Berberine Content Research Articles

Effects of growing Coptis chinensis Franch in the natural understory vs. under a manmade scaffold on its growth, alkaloid contents, and rhizosphere soil microenvironment.

BackgroundThe main planting modes currently used for the production of Coptis chinensis Franch are under the shade of a manmade scaffold or a natural understory. In this study, we analysed changes in the growth, development, and alkaloids of C. chinensis when grown in a natural understory compared with under a manmade scaffold. We also clarified the differences in the rhizosphere soil microenvironment, represented by soil physicochemical factors, enzyme activity, and microbial community structure of 1- to 5-year-old C. chinensis between the different planting modes. These results will provide theoretical guidance and scientific evidence for the development, application, and extension of ecological planting technologies for C. chinensis.ResultsThe results of this study showed that rhizome length, rhizome diameter, and rhizome weight all increased over time in both planting modes. The greatest rhizome length was reached in 4-year-old C. chinensis, while the greatest rhizome diameter and rhizome weight were obtained in 5-year-old C. chinensis. There was no significant difference in rhizome biomass between the two planting modes. The alkaloid content of the four common alkaloids in the rhizome of 5-year-old C. chinensis at the harvest stage met the standards found in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China; the berberine content and total alkaloids in the rhizomes were significantly higher with natural understory planting compared to planting under a manmade scaffold. A redundancy analysis revealed that the physicochemical factors and enzyme activity of rhizosphere soil were significantly correlated with variation in microbial community structure. Soil pH, available potassium, bulk density, available nitrogen, catalase, and peroxidase were all significantly correlated with bacterial and fungal community structures. Among these, soil pH was the most important factor influencing the structures of the fungal and bacterial community. In the two planting modes, the differences in soil enzyme activity and microbial community structure mainly manifested in the rhizosphere soil of C. chinensis between different growth years, as there was little difference between the rhizosphere soil of C. chinensis in a given growth year under different planting modes. The levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter in the rhizosphere soil under either planting mode were closely associated with the type and amount of fertiliser applied to C. chinensis. Investigating the influence of different fertilisation practices on nutrient cycling in farmland and the relationship between fertilisation and the soil environment will be key to improving the yield and quality of C. chinensis medicinal materials while maintaining the health of the soil microenvironment.

Optimization of Deep Eutectic Solvents Extraction of Effective Components from Phellodendron chinense Schneid by Response Surface Methodology

Taking Phellodendron chinense Schneid (PcS) as the raw material with ultrasonic-assisted eutectic solvent, the effects of various DESs on the extractable content of palmatine and berberine in PcS were investigated. On the basis of the single-factor test, the best DES was determined to be choline chloride and 1,3-propanediol (mole ratio 1 : 2). After optimizing by the response surface method, the optimum extraction conditions were as follows: the solid-liquid ratio was 1 : 30 (w/v), water content was 30% (v/v), vortex time was 7 min, ultrasonic time was 20 min, ultrasonic temperature was 60°C, ultrasonic power was 400 W, and the content of palmatine in PcS was 5.421 ± 0.283 mg/g, and the content of berberine in PcS was 15.573 ± 0.539 mg/g. Therefore, DES prepared from choline chloride and 1,3-propanediol can be used to extract palmatine and berberine from PcS. The optimized process conditions determined by the response surface method are reliable and can provide a reference for the green extraction of effective components from PcS.

A Review on Anticancer Potential of Berberis aristata and Berberine with Focus on Quantitative Methods

Berberis aristata (BA) is a traditional herbal ayurvedic medicine widely used from ancient time and has various therapeutic effect. In this review, we had tried to emphasize on its pharmacognistic as well phytochemical parameters. We had aiming to focus on estimation of berberin in extract using different analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance thin-layer chromatography from various parts of BA plant. It contains different isoquinoline alkaloids, namely berberine, palmitine, berbamine which are contributing in the pharmacological action of BA. As it has various pharmacological actions such as anti-bacterial, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-hemorrhagic. Along with that, it is also a potential anticancer agent as its methanolic extract showed potent activity against different cell lines such as breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer cell lines. In this review, we had emphasized on phamacognosy, phytochemistry, and analysis for berberine content of BA along with its anticancer potential. A brief spotlight had also given on anticancer prospective of berberine.

Identification and Determination of Berberine from Arcangelisia Flava, East Borneo

Berberine is a compound that has various benefits but also has dangerous toxic effects. In Indonesia, the Regulation of the Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency No. 10 of 2014 concerning the Prohibition of Producing and Circulating Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements Containing Coptis Sp, Berberis Sp, Mahonia Sp, Chelidonium Majus, Phellodendron Sp, Arcangelica Flava, Tinosporae Radix, and Catharanthus Roseus. Regulation No. 7 of 2018 (BPOM, 2018) also prohibits the presence of berberine in processed food. This research was conducted to determine the content of berberine compounds from the extract and stem fraction of Arcangelisia flava. The research was conducted by identifying the content of berberine by TLC method compared with Rf Berberine sulfate and determination of berberine content by HPLC method (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) using column C-18 (ODS). Berberine content of methanol extract, n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and Arcangelisia Flava methanol-water fraction were 0.0040, respectively; 0.0010; 0.0041, 0.0044%.

Phytochemical and Network Pharmacology Based Evaluation of Antiepileptic Potential of Identified Metabolites in Argimone mexicana

Pharmacognosy Research,2021,13,4,208-217.DOI:10.5530/pres.13.4.13Published:October 2021Type:Original ArticleAuthors:Vinod Gahlot, and Dinesh Kumar Yadav Author(s) affiliations:Vinod Gahlot1, Dinesh Kumar Yadav2,* 1Department of Pharmacology, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, INDIA. 2Department of Pharmacognosy, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, INDIA. Abstract:Background: Quality-based assessment of herbal drugs or products is being more concerning for their quality, safety and regulatory purpose. A. mexicana is a traditional herbal medicine that has a long history in the treatment of arthritis, anti-fungal anti-cancer and brain disorders. Aim: Due to lack of scientific evidence based on phytopharmacology, the study is aimed for phytochemical and antiepileptic evaluation of identified metabolites in A. mexicana. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical identification was done using MS, FTIR and 1H-NMR and quantitated using HPTLC densitometric analysis. Further, ADME and network pharmacology studies were performed to evaluate biological response of identified metabolites. Results: The resulted outcomes of the spectral analysis suggest isolated compounds as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, berberine and angoline. In HPTLC quantitative analysis, the content of ferulic acid, caffeic acid, berberine and angoline was found as 3.475 ± 0.028, 1.036 ± 0.013, 0.714 ± 0.014 and 0.738 ± 0.081 μg/mg of A. mexicana extract. In ADME analysis, berberine and angoline showed good bioavailable response while in network pharmacology analysis, except angoline, all the metabolites significantly interacted with several genes (SOD1, NOS, MAPK3, UGT1As, G6PD, ACOT2, BAAT etc) associated with brain ischemia, oxidative and inflammatory stress or the genes response for elimination of toxins from the body. Conclusion: Hence, the study enlightens that A. mexicana possess several major and minor metabolites and which can be the key parameter for further quality and regulatory based assessment of A. Mexicana and biological role against oxidative and inflammatory stress induced epileptic seizure. Keywords:ADME analysis, Argemone mexicana L., HPTLC, Network pharmacology, PhytoconstituentsView:PDF (1.81 MB)

Comparative transcriptome analysis provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of berberine biosynthesis in Coptis chinensis

Berberine is the primary medicinal component of Coptis chinensis, a perennial herb in Ranunculaceae. It has pharmacological effects, such as clearing away heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxifying, and resisting oxidation, and is widely used in clinical treatment. Anatomical analysis of the organs showed that berberine is mainly deposited in the xylem of the adventitious roots and rhizomes, as well as in thick-walled tissue layers containing vascular bundles in the leaves and petioles of C. chinensis. The content of total alkaloids in C. chinensis was highest in the rhizomes, among which berberine (54.44%) and coptisine (20.62%) were the main alkaloids. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome analysis of the leaves, petioles, rhizomes, and adventitious roots of C. chinensis was used to reveal the molecular regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis. A total 38 differentially expressed structural genes (DEGs) and 22 differentially expressed transcription factors were related to berberine biosynthesis in C. chinensis. Among these DEGs, the expression level of 13 genes was positively correlated with berberine content, including candidate structural genes (TYR, TYDC, TH, and PPO) and transcription factors (bHLH and WRKY), which may play key roles in berberine accumulation in C. chinensis. The results provide resources and technical support for improving the content of berberine in C. chinensis by genetic engineering, thus providing a theoretical foundation for enhancing the medicinal value of C. chinensis.

Effective Extraction of Palmatine and Berberine from Coptis chinensis by Deep Eutectic Solvents-Based Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction.

The effective components of Coptis chinensis were extracted by ultrasound-assisted technology, and the contents of palmatine and berberine were used as indexes by using Coptis chinensis as raw material and eutectic solvent as extractant. In addition, the effects of hydrogen bond donor type, molar ratio of hydrogen bond donor to acceptor, material-liquid ratio, water content of eutectic solvent system, sonication time, power, and ultrasonic temperature on the extraction rate of palmatine and berberine were studied. The optimum extraction technology of palmatine and berberine from Coptis chinensis was determined by single-factor experiment and response surface optimization test. As a result, it showed that the eutectic solvent system was constructed with choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptor and phenol as hydrogen bond donor, with a molar ratio of 1 : 3. In addition, water content of the eutectic solvent system was 30%, ratio of material to liquid was 30 g/mL, ultrasonic time was 30 min, ultrasonic power was 200 W, and ultrasonic temperature was 60°C. At this time, the contents of palmatine and berberine in Coptis chinensis were 16.7145 mg/g and 57.4013 mg/g, respectively, which were predicted to be the same as the value, and the extraction effect was better than that of traditional extraction solvent method.

Deciphering the Q-markers of nourishing kidney-yin of Cortex Phellodendri amurense from ZhibaiDihuang pill based on Chinmedomics strategy

BackgroundCortex Phellodendri amurensis (CPA) has high medicinal value in the treatment of kidney-yin deficiency diseases. However, due to the lack of research on the therapeutic material basis of CPA, the current quality control standard for CPA is defective, and the effect of the nourishing kidney-yin of CPA was limited. PurposeBased on the principle of correspondence between the syndrome and prescriptions, we studied the CPA in ZhibaiDihuang pill (ZBDH) to identify quality markers (Q-markers) of CPA in ZBDH for treating kidney-yin deficiency and seek the potential Q-markers of CPA under nourishing kidney-yin effect combined with the analysis of single CPA. MethodsTaking Chinmedomics as the core strategy, metabonomics analysis and effective component identification were performed by UPLC-MS. ResultsA total of 121 chemical components of ZBDH were identified, among which the contents of berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine changed the most obviously with the addition of CPA. Forty-five components were identified in the blood in the markedly effective state, including berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine. The therapeutic material basis of ZBDH in the treatment of kidney-yin deficiency was found, and 6 components were found to derive from CPA, including magnoflorine and jatrorrhizine. In addition, seventeen components were identified in the blood in the single CPA treatment, including berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine. ConclusionsMagnoflorine and jatrorrhizine were the Q-markers of CPA for treating kidney-yin deficiency in the formula of ZBDH and they were also potential Q-markers of the nourishing kidney-yin of CPA.

Molecular identification and alkaloids content of endangered Chinese medicinal plant Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala

According to the records of Chinese materia medica,Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala is an authentic Chinese medicinal plant highly recommended by ancient physicians since its rhizome is like a string of beads and has a good medicinal value. However,its medicinal components and values remain to be studied as it is endangered because of overexploitation. Therefore,this study aims to quantitatively determine its effective components based on UPLC-QTOF-MS,and to compare the contents of isoquinoline alkaloids in C.chinensis var. brevisepala with those in other Coptis species. Meanwhile,molecular methods accurately identified 12 batches of C. chinensis var. brevisepala,9 batches of C. chinensis,4 batches of C. deltoidea,and 1 batch of C. teeta. Gradient elution was performed with Waters CORTECS C18 column( 4. 6 mm× 150 mm,2. 7 μm) and the mobile phase acetonitrile-water with 0. 4% formic acid. Mass spectrometry was conducted in ESI positive mode. The quantitative results showed that 8 main alkaloids had a good linear relationship within the concentration range( R~2>0. 996),with the recovery rate of 95. 18%-105. 0% and the RSD of 0. 28%-3. 7%. Compared with that of other Coptis species,the rhizome of C. chinensis var. brevisepala had the highest contents of berberine and columbamine. The total content of the 8 alkaloids in C. chinensis var. brevisepala was similar to that in C. chinensis but higher than that of the other two species. PCA was performed to compare the alkaloids among the 4 species. Besides,the 8 alkaloids were evaluated in different parts of C. chinensis var. brevisepala. The results indicate that this method is reliable and efficient and can provide a reference for the quality research.

Antibacterial Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers Encapsulating Berberine-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

The polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers (PVA-NF) incorporating berberine-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (Ber-IC) were prepared via electrospinning. The morphology of the nanofiber membrane was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is found that the diameters of nanofiber membrane decrease with the increasing berberine content. PVA-Ber–IC–NF have shown excellent antioxidant ability, and its radical scavenging ability is 87.71 ± 0.04%. The Agar diffusion assay studies revealed the improvement in the antibacterial activity of PVA-Ber–IC–NF. Among them, due to the different sensitivities of the berberine to cell walls, Staphylococcus aureus is more effective than Escherichia coli. Additionally, the PVA-Ber–IC–NF showed an appropriate slow release and maintained an effective concentration in vitro release. The PVA-Ber–IC–NF greatly improves the utilization of berberine and provides the potential application of berberine for food, medicine and other fields.

Intra-specific Variation of Alkaloid Content in Berberis lycium from the Western Himalaya

ABSTRACT The metabolic variation of berberine and palmatine content in the roots of Berberis lycium was analyzed by HPTLC–UV for the identification of quality raw material (QRM) used in the industry. Ten natural population(s) were mapped, and samples were collected from different parts of Western Himalayas. Pharmacognostical parameters of each collected raw material were evaluated as per Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India (API) for quality. The HPTLC chromatogram was developed in n-propanol-water-formic acid (9:1:0.1 v/v/v) and quantified at λmax of 350 nm. Rf of palmatine and berberine was at 0.2 ± 0.08 and 0.33 ± 0.03, respectively, and was linear at a concentration range of 0.1–0.5 µg per spot for both markers. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of palmatine and berberine were 5.25, 5.23 and 15.91, 15.86 ng per spot, respectively. Palmatine and berberine varied from 0.117% to 0.739% and 0.203% to 1.134% on dry weight basis. NB-03 was identified as an elite source based on cluster analysis of metabolic content(s).

Integrating multiple-chromatographic approaches to evaluate chemical consistency of Chang-Kang-Fang preparations from mixed-herb decoction and combined single-herb decoction

Chang-Kang-Fang formula (CKF), a multi-herbs traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), has been clinically applied in the traditional form of mixed-herb decoction (MHD), or in the modern form of combined single-herb decoction (cSHD, so called dispensing granule decoction) in the near decades, but the chemical consistency between the MHD and cSHD is still unknown. Herein, a new strategy by integrating multiple-chromatographic approaches to characterize both polysaccharides and small molecules was developed to compare the chemical consistency between MHD and cSHD. Sixteen small molecules were simultaneously qualified and quantified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, the molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides was characterized by HPGPC-ELSD, while the monosaccharide composition and total saccharides content were determined by HPLC-PDA and UV-VIS, respectively. It was found that the molecular weight range and monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides, as well as the composition of small molecules, were identical between MHD and cSHD. However, the contents of berberine, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, albiflorin and paeoniflorin in MHD were significantly lower than those in cSHD, whereas the content of polysaccharides in MHD was higher than that in cSHD, indicating that there is a significant difference in the quality between MHD and cSHD, in particular for the relative contents of major small molecules and polysaccharides. Whether or not these quality variations affect the efficacy and safety of CKF deserves further investigation.

The chromosome-level reference genome of Coptischinensis provides insights into genomic evolution and berberine biosynthesis

Coptis chinensis Franch, a perennial herb, is mainly distributed in southeastern China. The rhizome of C. chinensis has been used as a traditional medicine for more than 2000 years in China and many other Asian countries. The pharmacological activities of C. chinensis have been validated by research. Here, we present a de novo high-quality genome of C. chinensis with a chromosome-level genome of ~958.20 Mb, a contig N50 of 1.58 Mb, and a scaffold N50 of 4.53 Mb. We found that the relatively large genome size of C. chinensis was caused by the amplification of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons. In addition, a whole-genome duplication event in ancestral Ranunculales was discovered. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the tyrosine decarboxylase (TYDC) and (S)-norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) genes were expanded and that the aspartate aminotransferase gene (ASP5) was positively selected in the berberine metabolic pathway. Expression level and HPLC analyses showed that the berberine content was highest in the roots of C. chinensis in the third and fourth years. The chromosome-level reference genome of C. chinensis provides important genomic data for molecular-assisted breeding and active ingredient biosynthesis.

Emulsification by TPGS or Quillaja Extract Increased Absorption and Affected Metabolism of Berberine in Humans

Abstract Objectives Berberine is a botanical alkaloid used widely for the prevention of several diseases. However, the absorption rate of berberine is less than 1% in human. The objectives of this study were to determine whether emulsification by TPGS or Quillaja extract affect the absorption and metabolism of orally ingested berberine in human volunteers. Methods Twelve healthy subjects (7 male and 5 females, 21–50-year-old) participated this study. Each subject received 800 mg berberine in a powder form or emulsified with TPGS or Quillaja extract using a randomized crossover design with one-week washout period. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours after dose. Plasma was hydrolyzed with glucuronidase and sulfatase before total content of berberine and its metabolites were analyzed on LC/MS/MS. Free forms of metabolites were determined in plasma without hydrolysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a non-compartment model before they were compared by analysis of covariance. Results The area under the curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of berberine was 6.6 μM.hr and 0.9 μM in participants received berberine powder. They were increased to 18.3 μM.hr and 4.5 μM by TPGS emulsification and 28 μM.hr and 5.1 μM by Quillaja extract emulsification, respectively. Berberrubine and demethylberberine were major metabolites of berberine. The AUC of free Berberrubine and demethylberberine was increased by 1.9 fold and 1.6 fold by TPGS and 5.9 folds and 2.7 folds by Quillaja extract, respectively, compared to berberine powder. Participants received berberine powder had AUC of 254 μM.hr and Cmax of 33 μM for total berberrubine. TPGS emulsification increased these values to 425 μM.hr and 54 μM, while Quillaja extract increased them to 341 μM.hr and 44 μM, respectively. Significant increases of AUC and Cmax were also observed for total demethylberberine by TPGS or Quillaja extract emulsification. Conclusions Emulsification of berberine with TPGS or Quillaja extract significantly increased the absorption of berberine and its metabolites in human compared to berberine supplement without emulsifiers. Funding Sources Florida High Tech Corridor Council and Designs for Health.

Berberine encapsulated nanoparticles stimulate osteoblast differentiation in vitro

Berberine has been known as a traditional component for treatment of intestinal-related diseases in Asian countries. Additionally, it possesses a variety of pharmacological properties, which were studied for treating tumor, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, bacterial and viral infections, cerebral ischemia trauma, and mental disease. Moreover, berberine has been known as an anti-osteoporotic agent by controlling both osteoclast (bone resorption cells) and osteoblast (bone-forming cells) functions. Beside the beneficial effects of berberine, it has some drawbacks that hindered its applications and resulted in low bioavailability. One of the most drawback characteristics of berberine is that it has poor watery solubility. To overcome these limits, nanotechnology has been used as the primary approach to deliver berberine in different nano-formulations. In this study, a novel berberine nanoparticle (nanoberberine, NBB) with good water dispersion was synthesized to enhance its bioavailability. The result showed that NBB was successfully developed in spherical shape and approximately 559 nm of mean size. Besides, in vitro release study revealed that berberine content release from NBB was 3 to 4 times higher than that from free berberine. Moreover, no cytotoxicity was observed for both NBB and berberine on osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells at the tested concentrations. Additionally, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, a marker for osteoblast differentiation process, was significantly higher in NBB compared to free berberine at the same test concentrations. This result indicated that NBB could be a potential biological agent for inducing bone formation. Overall, our data indicated that NBB could improve bioavailability, especially osteogenesis activity in vitro compared to free berberine.

In vitro propagation and antioxidant potential of Berberis asiatica from Western Himalaya

An in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for Berberis asiatica, an important Himalayan medicinal shrub. Significantly higher in vitro seed germination (50%) was obtained in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). MS medium containing 1.0 µM BA and 0.1 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) yielded maximum callus induction percentage (100%) from in-vitro grown leaf explants. Maximum shoot proliferation (100%) was obtained when callus was transferred to MS medium containing 2.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM IAA or 6.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM NAA. The maximum rooting percentage (70%) and root number per shoot (2.36) were recorded in ½ MS containing 0.05 µM IAA. Rooted shoots when transferred to potting medium containing vermiculite, soil, and sand (1:1:1) resulted in 65% survival. The phytochemical analysis of leaf samples of tissue culture-raised plants showed significantly higher alkaloids (berberine and palmatine) content than the leaf samples collected from the wild (mother plant). A similar trend was also observed in studied antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Therefore, micropropagation of B. asiatica can be promoted for harnessing its potential as a source of berberine and natural antioxidants. This may help to reduce the pressure on the natural populations of the species.

Study on multiple fingerprint profiles control and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker method combined with chemometrics based on Yankening tablets

In this study, we explored the quality consistent evaluation method of Yankening Tablets (YKNT) from different manufacturers by using multiple fingerprint profiles, including dual-wavelength ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) serial fingerprint and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) fingerprint, combined with quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) method. In the Average method of systematic quantified fingerprint method (AMSQFM), three fingerprint parameters of macro qualitative similarity (Sm-UPLC-FTIR), macro quantitative similarity (Pm-UPLC-FTIR), and the variation coefficient of fingerprint homogeneity (αUPLC-FTIR) were calculated based on the ratio method. The Sm-UPLC-FTIR values of all the samples were greater than 0.80, the αUPLC-FTIR values were less than 0.20, and the Pm-UPLC-FTIR values range from 72.8% to 119.8%. Method validation results showed the established fingerprint method had good precision, solution stability, and method repeatability, all samples could be roughly divided into different levels. The contents of berberine (BBR) and baicalin (BCL) measured by the calibration curve method (CCM) and QAMS method were compared, and t-test results (Pvalue > 0.05) indicated there was no significant difference between the two methods, which showed that QAMS could accurately quantify the markers of the YKNT. The explanatory ability (R2Y) values of BBR and BCL in the PLS model were both greater than 0.94, and the root mean square error of estimation (RMSEE) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values were both less than 2.5, indicating that the established model was reliable. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided all samples into four categories. This research made a major contribution to the quality consistent evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and food.

Pharmacognostic and chromatographic evaluation of male and female flowers of Coscinium fenestratum for Berberine content and its effect on antioxidant activity

Pharmacognostic and chromatographic evaluation of male and female flowers of Coscinium fenestratum for Berberine content and its effect on antioxidant activity

Comprehensive analysis of Huanglian Jiedu decoction: Revealing the presence of a self-assembled phytochemical complex in its naturally-occurring precipitate

The current study presents a comprehensive analysis to explore the compositions of both the supernatant and naturally-occurring precipitate of Huanglian Jiedu decoction employing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). Totally 109 constituents (32 alkaloids, 39 flavonoids, 12 iridoids, 9 phenolic acids, and 17 other compounds) were identified from accurate-mass measurements in full-scan MS/data-dependent MS/MS mode of acquisition. Furthermore, a quantitative method was developed for determination of 14 marker compounds in Huanglian Jiedu decoction. Experimental results revealed that all of these marker compounds were present in both the supernatant and naturally-occurring precipitate. Most notably, the contents of baicalin and berberine were significantly higher in the naturally-occurring precipitate than supernatant, presumably due to self-assembly complexation. The formation of the baicalin/berberine complex was comprehensively investigated by electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and fluorescence spectroscopy, etc. The morphology and size distribution of the baicalin/berberine self-assembled nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). This study provides fundamental scientific evidence of the presence of a self-assembled phytochemical complex in the naturally-occurring precipitate, enabling better understanding of Huanglian Jiedu decoction.

Microfluidic fabrication of berberine-loaded nanoparticles for cancer treatment applications

IntroductionProduction of chitosan nanoparticles using the ionic gelation method assisted by a microfluidic chip has not been studied extensively. Still, there are some dominant limitations to the production of chitosan nanoparticles utilizing this method and has been reported in previous studies. AimTo address this issue, the current study introduces a novel approach to diminishing those hurdles and systematically examines different microfluidic production processes which influence the production of chitosan/sodium tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CSNPs) for drug delivery applications. This study aimed to enhance the anticancer effect of berberine by a unique nanoformulation approach using a microfluidic chip compared to free drug delivery. MethodIn this approach, by adjusting the preparation procedures, changing the chitosan concentration and flow rate ratio, and using acidic tripolyphosphate (pH < 4), six types of berberine-loaded CSNPs with different physical properties were fabricated. The drug release profile and cytotoxicity effect of selected samples were investigated using MTT and apoptosis assays, respectively. ResultsFinely dispersed berberine loaded chitosan nanoparticles (PDI<0.3) with an average size of (130–200 nm) were produced. By this nanoencapsulation method, the loading content of berberine was enhanced from 11 to 55%. Based on the size and drug loading content, three samples were chosen for In-vitro studies. According to the results of MTT and apoptosis assays it was found that selected berberine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles demonstrated anti-proliferative effects in treated cells compared to free berberine delivery. With the implemented strategy of this study, homogeneous continuous production of CSNPs as a proper drug carrier candidate for drug delivery applications without any limitation was facilitated.