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Four new species, Xynobius azonius sp. nov., X. brevifemora sp. nov., X. duoferus sp. nov., and X. stipitoides sp. nov., are described and illustrated, and one species X. geniculatus (Thomson, 1895) is newly reported from South Korea. Xynobius geniculatus (Thomson, 1895) is redescribed and illustrated, and a new combination, Xynobius (Stigmatopoea) cubitalis (Fischer, 1959), comb. nov. is suggested. An identification key to the Xynobius species known from South Korea is provided.

Pleosporales comprise a diverse group of fungi with a global distribution and significant ecological importance. A survey on Pleosporales (in Didymosphaeriaceae, Roussoellaceae and Nigrogranaceae) in Guizhou Province, China, was conducted. Specimens were identified, based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses using a dataset composed of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1 and rpb2 loci. Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analyses were performed. As a result, three new species (Neokalmusia karka, Nigrograna schinifolium and N. trachycarpus) have been discovered, along with two new records for China (Roussoella neopustulans and R. doimaesalongensis) and a known species (Roussoella pseudohysterioides). Morphologically similar species and phylogenetically close taxa are compared and discussed. This study provides detailed information and descriptions of all newly-identified taxa.

In this study, fungal specimens of the family Diatrypaceae were collected from karst areas in Guizhou, Hainan and Yunnan Provinces, China. Morpho-molecular analyses confirmed that these new collections comprise a new genus Pseudodiatrype, three new species (Diatrype lancangensis, Diatrypella pseudooregonensis and Eutypa cerasi), a new combination (Diatrypella oregonensis), two new records (Allodiatrype thailandica and Diatrypella vulgaris) from China and two other known species (Neoeutypella baoshanensis and Paraeutypella citricola). The new taxa are introduced, based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, β-tubulin), as well as morphological analyses. The new genus Pseudodiatrype is characterised by its wart-like stromata with 5–20 ascomata immersed in one stroma and the endostroma composed of thin black outer and inner layers of large white cells with thin, powdery, yellowish cells. These characteristics separate this genus from two similar genera Allodiatrype and Diatrype. Based on morphological as well as phylogenetic analyses, Diatrype lancangensis is introduced as a new species of Diatrype. The stromata of Diatrype lancangensis are similar to those of D. subundulata and D. undulate, but the ascospores are larger. Based on phylogenetic analyses, Diatrype oregonensis is transferred to the genus Diatrypella as Diatrypella oregonensis while Diatrypella pseudooregonensis is introduced as a new species of Diatrypella with 8 spores in an ascus. In addition, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses show that Eutypa cerasi is closely related to E. lata, but the ascomata and asci of Eutypa cerasi are smaller. The polyphyletic nature of some genera of Diatrypaceae has led to confusion in the classification of the family, thus we discuss whether the number of ascospores per asci can still be used as a basis for classification.

Sophora flavescens is a regularly used traditional Chinese medicine. In an attempt to discover adequate active agents, the isoprenoid flavonoids from S. flavescens were further investigated. In this work, two new compounds (1–2, kurarinol A-B) together with 26 known ones (3–28) were isolated and elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR, UV and MS analyses. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of all constituents was assessed through ABTS, PTIO and DPPH methodologies and also were evaluated for cytotoxic activity by three tumor cell lines (HepG2, A549 and MCF7) and one human normal cell line (LO2 cells). As a result, a multitude of components revealed significant inhibitory activity. In particular, compound 1–2 (kurarinol A-B), two new flavanonols derivatives, exhibited the most potent ABTS inhibitory activity with IC50 of 1.21 µg/mL and 1.81 µg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, the new compound 1 demonstrated remarkable cytotoxicity against three cancer cells lines with IC50 values ranging from 7.50–10.55 μM but showed little effect on the normal cell. The two new isoprenoid flavonoids could be promising antioxidant and anti-tumor nature agents.

[Objectives] To study the main active components, targets and related pathways of Ningmitai capsule for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) based on network pharmacology. [Methods] The chemical components of Ningmitai capsule were collected through literature search, and the relevant target information of the components was sorted out. The UTIs-associated targets were also screened out using DisGeNET database and GeneCards database. Cytoscape 3.6.1 software and STRING platform were used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and MCODE plug-in in this software was used to analyze the action pathway and key targets of Ningmitai capsule for the treatment of UTIs. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of key targets was conducted using David database, and the component-target-pathway network diagram of Ningmitai capsule for the treatment of UTIs was established. [Results] A total of 37 active compounds, including salicylate, ferulic acid, baicalin, quercetin, apigenin and ellagic acid were screened from seven TCM components of Ningmitai capsule. There were 26 possible targets related to the treatment of UTIs, such as NFKB1, JUN, CTNNB1 and STAT3, which play an important role for the treatment of UTIs through prostate cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer and other signaling pathways. [Conclusions] The study provides a theoretical basis for the study of the mechanism of Ningmitai capsule in the treatment of UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of Whalleya from Guizhou and Hainan Provinces were collected during the investigation of Xylariales from 2019 to 2021. According to morphological and molecular characteristics, Whalleya hainanensis sp. nov. and W. microplaca are introduced. Whalleya hainanensis differs from W. microplaca by its obovoid or tubular perithecia and the slightly raised stromata; and differs from W. maculata by its smaller ascospores. Their detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided. The taxonomic position of Whalleya is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[ Objectives ] To investigate the inhibitory effect and possible mechanism of essential oil from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix on microglia activation induced by lipopolysaccharide $ LPS ). [ Methods ] The LPS-induced microglia activation model was established and treated with different doses of essential oil from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix. MTT assay was used to detect cell viability, ELISA to detect IL-6 secretion, RT-PCR to detect mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1, NF-kB, and IkBcc, Western blotting to detect the protein expression of IL-6, IL-1,NF-kB, IkBcc, and their phosphorylated products. [ Results] Compared with the norma control group, the model group showed increased IL-6 content $ A<0.01), upregulated mRNA and protein levels of IL-6, IL-1", and NF-kB $ A<0.01), and elevated ratio of P-IkBcc/IkBcc $ A < 0. 05). Compared with the model group, 4 and 2 xg /L essential oil from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix reduced the content of IL-6 $ A < 0. 05), while 4, 2, and 1 xg /L essential oil from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of IL-6, IL-1 and NF-kB to varying degrees $ A < 0. 05 or A < 0. 01), up-regulate the mRNA expression of IkBcc $ A <0. 05 or A <0.01), and decreased the ratio of P-IkBcc/IkBcc $ A <0.05 or A <0.01). [ Conclusions] Essential oil from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix can inhibit LPS-induced microglia activation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the NF-kB/IkBcc signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To provide theoretical foundation for protection and utilization of Sophora flavescens in Guizhou. [Methods] Con tents of alkaloids ad flavonoids in S. flavescens from different habitats of Guizhou Province were studied by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. [Results] The content of alkaloids in S. flavescens was 15.60% in Dafang County, Bijie City and 15.20% in Sinan County, Tongren City, obviously higher than that of other habitats. The content of flavonoids in S. flavescens from Laoyingshan Town, Liupanshui City was the highest, reaching 15.70%. [Conclusions] There were big differences between various habitats in the contents of alkaloids and flavonoids in S. flavescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The aim was to determine the optimum process for the extraction of volatile oil from Alpinia zerumbet fruit. [Methods] Steam distiilation was used to extract volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit. Based on the single factor tests, an orthogonal test was designed to explore the effects of solid-liquid ratio, soaking time, extraction time and grinding degree of material on the extraction rate. The composition of volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the relative mass fraction of each component was determined by peak area normalization. [Results] With volatile oil yield as the index, the optimum extraction process was determined: solid to liquid ratio of 1:10, soaking time of 0.5 h, grinding degree of passing through 24-mesh sieve and extraction time of 5 h. A total of 29 compounds were isolated. Among them, the contents of a-terpinene (24. 894%), 1, 8-terpadiene (15.527%) and α-pinene (6. 982%) were relatively high. [Conclusions] The optimized extraction process for volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit is stable and reasonable. Under the optimum extraction process, the extraction effect of volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit was the best. The chemical components of volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit were determined by GC-MS as α-terpinene (24. 894%), 1, 8-terpadiene (15.527%) and α-pinene (6.982%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]