Effects Of Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Articles

Suppression of the postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes by a raw medicinal herb powder is weakened when consumed in ordinary hard gelatin capsules: A randomized crossover clinical trial.

Contradictory claims about the efficacy of several medicinal plants to promote glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been explained by divergences in the administration form and by extrapolation of data obtained from healthy individuals. It is not known whether the antidiabetic effects of traditional herbal medicines are influenced by gelatin capsules. This randomized crossover trial aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a single dose of raw cinnamon consumed orally either dissolved in water as a beverage or as ordinary hard gelatin capsules on postprandial hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dL; >7.8 mmol/L) in T2DM patients elicited by a nutritionally-balanced meal providing 50 g of complex carbohydrates. Fasting T2DM patients (n = 19) randomly ingested a standardized meal in five experimental sessions, one alone (Control) and the other after prior intake of 3 or 6 g of crude cinnamon in the form of hard gelatin capsules or powder dissolved in water. Blood glucose was measured at fasting and at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2 hours postprandially. After each breakfast, its palatability scores for visual appeal, smell and pleasantness of taste were assessed, as well as the taste intensity sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness and creaminess. The intake of raw cinnamon dissolved in water, independently of the dose, decreased the meal-induced large glucose spike (peak-rise of +87 mg/dL and Δ1-hour glycemia of +79 mg/dL) and the hyperglycemic blood glucose peak. When cinnamon was taken as capsules, these anti-hyperglycemic effects were lost or significantly diminished. Raw cinnamon intake did not change time-to-peak or the 2-h post-meal glycaemia, but flattened the glycemic curve (lower iAUC) without changing the shape that is typical of T2DM patients. This cinnamon's antihyperglycemic action confirms its acarbose-like property to inhibit the activities of the carbohydrate-digesting enzymes α-amylases/α-glucosidases, which is in accordance with its exceptionally high content of raw insoluble fiber. The efficacy of using raw cinnamon as a diabetes treatment strategy seems to require its intake at a specific time before/concomitantly the main hyperglycemic daily meals. Trial registration: Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC), number RBR-98tx28b.

The effect of traditional herbal medicine on the permeability of clarithromycin and loxoprofen in CACO-2 cell model

The effect of traditional herbal medicine on the permeability of clarithromycin and loxoprofen in CACO-2 cell model

Unleashing the potential: integrating nano-delivery systems with traditional Chinese medicine.

This review explores the potential of integrating nano-delivery systems with traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese medical theory. It highlights the intersections and potential of nano-delivery systems in enhancing the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments. In addition, it discusses how the integration of nano-delivery systems with Chinese medical theory can modernize herbal medicine and make it more readily accessible on a global scale. Finally, it analyzes the challenges and future directions in this field.

The Effectiveness of Traditional Medicine of Beras Kencur Herbal Medicine on Increasing Breast Milk Production

Indonesian people have also long known and used medicinal plants to overcome various health problems, some traditional preparations such as beras kencur for breastfeeding mothers are believed to relieve disorders during breastfeeding consisting of pain and swelling of the mother, reduced breast milk and not smooth. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine (beras kencur) in postpartum and lactating mothers. This type of research is an experimental quasy one group pre post test. The intervention given was beras kencur herbal medicine on the quantity of breast milk production with a T-test difference test. The population and sample in this study were the number of postpartum mothers as many as 32 breastfeeding mothers. Bivariate analysis show that there is an effect of giving the extract of " beras kencur " for 7 days on increasing maternal breast milk and statistically the difference is considered significant, because the p-value is 0.001 < 0.05. Traditional herbal medicine beras kencur extract is effective in increasing breast milk production.

A REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES

This review presents updated information gathered on scientifically proved medicinal plants used for anti-inflammatory activity. This study provides the information on botanical name, family, parts used and their solvents used in plants. In spite of rapid progress and spread of modern medicine and surgery, faith in and popularity of traditional method has not decreased. There are a large number of studies which supports the anti-inflammatory effects of traditional herbal medicines. The aim of this review is to highlight the work on anti-inflammatory of plant origin. The present paper also involves various plant drugs and their bioactive extracts involved in anti-inflammatory mechanism. This article may help investigators to identify medicinal plants responsible for anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of traditional herbal medicine, danggui-yukhwang-tang, on post-menopausal weight gain in ovariectomized high-fat diet rats

The decrease in estrogen due to menopause leads to impaired lipid metabolism and is closely related to the increase in metabolic syndrome due to weight gain. Hormone replacement therapy is effective for menopause, but with an increased risk of side effects. Danggui-yukhwang-tang (DYT) is a traditional drug, comprising seven herbs, used to treat diseases like slight fever with sweating, blood-flow disorders, and neurasthenia. However, the effect on menopausal obesity has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of DYT on weight gain in female rats fed a high-fat diet after ovariectomy. Adipocyte differentiation was effectively reduced by DYT in 3T3-L1 cells, and the mRNAs of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FABP4, which are adipogenesis-related genes, were reduced. In the in vivo study, OVX and HFD elevated body weight; however, its induction significantly decreased in the DYT-treated groups. The serum lipid profile was also examined, and DYT treatment significantly decreased LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels compared with the OVX and OVX + HFD groups. DYT treatment effectively reduced the temperature(s) of the tail and body in the rats. The study demonstrates that DYT inhibits adipogenic differentiation, hypercholesterolemia, and weight gain in a post-menopausal rat model by regulating adipogenic markers (PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4) and the serum lipid profile in OVX + HFD rats.

The Effect Of Traditional Herbal Medicine On The Fitness Level Of Swimming Athletes In Palopo City

Traditional herbal medicine is a heritage used for treatment and health maintenance in Indonesia. One is to improve physical fitness with ginger, free-range chicken eggs, palm sugar and honey. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of herbal medicine on the physical fitness level of swimming athletes in Palopo to discover if traditional herbal drinks affect physical fitness levels. This study uses an experimental method with a one-group pretest-posttest research design with the number of samples in this study are 15 athletes combined into one group. This research was conducted for 16 meetings. The analysis was carried out in the University of Muhammadiyah Palopo campus; the groups were combined into one and given treatment in the form of herbal drinks after carrying out pretest activities with a dose of 250 ml. To measure the final data of the fitness test after consuming the herbal drink, a posttest was carried out, which later became a comparison of whether there was an effect of the herbal drink on the level of physical fitness. The results of this research show an improvement in physical fitness by drinking traditional herbal medicine the Palopo Swimming athletes. Thus, there is a significant relationship between consuming conventional herbal medicine and Palopo swimming athletes' physical fitness.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Traditional Herbal Medicine Atrifil and Oshagh Gum on Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Wistar Rats.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease that affects elderly men with various complications. This study evaluates the effects of an Iranian traditional herbal medicine “Atrifil and Oshagh gum” on BPH in male Wistar rats. Atrifil is a combination of three medicinal plants: Emblica officinalis Gaertn, Terminalia chebula Retz, and Terminalia bellerica Retz” extracts, and Oshagh gum is Dorema ammoniacum D. Dono gum. In this study, 30 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal control, disease, finasteride, and extract with 300 and 600 mg/kg groups. The extract is a combination of hydroalcoholic Atrifil extract and Oshagh gum. All groups received intramuscular testosterone enanthate to induce BPH except the normal control group. On the twenty-eighth day, prostate glands were separated. Histopathological changes were observed. Furthermore, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate weights were measured. The binding propensities of finasteride, equol, and flavonoids present in this extract such as quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol for 5α-reductase, estrogen receptor alpha and beta, and estrogen-related receptor gamma were assessed using in silico docking approach. Histopathological evaluation, biochemical parameter, and PSA level results indicated significant inhibition of accruing and progression of BPH in groups treated with 600 mg/kg extract (p < 0.01). Furthermore, molecular docking showed that rutin had a high affinity to bind the receptors 5α-reductase, estrogen receptor beta, and estrogen-related receptor gamma even more than finasteride, and on average, quercetin had a higher affinity to all these receptors. In the end, it can be concluded that Atrifil and Oshagh gum is effective in preventing BPH.

Systematic Analysis of the Molecular Mechanisms of Cold and Hot Properties of Herbal Medicines.

Effective treatments for patients experiencing temperature-related symptoms are limited. The hot and cold effects of traditional herbal medicines have been utilized to treat and manage these symptoms, but their molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Previous studies with arbitrarily selected herbs and ingredients may have produced biased results. Here, we aim to systematically elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the hot and cold properties of herbal medicines through an unbiased large-scale investigation of herbal ingredients, their target genes, and the transcriptome signatures induced by them. Using data regarding 243 herbs retrieved from two herbal medicine databases, we statistically identify (R)-Linalool, (-)-alpha-pinene, peruviol, (L)-alpha-terpineol, and cymol as five new hot-specific ingredients that share a common target, a norepinephrine transporter. However, no significant ingredients are cold-specific. We also statistically identify 14 hot- and 8 cold-specific new target genes. Pathway enrichment analysis of hot-specific target genes reveals the associated pathways including neurotransmitter reuptake, cold-induced thermogenesis, blood pressure regulation, adrenergic receptor signaling, and cation symporter activity. Cold-specific target genes are associated with the steroid pathway. Transcriptome analysis also shows that hot herbs are more strongly associated with coagulation and synaptic transmission than cold herbs. Our results, obtained from novel connections between herbal ingredients, target genes, and pathways, may contribute to the development of pharmacological treatment strategies for temperature-related pain using medicinal plants.

Coix Seed Consumption Affects the Gut Microbiota and the Peripheral Lymphocyte Subset Profiles of Healthy Male Adults.

A systematic examination of the effects of traditional herbal medicines including their mechanisms could allow for their effective use and provide opportunities to develop new medicines. Coix seed has been suggested to promote spontaneous regression of viral skin infection. Purified oil from coix seed has also been suggested to increase the peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes. We, herein, attempt to shed more light on the way through which coix seed affects the human systemic immune function by hypothesizing that a central role to these changes could be played through changes in the gut microbiota. To that end, healthy adult males (n = 19) were divided into two groups; 11 of them consumed cooked coix seed (160 g per day) for 7 days (intervention), while the other eight were given no intervention. One week of coix seed consumption lead to an increase of the intestinal Faecalibacterium abundance and of the abundance (as % presence of overall peripheral lymphocytes) of CD3+CD8+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD4+CD25+ cells, and naïve/memory T cell ratio. As the relationship of microbiota and skin infection has not been clarified, our findings could provide a clue to a mechanism through which coix seed could promote the spontaneous regression of viral skin infections.

TRADITIONAL TO RECENT APPROACHES IN HERBAL MEDICINE THERAPY OF COVID-19

Coronavirus pneumonia disease (COVID-19) is a newly identified coronavirus strain that causes symptoms ranging from cold-like signs to deaths that reached millions around the world. Until this time, there is no approved vaccine has been invented for clinical use, therefore, developing an effective program for therapy is of high priority to save the lives of patients and protect others from being infected. Nature resembles a huge reservoir of anti-infectious compounds, from which innovative ideas, therapies, and products can be deduced. Chinese herbal medicine had succeeded in the treatment of other coronavirus pneumonia such as SARS, MERS and, H7N9 avian influenza which gives us hope to find the targeted remedy in the traditionally used natural herbs consumed by natives from different regions. This work aims to highlight the use of natural traditional remedies to treat viral pneumonia. This systematic review will include studies of the effects of traditional herbal medicine and its role in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Although promising results were obtained in many cases, but, only a few studies reported the fractional characterization of bioactive principles and/or mechanisms of action. It is requested that pharmaceutical industries, government agencies, and the scientific community will have a gaze at some of these plants for future research and, to find a potential drug candidates for the development of anti-SARSCoV-2 therapeutics in the near future.&#x0D; Peer Review History: &#x0D; Received: 6 September 2020; Revised: 10 October; Accepted: 25 October, Available online: 15 November 2020&#x0D; UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.&#x0D; Received file &#x0D; &#x0D; Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10&#x0D; Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10&#x0D; Reviewer(s) detail:&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Prof. Dr. Ali Gamal Ahmed Al-kaf, Sana'a university, Yemen, alialkaf21@gmail.com&#x0D; Prof. Dr. Amani S. Awaad, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj. KSA. amaniawaad@hotmail.com&#x0D; Comments of reviewer(s): &#x0D; &#x0D; Similar Articles:&#x0D; EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL; AN OFF-LABEL USE TO PROTECT THE WORLD FROM COVID-19 PANDEMIC: REVIEW-BASED HYPOTHESES&#x0D; THE RISKS AND ADVANTAGES OF ANTI-DIABETES THERAPY IN THE POSITIVE COVID-19 PATIENT

Evaluation of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst. Vatke) Leaves and Its Solvent Fractionsin Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Convulsion in Mice

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. Herbal medicines are widely used across the globe due to their wide applicability and therapeutic efficacy. The low side effects of traditional herbal medicines have encouraged many types of research into antiepileptic activity. Clerodendrum myricoides is a plant whose leaves extract is traditionally used as an anticonvulsant in Ethiopia. &#x0D; Objective: The point of this investigation was to assess the anticonvulsant effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract and solvent fractions of C. myricoides leaves against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice. &#x0D; Methods: Comparison of mean latency to onset of convulsion, mean duration of convulsions, and the proportion of percentage protection against seizure of the plant extract was tested against PTZ-induced seizures. Three different doses were used by giving them orally 30 minutes before subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (80 mg/kg) administration with the positive (diazepam 2 mg/kg) and negative (physiological saline 10 mg/kg) control groups. Data were presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean and analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and followed by post-hoc Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Fisher’s exact test was used for the percentage protection. P &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: The crude extract of C. myricoides, with the doses of 300, 600, 1,200 mg/kgshowed a significant delay in mean latency to onset of seizures [299.33±30.129 sec (p&lt; 0.05); 387.167± 27.6 sec (p&lt;0.01); 417.833±31.9 sec (p&lt;0.001); respectively)]; decrease in the duration of convulsion [27.333±1.585 sec (p&lt;0.05); 16.833±1.537 sec (p&lt;0.01); 10.50±0.671 sec (p&lt;0.001) respectively]; and a proportion of percentage protection of mice against seizure [16.33% (1/6) (p&lt; 0.05); 33.33% (2/6) (p&lt;0.01); 50% (3/6) (p&lt;0.001) respectively] in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group [92.833±13.006 sec; 34.167±3.683 sec, 0% respectively]. C. myricoides anticonvulsant activity was less than that of diazepam [1001.16± 68.430 sec, 4.500±0.619, 83.33 sec, 83.33% respectively for the doses]. Its solvent fractions, however, didn’tshow a significant anticonvulsant effect.&#x0D; Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic leaves crude extract of C. myricoides has anticonvulsant activity but its solvent fractions do not have comparable significant effects.

A Study Trend for the Effects of Banxia-xiexin-tang Decoction (Banhasasim-tang) on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Chinese and Korean Databases over the Last Ten Years

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine the recent clinical research trends on the efficiency of traditional herb medicine (THM) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to provide clinical evidence of herbal medicine Banhasasin-tang or Banxiexin decoction by using a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials (RCTs). Methods: In this study, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included that verified effects of traditional herbal medicine (THM), including a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction, as a treatment for GERD. A study of the literature in Chinese and Korean databases was performed for papers published from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2020. The selected literature was assessed by Cochrane’s risk of bias (RoB). Results: A total of 90 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Except for four RCT studies, all studies identified the effect of a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction in the treatment of GERD. The effectiveness of treatment was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group, as shown through various evaluation indicators, including the reflux disease diagnostic questionnaire (RDQ). Adverse effects were reported in 22 articles (24.44%). Conclusions: Treatment with Banhasasin-tang, or a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction, was found to be effective in treating GERD. However, due to the low quality of available studies, the significance of this conclusion is somewhat limited. This study could serve as a foundation for further clinical studies on the development of diagnosis and treatment methods for GERD based on Korean medicine. Keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, Banxiexin decoction, Banhasasin-tang, traditional herb medicine, THM

Clinical Effectiveness of Traditional Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Central Post-Stroke Pain and Thalamic Syndrome: a Systemic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Journals

Objectives: This research aimed to investigate Chinese clinical studies on the treatment of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and thalamic syndrome after stroke with traditional herbal medicine (THM). Methods: Randomized controlled trials verifying the effects of herbal medicine on treating CPSP and t...

Clinical Effectiveness of Traditional Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-induced Leukopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Objectives We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the recent clinical research trends regarding the effects of traditional herbal medicine (THM) on chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. Methods Randomized controlled trials that verified effects of herbal medicine treating chemotherapy induced leukopenia were included in the study. A literature search was performed in the English, Chinese, and Korean databases for papers published from January 1, 2007, to September 1, 2017. The selected literature was assessed by Cochrane’s Risk of Bias (RoB). Results Forty-two of 232 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The most commonly used herbal prescriptions called ‘升白湯 (shengbai decoction)’ which means elevating the numbers of White blood cells (WBCs). And the mostly included herbs such as Astragali Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Codonopsis Pilosulae, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus are commonly used to elevate qi, blood and yin. The count of WBC in peripheral blood, the level of leukopenia presented in WHO (World Health Organization), and clinical symptoms were used to evaluate the treatments. The effective rate was 68.6-98.18% and the effectiveness was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group in 38 articles (p<0.05). No serious adverse events were reported. Only five articles (5/42, 11.9%) were rated as having adequate methodological quality with a low level of bias. Conclusion Some traditional herbal medicines may be effective as therapeutic treatments for chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, but the majority of reviewed studies were of poor quality. The present findings need to be confirmed by rigorously conducted high-quality trials, including pharmacokinetic studies, to confirm the absence of interactions between traditional herbal medicine agents and chemotherapy. Keywords: chemotherapy, leukopenia, herbal medicine, systemic review, meta-analysis

Medicinal plants with potential anti-fertility activity: A review

Medicinal plants is a common word which can utter in everyone’s mouth that are helpful in treating many diseases which cannot be done by even allopathic medicine. Among those the birth control and at the same time increasing the fertility in human beings are both become major problems nowadays. This review presents updated information gathered on scientifically proved medicinal plants used for the anti-fertility activity. This study provides the information on botanical name, family, parts used, solvents used, and their chemical constituents present in plants. In spite of rapid progress and spread of modern medicine and surgery, faith in and popularity of traditional methods has not decreased. There are a large number of studies which supports the anti-fertility effects of traditional herbal medicines. The aim of this review is to highlight the work on anti-fertility of plant origin. The present paper also involves various plant drugs and their bioactive extracts involved in the anti-fertility mechanism. This article may help investigators to identify medicinal plants responsible for the anti-fertility activity.

Traditional herbal medicine as adjunctive therapy for breast cancer: A systematic review

To assess the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine (THM) as adjunctive therapy for breast cancer as evidenced by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Five electronic English and Chinese databases were systematically searched up to February, 2014. All RCTs involving THM in combination with conventional cancer therapy for breast cancer were included. Eight RCTs involving 798 breast cancer patients were systematically reviewed. Three studies reported a significant difference in the improvement of quality of life (QOL) compared to the control group. Two studies reported an increase in the white blood cell count after treatment. Data on hot flashes and sleep quality were evaluated. However, no significant differences in immediate tumor response were observed. THM combined with conventional therapy in the treatment of breast cancer is efficacious in improving QOL and in decreasing the number of hot flashes per day. More research and well-designed, rigorous, large clinical trials are necessary to further address these issues.

Traditional herbal medicine as adjunctive therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine (THM) as treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) has not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of THM as adjunctive therapies for NPC using the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Five electronic databases, including English and Chinese databases, were systematically searched up to February 2014. All RCTs involving traditional herbal medicine in combination with conventional cancer therapy for NPC were included. Twenty-two RCTs involving 2,298 NPC patients were systematically reviewed. Of these 22 studies, 15 on 1482 patients reported a significant increase in the number surviving patients with survivals of more than 1, 3, or 5 years. Seven studies on 595 patients reported a significant increase in immediate tumor response, and three studies on 505 patients reported a significant decrease in distant metastasis. This meta-analysis of 22 studies suggests that THM combined with conventional therapy can provide an effective adjunctive therapy for NPC. More research and well-designed, rigorous, large clinical trials are required to address these issues.

Simultaneous determination of liensinine, isoliensinine and neferine in rat plasma by UPLC–MS/MS and application of the technique to pharmacokinetic studies

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe in vivo effects of traditional herbal medicines are generally mediated by multiple bioactive components. The main constituents of Lotus Plumule are alkaloids such as liensinine, isoliensinine and neferine. In this study, a simple, sensitive, and robust analytical method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of the three alkaloids in rat plasma using carbamazepine as internal standard (IS). Materials and MethodsAfter precipitation of the proteins with acetonitrile, chromatography was performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1mm×50mm, 1.7μm particle size) using a gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. Mass spectrometry involved positive electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transitions at m/z 611.7→206.2 for liensinine, 611.3→192.2 for isoliensinine, 625.2→206.1 for neferine and m/z 237.1→194.2 for IS. ResultsThe method was linear over the concentration range 5–1000ng/mL with a lower limit of quantifof 5ng/mL for each alkaloid. Inter- and intra-day precision (RSD%) were all within 11.4% and the accuracy (RE%) were equal or lower than 10.4%. Recoveries were more than 75.3% and matrix effects were not significant. Stability studies showed that the three alkaloids were stable under a variety of storage conditions. ConclusionThe method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study involving intravenous administration of liensinine, isoliensinine and neferine to rats.

Serum metabonomic analysis of protective effects of Curcuma aromatica oil on renal fibrosis rats.

Background Curcuma aromatica oil is a traditional herbal medicine demonstrating protective and anti-fibrosis activities in renal fibrosis patients. However, study of its mechanism of action is challenged by its multiple components and multiple targets that its active agent acts on.Methodology/Principal FindingsNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics combined with clinical chemistry and histopathology examination were performed to evaluate intervening effects of Curcuma aromatica oil on renal interstitial fibrosis rats induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. The metabolite levels were compared based on integral values of serum 1H NMR spectra from rats on 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after the medicine administration. Time trajectory analysis demonstrated that metabolic profiles of the agent-treated rats were restored to control levels after 7 days of dosage. The results confirmed that the agent would be an effective anti-fibrosis medicine in a time-dependent manner, especially in early renal fibrosis stage. Targeted metabolite analysis showed that the medicine could lower levels of lipid, acetoacetate, glucose, phosphorylcholine/choline, trimethylamine oxide and raise levels of pyruvate, glycine in the serum of the rats. Serum clinical chemistry and kidney histopathology examination dovetailed well with the metabonomics data.Conclusions/SignificancesThe results substantiated that Curcuma aromatica oil administration can ameliorate renal fibrosis symptoms by inhibiting some metabolic pathways, including lipids metabolism, glycolysis and methylamine metabolism, which are dominating targets of the agent working in vivo. This study further strengthens the novel analytical approach for evaluating the effect of traditional herbal medicine and elucidating its molecular mechanism.