Gnaphalium Affine Research Articles

Effect of raising geese in cornfield on ecological characteristics of weed community

Weeds have a direct impact on crop quality and yield in agricultural systems. In order to explore a production mode which can control and utilize weeds while maintaining a high weed diversity and a high crop yield, we experimentally compared weeds by raising geese in corn fields (hereinafter referred to as RGICF) and conventionally planting corn fields (CK) in 2013. Weed niche breadth, the structure of community and functional groups and diversity were compared between the periods of BG (before the RGICF treatment was grazed by geese) and AG (after the RGICF treatment was grazed by geese) to observe changes. RGICF is a compound production pattern based on the principle of “Agro-pastoral Integration”, a concept 第 4 期 张宇阳等: 玉米田养鹅措施对杂草群落生态特征的影响 493 proposed in 2011, that uses resources like weeds and the bottom leaves of crops in a tillage system to raise poultry. However, questions remain about the system including its effects on biodiversity, weed community structure, and total biomass. Results indicated that Lolium multiflorum, Medicago sativa, and Chenopodium glaucum had the highest niche breadth during BG in RGICF, and the niche breadths of C. glaucum, Polygonum nepalense, Fragaria moupinensis and Geranium pratense increased to different extents while those of L. multiforum and M. sativa decreased during AG. Additionally, seven weed species were found only during AG. In the CK treatment, Bulbostylis densa had the highest niche breadth during BG, while Gnaphalium affine had the highest during AG. Here, two new weed species were found only during AG. The niche overlap of L. perenne and M. sativa was the highest during BG, and L. perenne overlapped most with F. moupinensis during AG. While in CK, the niche overlap of Bulbostylis densa and Digitaria sanguinalis was greatest during BG, and the niches of B. densa and Gnaphalium affine overlapped the most during AG. In the two treatments, the dicotyledonous annuals (DA) was the dominant functional group during both BG and AG, and the distribution proportion of perennials increased with a more balanced distribution during AG in RGICF. During BG, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Margalef richness index were significantly higher in RGICF than in CK (P 0.05, n=3). Simpson diversity index of weeds in RGICF was higher than CK during BG but significantly lower than CK (P 0.05, n=3), during both BG and AG. Compared with CK, the corn yield in RGICF was lower (P>0.05, n=3); yields decreased 4%. In summary, although the RGICF production mode reduced corn yields, the practice maintains high biodiversity in agro-ecosystems, and may compensate or even overcompensate yield loss through the production of geese.

Two new phenolic glycosides from Gnaphalium affine D. Don and their anti-complementary activity.

Two new phenolic glycosides, named gnaphaffine A and B (compounds 1 and 2), were isolated from Gnaphalium affine. together with six known compounds, including caffeic acid (3), everlastoside L (4), isorhamnetin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), scutellarein-7-O-β-d-glucoside (7) and api-genin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including ESI-MS and 2D NMR spectroscopy (HMQC and HMBC). All compounds were evaluated for their anti-complementary activity on the classical pathway of the complement system in vitro.

The antioxidant activity and active component of Gnaphalium affine extract

The antioxidant activity of Gnaphalium affine extract (GAE) against H2O2-induced oxidative injury in Caco-2 cells was evaluated, and the main antioxidant component was isolated and identified by column chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, time-of-flight mass spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance. In vitro assays, GAE showed remarkable antioxidant activity to scavenge free radicals (ABTS, DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals), inhibit lipid peroxidation and show reducing power. In food system, GAE exhibited the obvious capacity to inhibit the oxidation of peanut oil and lard, which may be attributed to its high content of phenolic compounds. Moreover, GAE could effectively protect Caco-2 cell against H2O2-induced oxidative injury. With the isolation and purification by chromatography, quercetin was identified as the main antioxidant component of GAE, which was capable of scavenging ABTS, DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. These results suggest that G. affine is a potential source for preparing functional foods and nutraceuticals in food industry.

Anti-complementary activity of flavonoids from Gnaphalium affine D. Don

Gnaphalium affine D. Don, is used as a vegetable as well as a folk medicine in China for its anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and expectorant activities. Phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of this plant led to isolation of three new acylated flavonol glycosides, apigenin 4′-O-β-d-(6″-E-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside, luteolin 4′-O-β-d-(6″-E-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside, and quercetin 4′-O-β-d-(6″-E-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside, together with 24 known compounds. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-complementary activity on the classical pathway of the complement system in vitro, and luteolin 4′-O-β-d-(6″-E-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside exhibited highest anti-complementary activity with an IC50 value of 0.045±0.005mg/ml. This is the first report of anti-complementary activity of G. affine D. Don, which displays the initial evidence that this plant is a potent complement inhibitor.

Deodorizing Effects of Wild Grass Extracts against Methanethiol

We investigated the deodorizing effects of hot-water extracts of samples of 26 species of wild grasses native to Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture against methanethiol (CH3SH), and compared them with the deodorizing effects of methanol extracts of the samples. The deodorizing activities were determined from the amounts of CH3SH remaining using headspace gas chromatography. Each of the 5.0mg hot-water extracts and methanol extracts was added to CH3SH and then examined. As a result, deodorizing effects stronger than those of green tea were observed in hot-water extracts of samples of 12 species and methanol extracts of samples of 11 species. Furthermore, deodorizing activities of 100% were found in eight species. Among them, the deodorant active substances of Glechoma hederacea [2], Artemisia capillaries [3], Porentilla fragarioides [4], Gnaphalium affine [5], Stenactis annuus [6], and Oenothera biennis [8] were more effectively extracted by hot-water extraction than methanol extraction. These substantial deodorizing effects of hot-water extracts of wild grasses have not been reported to data. This experiment suggests that substances originating from plants are promising for possible deodorant applications.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum에 의한 시설재배 들깨 균핵병 발생특성

시설재배 되는 들깨에 발생하여 피해를 초래하는 균핵병 발생 특성에 대하여 조사연구한 결과, 들깨 균핵병균(S. sclerotiorum)의 균사생장 적온은 <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX>이었고, <TEX>$15^{\circ}C$</TEX> 이하의 온도에서 <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX> 이상의 온도에서보다 균핵의 형성수는 적었으나 보다 큰 균핵을 형성하였으며 건물중도 높았다. 토양 깊이별 균핵의 자낭반 형성은 0.5 cm에서 가장 높았고 3cm 깊이까지 자낭반을 하였으나 5cm 이상의 깊이에서는 자낭반 형성이 관찰되지 않았다. 들깨 균핵병은 전 생육기에 걸쳐 발생하였고, 특히 저온 다습기인 1월에서 2월에 발생이 높았다. 그리고 5년 이상 연작 재배시 높은 발병을 보였으며, 10년 이상 연작재배 포장은 20% 이상의 발병을 보여 많은 피해를 초래하였다. 또한 들깨 시설재배 농가 포장에서 자연 감염에 의한 균핵병이 떡쑥, 주름잎 등의 잡초에 발생하였으며, 병원성 조사결과, 화본과를 제외한 국화과 등 6개과에 속하는 11종의 잡초에 병원성을 나타내었다. 이런 결과는 윤작과 효율적인 잡초관리가 들깨 균핵병 발생을 경감할 수 있고, 벼 후작으로 시설재배 되는 들깨에 균핵병이 격발하는 원인을 설명할 수 있는 하나의 자료가 될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. Sclerotinia rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum frequently causes serious and unpredicable yield losses of the leaves of perilla growing under structured cultivation as vegetable in Korea. Temperature for mycelial growth ranged from 5 to <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX> with optimum temperature d <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX>. Sclerotia were formed fewer at low temperature, but their dry weight was heavier than that at high temperature. The apothecia were formed from the sclerotia that buried up to 3 cm soil depth at <TEX>$15^{\circ}C$</TEX> in moisture condition. The incidence of perilla Sclerotinia rot caused by S. sclerotiorum was observed throughout the growing season at greenhouse. The occurrence of this disease was especially severe from January to February of low temperature period. The average incidence rates of this disease was up to 15%. The significant occurrence of this disease was showed mainly in the continuous cropping field for more than five years. The incidence of this disease increased according to the increase of continuous cropping year. The incidence rates of this disease reached up to 20% in the continuous cropping field for ten years. Also it was firstly investigated the natural infection caused by S. sclerotiorum on weed plants, Gnaphalium affine and Mazus pumilus in farmer's field. The casual fungus showed pathogenicity on 11 weed plants species tested, and more severe pathogenicity on G. affine, Latuca indica and Ixeris dentata included in the family Compositae. This result suggests that effective crop rotation and weed eradication can be the method for organic control of perilla sclerotinia rot, and sudden outbreaks of this disease on perilla growing under structure after paddy rice call be explained by the presence of weed hosts.

Response of 12 weedy species to elevated CO2 in low‐phosphorus‐availability soil

AbstractWe conducted an experiment on responses of weedy species from an orchard ecosystem to elevated CO2 (700–800 μmol mol−1) under low phosphorus (P) soil in an environment‐controlled growth chamber. Twelve local weedy species, Poa annua L., Lolium perenne L., Avena fatua L., Vicia cracca L., Medicago lupulina L., Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl., Veronica didyma Ten., Plantago virginica L., Gnaphalium affine D.Don., Echinochloa crusgalli var. mitis (L.) Beauv., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. and Setaria glauca (L.) P. Beauv., grouped into four functional groups (C3 grass, C3 forb, legume and C4 grass), were used in the experiment. The total plant biomass, P uptake, and mycorrhizal colonization were measured. The results showed that the total biomass of the 12 weedy species tended to increase under elevated CO2. But changes in the total biomass under elevated CO2 significantly differed among functional groups: legumes showed the greatest increase in the total biomass of all functional groups, following the order C3 forbs &gt; C4 grasses &gt; C3 grasses. Elevated CO2 significantly increased mycorrhizal colonization and P uptake of legumes, C3 forbs and C4 grasses but did not change C3 grasses. Positive correlations between mycorrhizal colonization and shoot P concentration, and between total P uptake and total biomass were found under elevated CO2. The results suggested that the interspecific difference in CO2 response at low P availability was caused by the difference in CO2 response in mycorrhizae and P uptake. These differences among species imply that plant interaction in orchard ecosystems may change under future CO2 enrichment.

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Plants on Mn Mine Tailings

The Xiangtan Manganese (Mn) Mine in the middle of Hunan Province, China, has been mined since 1913 with mine tailings including excavated wastes, wastewater, and smelting wastes. A survey was conducted on the Mn mine tailing soils and eight plants on the Mn mine tailings. The concentrations of soil Mn, Pb, and Cd and the metal-enrichment traits of these eight plants were analyzed simultaneously. Exceptionally high concentrations of these three metals were found in the soils, especially on the tailing dam. Each plant investigated in this study accumulated the three heavy metals, but no hyperaccumulator of these metals was found. However, analysis indicated that Poa pratensis Linn., Gnaphalium affine D. Don, Pteris vittata L., Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq., and Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. possessed specially good metal-enrichment and metal-tolerant traits. P. pratensis, G. affine, and P. vittata were Pb-tolerant plants; and C. canadensis, P. pratensis, and G. affine were Cd-tolerant plants. P. acinosa had a great tolerance to Mn, and it was a valuable plant for on-site phytoremediation. Phragmites communis Trin. was found to have high metal tolerance and economic benefit as a raw material for paper and should be considered for soil remediation. G. affine and C. canadensis had excessive accumulation of Mn and could be useful in phytoremediation. However, although P. pratensis was a good accumulator it was not a suitable plant for soil remediation because its biomass was too little.

Effects of trampling and ethephon on leaf morphology in trampling‐tolerant Plantago asiatica and Eleusine indica

Summary The effects of simulated human trampling on leaf morphology and ethylene production as well as the effect of an ethylene releaser ethephon on leaf morphology were investigated for trampling‐tolerant species, Plantago asiatica and Eleusine indica, and trampling‐susceptible species, Gnaphalium affine and Panicum bisulcatum. In Pl. asiatica, trampling decreased the leaf length and increased the leaf blade length to width ratio and the leaf blade length to leaf (leaf blade + petiole) length ratio. In E. indica, trampling only decreased the leaf blade length to width ratio. Trampling increased ethylene production in intact seedlings of Pl. asiatica, E. indica and G. affine. The ethephon (1 mM) treatment increased the leaf blade length to width ratio in seedlings of Pl. asiatica, but decreased that in seedlings of E. indica in a manner similar to the morphological changes induced by trampling. In contrast, no significant differences in leaf morphology were observed between the ethephon‐treated and control seedlings of trampling‐susceptible species. These results suggest that trampling‐tolerant species have higher responsiveness to ethylene than trampling‐susceptible species and change their leaf morphology in response to ethylene induced by trampling.

Isolation of GnafC, a polysaccharide constituent of Gnaphalium affine, and synergistic effects of GnafC and ascorbate on the phenotypic expression of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

After screening extensively factors in plant extracts that increase alkaline phosphatase activity, an osteoblastic differentiation marker protein in mouse calvarial osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells, GnafC derived from Gnaphalium affine, was found to significantly enhance the alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity in a synergistic manner with ascorbate. GnafC was a polysaccharaide with an approximate molecular mass of 10,000 and comprised mannose, xylose, arabinose, galactose and glucose in a molar ratio of 1:2:4.3:2.5:2.7. Expression of the osteoblastic differentiation marker genes was examined by semiquantitative RT-PCR with RNAs prepared from cells at different developmental stages. With ascorbate in the culture, GnafC enhanced the expression of the ALPase and MMP13 genes from the early stage of differentiation, leading to maturation of the collagenous extracellular matrix (ECM), a prerequisite for mineralization.

Insect antifeedant activity of flavones and chromones against Spodoptera litura.

The antifeedant polymethylated flavones 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-heptamethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone, and 5,6-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone have been isolated from the cudweed, Gnaphalium affine D. Don (Compositae). These flavonoids and authentic analogues showed insect antifeedant activity against the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura F.). In a previous paper, it was suggested that there was no substituent on the B-ring of the flavonoid for the beneficial antifeedant activity against the common cutworm. These flavonoids having a phenyl group as the B-ring and the chromone as elimination of the B-ring from the flavonoids were used to test the hypothesis of the previously described B-ring effect. The known fact is that Sculletaria baicarensis (Rutaceae) produced the 2-phenyl flavone. Test compounds and their methylated derivatives were prepared from this material for the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of insect antifeedant activity. In spite of the 2-phenyl flavonoids, some tested compounds did not show any insect antifeedant activity against the common cutworm, although these inactive flavonoids were deficient in the 6-substituent group on the A-ring of the flavonoid. This 6-position-substituted derivative almost showed strong insect antifeedant activity against common cutworm. Moreover, the tested flavonoids having a hydroxyl group as a substituent on any of the positions tended to increase the activity. These results suggested the importance of the 6-position substitution on the flavonoid; however, hydrophilic substituents decreased the activity. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) derivatives did not show any activity despite having the 6-substituent derivative. Although the activity of some chromones increased the activity of the flavone, the bulky B-ring was a disadvantage for the antifeedant activity. It was suggested that the charge on C(3) and C(5) of the flavonoid was important for the biological activity. Additionally, an adequate hydrogen bonding property, which is different from lipophilicity, was an advantage for the activity on the basis of a QSAR analysis.

Insect antifeedant flavonoids from Gnaphalium affine D. Don.

The antifeedant flavonoids, 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone (1), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (2), 5,6-dihydroxy-3, 7-dimethoxyflavone (3), and 4,4',6'-trihydroxy-2'-methoxychalcone (4), have been isolated from cudweed Gnaphalium affine D. Don (Compositae). Four natural flavonoids showed insect antifeedant activity against the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura F.). These flavonoids were detected in small amounts in the plant by HPLC analysis, but these natural compounds had strong antifeedant activity against the common cutworm. On the other hand, 4 was detected in a large amount in the plant, but this compound had only a slight activity. Therefore, these natural compounds were regarded as one of the plant's defensive systems against phytophagous insects along with the woolly plant surface. As for the structure-activity relationship, it is an advantage for antifeedant activity to have no oxy-substituents on the B-ring of the flavonoid but have an ether linkage such as a pyran in the chemical structure.

Flavonoids in the flowers of Gnaphalium affine D. Don.

Flavonoids in the flowers of Gnaphalium affine D. Don.

Dehydro-para-asebotin, a new chalcone glucoside in the flowers of Gnaphalium affine D. Don.

Besides luteolin 4'-D-glucoside (I) and luteolin (II), a chalcone glycoside (III), C22H24O10·1 1/2 H2O, mp 199-200°, [α]30D-85.2°(methanol), ultraviolet spectrum (UV) λEtOHmax 368 nm, was isolated from the flowers of Gnaphalium affine D. DON. III was acid hydrolyzed to give glucose and a flavanone (V), mp 256°, UV λEtOHmax 228, 284 nm, which was identified as 4', 7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone by chemical and spectral data and by direct comparison of the diethyl ether (VIII) with an authentic sample. The sample, 4', 7-diethoxy-5-methoxyflavanone (VIII) was prepared, according to the result of a preliminary experiment (Table I), by stepwise alkylations of naringenin (IX) with an ether solution of diazoethane in absolute methanol for 3 hr and then with diazomethane in 70% methanol for 24 hr. Further examination of the methanolysis products of III permethylate (XV) and the spectral data of XV evidenced that III is 4'-O-β-D-glucopermethylate of 2', 4, 4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (dehydro-para-asebotin), from which V is yielded on acid treatment. This is the first isolation of III and V from natural sources.