Antihypertensive effect and the underlying mechanisms of action of phytolaccagenin in rat models

Nectar robbing by bees affects the reproductive fitness of the distylous plant Tirpitzia sinensis (Linaceae)

Nectar robbing can affect plant reproductive success directly by influencing female and male fitness, and indirectly by affecting pollinator behavior. Flowers have morphological and chemical features that may protect them from nectar robbers. Previous studies on nectar robbing have focused mainly on homotypic plants. It remains unclear how nectar robbing affects the reproductive success of distylous plants, and whether defense strategies of two morphs are different. Nectar-robbing rates on the long- and short-styled morph (L-morph, S-morph) of the distylous Tirpitzia sinensis were investigated. We compared floral traits, the temporal pattern of change in nectar volume and sugar concentration, nectar secondary metabolites, and sugar composition between robbed and unrobbed flowers of two morphs. We tested direct effects of nectar robbing on female and male components of plant fitness and indirect effects of nectar robbing via pollinators. Nectar-robbing rates did not differ between the two morphs. Flowers with smaller sepals and petals were more easily robbed. The floral tube diameter and thickness were greater in L-morphs than in S-morphs, and the nectar rob holes were significantly smaller in L-morphs than in S-morphs. Nectar robbing significantly decreased nectar replenishment rate but did not affect nectar sugar concentration or sugar composition. After robbery, the quantities and diversity of secondary compounds in the nectar of S-morphs increased significantly and total relative contents of secondary compounds in L-morphs showed no obvious changes. Nectar robbing could decrease female fitness by decreasing pollen germination rate and thus decreasing seed set. Nectar robbing had no significant effects on male fitness. Robbed flowers were less likely to be visited by hawkmoth pollinators, especially in S-morphs. These results suggest that nectar robbing could directly and indirectly decrease the female fitness of T. sinensis, and different morphs have evolved different defense mechanisms in response to nectar-robbing pressure.

Two Species Origins Comparison of Herba Patriniae based on Their Ingredients Profile by UPLC-QTOF/MS/MS and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis

Herba Patriniae (HP) is widely used as a medicinal and edible material in China. Besides food value, HP attracts more attention due to its medicinal potential. Patrinia villosa Juss. ( PV ) and Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch. ( PS ) are the two species origins of HP. These two of HP show different effects on cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and anti-diabetic. As we have previously reported, PV and PS show significant differences on their anti-inflammatory ability in the same experimental model. Comparing the ingredient profiles of two different sources will not only facilitate the understanding of their medicinal effects, but also help the development and research of new activities. However, still now, there is no systematic and detailed study to compare the components of PV and PS . In present study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was employed to achieve a high-throughput qualitative and thorough analysis of the chemical composition spectrum of HP. A total of 164 compounds were identified, among these compounds, 127 compounds were identified from PV , and 107 compounds were identified from PS . Most of the chemical components was discovered for the first time. Flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and organic acids, as the main ingredients in PV and PS were 45.45%vs 28.46%, 12.61% vs 32.09%, 14.33% vs 22.38% and 14.58% vs 6.79%, respectively. Flavonoids are the main components of PV , while PS is rich in saponins. PV and PS were classified into two groups by principal component analysis (PCA) and screened out the main molecular differences responsible by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). All the results will be a guide for the quality control, functional activity research, or better clinic use based on the ingredients profile between these two species. Besides, this first study on ingredients profile of two species origins will be beneficial for potential and best resources utilization of both PV and PS .