Three new cycloartane triterpene glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes of Actaea asiatica. Their structures were elucidated as 25-ethoxyl-cimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside 1, 2＇-O-acetyl soulieoside C 2, 2＇-O-a...Three new cycloartane triterpene glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes of Actaea asiatica. Their structures were elucidated as 25-ethoxyl-cimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside 1, 2＇-O-acetyl soulieoside C 2, 2＇-O-acetyl cimiracemoside M 3.展开更多
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) is a perennial herb native to deciduous woodlands in eastern North America with an extensive history of traditional use, most commonly for rheumatoid arthritis and female reproductive...Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) is a perennial herb native to deciduous woodlands in eastern North America with an extensive history of traditional use, most commonly for rheumatoid arthritis and female reproductive issues. Modern clinical research has maintained this herb’s relevance into the 21st century with a majority of authentic black cohosh raw material still harvested from naturally occurring populations in Appalachian woodlands for use in botanical supplements. Increased use and interest in black cohosh have led to increased wild harvesting, reports of adulteration, and stress on this important natural resource. In an effort to study this significant medicinal plant as part of an ecosystem, and to understand factors that would contribute to the more effective growth and maintenance of black cohosh, key chemical, physiological, and ecological aspects of two occurring populations in western Maryland were surveyed. Rhizomes were harvested from six populations of naturally occurring black cohosh in two state forests located in the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley physiogeographic provinces of Maryland. The concentrations of five medicinal compounds found in black cohosh extracts, actein, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein, cafeic acid, ferulicacid, and N-methylserotonin, were compared with plant reproductive status as well as accompanying overstory and under story species, soil moisture, and soil pH at each site. Compound levels showed a complex dependence on physiography but were independent of reproductive state. The findings provide clues to guide efforts at effective growth and management of wild populations of black cohosh and other threatened medicinal plants.展开更多
Seed germination in black cohosh was systematically examined in eighteen populations including 15 USDA accessions with an effective protocol for the consistent, season independent germination of this valuable alternat...Seed germination in black cohosh was systematically examined in eighteen populations including 15 USDA accessions with an effective protocol for the consistent, season independent germination of this valuable alternative specialty crop. Two in vitro approaches were investigated for breaking the complex double dormancy of black cohosh seeds for yearround germination of plants for increased cultivation and laboratory studies. The first approach was a two-step alternating temperature stratification in which surface sterilized seeds were incubated in darkness at 25?C for two weeks followed by incubation at alternating temperatures of 20?C and 8?C for 12-hour periods with a 16-hour photoperiod for 12 months. The second was a three-step-approach that involved initial stratification of seeds in darkness at 25?C for two weeks, followed by incubation at 4?C in darkness for 3 -4 months and then cultivation at 25?C with a 16-hour photoperiod to generate seedlings. Although both approaches broke double dormancy for black cohosh seed germination, the three-step-stratification technique yielded higher percentage seed germination in less time when compared to the two-step scheme, including for seeds stored over two years. Additional factors of critical importance for efficient germination included the selection of healthy and viable seeds, as well as thorough but non-excessive surface sterilization to control bacterial and fungal contamination. The in vitro approach for black cohosh germination allowed year-round cultivation and culture of a number of different genotypic accessions to enable laboratory based studies on cell culture and transformation approaches to aid in deciphering gene-metabolite relationships in this important medicinal plant.展开更多
Examining the pollination biology of plant species is not only crucial for enhancing our understanding of their reproductive biology,but also essential for elucidating their adaptation and evolutionary history.Here,we...Examining the pollination biology of plant species is not only crucial for enhancing our understanding of their reproductive biology,but also essential for elucidating their adaptation and evolutionary history.Here,we investigated the breeding system and pollination biology of two closely related species in Actaea.The flower of A.purpurea is unique in the genus with purple and chartaceous(paper-like)sepals,fewer stamens with yellow anthers and purple filaments.Through three seasons of field observation and exclusion experiments,we determined that A.purpurea was primarily pollinated by a hornet species,Vespa bicolor,which also served as the most efficient pollinator.In contrast,A.japonica was primarily pollinated by large flies.Actaea purpurea exhibited a significantly higher cumulative nectar volume than A.japonica,which could be a crucial factor in attracting V.bicolor.A control experiment further demonstrated that removing the nectar leaf(petal)significantly decreased the visiting frequency of V.bicolor.Breeding system studies revealed that both species were self-compatible,yet they primarily underwent outcrossing in natural habitats.Our study presents a compelling case of possible pollinator shift in A.purpurea accompanied by morphological divergence.A more in-depth investigation of this system would offer crucial insights into the extent to which pollinators are involved in the plant speciation process and whether they contribute to reproductive isolation between closely related species.展开更多
Objective: Assessing adverse drug reactions(ADRs) is a proven method to estimate the safety of medicines. The ADRs to herbal medicines in Australia(and by inference, the safety of herbal medicines in Australia) remain...Objective: Assessing adverse drug reactions(ADRs) is a proven method to estimate the safety of medicines. The ADRs to herbal medicines in Australia(and by inference, the safety of herbal medicines in Australia) remain unknown. This study examines spontaneous ADR cases to four of the most popular herbs in Australia from 2000 to 2015: echinacea(Echinacea purpurea), valerian(Valeriana officinalis), black cohosh(Actaea racemosa) and ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba).Methods: ADRs of echinacea, valerian, black cohosh and ginkgo reported to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA) between 2000 and 2015 were obtained from the TGA database. Data were collated and analysed according to age, sex, severity, type of ADR and body system affected. Statistics were calculated using Graph Pad Prism software.Results: Most ADRs were mild or moderate. However, every herbal medicine was associated with lifethreatening ADRs. In each life-threatening case, the herbal medicine was taken concomitantly with prescription medications. Black cohosh was associated with a significant number of severe ADRs(30.3% of the total), with 39.4% of these ADRs being associated with abnormal hepatic function, hepatitis or hepatotoxicity.Conclusion: This study highlights the lack of public awareness with regard to herb–drug interactions,since most of the severe ADRs involved a herb–drug interaction.展开更多
文摘Three new cycloartane triterpene glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes of Actaea asiatica. Their structures were elucidated as 25-ethoxyl-cimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside 1, 2＇-O-acetyl soulieoside C 2, 2＇-O-acetyl cimiracemoside M 3.
文摘Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) is a perennial herb native to deciduous woodlands in eastern North America with an extensive history of traditional use, most commonly for rheumatoid arthritis and female reproductive issues. Modern clinical research has maintained this herb’s relevance into the 21st century with a majority of authentic black cohosh raw material still harvested from naturally occurring populations in Appalachian woodlands for use in botanical supplements. Increased use and interest in black cohosh have led to increased wild harvesting, reports of adulteration, and stress on this important natural resource. In an effort to study this significant medicinal plant as part of an ecosystem, and to understand factors that would contribute to the more effective growth and maintenance of black cohosh, key chemical, physiological, and ecological aspects of two occurring populations in western Maryland were surveyed. Rhizomes were harvested from six populations of naturally occurring black cohosh in two state forests located in the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley physiogeographic provinces of Maryland. The concentrations of five medicinal compounds found in black cohosh extracts, actein, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein, cafeic acid, ferulicacid, and N-methylserotonin, were compared with plant reproductive status as well as accompanying overstory and under story species, soil moisture, and soil pH at each site. Compound levels showed a complex dependence on physiography but were independent of reproductive state. The findings provide clues to guide efforts at effective growth and management of wild populations of black cohosh and other threatened medicinal plants.
文摘Seed germination in black cohosh was systematically examined in eighteen populations including 15 USDA accessions with an effective protocol for the consistent, season independent germination of this valuable alternative specialty crop. Two in vitro approaches were investigated for breaking the complex double dormancy of black cohosh seeds for yearround germination of plants for increased cultivation and laboratory studies. The first approach was a two-step alternating temperature stratification in which surface sterilized seeds were incubated in darkness at 25?C for two weeks followed by incubation at alternating temperatures of 20?C and 8?C for 12-hour periods with a 16-hour photoperiod for 12 months. The second was a three-step-approach that involved initial stratification of seeds in darkness at 25?C for two weeks, followed by incubation at 4?C in darkness for 3 -4 months and then cultivation at 25?C with a 16-hour photoperiod to generate seedlings. Although both approaches broke double dormancy for black cohosh seed germination, the three-step-stratification technique yielded higher percentage seed germination in less time when compared to the two-step scheme, including for seeds stored over two years. Additional factors of critical importance for efficient germination included the selection of healthy and viable seeds, as well as thorough but non-excessive surface sterilization to control bacterial and fungal contamination. The in vitro approach for black cohosh germination allowed year-round cultivation and culture of a number of different genotypic accessions to enable laboratory based studies on cell culture and transformation approaches to aid in deciphering gene-metabolite relationships in this important medicinal plant.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31870194)the Innovation Capability Support Program of Shaanxi(Program No.2023KJXX-019)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(GK202301008 to J.Q.Zhang).
文摘Examining the pollination biology of plant species is not only crucial for enhancing our understanding of their reproductive biology,but also essential for elucidating their adaptation and evolutionary history.Here,we investigated the breeding system and pollination biology of two closely related species in Actaea.The flower of A.purpurea is unique in the genus with purple and chartaceous(paper-like)sepals,fewer stamens with yellow anthers and purple filaments.Through three seasons of field observation and exclusion experiments,we determined that A.purpurea was primarily pollinated by a hornet species,Vespa bicolor,which also served as the most efficient pollinator.In contrast,A.japonica was primarily pollinated by large flies.Actaea purpurea exhibited a significantly higher cumulative nectar volume than A.japonica,which could be a crucial factor in attracting V.bicolor.A control experiment further demonstrated that removing the nectar leaf(petal)significantly decreased the visiting frequency of V.bicolor.Breeding system studies revealed that both species were self-compatible,yet they primarily underwent outcrossing in natural habitats.Our study presents a compelling case of possible pollinator shift in A.purpurea accompanied by morphological divergence.A more in-depth investigation of this system would offer crucial insights into the extent to which pollinators are involved in the plant speciation process and whether they contribute to reproductive isolation between closely related species.
基金the University of Adelaide for funding provided through a divisional scholarship
文摘Objective: Assessing adverse drug reactions(ADRs) is a proven method to estimate the safety of medicines. The ADRs to herbal medicines in Australia(and by inference, the safety of herbal medicines in Australia) remain unknown. This study examines spontaneous ADR cases to four of the most popular herbs in Australia from 2000 to 2015: echinacea(Echinacea purpurea), valerian(Valeriana officinalis), black cohosh(Actaea racemosa) and ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba).Methods: ADRs of echinacea, valerian, black cohosh and ginkgo reported to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA) between 2000 and 2015 were obtained from the TGA database. Data were collated and analysed according to age, sex, severity, type of ADR and body system affected. Statistics were calculated using Graph Pad Prism software.Results: Most ADRs were mild or moderate. However, every herbal medicine was associated with lifethreatening ADRs. In each life-threatening case, the herbal medicine was taken concomitantly with prescription medications. Black cohosh was associated with a significant number of severe ADRs(30.3% of the total), with 39.4% of these ADRs being associated with abnormal hepatic function, hepatitis or hepatotoxicity.Conclusion: This study highlights the lack of public awareness with regard to herb–drug interactions,since most of the severe ADRs involved a herb–drug interaction.
