Astragalus L., is one of the largest genuses of flowering plants in the Leguminosae family. Roots of A. membranaceus Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao, A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. and its processed products are listed in the China Pharmacopeia for "qi deficiency" syndrome treatment. However, more and more researches on other species of Astragalus have been conducted recently. We summarize the recent researches of Astragalus species in phytochemistry and pharmacology. More than 200 constituents, including saponins and flavonoids, obtained from 46 species of Astragalus genus were collected for this article. In pharmacological studies, crude extracts of Astragalus, as well as isolated constituents showed anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, antioxidative, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and antiviral activities. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of chemical and pharmacological studies on the Astragalus species over the last 10 years, which could be of value to new drug or food supplement research and development. OPEN ACCESS

Since seed reserves can influence seed germination, the quantitative and qualitative differences in seed reserves may relate to the germination characteristics of species. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between germination and seed reserves, as well as their mobilization during germination of six grassland species (Chloris virgata, Kochia scoparia, Lespedeza hedysaroides, Astragalus adsurgens, Leonurus artemisia, and Dracocephalum moldavica) and compare the results with domesticated species. We measured starch, protein, and fat content in dry seeds and the initial absorption of water during imbibition. Starch, soluble protein, fat, and soluble sugar content also were determined at five stages during germination. Starch, protein, and fat reserves in dry seeds were not significantly correlated with germination percentage and rate (speed), but soluble sugar and soluble protein contents at different germination stages were positively significantly correlated with germination rate for the six species. Starch was mainly used during seed imbibition, and soluble protein was used from the imbibition stage to the highest germination stage. Fat content for all species remained relatively constant throughout germination for six species, regardless of the proportion of other seed reserves in the seeds. Our results for fat utilization differ from those obtained for cultivated grasses and legumes. These results provide new insight on the role of seed reserves as energy resources in germination for wild species.

Bio-oils are an important part of the future energy composition.

It is well known that spirostane-type saponins show various bioactivities. In our on-going program of screening these kinds of constituents from natural products, Yucca schidigera was found to be rich in them, and nine new spirostanol saponins, Yucca spirostanosides A1 (1), A2 (2), B1 (3), B2 (4), B3 (5), C1 (6), C2 (7), C3 (8), and D1 (9), together with five known ones (10–14) were isolated from the plant. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectra, and comparing with published data.

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Xanthones, as some of the most active components and widely distributed in various herb medicines, have drawn more and more attention in recent years. So far, 168 species of herbal plants belong to 58 genera, 24 families have been reported to contain xanthones. Among them, Calophyllum, Cratoxylum, Cudrania, Garcinia, Gentiana, Hypericum and Swertia genera are plant resources with great development prospect. This paper summarizes the plant resources, bioactivity and the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of xanthones from references published over the last few decades, which may be useful for new drug research and development on xanthones.

Abstarct Background The purpose of our study was to identify the new and the more specific risk factors for major amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods We used data from the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) database of our hospital from February 2014 to July 2020. Patients with DFU and amputation were included in the study. The logistic regression model was adjusted for demographic characteristics and related comorbidities between major and minor amputation groups. Results Among 3654 patients with DFU, 363 (9.9%) were amputated. Patients with major versus minor amputation, in multivariable logistic regression models, major amputation independent factors included previous amputation history (odds ratio [OR] 2.31 [95% CI 1.17–4.53], p = 0.02), smoking (2.58 [1.31–5.07], p = 0.01), coronary artery disease (CAD) (2.67 [1.35–5.29], p = 0.03), ankle brachial index (ABI) <0.4 (15.77 [7.51–33.13], p < 0.01), Wagner 5 (5.50 [1.89–16.01], p < 0.01), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (1.23 [1.03–1.48], p = 0.01), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (1.23 [1.03–1.48], p = 0.03), hemoglobin (Hb) (0.98 [0.96–1.00], p = 0.01), plasma albumin (ALB) (0.88 [0.81–0.95], p < 0.01) and white blood cell (WBC) (1.10 [1.04–1.16], p < 0.01). Conclusion Major amputation was associated with previous amputation history, smoking, CAD, Wagner 5, ABI <0.4, HbA1c, Hb, ALB, WBC, and APTT might be a new independent factor. In view of these factors, early prevention and guidance promptly orientated by multidisciplinary is of great significance to reduce the disability rate and economic burden.

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