Analysis on genetic, chemical and pharmacological diversity of medicinal plants, towards sustainable uses of traditional medicines

刺五加球茎和细棘根皮中所含的刺五加苷B在体外对神经萎缩有保护作用，在体内对受损的物体识别记忆有改善作用，这两种中药有望应用于痴呆的治疗。在根状茎具有神经突生长活性的菖蒲属植物中，发现了一些含有少量致癌物质β-细辛酮的基因型。根据遗传和化学证据，中国产白芍和红芍的植物来源分别为芍药南系和北系，并选择了几个园艺品种作为替代药用资源。上述结果将有助于此类药用资源的可持续利用。

Eleutheroside B contained in rhizome of Eleutherococcus senticosus and root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus showed protective effect against neuritic atrophy in vitro and amelioration of the impaired object identification memory in vivo, suggesting that both herbal drugs would be expected for the application in dementia remedy. Among Acorus species whose rhizomes showed neurite outgrowth activity, some genotype of A. gramineus with low amount ofβ-asarone, a carcinogenic compound, were found. Based on genetic and chemical evidences, the botanical sources of white and red peony roots from China were demonstrated to be the southern and northern strains of Paeonia lactiflora, respectively, and several horticultural varieties were selected as alternative medicinal resources. Above results will contribute to sustainable uses of such medicinal resources.