Potentilla Chinensis Research Articles

HERBAL REMEDY FOR OSTEOSARCOMA - CHALLENGING EVOLUTION

Bone cancer is the extremely rare type, which accounts for about 0.2% of all cancer. They metastasize the cancer cells to the bone parts which have an especially crucial mechanism of action while treating. It is treated with the advanced drugs, have effluent side effects when compared to the medicinal plants and phytoconstituents. The review effectively deals that the mechanism of action of different medicinal plants include Phyllanthus urinaria, Aralia elata, Punica granatum, Anemone altaica, and Potentilla chinensis and the phytoconstituents include corosolic acid, shikonin, thymoquinone, aloperine, and withaferin A. This review provides the detailed information about the importance of medicinal herbs in the treatment of bone cancer, besides the mechanism of action of several phytoconstituents in different cell lines used. In future, it is more useful for evaluating the treatment of bone cancer with phytoconstituents.

AMPK/AS160 mediates tiliroside derivatives-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in muscle cells.

IntroductionThe Chinese herb Potentilla chinensis can reduce blood glucose level of diabetic mice. Tiliroside is the main effective component, but the detailed mechanism is not clear. Skeletal muscles play an important role in whole body glucose homeostasis. Insulin and exercise/contraction stimulate glucose uptake by muscle cells via redistribution of glucose transporter GLUT4 to the cell surface.Materials and methodsWe explored the effects of tiliroside derivatives on cell surface GLUT4 level (GLUT4 translocation) and the underlying mechanism in L6-GLUT4myc muscle cells.ResultsWe showed that tiliroside derivatives D1–22 stimulated GLUT4myc translocation in L6-GLUT4myc skeletal muscle cells. Derivatives D1, D8 and D18 regulated GLUT4myc translocation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Their effects on GLUT4 were additive with that of acute insulin stimulation. Moreover, they increased phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), but not protein kinase B (PKB, also called Akt). Their effects on GLUT4 were inhibited by Compound C. In addition, derivative D8 significantly stimulated AMPK and Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160) phosphorylation and GLUT4myc translocation in L6-GLUT4myc cells, but not in L6-AS160 4A-GLUT4myc cells.ConclusionTiliroside derivatives D1, D8 and D18 stimulated GLUT4myc translocation by a mechanism different to that of insulin in skeletal muscle cells. The effect of derivative D8 on GLUT4myc translocation is mediated by AMPK/AS160 signaling pathway.

高寒地区不同退化草地植被特性和土壤固氮菌群特性及其相关性

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 高寒地区不同退化草地植被特性和土壤固氮菌群特性及其相关性 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201604010598 作者: 作者单位: 甘肃农业大学 草业学院,甘肃农业大学 草业学院,甘肃农业大学 草业学院,甘肃农业大学 草业学院,甘肃农业大学 草业学院,甘肃农业大学 草业学院,甘肃农业大学草业学院 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（31360584）；农业部国家牧草产业技术体系（CARS-35） Characteristics of, and the correlation between, vegetation and N-fixing soil bacteria in alpine grassland showing various degrees of degradation Author: Affiliation: College of Prataculture,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Prataculture,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Prataculture,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Prataculture,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Prataculture,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Prataculture,Gansu Agricultural University, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:选取东祁连山不同退化程度的高寒草地为研究对象，调查研究其植物种类、植被盖度、高度、地上生物量等植物指标以及土壤好气性自生固氮菌和嫌气性自生固氮菌数量，在此基础上，采用 real-time PCR 的方法扩增nifH基因，测定不同退化程度草地土壤中固氮菌相对于土壤总细菌的量，以探讨草地退化过程中植被及土壤固氮菌群的变化规律，结果发现：随着退化程度的加深，草地植物种类逐渐减少，并且优势植物发生变化，毒杂草逐渐增多，植被的高度、盖度、地上生物量都逐渐降低。对土壤固氮菌的研究则表明，土壤好气性自生固氮菌和嫌气性自生固氮菌的数量在不同退化草地随草地退化程度的加重而减少，在同一退化程度草地土壤则是随土层深度加深而下降。对土壤固氮菌nifH基因扩增的结果也表明随着退化加剧，土壤固氮菌相对于土壤总细菌的比例在降低，进一步说明草地退化过程中土壤固氮菌不仅是数量上的下降，更是群落结构层面的变化。对植被特性和土壤固氮菌含量的相关分析表明，植被特性和土壤中固氮菌含量呈显著相关。研究从土壤固氮菌群的角度研究了草地退化的过程，说明了二者具有协同性，研究和治理草地退化必须重视土壤功能菌群尤其是固氮菌群的作用。 Abstract:China has some of the most serious grassland degradation in the world, with about 90% of the available grassland being subject to various degrees of degradation. The grassland shows surface vegetation degradation, and there is a close relationship with soil degradation. Self N-fixing bacteria have an important impact on soil quality. In this study, alpine grasslands that had suffered different levels of degradation were selected as study areas in the east Chi-lien mountains. The plant species, coverage, average height, and above ground biomass were investigated, and the population of aerobic N-fixing bacteria and anaerobic N-fixing bacteria in the soil were measured. The levels of soil N-fixing bacteria relative to total soil bacteria were determined by the levels of real-time PCR-amplified nifH gene present in the different degraded grasslands. These methods showed how vegetation and soil N-fixing bacteria changed and how these changes were regulated as the degradation process progressed. The results showed that plant species abundance decreased; the dominant species varied; poisonous weed numbers gradually increased; and the height, coverage, and above ground biomass of the vegetation all decreased as the degradation process progressed. The lightly degraded grassland had up to 20 species, whereas there were only 11 in the severely degraded grassland. At first, there was only one dominant species, Elymus nutans, but this gradually evolved into two species, Elymus nutans and Potentilla chinensis, as degradation progressed. The poisonous weeds that appeared included Achnatherum inebrians and Stellera chamaejasme. The medially degraded and severely degraded grassland ground biomass was lower by 47.2% and 92%, respectively, than that of the lightly degraded grassland, and the average height of the severely degraded grassland decreased by 42.3 cm. Vegetation coverage also showed similar trends. The population of aerobic self N-fixing bacteria and anaerobic N-fixing bacteria was affected by the degree of degradation and the soil depth. The further grassland degradation had progressed and the deeper the soil layer, the lower were the number of self N-fixing bacteria. The examination of genetically amplified nifH showed that the ratio of soil self N-fixing bacteria to total soil bacteria declined. In the surface soil, the proportion of the bacteria made up of self N-fixing bacteria in the medium degraded grassland was lower by 26.9% than that of the lightly degraded grassland. In the severely degraded grassland, the proportion of self N-fixing bacteria was lower by 13.2% than that in the relatively medially degraded grassland, and the proportions were similar across all soil layers. This showed that the population of soil self N-fixing reduced, and that there was a degradation of community structure. The correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation between the vegetation characteristics and the population of soil self N-fixing bacteria. In summary, grassland degradation gradually reduced ground vegetation height, coverage, and aboveground biomass, and increased the numbers of poisonous weeds. It also reduced the numbers of soil self N-fixing bacteria numbers and had negative effects on soil microbial community structure. This jndicates a correlation between the grassland degradation process and soil self N-fixing bacteria. These results show that the soil functional flora, especially the role of soil self N-fixing bacteria, must be considered when researching and managing grassland degradation. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Invitro antitumor activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Potentilla chinensis in osteosarcoma cancer cells.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of the ethanol extract of Potentilla chinensis, a Chinese medicinal plant. An MTT assay was used to evaluate the cell viability of MG-63 human osteosarcoma cancer cells and fR-2 cells. Furthermore, the effect of the extract on apoptosis induction, cell cycle phase distribution and inhibition of cell migration in the MG63 human osteosarcoma cancer cell line was evaluated. The effect of the extract on cell cycle phase distribution was assessed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI). Phase contrast microscopy detected the morphological changes in MG63 cancer cells following extract treatment. The results of the study demonstrated that the extract was cytotoxic to MG63 cancer cells, while the normal cell line (epithelial cell line) showed lower susceptibility. Phase contrast microscopy showed distinguishing morphological features, such as cell shrinkage and blebbing induced by the extract treatment in osteosarcoma cancer cells. The average proportion of Annexin V-positive cells (total apoptotic cells) significantly increased from 5.6% in the control to 24.2, 38.8 and 55.7% in the 40, 80 and 150 µg/ml groups, respectively. The extract induced early and late apoptosis in the cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the extract induced G0/G1-cell cycle arrest, which also showed significant dose-dependence. The extract induced a significant and concentration-dependent reduction in cell migration. Moreover, DNA fragmentation was also examined by observation of the formation of DNA ladders. It was demonstrated that DNA fragmentation was increased with extract concentration compared with that in the control. Taken together, EEPC may serve as potential therapeutic agent against osteosarcoma, provided that the toxicity profile and in vivo investigations demonstrate that it is safe.

Roots of forbs sense climate fluctuations in the semi-arid Loess Plateau: Herb-chronology based analysis.

Growth of herbaceous plants responds sensitively and rapidly to climate variability. Yet, little is known regarding how climate warming influences the growth of herbaceous plants, particularly in semi-arid sites. This contrasts with widely reported tree growth decline and even mortality in response to severe water deficits due to climate warming around the world. Here, we use the relatively novel approach of herb-chronology to analyze the correlation between climatic factors and annual ring width in the root xylem of two perennial forb species (Medicago sativa, Potentilla chinensis) in the Loess Plateau of China. We show that warming-induced water deficit has a significant negative effect on the growth of herbaceous plants in the Loess Plateau. Our results indicate that the growth of forbs responds rapidly and sensitively to drought variability, implying that water availability plays a dominant role in regulating the growth of herbaceous plants in semi-arid areas. If warming and drying in the Loess Plateau continue in the future, further affects the growth of herbaceous plants, potentially driving regional changes in the relationship between herbaceous vegetation and climate.

딱지꽃(Potentilla chinensis) 뿌리 추출물의 주요성분 분리동정

딱지꽃(Potentilla chinensis)은 약초식물의 하나로 항염, 지혈, 해독 그리고 해열 등의 효과가 알려져 있다. 특히 딱지꽃의 뿌리는 약제로써 중요한 가치를 지니고 있다. 그러나 기존에 딱지꽃의 줄기나 잎에 대한 유효성분에 대한 연구가 시도된 반면 딱지꽃의 뿌리의 주요성분을 분석한 사례가 없었다. 따라서 본 연구는 딱지꽃의 뿌리를 다양한 용매별로 추출하고 주요한 물질을 분리정제 하였다. 분리 정제된 물질을 NMR과 mass 분석을 통하여 물질을 동정하였고 그 결과 주요성분이 화합물 (1)임을 확인하였다. 또한, 동정된 물질의 산업적 응용을 위해 딱지꽃 뿌리에서 용매별로 화합물 (1) 추출양을 정량하였다.

Protection against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by tormentic acid via the activation of PI3-K/Akt/GSK3β pathway

The cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) could be ascribed to the progressive and selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and thus molecules with neuroprotective ability may have therapeutic value against PD. In the current study, the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of tormentic acid (TA), a naturally occurring triterpene extracted from medicinal plants such as Rosa rugosa and Potentilla chinensis, were evaluated in a widely used cellular PD model in which neurotoxicity was induced by MPP+ in cultured SH-SY5Y cells. We found that TA at 1–30 μM substantially protected against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity, as evidenced by the increase in cell viability, decrease in lactate dehydrogenase release and the reduction in apoptotic nuclei. Moreover, TA effectively inhibited the elevated intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species as well as Bax/Bcl-2 ratio caused by MPP+. Most importantly, TA markedly reversed the inhibition of protein expression of phosphorylated Akt (Ser 473) and phosphorylated GSK3β (Ser 9) caused by MPP+. LY294002, the specific inhibitor of PI3-K, significantly abrogated the up-regulated phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated GSK3β offered by TA, suggesting that the neuroprotection of TA was mainly dependent on the activation of PI3-K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway. The results taken together indicate that TA may be a potential candidate for further preclinical study aimed at the prevention and treatment of PD.

Protective effect of asiatic acid from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats

To study the protective effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid (AA) from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the AA control group (8 mg · kg(-1) AA), the model group (5.0-9.0 g · kg(-1) alcohol) and high, medium and low-dose AA-treated groups (alcohol + 8, 4, 2 mg · kg(-1) AA). Each group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs once a day for 24 weeks. Approximately 1. 5 hours after the final administration, all rats were killed, and their blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected. The AST and ALT in rat serum and the contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MDA in hepatic tissues were detected. The expressions of NF-κB, TLR4, CD14, MyD88, TRIF and protein expression in hepatic tissues were measured by western blot. The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by histological examination. The results showed that compared with the model group, the AA-treated groups showed significant decreases in serum ALT, AST and MDA and increases in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MPO. Moreover, AA markedly inhibited the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, CD14, MyD88 and NF-κB. The histological examination showed alleviated hepatic issue ijury to varying degrees. In short, asiatic acid (AA) from P. chinensis could protect alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB inactivation and the reduction of inflammatory response.

黄土丘陵沟壑区主要物种植冠种子库动态及其生态策略

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 黄土丘陵沟壑区主要物种植冠种子库动态及其生态策略 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201305101011 作者: 作者单位: 西北农林科技大学资源环境学院,中国科学院水利部水土保持研究所,水利部海河水利委员会海河流域水土保持监测中心站,中国科学院水利部水土保持研究所,西北农林科技大学林学院,西北农林科技大学水土保持研究所 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 中国科学院重要方向项目(KZCX2-EW-406);国家自然科学基金重点项目(41030532). Dynamics and ecological strategies of aerial seed bank of main species in the hill-gully Loess Plateau Author: Affiliation: ollege of Resources and Environment, Northwest Agriculture and Forest University,Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences,,,, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:植冠种子库是植物适应环境并应对外界干扰的种子生态策略之一,研究了黄土丘陵沟壑区12种主要植物植冠种子库动态,结果表明:杠柳不具有植冠种子库,其他11种植物均具有植冠种子库;除了黄刺玫种子在翌年5月达到脱落高峰,其他植物大部分种子在冬季脱落,其中杠柳、达乌里胡枝子、茭蒿、黄柏刺和水栒子的大部分种子脱落集中偏早,铁杆蒿和土庄绣线菊的大部分种子脱落集中偏晚;植冠宿存对大部分植物种子的萌发特性表现为促进作用;但不同植物种子的萌发时滞对植冠宿存响应差异较大;9种植物种子在植冠上宿存至翌年2月底,其种子活力仍能维持达60%以上;该区植物表现出不同的植冠种子库策略,通过不同的方式来减少干扰的威胁,提高成功萌发与更新的几率,它们或具有较大规模的宿存量、或调控种子萌发特性、或提高种子维持活力的百分比。此外,全面了解该区植物形成植冠种子库的机理及对应的生态策略还有待于全面、深入的研究。 Abstract:Delayed seed dispersal, leading to form an aerial seed bank, is one way to deal with disturbances in the special environment. Previous studies on aerial seed bank have focused on the fire-prone and arid desert habitats. However, there are few studies on aerial seed storage in the eroded slope habits, where lack of available soil water due to low soil water holding capacity caused by water erosion and drought. The dynamics of aerial seed banks, the seed germination and viability characteristics of 12 main species were studied in the hill-gully Loess Plateau, then the aerial seed bank strategies were analyzed which adapt the disturbances in the study region. The results showed that the seeds of Periploca sepium can't form aerial seed bank with no seed stored on plants until the end of the next February. While the seeds of the Rose xanthina can form the persistent aerial seed bank with seeds stored on plants until the next October. The other 10 species excepted Periploca sepium and Rose xanthina also can form aerial seed bank, which density are not significant high with percentages of seeds stored on plants below 5% up to the next May. Most seeds of the other 11 species dispersed during the winter, except the seeds of the Rose xanthina dispersed intensively until the next May. The seeds of the Periploca sepium, Lespedeza davurica, Artemisia giraldii, Berberis virgetorum and Cotoneaster multiflorus dispersed intensively earlier among 12 species while the seeds of the Artemisia gmelinii and Spiraea salicifolia dispersed intensively later among 12 species. Delayed seed dispersal promoted the ability of seed germination for most species. The cumulative percentage of seed germination rate reached the peak in December for Artemisia giraldii, Artemisia gmelinii and Hippophae rhamnoides, and at the end of the next February for Sophora davidii, Potentilla chinensis, Syringa oblata, Spiraea salicifolia, and in the next May for Lespedeza davurica. However, delayed seed dispersal reduced the ability of seed germination for the Berberis virgetorum. The seeds stored on plants belonged to different species need different time for seeds beginning to germinate. The seeds of nine species can retain on plants until the end of the next February, of which the percentage of seed with viability reached up to 60%. The percentages of the seeds with viability from five species were increased after stored on plants until the end of the next February. There were different aerial seed bank strategies for the species to deal with disturbances in the study region. The seeds avoided threaten from uncertainties of the erosion environments, then germinated and regenerated successfully by storing more seeds on the canopy, regulating the seed germination and increasing the percentage of viable seeds. Moreover, it's uncertain that weather the seeds can form aerial seed bank in different environments or in different years. The aerial seed bank types of some species varied as the environmental condition changed, which indicated that the aerial seed bank dynamics of some species had variability. Thus, more studies should be done in this field. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Protective effect of tormentic acid from Potentilla chinensis against lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice

A compound was isolated from Potentilla chinensis, and it was identified as tormentic acid (TA) based on its physicochemical properties and spectral data. The hepatoprotective effect of TA was evaluated using an acute liver failure model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN). The results revealed that TA significantly prevented LPS/D-GalN-induced fulminant hepatic failure, as evidenced by the decrease in serum aminotransferase and total bilirubin activities and the attenuation of histopathological changes. TA alleviated the pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and NO/iNOS by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. Moreover, TA strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation, recruited the anti-oxidative defense system, and increased HO-1 activity. In addition, TA significantly attenuated increases in TUNEL-positive hepatocytes through decreasing the levels of cytochrome c, as well as caspases-3, 8 and 9, while augmenting the expression of Bcl-2. In conclusion, TA protects hepatocytes against LPS/D-GalN-induced injury by blocking NF-κB signaling pathway for anti-inflammatory response and attenuating hepatocellular apoptosis. Consequently, TA is a potential agent for preventing acute liver injury and may be a major bioactive ingredient of Potentilla chinensis.

Asiatic acid from Potentilla chinensis attenuate ethanol-induced hepatic injury via suppression of oxidative stress and Kupffer cell activation.

This study examined the effect of Asiatic acid from Potentilla chinensis (AAPC) on chronic ethanol-induced hepatic injury. Rats underwent intragastric administration of ethanol (5.0–9.0 g/kg) once a day for 12 weeks. A subset of rats were also intragastrically treated with AAPC (2, 4 or 8 mg/kg) once a day. In the end, AAPC treatment significantly protected against ethanol-induced liver injury, as evidenced by the decrease in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases levels and the attenuation of histopathological changes in rats. Additionally, AAPC significantly decreased blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations by enhancing alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities. Mechanistically, studies showed that AAPC remarkably alleviated the formations of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, restored impaired antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase, and inhibited cytochrome P450 (CYP)2E1 activity. Moreover, the over-expression of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the elevated plasma endotoxin level and the up-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) as well as nuclear factor-κB were also suppressed by AAPC in ethanol-intoxicated rats. In conclusion, the protective effect of AAPC on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity was mainly due to its ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inhibit Kupffer cell activation by decreasing the level of plasma endotoxin and the expression of TLR4, CD14 and MyD88.

한국산 양지꽃족(Tribe Potentilleae: Rosaceae) 식물의 털과 표피상납질의 분류학적 중요성

Using scanning electron microscope (SEM), we examined the trichomes on leaf and petiole and the epicuticular waxes on leaf surfaces for a total of 27 taxa representing two subtribes, Fragariinae and Potentillinae, of tribe Potentilleae (Rosaceae) in Korea. Four types of trichomes on adaxial and abaxial surface of leaves and petioles were identified. Type I (conical hirtellous) is the most common trichome type found in the majority of taxa in Fragariinae and Potentillinae. Type II (verruculose conical hirtellous) can be found only in Potentilla cryptotaeniae of sect. Conostylae of Potentillinae. Potentilla chinensis complex (sect. Conostylae) and P. egedii (sect. Letostylae) have type III trichome (crispate villous), while type IV (floccose villous) can be found in two species in sect. Conostylae, P. nivea and P. discolor. Both woolly hairs and conical hirtellous exist together in types III and IV. The same type of trichomes in leaves and petioles can be found across different subtribes and sections. In addition, different types of trichomes can be found even in a single species. Among the taxa which have type I trichome, the majority of subtribe Fragariinae and P. centrigrana and P. dickinsii complex have well developed epicuticular waxes on the surface of leaves. Sharing epicuticular waxes among the taxa across different subtribes appears to be correlated with their similar geographical distribution and ecological conditions. However, molecular phylogenetic study implies that the existence of epicuticular waxes could be also due to phylogenetic signal.

딱지꽃 (Potentilla chinensis) 추출물의 항염증 효과

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of Potentilla chinensis (PC) on Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Ethanol extract of PC decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Ethanol extract was fractioned by n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, water and each fraction was tested for inhibitory effects on inflammation. Among the sequential solvent fractions, PC chloroform extracts (50, 100, 300, and 500 <TEX>${\mu}g/mL$</TEX>) significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated production of NO. During the entire experimental period, 200 and 300 <TEX>${\mu}g/mL$</TEX> of PC chloroform extracts had no cytotoxicity. LPS-induced NO and prostaglandin <TEX>$E_2$</TEX> (<TEX>$PGE_2$</TEX>) production were inhibited by PC chloroform extracts up to 50% and 90% of these productions, respectively. PC chloroform extracts reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 gene. These results suggest that PC chloroform extracts exhibit strong effects of anti-inflammation and can be a potential candidate in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.

A botulinum neurotoxin-like function of Potentilla chinensis extract that inhibits neuronal SNARE complex formation, membrane fusion, neuroexocytosis, and muscle contraction

Context: Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are popularly used to treat various diseases and for cosmetic purposes. They act by blocking neurotransmission through specific cleavage of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins. Recently, several polyphenols were shown to interfere with SNARE complex formation by wedging into the hydrophobic core interface, thereby leading to reduced neuroexocytosis.Objective: In order to find industrially-viable plant extract that functions like BoNT, 71 methanol extracts of flowers were screened and BoNT-like activity of selected extract was evaluated.Materials and methods: After evaluating the inhibitory effect of 71 flower methanol extracts on SNARE complex formation, seven candidates were selected and they were subjected to SNARE-driven membrane fusion assay. Neurotransmitter release from neuronal PC12 cells and SNARE complex formation inside the cell was also evaluated. Finally, the effect of one selected extract on muscle contraction and digit abduction score was determined.Results: The extract of Potentilla chinensis Ser. (Rosaceae)(Chinese cinquefoil) flower inhibited neurotransmitter release from neuronal PC12 cells by approximately 90% at a concentration of 10 μg/mL. The extract inhibited neuroexocytosis by interfering with SNARE complex formation inside cells. It reduced muscle contraction of phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm by approximately 70% in 60 min, which is comparable to the action of the Ca2+-channel blocker verapamil and BoNT type A.Discussion and conclusion: While BoNT blocks neuroexocytosis by cleaving SNARE proteins, the Potentilla chinensis extract exhibited the same activity by inhibiting SNARE complex formation. The extract paralyzed muscle as efficiently as BoNT, suggesting the potential versatility in cosmetics and therapeutics.

Comparison of Chloroplast TrnL-F Sequences of 5 Common Potentilla Species in Jilin Province of China

To find the differences in the trnL-F sequences and provide scientific data for the authentication of Potentilla chinensis and its related species, we extracted the genome DNA from the leaves of 5 common Potetilla species in Jilin Province, amplified the trnL-F region using universal primers of angiosperm, and sequenced the purified PCR products directly. We found that the trnL-F sequences of different species of Potentilla are significantly different. So trn-L sequence analysis and other methods derived from it can be used in authentication of Potentilla.

Comparison of the ITS Sequences of 5 Common &lt;i&gt;Potentilla&lt;/i&gt; Species in Jilin Province of China

To find the differences in the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) sequences and provide scientific data for the authentication of Potentilla chinensis and its related species, we extracted the genome DNA from the leaves of 5 common Potetilla species in Jilin Province, amplified the ITS region using ITS universal primers of angiosperm, and sequenced the purified PCR products directly. Polymorphism of ITS sequences was found within P. chinensis and the sequence data suggested that our samples of this species might be related to hybridization. Other 4 species showed intraspecies-stability in ITS sequence. The ITS sequences of these 5 Potentilla species are significantly different. So ITS sequence analysis and other methods derived from it can be used in authentication of Potentilla.

Influences of invasive herb Coreopsis lanceolata on riparian endemic herbs in relation to the understory light availability

In Japan, invasions of alien herb Coreopsis lanceolata are often observed in riparian endemic vegetation, but the invasion influences on light environments and endemic species are insufficiently evaluated. In this study, we investigated the influences of C. lanceolata and native dominant turf Zoysia japonica on the densities of riparian plants (two endemics Artemisia capillaris and Potentilla chinensis and one alien Lespedeza inschanica) in relation to the understory light availability using 594 0.2 m × 0.2 m plots. Available understory light was influenced negatively by C. lanceolata, not Z. japonica, due probably to the tall stature and dense foliar canopy of C. lanceolata. Understory light availability positively affected densities of riparian endemics, although the relation with L. inschanica was unclear. A. capillaris and P. chinensis densities were negatively related with C. lanceolata, not Z. japonica, implying that C. lanceolata reduces endemic populations. Shading by C. lanceolata would be one of prime factors reducing the endemics. L. inschanica density was not correlated with C. lanceolata cover. C. lanceolata could not shade L. inschanica effectively due to the taller stature of L. inschanica. We considered that C. lanceolata reduces endemic riparian species but coexists with L. inschanica. Preventing invasion and dominance of C. lanceolata is desirable to conserve endemic riparian vegetation.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extracts of Potentilla chinensis

Potentilla chinensis has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. In macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) released as an inflammatory mediator and has been proposed an important modulator of many pathophysiological conditions. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts of P. chinensis (PCM) on NO production in mouse (C57BL/6) peritoneal macrophages. PCM suppressed IFN-γ and LPS-induced NO production independent of iNOS expression. Interestingly, iNOS enzyme activity was reduced by PCM treatment. On the contrary to iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was attenuated by PCM significantly. PCM also demonstrated potent radical scavenging activity and reducing power. The present results indicate that PCM’s inhibitory action on the NO production is not due to attenuation of iNOS expression but direct scavenging of NO radical. These results suggest that PCM may be beneficial in diseases which related to oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Tiliroside-derivatives enhance GLUT4 translocation via AMPK in muscle cells

Tiliroside isolated from Chinese herb Potentilla chinensis showed therapeutic activities in diabetes. We synthesized 7 tiliroside-derivatives and examined their effects on surface GLUT4myc levels in muscle cells. Derivatives 2a and 3 increased surface GLUT4myc levels, and derivative 3 has the greatest potential. AMPK may be involved in tiliroside-derivatives-regulated GLUT4myc traffic.

Community succession analysis and environmental biological processes of naturally colonized vegetation on abandoned hilly lands and implications for vegetation restoration strategy in Shanxi, China

Data were collected simultaneously at different succession stages using a space-for-time substitution, and were analyzed using the quantitative classification method (TWINSPAN) and the ordination technique (DCA). The community succession of natural colonized plants on abandoned hilly lands in Shanxi are below: Assoc. Potentilla chinensis + Setaria viridis -> Assoc. Artemisia sacrorum + S. viridis + Oxytropis caoraloa -> Assoc. A. sacrorum + Artemisia capillaries -> Assoc. A. capillaries + Pedivularis shansiensis + Echinops pseudosetifer -> Assoc. Hippophae rhamnoides- A. sacrorum + Cleistogenes squarrosa -> Assoc. H. rhamnoides + Ostryopsis davidiana-A. sacrorum -> Assoc. O. davidiana-A. sacrorum + Dendranthema chanetii -> Assoc. Populus davidiana-Caragana korshinskii-A. sacrorum -> Assoc. Larix principis-rupprechtii-H. rhamnoides-A. sacrorum. This established a recovery model of natural vegetation on abandoned hilly lands in Shanxi. The structure, composition and life-forms changed significantly during succession. Four indices of species diversity were used to analyze changes in the heterogeneity, dominance, richness and evenness of species during the succession process. The species richness and heterogeneity of plant communities increased significantly, the dominance decreased obviously and the evenness decreased slightly. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) also proved the significance of these five indices. Pioneer species of S. viridis, A. sacrorum, O. caoraloa, A. capillaries, P. shansiensis, E. pseudosetifer, C. squarrosa, H. rhamnoides, O. davidia, C. korshinskii, P. davidiana and L. principis-rupprechtii, etc. colonize successfully and play important roles on the vegetation restoration of abandoned hilly lands.