Fritillaria taipaiensis P. Y. Li (F. taipaiensis) is widely utilized for its efficacy in alleviating cough symptoms and reducing mucus production. Its popularity stems from its recognized therapeutic properties and associated health benefits. However, due to the scarcity of its resources and the high market valuation, the traditional application of Fritillaria taipaiensis faces the disadvantage of underutilization. To better utilize the resources of Fritillariae cirrhosae (F. cirrhosae), we prepared an ultrafine powder of F. taipaiensis (UPF) and explored the differences in physicochemical properties and pharmacodynamics between it and the traditional powder of F. taipaiensis (TPF). Physicochemical properties were characterized by particle size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated by cough and phenol red excretion modeling. Relative to TPF, UPF demonstrated superior physicochemical properties, and there was an increase in the dissolution of total alkaloid. Additionally, the effective dose of UPF required to achieve equivalent effects on cough latency prolongation, cough reduction, phenol red excretion enhancement, and the decrease of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels was half that of TPF. The UPF reduced the expression of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), transient receptor potential ankyrin1 (TRPA1), surfactant protein A (SP-A) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in the lung tissues. The UPF is superior to TPF in physicochemical properties and cough-relieving and phlegm-reducing effects.The research contributes to the optimization of the daily health consumption of F. taipaiensis and the promotion of the adequate utilization of its resources.

Fritillaria taipaiensis P. Y. Li is a widely used medicinal herb in treating pulmonary diseases. In recent years, its wild resources have become scarce, and the demand for efficient artificial cultivation has significantly increased. This article is the first to apply phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere soil of F. taipaiensis P. Y. Li to the cultivation process of F. taipaiensis P. Y. Li. The aim is to identify suitable reference strains for the artificial cultivation and industrial development of F. taipaiensis P. Y. Li by examining the effects of various phosphate solubilizing bacteria and their combinations on photosynthesis, physiological and biochemical properties, and gene expression related to the protective enzyme system in F. taipaiensis P. Y. Li. The experiment, conducted in pots at room temperature, included a control group (CK) and groups inoculated with inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria: W1 (Bacillus cereus), W2 (Serratia plymuthica), W12 (Bacillus cereus and Serratia plymuthica), and groups inoculated with organophosphorus-solubilizing bacteria: Y1 (Bacillus cereus), Y2 (Bacillus cereus), Y12 (Bacillus cereus and Bacillus cereus), totaling seven groups. Compared to CK, most growth indices in the bacterial addition groups showed significant differences, with W12 achieving the highest values in all indices except the leaf area index. The content of photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic parameters, and osmoregulatory substances increased variably in each bacterial treatment group. W12 exhibited the highest content of chlorophyll a and soluble protein, while W1 had the highest free proline content. The activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in all inoculated groups were higher than in CK, with significant changes in SOD and CAT activities. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in all inoculated groups was lower than in CK, with Y12 being the lowest, at approximately 30% of CK. Gene expression corresponding to these three enzymes also increased variably, with POD expression in Y2 being the highest at 2.73 times that of CK. SOD and CAT expression in Y12 were the highest, at 1.84 and 4.39 times that of CK, respectively. These results indicate that inoculating phosphate solubilizing bacteria can enhance the growth of F. taipaiensis P. Y. Li, with the mixed inoculation groups W12 and Y12 demonstrating superior effects. This lays a theoretical foundation for selecting bacterial fertilizers in the cultivation process of F. taipaiensis P. Y. Li.

This study aimed to examine the effects of inoculating Fritillaria taipaiensis P.Y.Li leaves with different strains of potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB), or combinations thereof, focusing on aspects of photosynthesis and physiological and biochemical characteristics. At present, some studies have only studied the rhizosphere microbial community characteristics of F. taipaiensis and have not discussed the effects of different microbial species on the growth promotion of F. taipaiensis. This paper will start from the perspective of potassium-solubilizing bacteria to conduct an in-depth study. Seed cultivation commenced at the base with three different KSBs in early October 2022. The growth of F. taipaiensis leaves was observed after different treatments. Both single-plant and compound inoculations were executed. A total of eight treatment groups were established, with aseptic fertilizer and sterilized soil functioning as the control group. The results reveal that intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) were at their apex in the S7 group. Most treatment groups exhibited an increase in leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, soluble sugar, soluble protein, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Catalase (CAT) activities, and proline content. The expression levels of POD, SOD, and CAT genes were evaluated, following inoculation with different KSB. The highest was the S7 group. The inoculation with various KSB, or combinations thereof, appears to bolster the growth and development of F. taipaiensis. The composite inoculation group S7, comprising Bacillus cereus, Burkholderia cepacia, and Bacillus subtilis, manifested the most favorable impact on the diverse indices of F. taipaiensis, thereby furnishing valuable insights for the selection of bacterial fertilizer in the artificial cultivation of F. taipaiensis.