凹唇姜属(Boesenbergia O.Kuntze)和山柰属(Kaempferia L.)(姜科)叶的解剖学

通过凹唇姜属（Boesenbergia curtisii,B.Prainana,B.rotunda和B.plicata)和山柰属（Kaempferia pulchra,D.galanga.K.gilbertii,K.rotunda,K.parviflora和K.angustifolia)种间叶解剖学变化的研究,寻找能用于鉴别种的解剖学特征,结果显示变化表现在气孔的类型,中脉的结构,叶缘和叶柄横切面轮廓,叶片的远 轴面或近轴面下皮层和毛状体的出现或缺如,研究表明这些特征的联合对已研究的种的鉴别是有用的。     

Altered Redox Status in Erythrocytes From Hypertensive Subjects： Effect of （-）Epicatechin

Hypertension is a major problem worldwide. There is much evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) radical may play a role in the development of organ damage associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. ( － )Epicatechin, a member of tea catechins belonging to flavonoid group, is known to be a potent anti-oxidant. The study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of ( － )epicatechin on markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane sulfhydryl ( — SH) groups in erythrocytes from hypertensive patients. The effect of ( － )epicatechin was also compared with a known anti-oxidant L-ascorbic acid. The erythrocyte intracellular GSH content and membrane — SH group content were significantly (P<0.01) decreased in hypertensive subjects. In vitro incubation with ( － )epicatechin caused an increase in GSH and — SH content, the effect was more pronounced in hypertensive erythrocytes. Similar results were obtained with L-ascorbic acid. The observed decrease in the level of GSH and — SH groups in hypertension is an indicator of oxidative stress condition. Observation of an increase in red cell GSH content and the protection of membrane — SH group oxidation by ( － )epicatechin in hypertensive subjects is a convincing reason to suggest that high dietary intake of foods rich in catechins may help to reduce oxidative stress and concomitant free radical damage in hypertensive patients.     

Comparative leaf anatomy of Alpinia Roxb. species (Zingiberaceae) from China

The leaf anatomy of 20 Alpinia species from China was investigated. Results show that there is interspecific variation in the structure of the leaf midrib and petiole which can be used for species identification. Adaxial hypodermis is present in the lamina in all species of subgenus Catimbium and absent from all species of subgenera Dieramalpinia and Aobolocalyx and Alpinia , excepting A. conchigera, A. galanga and A. aquatica , which appear to be closely allied in having subepidermal fibres in midribs and petioles, which are absent from the rest of the species.