Hydrolysis of Glycosidic Flavonoids during the Preparation of Danggui Buxue Tang: An Outcome of Moderate Boiling of Chinese Herbal Mixture.

Wendy Li Zhang,Jian-Ping Chen,Kelly Yin-Ching Lam,Karl Wah-Keung Tsim,Janis Ya-Xian Zhan,Ping Yao,Tina Ting-Xia Dong

doi:10.1155/2014/608721

Abstract

Chemical change during boiling of herbal mixture is a puzzle. By using Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction that contains Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), we developed a model in analyzing the hydrolysis of flavonoid glycosides during the boiling of herbal mixture in water. A proper preparation of DBT is of great benefit to the complete extraction of bioactive ingredients. Boiling of DBT in water increased the solubility of AR-derived astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and ononin in a time- and temperature-dependent manner: the amounts of these chemicals reached a peak at 2 h. The glycosidic resides of AR, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and ononin could be hydrolyzed during the moderate boiling process to form calycosin and formononetin, respectively. The hydrolysis efficiency was strongly affected by pH, temperature, and amount of herbs. Interestingly, the preheated herbs were not able to show this hydrolytic activity. The current results supported the rationality of ancient preparation of DBT in boiling water by moderate heat.

Highlights

Herbal decoction, as a water extractive, is a common form of preparation in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)
By using Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) as an example here, we aimed to reveal the solubility and the possible chemical change of Astragali Radix (AR)-derived astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin, calycosin-7-O-βD-glucoside, and ononin in the herbal decoction during boiling process
DBT was prepared under two different boiling processes, one was boiled using moderate heat, while the other one was boiled under strong heating directly

Summary

Introduction

As a water extractive, is a common form of preparation in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). This water preparation, recorded in the earliest medicinal book “52 Bing Fang (Prescriptions for Fifty-two Diseases)”, has been used in China for more than 3,000 years. Li described the DBT formula that should include 10 qian of Astragali Radix (AR), roots of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bungevar. K. Hsiao, and two qian of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Two qian of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels This formula should be boiled in two bowls of water over moderate heat until the final volume is reduced by half [3, 4]. Recent pharmacological results indicated that DBT had the ability to promote hematopoietic function, to stimulate cardiovascular circulation, to strengthen immune response, to increase

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion