Dayaoshania cotinifolia W. T. Wang is a rare and endangered member of the Gesneriaceae family which is endemic to China. To conserve this species, an efficient in vitro propagation and regeneration system via shoot organogenesis was established from young leaf explants. Adventitious shoot induction was possible within 50-60 d on basal Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1-3 mu M 6-benzyladenine, although 5 mu M 6-benzyladenine induced hyperhydricity. Basal medium containing 1-5 mu M thidiazuron induced fewer shoots, while 1-5 mu M alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid induced numerous adventitious roots and a few adventitious shoots. However, when thidiazuron and alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid were combined, both the induction percentage and number of shoots increased. Leaf explants cultured on induction medium supplemented with 1-5 mu M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid become necrotic and died. Induction medium supplemented with 1 mu M alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid and 1-3 mu M 6-benzyladenine was optimal for inducing adventitious shoots as was the combination of 1-3 mu M thidiazuron and 1 mu M alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid. Induction medium containing 2.0 mu M 6-benzyladenine and 0.5 mu M indole-3-acetic acid was optimal for the multiplication of adventitious shoots. Rooting was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mu M indole-3-acetic acid or alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.1% activated charcoal. Plantlets were transplanted to a mixture of sand, vermiculite, and humus (1:1:1); 92% survived. This protocol is a unique and effective means to micropropagate this rare and important plant and could serve as a solution for in vitro and ex vitro conservation.

Three new C-19-diterpenoid alkaloids, tianshanisine (1), tianshanine (2) and tianshanidine (3), together with six known C19-diterpenoid alkaloids (4-9) were isolated from the whole herb of Delphinium tianshanicum W. T. Wang. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR. (C) 2014 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Examination of specimens and literatures show that Onosma dolichoutum W.T. Wang, described from Jilong County in southern Xizang, China, matches perfectly the type of O. bracteatum Wall., a common species distributed in subalpine and alpine zones in Western Himalaya. Therefore, we place the former in synonym of the latter. We also designate the lectotype for O. bracteatum. This species is a new record for China.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids, designated naviconine (1), naviculine (2) and naviconitine (3), together with five known diterpenoid alkaloids (4)-(8) were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium naviculare var. lasiocarpum W. T. Wang. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses. All of the compounds were evaluated in vitro for cytotoxicity against HT-29, MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cancer cell lines using the MTT method.

A new protoberberine alkaloid, named 5,6-dihydro-10-hydroxy-2,3,9-trimethoxy-13-methyldibenzo[a,g]quinolizini um (1) was isolated from the 60% ethanol extract of the tubers of Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang, together with a new natural product, 13-methylpalmatrubine (2). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. (C) 2009 Xin Sheng Yao. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

A new protoberberine alkaloid, named 5,6-dihydro-10-hydroxy-2,3,9-trimethoxy-13-methyldibenzo[a,g]quinolizini um (1) was isolated from the 60% ethanol extract of the tubers of Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang, together with a new natural product, 13-methylpalmatrubine (2). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods.