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Ripe fruits of Amomum villosum Lour. are important traditional Chinese medicines and food spices. Due to similar morphological and anatomical characteristics, fruits from some Alpinia species are used clinically as substitutes or adulterants of Fructus Amomi. In this study, we determined the nrDNA ITS1 (internal transcribed space 1) sequences from Amomum villosum and ten Alpinia species, which are adulterants of Fructus Amomi. The ITS1 sequences of these species were 175~179 bp in length, and the G+C contents were 53.37~56.74%. Sequence alignment revealed that there were 55 polymorphic nucleotide sites among the tested species. The base substitution were 0.57~9.60% within the ten Aplinia species, but 17.61~21.59% between Amomum villosum and the Alpinia species. These molecular data indicated that ITS1 sequences can be used to differentiate Fructus Amomi and its substitutes or adulterants from various Alpinia species.

This paper gives new properties of WBR\(_0\)-algebras and commutative WBR\(_0\)-algebras. A comprehensive characterization for commutative WBR\(_0\)-algebras by various other logic algebras is obtained. Three characterizations with simpler types and fewer axioms of commutative WBR\(_0\)-algebras are also given.

Five new compounds, dencryol A (1), dencryol B (2), crystalltone (3), crystallinin (4), and 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy-5,6-dimethylbenzoic acid (5), together with six known compounds, dendronobilin B (6), syringic acid (7), apigenin (8), isoviolanthin (9), 6'''-glucosyl-vitexin (10), and palmarumycin JC2 (11), have been isolated from the stems of Dendrobium crystallinum, of which compounds 9-11 were isolated from the genus Dendrobium for the first time, and all the other compounds were first obtained from this plant. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and literature data.

Sensitive, selective and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection (DAD)/electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) methods have been developed for the characterization of nine 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acid derivatives and quantitative analysis of three of the major 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acids, cis-melilotoside, trans-melilotoside and dihydromelilotoside, present in Dendrobium medicinal plants. The identities of the latter three major 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acids were confirmed by comparing their retention times, UV and mass spectra with those of the reference standards. The characteristic ESI-MSn fragmentation patterns of the remaining six 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acid derivatives, which are similar to the three major compounds, have allowed the putative elucidation of their structures. The concentrations of the cis-, trans- and dihydromelilotosides were simultaneously determined by HPLC/ESI-MS2 using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode in extracts of Dendrobium species. The method was validated with respect to the overall intra- and inter-day variation (RSD less than 8%) and the limits of quantification for the cis-, trans- and dihydromelilotosides were 0.09, 0.09 and 0.01 µg/mL, respectively. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A novel high-performance liquid chromatographic method with mass spectrometry and diode array detection method for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioactive phenols was developed. In total, nine chemically diverse phenols including five bibenzyls, three phenanthrenes and a coumarin were unambiguously identified in Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum by comparison with the available references or reported data according to their retention behaviors, UV spectra and fragmentations of ESI-MS. The contents of the four main phenolic compounds, moscatilin, gigantol, moscatin and coumarin, in D. aurantiacum var. denneanum from the wild and various cultivated populations were determined by HPLC-UV. The sample preparation involved a rapid and simple procedure based on solid-phase extraction using a C(18) reversed-phase cartridge. The quantitative analysis was performed on a Beckman Coulter ODS column (5 microm, 250 x 4.6 mm) using a linear gradient elution system of acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid. The method was validated for linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy. Good results were obtained with respect to the overall intra- and inter-day variations (RSD less than 3.22%) and the percentage recoveries (ranging from 90.50 to 99.22%). Notable differences in the contents of phenols were observed among different cultivated populations. The samples colleted in April and May (spring), or October and November (autumn) accumulated much higher contents of phenols than those collected in other seasons.

This paper concerns algebraic L-domains. Main results are: (1) All the compact elements of an algebraic L-domain forms an L-cusl; (2) An algebraic L-domain equipped with the Scott topology is the sobrification of the set of all compact elements equipped with the Alexandrov topology; (3) The ideal completion of an L-cusl is an algebraic L-domain. (4) It is also proved that with proper concepts of L-cusl embeddings and projection pairs, the category of algebraic L-domains and projection pairs is equivalent to the category of L-cusls and L-cusl embeddings. Mathematics Subject Classification: 06A11; 18A40; 54H10

The genus Dendrobium Sw. is composed of 74 species and two varieties in China, and 32 species carry the name "Huangcao Shihu" on the herbal medicine market, making the identification of the origin of "Huangcao Shihu" difficult for consumers. Here, the ITS regions were sequenced and evaluated to differentiate the 18 Dendrobium species used as "Huangcao Shihu". Diversity in DNA sequences among various species was found with the inter-specific sequence divergence ranging from 3.2% to 37.9% in ITS1 and 5.0% to 26.6% in ITS2. Moreover, the variations within species were very low, ranging in sequence divergence from 0 to 3.0% in ITS1 and 0 to 4.0% in ITS2. Therefore, these species could be easily distinguished at the DNA level. Furthermore, based on the divergent ITS regions, five pairs of species-specific primers were designed and used for the rapid PCR identification of five Dendrobium species listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

A novel method has been developed for simultaneous analysis for three pairs of trans - and cis -isomers of 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acids, along with their biogenic metabolites (three coumarin derivatives including scopoletin, scoparone and ayapin) in a Chinese medicinal herb Dendrobium thyrsiflorum by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-photodiode array detection (DAD)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS). The method was carried out by using a Polaris C 18 column with a gradient solvent system of 0.5% acetic acid aqueous solution–acetonitrile. Seven target analytes including isodensifloside, isothyrsifloside, densifloside, thyrsifloside, scoparone, ayapin and scopoletin were exclusively identified by comparing their retention behaviors, UV and MS spectra with the authentic standards, and their contents in D. thyrsiflorum were simultaneous determined by employing UV detection at 342 nm. In addition, another pair of isomers of 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acids was putatively elucidated mainly based on the MS fragmentation. The method was validated and found to be satisfactorily linear, selective and robust. Recoveries ranged from 95.56 to 97.94% for all compounds at three different spiking levels. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) ranged, respectively, from 0.02 to 0.13 μg mL −1 and 0.07 to 0.39 μg mL −1 depending on various compounds. The established quality evaluation method was successfully used for evaluating the quality of D. thyrsiflorum samples of different organs and collections.

Two novel triterpenes (1 and 2) were isolated from the orchid Pholidota yunnanensis Rolfe. Using chemical and spectral analyses (UV, IR, MS,1D-NMR and 2D-NMR), these two triterpenes were established as 25-methylenecyclopholidonyl p-hydroxy-trans-cinnamate (1; named pholidotine A) and 25-methylenecyclopholidonyl p-hydroxy-cis-cinnamate (2; named pholidotine B). ( Managing editor: Wei WANG)

Two novel compounds, (9R)-4-methoxy-9H-fluorene-2,5,9-triol (1a) and 2,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyphenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran-5(5H)-one (2) were isolated from the stems of the orchid Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. Their structures were established spectroscopically, by chemical derivatization, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The absolute configuration of 1a was determined by Mosher's method. Neither compound showed antitumoral activity.

Bio-guided fractionation of the stems of Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, led to the isolation of three 2-glucosyloxycinnamic acid derivates, namely, cis-melilotoside, trans-melilotoside and dihydromelilotoside, respectively. Their structures were elucidated through the analysis of uni- and bi-dimensional NMR, UV, IR and MS data. All these three compounds were first reported from the genus Dendrobium and exhibited potent antioxidant activities.

Dried herb of Delphinium brunonianum Royle (Ranunculaceae) has long been used under the herbal name "Xiaguobei" (Delphinii Brunoniani Herba) in traditional Tibetan medicine and prescribed for the treatment of influenza, itchy skin rash and snake bites. In order to find a useful and convenient method for the identification of microscopic features, the technique of fluorescence microscopy was applied to authenticate "Xiaguobei" of Tibet. The transverse sections of stem and leaf, as well as the powder of "Xiaguobei" were observed to seek for typical microscopic features by normal light and fluorescence microscopy. A style-like, single-cell glandular hair containing yellow secretions on the leaf, young stem and sepal of "Xiaguobei" was found. Under the fluorescence microscope, the xylem and pericycle fiber group emitted significant fluorescence. This work indicated that fluorescence microscopy could be an useful additional method for the authentication work. Without the traditional dyeing methods, the main microscopic features could be easily found by fluorescence microscopy. The results provided reliable references for the authentication of "Xiaguobei".

The whole plant of Ixeris sonchifolia afforded two new guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones named 8-desoxyartelin [3-hydroxy-1(10),3-guaiadiene-12,6-olide-2-one] and ixerin Z [1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatriene-12,6-olide-2-one-3- O -glucopyranoside], along with the known compound 9α-hydroxyzaluzalin C, whose structure and stereochemistry wee determined by spectroscopic methods.

An extract from the entire Ixeris denticulata f. pinnatipartita plant afforded the guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone glucoside, 8 beta,15-dihydroxy-1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatrien-12,6-olide-15-O- glucopyranoside, along with the known flavonoids luteolin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide-6'-methyl ester; their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Ixerin Y inhibited the growth of human breast cancer MCF7 and MDA468 cell lines.

More equalities and inequalities about (n) truth degrees are deduced in basic modal logic systems K. Some properties about the pseudo distance are given. More theorems about (n) truth degrees and the pseudo distance in temporal logic are proved. Simple proves of continuities of modal logic operators in (n) modal logic metric spaces are given. We also studied divergence in modal logic metric spaces and proved the equivalence of three given approximate reasoning theories.

In modal logic systems S4 and S5, some semantics equivalent theorems on various classes of models are proved. Main results are: (1) A formula is S4 (S5)-theorem if and only if it is globally true in any finite models of S4 (S5); (2) A formula is S4-theorem if and only if it is globally true in all finite topological models; (3) As a corollary of (2), Question 9.1.66 in [4] is affirmatively answered; (4) A formula is S5-theorem if and only if it is globally true in the class FCOT of finite topological models with open sets being closed.

To study the phenolic constituents of Dendrobium aphyllum.Various chromatographic techniques were used to isolate and purify the constituents, their physico-chemical properties and spectral data were employed to elucidate their structures.Nine bibenzyls and two benzylethanyl compounds were isolated and identified as: moscatilin (1), gigantol (2), batatasin (3), tristin (4), 3, 5, 4'-trihydroxylbibenzyl (5), 3, 5-dimethoxyl-4, 4'-dihydroxylbibenzyl (6), moscatin (7), 2, 4, 7-trihydroxyl-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene (8), hircinol (9), 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, salidroside (10) and p-hydroxylbenzylacetic acid (11).All compounds were obtained firstly from the plant, and the compounds 10 and 11 were isolated in this genus for the first time.

To study the chemical constituents of Dendobium crystallinum.Compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses.Nine compounds were obtained and identified as: 4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybi-benzyl (1), gigantol (2), naringenin (3) , p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), n-tetracosyl trans-p-cou-marate (5), n-octacosy trans-p-coumarate (6), n-hexacosyl trans-ferulate (7), stigmasterol (8), daucosterol (9).All these compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time, compounds 1 and 4 were isolated firstly from the genus.

Two new dammarane triterpene glycosides named notoginsenosides Rw 1 (1) and Rw 2 (2) were isolated from the rhizomes of Panax notoginseng, together with 20 known compounds including protopanaxadiol (3), protopanaxatriol (4), ginsenosides Rb1 (5), Rd (6), Re (7), Rg1 (8), Rg2 (9), 20-(S)-Rg3 (10), 20-(R)-Rg(3) (11), Rh1 (12), Rh4 (13), Rf (14), 20-O-glucopyranosyl Rf (15), notoginsenosides R1 (16), R2 (17), T5 (18), S (19), T (20), and Fa (21), and koryoginsenoside R1 (22). Based on FABMS, HRFABMS, IR, (1)H, 13C, and 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and COSY) spectral data, the structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 6-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-20-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --6)-beta-d-glucopyranosyldammar-24-ene-3beta,6alpha,12beta,20(S)tetraol (1) and 6-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --2)-beta-d-glucopyranosyldammar-22-ene-(trans)-3beta,6alpha,12beta,20(S), 25-pentaol (2). Compounds 3, 4, 13, and 22 were isolated from P. notoginseng for the first time.

Two new bibenzyl derivatives, named dengraols A 1 and B 2, are isolated from stems of Dendrobium gratiosissimum Rchb. (Orchidaceae), together with seven known compounds: 3,5,4'-trihydroxybibenzyl 3, 3,4'-dihydroxy- 5-methoxybibenzyl 4, 3, 4 -dihydroxy-5, 4' - dimethoxy bibenzyl 5, 3, 4' - dihydroxy - 4, 5, 3'-trimethoxybibenzyl (moscatilin) 6 and 5, 4'- dihydroxy -3, 3'-dimethoxybibenzyl (gigantol) 7, 5, 3', 4'-trihydroxy - 3- methoxy-bibenzyl (tristin) 8 and 5, 3'- dihydroxy- 3-methoxybibenzyl (batatasin III) 9. Among the isolated compounds, dengraols A 1 and B 2, moscatilin 6 and gigantol 7 showed inhibitory activity of proliferation on HL-60 cells with IC 50 values at 2.1, 6.4, 0.082 and 10.6 (μM, respectively.

The whole plant of Ixeris sonchifolia afforded two new guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones named 8-desoxyartelin [3-hydroxy-1(10),3-guaiadiene-12,6-olide-2-one] and ixerin Z [1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatriene-12,6-olide-2-one-3- O -glucopyranoside], along with the known compound 9α-hydroxyzaluzalin C, whose structure and stereochemistry wee determined by spectroscopic methods.

To investigate the chemical constituents of Dendrobium chrysotoxum.The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by spectral evidences.Ten compounds were obtained and identified as (+)-syringare sinol (1), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-24( R)-methycholesta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (2), trans-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-acrylic acid octacosyl ester (3), defusin (4), 3, 4-dihydroxy benzoic acid (5), 3, 4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid (6), vanillic acid (7), 3, 4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (8), 3, 5-dibromo-2-aminobenzaldehyde (9), heptadecanoic acid 2, 3-dihydroxy-propyl ester (10).Compounds 1, 2 and 6-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

To establish a simple method for molecular identification of original plants of D. chrysanthum and D. fimbriatum using molecular marker rDNA ITS region.Restriction patterns of ITS fragments were obtained using PCR-RFLP method. The PCR products of D. chrysanthum and its morphologically allied species were digested at 37 degrees C by Cla I and Apa LI, those of D. fimbriatum and its morphologically allied species were digested by Sph I.D. chrysanthum, D. fimbriatum and their morphologically allied species could be identified by predicted restriction profiles of PCR-RFLP. The botanical origin of twenty-five fresh samples of "Shihu" collected in markets was identified by this method.The results showed that PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region is a feasible, simple and inexpensive method for determining the botanical origin of the traditional Chinese medicine "Shihu".

A new method of analysis of 11 phenols, including five bibenzyls, three phenanthrenes, and three fluorenones, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection (DAD) was described. The separation of 11 phenols was effected by RP-HPLC (Beckman Coulter ODS column, 5 microm, 250 mm x 4.6 mm) using linear gradient elution systems of acetonitrile-1/1000 trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Satisfactory separation of these compounds was obtained in less than 45 min. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ). Good results were obtained with respect to repeatability (relative standard deviation (RSD)

To determine the location and relative quantity of coumarins in the stem of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Rchb. f. , and to provide a scientific basis for evaluating and utilizing the famous medicinal plant.The stems of one, two and three years old, separately, were collected in February. Location and relative quantity of coumarins in the top, middle and basal parts of each stem sample were determined by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). ANOVA and Tukey's test were employed in the statistical analysis.The coumarins located mainly in vascular bundles, especially on the walls of the outer fiber cells. There was significant difference or great significant difference exist in every part of the stem from different ages. The values of significant difference were as follows: basal part P = 0.004 (0.01); middle part P = 0.009 (0.01); top part P = 0.036(0.05).Two years old stem could be the best choice when collecting Dendrobium thyrsiflorum in Feburary.

To study the relationship between the geo-authentic and geologic background system (GBS) and physicochemical properties of soil for the cultivation of Panax notoginseng.The physicochemical properties of soil were analyzed, the geologic background system between producing areas of Yunnan and Guanxi of P. notogiseng was compared.The distribution of P. notoginseng was restricted by GBS, The yellow-red soil of fragmentary rock mixed with carbonate seems to be most suitable for the growth.The most suitable soil for growing P. notoginseng is the neutral or weakly acidic soil with loam clay, particularly that with low base saturation percentage.

To investigate the chemical constituents from Pholidota yunnanensis.Various chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analyses.Seven compounds were obtained and they were identified by spectroscopic analysis as n-nonacosane, cyclopholidone, n-dotriacontanoic acid, n-octacostyl ferulate, cyclopholidonol, cycloneolitsol and beta-sitosterol, respectively.n-octacostyl ferulate and cycloneolitsol were isolated from genus Pholidota for the first time.

One bi-bicyclic and two bi-tricyclic derivatives of coumarin-benzofuran, phenanthrene-phenanthrene and phenanthrene-phenanthraquinone, along with seven known compounds, were isolated from stems of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Rchb.f. (Orchidaceae). On the basis of chemical, NMR (1H, 13C, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) and mass spectrometry data, their structures were elucidated as denthyrsin [3-(5',6'-dimethoxybenzofuran-2'-yl)-6,7-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-2-one; 1], denthyrsinol (4,5'-dimethoxy-[1,1']biphenanthrenyl-2,5,4',7'-tetraol; 2), and denthyrsinone (7,4',7'-trihydroxy-2,2',8'-trimethoxy-[5,1']biphenanthrenyl-1,4-dione; 3). Compounds 1-3 and denthyrsinin (1,5,7-trimethoxyphenanthrene-2,6-diol; 4) showed significant cytotoxic activities against Hela (13.5, 9.3, 9.9 and 2.7 microM, respectively), K-562 (0.45, 1.6, 6.0 and 2.3 microM, respectively) and MCF-7 (18.1, not tested, 3.5 and 4.8 microM, respectively) cell lines.

To provide scientific basis for quality control of Lindera aggregata.HPLC analytical method was established using a Lichrospher C18 column and acetonitrile-water (56:44) as the mobile phase, detected at 235 nm.The linear range of linderane is between 0.0642 - 0.5774 microg, the average recovery was 98.4%, RSD1.7% (n = 9).Contents of linderane in commercially available and collected samples were from 0.028% to 0.123% and from 0.056% to 0.222% respectively.

To investigate the chemical constituents of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook.Various chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and 2D-NMR.Eight compounds were obtained and identified by spectral analysis as fimbriatone, confusarin, crepidatin, physcion, rhein, ayapin, scopolin methyl ether and n-octacostyl ferulate.Fimbriatone is a new compound, physcion and rhein are firstly isolated from Genus Dendrobium. The others are found from this species for the first time. Fimbriatone showed potential inhibitory effects on BGC cell line.

To identify "Shegan" [Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.] and relative medicinal plants of Iris including Iris tectorum Maxim., I. dichotoma Pall., I. germanica L. and I. japonica Thunb. by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase Large Gene (rbcL) sequence analysis.General DNA was isolated from the fresh leaves of Belamcanda chinensis and 4 Iris spp. by CTAB. A pair of primers was designed to amplify the rbcL gene and PCR Preps DNA kit was used to purify the PCR products. The rbcL sequences were determined by ABI (Applied Biosystems Inco.) Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer.A fragment of about 750 bp of rbcL gene from Belamcanda chinensis and 4 Iris spp. were amplified and sequenced. The rbcL sequences of Iris tectorum, I. dichotoma Pall. and I. japonica were reported for the first time. The rbcL sequences of 5 species of Iridaceae were aligned and analyzed using Clustal (Version 8.0) and MEGA (Version 2.0.) programs. The nucleotide number of difference is from 1.000 to 20.000. The tranversions is from 0.000 to 9.000 and the transitions is from 0.000 to 14.000. Phylogenetic tree based on rbcL partial sequence data indicated that the eleven samples of 5 species clustered separately.The sequence variation of rbcL can be used to identify Belamcanda chinensis and 4 species of relative medicinal plants of Iris. The molecular phylogenetic tree accords with the classical taxonomy.

To analyse the 1H-NMR finger-print of the stem of Dendrobium loddigesii.Silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents of SCE A of the stem of D. loddigesii. The characteristic signals of the H-NMR finger-print were analysed after determining the structures of the compounds isolated from SCE A.1H-NMR finger-prints of the samples of D. loddigesii collected from different regions showed highly characteristic features and reproducibility. Four compounds predominant in SCE A were isolated and their structures were determined by spectral analysis as 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.Compound 3 and 4 were isolated from D. loddigesii for the first time. The 1H-NMR finger-print of CGE A of the stem of D. loddigesii showed mainly the characteristic signals of the above four compounds and might be utilized for the original authentication of this plant.

To study the chemical constituents of Alpinia jianganfeng (Zingiberaceae) distributed in Sichuan province.Chromatography and spectral analyses were used to isolate the constituents and elucidate their structure.Four compounds were isolated from the rhizome of A. jianganfeng and elucidated as kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide(1), docosanoic acid(2), 3-hydroxy-stigmast-5-en-7-one(3) and beta-sitosterol(4).All these compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

To identify the botanical origin of the Guijiu in Shosoin of Japan from Tang Dynasty, and trace its medicinal history.Anatomical characteristics of the underground parts of Guijiu in Shosoin were compared with those of Hosta plantaginea and H. ventricosa, and research on the medicinal history of Guijiu was made based on its original identification results and describes in herbals.Guijiu in Shosoin of Japan was derived from the underground parts of H. plantaginea and is one of Guijiu used in Tang Dynasty and earlier on.

To study rDNA ITS sequence differences between F type and that of H type of Dendrobium officinale in main habitat of China.The population differences of the rDNA ITS region (including ITS1, ITS2, 5.8S) sequences of D. officinale were studied by the method of DNA sequences analysis.There were two different sites between the rDNA ITS sequence of F type and that of H type. One was in ITS1 region, and the other was in 5.8S region. It was proved that there was some relativity between the character of rDNA ITS region and the life type of the populations. The phenomenon of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) existed in 5.8S region of rDNA ITS region between F type and H type. The sequences of rDNA ITS region of D. officinale were reported for the first time, and the sequences of ITS region ranged 634 bp (ITS1 231 bp, ITS2 240 bp, 5.8S 163 bp).The analysis of rDNA ITS of D. officinale deeply reveal the population differences of D. officinale of F type and H type.

The rhizomes of Alpinia jianganfeng are used as a traditional Chinese medicine, Jian Gan Feng, to cure rheumatism in Guangdong, China. The rhizomes of some other species of the genus Alpinia such as A. japonica, A. suishaensis and A. nanchuanensis are also used as Jian Gan Feng in Southwest China. However, the identification of the original plants of the crude drugs is difficult. The internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8S coding region of nuclear ribosomal DNA of the four species were sequenced and analyzed. The DNA markers have been determined and they can be used for the molecular identification of these medicinal plants.

A new beta-carboline alkaloid, 1-acetyl-8-hydroxy-beta-carboline, was isolated from the fern, Hypodematium squamuloso-pilosum, along with a known compound, 1-acetyl-beta-carboline. Their structures were elucidated from spectral evidence. This is the first report of this type of alkaloid being found in ferns.

An extract from the entire Ixeris denticulata f. pinnatipartita plant afforded the guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone glucoside, 8 beta,15-dihydroxy-1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatrien-12,6-olide-15-O- glucopyranoside, along with the known flavonoids luteolin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide-6'-methyl ester; their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Ixerin Y inhibited the growth of human breast cancer MCF7 and MDA468 cell lines.

The whole plant of Ixeris denticulata f. pinnatipartita and I. sonchifofia respectively afforded a new guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone glucoside named ixerin X, 8(,15-dihydroxy-1(10), 3,11(13)-guaiatriene-12,6-olide-15-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 1 ), ixerin Z, 1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatriene-12,6-olide-2-one-3-O- β -D-glucopyranoside ( 2 ), whose structure and stereo-chemistry were determined by spectroscopic methods. 1 inhibited the growth of human breast cancer MCF7 & MDA468 cell lines.

Based on rDNA ITS sequences of D. officinale and the other 37 species of Dendrobium, a pair of allele-specific diagnostic primers, TP-JB01S and TP-JB01X, were designed to authenticate D. officinale from the other species. Before the diagnostic PCR, the primer pair, P1 and P2, for amplifying the whole ITS region was used to validate template DNA and to obtain the appropriate template DNA for the diagnostic PCR. Diagnostic PCRs were performed using the diagnostic primers with the total DNAs of the original plants as a template. When the annealing temperature was raised to 66 degrees C, only the template DNA of D. officinale could be amplified whereas the diagnostic PCRs of the other Dendrobium species were all negative. The diagnostic PCRs have been repeated many times and have played an important role in authenticating the stems of D. officinale in China. Compared with the authentication method by sequencing DNA fragments, the allele-specific diagnostic PCR is not only simpler and time-saving but also practical and effective.