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Background: The Hani people, who reside in Yuanyang County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, rely on rice terrace farming as their primary livelihood. They utilize plants in various traditional ritual practices. The Hani people have categorized the value of plants based on their natural attributes and have refined the ways of using different plants in specific rituals through practical observations and experiences derived from their agricultural culture. Although the plants used in these rituals hold significant cultural value, they have yet to be studied from the perspective of ethnobotany. This study aims to approach the ritual plants using ethnobotanical methods. Methods: Ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted in 10 villages in Yuanyang County between 2021 and 2023. Data were collected from the local Hani people through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations and 41 informants were interviewed during the field investigations. The frequency of citation (FC) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) were utilized to evaluate the relative importance of ritual plants among the local communities. Results: A total of 36 plant species, belonging to 18 families and 34 genera, were recorded as being used in 11 ritual practices by the Hani people. Rosaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae were found to have the highest number of species. Most of the ritual plants used by the Hani people were collected from the wild. FC and RFC analysis showed that the preferred plants for Hani rituals were Rhus chinensis Mill, Oryza sativa L., Phyllostachys sulphurea (Carr.) A. et C. Riv. and Musa basjoo Siebold & Zucc. ex Iinuma. The 11 rituals are all centered around the performance of people, crops and livestock. The Hani people use plants in different rituals mainly based on their biological attributes. Conclusions: Many rituals of the Hani people are closely related to their production and livelihood, and the plants used in these rituals are deeply rooted in Hani's traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs. The Hani people's reverence for nature, respect for life, gratitude towards ancestors, and seeking blessings and disaster prevention for their families, crops, and livestock are all reflected in these rituals and their utilization of ritual plants. The Hani people showcase their agricultural culture in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces through plant-based ritual performances. Studying ritual plants in the core area of the Hani Rice Terraces is of great significance for protecting the Hani Terrace farming culture. In the future, it is essential to pay more attention to the role of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new compounds, aphegiractin A1/A2 (1a/1b), and seven known compounds were isolated by phytochemical work on EtOAc-soluble ingredients extracted from stem and root barks of Daphne giraldii. Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic methods, including HRESIMS, CD experiments, 1D and 2D NMR. All compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant activity to DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity and inhibitory activity on tyrosinase. Of these compounds, compound 3 exhibited significant antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chukrasia tabularis is an economically important tree and widely cultured in the southeast of China. Its barks, leaves, and fruits are consumed as a traditional medicine and perceived as a valuable source for bioactive limonin compounds. The extracts from root barks of C. tabularis showed significant anti‐inflammatory effect. The aim of this research was to explore the material basis of C. tabularis anti‐inflammatory activity, and to purify and identify anti‐inflammatory active ingredients. By a bioassay‐guided isolation of dichloromethane fraction obtained two novel phragmalin limonins, Chukrasitin D and E (1 and 2), together with 12 known limonins (3–14). The chemical structure of these compounds is determined on the basis of extensive spectral analysis and chemical reactivity. In addition, the activities of these isolated limonins on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were evaluated. Limonins 1 and 2 indicated significant anti‐inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 6.24 and 6.13 μM. Compound 1 notably inhibited the production of NF‐κB, TNF‐α and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) in macrophages. The present results suggest that the root barks of C. tabularis exhibited anti‐inflammatory effect and the limonins may be responsible for this activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia suffruticosa (Moutan) is a traditional medicinal plant in China. Its seed coat is rich in resveratrol oligomer, especially suffruticosol B (SB). Previous studies had shown that the seed coat extracts of Paeonia suffruticosa (PSCE) had good cholinesterase inhibitory activity and neuroprotective effect, but the effective dose range was unknown, and the pharmacodynamic components and molecular mechanism of PSCE had not been discussed. The current study aimed to screen the pharmacodynamic components in PSCE and investigate the improvement effect of PSCE and the selected SB on scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice and its mechanism. The results of highthroughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that suffruticosol B (SB) and trans-gnetin H (GH) might be the main active components of PSCE; PSCE might improve cognitive dysfunction through p53, HIF-1, MAPK, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, while SB and GH might improve cognitive dysfunction through HIF-1 signaling pathway. SB and GH had good molecular docking activity with the target of HIF-1 signaling pathway. The pharmacodynamic activities of PSCE and SB were further verified by behavioral experiments. PSCE and SB could improve the recognition ability of familiar and new objects and shorten the escape latency in the Morris Water Maze test (PSCE 120 mg·kg-1, p < 0.05; SB 60 mg·kg-1, p < 0.01); PSCE and SB could increase Ach and GSH levels, enhance the activities of ChAT, SOD and CAT, decrease the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and decrease the activity of AChE. In conclusion, the results indicated that PSCE might exert pharmacodynamic activity through multiple components, targets, and pathways, and SB and GH might be the main active components of PSCE. PSCE and SB might improve cognitive dysfunction by regulating cholinergic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. These results indicated that PSCE and SB might be potential anti-AD drug candidates, providing a scientific basis for the development and utilization of Moutan bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryphonectriaceae is a diaporthalean family containing important plant pathogens of which Cryphonectria parasitica is the most notorious one. An emerging stem blight disease on Elaeocarpus apiculatus (Elaeocarpaceae) and E. hainanensis was observed in Guangdong Province of China recently. Typical Cryphonectria blight-like symptoms including cankers on tree barks with obvious orange conidial tendrils were observed. Forty-eight isolates were obtained from diseased tissues and conidiomata formed on the hosts E. apiculatus and E. hainanensis. These isolates were further identified based on both morphology and molecular methods using the combined sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit of the nrDNA (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes. As a result, the fungus represents an undescribed genus and species within the family Cryphonectriaceae. Hence, Pseudocryphonectria elaeocarpicola gen. et sp. nov. is proposed herein to represent these isolates from diseased barks of E. apiculatus and E. hainanensis. Pseudocryphonectria differs from the other genera of Cryphonectriaceae in having dimorphic conidia. Further inoculation results showed that P. elaeocarpicola is the causal agent of this emerging blight disease in China, which can quickly infect and kill the hosts E. apiculatus and E. hainanensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bark is an essential component of tree branches, yet its role in controlling branch-leached dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristics remains unknown in forests. Here, we collected branches (about 1.5 cm in diameter) of two evergreen coniferous trees, two deciduous broadleaf trees, and three evergreen broadleaf trees from a subtropical forest in southern China, and subsequently used a bark removal experiment to determine the effects of bark on branch-derived DOM quantity and bioavailability. Regardless of tree type, the presence of bark reduced tree branch-leached dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) productions. Moreover, DOC, DTN, and DTP productions leached from the branches containing bark were always much lower than the expected values summed from barks and the branches without bark. The presence of bark increased DOM aromaticity in the broadleaf tree branch leachates but reduced DOM aromaticity in the coniferous tree branch leachates. During 42 days of incubation, the presence of bark decreased broadleaf tree branch-leached DOM bioavailability and the relative increments of aromaticity, whereas the opposite trends were observed for the coniferous tree branch-leached DOM. Tree branch-derived DOM bioavailability correlated negatively with SUVA254 values, but exhibited no relationship with either DOC:DTN ratio or DOC:DTP ratio. These observations highlight that tree bark can prevent DOM leaching from branches and regulate branch-leached DOM bioavailability via its effect on DOM aromaticity in subtropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Delineating closely related and morphologically similar species is difficult. Here, we integrate morphology, genetics, ploidy and geography to resolve species and subspecies boundaries in four trees of section Costatae (genus Betula): Betula ashburneri , B. costata , B. ermanii and B. utilis , as well as multiple subspecies and polyploid races. Methods We genotyped 371 individuals (20–133 per species) from 51 populations at 15 microsatellite markers, as well as a subset of individuals, using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing and nuclear internal transcribed spacers. We determined the ploidy level of eight individuals using flow cytometry and characterized leaf variation for a subset of 109 individuals by morphometric analysis. Key Results Integration of multiple lines of evidence suggested a series of revisions to the taxonomy of section Costatae. Betula costata and B. ermanii were found to be valid. Molecular and leaf morphology analyses revealed little differentiation between diploid B. albosinensis and some samples of B. utilis ssp. utilis. By contrast, other B. utilis ssp. utilis samples and ssp. albosinensis formed a morphological continuum but differed based on genetics. Specifically, B. utilis ssp. albosinensis was divided into two groups with group I genetically similar to B. utilis ssp. utilis and group II, a distinct cluster, proposed as the new diploid species Betula buggsii sp. nov. Phylogenomic analysis based on 2285 620 single nucleotide polymorphisms identified a well-supported monophyletic clade of B. buggsii. Morphologically, B. buggsii is characterized by elongated lenticels and a distinct pattern of bark peeling and may be geographically restricted to the Qinling–Daba Mountains. Conclusions Our integrated approach identifies six taxa within section Costatae : B. ashburneri , B. buggsii , B. costata , B. utilis ssp. utilis , B. utilis ssp. albosinensis and B. ermanii. Our research demonstrates the value of an integrative approach using morphological, geographical, genetic and ploidy-level data for species delineation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The plant economics spectrum integrates trade‐offs and covariation in resource economic traits of different plant organs and their consequences for pivotal ecosystem processes, such as decomposition. However, in this concept stems are often considered as one unit ignoring the important functional differences between wood (xylem) and bark. These differences may not only affect the performance of woody plants during their lifetime, but may also have important "afterlife effects." Specifically, bark quality may strongly affect deadwood decomposition of different woody species. We hypothesized that (1) bark quality strongly influences bark decomposability to microbial decomposers, and possibly amplifies the interspecific variation in decomposition by invertebrate consumption, especially termites; and (2) bark decomposition has secondary effects on xylem mass loss by providing access to decomposers including invertebrates such as termites. We tested these hypotheses across 34 subtropical woody species representing five common plant functional types, by conducting an in situ deadwood decomposition experiment over 12‐month in two sites in subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest in China. We employed visual examination and surface density measurement to quantify termite consumption to both bark and the underlying xylem, respectively. Using principal component analysis, we synthesized seven bark traits to provide the first empirical evidence for a bark economics spectrum (BES), with high BES values (i.e., bark thickness, nitrogen, phosphorus, and cellulose contents) indicating a resource acquisitive strategy and low BES values (i.e., carbon, lignin, and dry matter contents) indicating a resource conservative strategy. The BES affected interspecific variation in bark mass loss and this relationship was strongly amplified by termites. The BES also explained nearly half of the interspecific variation in termite consumption to xylem, making it an important contributor to deadwood decomposition overall. Moreover, the above across‐species relationships manifested also within plant functional types, highlighting the value of using continuous variation in bark traits rather than categorical plant functional types in carbon cycle modeling. Our findings demonstrate the potent role of the BES in influencing deadwood decomposition including positive invertebrate feedback thereon in warm‐climate forests, with implications for the role of bark quality in carbon cycling in other woody biomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiphytic orchids exhibit varying degrees of phorophyte tree specificity. We performed a pilot study to investigate why epiphytic orchids prefer or avoid certain trees. We selected two orchid species, Panisea uniflora and Bulbophyllum odoratissimum co-occurring in a forest habitat in southern China, where they showed a specific association with Quercus yiwuensis and Pistacia weinmannifolia trees, respectively. We analysed a number of environmental factors potentially influencing the relationship between orchids and trees. Difference in bark features, such as water holding capacity and pH were recorded between Q. yiwuensis and P. weinmannifolia, which could influence both orchid seed germination and fungal diversity on the two phorophytes. Morphological and molecular culture-based methods, combined with metabarcoding analyses, were used to assess fungal communities associated with studied orchids and trees. A total of 162 fungal species in 74 genera were isolated from bark samples. Only two genera, Acremonium and Verticillium, were shared by the two phorophyte species. Metabarcoding analysis confirmed the presence of significantly different fungal communities on the investigated tree and orchid species, with considerable similarity between each orchid species and its host tree, suggesting that the orchid-host tree association is influenced by the fungal communities of the host tree bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree bark is a useful bioindicator of atmospheric pollution. It is specially suitable for airborne perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) investigation due to persistence of ionic PFASs. The present work firstly systematically studied tree barks as a bioindicator of airborne PFASs. Comparison with the regular active and passive samplers found barks could produce long-term measurement of airborne PFASs, and could record the historical emission of PFASs with retrospective time frame as long as decades. Factors, e.g. tree type, trunk diameter, and sampling depth, can affect PFAS accumulation in barks, and these factors should be kept consistent during sampling. In a study area spatial distribution of airborne PFASs can be obtained by interpolation of bark results, and the concerned region can be located. Properties of the emission sources can be characterized, and the potential sources can be tracked based on the bark results. Their contributions can be further estimated by the source appointment strategies. In the economically and industrially developed study area of the present study, eight cities of southern Jiangsu Province of China, total ionic PFAS concentration of camphor bark samples collected in 34 sites was 0.44–359 ng/g dw (dry weight), dominated by perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Two types of possible sources were characterized as with long-chained PFCAs and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) as the main components respectively. The sources were appointed as fluoropolymer manufacturing and textile industries, the important PFAS application fields, and their relative contribution was estimated as 32.5% and 67.5% respectively. The present study can provide useful advice to the method framework of using barks for long-term occurrence investigation, concerned region location, and emission source appointment of airborne PFASs in a study area. Based on the bark results, effective strategies can be further made for PFAS pollution elimination and risk control. [Display omitted] • Barks as a passive sampler of airborne PFASs were firstly studied in detail. • Barks can produce long-term measurement of airborne PFASs. • PFASs in camphor barks of the study area were dominated by PFCAs. • PFAS sources were appointed as fluoropolymer manufacturing and textile coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore the bacterial community composition and the functions of core microbiota in Eucommia ulmoides bark. The bark samples of E. ulmoides were collected from Wangcang Sichuan Province, Cili Hunan Province, and Zunyi Guizhou Province, in China, respectively. Through the high-throughput sequencing methods and techniques, the community composition, core microbiota, and function of the bacteria were studied. The bacterial community of E. ulmoides bark consisted of 9 phyla, 11 classes, 22 orders, 28 families, 31 genera, and 37 OTUs. At the genus level, the dominant genus was the unclassified bacteria of Cyanobacteria, with a relative abundance of 97.01%. The bacterial communities of E. ulmoides bark from different areas have their unique units except for the common microbiota. The core microbiota of bacteria included an unclassified genus of Cyanobacteria, an unclassified genus of Mitochondria, Pseudomonas, Sphingobium, Rhizobium, Novosphingobium, Enterobacter, Rhodococcus, Curtobacterium, and Ralstonia. FAPROTAX function prediction suggested that the core microbiota has a substantial potential for photoautotrophy, phototrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, chemoheterotrophy. Ten taxa composed the core microbiota, and the majority of them were related to the pharmacologically active ingredients of E. ulmoides bark. The research provides a scientific basis for the biological marker of genuineness and microbial technology for improving the content of medicinal ingredients of E. ulmoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the content of (geniposidic acid, GPA) in the leaves, trunk bark and root bark of Eucommia ulmoides on Xingyi karst plateau mountains of Guizhou Province, China. There was no significant difference in the content of GPA in Eucommia ulmoides planted in different directions on the same slope. The content of GPA in leaves, trunk bark and root bark of Eucommia ulmoides planted on the sunny slope varied significantly, where the GPA content in root bark was the highest (32.7851 mg/g), There was no significant difference in GPA content in leaves and root bark of Eucommia ulmoides planted on the shady slope, but the GPA content in trunk bark was significantly different from that in leaves and root bark, where the GPA content in trunk bark was the highest (30.3958 mg/g), There was no significant difference in GPA content in trunk bark and root bark of Eucommia ulmoides planted in different slope directions, and the GPA content in leaves of Eucommia ulmoides planted on shady slope was significantly (36.71%) higher than that on sunny slope. The GPA content in different parts of Eucommia ulmoides on both sunny or shade slope was GAP content in root bark was the largest followed by that in leaves, and that in trunk bark was the lowest. These results expand the source sites and provide new ideas for the comprehensive utilization and further research of Eucommia ulmoides resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamomum verum is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae. Bark of this tree is used for making medicines. It is also used in treating diabetes, infections, and reducing body weight. Cinnamomum species are prepared from dry dark of the tree of genus Cinnamomum indigenous to South and Southeast Asia and China. Materials and Methods: The study aims at determining the phytochemical components, antioxidant activity, and estimation of total phenolic content of a small evergreen tree, C. verum. Results: The ethanolic extract of this herb showed a significant number of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and a good content of total phenol. Conclusion: The results suggest that the crude ethanolic extract of C. verum could be used as source of diverse bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Southern China, the bark residues from Eucalyptus trees are collected and burned to generate electricity. They are prone to self-heating and even spontaneous combustion when stored in large-scale stockpiles. Pyrolysis plays an important role in these processes. In this work, the pyrolysis characteristics of Eucalyptus bark were investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The mass loss process of Eucalyptus bark pyrolysis consists of three stages: dehydration, decomposition of organic matters and decomposition of oxalate, lignin and other components. Except the decomposition of minerals, Eucalyptus bark pyrolysis was described by a four pseudo-component reaction scheme and the kinetic parameters were obtained by using the genetic algorithm. The major evolved gas species and their generation temperature ranges during Eucalyptus bark pyrolysis were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. It was found that the temperature ranges of the evolved gases were consistent with the decomposition temperature ranges of pseudo-cellulose and pseudo-hemicellulose, in particular with that of pseudo-cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine resin, which typically consists of terpenoids, is a natural product used in various industrial applications. Oleoresin can be obtained from the xylem tissue by wounding the stem bark. Pinus massoniana (masson pine) is an important resin-tapping tree species that originated in southern China. Masson pines with different genetic backgrounds typically have different resin-yielding capacities (RYCs). However, the mechanisms underlying high resin yield in masson pines are unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the possible genetic regulation pathways and functional genes that influence the resin yield. In this study, we conducted transcriptomic and metabolomic studies of masson pine secondary xylem with high, medium, and low RYCs. A total of 230,068 unigenes and 3894 metabolites were identified from the tissue of the secondary xylem. Several differentially expressed regulation factors, including WRKY, bHLH, and ERF, and functional genes such as PKc and LRR-RLKs, were identified among these masson pines. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were mainly focused on diterpenoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and ABC transporters. Furthermore, integration of the transcriptomic and metabolomic data indicated that the PKc- and LRR-RLK-related regulatory and metabolic pathways may play critical roles in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. These above results improve our understanding of the biosynthesis mechanism of oleoresin in P. massoniana and facilitate further research work into the functional analysis of these candidate genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In China, the herb Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. (Fabaceae, ST) (Committee of National Pharmacopeia. 2015) exhibits anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antiviral effects. However, to date, there have been few studies on its gastrointestinal effect. Objective: The gastrointestinal effect of the methanol extract of ST rhizome (STR) was evaluated. Materials and methods: Study was conducted from February to December 2018. In vivo, antidiarrheal activity of STR (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg; orally) in castor oil-induced diarrheal mice was studied. In vitro, the effects of STR (0.01–10 mg/mL) on the isolated tissue preparations of rabbit jejunum were also investigated, the rabbit jejunum stripes were pre-contracted with Ach (10−5 M), K+ (60 mM) and tested in the presence of STR, the possible spasmolytic effect was analyzed in the pretreatment of the jejunum preparations with STR or verapamil in Ca2+-free high-K+ (60 mM) solution containing EDTA. Results: STR (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) exhibited antidiarrheal activity. STR (0.01–10 mg/mL) completely relaxed spontaneously contracting, Ach (10−5 M) and high K+ (60 mM) induced contracted jejunum with an EC50 value of 0.66 (0.49–0.96), 0.39 (0.28–0.44) and 0.17 (0.10–0.21), similar to verapamil. Concentration–response curves of CaCl2 could be significantly moved to the right and down in the presence of STR (0.3, 1 mg/mL). Discussion and conclusions: Results suggest the presence of antidiarrheal activity and spasmolytic effects of STR, possibly mediated through Ca2+ channel blocking activity, providing the pharmacological basis for its traditional uses in gastrointestinal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest stands of Pinus yunnanensis Franch in southwestern China are seriously damaged by several bark living insect pests. These pests commonly exist in the same host tree and exploit limited phloem resources. In this study, we hypothesized that sympatric pests would occupy different ecological niches to reduce interspecific competition, and their coordinated attack would aggravate the tree vigor decline of P. yunnanensis. To quantify the ecological niches, we used a sampling method involving three dimensional divisions of tree resource states: (a) sample plot dimension (to evaluate the extent of pest colonization at plot scale), (b) trunk height dimension, and (c) tree vigor dimension. Those attacked pine canopies and colonized trunks were analysed in the field study. The results showed that Tomicus minor and Tomicus yunnanensis both widely and uniformly distributed in lightly, moderately and heavily damaged canopies while they aggregated on particular trunks of dying and withered trees. Lower and middle trunk sections (1–4 m) were mainly occupied by Monochamus alternatus and T. minor, yet T. yunnanensis dominated the upper parts (5–6 m). There was an overlap of the pine shoot beetles in the middle sections (2–4 m), whereas all three species were ecologically segregated in other trunk sections. During the shoot feeding phase, tree vigor declined with pine shoot beetles' increasing shoot feeding density. They coexisted in the same host tree, while M. alternatus only attacked dying and withered tree trunks, causing a greater infestation. Colonization of pine shoot beetle then followed by M. alternatus could be the major causes of tree mortality. This study highlights the resource utilization pattern of sympatric bark living insect pests corresponding with tree vitality. Those findings would help to understand the mechanisms of pest outbreak in P. yunnanensis ecosystem and provide potential guidance for developing an early monitoring pest warning system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mercury in soil, needles, and tree rings varied and responded to point pollution source. • The cement factory was the main Hg point-pollution source in our study site. • The Hg accumulation occurred in needles and tree bark recorded the highest Hg concentration compared to the others. • Needles, tree bark, and tree rings are the effective bioindicators for Hg pollution. Mercury (Hg) is a potent neurotoxin in low concentrations and can be transported over a long distance in the atmosphere. Due to Hg accumulation, plant tissues could be used as a low-cost and efficient biological indicator. A significant linear relationship was found between Hg value and organic carbon content in soil, and the highest Hg concentration reached up to the level of 267.1 ng/g in the topsoil layer near the coal-fired power plant. There were evident distance-dependent variations of Hg concentration in needles close to the cement factory. There was a significant Hg accumulation in the needles from all sites, and the highest Hg concentrations were observed in needle samples from the site nearest to the cement factory (HXG1). Hg in tree rings increased by year gradually for all sites, with the highest concentrations of Hg recorded in the site closest to the cement factory. The tree bark of the HXG1 site recorded the highest Hg concentration (65.8 ng/g), reflecting the total Hg deposition from the atmosphere and cement dust associated-Hg loading over the region. Due to the limited data, however, we cannot confirm the possible translocation of Hg from tree bark to outmost tree rings at this time. Overall, we concluded that in our study area, most of the accumulated Hg emissions originated from the cement factory. Even at low Hg concentrations, Hg in tree-rings, needles and barks could not only be used as bioindicators for Hg pollution but also infer the pollution history over long-term periods and to enhance our understandings of the biogeochemical Hg cycling in the forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminthia paniculata (Sanyeqi) is widely used for treating inflammation and rheumatic arthritis in the folk areas of Yunnan province, China. Its total extract was first revealed with xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity in vitro and anti-hyperuricemic effect in vivo. Bioassay-guided separation on Fr. A5 yielded six chalcone-flavonone heterodimers, termipaniculatones A-F. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses involving HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR and [ α ] D , and the absolute configuration of termipaniculatone F was verified by ECD calculation. Termipaniculatones A and E showed obvious XO inhibitory activity with IC 50 values of 55.6 and 89.5 μ M, respectively, which took effects via a mix-type mode. A molecular modeling study revealed that termipaniculatone A was well located into the active site of XO by interacting with Glu802, Arg880, Thr1010 and Val1011 residues. Termipaniculatone A showed anti-hyperuricemic effects by decreasing serum uric acid levels and inhibiting XO activity in both serum and liver on potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemia mice, and anti-inflammatory activity through alleviating paw swelling on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced mice, at the concentration of 20 mg/kg. This is the first time to reveal the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-acute gouty arthritis potency of T. paniculata and the characteristic biflavonoids as active constituents, which provides valuable information for searching new XO inhibitors from natural sources. Image 1 • Six undescribed chalcone-flavonone heterodimers were isolated from T. paniculata. • Termipaniculatones A and E showed obvious XO inhibition (IC 50 = 55.6 and 89.5 μ M). • Termipaniculatone A protected hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daphne acutiloba Rehd., belonging to Daphne genus of Thymelaeaceae is an evergreen shrub mainly distributed in the west of China. The roots, stem barks, leaves and fruits of this plant had been used as folk medicines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthriths, apoplesia and stomachache ache. Daphne diterpenes and tieranes diterpenes, guaiacane type sesquiterpene, lignans, diflavane and flavonoids, sterides, aliphatics and phenols were isolated from Daphne acutiloba Rehd. Researches demonstrated that the main chemical constituents of D. acutiloba Rehd. have multiple activities and good development prospect. This paper is presented as a review centering on the main chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of D. acutiloba Rehd. for the further research and development of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new triterpenoid saponins, julibrosides A5–A7 (1–3), together with five known saponins (4–8), were isolated from the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and chemical methods. Compounds 7 and 8 were isolated from the genus Albizia for the first time. The new compounds showed no cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extension of the healthy life span is of primary importance for the aging society. Among exercise, healthy nutrition, and mental training, food supplements are widely used as preventive measures to postpone the diverse symptoms of aging. The extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, Pycnogenol, rich on flavonoids, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative property, proven in in vivo studies. The extract reduces oxidative stress and improves endothelial health. Its antithrombotic properties are based on inhibition of platelet aggregation. In double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies, Pycnogenol shows diverse positive effects. With respect to cardiovascular symptoms, the extract has an antihypertensive effect, slows down the progression of atherosclerosis, and prevents venous thrombosis. As reported in studies in China and the United States, type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy is improved with Pycnogenol. The extract restores mobility of seniors in case of patients suffering from osteoarthritis, Pycnogenol reduces pain and stiffness and use of analgesics. Furthermore, cognitive functions of elderly people, especially spatial memory, are significantly ameliorated. Climacteric symptoms are significantly alleviated by the pine bark extract. Urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia are reduced by Pycnogenol. In combination with L-arginine, Pycnogenol restores erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction. The sum of these positive effects on relevant symptoms of aging suggests using Pycnogenol for a more extended period of healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical investigation of the stem bark of Ficus tsiangii led to the isolation of a new coumarin ficuscoumarin (1) and a new norlignan ficuslignan (2) by chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, a single species of Eucommia genus belonging to the Eucommiaceae family, is an endemic in China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for nearly two thousand years. Records from different historical periods highlight E. ulmoides and its officinal botanical parts, usefulness in adaptation to disease and its central role in Chinese medicine theory. There are also historical collection documents for minorities in China. Tearing the leaves, bark and fruit produces strands of latex; a description of E. ulmoides's morphological features is recorded in this paper. This review summarizes 204 natural compounds isolated from this plant, which are divided into seven categories: lignans, iridoids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, terpenes and others. These components possess wide-ranging pharmacological efficacies, such as antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemia, anti-oxidative, anti-osteoporosis, antitumor, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective activities. This review aims to provide a reference for extensive researches of E. ulmoides crude drugs, especially for quality control, biosynthesis and structure modification of active ingredients and pharmacological mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new ergostane steroids, 7α-acetoxyl-ergosta-5,24(28)-diene-3β,4β,20S-triol (1), 7α-acetoxyl-ergosta-5,24(28)-diene-3β,4β-diol (2), and 7α-acetoxyl-ergosta-5,24(28)-3β-ol (3) were isolated from the ethanol extract of stem bark of Dysoxylum mollissimum BI. Structural elucidation of all the compounds was performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. All the isolated steroids were in vitro evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity against COX-1 and COX-2. As a result, steroids 1-3 exhibited modest selective inhibition for COX-1 (>60%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. (Simaroubaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant used widely in India and China in various health conditions. The morphology and microscopical evaluation are most preferred quality control parameter, in order to establish its quality and purity, we report some important pharmacognostic profile of A. excelsa stem-bark for the purpose of its identification and differentiation from related species. The study of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the stem bark were carried out to determine the morphological, microscopical, some physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. Presence of lignified multicellular trichrome, stone cells, scleroids, lignified pericyclic fibre, phloem fibre, prismatic calcium oxalate, starch grains and uni to multiserrate non-lignified medullary rays observed as distinguishing microscopical characteristics in transverse section and powder studies. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening indicated presence of alkaloids, glycoside, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. In addition, quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed significant amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content. The present study will be useful for its identification prior to carrying out further research work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree bark is considered as an effective passive sampler for estimating the atmospheric status of pollutants. In this study, we conducted a national scale tree bark sampling campaign across China. Concentration profiles revealed that Eastern China, especially the Jing-Jin-Ji region (including Hebei Province, Beijing and Tianjin) was a hot spot of bark DDT pollution. The enantioselective accumulation of o,p’ -DDT was observed in most of the samples and 68% of them showed a preferential depletion of (+)- o,p’ -DDT. These results suggest that DDTs in rural bark are likely from combined sources including historical technical DDTs and fresh dicofol usage. The tree bulk DDT levels were found to correlate with soil DDT concentrations, socioeconomy and PM 2.5 of the sampling sites. It thus becomes evident that the reemission from soils and subsequent atmospheric deposition were the major pathways leading to the accumulation of DDTs in bark. Based on a previously established bark-air partitioning model, the concentrations of DDTs in the air were estimated from measured concentrations in tree bark, and the results were comparable to those obtained by the use of passive sampling with polyurethane foam (PUF) disks. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of delineating the spatial variations in atmospheric concentration and tracing sources of DDTs by integrating the use of tree bark with enantiomeric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compatible taper and volume models were created for Quercus variabilis Blume (cork oak) forests in North China. 174 trees were felled to obtain stem analysis data. Linear mixed effects analyses were used in modelling. Firstly, a bark thickness model was built. Then diameter at breast height over bark (DBHob) for the inner layers of the 174 trees could be calculated, based on which a total volume model was built. The estimated volume and a specific parameter restriction were then substituted into a polynomial taper model, finally the taper model was fitted and compatible taper and volume models were obtained. Four sets of models based on different data sets were separately built and compared through coefficients of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), value of Akaike's information criterion (AIC), residuals plots and histograms of residuals. Models based on data of the analyzed stems without ramicorns and simultaneously with relative diameter under 1.5 were chosen as the most precise. Further testing of the chosen models using the jackknife method for the bark thickness and total volume models and a validation data set for the taper model verified that those models can be used to predict bark thickness, diameter at a specific point along the stem, merchantable volume and total stem volume of cork oak forests in North China within specific tree diameter at breast height and height ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using existing equations to estimate the biomass of a single tree or a forest stand still involves large uncertainties. In this study, we developed individual-tree biomass models for Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata.) stands in Fujian Province, southeast China, by using 74 previously established models that have been most commonly used to estimate tree biomass. We selected the best fit models and modified them. The results showed that the published model ln(B(Biomass)) = a + b * ln(D) + c * (ln(H))2 + d * (ln(H))3 + e * ln(WD) had the best fit for estimating the tree biomass of Chinese Fir stands. Furthermore, we observed that variables D(diameter at breast height), H (height), and WD(wood density)were significantly correlated with the total tree biomass estimation model. As a result, a natural logarithm structure gave the best estimates for the tree biomass structure. Finally, when a multi-step improvement on tree biomass model was performed, the tree biomass model with Tree volume(TV), WD and biomass wood density conversion factor (BECF),achieved the highest simulation accuracy, expressed as ln(TB) = −0.0703 + 0.9780 * ln(TV) + 0.0213 * ln(WD) + 1.0166 * ln(BECF). Therefore, when TV, WD and BECF were combined with tree biomass volume coefficient bi for Chinese Fir, the stand biomass (SB)model included both volume(SV) and coefficient bi variables of the stand as follows: bi = Exp(−0.0703+0.9780*ln(TV)+0.0213 * ln(WD)+1.0166*ln(BECF)). The stand biomass model is SB = SV/TV * bi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree bark samples were collected from 15 sites across western China in 2013, and the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and new polybrominated flame retardant (NBFR) concentrations in the samples were determined. The mean total PBDE concentration was 51.8 ng/g lipid weight, which was 85.2% to 99.4% lower than in Chinese eastern coastal areas and the E-waste recycling areas. The dominant PBDE congener was BDE209, and its mean concentration was 49 ng/g lipid weight. The mean 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo- p-xylene, pentabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene, and hexabromobenzene concentrations were 0.61 ng/g, 0.97 ng/g, 0.68 ng/g, and 0.68 ng/g lw, respectively. The PBDE and NBFR concentrations in the air at the sampling sites were estimated from the concentrations in the tree bark samples. The estimated mean total PBDE and total NBFR concentrations in air were 58.5 pg/m3 and 2.76 pg/m3, respectively. The sources of NBFR emissions were found to be different from the sources of PBDE emissions, as no relationship was found between the NBFR and PBDE concentrations, and it appeared that sources of measured hexabromobenzene, pentabromobenzene, and pentabromotoluene in tree bark in western China include industrial activity related to the aluminum industry. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1364-1370. © 2015 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers were deployed and tree bark samples were collected at 15 sites across western China in 2013, and the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) concentrations in the samples were determined. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its degradation products (collectively called DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were the dominant OCPs in the PUF samples and tree bark samples. The mean DDTs, HCHs and HCB concentrations were 33, 22 and 18 ng/sample in the PUF samples, and 428, 74, and 43 ng/(g lipid weight (lw)) in the tree bark, respectively. The OCP concentrations in the air, calculated using PUF–air and tree-bark–air partitioning models, were of the same order of magnitude. Both sample types showed that relatively fresh inputs of DDT and HCHs to the environment have occurred in western China. Meanwhile, PUF passive samplers were compared with the use of tree bark samples as passive samplers. The OCP compositions in the PUF and tree bark samples were different. Only the relatively stable OCPs (such as HCB, β-HCH and p,p′ -dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE)) were consistent in the PUF and tree bark samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook) is one of the most important plantation tree species in China with good timber quality and fast growth. It covers an area of 8.54 million hectare, which corresponds to 21% of the total plantation area and 32% of total plantation volume in China. With the increasing market demand, an accurate estimation and prediction of merchantable volume at tree- and stand-level is becoming important for plantation owners. Although there are many studies on the total tree volume estimation from allometric models, these allometric models cannot predict tree- and stand-level merchantable volume at any merchantable height, and the stand-level merchantable volume model was not seen yet in Chinese fir plantations. This study aimed to develop (1) a compatible taper function for tree-level merchantable volume estimation, and (2) a stand-level merchantable volume model for Chinese fir plantations. This “taper function system” consisted in a taper function, a merchantable volume equation and a total tree volume equation. 46 Chinese fir trees were felled to develop the taper function in Shitai County, Anhui province, China. A second-order continuous autoregressive error structure corrected the inherent serial autocorrelation of different observations in one tree. The taper function and volume equations were fitted simultaneously after autocorrelation correction. The compatible taper function fitted well to our data and had very good performances in diameter and total tree volume prediction. The stand-level merchantable volume equation based on the ratio approach was developed using basal area, dominant height, quadratic mean diameter and top diameter (ranging from 0 to 30 cm) as independent variables. At last, a total stand-level volume table using stand basal area and dominant height as variables was proposed for local forest managers to simplify the stand volume estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Eucommiae cortex (EC), the bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., has been traditionally used to treat many diseases in China for more than 2000 years. The pharmacological effects are primarily attributed to the presence of lignans, iridoids and phenolics, which are main active ingredients in EC. Aim of the study First, to investigate the active ingredients that can be absorbed into the rat plasma according to which ingredients exhibit significant correlation of drug concentration–time curve. Second, to establish an efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of ingredients absorbed in rat plasma. Finally, to investigate gender effect on the pharmacokinetics of the ingredients absorbed in male and female rats plasma after oral administration with EC extract. Materials and methods 18 ingredients from EC were detected by UPLC-MS/MS, 9 out of 18 ingredients were absorbed into rat plasma. And 5 ingredients exhibit significant correlation of drug concentration–time curve. They were pinoresinol di-O- β -d-glucopyranoside (PDG), geniposide (GE), geniposidic acid (GA), aucubin (AN) and chlorogenic acid (CA). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma via a simple protein precipitation procedure and osalmid was used as the internal standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) using a gradient elution program with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid water as the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 0.3 mL min −1 . The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode in a positive ion mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). The transition monitored were / z 683.00[M+H] + →235.10 for PDG, / z 389.00[M+H] + →208.80 for GE, m / z 375.00[M+H] + →194.79 for GA, m / z 364.00[M+NH 4 ] + →148.81 for AN, m / z 355.10[M+H] + →162.84 for CA and m / z 230.03[M+H] + →120.77 for internal standard. Results The developed method showed good linearity over a wide concentration range, the lower limits of quantification and higher accuracy and precision for determination of the 5 analytes. Then the method was applied to study the pharmacokinetics in rats, and the results indicated that there were significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of the analytes between the male and female rats, and absorptions of these analytes in male group were all significantly higher than those in female group. Conclusion This study established an efficient, sensitive and selective UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of the five ingredients in rat plasma, and it could be successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic studies in male and female rats after oral administration with EC extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To isolate antifungal compound from Paeonia suffruticosa, and to find the antifungal mechanisms by observing the ultrastructural modifications of yeasts in growth phase produced by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG). Methods: Peony ( Paeonia suffruticosa) root bark (PRB) was separated by solvent extraction and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using analytical and preparative reversed phase C18 column on the basis of bio-assay method. In order to investigate the antifungal mechanism of PGG, Yeasts were submitted to different concentrations [3 × minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), 0.3 × MIC] for 1 h under constant stirring at 30 °C, and transmission electron microscopy was performed. Results: Based on the antifungal activity of PRB on Candida glabrata CBS138, the antifungal compound were isolated in ethyl acetate layer of PRB and identified as PGG by mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, with molecular weight of 940 and molecular formular as CHO. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PGG degraded the cell wall envelope. Conclusion: The results suggest that PGG may be responsible for the antifungal activity of PRB by disrupting the structure of cell wall directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental issue caused by atmospheric hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) has been a worldwide concern due to their long-range transport potential. Tree bark is an excellent passive sampler for monitoring atmospheric pollutants. In this study, bark samples from agricultural regions across China were collected and analyzed to elucidate the contamination status of atmospheric HCHs and the enantiomeric composition of chiral α-HCH. Average contents of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, and ∑HCHs in bark were 1.16, 2.51, 1.67, 0.368, and 5.71 ng/g (dry basis), respectively. Jing-Jin-Tang region was identified as the "hot-spot" of bark HCHs in China. Their residues were likely from the combined sources of historical applications of technical HCHs and lindane through long-distance transport. HCH contents were found inversely correlated with annual precipitation and temperature, but positively correlated with PM10 or PM2.5 due to the bioaccumulation of both vapor- and particle-phase HCHs by tree bark. Most bark samples preferentially accumulated (+)-α-HCH, and the enantiomeric fractions (EFs) of α-HCH were positively correlated with α-HCH concentrations and the elevations of sampling locations. Compared to atmospheric analysis, tree bark analysis and enantiomeric signatures provide valuable time-integrated information on the spatial distribution and transport pathways of atmospheric HCHs on the national scale in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article deals with the use of tree barks as a natural trap for airborne spores and pollen grains in China. The study carried out at the southern part of Beijing Botanical Garden, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences has yielded a variety of palynomorphs mostly belonging to tree taxa. New methodologies for extraction of palynomorphs from tree barks have been suggested. Bark samples were collected from three taxa, i.e., Paulownia fortunei Hemsl. (Scrophulariaceae), Quercus dentata Thunb. (Fagaceae), and Picea meyeri Rehder & E.H. Wilson (Pinaceae) having different bark morphologies. P. fortunei with a comparatively soft and fissured bark is believed to have a greater potential for trapping airborne spores and pollen grains compared to the stiff and less fissured barks of Q. dentata and the scaly bark of P. meyeri. Old barks yield better data in terms of quantity and quality of trapped pollen and spores. The present study throws new light on the modern pollen rain, spore-pollen dispersal, and their deposition in and around Beijing Botanical Garden, and other different parts of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Chemical characteristics of both bark coal and barkinite were discussed. [•] Barkinite is characterized by a highly aliphatic structure. [•] The classification of barkinite would be type I–II kerogen. [•] Chemical structural characteristics of barkinite seem close to vitrinite. [•] Available date on both bark coal and barkinite were concluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The different barks were sampled to discuss the influence of the tree species, trunk circumference, and bark thickness on the accumulation processes of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from air into the bark. The results of different PBDE concentrations indicated that barks with a thickness of 0-3 mm collected from weeping willow, Camphor tree, and Masson pine, the trunk circumferences of which were 100 to 150 cm, were better PBDEs passive samplers. Furthermore, tree bark and the corresponding air samples were collected at Anji (AJ), Hangzhou (HZ), Shanghai (SH), and Wenling (WL) to investigate the relationship between the PBDE concentrations in bark and those in air. In addition, the significant correlation ( r = 0.906; P < 0.05) indicated that atmospheric PBDEs were the principle source for the accumulation of PBDEs in the barks. In this study, the log K (bark-air partition coefficient) of individual PBDE congeners at the four sites were in the range from 5.69 to 6.79. Finally, the total PBDE concentration in WL was 5 to 20 times higher than in the other three cities. The result indicated that crude household workshops contributed a heavy amount of PBDEs pollution to the environment, which had been verified by the spatial distribution of PBDEs levels in barks collected at Wenling (range, 26.53-1317.68 ng/g dw). The good correlation between the PBDE concentrations in the barks and the air samples and the variations of the PBDE concentrations in tree barks collected from different sites reflected that the bark could be used as a passive sampler to indicate the atmospheric PBDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Paeonol is a phenolic compound isolated mainly from Moutan cortex, root bark of Chinese Peony tree. Moutan cortex holds a significant value in traditional Chinese medicine for alleviating various oxidative stress-related diseases mainly atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. The present study seeks to identify the protective mechanisms of paeonol in oxidative stress-induced premature senescence in endothelial cells. Materials and methods: HUVECs were pretreated with paeonol or DMSO control at different doses for 24h prior to an exposure of 200?M of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The protective effects of paeonol against H2O2-induced senescence were evaluated and the activation of Sirtuin 1 pathway by paeonol pretreatment was investigated in HUVECs. Results: Paeonol attenuated H2O2-induced cell growth arrest at G0/G1 phase, reduced the percentage of SA-?-Gal positive cells and increased BrdU incorporation. In addition, enzymatic Sirt1 activation assay indicated that paeonol significantly increased lysyl deactylase activity of Sirt1 enzyme with a fold change of 2.4±0.195 (p<0.05). Furthermore, pretreatment with paeonol significantly decreased the levels of p53, acetyl H3K14 and H4K16 protein expression upregulated by H2O2 stimulation. The changes in the histone protein levels were accompanied with an increase in Sirt1 protein expression level. Conclusion: These findings suggest that paeonol protects endothelial cells against oxidative stress-induced premature senescence by modulating the expressions of Sirt1 protein and its substrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV), the causal agent of plum bark necrosis stem pitting disease, belongs to the genus Ampelovirus in the family Closteroviridae. The complete genome sequence of PBNSPaV isolates from four Prunus sources was determined by pyrosequencing. All isolates showed the same genomic organization as the PBNSPaV reference isolate. The least divergent isolate, found in a peach tree from China, showed an overall 91.8% of nucleotide identity with the type isolate. Two closely related isolates, defining a second cluster of diversity, were found in two Japanese plum lines from France and showed only 82.8% identity with the type isolate. On the other hand, they were highly homologous with two recently described PBNSPaV divergent isolates from China. The fourth and most divergent isolate, from a Chinese peach, showed only 71.2% identity to other PBNSPaV isolates and was not detected by currently available PBNSPaV reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction detection assays. Complete sequencing of the divergent isolates allowed the development of a more broadspectrum detection test targeting a conserved region in the P61 gene. Taken together, these results indicate a much broader diversity of PBNSPaV than previously thought and provide for a more robust detection of this still poorly characterized pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006, a new canker was observed on trees of Populus x euramericana "14/76' and P. x euramericana 'Zhonglin 46' in the Henan and Shandong provinces of China. The disease, which is characterized by canker with white exudates dripping from the bark, occurred mainly in the summer. A particular gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium was repeatedly isolated from the infected samples and proven to infect trees of P x euramericana by Koch's postulates. Through a polyphasic taxonomic approach using sequence, DNA-DNA hybridization, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic data, the poplar isolates were identified as Lonsdalea quercina subsp. populi, a subspecies very recently described based on isolates from oozing bark canker of poplar (P. x euramericana) trees in Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence and intensity of bark stripping of trees by ungulates was investigated at no bamboo ( Fargesia nitida (Mitford) Keng f. ex Yi) (B-) site and understory bamboo dominant (B+) site of a subalpine Abies faxoniana Rehder & E. H. Wilson forest, southwest China. The percentage of damaged trees in B-site was higher than in B+ site. Bark stripping obviously occurred more frequently on Abies faxoniana compared to other tree species. Appearance of stripped bark and dead stems of the trees in different size-classes of A. faxoniana strongly depended on the density of dwarf bamboo at the site, and also on the size and bark structure of the trees, with highest damage rates occurring on the smaller DBH classes (10-40 cm) in B-site. The bark stripping intensity of A. faxoniana decreased significantly with higher density and coverage of F. nitida around damaged trees. Therefore, there is an indirect negative effect of the distribution of dwarf bamboo, F. nitida, on bark stripping of tree species. We suggest the indirect effects of dwarf bamboo species should be taken into account while considering the succession and regeneration of natural forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two pseudoscorpion species of the genus Atemnus Canestrini, 1884 are reported from China: A. limuensis sp. nov. from the Ormosia tree bark in a humid tropical forest and A. politus Simon, 1878 from leaf litter in a temperate deciduous forest. A key to all known species of this genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) is a mixture of flavonoids, and showed a capability of inducing cell apoptosis; however, its properties have not yet been fully investigated. This paper evaluates the antitumor effects of PMBE in murine sarcoma S180 both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the growth inhibition of S180 cells was concentration dependent on PMBE as shown by the CCK-8 assay. The AO/EB staining and flow cytometry assay showed that PMBE induced S180 cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the cells in the S phase were decreased by treatment with PMBE. In vivo, the treatment of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg PMBE reduced the tumor weight and volume of S180-bearing NIH mice by 9%-67% and 13%-68%, respectively. Peripheral leukocyte count and lymphoproliferation were increased significantly after treatment with PMBE. Our results suggest that PMBE inhibits the tumor cell growth by inducing cell apoptosis and improving lymphoproliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three new 2-arylbenzofurans named wittifuran H, wittifuran I and wittifuran U (1–3) were obtained during our ongoing investigation of an ethanol extract from the stem bark of Morus wittiorum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compound 2 displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity and selective cytotoxicity against human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 with an IC50 value of 1.45μM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The extracts from leaves, heartwood, barks and roots of the Streblus asper were investigated for anti-HBV activities, separately. The results suggested that the MeOH extracts of the heartwood, barks, and roots exhibited good anti-HBV activities. Further investigations displayed that ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble parts of their MeOH extracts showed more significant anti-HBV activities. Moreover, a new lignan, together with 11 known compounds, was isolated from n-butanol-soluble part of MeOH extract of the roots of S. asper. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR), 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC) and HR-EI-MS experiments. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their anti-HBV activities. Honokiol showed significant anti-HBV activity with IC50 values of 3.14μM and 4.74μM for HBsAg and HBeAg with no cytotoxicity respectively, while lamivudine (3TC, positive control) exhibited weak anti-HBV activity with IC50 values of 11.81μM and 25.80μM for HBsAg and HBeAg respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Twenty-nine phenolic compounds were isolated from the root bark of fresh (Yunnan) ginger and their structures fully characterized. Selected compounds were divided into structural categories and twelve compounds subjected to in-vitro assays including DPPH radical scavenging, xanthine-oxidase inhibition, monoamine oxidase inhibition, rat-brain homogenate lipid peroxidation, and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell and primary liver cell viability to determine their antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. Isolated compounds were also tested against nine human tumor cell lines to characterize anticancer potency. Several diarylheptanoids and epoxidic diarylheptanoids were effective DPPH radical scavengers and moderately effective at inhibiting xanthine oxidase. An enone–dione analog of 6-shogaol (compound 2) was isolated and identified to be most effective at protecting PC12 cells from H2O2-induced damage. Almost all tested compounds inhibited lipid peroxidation. Three compounds, 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol and an enone-diarylheptanoid analog of curcumin (compound 6) were identified to be cytotoxic in cell lines tested, with KB and HL60 cells most susceptible to 6-shogaol and the curcumin analog with IC50 <10μM. QSAR analysis revealed cytotoxicity was related to compound lipophilicity and chemical reactivity. In conclusion, we observed distinct compounds in fresh ginger to have biological activities relevant in diseases associated with reactive oxygen species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver is a perennial woody plant distributed widely in China. To characterize some major compounds in E. ulmoides bark extract, six compounds were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography qualitative analysis. E. ulmoides bark extract protects against cadmium-induced oxidative damage in rat kidneys. Two compounds of E. ulmoides bark extract, geniposide and genipin, which were identified both in serum and in kidney tissue, showed inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production. This study provides biological evidence supporting the usefulness of E. ulmoides bark against cadmium-induced toxic oxidative stress in rat kidney tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical examination of the methanolic extract from the stem bark of Daphne feddei led to the isolation of three new dicoumarin glucosides (1–3), and eight known coumarins, dicoumarins and dicoumarin glucosides. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectral data and comparison with the literature values. All compounds were tested for inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and compounds 4 and 5 showed potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.161 and 0.127 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]