燕窝DNA条形码的鉴定研究

应用Cytb序列对燕窝进行DNA条形码(DNA barcodes)研究,为燕窝的溯源研究及全面评价燕窝质量提供理论依据。以马来西亚、印度尼西亚、越南、泰国等地的燕窝,共计39个样本为研究对象,提取基因组DNA,扩增Cytb序列并双向测序。采用MEGA 7.0软件,对39条样本序列及36条从Gen Bank中下载5种金丝燕的Cytb序列进行序列特征分析,基于Kimura双参数法计算序列种内、种间遗传距离,构建NJ和UPGMA系统聚类树进行分析。研究结果表明,39个样本共来源于3个不同的金丝燕物种。Cytb序列种间变异显著大于其种内变异,可以准确地区分不同种类的燕窝。所构建的NJ和UPGMA系统发育树,也能将全部物种区分开。表明基于Cytb序列的DNA条形码技术可用于准确快速地鉴别燕窝的生物基原。     

Triptolide: Progress on research in pharmacodynamics and toxicology

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Tripterygium wilfordii), also known as Huangteng and gelsemium elegan, is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been marketed in China as Tripterygium wilfordii glycoside tablets. Triptolide (TP), an active component in Tripterygium wilfordii extracts, has been used to treat various diseases, including lupus, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and nephritic syndrome. This review summarizes recent developments in the research on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacy and toxicology of TP, with a focus on its novel mechanism of reducing toxicity. This review provides insight for future studies on traditional Chinese medicine, a field that is both historically and currently important.

Materials and methods

We included studies published primarily within the last five years that were available in online academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, SciFinder and Web of Science).

Results

TP has a long history of use in China because it displays multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-rheumatism, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and neuroprotective properties. It has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, nephritic syndrome, lupus, Behcet?s disease and central nervous system diseases. Recently, numerous breakthroughs have been made in our understanding of the pharmacological efficacy of TP. Although TP has been marketed as a traditional Chinese medicine, its multi-organ toxicity prevents it from being widely used in clinical practice.

Conclusions

Triptolide, a biologically active natural product extracted from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii, has shown promising pharmacological effects, particularly as an anti-tumor agent. Currently, in anti-cancer research, more effort should be devoted to investigating effective anti-tumor targets and confirming the anti-tumor spectrum and clinical indications of novel anti-tumor pro-drugs. To apply TP appropriately, with high efficacy and low toxicity, the safety and non-toxic dose range for specific target organs and diseases should be determined, the altered pathways and mechanisms of exposure need to be clarified, and an early warning system for toxicity needs to be established. With further in-depth study of the efficacy and toxicity of TP, we believe that TP will become a promising multi-use drug with improved clinical efficacy and safety in the future.