Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus Research Articles

A versatile economic strategy by HPLC–CAD for quantification of structurally diverse markers in quality control of Shengmai Formula from raw materials to preparations

BackgroundShengmai Formula (SMF), a classic formula in treating Qi-Yin deficiency, is composed of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra (GRR), Ophiopogon Radix (OR), and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (SC), and has been developed into various dosage forms including Shengmai Yin Oral Liquid (SMY), Shengmai Capsules (SMC), and Shengmai Injection (SMI). The pharmacological effects of compound Chinese medicine are attributed to the integration of multiple components. Yet the quality criteria of SMF are limited to monitoring schisandrol A or ginsenosides Rg1 and Re, but none for OR. Since the complexity of raw materials and preparations, establishing a economical and unified method for SMF is challenging. It is urgent to simultaneously quantify multiple components with different structures using a universal method for quality control of SMF. Charged aerosol detector (CAD) overcame the above shortcomings owing to its characteristics of high responsiveness, nondiscrimination, and low cost. PurposeWe aimed to establish a versatile analysis strategy using HPLC–CAD for simultaneously quantifying the structurally diverse markers in quality control of SMF from raw materials to preparations. MethodBy optimizing the column, mobile phase, column temperature, flow rate, and CAD parameters, a HPLC-CAD method that integrated multi-component characterization, authenticity identification, transfer information of raw materials and quantitative determination of Shengmai preparations was established. ResultsIn total 50 components from SMF were characterized (28 in GRR, 13 in SC, and 9 in OR). The differences in raw materials between species of SC and Schisandrae sphenantherae Fructus (SS), processing methods of Ginseng Radix (GR) and GRR, and locations of OR from Sichuan (ORS) and Zhejiang (ORZ) were compared. Fourteen components in 19 batches of SMY, SMC and SMI from different manufacturers were quantified, including 11 ginsenosides and 3 lignans. The multivariate statistical analysis results further suggested that Rb1, Rg1 and Ro were the main differences among Shengmai preparations. ConclusionThe established versatile analysis strategy based on HPLC–CAD was proven sensitive, simple, convenient, overcoming the discriminatory effect of UV detector, revealing the composition and transfer information of SMF and applicable for authentication of the ingredient herbs and improving the quality of Shengmai preparations.

Anwulignan Alleviates the Acute Liver Injury Induced by Acetaminophen in Mice

Background: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is extremely common in clinical practice and needs to be focused. Anwulignan is a unique lignan monomer of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and is used as the main active ingredient of Wuzhi tablet, which is used for liver protection in clinical practice. In this study, an acute liver injury mouse model induced by acetaminophen and paracetamol (APAP) was used to observe its effects. Materials and Methods: An acute liver injury mouse model was established by intraperitoneally injecting APAP. Mice were divided into blank control (CON) group, APAP model (MOD) group, Anwulignan CON group, and Anwulignan MOD group. Anwulignan (6 mg/kg) or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (10 mL/kg) was intragastrically given to mice once a day, successively for 14 days. On day 14, 250 mg/kg APAP solution (10 mL/kg) or saline was injected intraperitoneally, and 12 h later, the mice were killed. alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the serum of mice were tested. The liver index of mice was calculated, and the pathology of liver injury was evaluated by HE staining in mice. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver tissue were tested. The levels of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), BCL2 associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3 and tumor suppressor protein (P53) mRNAs in the liver tissues of mice were detected by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), and the expression levels of Keap-1, Nrf2, HO-1, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and P53 proteins in the liver tissue of mice were detected by Western blot. Results: Anwulignan can alleviate the acute liver injury of mice. The down-regulation of the cyclophosphamide (CYP2E1) expression in the liver tissue of mice to reduce the hepatotoxicity of APAP, and the regulation of Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway-related gene expressions to play an antioxidant role and apoptosis-related gene expressions to inhibit the liver cell apoptosis may be involved in the mechanism through which Anwulignan can exert its effect. Conclusion: Anwulignan can alleviate the liver injury induced by APAP in mice, and this study may provide evidence for researching and developing some drugs and nutraceuticals used for preventing and treating liver injury.

Identification of Q-markers for Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus in treating drug-induced liver injury based on network pharmacology, fingerprint and quantitative analysis

This study aims to establish the ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) fingerprint and multi-indicator quantitative analysis method for Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus(SSF) and to screen out the potential quality markers(Q-markers) of hepatoprotection based on network pharmacology. The similarity analysis was performed using the Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System, which showed that the similarity of the fingerprints of 15 samples from different regions ranged from 0.981 to 0.998. Eighteen common components were identified, from which 3 differential components were selected by cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The "component-target-pathway" network was built to predict the core components related to the hepatoprotective effects. Fourteen core components were screened by network pharmacology. They acted on the targets such as AKT1, CCND1, CYP1A1, CYP3A4, MAPK1, MAPK3, NOS2, NQO1, and PTGS2 to regulate the signaling pathways of lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, hepatitis B, interleukin-17, and tumor necrosis factor. Considering the chemical measurability, characteristics, and validity, schisantherin A, anwulignan, and schisandrin A were identified as the Q-markers. The content of schisantherin A, anwulignan, and schisandrin A in the test samples were 0.20%-0.57%, 0.13%-0.33%, and 0.42%-0.70%, respectively. Combining the fingerprint, network pharmacology, and content determination, this study predicted that schisantherin A, anwulignan, and schisandrin A were the Q-markers for the hepatoprotective effect of SSF. The results can provide reference for improving the quality evaluation standard and exploring the hepatoprotective mechanism of SSF.

Optimization of ethanol reflux extraction process of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen- Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on network pharmacology combined with response surface methodology

The present study optimized the ethanol extraction process of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus drug pair by network pharmacology and Box-Behnken method. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to screen out and verify the potential active components of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus, and the process evaluation indexes were determined in light of the components of the content determination under Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The analytic hierarchy process(AHP) was used to determine the weight coefficient of each component, and the comprehensive score was calculated as the process evaluation index. The ethanol extraction process of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus was optimized by the Box-Behnken method. The core components of the Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus drug pair were screened out as spinosin, jujuboside A, jujuboside B, schisandrin, schisandrol, schisandrin A, and schisandrin B. The optimal extraction conditions obtained by using the Box-Behnken method were listed below: extraction time of 90 min, ethanol volume fraction of 85%, and two times of extraction. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, the process evaluation indexes were determined, and the optimized process was stable, which could provide an experimental basis for the production of preparations containing Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus.

Environmental factors influencing potential distribution of Schisandra sphenanthera and its accumulation of medicinal components.

Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF), the dry ripe fruit of Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils., is a traditional Chinese medicine with wide application potential. The quality of SSF indicated by the composition and contents of secondary metabolites is closely related to environmental factors, such as regional climate and soil conditions. The aims of this study were to predict the distribution patterns of potentially suitable areas for S. sphenanthera in China and pinpoint the major environmental factors influencing its accumulation of medicinal components. An optimized maximum entropy model was developed and applied under current and future climate scenarios (SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP3-RCP7, and SSP5-RCP8.5). Results show that the total suitable areas for S. sphenanthera (179.58×104 km2) cover 18.71% of China's territory under the current climatic conditions (1981-2010). Poorly, moderately, and highly suitable areas are 119.00×104 km2, 49.61×104 km2, and 10.98×104 km2, respectively. The potentially suitable areas for S. sphenanthera are predicted to shrink and shift westward under the future climatic conditions (2041-2070 and 2071-2100). The areas of low climate impact are located in southern Shaanxi, northwestern Guizhou, southeastern Chongqing, and western Hubei Provinces (or Municipality), which exhibit stable and high suitability under different climate scenarios. The contents of volatile oils, lignans, and polysaccharides in SSF are correlated with various environmental factors. The accumulation of major secondary metabolites is primarily influenced by temperature variation, seasonal precipitation, and annual precipitation. This study depicts the potential distribution of S. sphenanthera in China and its spatial change in the future. Our findings decipher the influence of habitat environment on the geographical distribution and medicinal quality of S. sphenanthera, which could have great implications for natural resource conservation and artificial cultivation.

Anti-asthmatic fraction screening and mechanisms prediction of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on a combined approach.

Objective: Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat coughs and pulmonary inflammatory diseases. However, the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanisms for SSF in asthma treatment remain unclear. This study aims to screen the anti-asthmatic fraction and verify the pharmacodynamic material basis, predict the potential mechanism, and verify the interaction ability between compounds and core targets. Methods: First, three fractions from SSF were compared in terms of composition, comparison, and anti-asthmatic effects. Then, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS) strategy was used to identify the compounds from the active fraction, and the anti-asthmatic efficacy of the active fraction was further studied by the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma murine model. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular methods were used to study the relationships between active compounds, core targets, and key pathways of PEF in asthma treatments. Results: The petroleum ether fraction (PEF) of SSF showed better effects and could significantly diminish lung inflammation and mitigate the level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and IL-17 in mice. A total of 26 compounds from the PEF were identified, among which the main compounds are lignans and triterpenes. Moreover, 21 active compounds, 129 overlap-ping targets, and 10 pathways were screened by network pharmacology tools. The top five core targets may play a great role in asthma treatment. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the PEF can treat asthma by acting on multiple asthma pathological processes, including the IL-17 signaling pathway, T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation, and the calcium signaling pathway. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interactions of the protein–ligand binding, and most docked complexes had a good binding ability. Conclusion: The present results might contribute to exploring the active compounds with anti-asthmatic activity.

Feasibility analysis and mechanism exploration of Rhei Radix et Rhizome−Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (RS) against COVID-19

Introduction. As a novel global epidemic, corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 brought great suffering and disaster to mankind. Recently, although significant progress has been made in vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, there are still no drugs for treating COVID-19. It is well known that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved excellent efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19 in China. As a treasure-house of natural drugs, Chinese herbs offer a promising prospect for discovering anti-COVID-19 drugs.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. We proposed that Rhei Radix et Rhizome-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (RS) may have potential value in the treatment of COVID-19 patients by regulating immune response, protecting the cardiovascular system, inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors, and blocking virus invasion and replication processes.Aim. We aimed to explore the feasibility and molecular mechanisms of RS against COVID-19, to provide a reference for basic research and clinical applications.Methodology. Through literature mining, it is found that a Chinese herbal pair, RS, has potential anti-COVID-19 activity. In this study, we analysed the feasibility of RS against COVID-19 by high-throughput molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, we predicted the molecular mechanisms of RS against COVID-19 based on network pharmacology.Results. We proved the feasibility of RS anti-COVID-19 by literature mining, virtual docking and molecular dynamics simulations, and found that angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and 3C-like protease (3 CL pro) were also two critical targets for RS against COVID-19. In addition, we predicted the molecular mechanisms of RS in the treatment of COVID-19, and identified 29 main ingredients, 21 potential targets and 16 signalling pathways. Rhein, eupatin, (-)-catechin, aloe-emodin may be important active ingredients in RS. ALB, ESR1, EGFR, HMOX1, CTSL, and RHOA may be important targets against COVID-19. Platelet activation, renin secretion, ras signalling pathway, chemokine signalling pathway, and human cytomegalovirus infection may be important signalling pathways against COVID-19.Conclusion. RS plays a key role in the treatment of COVID-19, which may be closely related to immune regulation, cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammation, virus invasion and replication processes.

Quality differentiation method of similar phytomedicines with high sugar content based on the sugar-marker: Taking Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus as an example

• Sugar was used as quality marker to distinguish similar phytomedicines. • Taking SCF and SSF as an example, a set of quality control methods was established. • SCF and SSF from ten different areas were classified into three categories. Quality evaluation of phytomedicines is limited to small molecules as quality markers, even for herbs with high sugar contents. We established a high-resolution method for distinguishing similar medicinal materials using sugar as quality marker, taking Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF) and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) as an example. High performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD), high performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering detector and refractive index detector (HPSEC-MALLS-RID) and high performance liquid chromatography with photo-diode array (HPLC-PDA) after 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) pre-column derivatization were used respectively to determine monosaccharide contents, molecular weights and monosaccharide compositions of polysaccharides in this study. The differences of SCF and SSF from ten producing areas were compared by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Results showed that contents of fructose and glucose were similar between SCF and SSF. Molecular weight ( M w) of SCF polysaccharides was ranging from 1.561 × 10 2 to 6.599 × 10 2 kDa, and that of SSF polysaccharides was ranging from 8.524 × 10 2 to 1.7416 × 10 3 kDa. Schisandra polysaccharides were mainly composed of mannose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose. Based on PCA and HCA, SCF and SSF from ten different areas were classified into three categories. With great accuracy, sensitivity and stability, the methods established in this study had important reference value for quality evaluation, development and utilization of saccharide components in medicinal materials.

Schisandrae Fructus oil-induced elevation in serum triglyceride and lipoprotein concentrations associated with physiologic hepatomegaly in mice

Objective: To investigate hypertriglyceridemia and hepatomegaly caused by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (FSS) and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (FSC) oils in mice.Methods: Mice were orally administered a single dose of Schisandrae Fructus oils. Serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG), triglyceride transfer protein (TTP), apolipoprotein B48 (Apo B48), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), alanine aminotransfease (ALT) and liver index were measured at 6-120 h post-dosing.Results: FSS and FSC oil caused time and dose-dependent increases in serum and hepatic TG levels, with maximum increases in the liver (by 297% and 340%) at 12 h post-dosing and serum (244% and 439%) at 24-h post-dosing, respectively. Schisandrae Fructus oil treatments also elevated the levels of serum TTP by 51% and 63%, Apo B48 by 152% and 425%, and VLDL by 67% and 38% in mice, respectively. FSS and FSC oil treatments also increased liver mass by 53% and 55% and HGF by 106% and 174%, but lowered serum ALT activity by 38% and 22%, respectively. Fenofibrate pre/ co-treatment attenuated the FSS and FSC oil-induced elevation in serum TG levels by 41% and 49% at 48 h post-dosing, respectively, but increased hepatic TG contents (by 38% and 33%, respectively) at 12 h post-dosing.Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support the establishment of a novel mouse model of hypertriglyceridemia by oral administration of FSS oil (mainly increasing endogenous TG) and FSC oil (mainly elevating exogenous TG).

Anwulignan alleviates d-galactose induced renal damage by regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in mice.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00951-7.

Filtration of Active Components with Antioxidant Activity Based on the Differing Antioxidant Abilities of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus through UPLC/MS Coupling with Network Pharmacology.

This study attempted to filter active components with antioxidant activities based on the differing antioxidant abilities of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF). First, the antioxidant activity of SSF and SCF was evaluated through the DPPH free radical scavenging method and compared with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value. Next, components of SSF and SCF were detected by employing ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-QEO/MS) technology, and differential compounds were screened out as potential antioxidant compounds by using Compound Discover 3.1 Software. After that step, in order to verify the antioxidant compounds, the network method was applied. Biological targets were searched in the GeneCards database, and that related to antioxidant ability were selected in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Finally, the pharmacology network was constructed. Results showed that SSF and SCF possessed different compounds and antioxidant abilities. A total of 14 differential compounds such as γ-schizandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrin, and tigloylgomisin H between them were screened out and identified. Twenty targets associated with antioxidant activity contained MAP2K1, MAPK8, RPS6KB1, PRKCB, HIF1A, and so on were investigated. Thirty-six pathways contained HIF-1 signaling pathways, choline metabolism in cancer, serotonergic synapse, Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, and so on related to the above twenty targets were identified. The pharmacology network analysis indicated that the differential components may be helpful in treating various diseases, especially cancer, by exerting antioxidant activity. In conclusion, this study provided a novel method for identifying active components with antioxidant activity in SSF and SCF, and this method may be applicable for the filtration of bioactive components in other herbs.

Research advances in chemical constituents and hepatoprotective effect of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus

Schisandrae has a long history of medicinal use in China. Domestic and foreign scholars have isolated a variety of chemical constituents from Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, including lignans, volatile oils, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, organic acids, amino acids and so on. Pharmacological studies have shown that their alcohol extracts, water extracts, lignan monomers and polysaccharides could protect liver injury and reduce enzyme ability by a variety of hepatoprotective effects such as enzyme reducing, liver protecting, and antioxidant effect. In this paper, the researches on the chemical composition, hepatoprotective effect and pharmacokinetics of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in the past forty years were systematically collated, in order to provide useful enlightenment for the clinical application and new drug development of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in liver protection.

Study on medication regularity of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of COVID-19 based on data mining

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is developing rapidly and posing great threat to public health. There is no specific medicine available for treating the disease. Luckily, traditional Chinese medicine has played a positive role in the fighting against COVID-19. In this paper, We collected and sorted the prescriptions of modern Chinese medicine for COVID-19 released by national government, different provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as online databases, such as CNKI, WanFang medical network, and VIP database. These prescriptions were combined with the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine auxiliary V2.5, and the complex system entropy clustering method was used to determine the association rules and frequency of single drug and drug combination in the prescription. In the end, 96 effective prescriptions were included. Among them, the four properties were mainly concentrated in temperature, cold and level, the five tastes were mainly concentrated in bitter, hot and sweet, and the meridians were mainly concentrated in lung, stomach and spleen. The high-frequency drugs were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Gypsum Fibrosum, etc., and the high-frequency combinations are Gypsum Fibrosum-Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Gypsum Fibrosum-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Armeniacae Semen Amarum-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the core combinations are Lepidii Semen-Armeniacae Semen Amarum-Gypsum Fibrosum, Pogostemonis Herba-Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens-Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, Ophiopogonis Radix-Armeniacae Semen Amarum-Scutellariae Radix and so on. Form new prescriptions Lepidii Semen, Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Gypsum Fibrosum, Pogostemonis Herba, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex. Ophiopogonis Radix, Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Scutellariae Radix, Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus, Panacis Quinquefolii Radix. From the medicinal properties to high-frequency drugs and new prescriptions, it could be seen that the overall treatment of COVID-19 by traditional Chinese medicine was to strengthen body resistance, eliminate pathogenic factors, and give attention to Qi and Yin.

Electrochemical Determination of Titratable Acidity for the Discrimination of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus.

A simple electrochemical procedure has been developed for determining the titratable acidity in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF) and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) by means of reduction of quinone in the presence of acid compounds. To measure a voltammogram, a test solution was prepared by mixing a water extract from SCF or SSF and an electrolyte cocktail containing 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone and NaCl. The quantitative results of titratable acidity in the SCF and SSF samples by the present voltammetry were in good agreement with those by neutralization titration using 0.1 M NaOH (r2 = 0.980): y = 1.003x + 0.010, where the y- and x-axes were the titratable acidity obtained by the present voltammetry and the neutralization titration, respectively. Further, the titratable acidities in the SSF samples were significantly lower than those in the SCF samples (p < 0.01). From these findings, we show that the titratable acidity is useful as an indicator to discriminate between SCF and SSF. Moreover, a prototype of electrochemical portable sensor for on-site analysis has been provided to perform this procedure.

Decipherment of herb medicine Nanwuweizi and Wuweizi in Chinese ancient literature

Nanwuweizi( Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus) and Wuweizi( Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) have long-term history of use as common traditional Chinese medicines since the Eastern Han Dynasty( AD.25-220 year).However their information are always confused in ancient literature because they were both used as " Wuweizi". Nanwuweizi and Wuweizi are faced with problems such as confused distribution of producing areas,unclear source plants and efficacy characteristics,which limit modern resource development and application. Based on ancient literatures of materia medica,this study conducted a systematic review from several aspects,i.e. the name,distribution of producing areas,source plants,efficacy characteristics and processing of the two medicines in ancient time. This study clarified five main aspects,as following,ancient production areas and corresponding modern distribution areas; source plants used for medicinal purposes in ancient time; application period and application scope; efficacy characteristics in clinical application;processing method. This study provides a reference for evaluating the quality and for their clinical application and reasonable development of Nanwuweizi and Wuweizi.

Detecting Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and Its Chinese Patent Medicines with a Nucleotide Signature.

Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (Wuweizi) is often adulterated with Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (Nanwuweizi) in the herbal market. This adulteration is a threat to clinical treatment and safety. In this study, we aimed to develop a nucleotide signature for the identification of Wuweizi and its Chinese patent medicines based on the mini-DNA barcoding technique. We collected 49 samples to obtain internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences and developed a 26-bp nucleotide signature (5′-CGCTTTGCGACGCTCCCCTCCCTCCC-3′) on the basis of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site within the ITS2 region that is unique to Wuweizi. Then, using the nucleotide signature, we investigated 27 batches of commercial crude drug samples labeled as Wuweizi and eight batches of Chinese patent medicines containing Wuweizi. Results showed that eight commercial crude drug samples were adulterants and one of the Chinese patent medicines contained adulterants. The nucleotide signature can serve as an effective tool for identifying Wuweizi and its Chinese patent medicines and can thus be used to ensure clinical drug safety.

Investigation on protective effect and efficacy difference of extract of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus against acetaminophen-induced liver injury

The study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and pharmacodynamic difference of the ethanol extracts of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus on the drug-induced liver injury induced by acetaminophen.The cell activations of LO2 cells treated by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extracts were tested by CCK-8 essay.The effects of ethanol extracts on cell survival rate,the activities of ALT and AST in culture medium were detected based on the injury model of LO2 cells induced by APAP.Further,in purpose to observe the protective effect of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extracts on a mouse model of liver injury induced by intraperitoneal injectionof acetaminophen was established.Mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,positive drug group and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extracts administration groups.The activities of ALT and AST in the serum and the levels of MDA,SOD,GSH and GSH-PX in the liver homogenate of the mice were detected by commercial kits.The HEstaining was used to observe the histopathological changes of liver tissue in each group and the TUNEL staining was used to observe the hepatocyte apoptosis.The results showed that the ethanol extracts at less than 1 g·L~(-1)did not affect the activity of LO2 cell.Compared with the model group,the cell survival rates of the Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extract administration groups was significantly increased;the ALT and AST in the culture medium were distinct decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The survival rate of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extract from different batches were similar,while that of the Schisandrea Sphenatherae Fructus ethanol extract from different batches were quite different(P<0.05or P<0.01).Further,animal experiments showed that Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extract administration groups could markedly inhibit the increase of ALT and AST levels in serum(P<0.01),decrease MDA content significantly(P<0.01),and increase GSH,GSH-PX and SOD activity significantly(P<0.01).Among them,compared with other groups,Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus ethanol extract-2 group showed the best effect(P<0.05 or P<0.01)while Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus ethanol extract-1 showed a poor effect(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In conclusion,both Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extracts have protective effect on APAP-induced drug-induced liver injury and there was a certain difference in the efficacy between Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus ethanol extracts from different habitats.

Analysis of microbial community of heat resistant microorganisms in Chinese herbal pieces

To investigate the composition and diversity of heat resistant microorganisms in contaminated Chinese herbal pieces. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) protein fingerprinting and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of Illumina Miseq were used to analyze the heat resistant microbial community of 9 varieties of Chinese herbal pieces. Stem pieces (Spatholobi Caulis, Tetrapanacis Medulla, Stachyuri Medulla) showed highest detection rate and most species of contaminants; However fruit pieces (Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus) had the lowest detection rate and least species of contaminants; among root pieces, the detection rate and number of contaminants species were lower in Tuber Dioscoreae Persimilis and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata. The heat resistant microbial community was mainly of Bacillaceae and Paenibacillaceae, and Bacillus showed the highest detection rate among them, followed by Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, and Solibacillus. The rest genus in high-throughput sequencing analysis included Enterobacter, Brevundimonas, Leuconostoc, Methylobacterium, Dechloromonas, Pantoea, Klebsiella, and Erwinia. There were potential risk factors in heat resistant microbial community of Chinese herbal pieces, so we shall improve the microbial limit standard, strictly control the pathogenic bacteria in the product, and strengthen the supervision and management in production and circulation of Chinese herbal pieces.

Discrimination of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on fingerprint profiles of hydrophilic components by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) using 20mM phosphate mobile phase and an octadecylsilyl column (Triart C18, 150×3.0mm i.d., 3μm) has been developed for the analysis of hydrophilic compounds in the water extract of Schisandrae Fructus samples. The present HPLC-UV method permits the accurate and precise determination of malic, citric, and protocatechuic acids in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) Schisandrae Fructus, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus. The JP Schisandrae Fructus studied contains 27.98mg/g malic, 107.08mg/g citric, and 0.42mg/g protocatechuic acids, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeatability of <0.9% (n=6). The content of malic acids in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus is approximately ten times that in Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus. To examine whether the HPLC-UV method is applicable to the fingerprint-based discrimination of Schisandrae Fructus samples obtained from Chinese markets, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using the determined contents of organic acids and the ratio of six characteristic unknown peaks derived from hydrophilic components to internal standard peak areas. On the score plots, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus samples are clearly discriminated. Therefore, the HPLC-UV method for the analysis of hydrophilic components coupled with PCA has been shown to be practical and useful in the quality control of Schisandrae Fructus.

Analysis of commercial grades of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on schisantherin

Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus, from different producing areas, were collected and divided into three grades. The moisture content and total ash were determined on the basis of the pharmacopoeia method, and schisantherin was determined by UPLC. The study is aimed to find the commercial specifications and grades of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on schisantherin content. The results showed that the content of water, total ash and schisantherin of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus from different producing areas qualified. There was no significant difference between different grades of schisandrin content, but the second-class were the highest, first-class and third-class were lower. It means that schisandrin content is not positive correlation to commercial grade. The study will be helpful to the production, management and clinical practice of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus.