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旨在为选育性状优良、适合于油用开发的滇牡丹种质资源提供参考，对人工栽培在同一环境的9个种源滇牡丹籽百粒鲜质量和百粒干质量、含水率、可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量、粗脂肪含量、脂肪酸组成及含量进行了测定，对各指标之间的相关性及各指标与种源地地理因子的相关性进行分析，对脂肪酸组成进行主成分分析（PCA）和聚类分析。结果表明：人工栽培到同一环境后，不同地理种源滇牡丹籽各指标均存在一定差异，其中可溶性蛋白（变异系数21.76%）、亚油酸（变异系数19.57%）及豆蔻酸（变异系数18.52%）差异较大；丽江河西种源滇牡丹籽粗脂肪含量最高，达到21.64%；丽江鲁甸种源滇牡丹籽中的α-亚麻酸含量最高（42.84%）；相关性分析表明，百粒鲜质量（p

[Objective] This study explored the effect of sand storage stratification on the germination of Paeonia delavayi seeds to lay a foundation for the propagation and cultivation of Paeonia delavayi seedlings. [Method] The seeds from artificial cultivation were collected and 60 seeds were taken every 15 days to measure the germination index during sand stratification process at room temperature since the epicotyl was exposed. According to the changes in external morphological characteristics, the seeds were divided into 6 different germination stages (SI-S6). The structure of seeds before stratification (SO) and at different germination stages as well as the change characteristics of seed embryos during germination were observed using a stereomicroscope. The histochemical staining of stored substances (protein, starch and oil) in endosperm was analyzed and changes of nutrients (soluble sugar and soluble protein), enzyme activities (peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in endosperm and seed embryo at each germination stage were measured. [Result] During the stratification process of sand storage at room temperature, the instantaneous germination rate and vigor index of Paeonia delavayi seeds showed an increasing trend, with instantaneous germination rate increased to 85.00% and vigor index increased to 20.82 after 90 days. At SO stage, the seed embryos of Paeonia delavayi seeds were smaller, and the seeds swelled by water absorption after stratification for 30 days (SI stage). At S2 stage, the radicle broke through seed coat, and a small number of seeds began to germinate. At S3 stage, the hypocotyl elongated and thickened significantly. At S4 stage, the cotyledons further enlarged and the radicle significantly elongated and thickened. At S5 stage, the cotyledons continued to grow with the continuous elongation of radicle. At S6 stage, the epicotyl of a few seeds was obviously elongated. From S2 to S6, the transverse and longitudinal, thickness, mass and peeling mass of seeds changed insignificantly, while the longitudinal diameter, endosperm length, endosperm width, embryo length and embryo width of seeds significantly increased from (12.19 ± 1.71), (10.75 ± 1.83), (9.22 ± 1.59), (3.20 ± 0.69) and (1.56 ± 0.43) mm at SI stage to (14.07 ± 0.42), (13.46 + 0.28), (11.14 ± 1.57), (70.53 ± 14.43) and (8.85 ± 0.31) mm at S6 stage. The embryo rate also significantly increased from (30.21 ±4.31) % to (525.02 ± 11 6.1 0) %. During seed germination, the soluble protein and soluble sugar contents in endosperm and seed embryo generally showed a downward trend. The histochemical staining showed that oil body and protein were the most abundant storage substances in endosperm, while starch content was less. POD activity in endosperm and embryo increased first and then decreased, reaching the highest values of 23.20 and 58.07 U/g at S3 and SI stages, respectively. SOD activ-ity in endosperm and embryo generally increased, reaching the highest values of 320.42 and 2 604.39 U/g at S5 stage. [Conclusion] The seeds of Paeonia delavayi after 50-70 days of sand storage stratification had high germination rate and strong enzyme activities, which was conducive to further germination of seeds. Supplemented with appropriate cultivation and management measures, seeding at this time can effectively improve the emergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is a woody plant of the peony group, endemic to China, and has been a traditional medicinal herb since ancient times, as well as a valuable resource for breeding new peony species. Predicting the contemporary and future distribution patterns of Paeonia delavayi in suitable habitats under climate change conditions can provide scientific data to support the establishment of effective conservation. The potential distribution area of the endangered medicinal plant Paeonia delavayi was simulated by the Maxent model. The contribution rate of environmental factors and the knife-cut method were used to test and analyse the factors affecting the distribution of Paeonia delavayi. The response curves were used to determine the appropriate values of environmental factors. The AUC value for Paeonia lactiflora was 0.990, indicating excellent model accuracy. The current total suitable habitat area of Paeonia delavayi was 41.58×104 km2, located in the southwest region of China. The high suitable habitat area of Paeonia delavayi was 3.71×104 km2, accounting for 8.92% of the total suitable habitat area, mainly distributed in the south of Sichuan, north of Yunnan, and south of Chongqing in thin strips. The most important environmental factor affecting the geographic distribution of Paeonia delavayi is isothermal (Bio3). Under the future climate change scenario, the total suitable habitat area of Paeonia delavayi will increase significantly, and the area of highly suitable habitat will also increase. The centroid of the highly suitable area tends to migrate to high latitude and northwest direction, and the migration range is greater under the high-concentration emission scenario. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the in-situ protection and sustainable utilization of Paeonia delavayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long juvenile period limits the breeding process of many woody plants including tree peony. To investigate the physiological and transcriptomic differences between juvenile and adult plants of tree peony and to explore the key SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) genes, which are vital in age-dependent pathways, 1-year-old and 3-year-old Paeonia delavayi plants were used to compare the relevant physiological parameters and transcriptomic profiles of the leaves in two phases of plants. The results of the physiological parameters showed that the starch content in the leaves of adult plants remained unchanged and that the soluble sugar content significantly increased compared with those in the juvenile plants. In terms of plant hormones, the contents of cytokinin-like hormone (N6-isopentenyladenine (iP)) and jasmonic acid (JA) significantly decreased, whereas the contents of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin-like hormone (N6-isopentenyladenenosine (iPR)), and ethylene precursor (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, ACC) showed no statistic difference. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were 194 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between juvenile and adult plants, including 171 up-regulated DEGs and 23 down-regulated DEGs. Circadian rhythm, plant hormone signal transduction, and sugar metabolism were closely related to the juvenile-to-adult transition in P. delavayi, involving a total of 12 DEGs. In addition, a total of 13 SPL genes were identified in the transcriptome data, but only PdSPL10 (c71307.graph_c0) was differentially expressed. It was further validated via qRT-PCR analysis, indicating that PdSPL10 might be a key gene regulating the process of juvenile-to-adult in P. delavayi. Based on the above results, a hypothetical transcriptional network regulating juvenile-to-adult transition and flowering in P. delavayi was proposed. These findings provide a reference for understanding the mechanism of juvenile-to-adult transition in tree peony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Essential oils were extracted from dark-purple, red and yellow petals of Paeonia delavayi using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide method. The compositions of essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity assays were carried out using DPPH, ABTS- and FRAP methods. Total polyphenols and total flavonoids were measured to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity in addition to the volatile compounds contained in the essential oils extracted from the flower petals of P. delavayi with the three flower colors. A total of 194 compounds were detected from essential oils of P. delavayi flowers, including 83 in dark-purple petals, 90 in red petals and 80 in yellow petals. These compounds mainly include alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, alkenes, alkanes, esters and polyphenols. The results showed that the volatile compounds accumulated differentially among the essential oils from the different colors of flower petals. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that essential oils derived from dark-purple and red petals were more closely clustered while the yellow petal essential oil was very different with both the purple-red and red. Antioxidant assays suggested that the radical scavenging activity and the iron reduction antioxidant activity in the essential oils were highly correlated with the flower petal colors. These results suggest P. delavayi flower petals are potentially good resources for high quality essential oils and natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new nor -oleanane triterpenoids, paeonenoides I-K (1 - 3), together with 13 known triterpenoids including nor -oleanane, oleanane, ursane, and cycloartane types, were isolated from the leaves of Paeonia suffruticosa and P. delavayi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated with the aid of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, IR, and [ α ] D spectroscopic methods. Nine compounds (5 - 6 , 8 - 11 , 13 - 14 and 16) showed inhibition against PTP1B with IC 50 values ranging from 36.5 to 192.6 μ M, six compounds (5 - 6 , 8 - 10 and 14) exhibited inhibitory activity against GPa with IC 50 values ranging from 39.8 to 108.0 μ M, and five compounds (1 , 6 , 10 , 15 and 16) could significantly stimulate GLP-1 secretion by 100.2–313.4% (20 μ M). Docking study demonstrated that compounds 5 and 6 strongly bonded with Gpa and PTP1B by salt bridges, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, verifying the importance of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Especially, compounds 5 and 14 could simultaneously inhibit PTP1B and GPa with IC 50 values of 57.8, 47.9 μ M and 39.8, 45.2 μ M, and compounds 6 and 10 could stimulate GLP-1 secretion by 293.6% and 313.4% at 20 μ M. [Display omitted] • Three new triterpenoids were isolated from Paeonia suffruticosa and P. delavayi. • Nine compounds showed inhibition against PTP1B with IC 50 values of 36.5–192.6 μ M. • Six compounds exhibited inhibition against GPa with IC 50 values of 39.8–108.0 μ M. • Five compounds significantly stimulated GLP-1 secretion at 20 μ M. • Docking study demonstrated the importance of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is listed as an endangered species in the southwest of China. The flower colours of cultivated examples of this species are most commonly yellow and red, but a much wider range of flower colours can be found in plants growing in the natural habitat. To elucidate the basis of the colour range, pigments were extracted from flower petals of seven selected colours and profiled and quantified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). All the petal colours were found to share the same base pigment types as the yellow flower – a composite colour based on a mix of flavonoids, carotenoids and chlorophyll. Anthocyanin profiling revealed the same anthocyanin compositions in all red coloured flowers, namely, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3,5-diglucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside and peonidin 3-arabinoside. Quantitative analysis suggested the yellow colour was principally formed by the flavonoid naringenin chalcone 2'-glucoside (2',4',6',4-tetrahydroxychalcone 2'-glucoside). The various red/orange flower colours were the result of superimposing different amounts of anthocyanins onto the yellow flower background, with carotenoids and chlorophylls having only a minor contribution to the final colour. The results provide useful information for breeding programmes for ornamental varieties of P. delavayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the functional activity and phytochemical composition in the flower petals of Paeonia delavayi (P. delavayi) in different colors. Materials and Methods P. delavayi petal extracts were prepared by maceration in methanol, including purple petal extract (PPE), red petal extract (RPE), and yellow petal extract (YPE), and their antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities were evaluated. To correlate these measured activities to phytochemicals in the petals, an ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)-based metabolomics method was applied to profile the compositions in the petals of different colors. Finally, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways database was used to identify the related metabolic pathways that are responsible for the production of these polyphenolic phytochemicals in the petals. Results The results showed that PPE had the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and the strongest 2,2ʹ-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition ability in all three samples, while YPE showed the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and α-glucosidase inhibition ability. A total of 232 metabolites were detected in the metabolomic analysis, 198 of which were flavonoids, chalcones, flavonols, and anthocyanins. Correlation analysis indicated that peonidin-3- O -arabinoside and cyanidin-3- O -arabinoside were the major contributors to the antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis showed a clear separation among these three petals. In addition, a total of 38, 98, and 96 differential metabolites were identified in PPE, RPE, and YPE, respectively. Pathway enrichment revealed 6 KEGG pathways that displayed significant enrichment differences, of which the anthocyanin biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis were the most enriched signaling pathways, revealing a potential reason for the differences in metabolic and functional levels among different colors of P. delavayi petal. Conclusions P. delavayi petals in different colors have different metabolite contents and functional activities, of which the anthocyanin, flavone, and flavonol metabolites are critical in its functional activities, suggesting the anthocyanin biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathways are the key pathways responsible for both petal color and bioactive phytochemicals in P. delavayi flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effect of cycloartenol synthase gene(CAS)in the sterol biosynthesis of Paeonia delavayi, using the RT-PCR technology, a complete open reading frame of PdCAS gene was cloned from Paeonia delavayi for the first time. The full-length cDNA of PdCAS gene was 2 274 bp, encoded 757 amino acids. The PdCAS protein sequence of P. delavayi had more than 86% similarty with the Prunus persica, Prunus yedoensis var. nudiflora and Vitis vinifera. Sequence alignment analysis showed that PdCAS had a typical conserved DCTAE motif of oxidosaualene cyclase and the marker sequence DGSWYGSWGVCFTYG of triterpenoid synthase. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that PdCAS clustered together with CAS proteins of Malus domestica (XP 008391430.1), Pyrus bretschneideri(XP 009370034.1), Rosa chinensis(XP 024193310.1), Prunus yedoensis var. nudiflora(PQQ11009.1)and Prunus persica (XP 007225240.1). PdCAS expressed significantly in different tissues and had the highest transcript profile in flowers. PdCAS was closely related to the synthesis of sterols from Paeonia delavayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is a medicinal plant commonly used in southwest of China. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of P. delavayi to investigate its phylogenetic relationship in the family Paeoniaceae. The chloroplast genome of P. delavayi was 152,872 bp in length with 38.4% overall GC content, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 84,523 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,053 bp and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,646 bp. The cp genome contained 105 genes, including 75 protein coding genes, 27 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated P. delavayi was closely related to P. ludlowii.

【Objective】The seed and seedling quality of Paeonia delavayi in different seed collecting areas were evaluated, and excellent germplasm was screened out for seed and seedling production of Paeonia delavayi. 【Method】In this study, principal component analysis was used to evaluate the quality of seedlings, and the comprehensive evaluation model of seedling quality was established. On this basis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were combined to evaluate the quality of seedlings in different seed collecting areas. 【Result】Principal component analysis showed that 13 traits could be integrated into 3 principal components, and the cumulative contribution rate was 88.95%. The principal component model combination with cluster analysis showed that the seedling quality of the Monkey mountain and Laojun mountain were good in the principal component analysis model,and they were clustered in the Ⅲ category by cluster analysis. The G214 National Highway and Hutiaoxia were the second, and they were clustered in the Ⅳ category. The Liming Line was clustered in the V category alone. The Lajing township, Chonggu village, Chengdong, Dazba and Skiing park were poor in the principal component analysis model, and they were clustered in the I category. The Tongdian and Yangla Township were the worst, and they were clustered in the Ⅱ category. 【Conclusion】From the conclusion, it can also be seen that the principal component analysis and cluster analysis are of practical guiding significance for evaluating the quality of seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colors of the leaves in Paeonia delavayi may be pure green, green-red, or dark red according to their habitat. The goal of this study was to compare the type and the total concentrations of anthocyanins and flavonols in red and green P. delavayi. The constituents and concentration of anthocyanins and flavonols were identified and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and mass spectrometry. Cyanidin-3, 5-di-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside were first determined in red P. delavayi. There were no anthocyanins in green P. delavayi. Seven flavonols were identified in both red and green P. delavayi with differences in their concentrations. The concentrations of total anthocyanins and flavonoids were determined at 525 and 360 nm using the external standard method. The total anthocyanins in red P. delavayi were 152.24 mg/100 g in leaves and 78.92 mg/100 g in stems. The total flavonoids were 805.4 mg/100 g in leaves and 438.3 mg/100 g in stems, which were much higher than in green P. delavayi for both leaves and stems. This study reports composition and concentration differences in red and green P. delavayi based on ecological habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia (Paeoniaceae), an economically important plant genus, includes many popular ornamentals and medicinal plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine. Little is known about the properties of the habitat distribution and the important eco-environmental factors shaping the suitability. Based on high-resolution environmental data for current and future climate scenarios, we modeled the present and future suitable habitat for P. delavayi and P. rockii by Maxent, evaluated the importance of environmental factors in shaping their distribution, and identified distribution shifts under climate change scenarios. The results showed that the moderate and high suitable areas for P. delavayi and P. rockii encompassed ca. 4.46 × 10 5 km 2 and 1.89 × 10 5 km 2 , respectively. Temperature seasonality and isothermality were identified as the most critical factors shaping P. delavayi distribution, and UVB-4 and annual precipitation were identified as the most critical for shaping P. rockii distribution. Under the scenario with a low concentration of greenhouse gas emissions (RCP2.6), the range of both species increased as global warming intensified; however, under the scenario with higher concentrations of emissions (RCP8.5), the suitable habitat range of P. delavayi decreased while P. rockii increased. Overall, our prediction showed that a shift in distribution of suitable habitat to higher elevations would gradually become more significant. The information gained from this study should provide a useful reference for implementing long-term conservation and management strategies for these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is a species endemic to Southwest China and an important genetic resource for flower color breeding of tree peonies. The mechanisms underlying the flower coloration of this plant have not been fully elucidated. In this article, the petals of yellow-colored individual (Pl) and purple-red-colored individual (Pd) of P. delavayi were studied. And anatomical observations revealed that a large amount of yellow protoplasts and a small amount of colorless protoplasts were located in the yellowcolored Pl petals, whereas a mixture of purple, red, and pink protoplasts were observed in the purple-red-colored Pd petals. The Pl cells were subrotund and flat, whereas the Pd cells were irregularly polygon-shaped and bulging. Chemical analyses were performed, and the results indicated that significant differences occurred between the cell sap pH of the Pl and Pd flowers and large differences occurred in the contents of Fe and Al between Pl and Pd. Cyanidin- and peonidin-based anthocyanins with flavones and flavonols as copigments determined the Pd flower color, whereas chalcone 2 #G with apigenin 7-Oneohesperidoside and chrysoeriol 7-O-glucoside as copigments determined the yellow color of Pl. Correspondingly, the genes dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) were significantly highly expressed in Pd, whereas chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavone synthase (FNS), flavonol synthase (FLS), flavonoid 7-O-glycosyltransferase (7GT), and 2#4#6#4-tetrahydroxychalcone 2#-glucosyltransferase (THC) had high transcript levels in Pl relative to Pd. The results indicate that the color variation of P. delavayi petals may be related to a delicately controlled balance of the aforementioned factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two tree peony species, namely, Paeonia ludlowii (Stern & G. Taylor) D. Y. Hong and P. delavayi Franch, belongs to the section Moutan Paeonia (Paeoniaceae). They are the only sources of yellow pigment in tree peony cultivar breeding. P. ludlowii has been listed as “critically endangered”, whereas P. delavayi has been listed as “near threatened” species according to the China Species Red List. The complete chloroplast genome sizes of P. ludlowii and P. delavayi are 152,687 and 154,405 bp respectively. Both contain a 17,056 bp long small single copy region (SSC). The large single copy region (LSC) in P. ludlowii is 84,613 bp, whereas the inverted repeat regions (IRs) are 25,644 bp. In addition, LSC in P. delavayi is 86,142 bp, whereas the IRs is 25,650 bp. The genomes of the two species encode the same set of 134 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes and 40 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all five Paeonia species clustered together, and P. ludlowii and P. delavayi are most closely related to each other. These newly characterized chloroplast genomes will provide essential data for the further conservation of P. ludlowii and P. delavayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is a medicinal plant commonly used in southwest of China. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of P. delavayi to investigate its phylogenetic relationship in the family Paeoniaceae. The chloroplast genome of P. delavayi was 152,872 bp in length with 38.4% overall GC content, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 84,523 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,053 bp and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,646 bp. The cp genome contained 105 genes, including 75 protein coding genes, 27 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated P. delavayi was closely related to P. ludlowii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract：ludlowii as the research object, flower characteristics, changes of the flower-visiting insects and phenotypic selection were comparatively studied between two flowers. The results showed that ： (i) the main species of flower-visiting insects include bees, flies, ants, mosquitoes and butterflies. (ii) For Paeonia ludlowii, there was a very significant positive correlation between flies with the calyx, Petal and bract width and petal length, respectively. And butterfly with bracts length, bees with calyx width were extremely significant negative correlation, respectively, (iii) For Paeonia delavayi, mosquitoes with petals width, ants with the petal and pistil number were extremely significant positive correlation, respectively. Bees with petal number, flies with petal width, bracts width and bracts length, ants with calyx length were extremely significant negative correlation, respectively. (iv) The number of seeds in female fitness estimates showed that： Paeonia ludlowii in pistils of plants with more suitable degree. The longer flower petal had greater degree. Our study showed that the flowers characteristics are closely related to the flower-visiting insect changes and phenotypic selection, the flower-visiting insect preference and the reality were not the same by the estimates of female fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reveal the variation degree and variation pattern of phenotypic in Paeonia delavayi，31 phenotypic traits of 9 natural populations were investigated. The results showed that： the coefficient of variation (c. v.) of 31 phenotypic traits ranged from 3. 22 % to 76. 12 %, and the average c. v. between populations was 25. 24 % . Those results showed that Paeonia delavayi had high variation degree of the phenotypic traits. NPH and LWS populations had the maximum and minimum c. v. among 9 populations, and the values of f. v. were 31. 03 % and 20. 11 % , respectively. There were significant differences in the phenotypic variation among and within populations. The mean phenotypic differentiation coefficient was 73. 62 % , demonstrating that differentiation among populations was the major source of variation. Using UPGMA cluster analysis, 9 natural populations of P. delavayi divided into 3 groups, and the phenotypic traits did not gather according to geography distance. It was necessary to conserve more populations according to the phenotypic diversity and variation pattern of P. delavayi. The integrality of populations should also be kept in order to preserve as more ornamental traits as possible for further utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is a wild tree peony species endemic to high-altitude regions in southwestern China. Recent agricultural land expansion, however, not only causes its dwindling population size, but also poses a severe threat to its long-term persistence. Since our knowledge of the reproductive biology of P. delavayi is very limited, and some management misconceptions have further exacerbated the already worrisome situation, the aim of the present study is to provide some scientific evidence regarding habitat preference and breeding system of P. delavayi, and to help correct some management misconceptions. Specifically, morphological traits of P. delavayi populations growing in two different habitats (i.e., the open area versus forest understory), including basal stem diameter, plant height and flower numbers per plant, were measured and compared with each other. A range of floral manipulation experiments was further conducted to study the extent of self-compatibility and pollen limitation. The results showed that P. delavayi preferred the open habitat over forest understory as it generally grew bigger with thicker stems, and produced a higher number of flowers in the former habitat. Therefore, the open habitat should receive immediate priority for conservation action instead of being converted to agricultural land; also, P. delavayi is pollen limited, as evidenced by the fact that experimental flowers receiving supplemental non-self pollen generally displayed elevated seed production than flowers subjected to other treatments (e.g., non-supplemental self pollen, non-supplemental non-self pollen and supplemental self pollen), which is consistent with reported observations that alpine plants are more likely to be pollen-limited than lowland plants. We suggest that human intervention might be necessary to guarantee the long-term persistence of P. delavayi as harsh alpine environment, intense competition for pollinators and different anthropogenic perturbations co-limit its reproductive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi, an endemic species in southwestern China, has been widely used as a traditional remedy for cardiovascular, extravasated blood, stagnated blood and female diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, there are no reports on the anti-influenza virus activity of this species. Here, the anti-influenza virus activity of P. delavayi root extracts was first evaluated by an influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) inhibition assay. Meantime, constituents in the active extracts were identified using ultra-high performance liquid coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and seven major identified constituents were used to further evaluate the NA inhibitory activity. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (EA) and the ethanol fraction (E) of P. delavayi both presented strong NA inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 75.932 μg/mL and 83.550 μg/mL, respectively. Twenty-seven constituents were characterized in these two active extracts by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, and seven major identified constituents exhibited high activity against the influenza virus. Among them, Benzoylpaeoniflorin (IC50 = 143.701 μM) and pentagalloylglucose (IC50 = 62.671 μM) exhibited the highest activity against the influenza virus, even far stronger than oseltamivir acid (IC50 = 281.308 μM). This study indicated that P. delavayi was a strong NA inhibitor, but cell-based inhibition, anti-influenza virus activity in vivo and anti-influenza virus mechanism still need to be tested and explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new monoterpene glycosides, 4- O -ethylpaeoniflorin ( 1 ), 6′- O -benzoyl-4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxy-paeoniflorin ( 2 ), 6′- O -benzoylalbiflorin ( 3 ), and a new monoterpenoid, 9-hydroxy-paeonilactone-A ( 4 ) were isolated from the root cortex of Paeonia delavayi . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Paeonia delavayi and P. ludlowii (Paeoniaceae) to study their population genetics and phytogeography. * Methods and Results: Nine polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched library of P. delavayi and primers were designed. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 16; the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.014 to 0.687 and 0.042 to 0.875, respectively. Six polymorphic chloroplast microsatellite loci were identified in P. delavayi and primers were provided. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six and the polymorphic information content ranged from 0.08 to 0.716. Both nuclear and chloroplast primers were successfully applicable to P. ludlowii. * Conclusions: The markers developed here will facilitate analyses of genetic diversity, population genetic structure, phytogeographical patterns, and conservation for P. delavayi and P. ludlowii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new monoterpene glycoside, 4-O-methyl-4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxy-paeoniflorin (1), was isolated from the root cortex of Paeonia delavayi along with the known paeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, benzoyloxypaeoniflorin, albiflorin and a paeonilactone-A. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]