AIM： TO investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of Veratrum nigrum L. var. ussuriense Nakai alkaloids （VnA） on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury in rats. METHODS： Forty male Wistar rat...AIM： TO investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of Veratrum nigrum L. var. ussuriense Nakai alkaloids （VnA） on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury in rats. METHODS： Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups （n = 10 in each）： （A） Control group （the sham operation group）; （8） I/R group （pretreated with normal saline）; （C） Small-dose （10 μg/kg） VnA pretreatment group; （D） Large-dose （20 μg/kg） VnA pretreatment group. Hepatic ischemia/ reperfusion （Hepatic I/R） was induced by occlusion of the portal vein and the hepatic artery for 90 min, followed by reperfusion for 240 min. The pretreatment groups were administered with VnA intraperitoneally, 30 min before surgery, while the control group and I/R group were given equal volumes of normal saline. Superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, myeloperoxidase （MPO） activity and nitric oxide （NO） content in the liver tissue at the end of reperfusion were determined and liver function was measured. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） and E-selectin （ES） were detected by immunohistochemical examinations and Western blot analyses. RESULTS： The results showed that hepatic I/R elicited a significant increase in the plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT： 74.53 ± 2.58 IU/L vs 1512.54 ± 200.76 IU/L, P 〈 0.01） and lactic dehydrogenase （LDH： 473.48 ± 52.17 IU/L vs 5821.53 ± 163.69 IU/L, P 〈 0.01）, as well as the levels of MPO （1.97 ± 0.11 U/g vs 2.57 ± 0.13 U/g, P 〈 0.01） and NO （69.37 ± 1.52 μmol/g protein vs 78.39 ± 2.28 μmol/g protein, P 〈 0.01） in the liver tissue, all of which were reduced by pretreatment with VnA, respectively （ALT： 1512.54 ± 200.76 IU/L vs 977.93 ± 89.62 IU/L, 909.81 ± 132.76 IU/L, P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.01; LDH： 5821.53 ± 163.69 IU/L vs 3015.44 ± 253.01 IU/L, 2448.75 ± 169.4 IU/L, P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.01; MPO： 2.57 ± 0.13 U/g vs 2.13 ± 0.13 U/g, 2.07 ± 0.05 U/g, P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.01; NO： 78.39 ± 2.28 μmol/g protein vs 71.11 ± 1.73 μmol/g protein, 68.58 ± 1.95 μmol/g protein, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. The activity of SOD （361.75 ± 16.22 U/rag protein vs 263.19 ± 12.10 U/rag protein, P 〈 0.01） in the liver tissue was decreased after I/R, which was enhanced by VnA pretreatment （263.19 ± 12.10 U/rag protein vs 299.40 ± 10.80 U/rag protein, 302.09 ＋ 14.80 U/rag protein, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.05）. Simultaneously, the histological evidence of liver hemorrhage, polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration and the overexpression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in the liver tissue were observed, all of which were attenuated in the VnA pretreated groups. CONCLUSION： The results demonstrate that VnA pretreatment exerts significant protection against hepatic I/R injury in rats. The protective effects are possibly associated with enhancement of antioxidant capacity, reduction of inflammatory responses and suppressed expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin.展开更多
Members of Veratrum are perennial herbs widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to induce vomiting,resolve blood stasis and relieve pain.However,the intrageneric classification and phylogenetic relationships withi...Members of Veratrum are perennial herbs widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to induce vomiting,resolve blood stasis and relieve pain.However,the intrageneric classification and phylogenetic relationships within Veratrum have long been controversial due to the complexity of morphological variations and lack of high-resolution molecular markers.In this study,we reevaluated the infrageneric relationships with the genus Veratrum using complete chloroplast genome sequence data.Herein,the complete cp genomes of ten species of Veratrum were newly sequenced and characterized.The complete cp genomes of ten species of Veratrum had the typical quadripartite structure,ranging from 151,597 bp to 153,711 bp in size and comprising a total of 135 genes.The structure of Veratrum cp genomes(i.e.,gene order,content,and genome components)was highly similar across species.The number of simple sequence repeats(SSRs)ranged from 63 to 7&and of long repeats ranged from 31 to 35.Eight highly divergent regions(ndhF,psbC-psbZ,psbK-psbl,rpoB-tmCjGCA,tmK_UUU-tmQ_UUG,tmS_GCU-tmG_UCC,tmT_UGU-tmL_UAA and ycfl)were identified and are potentially useful for the DNA barcoding of Veratrum.Phylogenetic analysis among 29 taxa based on cp genomes,total genes,protein-coding genes and intergenic regions strongly supported the monophyly of Veratrum.The circumscription and relationships of the infrageneric taxa of Veratrum were well-presented with great resolution.These results will facilitate the identification,taxonomy,and utilization of Veratrum plants as well as the evolutionary studies of Melanthiaceae.展开更多
Two new steroidal alkaloids, veraussines A （1） and B （2） were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense. Their structures were determined as N-（ethoxycarbonyl）- 1 α,2β,3α, 15α-t...Two new steroidal alkaloids, veraussines A （1） and B （2） were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense. Their structures were determined as N-（ethoxycarbonyl）- 1 α,2β,3α, 15α-tetrahydroxy-5fl-jervanin- 12-en- 11 -one （1） and N-（methoxycarbonyl）-1α,2β,3α,15α-tetrahydroxy-5/3-jervanin-12-en-1 l-one （2） by spectroscopic analysis.展开更多
Low dose remedies are widely administered in medicine. We used Tele-Stereo-EEG and the hippocampal slice preparation to measure physiological effects of orally given Coffea D6 (40 mg/kg), Gelsemium D4 (10 mg/kg) and V...Low dose remedies are widely administered in medicine. We used Tele-Stereo-EEG and the hippocampal slice preparation to measure physiological effects of orally given Coffea D6 (40 mg/kg), Gelsemium D4 (10 mg/kg) and Veratrum D6 (30 mg/kg) in rats. Adult rats were implanted with electrodes positioned stereotactically into four brain regions. Changes in field potentials were transmitted wirelessly. After frequency analysis data from 6 - 8 animals were averaged. For in vitro testing, preparations were superfused directly on hippocampal slices. Stimulation of Schaffer Collaterals by single stimuli (SS) or theta burst stimulation (TBS) resulted in stable population spike amplitudes. All three low dose preparations produced decreases of spectral power. Statistically significant changes were observed in delta, theta and alpha2 spectral power. In the hippocampal slice preparation Coffea facilitated signal transfer presumably by enhancing glutamate AMPA receptor transmission. Gelsemium showed a similar effect, but only after single shock stimulation. Opposite to this, attenuation of the electric pathway was recognized after theta burst stimulation due to AMPA receptor and glutamate metabotropic II receptor mediated transmission. Veratrum was able to attenuate glutamatergic due to receptor-mediated signalling sensitive to AMPA and NMDA. The results strongly speak in favour of the existence of biologically active molecules in these low dose preparations.展开更多
Objective To examine the effects of Veratrum nigrum L.Var.ussurience Nakai alkaloids(VnA)on angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods The cadiocytes were ind...Objective To examine the effects of Veratrum nigrum L.Var.ussurience Nakai alkaloids(VnA)on angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods The cadiocytes were induced by AngⅡ to set up myocardial hypertrophy model,the animals were divided into six groups according to the different treatments:control group,model group,positive control group,VnA group(low,middle and high dose).The cell protein content,the cell diameter and the expression of calcineurin(CaN)were measured respectively by BCA method,the micrometer and immunofluorescence analysis.Results VnA(middle and high dose)and Captopril inhibited significantly the increase in the protein content induced by AngⅡ(P<0.01).VnA and Captopril inhibited significantly the increase in the diameters induced by AngⅡ(P<0.01).By immunofluorescence analysis,the expression of calcineurin(CaN)was obviously increased in the AngⅡ-induced model group.VnA decreased the expression of CaN significantly.Conclusions VnA could inhibit the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by AngⅡ significantly in a dose-dependent manner.The possible mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CaN expression.展开更多
The Caco-2 cells have been recognized as effective tools to be applied to imitate the drug absorption in human intestine for the transport of drug. In this study, Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to study compatib...The Caco-2 cells have been recognized as effective tools to be applied to imitate the drug absorption in human intestine for the transport of drug. In this study, Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to study compatibility of the transport of the Veratrum alkaloids in different proportions with Panax ginseng. A specific ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric（UPLC-ESI-MS） method is developed for the semi-quantitative determination of Veratrum alkaloids on intestinal transport with berberine as internal standard（IS）. In the Caco-2 model constructed, three influencing factors are investigated, including time, concentration and recovery rates of the Veratrum alkaloids during the uptake from AP（apical side） to BL（basolateral side）. The results suggest that the flux of Veratrum alkaloids is time dependent and concentration dependent. And the absorption of all eight Veratrum alkaloids increase after compatibility with Panax ginseng compared to the single Veratrum nigrum extraction. This research was studied from the perspective of intestinal absorption by the UPLCESI-MS method. This method was successfully applied to transport studies of the Veratrum alkaloids and the interaction mechanism between Veratrum nigrum and Panax ginseng.展开更多
On the basis of research on the origin of Mongolian medicine Veratrum nigrum L.,this paper summarizes the research situation of Mongolian medicine Veratrum nigrum L.from the aspects of clinical application,chemical co...On the basis of research on the origin of Mongolian medicine Veratrum nigrum L.,this paper summarizes the research situation of Mongolian medicine Veratrum nigrum L.from the aspects of clinical application,chemical composition,pharmacological action and toxicological action,so as to provide a reference basis for further research and further development and utilization of Mongolian medicine.展开更多
Theory predicts that cosexual plants should adjust their resource investment in male and female functions according to their size if female and male fitness are differentially affected by size. However, few empirical ...Theory predicts that cosexual plants should adjust their resource investment in male and female functions according to their size if female and male fitness are differentially affected by size. However, few empirical studies have been carried out at both the flowering and fruiting stages to adequately address size-dependent sex allocation in cosexual plants. In this paper, we investigated resource investment between female and male reproduction, and their size-dependence in a perennial andromonoecious herb, Veratrum nigrum L. We sampled 192 flowering plants, estimated their standardized phenotypic gender, and assessed the resource investment in male and female functions in terms of absolute dry biomass. At the flowering stage, male investment increased with plant size more rapidly than female investment, and the standardized phenotypic femaleness （ranging from 0.267 to 0.776） was negatively correlated with plant size. By contrast, female biased allocation was found at the fruiting stage, although both flower biomass and fruit biomass were positively correlated with plant size. We propose that increased maleness with plant size at the flowering stage may represent an adaptive strategy for andromonoecious plants, because male flowers promote both male and female fertility by increasing pollinator attraction without aggravating pollen discounting.展开更多
Pollen limitation and resource limitation were invoked to account for the pattern that flowering plants produce more flowers and ovules than fruits and seeds. This study aimed to determine their relative importance in...Pollen limitation and resource limitation were invoked to account for the pattern that flowering plants produce more flowers and ovules than fruits and seeds. This study aimed to determine their relative importance in Veratrum nigrum, a self-compatible, perennial, andromonoecious herb. In order to determine whether female production was limited by pollen grains on stigmas or by available resources, we performed supplemental hand pollination in three populations, male-flower-bud removal in three other populations, and emasculation of hermaphroditic flowers in still another population, resulting in a total of seven populations experimentally manipulated. Across the three populations, supplemental hand pollination did not significantly increase fruit set, seed number per fruit, and total seed production per individual, nor did emasculation of hermaphroditic flowers. Taken together, our results suggest that pollen grains deposited on stigmas were abundant enough to fertilize all the ovules. Male-flower-bud removal significantly increased the mean size of hermaphroditic flowers in all three populations. Female reproductive success was increased in one population, but not in the other two populations possibly due to heavy flower/seed predation. We concluded that the female reproductive success of V. nigrum was not limited by pollen grains but by available resources, which is consistent with Bateman＇s principle. Furthermore, the female reproduction increase of male-flower-bud removal individuals might suggest a trade-off between male and female sexual functions.展开更多
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, Panax ginseng and Veratrum nigrum L. is an important incompatible herb pair. Studies on the content variation of main components and the influences on the metabolism in rat inte...In traditional Chinese medicine theory, Panax ginseng and Veratrum nigrum L. is an important incompatible herb pair. Studies on the content variation of main components and the influences on the metabolism in rat intestinal bacteria are useful to understand the mechanism of incompatibility of this herb pairs. In this study, the content variation of ginsenosides and their metaboltic profiles in the extracts of P. ginseng and compatibility of P. ginseng with V. nigrum L. （G-V） were investigated using relative quantitative method of electrospray ionization mass spec- trometry （ESI-MS） and UPLC-MSn, respectively. The relative contents of most ginsenosides were reduced in the extract of G-V. Furthermore, ginsenosides Rbt, Rb2, Rc and Rd could be metabolized to Rd, F2 and C-K in rat in- testinal bacteria. The metabolic speeds ofRbl, Rb2 and Re in the G-V extracts at ratios of 10 ： 5, 10 ： 7 and 10 ： 10 and the metabolic rates of ginsenosides Rbb Rb2 and Rc to Rd, Rd to F2 in all compatibility extracts were lower than that in the P ginseng extract. In conclusion, this study illustrated the mechanism of effect-reducing by comparison of the relative contents and metabolic profiles of ginsenosides after compatibility of P ginseng and V. nigrum L.展开更多
文摘AIM： TO investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of Veratrum nigrum L. var. ussuriense Nakai alkaloids （VnA） on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury in rats. METHODS： Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups （n = 10 in each）： （A） Control group （the sham operation group）; （8） I/R group （pretreated with normal saline）; （C） Small-dose （10 μg/kg） VnA pretreatment group; （D） Large-dose （20 μg/kg） VnA pretreatment group. Hepatic ischemia/ reperfusion （Hepatic I/R） was induced by occlusion of the portal vein and the hepatic artery for 90 min, followed by reperfusion for 240 min. The pretreatment groups were administered with VnA intraperitoneally, 30 min before surgery, while the control group and I/R group were given equal volumes of normal saline. Superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, myeloperoxidase （MPO） activity and nitric oxide （NO） content in the liver tissue at the end of reperfusion were determined and liver function was measured. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） and E-selectin （ES） were detected by immunohistochemical examinations and Western blot analyses. RESULTS： The results showed that hepatic I/R elicited a significant increase in the plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT： 74.53 ± 2.58 IU/L vs 1512.54 ± 200.76 IU/L, P 〈 0.01） and lactic dehydrogenase （LDH： 473.48 ± 52.17 IU/L vs 5821.53 ± 163.69 IU/L, P 〈 0.01）, as well as the levels of MPO （1.97 ± 0.11 U/g vs 2.57 ± 0.13 U/g, P 〈 0.01） and NO （69.37 ± 1.52 μmol/g protein vs 78.39 ± 2.28 μmol/g protein, P 〈 0.01） in the liver tissue, all of which were reduced by pretreatment with VnA, respectively （ALT： 1512.54 ± 200.76 IU/L vs 977.93 ± 89.62 IU/L, 909.81 ± 132.76 IU/L, P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.01; LDH： 5821.53 ± 163.69 IU/L vs 3015.44 ± 253.01 IU/L, 2448.75 ± 169.4 IU/L, P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.01; MPO： 2.57 ± 0.13 U/g vs 2.13 ± 0.13 U/g, 2.07 ± 0.05 U/g, P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.01; NO： 78.39 ± 2.28 μmol/g protein vs 71.11 ± 1.73 μmol/g protein, 68.58 ± 1.95 μmol/g protein, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. The activity of SOD （361.75 ± 16.22 U/rag protein vs 263.19 ± 12.10 U/rag protein, P 〈 0.01） in the liver tissue was decreased after I/R, which was enhanced by VnA pretreatment （263.19 ± 12.10 U/rag protein vs 299.40 ± 10.80 U/rag protein, 302.09 ＋ 14.80 U/rag protein, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.05）. Simultaneously, the histological evidence of liver hemorrhage, polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration and the overexpression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in the liver tissue were observed, all of which were attenuated in the VnA pretreated groups. CONCLUSION： The results demonstrate that VnA pretreatment exerts significant protection against hepatic I/R injury in rats. The protective effects are possibly associated with enhancement of antioxidant capacity, reduction of inflammatory responses and suppressed expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin.
文摘Members of Veratrum are perennial herbs widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to induce vomiting,resolve blood stasis and relieve pain.However,the intrageneric classification and phylogenetic relationships within Veratrum have long been controversial due to the complexity of morphological variations and lack of high-resolution molecular markers.In this study,we reevaluated the infrageneric relationships with the genus Veratrum using complete chloroplast genome sequence data.Herein,the complete cp genomes of ten species of Veratrum were newly sequenced and characterized.The complete cp genomes of ten species of Veratrum had the typical quadripartite structure,ranging from 151,597 bp to 153,711 bp in size and comprising a total of 135 genes.The structure of Veratrum cp genomes(i.e.,gene order,content,and genome components)was highly similar across species.The number of simple sequence repeats(SSRs)ranged from 63 to 7&and of long repeats ranged from 31 to 35.Eight highly divergent regions(ndhF,psbC-psbZ,psbK-psbl,rpoB-tmCjGCA,tmK_UUU-tmQ_UUG,tmS_GCU-tmG_UCC,tmT_UGU-tmL_UAA and ycfl)were identified and are potentially useful for the DNA barcoding of Veratrum.Phylogenetic analysis among 29 taxa based on cp genomes,total genes,protein-coding genes and intergenic regions strongly supported the monophyly of Veratrum.The circumscription and relationships of the infrageneric taxa of Veratrum were well-presented with great resolution.These results will facilitate the identification,taxonomy,and utilization of Veratrum plants as well as the evolutionary studies of Melanthiaceae.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20872011)
文摘Two new steroidal alkaloids, veraussines A （1） and B （2） were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense. Their structures were determined as N-（ethoxycarbonyl）- 1 α,2β,3α, 15α-tetrahydroxy-5fl-jervanin- 12-en- 11 -one （1） and N-（methoxycarbonyl）-1α,2β,3α,15α-tetrahydroxy-5/3-jervanin-12-en-1 l-one （2） by spectroscopic analysis.
文摘Low dose remedies are widely administered in medicine. We used Tele-Stereo-EEG and the hippocampal slice preparation to measure physiological effects of orally given Coffea D6 (40 mg/kg), Gelsemium D4 (10 mg/kg) and Veratrum D6 (30 mg/kg) in rats. Adult rats were implanted with electrodes positioned stereotactically into four brain regions. Changes in field potentials were transmitted wirelessly. After frequency analysis data from 6 - 8 animals were averaged. For in vitro testing, preparations were superfused directly on hippocampal slices. Stimulation of Schaffer Collaterals by single stimuli (SS) or theta burst stimulation (TBS) resulted in stable population spike amplitudes. All three low dose preparations produced decreases of spectral power. Statistically significant changes were observed in delta, theta and alpha2 spectral power. In the hippocampal slice preparation Coffea facilitated signal transfer presumably by enhancing glutamate AMPA receptor transmission. Gelsemium showed a similar effect, but only after single shock stimulation. Opposite to this, attenuation of the electric pathway was recognized after theta burst stimulation due to AMPA receptor and glutamate metabotropic II receptor mediated transmission. Veratrum was able to attenuate glutamatergic due to receptor-mediated signalling sensitive to AMPA and NMDA. The results strongly speak in favour of the existence of biologically active molecules in these low dose preparations.
文摘Objective To examine the effects of Veratrum nigrum L.Var.ussurience Nakai alkaloids(VnA)on angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods The cadiocytes were induced by AngⅡ to set up myocardial hypertrophy model,the animals were divided into six groups according to the different treatments:control group,model group,positive control group,VnA group(low,middle and high dose).The cell protein content,the cell diameter and the expression of calcineurin(CaN)were measured respectively by BCA method,the micrometer and immunofluorescence analysis.Results VnA(middle and high dose)and Captopril inhibited significantly the increase in the protein content induced by AngⅡ(P<0.01).VnA and Captopril inhibited significantly the increase in the diameters induced by AngⅡ(P<0.01).By immunofluorescence analysis,the expression of calcineurin(CaN)was obviously increased in the AngⅡ-induced model group.VnA decreased the expression of CaN significantly.Conclusions VnA could inhibit the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by AngⅡ significantly in a dose-dependent manner.The possible mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CaN expression.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81073040, 81274046, 81173507)the National Basic Research Program of China (National 973 Program) (Nos. 2011CB505300, 2011CB505305)Jilin Province Science and Technology Agency-funded projects (No.20150414040GH)
文摘The Caco-2 cells have been recognized as effective tools to be applied to imitate the drug absorption in human intestine for the transport of drug. In this study, Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to study compatibility of the transport of the Veratrum alkaloids in different proportions with Panax ginseng. A specific ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric（UPLC-ESI-MS） method is developed for the semi-quantitative determination of Veratrum alkaloids on intestinal transport with berberine as internal standard（IS）. In the Caco-2 model constructed, three influencing factors are investigated, including time, concentration and recovery rates of the Veratrum alkaloids during the uptake from AP（apical side） to BL（basolateral side）. The results suggest that the flux of Veratrum alkaloids is time dependent and concentration dependent. And the absorption of all eight Veratrum alkaloids increase after compatibility with Panax ginseng compared to the single Veratrum nigrum extraction. This research was studied from the perspective of intestinal absorption by the UPLCESI-MS method. This method was successfully applied to transport studies of the Veratrum alkaloids and the interaction mechanism between Veratrum nigrum and Panax ginseng.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(81560702)Joint Research Project of Inner Mongolia Minzu University and Mongolian Academy of Sciences(NMDGJ0014)。
文摘On the basis of research on the origin of Mongolian medicine Veratrum nigrum L.,this paper summarizes the research situation of Mongolian medicine Veratrum nigrum L.from the aspects of clinical application,chemical composition,pharmacological action and toxicological action,so as to provide a reference basis for further research and further development and utilization of Mongolian medicine.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30430160)
文摘Theory predicts that cosexual plants should adjust their resource investment in male and female functions according to their size if female and male fitness are differentially affected by size. However, few empirical studies have been carried out at both the flowering and fruiting stages to adequately address size-dependent sex allocation in cosexual plants. In this paper, we investigated resource investment between female and male reproduction, and their size-dependence in a perennial andromonoecious herb, Veratrum nigrum L. We sampled 192 flowering plants, estimated their standardized phenotypic gender, and assessed the resource investment in male and female functions in terms of absolute dry biomass. At the flowering stage, male investment increased with plant size more rapidly than female investment, and the standardized phenotypic femaleness （ranging from 0.267 to 0.776） was negatively correlated with plant size. By contrast, female biased allocation was found at the fruiting stage, although both flower biomass and fruit biomass were positively correlated with plant size. We propose that increased maleness with plant size at the flowering stage may represent an adaptive strategy for andromonoecious plants, because male flowers promote both male and female fertility by increasing pollinator attraction without aggravating pollen discounting.
基金Supported by the Natfonal Natural Science Foundation of China （30125008 and 30430160）.We thank Tian-Xiang Wang （Beijing Normal University, China） for field assistance and Quan-Guo Zhang （Beijing Normal University, China） for comments on the manuscript.
文摘Pollen limitation and resource limitation were invoked to account for the pattern that flowering plants produce more flowers and ovules than fruits and seeds. This study aimed to determine their relative importance in Veratrum nigrum, a self-compatible, perennial, andromonoecious herb. In order to determine whether female production was limited by pollen grains on stigmas or by available resources, we performed supplemental hand pollination in three populations, male-flower-bud removal in three other populations, and emasculation of hermaphroditic flowers in still another population, resulting in a total of seven populations experimentally manipulated. Across the three populations, supplemental hand pollination did not significantly increase fruit set, seed number per fruit, and total seed production per individual, nor did emasculation of hermaphroditic flowers. Taken together, our results suggest that pollen grains deposited on stigmas were abundant enough to fertilize all the ovules. Male-flower-bud removal significantly increased the mean size of hermaphroditic flowers in all three populations. Female reproductive success was increased in one population, but not in the other two populations possibly due to heavy flower/seed predation. We concluded that the female reproductive success of V. nigrum was not limited by pollen grains but by available resources, which is consistent with Bateman＇s principle. Furthermore, the female reproduction increase of male-flower-bud removal individuals might suggest a trade-off between male and female sexual functions.
文摘In traditional Chinese medicine theory, Panax ginseng and Veratrum nigrum L. is an important incompatible herb pair. Studies on the content variation of main components and the influences on the metabolism in rat intestinal bacteria are useful to understand the mechanism of incompatibility of this herb pairs. In this study, the content variation of ginsenosides and their metaboltic profiles in the extracts of P. ginseng and compatibility of P. ginseng with V. nigrum L. （G-V） were investigated using relative quantitative method of electrospray ionization mass spec- trometry （ESI-MS） and UPLC-MSn, respectively. The relative contents of most ginsenosides were reduced in the extract of G-V. Furthermore, ginsenosides Rbt, Rb2, Rc and Rd could be metabolized to Rd, F2 and C-K in rat in- testinal bacteria. The metabolic speeds ofRbl, Rb2 and Re in the G-V extracts at ratios of 10 ： 5, 10 ： 7 and 10 ： 10 and the metabolic rates of ginsenosides Rbb Rb2 and Rc to Rd, Rd to F2 in all compatibility extracts were lower than that in the P ginseng extract. In conclusion, this study illustrated the mechanism of effect-reducing by comparison of the relative contents and metabolic profiles of ginsenosides after compatibility of P ginseng and V. nigrum L.
