Compounds In Chinese Herbs Research Articles

Huashi baidu granule in the treatment of pediatric patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019: A single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Since late February 2022, a wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mainly caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant rapidly appeared in Shanghai, China. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is recommended for pediatric patients; however, the safety and efficacy remain to be confirmed. We conducted a single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herb compound, Huashi Baidu granule (HSBDG) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19. Methods: 108 recruited children (aged 3-18years) with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19 were randomly allocated 2:1 to receive oral HSBDG for five consecutive days (intervention group) and to receive compound pholcodine oral solution for five consecutive days (control group). The negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and symptom scores were recorded. Results: The median negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (median days [interquartile range (IQR)]: 3 [3-5] vs. 5 [3-6]; p = 0.047). The median total symptom score on day 3 was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (median total symptom score [IQR]: 1 [0-2] vs. 2 [0-3]; p = 0.036). There was no significant differences in the frequency of antibiotic use and side effects between the two groups. Conclusion: HSBDG is a safe, effective oral Chinese herbal compound granule, which shows a good performance within the Omicron wave among pediatric patients.

A New Stilbene Glucoside from Biotransformation-Guided Purification of Chinese Herb Ha-Soo-Oh.

Ha-Soo-Oh is a traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The herb extract has been widely used in Asian countries as a tonic agent and nutritional supplement for centuries. To identify new bioactive compounds in Chinese herbs, the biotransformation-guided purification (BGP) process was applied to Ha-Soo-Oh with Bacillus megaterium tyrosinase (BmTYR) as a biocatalyst. The result showed that a major biotransformed compound could be purified using the BGP process with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and it was confirmed as a new compound, 2,3,5,3′,4′-pentahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (PSG) following mass and nucleic magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analyses. PSG was further confirmed as a biotransformation product from 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (TSG) by BmTYR. The new PSG exhibited 4.7-fold higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity than that of TSG. The present study highlights the potential usage of BGP in herbs to discover new bioactive compounds in the future.

Mechanistic Prediction of Chinese Herb Compound (Zhi Zhu Ma Ren Pill) in the Treatment of Constipation Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background: Constipation is one of the most prevalent chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Notably, previous studies have demonstrated that Chinese herbal compounds may exert effects on constipation. The present study aimed to predict the mechanisms underlying the effects of Zhi Zhu Ma Ren Pill (ZZMRP), which includes Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Fructus Cannabis, Paeonia lactiflora and Radix Asteris in the treatment of constipation, using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The components and target information of ZZMRP were accessed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and analysis platform, and the associated targets of constipation were obtained from the GeneCards, Disgenet, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, DrugBANK and Therapeutic Target Database databases. The major targets were subsequently selected using a Venn diagram and network topology analysis, which was followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking was performed to authenticate the binding activity between active components and core targets. Results: A total of 44 active components, 249 targets of ZZMRP and 1501 targets associated with constipation were acquired. A total of 122 intersection targets were discovered between ZZMRP and constipation. Subsequently, 18 key targets were authenticated, including tumor protein 53, RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, JUN and caspase-3. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that mitogen-activated protein kinase, tumor necrosis factor, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways may be involved in the treatment of constipation using ZZMRP. Molecular docking suggested that quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin exhibited high binding affinities with several of the primary targets. Conclusions: The active components, core targets, and signaling pathways of ZZMRP in the treatment of constipation were predicted, which may be applicable to the development of treatments for constipation and application of ZZMRP.

Three Ingredients of Safflower Alleviate Acute Lung Injury and Inhibit NET Release Induced by Lipopolysaccharide.

Xuebijing injection is a Chinese herb compound to treat sepsis in China, but it contains many different kinds of components, and each component may have different effects in treating sepsis. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of three ingredients of Xuebijing, safflor yellow A (SYA), hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), and anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB), in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury (ALI). LPS (10 mg/kg) was injected intratracheally to induce acute lung injury in mice, which were then treated with SYA, HSYA, and AHSYB. The blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissues were collected to detect degree of lung injury, level of inflammation, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). In vitro experiments were performed using HL-60 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Lung injury induced by LPS was alleviated by SYA, HSYA, and AHSYB as demonstrated by the histopathologic test. The three components inhibit LPS-induced elevation of the levels of inflammatory factors and wet-to-dry weight ratio as well as the amount of protein and cells in the BALF. They also induced a remarkably less overlay of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and histone in the immunofluorescence assay and reduced level of MPO-DNA complex in plasma. The in vitro assay showed a similar trend that the three components inhibited PMA-induced NET release in neutrophil-like HL-60 cells. Western blot demonstrated that phosphorylation of c-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (c-Raf), mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK kinase (MEK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the lungs of LPS-challenged mice, and PMA-treated HL-60 cells were all significantly reduced by SYA, HSYA, and AHSYB. Therefore, our data demonstrated that three components of XBJ, including SYA, HSYA, and AHSYB, showed a protective effect against LPS-induced lung injury and NET release.

A Compound of Chinese Herbs Protects against Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis in Rats via the TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway.

Alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF) has become a major public health concern owing to its health impacts and the lack of effective treatment strategies for the disease. In this study, we investigated the effect of a compound composed of Chinese herbs Pueraria lobata (Willd.), Salvia miltiorrhiza, Schisandra chinensis, and Silybum marianum on ALF. An ALF model was established. Rats were fed with modified Lieber–Decarli alcohol liquid diet and injected with trace CCl4 at late stage. The rats were then treated with several doses of the compound. Biochemical and fibrosis-relevant parameters were measured from the sera obtained from the rats. Liver tissues were obtained for hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry assays. The mRNA and protein expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad2, Smad3, and Smad7 on the livers were also measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results showed that the compound treatment alleviated pathological lesions in the liver, decreased the serum levels of hyaluronan, laminin, and hydroxyproline, and diminished the expression of hepatic tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. Compound treatment also increased hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression and inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. In conclusion, the compound has a protective effect against ALF in rats, and an underlying mechanism is involved in the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Efficacy and Safety of Wei Bi Mei, a Chinese Herb Compound, as an Alternative to Bismuth for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy has been recommended as the first line of treatment in areas of high clarithromycin or metronidazole resistance. However, safety concerns of bismuth agents have long been raised. We first assessed the efficacy and safety of Wei Bi Mei granules, which are bismuth compounds consisting of three synthetic drugs and five medicinal herbs, compared to bismuth aluminate and colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) in H. pylori-infected mouse model. We then used atomic fluorescence spectroscopy and autometallography to measure the accumulation of three bismuth agents in the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. We also evaluated the safety of bismuth agents by conducting clinical biochemistry tests in blood samples of experimental animals. Wei Bi Mei granules exhibited the highest efficacy of anti-H. pylori activity and yielded the lowest bismuth accumulation when compared to CBS and bismuth aluminate. Our findings show that Wei Bi Mei granules are a safe Chinese medicinal herb with potent anti-H. pylori activity and can be considered as an alternative to current bismuth compounds. Thus, Wei Bi Mei granules merit further evaluation, particularly with regard to efficacy and safety when they are combined with other H. pylori eradication medications in the clinical setting.

Shunaoxin dropping pill, a Chinese herb compound preparation, attenuates memory impairment in d-galactose-induced aging mice.

The Shunaoxin dropping pill (SNX) is derived from a traditional recipe. It has been used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in China since 2005 (approval number Z20050041). In this study, we used an in vitro H2O2-induced PC12 cell oxidative damage model and an in vivod-gal-induced mouse memory impairment model to investigate whether SNX had neuroprotective effects. In vitro, prior to exposure to 100 μM H2O2 for 2 h, PC12 cells were pre-treated with SNX 50 μg mL−1 for 24 h. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to confirm the effect of SNX on apoptosis in the PC12 cells. Our results demonstrate that H2O2 suppresses the proliferation of PC12 cells and induces cell death. Pretreatment with SNX attenuates H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. In vivo, d-gal was administered (100 mg kg−1, subcutaneously (s.c.)) once daily for 8 weeks to induce memory deficit and neurotoxicity in the brain of an aging mouse. Then, SNX (320 mg kg−1) was simultaneously administered orally. The present study demonstrates that SNX can alleviate aging in the mouse brain induced by d-gal via improving behavioral performance, alleviating oxidative stress, inhibiting neuroinflammation, and reducing brain cell damage in the hippocampus. Overall, these data clearly demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of SNX from the in vitro and in vivo results. SNX may be considered a novel agent for easing aging and/or age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of Viola yedoensis Makino anti-itching compound on degranulation and cytokine generation in RBL-2H3 mast cells

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe Chinese herb compound prescription Viola yedoensis Makino Anti-itching Compound (VYAC), which consists of Viola yedoensis Makino, herb, Sophora flavescens Aiton, root, and Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz, root and rhizome, has been traditionally used to treat various skin allergic inflammatory diseases in clinic. Aim of the studyThe aim of this study is to investigate the effects of VYAC on degranulation and to determine its anti-inflammatory mechanism in RBL-2H3 mast cells. Materials and methodsVYAC was extracted with water-coction extraction (Shufen et al., 2012). The aqueous extracts were concentrated in vacuum under reduced pressure and lyophilized using a freeze dryer, and lyophilized powder was obtained. MTT was used to evaluate the cytotoxic of VYAC on RBL-2H3 cells. Degranulation was carried out with RBL-2H3 cell model, which was stimulated with A23187 plus PMA. β-Hexosaminidase and histamine were measured to evaluate degranulation. The mRNA levels of inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) were investigated by RT-PCR to explain the anti-inflammatory mechanism of VYAC. ResultsVYAC did not show cytotoxic effect on RBL-2H3 cells in the range of 25–400μg/mL. A higher dose of VYAC (800μg/mL) showed significant cytotoxicity (P<0.05). VYAC could significantly inhibit β-hexosaminidase and histamine release when treated with 100, 200, and 400μg/mL (P<0.05), but could not significantly inhibit β-Hexosaminidase and histamine release when treated with 25 and 50μg/mL (p>0.05). The mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS) could significantly decrease when treated with 200 and 400μg/mL (P<0.05) of VYAC, which were associated with the development of inflammation. ConclusionsResults showed that VYAC inhibited β-hexosaminidase and histamine release, which was inhibit A23187 plus PMA stimulated RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and downregulated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) expression to block inflammatory development.

Cerebralcare Granule(®), a Chinese Herb Compound Preparation, Attenuates D-Galactose Induced Memory Impairment in Mice.

Cerebralcare granule(®) (CG) is a preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine that widely used in China. It was approved by the China State Food and Drug Administration for treatment of headache and dizziness associated with cerebrovascular diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether CG had protective effect against D-galactose (gal)-induced memory impairment and to explore the mechanism of its action. D-gal was administered (100mg/kg, subcutaneously) once daily for 8weeks to induced memory deficit and neurotoxicity in the brain of aging mouse and CG (7.5, 15, and 30g/kg) were simultaneously administered orally. The present study demonstrates that CG can alleviate aging in the mouse brain induced by D-gal through improving behavioral performance and reducing brain cell damage in the hippocampus. CG prevents aging mainly via suppression of oxidative stress response, such as decreasing NO and MDA levels, renewing activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx, as well as decreasing AChE activity in the brain of D-gal-treated mice. In addition, CG prevents aging through inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response and caspase-3-medicated neurodegeneration in the brain of D-gal treated mice. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrates that subcutaneous injection of D-gal produced memory deficit, meanwhile CG can protect neuron from D-gal insults and improve memory ability.

A method to predict different mechanisms for blood-brain barrier permeability of CNS activity compounds in Chinese herbs using support vector machine.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), a highly selective barrier between central nervous system (CNS) and the blood stream, restricts and regulates the penetration of compounds from the blood into the brain. Drugs that affect the CNS interact with the BBB prior to their target site, so the prediction research on BBB permeability is a fundamental and significant research direction in neuropharmacology. In this study, we combed through the available data and then with the help of support vector machine (SVM), we established an experiment process for discovering potential CNS compounds and investigating the mechanisms of BBB permeability of them to advance the research in this field four types of prediction models, referring to CNS activity, BBB permeability, passive diffusion and efflux transport, were obtained in the experiment process. The first two models were used to discover compounds which may have CNS activity and also cross the BBB at the same time; the latter two were used to elucidate the mechanism of BBB permeability of those compounds. Three optimization parameter methods, Grid Search, Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), were used to optimize the SVM models. Then, four optimal models were selected with excellent evaluation indexes (the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of each model were all above 85%). Furthermore, discrimination models were utilized to study the BBB properties of the known CNS activity compounds in Chinese herbs and this may guide the CNS drug development. With the relatively systematic and quick approach, the application rationality of traditional Chinese medicines for treating nervous system disease in the clinical practice will be improved.

Effects of albendazole combined with TSII-A (a Chinese herb compound) on optic neuritis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in BALB/c mice.

BackgroundAngiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) infection can lead to optic neuritis, retinal inflammation, damage to ganglion cells, demyelination of optic nerve and visual impairment. Combined therapy of albendazole and dexamethasone is a common treatment for the disease in the clinic, but it plays no role in vision recovery. Therefore, it has been necessary to explore alternative therapies to treat this disease. Previous studies reported the neuro-productive effects of two constituents of Danshen (a Chinese herb)-tanshinone II-A (TSII-A) and cryptotanshinone (CPT), and this study aims to evaluate the impacts of TSII-A or CPT combined with albendazole on optic neuritis caused by A. cantonensis infection in a murine model.MethodsTo assess the effects of TSII-A or CPT combined with albendazole on optic neuritis due to the infection, mice were divided into six groups, including the normal control group, infection group and four treatment groups (albendazole group, albendazole combined with dexamethasone group, albendazole combined with CPT group and albendazole combined with TSII-A group). The infection group and treatment groups were infected with A. cantonensisand the treatment groups received interventions from 14 dpi (days post infection), respectively. At 21 dpi, the visual acuity of mice in each group was examined by visual evoked potential (VEP). The pathologic alteration of the retina and optic nerve were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM).ResultsInfection of A. cantonensis caused prolonged VEP latency, obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in the retina, damaged retinal ganglions and retinal swelling, followed by optic nerve fibre demyelination and a decreasing number of axons at 21 dpi. In treatment groups, albendazole could not alleviate the above symptoms; albendazole combined with dexamethasone lessened the inflammation of the retina, but was futile for the other changes; however, albendazole combined with CPT and albendazole combined with TSII-A showed obvious effects on the recovery of prolonged VEP latency, destruction and reduction of ganglion cells, optic nerve demyelination and axon loss. Compared with albendazole-CPT compound, albendazole combined with TSII-A was more effective.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates that albendazole combined with TSII-A plays a more effective role in treating optic neuritis caused by A. cantonensis in mice than with dexamethasone, as applied in conventional treatment, indicating that albendazole combined with TSII-A might be an alternate therapy for this parasitic disease in the clinic.

English

JiMaiTong (JMT), a Chinese herb compound prescription consisted of Flos chrysanthemi Indici, Spica prunellae and Semen cassiae for anti-hypertension. Luteolin is one of the major bioactivity compositions in F. chrysanthemi Indici in JMT. There are some reports about pharmacokinetics of luteolin in extract of F. chrysanthemi and husks of peanut in normal rats, but it lacked pharmacokinetic information of luteolin residing in a Chinese herb compound prescription in hypertensive animal models. The present study aimed to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for determination of luteolin in rat plasma and for pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of JMT to spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and normal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. After oral administration of JMT to SHR and SD rats, respectively the content of luteolin in blood samples at different time points were determined by a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with liquid-liquid phase extraction. This revealed a difference in disposition of luteolin in SHR and SD rats and a relationship between plasma concentration and hypertension of pathological state within the organism. This was the first report on the pharmacokinetic compare of luteolin between normal and hypertension pathological state rats. The hypertension pathological state would effects the disposition of luteolin, and it may provide a meaningful basis for the clinical application of JMT. Key words: Luteolin, pharmacokinetic, Flos chrysanthemi Indici, hypertension, Chinese herb.

Chinese Traditional Medicine and Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus

Adult neurogenesis is an important therapeutic target in treating neurological disorders. Adult neurogenesis takes place in two regions of the brain: Subventricular zone and dentate gyrus in the hippocampus. The progressive understanding on hippocampal neurogenesis in aging and mood disorders increases the demand to explore powerful and subtle interventions on hippocampal neurogenesis. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine provides an abundant pharmaceutical platform for modulating hippocampal neurogenesis. Recent progress in exploring the effects of Chinese herbal medicine and the related mechanisms opens a new direction for regeneration therapy. The current review gives a thorough summary of the research progress made in traditional Chinese herbal formulas, and the effective compounds in Chinese herbs which are beneficial on hippocampal neurogenesis and the possible mechanisms involved.

Virtual Screening in Chinese Herbs with Multi-Target Effect on Alzheimer's Disease

Multiple targets which closely related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis were selected for pharmacophore models generation and virtual screening in Chinese herbs. The targets comprised Acetylcholinesterase (AchE), muscarinic receptor 1 (M1), γ-secretase and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β). The pharmacophore models, which of AchE inhibitors, M1 agonists, γ-secretase inhibitors and GSK-3β inhibitors, were constructed by distance comparison method. Four testing databases for the evaluation of pharmacophore models were constructed with the active compounds with clearly marked activity on each target. The metric CAI (Comprehensive Appraisal Index) was then used to evaluate and obtain the best pharmacophore models of each target, which were then applied to screen the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database for potential active compounds in Chinese herbs. Four common used herbs were obtained, which contain the active compounds and can act on multiple targets, and were expected to have multiple activity of anti-AD disease.

Rapid analysis of the essential oil components of dried Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim by Fe2O3‐magnetic‐microsphere‐assisted microwave distillation and simultaneous headspace single‐drop microextraction followed by GC–MS

In this work, microwave distillation assisted by Fe2 O3 magnetic microspheres (FMMS) and headspace single-drop microextraction were combined, and developed for determination of essential oil compounds in dried Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (ZBM). The FMMS were used as microwave absorption solid medium for dry distillation of dried ZBM. Using the proposed method, isolation, extraction, and concentration of essential oil compounds can be carried out in a single step. The experimental parameters including extraction solvent, solvent volume, microwave power, irradiation time, and the amount of added FMMS, were studied. The optimal analytical conditions were: 2.0 μL decane as the extraction solvent, microwave power of 300 W, irradiation time of 2 min, and the addition of 0.1 g FMMS to ZBM. The method precision was from 4 to 10%. A total of 52 compounds were identified by the proposed method. The conventional steam distillation method was also used for the analysis of essential oil in dried ZBM and only 31 compounds were identified by steam distillation method. It was found that the proposed method is a simple, rapid, reliable, and solvent-free technique for the determination of volatile compounds in Chinese herbs.

Efficacy and safety of traditional chinese medicine for diabetes: a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial.

BackgroundTreatment of diabetes mellitus with Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history. The aim of this study is to establish the safety and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine combined with glibenclamide to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsIn a controlled, double blind, multicentre non-inferiority trial, 800 patients with unsatisfactory glycemic control (fasting glucose 7–13 mmol/L and HbA1c 7–11%) were randomly assigned to receive Xiaoke Pill, a compound of Chinese herbs combined with glibenclamide, or Glibenclamide in two study groups – drug naive group, and patients previously treated with metformin monotherapy (metformin group). Outcome measures at 48 weeks were the incidence and rate of hypoglycemia, mean difference in HbA1c, and proportion of patients with HbA1c<6.5%.FindingsIn drug naïve group, the total hypoglycemia rate and the mild hypoglycemic episode in the Xiaoke Pill arm were 38% (p = 0.024) and 41% (p = 0.002) less compared to Glibenclamide arm; in Metformin group, the average annual rate of hypoglycemia was 62% lower in Xiaoke Pill arm (p = 0.003). Respective mean changes in HbA1c from baseline were −0.70% and −0.66% for Xiaoke Pill and Glibenclamide, with a between-group difference (95% CI) of −0.04% (−0.20, 0.12) in the drug naïve group, and those in metformin group were −0.45% and −0.59%, 0.14% (−0.12, 0.39) respectively. The respective proportions of patients with a HbA1c level <6.5% were 26.6% and 23.4% in the drug naïve group and 20.1% and 18.9% in the metformin group.InterpretationIn patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control, treatment with Xiaoke Pill led to significant reduction in risk of hypoglycemia and similar improvements in glycemic control after 48 weeks compared to Glibenclamide.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Register number, ChiCTR-TRC-08000074

Screening out Potential Cardio-Toxic Components of Chinese Herb Radix Aconiti Lateralis in Rat Dosed Plasma by High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

This study established a new, rapid, and accurate method for bioactive compound screening by the combination of serum pharmacochemistry and serum pharmacology based on a spectrum-effect relationship model. HPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS was used for the chemical profiling of samples of dosed plasma, control plasma, and Radix Aconiti Lateralis decoction. A comparison was made of the resulting chemical profiles, which totaled 20 compounds including 16 prototype compounds and 4 metabolites derived from SF decoction that were detected as potential bioactive components. Using MS/MS analysis and accurate molecular weight assessments of TOF, 17 components in 20 potential bioactive compounds were structurally identified. Moreover, the pretreated plasma samples were injected into venous sinus of isolated toad hearts to investigate the cardio-toxicity according to heart ratio (HR) situation and electrocardiograph (ECG) parameters, including PR interval, QRS interval, and QT interval. Finally, 4 compounds in these 20 potential bioactive components that had closest correlation with 4 cardio-toxic experimental indexes respectively were investigated by spectrum-effect relationship model for the first time. The 4 compounds were considered as the real cardio-toxic components. This study proposed a series of potential bioactive components in Radix Aconiti Lateralis and provided a general research pattern to identify the potential bioactivity compounds in Chinese herbs or natural pharmacy.

Comparison of headspace solid-phase microextraction with conventional extraction for the analysis of the volatile components in Melia azedarach

The volatile compositions of Melia azedarach were studied by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The result was compared with that obtained by soxhlet extraction (SE) and ultrasonic extraction (UAE). 79 compounds were identified in this study, among which 64 compounds were first reported. The experimental parameters including fiber type (PDMS, PDMS-DVB and CAR-PDMS), desorption time, extraction temperature and time were investigated. 37 compounds were obtained by HS-SPME, including curcumene (33.25%), α-cadinol (11.16%), α-muurolene (8.72%), copaene (5.04%), β-bisabolene (3.41%), and α-selinene (2.97%). The result suggested that the HS-SPME method is a powerful analytic tool and complementary to traditional methods for the determination of the volatile compounds in Chinese herbs.

Cerebralcare Granule ®, a Chinese herb compound preparation, improves cerebral microcirculatory disorder and hippocampal CA1 neuron injury in gerbils after ischemia–reperfusion

Aim of the study Cerebralcare Granule ® (CG) is a Chinese herb compound preparation that has been used for treatment of cerebrovascular related diseases. However, the effect of post-treatment with CG on ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) induced cerebral injury is so far unclear. Materials and methods In present study, cerebral global I/R was induced in Mongolian gerbils by clamping bilateral carotid arteries for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 5 days, and CG (0.4 g/kg or 0.8 g/kg) was administrated 3 h after the initiation of reperfusion. Results Post-treatment with CG for 5 days attenuated the I/R-induced production of hydrogen peroxide in, leukocyte adhesion to, and albumin leakage from cerebral microvessels, and, meanwhile, protected neuron from death, reduced the number of caspase-3- and Bax-positive cells, and increased Bcl-2-positive cells in hippocampal CA1 region. Conclusion The results suggest that CG given after initiation of reperfusion is able to ameliorate cerebral microvascular dysfunction and hippocampal CA1 neuron damage caused by I/R.

Development of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry following microwave distillation and simultaneous headspace single-drop microextraction for fast determination of volatile fraction in Chinese herb

In this work, for the first time, microwave distillation (MD) coupled with simultaneous headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) was developed for the determination of the volatile components in the Chinese herb, Artemisia capillaris Thunb. The volatile components were rapidly isolated by MD, and simultaneously extracted and concentrated by using a dodecane microdrop. The volatile oil extracted in the microdrop solvent was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The experimental parameters of solvent selection, microdrop volume, microwave power, irradiation time and sample amount were investigated, and the method precision was also studied. The optimal parameters were extraction solvent of dodecane, solvent volume of 2.0 μL, microwave power of 400 W, irradiation time of 4 min, and sample amount of 2.0 g. Thirty-five volatile compounds present in Artemisia capillaris Thunb. were identified by using the proposed method, which were identical with those obtained by the conventional steam distillation method. The experimental results showed that MD–HS-SDME is a simple, rapid, reliable, and solvent-free technique for the determination of volatile compounds in Chinese herbs.