Radix Angelicae Dahuricae Research Articles

In vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from Radix Angelicae dahuricae.

Although Radix Angelicae dahuricae (Angelica) has been traditionally used in patients with rheumatism arthralgia, its bioactive ingredients remain to be determined. In this study, the essential oil extract of Radix Angelicae dahuricae (EOAD) was assessed for its anti-inflammatory activities against xylene-induced acute ear swelling and carrageenan-induced acute paw edema in mice as well as its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. We found that EOAD at 100mg/kg significantly alleviated xylene-induced ear swelling and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. Moreover, in the FCA-induced rat arthritis model, EOAD significantly improved hind paw swelling, lowered the adjuvant arthritis score, mitigated synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cartilage destruction in the ankle joint, and reduced the serum levels of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and prostaglandin E2 as well as serum nitric oxide synthase activity. These findings support the fact that the essential oil extract of Angelica contains important active constituents responsible for its anti-inflammatory activities and therefore help to understand the phytotherapeutic effects of Angelica in the treatment of aseptic inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of methanol, ethanol, and water extracts of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix.

Angelicae Dahuricae Radix has been used for the treatment of headaches, rhinitis, and colds in traditional medicine. Methanol, ethanol, and water extracts of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix were collected. A statistically significant reduction in the cellular viability of the mouse leukemic monocyte macrophage cell line was noted after treatment with water extracts of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for 24 h led to a robust increase in nitric oxide production, but Angelicae Dahuricae Radix at 400 μg/mL concentration significantly suppressed nitric oxide produced by the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in 70% ethanol, absolute ethanol, 70% methanol, absolute methanol, and boiling water groups (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with absolute ethanol extract of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix suppressed the LPS-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, and cycloxygenase-2 expression. Angelicae Dahuricae Radix showed significant cytotoxic effects on the human adenocarcinoma cell line and keratin-forming cell line. (J Oral Sci 58, 125-131, 2016).

Research of Anti-Cancer Components in Traditional Chinese Medicine on Hollow Fibre Cell Fishing and Hollow Fibre Liquid Phase Microextraction

Hollow fibre cell fishing with HPLC (HFCF-HPLC) based on the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3, human renal tubular cell line ACHN or hepatoma cell line HepG-2 was employed to screen active groups of coumarin and volatile oil in Radix angelicae sinensis, Radix angelicae dahuricae and Fructus citri sarcodactylis. Simultaneously, hollow fibre liquid phase microextraction with HPLC (HFLPME-HPLC) was conducted to enrich and determine the contents of active components in the same sample solution. Before application, for HFCF-HPLC, cells growth states and survival rates on the fibre, effect of ethanol concentration in the extract of samples on cell survival rates, non-specific binding between fibre active centres and the target components, positive and negative controls and repeatabilities were validated; for HFLPME, extraction solvent, sample phase pH, agitation speed, extraction time and sample phase volume were investigated. Many active components were screened from three medicines. Some of them, such as scoparone, psoralen, bergapten, oxypeucedanin, imperatorin, ligustilide, were identified by MS. The target fishing factors of active components and the cell apoptosis rates of three cells under the medicines effect were researched. The binding sites of active groups on HepG-2 cells were preliminarily determined. The results demonstrated that HFCF-HPLC, coupled with HFLPME-HPLC, is a simple and universal approach to find bioactive components at the cellular level, determine their content and research traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) entirety effect of multi-component and multi-target. The approach may provide us a new and good solution to clarify the material basis of anti-cancer effect and conduct personalized quality control for the components associated with efficacy in TCMs.

Rapid Detection of Pesticide Residues in Chinese Herbal Medicines by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with Partial Least Squares Regression

This paper reports a simple, rapid, and effective method for simultaneous detection of cartap (Ca), thiocyclam (Th), and tebufenozide (Te) in Chinese herbal medicines including Radix Angelicae Dahuricae and Liquorices using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) coupled with partial least squares regression (PLSR). The proposed method can handle the intrinsic interferences of herbal samples; satisfactory average recoveries attained from near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) PLSR models were 99.0±10.8 and 100.2±1.0% for Ca, 100.2±6.9 and 99.7±2.5% for Th, and 99.1±6.3 and 99.6±1.0% for Te, respectively. Furthermore, some statistical parameters and figures of merit are fully investigated to evaluate the performance of the two models. It was found that both models could give accurate results and only the performance of MIR-PLSR was slightly better than that of NIR-PLSR in the cases suffering from herbal matrix interferences. In conclusion, FT-IR spectroscopy in combination with PLSR has been demonstrated for its application in rapid screening and quantitative analysis of multipesticide residues in Chinese herbal medicines without physical or chemical separation pretreatment step and any spectral processing, which also implies other potential applications such as food and drug safety, herbal plants quality, and environmental evaluation, due to its advantages of nontoxic and nondestructive analysis.

Interactions between traditional Chinese medicine and western drugs in Taiwan: A population-based study

BackgroundDrug–drug interactions have long been an active research area in clinical medicine. In Taiwan, however, the widespread use of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) presents additional complexity to the topic. Therefore, it is important to see the interaction between traditional Chinese and western medicine. Objective(1) To create a comprehensive database of multi-herb/western drug interactions indexed according to the ways in which physicians actually practice and (2) to measure this database's impact on the detection of adverse effects between traditional Chinese medicine compounds and western medicines. MethodsFirst, a multi-herb/western medicine drug interactions database was created by separating each TCM compound into its constituent herbs. Each individual herb was then checked against an existing single-herb/western drug interactions database. The data source comes from the National Health Insurance research database, which spans the years 1998–2011. This study estimated the interaction prevalence rate and further separated the rates according to patient characteristics, distribution by county, and hospital accreditation levels. Finally, this new database was integrated into a computer order entry module of the electronic medical records system of a regional teaching hospital. The effects it had were measured for two months. ResultsThe most commonly interacting Chinese herbs were Ephedrae Herba and Angelicae Sinensis Radix/Angelicae Dahuricae Radix. Ephedrae Herba contains active ingredients similar to in ephedrine. 15 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine compounds contain Ephedrae Herba. Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix contain ingredients similar to coumarin, a blood thinner. 9 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine compounds contained Angelicae Sinensis Radix/Angelicae Dahuricae Radix. In the period from 1998 to 2011, the prevalence of herb–drug interactions related to Ephedrae Herba was 0.18%. The most commonly prescribed traditional Chinese compounds were MA SHING GAN SHYR TANG (23.1%), followed by SHEAU CHING LONG TANG (15.5%) and DINQ CHUAN TANG (13.2%). The prevalence of herb–drug interactions related to Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was 4.59%. The most common traditional Chinese compound formula were TSANG EEL SAAN (32%), followed by HUOH SHIANG JENQ CHIH SAAN (31.4%) and SHY WUH TANG (10.7%).Once the multi-herb drug interaction database was deployed in a hospital system, there were 480 prescriptions that indicated a TCM–western drug interaction. Physicians were alerted 24 times during two months. These alerts resulted in a prescription change four times (16.7%). ConclusionDue to the unique cultural factors that have resulted in widespread acceptance of both western and traditional Chinese medicine, Taiwan stands well positioned to report on the prevalence of interactions between western drugs and traditional Chinese medicine and devise ways to reduce their incidence. This study built a multi-herb/western drug interactions database, embedded inside a hospital clinical information system, and then examined the effects that drug interaction alerts had on clinician prescribing behaviour. The results demonstrated that western drug/traditional Chinese medicine interactions are prevalent and that western-trained physicians tend to change their prescribing behaviour more than traditional Chinese medicine physicians in their response to medication interaction alerts.

Acupuncture combined with medicated cupping for temporomandibular disorders

ObjectiveTo observe the application of acupuncture at distal points combined with medicated cupping on the affected parts in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to evaluate its effectiveness. MethodsA total of 120 patients with TMD were randomly divided into two groups according to the random number table and random number remainder method. Sixty-two patients in acupuncture combined with cupping group (group A) were treated with acupuncture at Hégŭ (▪ LI 4) and Tàichōng (▪ LR 3) combined with medicated cupping on the affected parts with Sānqī (▪Radix et Rhizoma Notoginseng) and Báizh▪ (▪Radix Angelicae Dahuricae). Fifty-eight patients in cupping group (group B) were just treated with medicated cupping. Patients were treated for 30 min each time, once daily, and 10 times were considered as one course of treatment. After one course of treatment, the therapeutic effect was evaluated. Before and after treatment, craniomandihular index (CMI), dysfunction index (DI), palpation index(PI) and changes in pain degree (VAS score) were compared. ResultsBefore and after treatment, CMI in group A were 0.27±0.02 and 0.04±0.01, respectively, and in group B were 0.29±0.02 and 0.06±0.01, respectively; PI in group A were 0.19±0.01 and 0.05±0.03, respectively, and in group B were 0.18±0.02 and 0.11±0.02, respectively; DI in group A were 0.33±0.04 and 0.06±0.02, respectively, and in group B were 0.34±0.05 and 0.11±0.04, respectively; VAS in group A were 5.39±0.24 and 2.13±0.47, respectively, and in group B were 5.70±0.31 and 3.97±0.26, respectively. After treatment, CMI, DI, PI and VAS in both groups significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), and the indices in group A were significantly lower than that in group B after treatment (all P<0.05), indicating that the difference was significant. ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of acupuncture at distal points combined with cupping at adjacent points in treatment of TMD is superior to that of single medicated cupping therapy.

Combination effects of Gumiganghwal-tang water extract and montelukast on airway inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells

Purpose: Gumiganghwal-tang (known as Kumi-Kyokatsuto in Japanese) is well known traditional herbal prescription, which consists of 12 different herbs; Osterici Radix, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Zizyphi Fructus, and Allii Fistulosi Bulbus. Gumiganghwal-tang has been commonly used in various disease including common cold, pain, and inflammatory diseases in Korea. Montelukast has been used as an effective therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis or asthma. The objective of this study is to find out the combination effect on interaction of Gumiganghwaltang water extract (GGTW) and montelukast using human bronchial epithelial, BEAS-2B cells. Methods:Anti-inflammation effects were selected to study the effects on IL-4/TNF-induced inflammatory response in BEAS2B cells. Cell supernatants and mRNA were collected for cellular inflammatory mediators determined via enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, gelatin zymography, and polymerase chain reaction. Results: After treatment of IL-4/TNF, the production of eotaxin, regulated on activation of normal T-cell-expressedandsecreted (RANTES), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP9), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression were increased. However, each of GGTW and montelukast was significantly inhibit the production of eotaxin, RANTES, MMP-9, andVCAM-1 expression.Moreover, drug combinations (co-treatment ofGGTWwithmontelukast)weremore effective than each treatment, although the difference was not significant. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that GGTW combined with montelukast may be useful to reduce airway inflammation, which may explain its beneficial effect for the regulation of inflammatory disease. Contact: Woo-Young Jeon, ssamggun85@kiom.re.kr

Quantitative determination of three active ingredients for quality evaluation of Angelica dahurica

A HPLC method has been developed in the current investigation for simultaneous determination of three chemical markers of by akangelicin, imperatorin and isoimperatorin in Radix Angelicae Dahuricae. Separation was performed at 30 degrees C. on achromatographic column of Platisil ODS C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. The results showed that the three chemical markers could be well resolved and that in the selected linear range, all calibration curves of the three chemical markers showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.999 8). The recoveries of byakangelicin, imperatorin and isoimperatorin were 100.83%, 100.10% and 103.52%, respectively, and RSD were 1.7%, 0.77% and 0.41% (n = 6), respectively. The data suggested that the developed HPLC method had good reproducibility, robustness, and accuracy, which was suitable for the quality control of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae. Applications of this method showed that the three chemical markers had higher contents in the Bozhou Anhui and Changge Henan than others.

A cell membrane chromatography method for screening 5-HT receptor agonists from drug pair of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix

Migraine is one of the common and frequently encountered diseases. The study proves that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor, plays an important role in the occurrence of migraine. Rat striatum was used for preparation of the cell membrane stationary phase (CMSP) in our experiments. The cell membrane chromatography (CMC)-offline-HPLC system was applied to specifically recognize the components from the drug pair of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, which interact with the receptors on CMSP. The dissociation equilibrium constant (KD) was measured in a rat striatum/CMC system, performed by continuously pumping sumatriptan, a 5-HT1D agonist, ranging from 2.42 x 10(-8) to 4.84 x 10(-7) mol · L(-1) through a CMC column, and the capacity factors (k') were recorded. The KD value obtained from the model was (4.59 ± 0.33) x 10(-6) mol · L(-1) for imperatorin, and the rat model of migraine induced by nitroglycerin was applied to validate the pharmacological effects of the drug pair. The results indicated that the CMC method could be a quick and efficient way for characterizing the drug-receptor interactions in vitro.

Effects of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix on 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis in mice

Effects of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix on 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis in mice

Mechanisms of improvement of intestinal transport of baicalin and puerarin by extracts of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae.

Radix Angelicae Dahuricae is the dried root of Angelicae Dahurica (Fisch.ex Hoffm.)Benth.et Hook.f. var.formosana (Boiss.) Shan et Yuan (Fam.Umbelliferae). The total coumarins (Cou) and volatile oil (VO) were main active components that drived from Radix Angelicae Dahuricae. Our previous studies have shown that Cou and VO could increase intestinal absorption for transmucosal drug delivery with unknown mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae for improving drug intestinal transport. Caco-2 cell model was used to study the effect of Radix Angelicae Dahurica on transepithelial electrical resistance. Western blot was used to study its effect on the expression of the actin and ZO-1, tight junction proteins. The effect of Radix Angelicae Dahurica on the expression of P-gp protein was investigated using flow cytometry. VO (0.036-2.88 μL/mL) and Cou (0.027-0.54 mg/mL) caused a reversible, time- and dose-dependent decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance. VO and/or Cou could inhibit the expression of the tight junction protein, ZO-1 and actin. VO and/or Cou also could inhibit the expression of P-gp. These data suggested that Radix Angelicae Dahurica increased cell permeability by affecting the expression of actin, ZO-1 or P-gp, opening the tight junction or inhibiting the efflux induced by P-gp.

비피(鼻皮) 증류액의 항균, 소염, 항산화 작용에 대한 연구

Objectives : The purpose of the study is to test the antibacterial, anti-in flammatory and antioxidant effects of BPH, which is composed of Pini Densiflorae Nodi Lignum and Querci Acutissimae Fructus, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix. Method : Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of BPH on Propionibacterium acnes, one of anaerobic bacteria species were evaluated by measuring the levels of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) elimination and lipid peroxidation. Result : When BPH was applied to CCD-986sk (Human normal fibroblast) to confirm the level of cytokine(tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8), its level increased in p roportion to that of BPH's concentration, which indicated dose-dependent relationship. Using the Disk diffusion to measure the bacterial growth inhibition zone varying BPH concentration, it was found that the antibacterial effect of BPH was less than that of erythromycin, the control group, but was higher than that of saline, and it increased with higher concentrations. In a liquid culture medium containing BPH, the growth rate of Propionibacterium acnes was decreased by more than 10% at 25% BPH. After adding P. acnes to THP-1 monocyte, and treated it with BPH, and measuring the concentration of TNF-a and IL-8, it was observed that the amount of TNF-a and IL-8 significantly decreased depending on the level of BPH concentration. The ability to eliminate DPPH increased with higher BPH concentration. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was increased by BHT treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : Using Propionibacterium acnes , an anaerobic bacteria, we confirmed that BPH has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

소풍탕(疏風湯)이 고지혈증 흰쥐의 뇌경색에 미치는 영향

Objectives : This study evaluates the neuroprotective effects of Sopung-tang, a mixture of Notopterygii Rhizoma, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Hoelen, Aurantii Nobilis Pericarpium, Pinelliae Tuber, Linderae Radix, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Cyperi Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Asari Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix on the cerebral infarct combined with hyperlipidemia. Method : The hyperlipidemia was induced by the beef tallow 30% diet for 14 days on Sprague-Dawley rats. The cerebral infarct was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours with intraluminal thread method. Then the water extract of Sopung-tang was administered a day for 5 days at 3 hours after the cerebral infarct by MCAO. Effect of Sopung-tang was evaluated with the infarct volume and edema percentage by a TTC-stained brain section, and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the brain tissue by a immunohistochemical stain method. Results : Sopung-tang reduced the infarct size partly in a TTC-stained brain section of the hyperlipidemic MCAO rats. Sopung-tang reduced the infarct volume of the hyperlipidemic MCAO rats significantly. Sopung-tang reduced the edema percentage of the hyperlipidemic MCAO rats, but not significant statistically. Sopung-tang suppressed the Bax expressions in the cerebral penumbra and caudate putamen of the hyperlipidemic MCAO rats significantly. Sopung-tang upregulated the Bcl-2 expression in the caudate putamen of the hyperlipidemic MCAO rats. Conclusion : These results suggest that Sopung-tang plays an anti-apoptotic neuroprotective effect through the suppression of Bax and up-regulation of Bacl-2 expressions in the brain tissues.

Qualitative and quantitative research on sulfur fumigation of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) by near-infrared spectroscopy

The contents of coumarins in the sulfur fumigated Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, ADR) were reduced significantly. To achieve the quality control of ADR, the qualitative identification of sulfur fumigated ADR and quantitative model of imperatorin content should be established. The near-infrared (NIR) spectrograms of non-sulfur and sulfur fumigated ADR were collected by NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy technology and pretreated by the method of first derivative derivation and vector normalization. The Ward's Algorithm method was used for the cluster analysis. The non-sulfur and sulfur fumigated ADR can be quickly identified in the range of 8,806. 0-3 811.0 cm(-1) based on the cluster analysis. The NIR quantitative model of imperatorin was established by the contents of imperatorin determined by HPLC in combination with partial least squares regression analysis. According to the calibration model established in this study, correlation coefficients (R2), the root-mean-square error of cross-validation (RMSECV), and the root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) for imperatorin were 0.982 8, 0.006 8, 0.011 8, respectively. The quantitative model of imperatorin can be applied to determine the content of imperatorin in ADR accurately.

Transport properties of puerarin and effect of extract of Radix Angelicae dahuricae on puerarin intestinal absorption using in situ and in vitro models.

The root of Angelica dahurica (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, RAD), which contains coumarins and volatile oil as its main classes of active components, is often given in conjunction with Pueraria root (Radix Puerariae, RP), which contains the phytoestrogen puerarin. The two herbs are considered to be compatible 'herb-pairs' in traditional Chinese medicine. The present investigation investigates the absorption of puerarin from RP and the effect of the total coumarins and volatile oil from RAD on its absorption. The everted gut sac and single-pass intestinal perfusion methods were used, respectively. The results showed that the absorption of puerarin in the jejunum was significantly increased in the presence of the coumarins and/or volatile oil. The absorption rate constant (K(a)) of puerarin increased gradually until the concentration reached 160 µg · mL(-1), after which its absorption became saturated and the apparent permeability (P(app)) values significantly decreased. The results showed that the intestinal absorption mechanisms of puerarin involved active transportation processes and that puerarin is likely to be a substrate of P-gp because verapamil significantly affected its P(app) and K(a). The absorption of puerarin significantly increased (p < 0.01) when combined with RAD extracts, as shown by the increase in concentration of puerarin in blood from the hepatic portal vein, supporting the concept of RAD and RP as a compatible herb-pair.

Antidepressant-like effects of auraptenol in mice

Depression is a major psychiatric disorder affecting nearly 21% of the world population and imposes a substantial health burden on society. Current available antidepressants are not adequate to meet the clinical needs. Here we report that auraptenol, an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine, angelicae dahuricae radix, had antidepressant-like effects in mice models of depression. In mouse forced swimming test and tail suspension test, two validated models of depression, auraptenol dose-dependently decreased the immobility duration within the dose range of 0.05–0.4 mg/kg. In addition, the antidepressant-like effects of auraptenol was significantly averted by a selective serotonin 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (1 mg/kg). These doses that affected the immobile response did not affect locomotor activity. In summary, this study for the first time identified an active component from the herbal medicine angelicae dahuricae radix that possesses robust antidepressant-like efficacy in mice. These data support further exploration for the possibility of developing auraptenol as a novel antidepressant agent in the treatment of major depression disorders.

A purge and trap technique to capture volatile compounds combined with comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to investigate the effect of sulfur‐fumigation on Radix Angelicae Dahuricae

Sulfur-fumigation is known to reduce volatile compounds that are the main active components in herbs used in herbal medicine. We investigated changes in chemical composition between sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Dahuricae using a purge and trap technique to capture volatile compounds, and two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry for identification. Using sun-dried Radix Angelicae Dahuricae samples as a reference, the results showed that 73 volatile compounds, including 12 sulfide compounds, were found to be present only in sulfur-fumigated samples. Furthermore, 32 volatile compounds that were found in sun-dried Radix Angelicae Dahuricae samples disappeared after sulfur-fumigation. The proposed method can be applied to accurately discriminate sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Dahuricae from different commercial sources.

Novel characterization of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after the sulfur-fumigation process by combining high performance liquid chromatographic fingerprint and multi-ingredients determination.

Background:Harmful sulfur-fumigation processing method is abused during Radix Angelicae Dahuricae preparation. However, the analytical technique characterizing Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after the sulfur-fumigation process is absent.Materials and Methods:The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was adopted to develop methods combining finger-print analysis and multi-ingredients simultaneous determination for quality evaluation of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after the sulfur-fumigation process. The chromatographic fingerprint method was established for qualitative analysis coupled with statistical cluster analysis basing on Euclidean distance. Additionally, a determination method was developed for quantitative analysis, which was able to assay the concentrations of the major coumarins including imperatorin, isoimperatorin, xanthotoxin, xanthotoxol, isoimpinellin, oxypeucedanin, and bergapten in Radix Angelicae Dahuricae simultaneously. The separations of the two methods were both achieved on a Hypersil octadecylsilyl C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at 35°C under different strategic gradient elution programs. The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm all the time. Method validation data indicated that the methods were both reliable and applicable. They were then used to assay different Radix Angelicae Dahuricae samples collected from good agricultural practice (GAP) bases and local herbal markets.Results:The successful application demonstrated that the combination of HPLC fingerprint and simultaneous quantification of multi-ingredients offers an efficient approach for quality evaluation of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after the sulfur-fumigation process.Conclusion:In order to discriminate Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after the sulfur-fumigation process, oxypeucedanin, and xanthotoxol were the most sensitive biomarkers and should be determined.

Irritant contact dermatitis risk of common topical traditional chinese medicines used for skin-lightening: a pilot clinical trial with 30 volunteers.

Topical traditional Chinese medicine- (TTCM-) related contact dermatitis is not uncommon but ignored. Patch and photopatch tests using 6 individual herbal ingredients and Bai-Zhi-Kao (BZK; 白 芷 膏), a skin-lightening TTCM preparation, were conducted on 30 participants. Twenty-five subjects showed at least 1 positive reaction, including 6 (20.0%) participants who reacted to BZK. The majority reacted to Radix Ampelopsis japonica (Bai-Lian; 白 蘞) (60.0%), whereas few reacted to Rhizoma Bletilla striata (Bai-Ji; 白 芨) (16.7%), Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae (Bai-Zhu; 白 朮) (10.0%), Radix Angelicae dahuricae (Bai-Zhi; 白 芷) (3.3%), and Herba asari (Xi-Xin; 細 辛) (3.3%). In the photopatch test, 3 participants (10.0%) reacted positively to BZK and 10 to ≥1 constituent; however, all reacted to Radix Angelicae dahuricae (26.7%), Radix Ampelopsis japonica (13.3%), and Rhizoma Bletilla striata (3.3%). In contrast, no subjects showed positive reactions to Sclerotium Poria cocos (Bai-Fu-Ling; 白 茯 苓). Thus, BZK and its constituents might present potential latent risk of contact dermatitis owing to the possible presence of Radix Ampelopsis japonica and Radix Angelicae dahuricae. Furthermore, TTCMs, particularly cosmetic products, must be used carefully, with ample warning of potential contact dermatitis risk.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Auraptenol attenuates vincristine-induced mechanical hyperalgesia through serotonin 5-HT1A receptors

Common chemotherapeutic agents such as vincristine often cause neuropathic pain during cancer treatment in patients. Such neuropathic pain is refractory to common analgesics and represents a challenging clinical issue. Angelicae dahuricae radix is an old traditional Chinese medicine with demonstrated analgesic efficacy in humans. However, the active component(s) that attribute to the analgesic action have not been identified. This work described the anti-hyperalgesic effect of one coumarin component, auraptenol, in a mouse model of chemotherapeutic agent vincristine-induced neuropathic pain. We reported that auraptenol dose-dependently reverted the mechanical hyperalgesia in mice within the dose range of 0.05–0.8 mg/kg. In addition, the anti-hyperalgesic effect of auraptenol was significantly blocked by a selective serotonin 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (1 mg/kg). Within the dose range studied, auraptenol did not significantly alter the general locomotor activity in mice. Taken together, this study for the first time identified an active component from the herbal medicine angelicae dahuricae radix that possesses robust analgesic efficacy in mice. These data support further studies to assess the potential of auraptenol as a novel analgesic for the management of neuropathic pain.