Rhus Chinensis Research Articles

High Throughput Screening of Natural Products for Anti‐mitotic Effects in MDA‐MB‐231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Some of the most effective anti-mitotic microtubule-binding agents, such as paclitaxel (Taxus brevifolia) were originally discovered through robust National Cancer Institute botanical screenings. In this study, a high-through put microarray format was utilized to screen 897 aqueous extracts of commonly used natural products (0.00015-0.5 mg/mL) relative to paclitaxel for anti-mitotic effects (independent of toxicity) on proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. The data obtained showed that less than 1.34 % of the extracts tested showed inhibitory growth (IG50 ) properties <0.0183 mg/mL. The most potent anti-mitotics (independent of toxicity) were Mandrake root (Podophyllum peltatum), Truja twigs (Thuja occidentalis), Colorado desert mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens), Tou Gu Cao [symbol: see text] Speranskia herb (Speranskia tuberculata), Bentonite clay, Bunge root (Pulsatilla chinensis), Brucea fruit (Brucea javanica), Madder root (Rubia tinctorum), Gallnut of Chinese Sumac (Melaphis chinensis), Elecampane root (Inula Helenium), Yuan Zhi [symbol: see text] root (Polygala tenuifolia), Pagoda Tree fruit (Melia Toosendan), Stone root (Collinsonia Canadensis), and others such as American Witchhazel, Arjun, and Bladderwrack. The strongest tumoricidal herbs identified from amongst the subset evaluated for anti-mitotic properties were wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), beth root (Trillium Pendulum), and alkanet root (Lithospermum canescens). Additional data was obtained on a lesser-recognized herb: (S. tuberculata), which showed growth inhibition on BT-474 (human ductal breast carcinoma) and Ishikawa (human endometrial adenocarcinoma) cells with ability to block replicative DNA synthesis, leading to G2 arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, these findings present relative potency of anti-mitotic natural plants that are effective against human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cell division.

Cloning, characterization and expression of chalcone synthase from medicinal plant Rhus chinensis

Rhus chinensis is a well-known Chinese medicinal plant and chalcone synthase (CHS) is a key enzyme involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. In this paper, both the cDNA and the genomic sequence encoding CHS from R. chinensis were cloned and anaylzed. The ORF of RcCHS was 1,173 bp in size and predicted to encode a 390-amino acid polypeptide. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RcCHS was grouped into a branch with legume plants Glycine max and Medicago sativa. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that RcCHS gene expression were clearly tissue-specific, but not correlated with total anthocyanins accumulation as previously reported in some other plants. Moreover RcCHS was highly expressed in E.coli with pGEX-6P-1 vector, which will be helpful for further research on the structure, cellular localization and catalytic mechanisms of RcCHS.

Antioxidant properties, physico-chemical characteristics and proximate composition of five wild fruits of Manipur, India.

Antioxidant properties, physico-chemical characteristics and proximate composition of five wild fruits viz., Garcinia pedunculata, Garcinia xanthochymus, Docynia indica, Rhus semialata and Averrhoa carambola grown in Manipur, India were presented in the current study. The order of the antioxidant activity and reducing power of the fruit samples was found as R. semialata > D. indica > G. xanthochymus > A. carambola > G. pedunculata. Good correlation coefficient (R(2) > 0.99) was found among the three methods applied to determine antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content was positively correlated (R(2) = 0.960) with the antioxidant activity however, total flavonoid content was not positively correlated with the antioxidant activity. Physico-chemical and proximate composition of these fruits is documented for the first time.

Gall Development and Clone Dynamics of the Galling Aphid &lt;I&gt;Schlechtendalia chinensis&lt;/I&gt; (Hemiptera: Pemphigidae)

The aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis (Bell) induces galls on its primary host, Rhus chinensis Mill. We studied temporal changes in gall and aphid clonal population size throughout the period of gall development. Gall-size changes occurred in four stages: a first slow growth period, a fast growth period, a second slow growth period, and a growth reduction period. Gall volume and surface area increased abruptly toward the end of July, peaking during October, in parallel with an increase in aphid clonal population size, from one individual to > 10,000 aphids per gall. Clear changes were seen in the clone dynamics of S. chinensis. Fundatrix began to produce first-generation apterous fundatrigenia during late May to early June. Second-generation apterous fundatrigenia appeared at the start of July. Alate fundatrigeniae with wing pads first appeared at the end of August, but accounted for < 1% of the individuals in the galls. Adult alate fundatrigeniae first appeared at the start of October. Abrupt changes in aphid density and crowding might trigger the induction of alate morphs in the galls. Of the eight gall properties that we recorded, gall volume was the most accurate measure of gall fitness.

Comparing Different Solvent Extracts of Rhus semialata var. roxburghiana Stem against Ferrous Ion-Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Mice Liver Mitochondria

Rhus semialata Murr. var. roxburghiana DC. stem ( RSRS) is a Taiwanese native folk medicine for anti-inflammation and the treatment of diarrhea and liver disease. Five extracts and a main constituent, gallic acid, elucidated inhibitory effects on ferrous ion-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mice liver mitochondria (IC50: 10.8 ± 0.7 −55.2 ± 0.6 and gallic acid: 36.1 ± 3.1 μg/mL). None of the samples tested induced LPO production. The IC50 values for antioxidant activities were 1) 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging: 1.5 ± 0.08 – 56.2 ± 1.1 μg/mL; 2) superoxide anion radical scavenging: 53.5 ± 0.7 – 226.6 ± 2.1 μg/mL; 3) hydrogen peroxide scavenging: ethyl acetate (EA) and acetone extracts 264.2 ± 4.7 and 208.0 ± 1.9 μg/mL, respectively; and 4) ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP): EA extract, equivalent Trolox 116.4 ± 0.3 μM. The total phenolic content of the extracts was 82.0 ± 2.1 – 455.2 ± 9.3 μg gallic acid equivalents/mg. The highest flavonoid and flavanol contents of the extracts were acetone extract 30.9 ± 2.7 μg rutin equivalents/mg and water extract 10.9 ± 0.05 μg epicatechin equivalents/mg. Next, the gallic acid content of each extract was quantitatively analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which showed one main peak. Based on this evidence, RSRS and gallic acid may be used as a potential antioxidant and LPO inhibitor for developing a natural liver-protective phytochemical.

Evaluation on Antioxidant Activities of Extracts from Chinese Herbs and Application in the Pear Wine Brewing

The antioxidant activity of forty kinds of Chinese herbs extraction were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assay. Eight kinds of them were found to possess strong antioxidant activity including Magnolia and Rhus chinensis Mill. and so on. The antioxidant activities of these Chinese herbs were determined after adding the pear wine by evaluating total polyphenols content using Folin-Ciocaileu method. The results showed that Magnolia and Rhus chinensis Mill. had high antioxidant activities in eight Chinese herbs in pear wine.

Screening of Condensed Tannins from Canadian Prairie Forages for Anti–Escherichia coli O157:H7 with an Emphasis on Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea Vent)

Tannins from forages grown (n = 10) on the Canadian prairie, as well as from Quebracho, Rhus semialata, and brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), were screened for anti-Escherichia coli O157:H7 activity against E. coli O157:H7 strain 3081 at a concentration of 400 μg/ml for each tannin type, except for brown seaweed, which was at 50 μg/ml. Growth of the bacteria was assessed by measuring the optical density at 600 nm over 24 h. Tannin from seaweed at a concentration of 50 μg/ml inhibited growth of strain 3081. Among the terrestrial forages, only condensed tannins (CT) from purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent; PPC) increased (P < 0.05) the lag time and reduced (P < 0.05) the growth rate of E. coli O157:H7. The anti-E. coli O157:H7 activity of PPC CT was further assessed by culturing E. coli strain ATCC 25922 and eight strains of E. coli O157:H7 with PPC CT at 0, 25, 50, 100, or 200 μg/ml. Selected strains were enumerated after 0, 6, and 24 h of incubation, and fatty acid composition was determined after 24 h of incubation. E. coli strain 25922 was cultured with 0, 50, or 200 μg of CT per ml and harvested during the exponential growth phase for examination by transmission electron microscopy. Increasing CT concentration linearly increased (P < 0.001) the lag times of seven strains and linearly reduced (P < 0.001) the growth rates of eight E. coli O157:H7 strains. Proportions of unsaturated fatty acids in the total fatty acids were decreased (P < 0.01) by CT at 50 μg/ml. Transmission electron microscopy showed that CT disrupted the outer membrane structure. Anti-E. coli O157:H7 activity of PPC CT at levels of up to 200 μg/ml was bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal, and the mechanism of anti-E. coli activity may involve alteration in the fatty acid composition and disruption of the outer membrane of the cell.

Cloning and characterisation of a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene from Rhus chinensis

The gene and cDNA sequence encoding PAL from Chinese medicinal plant Rhus chinensis were cloned and analyzed, furthermore the biochemical properties, kinetic parameters, differential expression and key sites were studied. Rhus chinensis is a well-known Chinese medicinal plant. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is the first enzyme of phenylpropanoid pathway. Several recent studies suggested that PAL also play an important role in plant-aphid interaction. In this study, both the cDNA and the genomic sequence encoding PAL from Rhus chinensis (designated as RcPAL) were cloned and analyzed. The 3,833bp gene contained a 1,342bp intron and two extrons. The ORF was 2,124bp and predicted to encode a 707-amino acid polypeptide. The results of real-time PCR showed that RcPAL expressed in all tested tissues and followed the order: stems>young leaves>petioles>roots>seeds>mature leaves. RcPAL was successfully expressed in E. coli with the pET-28a-RcPAL recombinant vector. The recombinant protein exhibited a high level of PAL activity. Biochemical properties and kinetic parameters of recombinant RcPAL were further studied. The results showed that the optimal temperature and pH for RcPAL activity were 45°C and 9.0, and the K m and K cat values were 7.90mM and 52.31s(-1), respectively. The active sites and substrate selectivity site were also investigated with site-directed mutagenesis methods, suggesting that Phe(126) is responsible for the substrate selectivity. To our knowledge, this was the first full-length PAL gene cloned and characterized from the family Anacardiaceae so far.

Influence of plant root system morphology and architectural traits on soil shear resistance

Vegetation can be used to stabilise slopes with regard to shallow landslides, but the optimal plant architecture for conferring resistance is not known. This study aims at identifying root morphological traits which confer the most resistance to soil during shearing. Three species used for slope stabilisation (Ricinus communis L., Jatropha curcas L. and Rhus chinensis Mill.) were grown for 10 months in large shear boxes filled with silty clay similar to that found in Yunnan, China. Direct shear tests were then performed and compared to fallow soil. Root systems were excavated and a large number of traits measured. Shear strength and deformation energy were enhanced by the presence of roots. Regardless of confining pressure, R. communis conferred most resistance due to its taprooted system with many vertical roots. J. curcas possessed oblique and vertical roots which created fragile zones throughout the soil profile. The least efficient root system was R. chinensis which possessed many horizontal lateral roots. Soil mechanical properties were most influenced by (i) density of roots crossing the shear plane, (ii) branching density throughout the soil profile, (iii) total length of coarse roots above the shear plane and (iv) total volume of coarse roots and fine root density below the shear plane. During failure, fine, short and branched roots slipped through soil rather than breaking. Root morphological traits such as density, branching, length, volume, inclination and orientation influence significantly soil mechanical properties.

低温胁迫时间对4种幼苗生理生化及光合特性的影响

以盐肤木(<em>Rhus chinensis</em>)、假连翘(<em>Duranta repens</em>)、老鸭嘴(<em>Thunbergia erecta</em>)和葛藤(<em>Pueraria lobata</em>)4种幼苗为试验材料,研究了人工模拟下的低温胁迫环境(6 ℃)对幼苗叶片生理生化及光合特性的影响。结果表明:(1) 随低温胁迫的延长,假连翘幼苗的叶绿素含量先升后降,其余3种幼苗持续下降,低温解除后均显著回升;4种幼苗的脯氨酸含量持续上升或波动;葛藤幼苗的可溶性蛋白质含量先升后降,其余幼苗显著上升, 且低温解除后有所增加;4种幼苗叶片可溶性糖含量以及丙二醛含量呈增加趋势,SOD活性持续上升或先升后降。低温解除后,盐肤木幼苗的SOD活性略有上升,其余幼苗显著下降。(2) 随低温胁迫的延长,4种幼苗的净光合速率(<em>P</em>_n)、气孔导度(<em>G</em>_s)、蒸腾速率(<em>T</em>_r)均持续下降,假连翘的胞间CO₂浓度(<em>C</em>_i)持续上升,其余幼苗先降后升。低温解除后4种幼苗叶片<em>P</em>_n、<em>G</em>_s、<em>T</em>_r均有不同程度的回升,<em>C</em>_i有不同程度的下降。低温胁迫和恢复48 h期间,4种幼苗的脯氨酸、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质含量的增加和SOD活性的稳定或增加,减轻了幼苗叶片细胞的膜脂过氧化程度, 维持了细胞膜的完整性,是幼苗对低温胁迫适应性反应的重要调节机制。恢复48 h时的<em>P</em>_n、<em>G</em>_s和<em>T</em>r均有不同程度的回升,<em>C</em>_i有不同程度的下降,说明4种幼苗有一定的抗寒能力。(3)用主成分分析法分别对生理生化指标和光合生理指标进行分析,均得出4种幼苗的抗寒性顺序为葛藤>盐肤木>老鸭嘴>假连翘,这一结果可为采矿石废弃地生态恢复的植物筛选提供科学依据。;Low temperature stress is one of the major environmental factors affecting the process of physiology and photosynthesis of plants, which is known to cause many physiological and biochemical changes in plant metabolism such as protein denaturation, lipid liquefaction, the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes or perturbation of membrane integrity. Also low temperature decreases capacity and efficiency of photosynthesis. Therefore, the above physiological and biochemical indexes and photosynthetic characteristics are often used as an indicator of stress injury in plants. In response to low temperature stress, plants naturally have developed diverse mechanisms which can mitigate the effect of stress and lead to the adjustment of plant tolerance. Effects of low temperature stress on physiological-biochemical indexes and photosynthetic characteristics were studied in the seedlings of <em>Rhus chinensis</em>, <em>Duranta repens</em>, <em>Thunbergia erecta</em> and <em>Pueraria lobata</em>. Results showed that (1) with increasing time of low temperature, the chlorophyll content of <em>D. repens</em> seedlings increased initially and then decreased, whereas that of the other three seedling types continuously decreased, and it rebounded significantly after removal of low-temperature stress for the four seedling types. The free proline content of the four seedling types gradually increased or fluctuated; the soluble protein content of <em>P. lobata</em> seedlings increased followed by an decrease, whereas the other three seedling types continuously increased, and that of the seedling types except for <em>P. lobata </em>rebounded significantly after low-temperature stress relieving; the contents of soluble sugar and MDA of the four seedling types tended to increase, their SOD activity continuously rose or rose initially and then fell, and SOD activity of the seedling types except for <em>R. chinensis </em>declined significantly after low-temperature stress relieving. (2) With increasing low temperature time, the net photosynthetic rate (<em>P</em>_n), stomatal conductance (<em>G</em>_s) and transpiration rate (<em>T</em>_r) continuously decreased for the four seedling types, and the intercellular CO₂concentration (<em>C</em>_i) of <em>D. repens </em>continuously increased, whereas that of the other seedling types decreased followed by an increase. The <em>P</em>_n, <em>G</em>_s and <em>T</em>_rof the four seedling types increased to some extent, whereas their <em>C</em>_idecreased to some extent after low-temperature stress relieving. Increase in contents of free proline, soluble protein and soluble protein and increase or stead in SOD activity for the four seedling types alleviated degree of membrane lipid peroxidation of seedling cells and protected cell membrane, which is important regulatory mechanism of seedlings to low temperature stress. (3) The physiological indexes and photosynthetic indexes of the four seedling types were evaluated using principal component analysis, indicating that their ability of low temperature resistance was <em>P. lobata</em> > <em>R. chinensis</em> > <em>T. erecta</em> > <em>D. repens</em>. During low temperature stress and low-temperature stress relieving, osmotic substance content and SOD activity kept steady or increased in the seedlings of four plant species, and their <em>P</em>_n, <em>G</em>_s and <em>T</em>r increased to some extent and <em>C</em>_i increased to some extent after low-temperature stress relieving, indicating that they had some ability of low temperature resistance. This result could supply scientific basis for plant selection in restoration of abandoned quarries.

角倍蚜虫瘿对盐肤木光合特性和总氮含量的影响

Chinese gallnut which formed by some aphids is a special local product of China and valued as a commercial product for export. Schlechtendalia chinensis is the main commercial species which induces horned gall on Rhus chinensis and its shares about 75% more Chinese gallnut yield of the world. Effects of horned gall on photosynthetic characteristics and total nitrogen content of R. chinensis were analysed in Kunming,Yunnan province. The result indicated that photosynthetic characteristics of R. chinensis were disturbed by the horned gall. Compared to the control plants,( 1) maximum photosynthesis rates( Amax) of the leaves induced gall of treatment plant rose to 14. 49%,32. 17%,and 42. 01% by horned galls in the initial,middle and late gall stages,respectively. Maximum photosynthesis rates of the nearby leaves without gall were also raised but declined after middle gall stage.( 2) light-compensation points( Lcp) of the leaves induced gall were raised,but the Lcp of the leaves without gall were declined in middle gall stages. Light-saturation points( Lsp) of the leaves induced gall were raised,but the Lsp of the leaves without gall were declined in initial and middle gall stages.( 3) dark respiration rate( Rd) of the leaves both induced gall and without gall were raised in the initial gall stages,but no significant influences in the middle and late gall stages. Effects of horned gall on photosynthetic characteristics of R. chinensis leaves were correlated to the leaflet positions and the gall growth stages. At the same time, the total nitrogen content distribution of R. chinensis leaves had been changed by the horned gall. Total nitrogen contents of gall,leaves induced gall and leaves without gall were 1. 13%,1. 98%,and 2. 14%,respectively. It is the possible reasons that nutrition flows to the leaves which induced gall and finally to the galls from leaves without gall,and supplied to the gall and galling aphids need.

Effects of Penta‐O‐galloyl‐β‐D‐glucose on Human Neutrophil Function: significant Down‐Regulation of L‐selectin Expression

Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) occurrs in high concentrations in medicinal herbs such as Rhus chinensis, Paeonia suffruticosa, Acer truncatum and Terminalia chebula, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the effect of PGG on stimulated and non-stimulated neutrophils in processes which included reactive oxygen species generation (ROS), metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-8 secretion (IL-8), β₂ integrin (CD11b) and L-selectin (CD62L) expression and apoptosis. In concentrations of 5 μM-20 μM, PGG demonstrated statistically significant inhibition of ROS generation, IL-8 secretion and β₂ integrin expression in stimulated neutrophils. The inhibition of L-selectin expression by PGG resulted in prevention in neutrophils' endothelial attachment. The result obtained may explain the anti-inflammatory activity of this compound and underline the contribution of PGG in the activity of PGG rich plant extracts.

Inhibitory Effects of Chinese Medicinal Herbs on Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria and Identification of the Active Components from Gallnuts of Chinese Sumac

The aqueous extracts of 30 out of 67 Chinese medicinal herbs were shown to have inhibitory effects on growth of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria by a paper disc diffusion assay. The inhibitory substances with the strongest antibacterial activity were extracted from Chinese sumac gallnut and black myrobalan. The aqueous extract of gallnut inhibited the growth of eight of the tested plant-pathogenic bacteria, and that of black myrobalan inhibited five. The gallnut extract produced at least an 8-mm inhibition zone against Acidovorax citrulli, Ralstonia solanacearum, X. citri pv. citri, and X. euvesicatoria at a 10-fold dilution, and it was still active at 800- to 1,600-fold dilutions. The aqueous extract of gallnut was more inhibitory than the acetone-water extract. To identify the inhibitory compounds in the gallnut aqueous extract, the crude extract was chromatographed over a silica column, and the primary compounds in fractions 3 and 8 were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance as gallic acid and methyl gallate, respectively. The inhibitory effect of methyl gallate on the growth of four plant-pathogenic bacteria was 10 to 80 times that of gallic acid. The minimum inhibition and minimum bactericidal concentration tests showed that the inhibition effect of the original aqueous was higher than that of methyl gallate. These results indicate that methyl gallate in gallnut is an important compound that is inhibitory to plant-pathogenic bacterial growth, and there are other unidentified compounds that are also responsible for the antibacterial effects. This is the first report regarding the antibacterial effects of gallnut extract and its chemical components on plant-pathogenic bacteria.

厦门市七种药用植物根围AM真菌的侵染率和多样性

调查了福建省厦门市7种常见药用植物根围丛枝菌根真菌分布情况、侵染率及其多样性。结果表明:7种药用植物均能与AM真菌形成良好的共生关系,且不同药用植物形成菌根的能力差异明显,盐肤木根围的孢子密度最高,29.0 个/g土,喜树的侵染率最高,100%。含笑根围的孢子密度最低,4.7 个/g土,鱼腥草的总侵染率最低,4.5%。共分离鉴定AM真菌4属63种,其中球囊霉属(<em>Glomus</em>)39种、无梗囊霉属(<em>Acaulospora</em>)18种、巨孢囊霉属(<em>Gigaspora</em>)4种、盾巨孢囊霉属(<em>Scutellospora</em>)2种,其中<em>Glomus</em>、<em>Acaulospora</em>为优势属,黑球囊霉<em>G. melanosporum</em>为优势种。盐肤木根围AM真菌种类最丰富,Shannon-Weiner指数<em>H</em>达到1.29。侵染率与各土壤因子均无显著相关;孢子密度与pH值极显著负相关;种的丰度与pH值显著负相关、与电导率极显著负相关、与孢子密度极显著正相关;Shannon-Weiner指数<em>H</em>与有机质极显著负相关;均匀度与有机质、孢子密度极显著负相关。厦门地区AM真菌资源十分丰富,多样性程度高,宿主植物不同,土壤因子对其侵染率、孢子密度、种的丰度、Shannon-Weiner指数、均匀度的影响也不同。为实现AM真菌生物技术应用于中药材规范化种植提供宝贵种质资源和理论依据。;The distribution, colonization rate and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the rhizosphere of seven medicinal plants species in Xiamen, Fujian province were studied. The spores of AM fungi were isolated by modified method of wet sieving and decanting technique and identifled based on spore morphology and subcellular characters. The results showed a strong symbiotic relationship between seven medicinal plants and AM fungi. The highest spore density (29.0 cfu per g soil) was found in <em>Rhus chinensis</em> while the lowest (4.7 cfu per g soil) was in <em>Michelia figo</em>. Spores of <em>Gigaspora</em> occurred rarely and only in <em>Houttuynia cordata</em> Thunb., and <em>Scutellospora</em> only in <em>Rosa laevigata </em>Michx. <em>Glomus</em> <em>melanosporum</em> was most frequently associated with the 7 medicinal plants species. The highest mycorrhizal colonization (100%) was recorded in <em>Camptotheca acuminata</em> Decne while the lowest (4.5%) was in <em>Houttuynia cordata </em>Thunb. The results indicated that sixty three species of four genera of AM fungi were isolated, of which thirty-nine belonged to <em>Glomus</em>, eighteen to <em>Acaulospora</em>, two to <em>Scutellospora</em> and four to <em>Gigaspora</em>. Meanwhile, <em>Glomus </em>and <em>Acaulospora </em>were the dominant genera of the seven medicinal plants and <em>G. melanosporum</em>, <em>A. excavata</em>,<em> G. ambisporum</em>,<em> G. clarum</em>, and <em>G. geosporum</em> were the prevalent AM fungi. The highest species richness (26), Shannon-Wiener index (<em>H</em>) (2.29), and evenness (0.83) were found in <em>Rhus chinensis</em>, <em>Rosa laevigata </em>Michx., and <em>Mirabilis jalapa</em> Linn., in contrast to the lowest one in <em>Houttuynia cordata </em>Thunb.(9), <em>Houttuynia cordata </em>Thunb.(1.06) and <em>Rhus chinensis.</em>(0.39). The frequency (<em>F</em>) and importance value (<em>I</em>) of <em>Glomus</em> and <em>Acaulospora</em> in all the plants were higher than 50 percent. As the soil characteristic may play an important role in the ecological distribution of AM fungi, available P, available K, available N, organic matter, pH and electrical conductivity of the soil samples were investigated. In the present study, the colonization had no significant correlation with the soil factors. Spore density had a highly significantly negative correlation with pH values (<em>P</em>＜0.01). Species richness correlated significantly negatively with pH (<em>P</em>＜0.05), and had a highly significantly negative correlation with electrical conductivity, while highly positive correlation with spore density (<em>P</em>＜0.01). Shannon-Wiener index (<em>H</em>) had a highly significantly negative correlation with organic matter (<em>P</em>＜0.01). Evenness had a highly significantly negative correlations with soil organic matter and spore density (<em>P</em>＜0.01). These results indicated a high diversity of AM fungi in Xiamen. The effects of soil factors on colonization rate, spore density, species richness, Shannon-Wiener index (<em>H</em>) and evenness all varied with host plants. The colonization rate, spore density and species richness had negative correlations with pH values, available P, available N and electrical conductivity. The colonization rate and Shannon-Wiener index (<em>H</em>) had positive correlation with available K and evenness had positive correlation with available K, organic matter, pH and electrical conductivity. AM fungi may be a potent biological resource which can stimulate the growth of medicinal plants. This study provids a valuable germplasm and theoretical basis for AM fungal biotechnology to apply to medicinal standardization on planting.

Screening of Natural Antioxidants and Application In the Course of Perry Brewing

DPPH assay and FRAP assay (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) were used to determine the antioxidant activity of forty kinds of Chinese herbs. Among them, eight were found to possess strong antioxidant activity including Magnolia and Rhus chinensis Mill.. Eight Chinese herbs were used to perry brewing. Total polyphenols were determined by Folin-Ciocaileu method in order to measure their antioxidant activity. The results showed that Magnolia and Rhus chinensis Mill. had high antioxidant activities in eight Chinese herbs in perry.

Standardization of IBA Concentration for Rooting of Cuttings of some Indigenous Fruit Crops of Assam

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different concentrations of IBA (250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm) on rooting of cuttings in five indigenous fruit species- Barthekera (Garcinia pedunculataRoxb.), Teportenga (Garcinia xanthochymus Hk.f), Jalphai (Eleocarpus floribundus Bl ), Nagatenga (Rhus semialata Murr.) and Outenga (Dillenia indica Linn.) during March 2007. Among all the five species studied, Outenga registered highest percentage of rooting (38.86), number of primary roots (12.00), survival percentage (40.47) and longest shoots (20.41cm). IBA @ 2000 ppm exhibited highest percentage of rooting (37.13), number of primary roots (9.13), survival percentage (35.69) and longest shoots (17.91cm).

The genome-wide expression profile of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose-treated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells: molecular target on cancer metabolism.

1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a polyphenolic compound isolated from Rhus chinensis Mill. PGG has been known to have anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic and anti-diabetic activities. The present study revealed another underlying molecular target of PGG in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by using Illumina Human Ref-8 expression BeadChip assay. Through the Beadstudio v3 micro assay program to compare the identified genes expressed in PGG-treated MDA-MB-231 cells with untreated control, we found several unique genes that are closely associated with pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and tyrosine metabolism, including PC, ACSS2, ACACA, ACYP2, ALDH3B1, FBP1, PRMT2 and COMT. Consistent with microarray data, real-time RT-PCR confirmed the significant down-regulation of these genes at mRNA level in PGG-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings suggest the potential of PGG as anticancer agent for breast cancer cells by targeting cancer metabolism genes.

Gallic Acid Inhibits Cell Viability and Induces Apoptosis in Human Monocytic Cell Line U937

In the present study, we investigated the effects of gallic acid (GA) (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), a polyhydroxyphenolic compound, isolated from Rhus chinensis, on the human monocytic lymphoma cell line U937. In vitro experiments showed that treating U937 cells with various amounts of GA inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In order to understand the mechanism by which GA induces apoptosis, we examined the gene expression of p53, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and inhibitor of NF-κB (I-κB) after treating the cells with GA and found that expression levels of the genes for p53 and NF-κB increased and that for I-κB decreased. The results obtained from western blotting with U937 cells showed up-regulation of NF-κB protein and down-regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and I-κB protein. These results demonstrate that GA efficiently induces apoptosis in U937 cells and that GA is a potential chemotherapeutic agent against lymphoma.

Rhus chinensis and Galla Chinensis--folklore to modern evidence: review.

The species Rhus chinensis Mill. (Anacardiaceae) is an important representative of the genus Rhus, which contains over 250 individual species found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Rhus chinensis has long been used by folk medicine practitioners in Asia. Leaves, roots, stem, bark, fruit and particularly the galls on Rhus chinensis leaves, Galla chinensis, are recognized to have preventative and therapeutic effects on different ailments (such as diarrhea, dysentery, rectal and intestinal cancer, diabetes mellitus, sepsis, oral diseases and inflammation). However, it is critical to separate evidence from anecdote. Fortunately, recent scientific research has revealed that Rhus chinensis compounds possess strong antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities. Moreover, compounds isolated from the stem of Rhus chinensis significantly suppressed HIV‐1 activity in vitro. Compounds from this plant were also found to inhibit enamel demineralization in vitro and enhance remineralization of dental enamel with fluoride. This review highlights claims from traditional and tribal medicinal lore and makes a contemporary summary of phytochemical, biological and pharmacological findings on this plant material. It aims to show that the pharmaceutical potential of this plant deserves closer attention. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Compensatory effects between Pinus massoniana and broadleaved tree species

Aims Evaluation of the interaction intensity between Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) and broadleaved trees will facilitate selecting tree combinations suitable for reforestation in abandoned sites in subtropical areas. Methods Pinus massoniana and seven broadleaved trees species were grown either in monoculture or in two-species mixture. Biomass of tree species was measured and inter-specific interactions were estimated using log response ratio. Test of homogeneity of variances was performed to compare the stability of biomass in the monoculture of the broadleaved trees with that in the mixture. Important Findings Our results showed that the direction and intensity of interactions between P. massoniana and the broadleaved trees varied from year to year and the identity of the broadleaved species. Facilitative interactions were found between Camellia oleifera, Rhus chinensis and P. massoniana. Pinus massoniana had competitive effects on Lithocarpus glaber, Cyclobalanopsis glauca and Elaeocarpus japonicus. Significantly negative relations were found between biomass of P. massoniana and the broadleaved trees in the third year of the experiment, and the compensatory effects between P. massoniana and the broadleaved trees may be involved in stability maintenance in the multi-species forests in the subtropical area. The results of homogeneity test of variances also showed that the biomass per pot in the mixture had significantly lower variances than that in the monoculture, suggesting that total biomass is more stable in the mixture than the monoculture.