Search

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The genus Polygonatum Tourn, ex Mill. contains numerous chemical components, such as steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others, it possesses diverse pharmacological activities, such as anti-aging, anti-tumor, immunological regulation, as well as blood glucose management and fat reducing properties. Aim of the review: This study reviews the current state of research on the systematic categorization, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and processing changes of the plants belonging to the genus Polygonatum, to provide a theoretical foundation for their scientific development and rational application. Materials and methods: The information was obtained by searching the scientific literature published between 1977 and 2022 on online databases (including PubMed, CNKI, SciFinder, and Web of Science) and other sources (such as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition, and Chinese herbal books). Results: The genus Polygonatum contains 79 species, and 233 bioactive chemical compounds were identified in them. The abundance of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant activities, anti-fatigue activities, anti-inflammatory activities, etc., were revealed for the representatives of this genus. In addition, there are numerous processing methods, and many chemical constituents and pharmacological activities change after the unappropriated processing. Conclusions: This review summarizes the taxonomy classification, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and processing of the plants belonging to the genus Polygonatum, providing references and research tendencies for plant-based drug development and further clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the litterbag method, we explored the decomposition dynamics of the litter from the evergreen broad-leaved forests, the mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests, and the deciduous broad-leaved forests along an altitude gradient in Mt. Shennongjia, Hubei, China. According to the decomposition rate, the decomposition of the litter could be divided into early stage (0-360 days) and later stage (361-720 days). With the increase of altitude, the mass loss rates of the litter from the three types of forests at the early stage were 2. 62-4. 08 times that of the later stage, the litter decomposition rates at the early stage were 2. 71, 1. 72 and 2. 69 times of that at the later stage, respectively, and 95% decomposition of the litter needed 3. 84, 4. 54 and 4. 16 years respectively. The decomposition rate at the later stage was significantly correlated with C/ N, and the contents of N, hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]