Molecular genetic and chemical assessment of Rhizoma Curcumae in China

Rhizoma Curcumae (Ezhu) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used in removing blood stasis and alleviating pain for over a thousand years. Three species of Curcuma rhizomes are being used, which include Curcuma wenyujin, Curcuma phaeocaulis, and Curcuma kwangsiensis. In China, the production of Rhizoma Curcumae largely depends on agricultural farming. The essential oils are considered as active constituents in Rhizoma Curcumae, which include curdione, curcumol, and germacrone. On the basis of the yield of curdione, curcumol, and germacrone in an orthogonal array design, the optimized extraction condition was developed. The amounts of these compounds within essential oils in Rhizoma Curcumae varied according to different species and their regions of cultivation. Chemical fingerprints were generated from different species of Curcuma, which therefore could serve as identification markers. In molecular genetic identification of Rhizoma Curcumae, the 5S-rRNA spacer domains of 5 Curcuma species, including the common adulterants of this herb, were amplified, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Diversity in DNA sequences among various species was found in their 5S-rRNA spacer domains. Thus, the chemical fingerprint together with the genetic distinction could serve as markers for quality control of Curcuma species.     

Chemical and biological assessment of Angelicae Sinensis Radix after processing with wine: an orthogonal array design to reveal the optimized conditions

The roots of Angelica sinensis [Angelica Sinensis Radix (ASR)] have been used as a common health food supplement for women's care for thousands of years in China. According to Asian tradition, ASR could be processed with the treatment of wine, which subsequently promoted the biological functions of ASR. By chemical and biological assessments, an orthogonal array design was employed here to determine the roles of three variable parameters in the processing of ASR, including oven temperature, baking time, and flipping frequency. The results suggested that oven temperature and baking time were two significant factors, while flipping frequency was a subordinate factor. The optimized condition of processing with wine therefore was considered to be heating in an oven at 80 °C for 90 min with flipping twice per hour. Under the optimized processing conditions, the solubilities of ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide from ASR were markedly increased and decreased, respectively. In parallel, the biological functions of processed ASR were enhanced in both anti-platelet aggregation and estrogenic activation; these increased functions could be a result of the altered levels of ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide in wine-processed ASR. Thus, the chemical and biological assessment of the processed ASR was in full accordance with the Chinese old tradition.     

Chemical and genetic assessment of variability in commercial Radix Astragali (Astragalus spp.) by ion trap LC-MS and nuclear ribosomal DNA barcoding sequence analyses

Radix Astragali (Huangqi) has been demonstrated to have a wide range of immunopotentiating effects and has been used as an adjuvant medicine during cancer therapy. Identity issues in the collection of Radix Astragali exist because many sympatric species of Astragalus occur in the northern regions of China. In order to assess the quality, purity, and uniformity of commercial Radix Astragali, 44 samples were purchased from herbal stores in Hong Kong and New York City. The main constituents, including four isoflavonoids and three saponins, were quantitatively determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). There was significant sample-to-sample variability in the amounts of the saponins and isoflavonoids measured. Furthermore, DNA barcoding utilizing the variable nuclear ITS spacer regions of the 44 purchased Radix Astragali samples were sequenced, aligned and compared. Eight polymorphic point mutations were identified which separated the Radix Astragali samples into three groups. These results indicate that the chemical and genetic variability that exists among Radix Astragali medicinal products is still a consistency and quality issue for this herbal. Two-way ANOVA analysis showed significant effects on the contents of the seven tested compounds when both phylogenetic and geographic (i.e., point of purchase) factors were considered. Therefore, chemical profiles determined by LC-MS and DNA profiles in ITS spacer domains could serve as barcode markers for quality control of Radix Astragali.     

当归化肥农药减施增效栽培技术规程

当归是甘肃道地大宗中药材,化肥和农药作为当归生产的主要投入品,过量施用直接影响当归的产量和品质,同时造成产地环境污染和耕地质量下降等问题。经过试验研究和生产示范,按照化肥农药减施增效目标,从范围、规范性引用文件、术语和定义、产地环境、化肥减施、种苗移栽、田间管理、主要病虫害防控、采收等方面总结提出了当归化肥农药减施增效栽培技术规程,以更好地指导当归生产。     

Genetic diversity and variation of saponin contents in Panax notoginseng roots from a single farm

Radix notoginseng, the root of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen, has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its main components, saponins, have been reported to have many pharmacological activities. To test the general assumption that herbs of a single species planted and harvested from a single location are uniform in chemical and genetic makeup, chemical analysis and DNA fingerprinting were carried out. High-performance TLC together with HPLC analysis were used to analyze 17 randomly sampled 3-year-old roots from a single farm for the presence of six saponins. Five roots showed distinct chemical profiles with changed ratios of ginsenosides Rd/Rg1, Re/Rg1, or Rb1/Rg1. The same samples, together with some 1- and 2-year-old samples, were also subjected to fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, and their internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) regions were sequenced. Fluorescent AFLP analysis was found to be much more polymorphic than the ITS 2 sequence and showed clear evidence of genetic diversity within the tested population. In conclusion, genetic diversity and variation of saponin contents between individual P. notoginseng roots have been detected. We suggest that genetic diversity affects the contents of the six saponins. The saponin contents variation and genetic diversity were also found among P. notoginseng root samples collected from China and Singapore markets. Since variable saponin contents may affect therapeutic efficacy, combining the use of genetic profiling with chemical profiling will help ensure greater uniformity in the quality of P. notoginseng roots. The genetic and chemical diversity within a population also provides the opportunity for breeding new cultivars with more desirable chemical constituents.     

Metabolite profiling of Angelica gigas from different geographical origins using 1H NMR and UPLC-MS analyses

Angelica gigas obtained from different geographical regions was characterized using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) followed by multivariate data analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) score plots from (1)H NMR and UPLC-MS data sets showed a clear distinction among A. gigas from three different regions in Korea. The major metabolites that contributed to the discrimination factor were primary metabolites including acetate, choline, citrate, 1,3-dimethylurate, fumarate, glucose, histamine, lactose, malate, N-acetylglutamate, succinate, and valine and secondary metabolites including decursin, decursinol, nodakenin, marmesin, 7-hydroxy-6-(2R-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-ethyl)coumarin in A. gigas roots. The results demonstrate that (1)H NMR and UPLC-MS-based metabolic profiling coupled with chemometric analysis can be used to discriminate the geographical origins of various herbal medicines and to identify primary and secondary metabolites responsible for discrimination.     

过量铜在两个柑橘品种幼苗中的分布特征及根细胞壁响应机制

  【目的】  探究过量铜在两个柑橘品种幼苗组织水平和亚细胞水平上的分布特征以及根细胞壁对铜毒害的响应机制,以揭示柑橘耐铜毒害机理,为优化不同柑橘品种铜养分管理提供科学依据。  【方法】  以砂培的雪柑(Citrus sinensis)和沙田柚(Citrus grandis)实生苗为试验材料,进行连续18周不同浓度铜处理,即Cu 0.5 μmol/L (对照)和300 μmol/L (过量铜)。处理结束后,分析铜在柑橘幼苗不同组织水平(主根、侧根、茎和叶)、侧根亚细胞水平(细胞壁、细胞器和可溶性部分)以及侧根细胞壁多糖组分(果胶、半纤维素Ⅰ、半纤维素Ⅱ和纤维素)上的分布特征;采用透射电镜(TEM)以及傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR),分析柑橘侧根细胞壁微结构变化(厚度、化学基团构成等)。  【结果】  1) 组织水平上,不论是对照还是过量铜处理的柑橘苗,侧根是铜分布的主要部位,且过量铜处理的沙田柚侧根铜含量显著高于雪柑。对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根铜分布率分别为57.32%和51.31%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根铜分布率分别提高到90.87%和91.99%。相反,过量铜处理显著降低了两个柑橘品种幼苗茎和叶的铜分布率。2) 在侧根亚细胞水平上,细胞器是铜在对照组柑橘苗的主要分布部位。对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞器铜分布率分别为58.61%和39.26%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞器的铜分布率分别降低到14.34%和11.49%。与对照相比,过量铜处理显著提高了两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁和可溶性部分的铜含量,且过量铜处理的沙田柚侧根细胞壁铜含量显著高于雪柑。3)与对照相比,过量铜处理显著提高了两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁各多糖组分的铜含量。其中,对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶铜分布率分别为44.69%和37.15%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶铜分布率分别提高到98.45%和98.48%。但过量铜处理的两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁上的半纤维素Ⅰ、半纤维素Ⅱ和纤维素中的铜分布率显著降低。4)分级提取细胞壁并结合TEM分析表明,过量铜处理显著提高两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁的提取率以及细胞壁厚度,且过量铜处理的沙田柚细胞壁提取率与细胞壁厚度均显著高于雪柑。5) FTIR分析表明,沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶、纤维素和蛋白质等成分上羟基、羧基和氨基官能团参与了铜的吸附和固定。  【结论】  亚细胞水平上,300 μmol/L过量铜处理的柑橘苗侧根可溶性部分和细胞壁是铜的主要分布部位,细胞壁果胶对铜的固定降低了铜向地上部的运输。提高细胞壁含量、增厚细胞壁以及促进细胞壁对铜的吸附可能是沙田柚幼苗耐铜性强于雪柑的主要原因。     

Insecticidal effect of phthalides and furanocoumarins from Angelica acutiloba against Drosophila melanogaster

Insecticidal activity of Angelica acutiloba extract and its constituents was investigated and compared with that of rotenone. Bioassay-guided isolation of the chloroform extract of A. acutiloba against larvae of Drosophila melanogaster afforded two phthalides, (Z)-butylidenephthalide (1) and (Z)-ligustilide (2), and two furanocoumarins, xanthotoxin (3) and isopimpinellin (4). The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 exhibited LC(50) values of 0.94, 2.54, 3.35, and 0.82 micromol/mL of diet concentration against larvae of D. melanogaster, respectively. Against both sexes (males/females, 1:1) of adults (5-7 days old), compound 1 showed the most potent activity with a LD(50) value of 0.84 microg/adult. Compound 1 is a more active insecticide than rotenone (LD(50) = 3.68 microg/adult) and has potential as a novel insect control agent. However, compound 2 was inactive against adults. The structure-activity relationship of phthalides isolated indicated that the aromaticity appeared to play an important role in the activity of both larvae and adults. To determine the insecticide mode of action for acute adulticidal activity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was also investigated in vitro, and the result indicated that the acute adulticidal activity of compounds 3 and 4 was due to the inhibition of AChE.     

Phylogeny of Astragalus in China: molecular evidence from the DNA sequences of 5S rRNA spacer, ITS, and 18S rRNA

Radix Astragali (root of Astragalus; Huangqi) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as an immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antidiabetic, analgesic, expectorant, and sedative drug. Although the species of Radix Astragali have been defined as Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus in Pharmacopoeia of China, their taxonomy remains controversial. The phylogenetic relationships among 10 Astragalus taxa, which are commonly found in China including A. membranaceus, A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, Astragalus propinquus, Astragalus lepsensis, Astragalus aksuensis, Astragalus hoantchy, Astragalus hoantchy subsp. dshimensis,Astragalus lehmannianus, Astragalus sieversianus, and Astragalus austrosibiricus, were determined using the DNA sequences of the 5S ribosomal RNA (5S rRNA) spacer, internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), and 18S rRNA coding region. The 5S rRNA spacer, ITS, and 18S rRNA, amplified by polymerase chain reaction from the isolated genomic DNAs, were sequenced. By using neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony analyses, phylogenetic trees were mapped by their sequence diversity. A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus shared the greatest sequence homology. In addition, A. propinquus shared a closer relationship with A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, while other Astragalus species were less closely related. This is the first paper to show the phylogenetic relationship of Astragalus species related to Radix Astragali in China by the molecular genetic approach.     

休耕和种植作物对黑麻土壤肥力的影响

为了明确不同茬口土壤养分的固持残留水平,建立高效合理的轮作顺序以解决连作再植障碍问题。2018年在甘肃定西渭源县莲峰镇绽坡村随机区组设计、“S”形取样休耕1季、种植1季春小麦、马铃薯、蒙古黄芪和当归后0-20 cm层次的黑麻土壤,测定土壤全量、速效养分和阴阳离子含量。结果表明:休耕1季和种植1季蒙古黄芪增加了0-20 cm层次土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阴阳离子、Mg^2+、SO4^2-和Cl^-含量,种植1季当归降低了0-20 cm层次土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阴阳离子、Mg^2+、SO4^2-和Cl^-含量。方差分析显示,休耕1季和种植1季蒙古黄芪后0-20 cm层次黑麻土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阴阳离子、Mg^2+、SO4^2-和Cl^-含量显著高于种植1季当归。主成分回归分析发现,休耕1季和种植1季蒙古黄芪后0-20 cm层次黑麻土壤肥力综合指数为0.98和0.56,种植1季当归的综合指数得分仅为0.07。休耕1季是黑麻土壤用养结合的简便有效方法,种植1季蒙古黄芪是培肥黑麻土壤肥力的适宜作物。     

Diversity of 16S-rRNA and nifH genes derived from rhizosphere soil and roots of an endemic drought tolerant grass,Lasiurus sindicus

Lasiurus sindicus is a highly nutritive, drought tolerant, perennial grass, endemic to the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. In order to characterize the diversity of bacteria associated with roots of this grass that had survived severe drought stress, 16S-rRNA gene clone libraries were established from RT-PCR amplified products of the total RNA extracted from the washed roots and rhizosphere soil samples. Eight major bacterial taxa were identified in a total of 121 16S-rRNA gene clones. The majority of sequences belonged to Gram-positive bacteria, Actinobacteria being the most predominant ones, closely followed by Firmicutes. Most of the sequences showed similarity with sequences from cultivated bacteria or uncultivated environmental clones associated with arid, semi-arid environments, cold deserts and contaminated soils. PCR amplification of nifH genes using total DNA as template produced a total of 48 nifH clones from the rhizosphere soil and root samples and revealed a predominance of nifH sequences closely affiliated to Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, isolated in a previous study from root samples of Lasiurus sindicus. Some nifH sequences showed close similarity to cultivated diazotrophs like Azospirillum brasilense, Rhizobium sp., and a variety of uncultured nitrogen fixing bacteria. Thus, this study provides us with evidence that L. sindicus harbors a diversity of bacteria with potential for nitrogen fixation.     

Chemical compositions and antioxidant activities of water extracts of Chinese propolis

The present study investigated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the water extract of propolis (WEP) collected from 26 locations in China. Spectrophotometry was used to determine the physicochemical properties and the chemical constituents of WEP. Phenolic compounds in WEP were identified by RP-HPLC-DAD with reference standards. The antioxidant activities [characterized by reducing power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability] of WEP were also measured. Results show that epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, morin, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid, naringenin, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, pinocembrin, and chrysin are the major functional phenolic compounds in Chinese WEPs. Furthermore, most WEPs show strong antioxidant activities, which are significantly correlated with E(1cm)(1%), an index for the estimation of the quality of WEP. WEPs also contain many more active constituents than ethanol extracts of propolis.     

High-performance liquid chromatography determination of phenolic constituents in 17 varieties of cowpeas

Seventeen varieties of cowpeas grown in Arkansas were analyzed for their phenolic constituents using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Protocatechuic acid was identified as the major phenolic acid present in esterified forms. The amount of protocatechuic acid increased from trace-3.6 to 9.3-92.7 mg/100 g of flour in the 17 varieties of cowpeas after hydrolysis. Six other phenolic acids, including, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, 2,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid, and cinnamic acid, were also identified. These phenolic acids were evenly distributed mainly in free acid forms at <7 mg/100 g of flour. Total phenolic contents determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent were largely different among the 17 varieties, ranging from 34.6 to 376.6 mg/100 g of flour. A comparison of the HPLC chromatograms of the 17 cowpea phenolics before and after alkali hydrolysis indicated the conversion of a pattern with evenly distributed peaks to one with a single major peak for protocatechuic acid, suggesting that the chromatograms before hydrolysis better represent the identities of the cowpea varieties.     

品种及种苗规格对当归成药期质量和经济效益的影响

当归是甘肃省定西市品牌大宗道地药材之一,但生产中的早薹问题导致其成药期质量下降,已成为制约当地当归产业发展的最大瓶颈。为了筛选出适宜在当地种植的最佳当归品种和种苗,以岷归系列品种为试材,采用二因素随机区组设计,研究了不同当归品种及其种苗规格对成药期当归质量和经济收益的影响。结果表明,选择移栽单株鲜重约0.7 g、主根长7.1 cm、侧根数少于0.2条/株的岷归4号种苗,是最适宜获得当归主要农艺性状较优、早薹率低、抗病性较强、产量及经济收益高的种植方案。应用该种苗种植时,当归单株鲜根重最重,为69.3 g;鲜根折合产量最高,为11 800.0 kg/hm2;经济纯收益最高,为67 600.0元/hm2;产投比最优,为21.1元/元。建议在定西地区及类似区立地条件下,优先选择岷归4号小种苗。     

Phenolic antioxidants from green tea produced from Camellia taliensis

The chemical constituents of green tea prepared from the leaves of Camellia taliensis (W. W. Smith) Melchior (Theaceae) were investigated for the first time. Of these, 19 phenolic compounds including 8 hydrolyzable tannins (1-8), 6 catechin derivatives (9-14), 3 quinic acid aromatic esters (15-17), and 2 simple phenolics (18, 19) were identified, along with caffeine (20). Their antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging and tyrosinase inhibitory assays. Moreover, the chemical composition was compared with that in the cultivated tea plant, C. sinensis var. assamica, by HPLC analysis. It was noted that C. taliensis has similar chemical features with the cultivated tea plant; that is, both of them contain rich flavan-3-ols and caffeine. In addition, there are abundant hydrolyzable tannins as specific characteristic constituents contained in the leaves of C. taliensis. Therein, 1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (8), as a major compound in C. taliensis, showed remarkable antioxidant activity. The results suggested that C. taliensis could be a valuable plant resource for the production of tea.     

Chemical and biological assessment of a chinese herbal decoction containing Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis: Determination of drug ratio in having optimized properties

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese medicinal decoction that is commonly used as a dietary supplement in treating woman with menopausal irregularity, contains two herbs: Radix Astragali (Huangqi) and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui). The ratio of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis used in DBT should be 5:1 as described in China in 1247 A.D.; however, the rationale of this formula has not been given. Here, the chemical and biological properties of DBT, prepared from different ratios of the drugs, were determined. Significantly, higher amounts of Radix Astragali-derived astragaloside IV, calycosin, and formononetin and Radix Angelicae Sinensis-derived ferulic acid were found in DBT with Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in a 5:1 ratio. By using the biological effects of DBT in stimulating osteoblast proliferation, estrogen promoter activation, and anti-platelet aggregation activity, the drug ratio of 5:1 produced the best effects. In addition, the use of ethanol-treated Radix Angelicae Sinensis enhanced the efficacy of DBT, and the treatment further increased the solubilities of chemical constituents. By analyzing the correlation of chemical and biological results, several chemicals showed positive correlation with DBT-induced bioactivities. The current results support the ancient formulation of DBT, and the identified chemicals could serve as markers for quality control of DBT.     

关于我国农田福寿螺生物入侵需要加以研究的生态学问题

福寿螺已成为我国南方稻区主要的入侵生物之一,近年来,对水稻等农作物以及农业生物多样性和生态环境的危害日趋加重。本文对我国农田福寿螺的生物入侵危害状况进行了概述,提出了今后关于农田福寿螺生物入侵需要加以研究的生态学问题,包括农田福寿螺的生态适应性与耐性规律、农田福寿螺的种群暴发规律与预测预警、福寿螺的生态风险、农田福寿螺的综合防治与生态控制等。     

当归不同生长时期根际土壤酶活性及微生物群落结构变化

  目的  研究当归（Angelica sinensis）不同生长时期根际土壤酶活性和微生物群落结构的动态变化及其关联性,为当归的健康种植和土壤改良提供科学依据。  方法  以甘肃产当归的根际土壤为研究对象,研究5个生长时期当归根际土壤5种初级代谢酶活性,并运用高通量测序对细菌和真菌群落门、属水平的变化进行研究。  结果  当归根际土壤细菌群落丰富度和均匀度不随生长时期变化,而真菌群落变化显著;生长后期细菌和真菌群落结构与前中期明显分离,这种分离主要由部分菌门和菌属丰度显著变化造成;细菌属间多以互利共生关系存在,细菌与真菌间更倾向于以此消彼长的关系存在;抽薹期根际土壤蔗糖酶活性最低,脲酶活性最高,相关性分析表明,细菌对酶活性的影响高于真菌,其中蔗糖酶与黄杆菌属（Flavobacterium）显著正相关,脲酶与拟杆菌属（Bacteroides）、毛壳菌属（Chaetomium）显著正相关,与马赛菌属（Massilia）、鞘脂菌属（Sphingobium）、Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium属、新鞘脂菌属（Novosphingobium）显著负相关;酸性磷酸酶、淀粉酶、过氧化氢酶在不同时期维持稳定,而鞘氨醇单胞菌属（Sphingomonas）、拟杆菌属（Bacteroides）、MND1属、芽单胞菌属（Gemmatimonas）和溶杆菌属（Lysobacter）在维持其活性上发挥着一定的作用。  结论  该研究反映出当归根际土壤细菌-真菌群落在其生长发育过程中的动态平衡,酶和菌属的生长周期波动及其关联性反映出与当归抽薹可能相关的酶和菌属,以及维持酶稳定的有关菌群。该研究为下一步当归促生菌的筛选及功能验证提供了科学参考。     

Chemical analysis of Radix Astragali (Huangqi) in China: a comparison with its adulterants and seasonal variations

Radix Astragali (root of Astragalus; Huangqi) is a popular traditional Chinese medicine, and Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongolicus are two commonly used species; however, there are many Astragalus species that could act as adulterants of Radix Astragali. To find the chemical composition of Radix Astragali, the main constituents including flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides, amino acids, and trace elements were determined in two Radices Astragali, A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongolicus, and its eight adulterants, Astragalus propinquus, Astragalus lepsensis, Astragalus aksuensis, Astragalus hoantchy, Astragalus hoantchy subsp. dshimensis, Astragalus lehmannianus, Astragalus sieversianus, and Astragalus austrosibiricus. The results showed that the amounts of main constituents such as isoflavonoids and astragalosides varied in different species. In distinction, A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongolicus contained a higher amount of astragaloside I and IV. In addition, the main constituents of A. membranaceus var.mongholicus changed according to seasonal variation and age of the plant. The chemical composition of different species of Astragalus would provide useful information for the quality control of Radix Astragali.     

Species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in two mountain meadows with differing management types and levels of plant biodiversity

Species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was analysed in two differently managed mountain grasslands in Thuringia (Germany). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were studied in the roots of 18 dominant plant species from a total of 56 (32%). Additionally, spores of AMF were isolated from soil samples. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species composition was analysed based on 96 sequences of the internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, 72 originated from mycorrhizal roots, and 24 originated from AMF spores. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a total of 19 AMF species representing all genera of the Glomeromycota except Scutellospora and Pacispora. Despite a different farming intensity, resulting in remarkable differences concerning their plant species diversity (27 against 43 plant species), the diversity of AMF was found to be similar with 11 species on the intensively farmed meadow and ten species on the extensively farmed one. Nevertheless, species composition between both sites was clearly different. It thus seems likely that the AMF species composition, but not necessarily the species number, is related to above ground plant biodiversity in the system under study.