Ji Zhang

Doronicum micranthum (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from Hui County and Liangdang County in southeastern Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated. This species is closely related to D. stenoglossum Maxim. and D. conaense Y.L.Chen, with which it shares the following characters: the ray florets are equal to or shorter than the involucre, and the small capitula are arranged in racemes at the stem apex. It differs by having swollen (vs. not swollen) rhizomes, smaller capitula (0.5–1.4 vs. 2–2.5 cm in diameter), and all florets’ achenes that are glabrous and lack a pappus (vs. achenes in all florets puberulent, pappus present, or glabrous and without pappus in ray florets, densely pubescent and bearing a pappus in disk florets).

Aster xuelinii, a new species from Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species is superficially similar to A. dolichopodus Y. Ling in that both have nearly entire leaves, synflorescence solitary at branch tips or arranged in corymbiform clusters, and ray floret color. However, it differs from A. dolichopodus in having peduncles 6–9 cm in length and 12–14 ray florets, versus 2.5–15 cm in length and 19–26 ray florets. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS sequences, as well as the chloroplast trnL-F region, place this new species within the genus Aster, where it forms a well-supported clade with A. taliangshanensis Y. Ling. A. xuelinii differs from A. taliangshanensis in that the latter has stems often purplish-red in the upper part, capitula typically arranged 1–3 at branch tips forming a loosely corymbiform synflorescence, and a higher number of ray florets (50–60), which are bluish-purple. Furthermore, detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic illustrations, and ecological habitat characteristics are provided, supporting the classification of this new species.

In light of concerns regarding milk quality deterioration and the rising threat of bacterial resistance, developing alternative treatments to antibiotics for mastitis has become imperative. Clove oil (CEO), a well-established natural antimicrobial, has not been extensively investigated for its synergistic potential when combined with Elsholtzia EO. Essential oils (EOs) from the plants were extracted using steam distillation. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) results showed that the main component of CEO was eugenol (76.59%), the main component of Elsholtzia densa EO was limonene (22.05%), the main component of Elsholtzia ciliata EO was carvone (31.63%), the main component of Elsholtzia fruticosa EO (EfEO) was eucalyptol (40.1%), and the main component of Elsholtzia stauntonii EO was cuminol (27.60%). Antimicrobial assays demonstrated CEO′s superior efficacy against bovine mastitis pathogens (MIC: 1.875–7.5 mg/mL), while CEO/EfEO combination exhibited marked synergy (FICI ≤ 0.75). Further studies on the antimicrobial mechanisms of CEO, EfEO, and the CEO/EfEO combination showed that they were able to affect the integrity of the bacterial cell wall and increase membrane permeability. Such effect led to the leakage of biomolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, accompanied by a concurrent decline in intracellular ATPase activity. The results of antioxidant activity assay showed that CEO exhibited stronger antioxidant capacity than EfEO. Cytotoxicity assessments conducted in bovine mammary epithelial cells delineated safe therapeutic windows, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.120 to 0.148 mg/mL for CEO and 0.261–0.286 mg/mL for EfEO. Furthermore, the combined application of CEO and EfEO resulted in a reduction of the EC₅₀ value. These findings indicate that CEO and EfEO represent a promising phytotherapeutic alternative, offering a potential solution to the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance in dairy production systems.

Allium zhouquense Z.F.Bai & Xue L.Chen (Amaryllidaceae) is described and illustrated from Gansu Province, China. It resembles both A. plurifoliatum and A. paepalanthoides, but it is identified by its 2-angled scape; by its shortly strigose leaf edge, leaf sheaths, and midvein; by its pedicels 6–8 times the length of perianth; and by its stamens with a pair of teeth on both its outer and inner filaments.

The perennial herb Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai (Ranunculaceae) has been utilized as a traditional oriental medicine in China for numerous years. The principal pharmacological constituent of A. sinomontanum, lappaconitine (LA), exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-epileptic activities. Due to its potent efficacy and non-addictive nature, LA is widely utilized in the management of cancer pain and postoperative analgesia. This review encompasses the research advancements pertaining to LA including extraction methods, separation techniques, pharmacological properties, chemical modifications, and clinical applications. Additionally, it offers insights into the potential applications and current challenges associated with LA to facilitate future research endeavors.