Traditional Chinese Medicine Extracts Research Articles

Effect of air humidity on traditional Chinese medicine extract of spray drying process and prediction of its powder stability

In order to solve the adhesion and the softening problems of traditional Chinese medicine extract during spray drying, a new method of adding dehumidified air into spray drying process was proposed, and the storage stability conditions of extract powder could be predicted. Kouyanqing extract was taken as model drug to investigate on the wet air (RH = 70%) and dry air conditions of spray drying. Under the dry air condition, the influence of the spray drying result with different air compression ratio and the spray-dried powder properties (extract powder recovery rate, adhesion percentage, water content, angle of repose, compression ratio, particle size and distribution) with 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 °C inlet temperature were studied. The hygroscopic investigation and Tg value with different moisture content of ideal powder were determined. The water activity-equilibrium moisture content (aw-EMC) and the equilibrium moisture content-Tg (EMC-Tg) relationships were fitted by GAB equation and Gordon-Taylor model respectively, and the state diagram of kouyanqing powder was obtained to guide the rational storage conditions. The study found that in the condition of dry air, the extract powder water content decreased with the increase of air compression ratio and the spray drying effect with air compression ratio of 100% was the best performance; in the condition of wet air, the extract powder with high water content and low yield, and the value were 4.26% and 16.73 °C, while, in the dry air condition the values were 2.43% and 24.86 °C with the same other instru- ment parameters. From the analysis of kouyanqing powder state diagram, in order to keep the stability, the critical water content of 3.42% and the critical water content of 0.188. As the water decreased Tg value of extract powder is the major problem of causing adhesion and softening during spray drying, it is meaningful to aid dehumidified air during the process.

Daucosterol derived from Cordyceps (a Traditional Chinese Medicine) as a possible lead compound for allergic transfusion reactions

Allergic transfusion reaction is an anomaly that develops within several hours of transfusion which is usually treated by antihistamine. In the present study, we are looking into daucosterol, an extract of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Cordyceps, as a potential inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase. The approach of molecular docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation (MDS) on a traditional anti-inflammatory Chinese medicine gave an atomic insight of the inhibition. The daucosterol was binding with a ?G of -3.17 Kcal/mol, to inhibit histamine synthesis by binding to histidine decarboxylase, possibly via the flexible catalytic loop. Such inhibitors that were designed to block the flexibility of the catalytic loop are potential candidates for further drug development program.

Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication by Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbal Extracts

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the current treatment for HIV/AIDS and contains a combination of anti-HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. It is effective in suppressing HIV replication and subsequently improving the patients’ survival. However, the issues associated with use of HARRT such as the high cost, severe side effects, and drug resistance has called for development of alternative anti-HIV therapeutic strategies. In this study, we screened several traditional Chinese medicinal herbal extracts for their anti- HIV activities and determined their anti-HIV mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Nine traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herbal plants and their respective parts derived from Hainan Island, China were extracted using a series of organic solvents, vacuum dried, and dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. Initial anti-HIV activity and cytotoxicity of these extracts were evaluated in HIV-infected human CD4+ T lymphocytes Jurkat. Extracts of higher anti-HIV activities and lower cytotoxicity were selected from the initial screening, and further examined for their effects on HIV-1 entry, post-entry, reverse transcriptase, gene transcription and expression using a series of virology and biochemistry strategies. Results: Four extracts derived from two different herbal plants completely blocked HIV-1 replication and showed little cytotoxicity at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. None of these four extracts had any inhibitory effects on HIV-1 long terminal repeat promoter. Two of them exhibited direct inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). All four extracts showed significant blocking of HIV-1 entry into target cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that four TCM extracts were capable of preventing HIV-1 infection and replication by blocking viral entry and/or directly inhibiting the RT activity. These results suggest the possibility of developing these extracts as potential anti-HIV therapeutic agents.

Fallopia japonica, a Natural Modulator, Can Overcome Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Cells.

Resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy is controlled by the decrease of intracellular drug accumulation, increase of detoxification, and diminished propensity of cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters with intracellular metabolic enzymes contribute to the complex and unresolved phenomenon of multidrug resistance (MDR). Natural products as alternative medicine have great potential to discover new MDR inhibitors with diverse modes of action. In this study, we characterized several extracts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plants (N = 16) for their interaction with ABC transporters, cytochrome P3A4 (CYP3A4), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and their cytotoxic effect on different cancer cell lines. Fallopia japonica (FJ) (Polygonaceae) shows potent inhibitory effect on CYP3A4 P-glycoprotein activity about 1.8-fold when compared to verapamil as positive control. FJ shows significant inhibitory effect (39.81%) compared with the known inhibitor ketoconazole and 100 μg/mL inhibited GST activity to 14 μmol/min/mL. FJ shows moderate cytotoxicity in human Caco-2, HepG-2, and HeLa cell lines; IC50 values were 630.98, 198.80, and 317.37 µg/mL, respectively. LC-ESI-MS were used to identify and quantify the most abundant compounds, emodin, polydatin, and resveratrol, in the most active extract of FJ. Here, we present the prospect of using Fallopia japonica as natural products to modulate the function of ABC drug transporters. We are conducting future study to evaluate the ability of the major active secondary metabolites of Fallopia japonica to modulate MDR and their impact in case of failure of chemotherapy.

Bioassay-guided identification of bioactive molecules from traditional Chinese medicines.

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) serve as a major source of a variety of drug lead compounds. In the process of natural products development, bioassay-guided isolation is a rapid and validated method for isolation of compounds with bioactivities. This chapter describes bioassay-guided separation and purification of compounds from the crude extracts of TCMs. Two approaches including size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are described in detail.

Studies on new co-processed excipient consisting of lactose and gelatinized starch

Co-processed excipients withgelatinized or non-gelatinized starch were prepared by spray drying. Powder and tablet properties of corocessed excipients prepared were compared with those of physical mixtures and spray-dried lactose. Their applicability in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) powder tableting was tested on two TCM extracts, i.e., the gardenia extract and the Herba Sedi extract. It was shown that gelatinizing starch before co-spray drying with lactose could improve the performance and efficiency of starch as a binder, resulting in remarkable improvement in physicomechanical properties of co-processed excipients prepared. Conpared to self-made and commercially available spray-dried lactose, co-processed excipients achieved better compactability and higher drug loading for TCM extracts. In conclusion, the lactose-gelatinized starch co-processed excipient, with excellent physicomechanical properties, is promising to be explored as a new excipient for direct tableting.

Correlations between micromeritic properties of mixing powders of Danshen extract and formability of their pellets

It was difficult to prepare traditional Chinese medicine pellets due to the adverse characteristics of the herbal extract. In this study, Danshen extract (DS) powder mixed with different proportions of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), lactose and starch were made into pellets by extrusion-spheronization. Particle size, span, bulk density, tapping density, compressibility, Hausner ratio and angle of repose were used to evaluate the micromeritic properties of mixing powders. Feret diameter, aspect ratio, yield, density and friability were used to evaluate the properties of the pellets. The correlations between micromeritic properties of raw material powders and the formability of their pellets were analyzed by cluster analysis, principal component analysis and partial least squares regression analysis. As a result, the particle size of the powders was negatively correlated with the size, density, yield, and was positively correlated with the friability of their pellets. The span, density, compressibility and angle of repose of the powders were positively correlated with the size, density, yield, and were negatively correlated with the friability of their pellets. So there were certain correlations between the micromeritic properties of raw material powders and the properties of their pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization. This research provided a foundation for the technology and method of traditional Chinese medicine extract pellets.

Oridonin: A small molecule inhibitor of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) isolated from traditional Chinese medicine

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an epithelial chloride channel regulating the transepithelial transport of electrolyte and water. In the recent years, CFTR chloride channel becomes the new molecular target of treating secretory diarrhea. The objective of this study is to find out a novel CFTR inhibitor from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and study on its pharmacological activity. About 34,000 factions of TCM extracts were screened by high throughput screening (HTS) in this research. We found that Rabdosia rubescens show a potent inhibition on CFTR. Under the bio-active analysis guidance, an ent-kaurane diterpenoid — oridonin (PubChem CID: 34378) was isolated from R. rubescens. A series of intensive studies showed that oridonin remarkably reduced iodide influx in wt-CFTR and ΔF508-CFTR FRT epithelial cells in a dose-dependent and irreversible way. Oridonin sharply blocked FSK-stimulated short-circuit current in both rats and mice intestine in vitro. In mouse closed-loop model, oridonin reduced cholera toxin-induced fluid secretion significantly over 6hours in vivo. Thus we concluded that oridonin is a new inhibitor of CFTR Cl− channel. It will be a good leading compound for developing the new drug of cholera toxin-induced secretory diarrhea.

Enhanced stability and antibacterial efficacy of a traditional Chinese medicine-mediated silver nanoparticle delivery system.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as antibacterial products in various fields. Recent studies have suggested that AgNPs need an appropriate stabilizer to improve their stability. Some antibacterial traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) contain various reductive components, which can not only stabilize AgNPs but also enhance their antimicrobial activity. In this study, we developed a series of novel AgNPs using a TCM extract as a stabilizer, reducing agent, and antimicrobial agent (TCM-AgNPs). A storage stability investigation of the TCM-AgNPs suggested a significant improvement when compared with bare AgNPs. Further, conjugation of TCMs onto the AgNP surface resulted in stronger antimicrobial potency on antibacterial evaluation using Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration 50% (MIC50) ratios (and minimum bactericidal concentration 90% [MBC90] ratios) of AgNPs to respective TCM-AgNPs as assessment indices. Among these, P. cuspidatum Sieb. et-conjugated AgNPs (P.C.-AgNPs) had the advantage of a combination of TCMs and AgNPs and was studied in detail with regard to its synthesis and characterization. The extraction time, reaction temperature, and concentrations of AgNO3 and Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et extract were critical factors in the preparation of P.C.-AgNPs. Further, the results of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated successful preparation of P.C.-AgNPs. In representative studies, P.C.-AgNPs showed a well-defined spherical shape, a homogeneous small particle size (36.78 nm), a narrow polydispersity index (0.105), and a highly negative zeta potential (−23.6 mV) on transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. These results indicate that TCM-AgNPs have a potential role as antibacterial agents in the clinic setting.

Fouling mechanisms of the extract of traditional Chinese medicine in ultrafiltration

The fouling mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extract produced by ultrafiltration (UF) have been investigated. A laboratory scale crossflow membrane filtration unit was used to conduct the experimental study. The rejection of the four types of macromolecules present in TCM extract is more than 80% and the transmittances of the active ingredients are more than 70%. Two models were applied to quantify and analyze the fouling mechanism. A resistance-in-series model was applied to determine the main factor responsible for fouling resistance. The experimental results showed that reversible fouling resistance mechanisms, including concentration polarization and cake layer resistance, were the principal causes of the membrane fouling. A filtration-blocking model was also utilized to analyze the predominant fouling mechanism. The results showed that the flux decline during UF of the TCM extract could be well described by the combined cake-complete model. The model fit well to data measuring the permeate volume as a function of time under a wide range of operating conditions. This fit analysis indicates that the development of membrane fouling was a dynamic process that started with pore blocking at the initial stage of filtration and followed by continuous cake layer formation.

Four homoisoflavonoids isolated from traditional Chinese medicine: “Gan Luo Xin”

Two new homoisoflavonoids, ( ± )-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-3-(2′,4′-dihydroxybenzyl) chroman-4-one (1) and ( ± )-5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethyl-3-(2′,4′-dihydroxybenzyl) chroman-4-one (2), along with two known homoisoflavonoids, 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(2′,4′-dihydroxybenzyl)chroman-4-one (3) and disporopsin (4), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of traditional Chinese medicine – “Gan Luo Xin.” Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR).

Study on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma extract and optimization of synthesis conditions

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the extract of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma and the optimization of synthesis was studied. The absorbance of UV-visible spectroscopy was determined under the different influencing factors such as extracting time of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma powder, reation temperature of synthesis, volume of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma extract and concentration of AgNO3 to seek the optimization conditions. By means of FT-IR, TEM, DLS and XRD, the silver nanoparticles were characterized. The results showed that when the boiling time of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma powder was 5 min, resultant temperature was 25 degrees C, the volume ratio of 0.1 g x mL(-1) Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma extract and 1 mmol x L(-1) AgNO3 was 1 to 10, and the reaction time was 3.5 h, the obtained silver nanoparticles had mean size about 27 nm and Zeta potential about -34.3 mV with good uniformity and dispersivity. Therefore, the green synthesis method of silver nanoparticles using extract of traditional Chinese medicine is stable and feasible.

Quality Control Oriented Data Analysis and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine Extraction Process

A relation model between extraction efficiency quality parameter and extraction process parameters was presented as the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) effective constituent extraction efficiency is an important quality index in the TCM extraction process. This paper verified the correctness of the model which based on the actual production data and makes the prediction of the extraction efficiency possible. To judge whether the extraction process is in a controlled state base on the X-R control Chart of extraction efficiency predicted value, thus achieved to monitor the quality of the extraction process. This paper is of great significance in ensuring the quality of TCM extraction production stable and uniform.

Rapid Identification of Polymethoxylated Flavonoids in Traditional Chinese Medicines with a Practical Strategy of Stepwise Mass Defect Filtering Coupled to Diagnostic Product Ions Analysis based on a Hybrid LTQ‐Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

The methodology of stepwise mass defect filtering (MDF) approach coupled to diagnostic product ions (DPIs) analysis on a hybrid linear trap quadrupole (LTQ)/orbitrap mass spectrometer was the first to be established to screen and identify structural analogues from complex herbal extracts. To develop an analytical methodology that could be adopted to screen and identify structural analogues in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) rapidly and accurately. Taking polymethoxylated flavonoids (PMFs) in the leaves of Citrus reticulata Blanco as an example, high-resolution mass data were acquired by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a LTQ/orbitrap mass spectrometer. The stepwise MDF with multiple mass defect windows or mass windows enabled the original data to be analysed much faster and more accurately by reducing the potential interferences of matrix ions. Additionally, analysis of DPIs could provide a criterion to classify the target constituents detected into certain chemical families. In total, 81 PMFs, including 50 polymethoxyflavones and 31 polymethoxyflavanones or polymethoxychalcones, were screened and identified from the original data and preliminarily identified. The analytical methodology developed could be used as a rapid, effective technique to screen and identify compounds from TCM extracts and other organic matter mixtures with compounds that can also be classified into families based on the common carbon skeletons.

Lipid Raft Stationary Phase Chromatography for Screening Anti-tumor Components from Galla chinensis

For the first time, a novel biological affinity separating system called lipid raft stationary phase chromatography (LRSC) was developed. It was employed to screen bioactive components from Chinese gallnut, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The LRSC was prepared by the addition of activated silica to Tris–HCl solution, which contains the isolated lipid rafts of U251 cells. This was followed by agitation, washing, centrifugation and then re-suspension of the residue in another Tris–HCl solution. The lipid rafts possess abundant receptor tyrosine kinase, specifically tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA), which is a widely researched anti-tumor drug target. Thus, TrkA provided the LRSC model with the ability to select fractions that specifically interact with it. Using a non-TrkA targeted anti-tumor drug (gemcitabine) and TrkA targeted anti-tumor drugs (lestaurtinib and gefitinib) as controls to evaluate the specific affinity of the LRSC column, the different fractions of Chinese gallnut were subjected to LRSC screening for the identification of anti-tumor components. As a result, the ether fraction of Chinese gallnut manifested desirable affinity properties. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay confirmed the anti-tumor effect of the screened ether fraction, and more importantly, the ether fraction failed woefully to exhibit its anti-proliferative activity in the presence of TrkA inhibitors (K252a and primary antibody). This further proves the selectivity of LRSC on TrkA-targeted drugs. The LRSC model has, therefore, shown to be of high efficiency and selectivity in screening bioactive components from the complex TCM extracts, thus offering an effective approach for the development of anticancer natural products.

Bufalin induces the interplay between apoptosis and autophagy in glioma cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Malignant gliomas are common primary tumors of the central nervous system. The prognosis of patients with malignant glioma is poor in spite of current intensive therapy and thus novel therapeutic modalities are necessary. Bufalin is the major component of Chan-Su (a traditional Chinese medicine) extracts from the venom of Bufo gargarizan. In this study, we evaluated the growth inhibitory effect of bufalin on glioma cells and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that bufalin inhibited the growth of glioma cells significantly. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that bufalin induced apoptosis through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In addition, bufalin was also found to induce ER stress-mediated apoptosis, which was supported by the up- regulation of ER stress markers, CHOP and GRP78, and augmented phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α as well as cleavage of caspase-4. Downregulation of CHOP using siCHOP RNA attenuated bufalin-induced apoptosis, further confirming the role of ER stress response in mediating bufalin-induced apoptosis. Evidence of bufalin-induced autophagy included formation of the acidic vesicular organelles, increase of autophagolysosomes and LC3-II accumulation. Further experiments showed that the mechanism of bufalin-induced autophagy associated with ATP deleption involved an increase in the active form of AMPK, decreased phosphorylation levels of mTOR and its downstream targets 4EBP1 and p70S6K1. Furthermore, TUDC and silencing of eIF2α or CHOP partially blocked bufalin-induced accumulation of LC3-II, which indicated that ER stress preceded bufalin-induced autophagy and PERK/eIF2α/CHOP signaling pathway played a major part in the process. Blockage of autophagy increased expression of ER stress associated proteins and the ratio of apoptosis, indicating that autophagy played a cytoprotective role in bufalin induced ER stress and cell death. In conclusion, bufalin inhibits glioma cell growth and induces interplay between apoptosis and autophagy through endoplasmic reticulum stress. It will provide molecular bases for developing bufalin into a drug candidate for the treatment of maglinant glioma.

In vitro Antibacterial Activities of Antibiotics and Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herb Extracts on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

in vitro Antibacterial Activities of Antibiotics and Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herb Extracts on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Screening of bioactive compounds in Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati with hepatocyte membranes by HPLC and LC-MS

A new method employing HPLC, LC-MS, and hepatocyte membranes for the screening of bioactive compounds in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) has been proposed. We hypothesized that exposure of the TCM extracts to hepatocyte membranes should decrease the concentration of membrane-permeable compounds in the solution. Using this approach, the permeability of the compounds in Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati was investigated. By comparing chromatograms of samples prepared both before and after interaction with hepatocyte membranes, seven permeable compounds of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati were identified. Additionally, it was found that piceid, resveratrol, emodin-8-β-d-glucoside, physcion-8-β-d-glucoside, aloe-emodin, emodin, and physcion combined specifically with hepatocyte membranes, which might indicate a useful approach for revealing the antiatherosclerotic effects of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati. Therefore, the proposed method could be a good approach to predict the potential bioactivities of multiple compounds in TCMs simultaneously. Based on the significance of these results, this method could be a novel approach for identifying potentially bioactive components in other TCMs.

A Non-Biological Method for Screening Active Components against Influenza Virus from Traditional Chinese Medicine by Coupling a LC Column with Oseltamivir Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

To develop a non-biological method for screening active components against influenza virus from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extraction, a liquid chromatography (LC) column prepared with oseltamivir molecularly imprinted polymer (OSMIP) was employed with LC-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). From chloroform extracts of compound TCM liquid preparation, we observed an affinitive component m/z 249, which was identified to be matrine following analysis of phytochemical literatures, OSMIP-LC column on-line of control compounds and MS/MS off-line. The results showed that matrine had similar bioactivities with OS against avian influenza virus H9N2 in vitro for both alleviating cytopathic effect and hemagglutination inhibition and that the stereostructures of these two compounds are similar while their two-dimensional structures were different. In addition, our results suggested that the bioactivities of those affinitive compounds were correlated with their chromatographic behaviors, in which less difference of the chromatographic behaviors might have more similar bioactivities. This indicates that matrine is a potential candidate drug to prevent or cure influenza for human or animal. In conclusion, the present study showed that molecularly imprinted polymers can be used as a non-biological method for screening active components against influenza virus from TCM.

The efficacy of four common anthelmintic drugs and traditional Chinese medicinal plant extracts to control Dactylogyrus vastator (Monogenea)

Disease caused by Dactylogyrus vastator has resulted in considerable economic damage in aquaculture. To control this parasite effectively, the anthelmintic properties of several extracts obtained from Euphorbia fischeriana and four common anthelmintic drugs (trichlorfon, praziquantel, 40% phoxim and mebendazole) against adults and eggs of D. vastator were assessed in vitro and in vivo. Trichlorfon (0.5, 1 and 1.5mg/L), praziquantel (10 and 20mg/L), 40% phoxim (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4mg/L), mebendazole (0.02 and 0.04mg/L) and the ethyl acetate extract of E. fischeriana (10 and 20mg/L) were effective to kill the parasites in vitro, while the other extracts (petroleum ether, n-butanol and distilled water) of E. fischeriana had no significant effects. Praziquantel effectively killed adults with the efficacy of 80.3% at 20mg/L and inhibited egg hatching, while trichlorfon and the ethyl acetate extract of E. fischeriana effectively eliminated adult parasites with the efficacy of 87.3% and 80.1% at 2.5mg/L and 14mg/L, but had no effect on egg viability. 40% phoxim was highly effective in suppressing egg hatching, but mebendazole was not significantly effective on either adults or eggs. Overall, this study found that 40% phoxim and praziquantel could prevent horizontal infection via eggs in aquaculture facilities and that trichlorfon, praziquantel and the ethyl acetate extract of E. fischeriana could be effective against adult parasites. However, the effective dose of the ethyl acetate extract of E. fischeriana was very close to the toxic dose, a factor that likely limits its practical application in aquaculture.