Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction has been widely used in gene expression analysis, however, to have reliable and accurate results, reference genes are necessary to normalize gene expression under different experimental conditions. Several reliable reference genes have been reported in plants of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but none have been identified for Euscaphis konishii Hayata. In this study, 12 candidate reference genes, including 3 common housekeeping genes and 9 novel genes based on E. konishii Hayata transcriptome data were selected and analyzed in different tissues (root, branch, leaf, capsule and seed), capsule and seed development stages. Expression stability was calculated using geNorm and NormFinder, the minimal number of reference genes required for accurate normalization was calculated by Vn/Vn + 1 using geNorm. EkEEF-5A-1 and EkADF2 were the two most stable reference genes for all samples, while EkGSTU1 and EkGAPDH were the most stable reference genes for tissue samples. For seed development stages, EkGAPDH and EkEEF-5A-1 were the most stable genes, whereas EkGSTU1 and EkGAPDH were identified as the two most stable genes in the capsule development stages. Two reference genes were sufficient to normalize gene expression across all sample sets. Results of this study revealed that suitable reference genes should be selected for different experimental samples, and not all the common reference genes are suitable for different tissue samples and/or experimental conditions. In this study, we present the first data of reference genes selection for E. konishii Hayata based on transcriptome data, our data will facilitate further studies in molecular biology and gene function on E. konishii Hayata and other closely related species.

Cinnamomum is a genus of the family Lauraceae, which has been recognized worldwide as an important genus due to its beneficial uses. A great deal of research on its phytochemistry and pharmacological effects has been conducted. It is noteworthy that terpenoids are the characteristic of Cinnamomum due to the peculiar structures and significant biological effects. For a more in-depth study and the better use of Cinnamomum plants in the future, the chemical structures and biological effects of terpenoids obtained from Cinnamomum were summarized in the present study. To date, a total of 181 terpenoids with various skeletons have been isolated from Cinnamomum. These compounds have been demonstrated to play an important role in immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. However, studies on the bioactive components from Cinnamomum plants have only focused on a dozen species. Hence, further studies on the potential pharmacological effects need to be conducted in the future.

Pleione (Orchidaceae) is not only famous for the ornamental value in Europe because of its special color, but also endemic in Southern Asia for its use in traditional medicine. A great deal of research about its secondary metabolites and biological activities has been done on only three of 30 species of Pleione. Up to now, 183 chemical compounds, such as phenanthrenes, bibenzyls, glucosyloxybenzyl succinate derivatives, flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, etc., have been obtained from Pleione. These compounds have been demonstrated to play a significant role in anti-tumor, anti-neurodegenerative and anti-inflammatory biological activities and improve immunity. In order to further develop the drugs and utilize the plants, the chemical structural analysis and biological activities of Pleione are summarized in this review.

Background. Liver injury has been recognized as a primary cause of hepatic morbidity and mortality.Euscaphis konishiiHayata, also calledEuscaphis fukienensisHsu, is usually used as a detumescent and analgesic agent to improve liver function in South China, but its mechanism of action and chemical composition are unclear.Objective. The main aim of the study was to investigate the constituent and potential hepatoprotective mechanism of the total triterpenes ofE. konishiipericarp (TTEP).Methods.The constituent of TTEP was analyzed by a series of silica gel column to get single compounds and then identified by NMR and MS.In vitroassays were conducted to test the free radical scavenging activity of TTEP. The BCG/LPS-induced immunological livery injury mice model was established to clarify the hepatoprotective effect of TTEPin vivo.Results.8 pentacyclic triterpene acids were separated and identified by NMR and MS. TTEP treatment (50, 100, and 200 mg/Kg) improved the immune function of the BCG/LPS-infected mice, dose-dependently alleviated the BCG/LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, and ameliorated the hepatocyte apoptosis in the liver tissue.Conclusion. The pericarp ofE. konishiimay be further considered as a potent natural food for liver disease treatment.

A novel porous polymer material with red emissions composed of a europium silica hybrid and polyurethane foam has been assembled. Its sensing properties in water have been investigated and the fluorescence of the foam was selectively quenched in the presence of Cu²⁺ (detection limit 3.4 μM) compared with other cation ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cr²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Al³⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ag⁺). The high selectivity and sensitivity were attributed to the strong chelation of Cu²⁺ with nitrogen atoms of the ligand (L) and the photo-induced electron transfer effect. The luminescent polyurethane foam showed a good reusability (more than 10 times). Interestingly, the red emission can be switched “off” and “on” via the addition of copper ions and EDTA, respectively. Additionally, the tensile failure tests proved that higher mechanical strength could be achieved in the silica material reinforced polyurethane foam.