[DNA barcoding identification between arisaematis rhizoma and its adulterants based on ITS2 sequences]

Fifty-eight samples belonging to 7 species of Arisaematis Rhizoma and its adulterants were collected. The ITS2 locus was employed as a DNA barcode and amplified, sequenced and assembled for all of the collected samples. Then, ITS2 sequences have been annotated using HMM-based method. The intra- and inter-specific variations were calculated and NJ tree was constructed using MEGA 6.0 software. The results showed that inter-specific K2P distances were significantly larger than intra-specific distances for all of the three origin species of Arisaematis Rhizoma. Furthermore, three origin species, Arisaema amurense, A. erubescens and A. heterophyllum, can be respectively formed to be a single branch with high bootstrap values. It is concluded that ITS2 can be used to correctly identify Arisaematis Rhizoma from its adulterants and the application of ITS2 in the identification of traditional Chinese medicine has an important prospective.

[Textual research and surveying on officinal varieties of rhizoma arisaematis]

Through textual research and surveying on officinal varieties of Rhizoma Arisaematis, we considered the following results. The name of Rhizoma Arisaematis is in ceaseless change and its original is in confusion in the development of bencaology history. The original plants as Rhizoma Arisaematis are from many species and have wide distribution. This review can provide important reference for exploitation and utilization of resources and further development of Rhizoma Arisaematis through the discussion of the state of its original plant, distribution and mainstream varieties in the current market.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of cultivated amochi (Arisaema schimperianum Schott) in Ethiopia as revealed by AFLP markers

Amochi (Arisaema schimperianum Schott) is an off-season crop plant in southern Ethiopia, grown during the dry season on residual moisture, for its edible tubers. It has gained importance as a "security crop" especially during the years of moisture stress and food shortage. Amochi is irritating in contact to the skin. Removal of this effect is an important question for breeding. As the first step, however we attempt to establish base line information of its breeding system and genetic variability using AFLPs. The extent of genetic differentiation among 11 populations (96 individuals) of amochi sampled along altitudinal gradients that varied from 1700 to 3200 m a.s.l. was investigated. The populations were classified in to three altitudinal groups: lowland (1700 to 2200 m a.s.l.), central-highland (2201 to 2600 m a.s.l.) and highland (2601 to 3200 m a.s.l.). Polymorphic loci (167) scored from four primer pair combinations, were used for principal component analysis (PCA), and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Both PCA and unweighed pair group with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clearly differentiated populations into their respective altitude groups, with large genetic distances. AMOVA analysis revealed 70.5%, 16.7% and 12.8% variability between altitude groups, between populations and within populations respectively. Average diversity indices within populations were also low. Since the largest proportion of variation is located between altitude groups, rather than within populations, we suggest future studies on the chemical composition, low irritation, and other desirable traits should consider populations from different altitude ranges.

Isolation and characterization of two N-acetyl-D-lactosamine specific lectins from tubers of Arisaema intermedium Blume and A. wallichianum Hook f

Two new lectins were purified from the tubers of Arisaema intermedium Blume and A. wallichianum Hook. f. (family: Araceae) by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica beads. The bound lectins were eluted with 0.1 M glycine-HCl, pH 2.5. They gave a single band corresponding to subunit M(r) 13.4 kDa in SDS-PAGE, pH 8.3. On gel filtration chromatography, the lectins showed a M(r) of 51.2 kDa, suggesting a homotetrameric structure. Both the lectins gave a single peak on size exclusion HPLC and cation-exchange columns and a single band on PAGE, pH 4.5. However, like other monocot lectins, they gave multiple bands in isoelectric focusing and at PAGE 8.3. The lectins were inhibited by N-acetyl-D-lactosamine (LacNAc), a disaccharide and asialofetuin, a complex desialylated serum glycoprotein. They had no requirement for divalent metal ions i.e., Ca2+ and Mn2+ for their activity and were found to be mitogenic towards human lymphocytes. A. intermedium showed antiproliferative effect against various human cancer cell lines in vitro.