Mapping the potential distribution of high artemisinin-yielding Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao) in China with a geographic information system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Artemisia annua </it>L. is an important source for artemisinin, a potent drug for treating malaria. This study aims to map and predict the potential geographic distribution of <it>A. annua </it>L. in China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Geographic Information System for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM-GIS) was developed and used to map the potential geographic distribution of <it>A. annua </it>L.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Climatic, edaphic and topographic characteristics of <it>A. annua </it>L. microhabitats in Youyang County were mapped to find distribution patterns. The maps identified that certain habitats in the Chongqing region and some potential regions, especially in Guizhou Province, possess similarity indices of ≥98%. In particular, high quality microhabitats <it>A. annua </it>L. were found in the Wuling mountains region.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study demonstrates a GIS approach to predict potential habitats for <it>A. annua </it>L. TCM-GIS is a powerful tool for assessing bioclimatic suitability for medicinal plants.</p

Analysis of the Correlation between Commodity Grade and Quality of Angelica sinensis

The contents of ferulic acid, senkyunolide A, butylidenephthalide, ligustilide, and n-butylphthalide were determined by UPLC analytical method; the correlation among the grade, average weight, and content was explored by correlation analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA); the different commercial grades with average weight and content were revealed by principal component analysis (PCA) and then rationality analysis grade classification of A. sinensis. The results showed that various commercial grades can be distinguished by PCA analysis. And there was significant negative correlation between the commodity grades and average weight, commodity, and the content of bioactive compounds, while the content of senkyunolide A had significant negative correlation with commodity grades (P<0.01). Average weight had no correlation with chemicals compounds. Additionally, there was significant positive correlation among the bioactive compounds (content of ferulic acid and phthalides) of different grades of A. sinensis. The content of senkyunolide A, butylidenephthalide, and ligustilide had significant positive correlation with the content of ferulic acid. The content of ligustilide and butylidenephthalide had significant positive correlation with the content of senkyunolide A. The content of ligustilide had significant positive correlation with the content of butylidenephthalide. The basis of grades classification is related with the difference levels of the bioactive compounds

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Gentiana triflora and comparative analysis with its congeneric species

Gentiana triflora is an important medicinal plant in China with economic and medicinal value. Here, we report the complete chloroplastsequences of G. trifloral. The cp genome of G. triflora of 149, 125 bp contains 130 unique genes, including 85 protein-coding genes,8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. The analysis of repeat showed that palindromic had the highest frequency. Besides, a total numberof 45 SSR were identified, most of which were mononucleotide adenine-thymine. Comparative genome analysis of Gentiana speciesrevealed that the pair of the inverted repeat was more conserved than the single-copy region. This analysis resulted in identification of 8 hypervariable regions (trnH-GUG, trnG-UCC-intron, atpI, trnD-GUC, trnL-UAA, rpl32-trnL-UAG, petA and ycf1). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that G. triflora was most closely related to Gentiana manshurica. In conclusion, this study enriched the genomic resources of the Gentiana genus and provided a basis for evolution and phylogeny analyses

Has the Integrated Medical Insurance System promoted return-to-hometown entrepreneurship among migrant workers? Evidence from China

An important way to reduce urban–rural disparity lies in encouraging migrant workers to return to their hometowns for entrepreneurship. This paper examines the effect of the Integrated Medical Insurance System on the return-to-hometown entrepreneurship among migrant workers. Using microdata from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) spanning from 2013 to 2019, we find that the Integrated Medical Insurance System (IMIS) significantly increases the likelihood of migrant workers returning to their hometowns for entrepreneurship by 0.44%. This result remains stable after a series of robustness checks. Heterogeneity results indicate that this “pullback effect” is more pronounced for those who are male and with lower educational levels, higher income, larger social networks, and lower risk preferences. Finally, the interaction between the Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation policy (MEI) and IMIS can create a more significant combined effect in promoting the return of migrant workers to their hometowns for entrepreneurial activities

Revealing ecotype influences on Cistanche sinensis: from the perspective of endophytes to metabolites characteristics

IntroductionPlant microorganism is critical to plant health, adaptability, and productive forces. Intriguingly, the metabolites and microorganisms can act upon each other in a plant. The union of metabolomics and microbiome may uncover the crucial connections of the plant to its microbiome. It has important benefits for the agricultural industry and human being health, particularly for Chinese medical science investigation.MethodsIn this last 2 years study, on the strength of the UPLC–MS/MS detection platform, we accurately qualitatively, and quantitatively measured the Cistanche sinensis fleshy stems of two ecotypes. Thereafter, through high-throughput amplicon sequencing 16S/ITS sequences were procured.ResultsPhGs metabolites including echinacoside, isoacteoside, and cistanoside A were significantly downregulated at two ecotypes of C. sinensis. Add up to 876 metabolites were monitored and 231 differential metabolites were analyzed. Further analysis of 34 core differential metabolites showed that 15 compounds with up-regulated belonged to phenolic acids, flavonoids, and organic acids, while 19 compounds with down-regulated belonged to phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides. There was no noteworthy discrepancy in the endophytic bacteria’s α and β diversity between sandy and loam ecotypes. By comparison, the α and β diversity of endophytic fungi was notably distinct. The fungal community of the loam ecotype is more abundant than the sandy ecotype. However, there were few such differences in bacteria. Most abundant genera included typical endophytes such as Phyllobacterium, Mycobacterium, Cistanche, Geosmithia, and Fusarium. LEfSe results revealed there were 11 and 20 biomarkers of endophytic bacteria and fungi in C. sinensis at two ecotypes, respectively. The combination parsing of microflora and metabolites indicated noteworthy relativity between the endophytic fungal communities and metabolite output. Key correlation results that Anseongella was positive relation with Syringin, Arsenicitalea is negative relation with 7-methylxanthine and Pseudogymnoascus is completely positively correlated with nepetin-7-O-alloside.DiscussionThe aim of this research is: (1) to explore firstly the influence of ecotype on C. sinensis from the perspective of endophytes and metabolites; (2) to investigate the relationship between endophytes and metabolites. This discovery advances our understanding of the interaction between endophytes and plants and provides a theoretical basis for cultivation of C. sinensis in future

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss. and analysis of phylogenetic relationships

Hyssopus cuspidatus is a member of the Lamiaceae family, members of which are often used to treat cough and asthma by the Uigurs. However, the Hyssopus genus has a limited number of known chloroplast genomes, making it difficult to compare species within the genus and to classify species within and outside the genus accurately. The introduction of the chloroplast genome method would therefore help improve the classification of the Hyssopus genus. This report presents the complete chloroplast sequences of Hyssopus cuspidatus. The chloroplast genome of H. cuspidatus is 149,678 bp long and contains 129 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. We identified 46 single sequence repeats (SSRs), most of which were mononucleotide adenine–thymine. The analysis of the repeat sequences, codon usage, and comparison of chloroplast genomes showed a high degree of conservation. The plastid genomes exhibited a typical quartile structure. Four hypervariable regions were identified: accD–psal, psbZ–trnG–GCC, trnH–GUG–psbA, and atpH–atpI. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Hyssopus genus was closely related to the adjacent genus Dracocephalum. Our research conducted a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of the Hyssopus genus and provided a detailed comparison of the differences between species within and outside of this genus. Through IR comparison, phylogenetic analysis, and variation region analysis, we discovered a close relationship between the genera Hyssopus and Dracocephalum and propose a new perspective on the phylogenetic classification of H. cuspidatus. These findings will support the continued identification, classification, and evolutionary analysis of this genus

1002. Cistanche deserticola: Orobanchaceae

Cistanche deserticola Ma is illustrated and described. This species is native to China where it has long been valued and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is now cultivated extensively for trade. The species is confused easily with closely related species such as Cistanche salsa (C.A. Mey.) Beck. Bract and vascular bundle morphology, and habit, have been used traditionally to discriminate these taxa, which we discuss. Cistanche deserticola and its relatives may have significant global potential as ancillary crops that could be grown with shelter forests planted to halt land degradation

Ganoderma: A Cancer Immunotherapy Review

Ganoderma is a significant source of natural fungal medicines and has been used for the treatment of various diseases for many years. However, the use of Ganoderma in cancer immunotherapy is poorly elucidated. In this study, we have analyzed 2,398 English-language papers and 6,968 Chinese-language papers published between 1987 and 2017 by using bibliometrics. A steady growth in the number of publications was observed before 2004, followed by an exponential increase between 2004 and 2017. The most common category for publications about Ganoderma was “Pharmacology &amp; Pharmacy,” in which immunomodulation (25.60%) and cancer treatment (21.40%) were the most popular subcategories. Moreover, we have provided an overview of the bioactive components and combinatorial immunomodulatory effects for the use of Ganoderma in the treatment of cancer, including the major pathways of immune cells. Immunomodulatory protein and polysaccharides are the key bioactive factors responsible for cancer immunotherapy, and the NF-κB and MAPK pathways are the most comprehensively investigated major pathways. Our results indicate that Ganoderma has a broad-spectrum application for the treatment of cancer through the regulation of the immune system. This review provides guidance for future research into the role of Ganoderma in cancer immunotherapy

Complete plastome sequence of Iodes cirrhosa Turcz., the first in the Icacinaceae, comparative genomic analyses and possible split of Idoes species in response to climate changes

Plastome-based phylogenetic study has largely resolved the phylogeny of Icacinaceae. However, no single complete plastome sequence is available for Icacinaceae species, thereby limiting the further phylogenomics analysis of the members of this family. Here, we obtained the complete plastome sequence of Iodes cirrhosa Turcz., which is the first in Icacinaceae, by using the next-generation sequencing technology. The genome was annotated and compared with other closely related plastomes by using mVISTA. The divergence time of six Iodes species was analyzed using the BEAST software. The plastome of I. cirrhosa was 151,994 bp long, with a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 24,973 bp) separated by a large single-copy (LSC, 84,527 bp) region and a small single-copy (SSC, 17,521 bp) region. The plastome encoded 112 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding, 28 tRNA, and four rRNA genes. Approximately 59 repeat sequences and 188 simple sequence repeats were identified. Four pairs of partially overlapped genes, namely, psbD/psbC, ndhF/Ψycf1, atpB/atpE, and rpl22/rps3, were observed. A comparison of the boundaries of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions with four other plastomes from Aquifoliales and Sapindales exhibited a high overall degree of sequence similarity. Four most highly variable regions, namely, trnH-GUG/psbA, psbM/trnD-GUC, petA/psbJ, and rps16/trnQ-UUG, were found. Using the plastome of I. cirrhosa as reference, we reassembled the plastomes of five Iodes species. Ka/Ks ratio analyses revealed that 27 genes and 52 amino acid residue sites from 11 genes had undergone strong positive selection in the Iodes branch, with the most abundant proteins being the NDH and ribosomal proteins. Divergence-time analysis indicated that Iodes species were first formed 34.40 million years ago. Results revealed that the ancestor of the six species was likely to have split in the late Eocene epoch. In summary, the first complete plastome sequence of I. cirrhosa provided valuable information regarding the evolutionary processes of Iodes species

Effects of artificial light with different spectral compositions on refractive development and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 expression in the sclerae of juvenile guinea pigs

Artificial light can affect eyeball development and increase myopia rate. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) degrades the extracellular matrix, and induces its remodeling, while tissue inhibitor of matrix MMP-2 (TIMP-2) inhibits active MMP-2. The present study aimed to look into how refractive development and the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the guinea pigs' remodeled sclerae are affected by artificial light with varying spectral compositions. Three weeks old guinea pigs were randomly assigned to groups exposed to five different types of light: natural light, LED light with a low color temperature, three full spectrum artificial lights, i.e. E light (continuous spectrum in the range of ~390-780 nm), G light (a blue peak at 450 nm and a small valley 480 nm) and F light (continuous spectrum and wavelength of 400 nm below filtered). A-scan ultrasonography was used to measure the axial lengths of their eyes, every two weeks throughout the experiment. Following twelve weeks of exposure to light, the sclerae were observed by optical and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 protein and mRNA expression levels in the sclerae. After four, six, eight, ten, and twelve weeks of illumination, the guinea pigs in the LED and G light groups had axial lengths that were considerably longer than the animals in the natural light group while the guinea pigs in the E and F light groups had considerably shorter axial lengths than those in the LED group. Following twelve weeks of exposure to light, the expression of the scleral MMP-2 protein and mRNA were, from low to high, N group, E group, F group, G group, LED group; however, the expression of the scleral TIMP-2 protein and mRNA were, from high to low, N group, E group, F group, G group, LED group. The comparison between groups was statistically significant (p<0.01). Continuous, peaks-free or valleys-free artificial light with full-spectrum preserves remodeling of scleral extracellular matrix in guinea pigs by downregulating MMP-2 and upregulating TIMP-2, controlling eye axis elongation, and inhibiting the onset and progression of myopia