Eucommiae Cortex Research Articles

Anti-Osteoarthritic Effects of a Mixture of Dried Pomegranate Concentrate Powder, Eucommiae Cortex, and Achyranthis Radix 5:4:1 (g/g) in a Surgically Induced Osteoarthritic Rabbit Model.

In this study, we aimed to determine the synergistic effects of a formula consisting of dried pomegranate concentrate powder, Eucommiae Cortex, and Achyranthis Radix 5:4:1 (g/g) (PCP:EC:AR) in a surgically induced osteoarthritis (OA) rabbit model. PCP:EC:AR was orally administered once per day. Knee thickness, maximum extension of the knee joint, gross articular defect area, and the histopathological appearance of the cartilage were monitored, along with serum collagen type II C-telopeptide (CTX-II), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and subchondral IL-1β and TNF-α levels. Roentgenographic images were also evaluated. PCP:EC:AR significantly inhibited the surgically induced increase in knee thickness, maximum extension of both knees, knee thickness after capsule exposure, gross femoral and tibial articular defect areas, loss of the knee joint area, serum and synovial COMP, CTX-II, and MMP expression, and synovial IL-1β, and TNF-α expression. In addition, surgically induced narrowing of the knee bones, loss of the joint area, cartilage damage, and osteophyte formation were reduced. PCP:EC:AR suppressed the surgically induced increases in the Mankin score, and subchondral IL-1β and TNF-α immunolabeled cell numbers. PCP:EC:AR exerted potent OA protective effects in a surgically induced OA rabbit model.

Effects of Pomegranate Concentrate Powder: Eucommiae Cortex: Achyranthis Radix 5:4:1 (w/w) Mixed Formula on Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

We examined the antiosteoarthritis effect of a mixture of powdered pomegranate concentrate, eucommiae cortex, and achyranthis radix (5:4:1 w/w) (PEA-Mix). After the injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), PEA-Mixs were orally administered. To assess pain-related behaviors, a von Frey filament test and open field test were performed. We also examined the knee thickness, maximum knee extension angle, bone mineral density (BMD), and compressive strength of the knee joint and performed a histopathologic analysis. The number of COX-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine immunoreactive cells, the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 5-lipoxygenase (LPO) levels, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and mRNA levels of chondrogenesis-related genes were analyzed. PEA-Mix significantly inhibited the MIA-induced decrease in the paw-withdrawal threshold and total distance moved, and the MIA-induced increases in the maximum knee extension angle and knee thickness. Also, the MIA-induced loss of the knee joint articular surface region and decrease in the BMD were significantly suppressed by PEA-Mix. The MIA-induced increases in the 5-LPO, PGE2, MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, and TNF-α mRNA levels were reduced by PEA-Mix. PEA-Mix increased the MIA-mediated reduction in the SOX-9 and aggrecan mRNA levels. The number of PARP-positive cells was smaller in PEA-Mix-administered rats than in MIA-administered rats, while the number of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-positive cells was larger. Therefore, PEA-Mix relieved the MIA-induced pain-related behaviors, chondrocyte proliferation, and anti-inflammatory activity.

Tissue Distribution Comparison of Six Active Ingredients from an Eucommiae Cortex Extract between Normal and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Eucommiae Cortex (EC), a rare, nourishing medicinal herb that is native in China, has good effect in the treatment of hypertension. In this study, we compared tissue distribution of six representative active components of EC extract—genipinic acid (GA), protocatechuic acid (PCA), neochlorogenic acid (NCA), chlorogenic acid (CA), (+)-pinoresinol di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (PDG), and (+)-pinoresinol 4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (PG)—between normal rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Each rat was intragastrically given EC extract at a dose of 5.4 g/kg. Rats were sacrificed at 10 min, 30 min, 2 h, and 8 h after administration; six rats were sacrificed at each time point. Then, we quickly harvested their major organs, including heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), we determined the levels of the above mentioned six components in the organs of both types of rats and then analyzed differences in the tissue distribution. The results showed that levels of each component differed between SHRs and the normal group at each time point. As time progressed, the number of organs in which GA distribution in each tissue of SHRs differed from that of the normal group gradually increased: SHRs showed lower GA levels than normal rats. Levels of PG and PDG in both groups at 10 and 30 min were similar. NCA and CA in the SHR group and the normal group at 10 min, 30 min, and 2 h were also similar to some extent. The results indicated that the pathological state of spontaneous hypertension could affect tissue distribution of EC active components in rats.

Deciphering the Underlying Mechanism of Eucommiae Cortex against Osteoporotic Fracture by Network Pharmacology.

Background Du Zhong (DZ), or Eucommiae Cortex, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been used to treat osteoporosis. Although it has been reported that DZ can improve bone mass in ovariectomized rats, its pharmacological mechanisms in treating osteoporotic fractures (OPF) remain unclear. Methods In this study, we used a network pharmacological manner to explore its potential complicated mechanism in treating OPF. We obtained DZ compounds from TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases and collected potential targets of these compounds through target fishing based on TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases. Next, we collected the OPF targets by using CTD, GeneCards, OMIM, HPO, and GenCLiP 3 databases. And then the overlapping genes between DZ potential targets and OPF targets were used to build up the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and to analyze their interactions and find out the big hub genes in this network. Subsequently, clusterProfiler package in R language was utilized to conduct the enrichment of Gene Ontology biological process and KEGG pathways. Results There were totally 93 active compounds and 916 related targets in DZ. After the enrichment analysis, we collected top 25 cellular biological processes and top 25 pathways based on the adjusted P value and found that the DZ anti-OPF effect was mainly associated with the regulation of ROS and inflammatory response. Furthermore, 64 hub genes in PPI network, such as MAPK1 (degree = 41), SRC (degree = 39), PIK3R1 (degree = 36), VEGFA (degree = 31), TP53 (degree = 29), EGFR (degree = 29), JUN (degree = 29), AGT (degree = 29), MAPK1, SRC, PIK3R1, VEGFA, and TP53, were considered as potential therapeutic targets, implying the underlying mechanisms of DZ acting on OPF. Conclusion We investigated the possible therapeutic mechanisms of DZ from a systemic perspective. These key targets and pathways provided promising directions for the future research to reveal the exact regulating mechanisms of DZ in treating OPF.

Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine DAEP relieves the osteoarthritic knee pain in rats

BackgroundThe potential adverse effects of conventional oral pharmacotherapy of osteoarthritis (OA) restrict their long-term use. Topical application of a Chinese herbal paste for relieving OA knee pain can be effective and safe. However, evidence-based scientific research is insufficient to support its application worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of a topical Chinese herbal paste on relieving OA knee pain and its underlying mechanism.MethodsAn OA rat model was developed by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) followed by treadmill running. A herbal paste including Dipsaci Radix, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Eucommiae Cortex and Psoraleae Fructus, named as DAEP, was applied topically on the knee joint of the rats (DAEP). The rats without DAEP treatment served as Control. Rats with surgery but without ACLT, treadmill running and DAEP treatment acted as Sham. The morphologic change of the knee joint was observed radiographically. Nociception from the knee of the rats was assessed using Incapacitent test and CatWalk gait system. The therapeutic mechanism was investigated by analyzing the gene and protein expression of inflammatory markers via qPCR and Western blot, respectively.ResultsRadiographic images showed less destruction at the posterior tibial plateau of the DAEP group compared with the Control after 2 weeks of treatment. The static weight ratio and the gait parameters of the Control were reduced significantly via Incapacitance test and CatWalk gait analysis, respectively. DAEP treatment increased the Print Area and Maximum Intensity significantly compared with the Control. DAEP significantly suppressed the upregulation of gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).ConclusionsDAEP exhibited its effect via the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of IκB kinase αβ (p-IKKαβ) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. This study provides scientific evidence to support the clinical application of the Chinese herbal paste on reliving OA pain.

Protective effect of aucubinon on the eucommia ulmoides on skin photoaging induced by UVB

Objective To explore the protective effect of aucubin on the photoageing of the skin that induced by ultraviolet (UVB) radiation. Methods Human skin fibroblasts were divided into normal group, model group and high, medium and low dose groups of apocynin by random method. Except the normal group, the other groups of cells were subjected to UVB radiation with a radiation wavelength of 311 nm, irradiation intensity of 9.00 mw/cm2, radiation time of 2.8 s, radiation dose of 25 mJ/cm2. The cells in the high, medium and low doses of aglycone were cultured for 24 h at an equal volume of 400, 200, 100 μg/ml, and then subjected to UVB irradiation, and then cultured for 24 h. The normal group and the model group were cultured for 48 h in a common medium. The apoptosis rate of each group was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in each group were detected by ELISA. The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA in each group were detected by RT-PCR. Results Compared with the model group, the apoptosis rate (4.84% ± 0.24%, 12.32% ± 0.67% vs. 35.63% ± 2.77%) in the medium and high dose group significantly decreased (P<0.05), the content of IL-1 (21.14 ± 1.94 ng/ml, 16.17 ± 0.74 ng/ml vs. 22.55 ± 1.02 ng/ml), IL-6 (17.46 ± 0.93 ng/ml, 14.51 ± 0.79 ng/ml vs. 18.39 ± 2.05 ng/ml), TNF-α (44.21 ± 1.16 ng/ml, 35.94 ± 3.08 ng/ml vs. 45.67 ± 2.28 ng/ml) significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of Bax mRNA (0.29 ± 0.05, 0.42 ± 0.05, 0.51 ± 0.04 vs. 0.59 ± 0.05) significantly decreased, and the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA (0.52 ± 0.04, 0.44 ± 0.03, 0.35 ± 0.03 vs. 0.26 ± 0.04) significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions The aucubin has protective function to the damage of skin fibroblasts which is induced by UVB radiation, indicating the protective function of decreasing Bax mRNA expression, increasing Bcl-2 mRNA expression, reducing the expression of inflammatory factor IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, holding-up the cell apoptosis which is induced by UVB radiation, and inhibiting apoptosis of cell that caused by UVB radiation, playing an role of protective fibroblasts for delay of the photoageing. Key words: Eucommiae cortex; Aucubin; Ultraviolet rays; Apoptosis; Skin care; Fibroblasts

Protective effects and network analysis of natural compounds obtained from Radix dipsaci, Eucommiae cortex, and Rhizoma drynariae against RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro

Ethnopharmacological relevanceOsteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases; it is characterized by bone loss and is a risk factor for hip fracture. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) and their related natural compounds have been used for treating many diseases, including bone diseases, since ancient times in China and are regarded as a cost-effective complementary therapy. Aim of the studyThe goal of this study was to investigate the osteoprotective mechanisms of these three Chinese herbs and their related natural compounds. The effects of CHMs and related natural compounds on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro were investigated. Materials and methodsA network pharmacology method was applied to study CHM-related natural compounds and their osteoporosis targets. In addition, their effect on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells was also investigated in vitro. ResultsRadix dipsaci, Eucommiae cortex, and Rhizoma drynariae exhibited protective effects against mortality in hip fracture patients. Furthermore, these three herbs inhibited RANKL-induced TRAP activities and reduced the expression of bone resorption-related genes in RAW264.7 cells. Network analysis of natural compound (ingredient)-target interactions identified 11 natural compounds. Signal pathway analyses suggested that these compounds may target cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, including RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Five novel natural compounds exhibited reduced RANKL-induced TRAP activities and bone resorption-related gene expression. ConclusionThe clinically used CHMs, Radix dipsaci, Eucommiae cortex, and Rhizoma drynariae, and natural compounds obtained from them may suppress RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. male flower extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation.

Background:Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a medicinal plant native to China, with its bark (Eucommiae Cortex) traditionally being used for medicinal purposes. Previous research has shown that Eucommia male flowers can exert anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and other pharmacological effects, including immune regulation. This study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of the 70% ethanol extract of male flowers (EF) of E. ulmoides in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and LPS-administered mice.Methods:Cytotoxicity of EF for RAW 264.7 cells was investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8. The production of proinflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. IL-17, IL-23, and IL-10 mRNA levels were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway in RAW 264.7 cells was investigated via Western blotting. In vivo anti-inflammatory effects of EF were studied in an LPS-induced acute inflammation mouse model by analyzing lung tissue histopathology, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissue.Results:EF showed no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations from 10 to 60 μg/mL (cell viability > 80%) in the CCK-8 cell viability assay. EF inhibited the RAW 264.7 cell proliferation (EF 60 μg/mL, 120 μg/mL, and 250 μg/mL vs. negative control: 87.31 ± 2.39% vs. 100.00 ± 2.50%, P = 0.001; 79.01 ± 2.56 vs. 100.00 ± 2.50%, P < 0.001; and 64.83 ± 2.50 vs. 100.00 ± 2.50%, P < 0.001), suppressed NO (EF 20 μg/mL and 30 μg/mL vs. LPS only, 288.81 ± 38.01 vs. 447.68 ± 19.07 μmol/L, P = 0.004; and 158.80 ± 45.14 vs. 447.68 ± 19.07 μmol/L, P < 0.001), TNF-α (LPS+EF vs. LPS only, 210.20 ± 13.85 vs. 577.70 ± 5.35 pg/mL, P < 0.001), IL-1β (LPS+EF vs. LPS only, 193.30 ± 10.80 vs. 411.03 ± 42.28 pg/mL, P < 0.001), and IL-6 (LPS+EF vs. LPS only, 149.67 ± 11.60 vs. 524.80 ± 6.24 pg/mL, P < 0.001) secretion, and downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-17 (LPS+EF vs. LPS only, 0.23 ± 0.02 vs. 0.43 ± 0.12, P < 0.001), IL-23 (LPS+EF vs. LPS only, 0.29 ± 0.01 vs. 0.42 ± 0.06, P=0.002), and IL-10 (LPS+EF vs. LPS only, 0.30 ± 0.01 vs. 0.47 ± 0.01, P=0.008) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EF inhibited the LPS-induced NF-κB p65 (LPS+EF 20 μg/mL and 30 μg/mL vs. LPS only: 0.78 ± 0.06 vs. 1.17 ± 0.08, P < 0.001; and 0.90 ± 0.06 vs. 1.17 ± 0.08, P =0.002) and inhibitor of kappa B (IκBα) phosphorylation (LPS+EF 20 μg/mL and 30 μg/mL vs. LPS only: 0.25 ± 0.01 vs. 0.63 ± 0.03, P < 0.001; and 0.31 ± 0.01 vs. 0.63 ± 0.03, P < 0.001), LPS+EF 30 μg/mL inhibited IκB kinase (IKKα/β) phosphorylation (LPS+EF 30 μg/mL vs. LPS only, 1.12 ± 0.14 vs. 1.71 ± 0.25, P = 0.002) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, EF 10 mg/kg and EF 20 mg/kg inhibited lung tissue inflammation in vivo and suppressed the serum TNF-α (LPS+EF 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg vs. LPS only, 199.99 ± 186.49 vs. 527.90 ± 263.93 pg/mL, P=0.001; and 260.56 ± 175.83 vs. 527.90 ± 263.93 pg/mL, P = 0.005), and IL-6 (LPS+EF 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg vs. LPS only, 41.26 ± 30.42 vs. 79.45 ± 14.16 pg/ ml, P = 0.011; and 42.01 ± 26.26 vs. 79.45 ± 14.16 pg/mL, P = 0.012) levels and MPO (LPS+EF 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg vs. LPS only, 3.19 ± 1.78 vs. 5.39 ± 1.51 U/g, P = 0.004; and 3.32 ± 1.57 vs. 5.39 ± 1.51 U/g, P = 0.006) activity in lung tissue.Conclusions:EF could effectively inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and overactivation of neutrophils. Further investigation is needed to evaluate its potential for anti-inflammation therapy.

A Study on the Effects of Eucommiae Cortex on Male Osteoporosis

A Study on the Effects of Eucommiae Cortex on Male Osteoporosis

Enhanced Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Processed Eucommiae Cortex

Enhanced Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Processed Eucommiae Cortex

A Study on the Enhancement of Male Reproduction Function due to Eucommiae Cortex

A Study on the Enhancement of Male Reproduction Function due to Eucommiae Cortex

Studies on Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Whitening Effects of Oriental Herbal Extracts (Mix) including Eucommiae cortex

Studies on Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Whitening Effects of Oriental Herbal Extracts (Mix) including Eucommiae cortex

Anti-osteoarthritic effects of a combination of pomegranate concentrate powder, Eucommiae cortex and Achyranthis radix in rats

Anti-osteoarthritic effects of a combination of pomegranate concentrate powder, Eucommiae cortex and Achyranthis radix in rats

Quality evaluation of Eucommiae Cortex processed by different methods and "sweating" conditions based on simultaneous determination of multiple bioactive constituents combined with gray relational analysis.

Eucommiae Cortex is a classical traditional Chinese medicine, which needs to be processed by "sweating" methods. To select the suitable processing method and "sweating" processing condition for Eucommiae Cortex, in this study, the quality of Eucommiae Cortex was evaluated based on simultaneous determination of multiple bioactive constituents combined with gray relational analysis. The contents of lignans, iridoids, penylpropanoids, flavonoids, and phenols in samples were simultaneously determined using ultra-fast performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Synergiۛ Hydro-RP 100 Å column (100mm×2.0mm, 2.5μm) at 30°C with a gradient elution of acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid/0.1% aqueous formic acid as the mobile phase. Furthermore, gray relational analysis was performed to evaluate and sort the samples according to the contents of 14 constituents by calculating the relative correlation degree of each sample. The results demonstrated that the quality of Eucommiae Cortex "sweating" at source area was better and the better "sweating" condition was to scrape off the cork layer before "sweating" with straw covering and sun drying. The developed method could provide the foundation and support for "sweating" processing method of Eucommiae Cortex in normalization and standardization.

Review for treatment effect and signaling pathway regulation of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine on osteoporosis

The treatment effect and signaling pathway regulation effects of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine on osteoporosis have been widely studied, but there is no systematic summary currently. This review comprehensively collected and analyzed the traditional Chinese medicines on the treatment and signaling pathway regulation of osteoporosis in recent ten years, such as Epimedii Folium, Drynariae Rhizoma, Cnidii Fructus, Eucommiae Cortex, Psoraleae Fructus and Dipsaci Radix. Based on the existing findings, the following conclusions were obtained: ①kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine treated osteoporosis mainly through BMP-Smads, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote osteoblast bone formation and through OPG/RANKL/ RANK, estrogen, CTSK signaling pathway to inhibit osteoclasts of bone resorption. Epimedii Folium, Drynariae Rhizoma, Cnidii Fructus and Psoraleae Fructus up-regulated the expression of key proteins and genes of BMP-Smads and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways to promote bone formation. Epimedii Folium, Drynariae Rhizoma, Cnidii Fructus, Eucommiae Cortex, Psoraleae Fructus and Dipsaci Radix inhibited the bone resorption by mediating the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway. ②Kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine prevented and treated osteoporosis through a variety of ways: icariin in Epimedii Folium, naringin in Drynariae Rhizoma, osthole in Cnidii Fructus and psoralen in Psoraleae Fructus can regulate BMP-Smads, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote bone formation, but also activate OPG/RANKL/RANK, CTSK and other signaling pathways to inhibit bone resorption. ③The crosstalk of the signaling pathways and the animal experiments of the traditional Chinese medicine on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis as well as their multi-target mechanism and comprehensive regulation need further clarification.

Differences in the Mechanisms by Which Yang-Invigorating and Qi-Invigorating Chinese Tonifying Herbs Stimulate Mitochondrial ATP Generation Capacity

According to Chinese medicine theory, Yang/Qi plays a pivotal role in driving physiological functions in the body, these being highly dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. Consistent with this, Yang/Qi-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs have been found to stimulate mitochondrial ATP generation capacity (ATP-GC) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In the present study, we have demonstrated that Yang-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs (namely, Eucommiae Cortex, Cibotii Rhizoma, Dipsaci Radix, Cynomorii Herba, Cistanches Herba, Cuscutae Semen, EpimediiHerba and Morindae Radix) and Qi-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs (namely, Ginseng Radix, Pseudostellariae Radix, Quinquefolii Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Juiubae Fructus, Fici Simplicissimae Radix and Dioscoreae Oppositae Radix) act by different mechanisms to stimulate mitochondrial ATP-GC. While Yang-invigorating herbs fluidize mitochondrial membranes and thus stimulate ATP-GC, Qi-invigorating herbs can enhance cellular glutathione status and increase ATP-GC. The different mechanisms by which Yang-invigorating herbs and Qi-invigorating herbs stimulate mitochondrial ATP-GC may serve as the basis for establishing biomarkers for Yang/Qi-invigorating herbs and herbal health products in general.

Anti-osteoarthritis effects of Pomegranate, Eucommiae cortex and Achyranthis radix extracts on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes

Anti-osteoarthritis effects of Pomegranate, Eucommiae cortex and Achyranthis radix extracts on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes

Difference of chemical constituents in Eucommiae Cortex from different habitats by LC-QTOF MS/MS

In order to study the influence of ecological environment regarding the synthesis and accumulation of metabolites in Eucommiae Cortex, LC-QTOF MS/MS method combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyze the differences of chemical constituents in Eucommiae Cortex from different habitats. Through the analysis of the multistage tandem mass spectrometry, the characteristic peaks were extracted with mass spectrometry data peak matching, peak alignment, and noise filtering. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used for data processing. The chemical constituents were identified or tentative presumed according to MS accurate mass and MS/MS spectrometry fragmentation information, combined with the software of database search, comparison with reference standards and literature. The results show the differences among samples of Eucommiae Cortex from different habitats are distinguishable. A total of 23 chemical constituents in Eucommiae Cortex were identified or tentative presumed. Among of them, 14 kinds of common differential chemical constituents (aucubin, geniposidic acid, neochlorogenic acid, syringin, olivil-4',4'-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 1-hydroxypinoresinol- 4',4'-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, caffeic acid, pinoresinol-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, syringaresionl-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, pinoresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, eucommiol, isochlorogenic acid C and asiatic acid) presented different changing laws. This study provides basic information for revealing the influence law of ecological environment on the biosynthesis of metabolites in Eucommiae Cortex.

Inhibitory Effects of Water Extracts of Eucommiae Cortex and Psoraleae Semen Alone and in Combination on Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone※

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of Eucommiae cortex (EC), Psoraleae semen (PS), and their combination on receptor activator of nuclear factor- kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Methods : We assayed the protein expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and β-actin in cell lysates using western blotting. Similarly, mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, tartrateresistant acid phosphate (TRAP), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni (GAPDHS) from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of the water extracts of EC, PS, and their combination in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse model. Results : The in vitro data revealed showed that the combination of EC and PS extract showed a more remarkable inhibition of osteoclast differentiation than each herb did alone. The combination downregulated the induction of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP by suppressing the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Lastly, the in vivo data showed that PS reduced the LPS-induced bone erosion. Conclusion : The result of this study suggests that EC and PS could be potential therapeutic agents for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

Comparison of Index Compound Content and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Eucommiae Cortex by Various Drying Methods

Comparison of Index Compound Content and Anti-inflammatory Activity of <i>Eucommiae Cortex</i> by Various Drying Methods