Effects of Light Intensity on the Growth, Photosynthetic Characteristics, and Flavonoid Content of Epimedium pseudowushanense B.L.Guo.
Epimedium pseudowushanenseB.L.Guo is used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and to strengthen muscles and bones. Several recent reports have shown that flavonoids fromEpimediumalso significantly affect the treatment of breast cancer, liver cancer, and leukemia. However, few studies have examined the medicinal-ingredient yield ofEpimedium, a light-demanding shade herb, under different light intensities. To investigate the effects of light intensity on medicinal-ingredient yields,Epimediumwas exposed to five levels of light intensity until harvest time. Leaf dry biomass under L4 was the highest among different light treatments. L4 was also associated with the highest net photosynthetic rate. Quantification of epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, and icariin showed that L3 produced the highest amount of epimedin C, and that flavonoid content responded to light levels differently. Results indicated that L3 and L4 were the optimal light levels for medicinal-ingredient yield.
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China. panjunqian123@163.com.
Junqian
J
Pan
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China. blguo@implad.ac.cn.
Baolin
B
Guo
D018533:Biomass; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis*; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; C529106:epimedin A; C106053:epimedin B; C106054:epimedin C
Epimedium pseudowushanense B.L.Guo; flavonoid content; light intensity growth; medicinal-ingredient yield; photosynthetic characteristics