidate for the development of anti-aging skincare products.

A Transcriptomic Analysis of Gene Expression in Chieh-Qua in Response to Fusaric Acid Stress

Fusarium wilt results in undesirable effects on the quality and production of chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How). Fusaric acid (FA), a secondary metabolite of biotin produced by pathogens of genus Fusarium, induced resistant responses in chieh-qua; however, the physiological and molecular mechanism(s) of FA resistance remains largely unknown. In our study, ‘A39’ (FA-resistant cultivar) exhibited decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity when exposed to FA compared with ‘H5’ (FA-susceptible cultivar). More apoptosis cells existed in ‘H5’ than ‘A39’ after 2 days of FA treatment. RNA-seq results revealed that a total of 2968 and 3931 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected under normal conditions (1562 up-regulated and 1406 down-regulated) and FA treatment (2243 up-regulated and 1688 down-regulated), respectively. Interestingly, DEGs associated with pathogen-related protein and ethylene (ET) biosynthesis and signal pathways were most significantly changed during FA stress. Notably, several crucial genes encoding pathogenesis-related protein (CL4451.Contig2, CL2175.Contig4), peroxidase (Unigene49615 and CL11695.Contig2), and ET-responsive transcription factors (TFs) (CL9320.Contig1, CL9849.Contig3, CL6826.Contig2, CL919. Contig6, and CL518.Contig7) were specifically induced after FA treatment. Collectively, the study provides molecular data for isolating candidate genes involved in FA resistance, especially ET related genes in chieh-qua.

Cloning and characterization of WRKY gene homologs in Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How) and their expression in response to fusaric acid treatment.

The WRKY transcription factors play an important role in plant resistance for biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, we cloned 10 WRKY gene homologs (CqWRKY) in Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua) using the rapid-amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) or homology-based cloning methods. We characterized the structure of these CqWRKY genes. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences with cucumber homologs suggested possible structural conservation of these genes among cucurbit crops. We examined the expression levels of these genes in response to fusaric acid (FA) treatment between resistant and susceptible Chieh-qua lines with quantitative real-time PCR. All genes could be upregulated upon FA treatment, but four CqWRKY genes exhibited differential expression between resistant and susceptible lines before and after FA application. CqWRKY31 seemed to be a positive regulator while CqWRKY1, CqWRKY23 and CqWRKY53 were negative regulators of fusaric resistance. This is the first report of characterization of WRKY family genes in Chieh-qua. The results may also be useful in breeding Chieh-qua for Fusarium wilt resistance.

English

A plant regeneration system was established from cotyledon explants of chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How). To obtain optimal conditions of adventitious shoot induction, the cotyledon explants were excised from seedlings of different genotypes as well as seed germination conditions, and then cultured on media containing different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA)/1-naphthaleneactic acid (NAA). Among the eight genotypes, the highest rate of shoot regeneration was obtained from the cotyledons of inbred line A39. The adaxial portion of cotyledons of seedlings cultured for 3 days in darkness and 1 day in light was the appropriate explants for adventitious shoot organogenesis. The highest frequency of adventitious shoot organogenesis (52.2%) and mean number of shoots per explant (4.2) were achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6 mg l-1 6-BA and 0.2 mg l-1 NAA. Adventitious shoots were observed to regenerate directly from cotyledons rather than from calli. A medium supplemented with AgNO3 was not beneficial for shoot induction. Adventitious shoots were elongated in MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l-1 6-BA and 0.2 mg l-1 NAA. Elongated shoots were rooted in ½ MS medium with 0.5 mg l-1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Regenerated plantlets were transferred to a greenhouse for about 1 month, and subsequently transplanted into an open field. Key words: Benincasa hispida, chieh-qua, adventitious shoot, genotypes, plant regeneration.

Evaluation of 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of certain herbs useful as antiandrogens

This study demonstrates 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of certain herbs useful in the management of androgenic disorders. Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (GL), Urtica dioica Linn. (UD), Caesalpinia bonducella Fleming. (CB), Tribulus terrestris Linn. (TT), Pedalium murex Linn. (PM), Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (SI), Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (CR), Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (CC), Benincasa hispida Cogn. (BH), Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (PN) and Echinops echinatus Linn. (EE) were included in the study. Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of these herbs were tested for their 5α-reductase inhibitory activity against the standard 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride. A biochemical method to determine the activity of 5α-reductase was used to evaluate the inhibition of different extracts to the enzyme. The optical density (OD) value of each sample was measured continuously with ultraviolet spectrophotometer for the reason that the substrate NADPH has a specific absorbance at 340 nm. As the enzyme 5α-reductase uses NADPH as a substrate, so in the presence of 5α-reductase inhibitor, the NADPH concentration will increase with the function of time. This method thus implicates the activity of 5α-reductase. The method proved to be extremely useful to screen the herbs for their 5α-reductase inhibitory potential. GL, UD, BH, SI and CR came out to be promising candidates for further exploring their antiandrogenic properties.

Efficient plant regeneration in vitro from cotyledon explants of chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. chieh-qua)

An efficient plant regeneration system for Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. chieh-qua was developed using explants isolated from mature seeds germinated on moist filter paper under aseptic conditions for 3 days in the dark and 2 days under light. Shoot regeneration frequency (percentage of explant-forming shoots) was about 90% when the proximal cotyledon portion with a 1 mm-long hypocotyl segment was first cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6.0 mg/l benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.2 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for 4 days and then transferred to MS medium containing 1 mg/l BA for 4 weeks. About 80% of the regenerated shoots could elongate further. The root induction medium was half-strength MS medium with 0.01 mg/l NAA and 0.01 mg/l BA. The average rooting frequency was about 93%.

Low temperature during seedling stage promotes female flower determination but not yield of Chieh-qua

Temperature has an important effect on plant growth and sex determination in flowers. The effect of different temperatures (high temperature: 30°C /25°C (day/night), medium temperature: 25°C /18°C and low temperature: 15°C /10°C ) on flower sex determination and fruit yield was studied in Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How. ‘No. 4 Jiang xin’), also the content of absicsic acid (ABA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) in the shoot apex was measured. The results showed that medium and low temperatures during seedling stage boost the female flower differentiation after transplanting, compared with high temperature treatment, and the effect was more obvious when the temperature was lower. Lower temperature increased the content of ABA and IAA in shoot apex of Chieh-qua. There was a positive relationship between the ratio of IAA/ABA and plant female flower determination under different temperature treatments (R2 = 0.8744). Temperature may affect female flower differentiation of Chieh-qua by changing the contents of ABA and IAA in shoot apex. Fruit yield was not significantly affected by different temperature treatments.

Genetic Diversity and Species Identification of Cultivar Species in Subtribe Cucumerinae (Cucurbitaceae) Using RAPD and SCAR Markers

DNA polymorphism in the cultivar species; Cucumis sativus L., C. melo L. and Benincasa hispida Cogn. of subtribe Cucumerinae (Cucurbitaceae) in the four northeastern provinces of Thailand was examined by using RAPD technique. Twenty 10-mer primers were produced 212 RAPD fragments, ranging from approximately 120 to 2531 bp. The genetic similarities were estimated from banding profiles using a NTSYS* version 2.1 as a basis for dendrogram construction via the UPGMA method. Cluster analysis divided the taxa under study into 2 clades. Moreover, a RAPD marker: Cm (OPJ11700) was specified to C. melo, and this marker was converted into sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker: Cm (SCJ11516). A pair of sequence-specific primer of clones Cm (OPJ11700) amplified a distinct single band of the same size as the RAPD clones. The SCAR marker was developed successfully to identify C. melo genotype.

Immunohistochemical analysis of cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins in the roots of resistant and susceptible wax gourd cultivars in response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Benincasae infection and fusaric acid treatment

Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) play a defensive role in host-pathogen interactions. However, specific roles of individual HRGPs in plant defense against pathogen are poorly understood. Changes in extracellular distribution and abundance of individual cell wall HRGPs were investigated on root sections of two wax gourd (Benincasa hispida Cogn.) cultivars (Fusarium wilt resistant and susceptible, respectively), which were analyzed by immunolabelling with 20 monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of extensins and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) after being inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Benincasae or treated with fusaric acid (FA). These analyses revealed the following: (1) The levels of JIM11 and JIM20 interacting extensins were higher in the resistant cultivar. Either treatment caused a dramatic decrease in signal in both cultivars, but some new signal appeared in the rhizodermis. (2) The AGPs or rhamnogalacturonan containing CCRCM7-epitope were enhanced in the resistant cultivar, but not in the susceptible one by either treatment. (3) Either treatment caused a slight increase in the levels of the AGPs recognized by LM2 and JIM16, but there were no differences between two cultivars. (4) The MAC204 signal nearly disappeared after FA treatment, but this was not the case with pathogen attack. (5) The LM14 signal slightly decreased after both treatments in both cultivars, but a less decrease was observed with the resistant cultivar. These results indicate that the CCRCM7 epitope likely contributed to the resistance of wax gourd to this pathogen, and JIM11 and JIM20 interacting extensins as well as LM2, LM14, MAC204 and JIM16 interacting AGPs were involved in the host-pathogen interaction.

Identification of Enzymes and Their Inhibition in Ash Gourd—An Approach to Extend Shelf Life

Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida Cogn.) is a vegetable used in the Asian subcontinent, and believed to have medicinal value. Cut ash gourd pieces undergo severe decay within 3 days probably due to the enzymes xylanase, pectinase, amylase, and cellulase, which break the cell wall polysaccharides. Ash gourd pieces were screened for these enzymes. Though amylase and cellulase were absent, xylanase and pectinase were present. The enzymes were characterized for temperature and pH optimum, kinetic constants, and various inhibitors. The optimum temperature and pH for xylanase and pectinase were 50 and 60°C, and pH 5.0 and 4.0, respectively. One millimole of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) with 10 mM NaCl mix completely inhibited xylanase and pectinase. Pretreatment using a combination of 1 mM EDTA and 10 mM CaCl2 is recommended as a first step in preservation of cut ash gourd.

Ash gourd peel wax: Extraction, characterization, and application as an edible coat for fruits

Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida Cogn) is a vegetable used in Asian countries and the peel contains high edible waxy materials. This paper reports extraction, characterization, and utilization of ash gourd peel wax as an edible coating in fruits; with strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) as a model system. Crude wax had melting point of 80°C and molecular weight by number (Mn) and molecular weight by weight (Mw) at 2,277 and 2,323 respectively. Dip method was used to coat crude wax as an emulsion on strawberry. Quantity of wax, concentration of sodium benzoate, and dip time were optimized and the values were 0.5%, 1M, and 3 min, respectively. Results were comparable with carnauba wax coating. Fruits without wax coating spoiled completely in less than 2 days at 25°C. Wax coating enhanced the shelf life to 7 days at 25°C and the properties such as texture, color, weight loss, titrable acidity, and microbial counts were well acceptable.

Effect of Benincasa hispida fruits on testosterone-induced prostatic hypertrophy in albino rats

Background : Benincasa hispida Cogn. has been used traditionally in India for the management of urinary disorders. The fruit of B hispida is used as a diuretic and the seeds have been reported to possess antiangiogenic effects in prostate cells. Objective : The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of petroleum ether extract, ethanolic extract, and B hispida seed oil on hyperplasia of the prostate induced by the subcutaneous administration of testosterone in rats. Methods : In vitro studies were performed to determine the 5α-reductase inhibitory potential of the extracts. The results of those studies paved the way for the pharmacologic screening of the extracts to assess their potential against testosterone-induced hyperplasia in rats. Nine groups containing 10 rats per group were created for this study. Hyperplasia was induced by administration of testosterone (3 mg/kg SC) for 14 days in all the groups except the vehicle-treated group. Simultaneous administration of petroleum ether extract (100 or 200 mg/kg PO), ethanolic extract (100 or 200 mg/kg PO), and B hispida seed oil (20 or 40 mg/kg PO) was conducted. A standard 5α-reductase inhibitor (ie, finasteride) was used as a positive control. The weight of the rats was recorded on day 0 (ie, day 1 of the study) and on day 14, and the influence of testosterone and test extracts on the weight of the rats was determined. On day 14, rats were euthanized; prostates were dissected out, and weighed. The rats' prostate/body weight (P/BW) ratio was then determined. Histologic examinations were performed on prostates from each group. Results : The petroleum ether extract as well as B hispida seed oil exhibited inhibition of 5α-reductase activity in in vitro studies. Ethanolic extract did not exhibit significant inhibitory potential in vitro. Further in vivo study found that testosterone treatment significantly increased the rats' P/BW ratio in all the groups except the vehicle-treated rats, and this increase in weight was significantly inhibited in rats administered petroleum ether extract (100 and 200 mg/kg PO) and B hispida seed oil (20 and 40 mg/kg PO). Ethanolic extract did not exhibit any significant activity. Conclusions : Petroleum ether extract and B hispida seed oil inhibited testosterone-induced hyperplasia of the prostate in these rats. Further studies are needed to evaluate its effect in humans with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

THE ACTIVITIES OF PEROXIDASE AND POLYPHENOLOXIDASE, AND THE CONTENT OF SOLUBLE PROTEIN IN FUSARIC ACID RESISTANT CHIEH-QUA DURING INFECTION WITH FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM

ISHS IV International Symposium on Cucurbits THE ACTIVITIES OF PEROXIDASE AND POLYPHENOLOXIDASE, AND THE CONTENT OF SOLUBLE PROTEIN IN FUSARIC ACID RESISTANT CHIEH-QUA DURING INFECTION WITH FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM

THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND LIGHT DENSITY ON PLANT GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHIEH-QUA SEEDLING

The effects of different temperature and light density (NH: normal temperature with high light density, NL: normal temperature with low light density, LH: low temperature with high light density, LL: low temperature with low light density) on plant growth and physiological characteristics were studied at seedling stage in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn var. chieh-qua How.) (cv. 'No. 4 Jiangxin'). The results indicated that the growth of chieh-qua seedling was significantly inhibited by low temperature. There was no significant effect on plant growth by different light density under low temperature, while the growth of chieh-qua seedling was inhibited greatly by low light density under normal temperature. The membrane electrolytic permeability and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves of chieh-qua seedling increased under low temperature stress, also the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the leaf was significantly enhanced by low temperature treatment. The LH treatment aggravated the cell membrane injury. The content of free proline and total soluble sugars were also increased significantly by low temperature treatment. Treatment of temperature and light density had a certain interaction effect on the physiology of chieh-qua seedling.

A philological comparative study between the medicinal herbs of Korea Oriental medicine and Ayurvedic medicine(I)

Objectives & Methods : To compare the medicinal herbs between Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Korean medicine(TKM), we took reference of major publications related to Ayurvedic medicinal herbs such as Indian Herbal Remedies, Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs, with those of TKM. We selected most widely used 130 herbal species of Ayurvedic medicine and compared the similarities and differences with TKM. Comparative factors were the origin, habitation, synonyms, usage, medicinal parts, and precautions. Results : 1. The medicinal herbs Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Carthami Flos (紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curculiginis Rhizoma(仙茅) used in TKM did exactly correlate in their origins with those of Ayurvedic medicine. 2. Varieties of allied species were found in their origins. Benincasae Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), and Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子) derive from the same plant Benincasa hispida Cogn. for both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM. Interestingly, B. cerifera Savi. is also claimed for same uses in Ayurvedic medicine. This broadened use of allied species is found in various Ayurvedic herbal medicine such as Cannabis Semen(火麻仁) using Cannabis indica Lam., and Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) using Curcuma domestica Valeton. This suggests the possibility of their usage also in TKM. 3. Myrrha(沒藥), and Curculiginis Rhizoma concorded their usage with TKM. While Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Aquilariae Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子), Cannabis Semen(火麻仁), Carthami Flos(紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) and Zedoariae Rhizoma(莪朮) revealed varied efficacies according to their part used or usage forms. Conclusion : Both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM reflect the traditional medicine of its regions where is founded. Mutual understanding improves the capability of coping of diverse ailments of present days and also replacing some plants in the days of increasing threat to our environment. Abundant external applications of various plants found in Ayurvedic medicine were particularly useful for TKM to complement its strength in herbal intake.