Effects of Different Storage Times on the Stability of 12 Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction Pieces.

As storage time increases, the quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) may change, and stability is an essential aspect of ensuring the safety and efficacy of TCMs. In this study, the effects of different storage times on the stability of 12 decoction pieces were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the contents of the active components in the 12 decoction pieces. The chemical composition data were analyzed using fingerprinting and clustering heatmap (CH). Results showed that during storage, significant variations (relative standard deviation > 10%) were observed in the levels of paeoniflorin in Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra, hesperidin in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, bufothionine in Siccus Bufo and chlorogenic acid in White Chrysanthemi Flos and Lonice Raejaponicae Caulis. However, calycosin-7-glucoside and calycosin in Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle and chlorogenic acid in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Yellow Chrysanthemi Flos and Mori Folium were all <10%, which is consistent with the CH. Decoction pieces can be stored for up to six months, but it is recommended that volatile oil-containing and animal-based decoction pieces should not be stored for more than one month. This study provides new perspectives for the stability and quality control studies of TCM.

Non-negligible roles of charge transfer excitons in ultrafast excitation energy transfer dynamics of a double-walled carbon nanotube.

Herein, we employed a developed linear response time dependent density functional theory-based nonadiabatic dynamics simulation method that explicitly takes into account the excitonic effects to investigate photoinduced excitation energy transfer dynamics of a double-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) model with different excitation energies. The E11 excitation of the outer CNT will generate a local excitation (LE) |out*〉 exciton due to its low energy, which does not induce any charge separation. In contrast, the E11 excitation of the inner CNT can generate four kinds of excitons with the LE exciton |in*〉 dominates. In the 500-fs dynamics simulation, the LE exciton |in*〉 and charge transfer (CT) excitons |out-in+〉 and |out+in-〉 are all gradually converted to the |out*〉 exciton, corresponding to a photoinduced excitation energy transfer, which is consistent with experimental studies. Finally, when the excitation energy is close to the E22 state of the outer CNT (∼1.05 eV), a mixed population of different excitons, with the |out*〉 exciton dominated, is generated. Then, photoinduced energy transfer from the outer to inner CNTs occurs in the first 50 fs, which is followed by an inner to outer excitation energy transfer that is completed in 400 fs. The present work not only sheds important light on the mechanistic details of wavelength-dependent excitation energy transfer of a double-walled CNT model but also demonstrates the roles and importance of CT excitons in photoinduced excitation energy transfer. It also emphasized that explicitly including the excitonic effects in electronic structure calculations and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations is significant for correct understanding/rational design of optoelectronic properties of periodically extended systems.

Gallic acid ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The conventional drugs for UC may induce severe side effects. Herbal medicine is considered as a complementary and alternative choice for UC. Purpose: This study aims to estimate the effect of natural polyphenol gallic acid (GA) on the NLRP3 inflammasome with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Study design: The body weights and symptoms of BALB/c mice were recorded. Histological evaluation, ELISA, q-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were carried out to observe the morphology, cytokine contents, mRNA expressions, and protein expressions, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage was used to probe GA's effect on relative protein expression. Results: GA attenuated weight loss (p < 0.05), relieved symptoms, and ameliorated colonic morphological injury (p < 0.05) in mice with colitis induced by DSS. GA also lowered the contents of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-33, and IFN-γ in the serum and colon of mice, which were elevated by DSS, downregulated protein, and mRNA expressions of the NLRP3 pathway in the colon tissue. Furthermore, GA downregulated the expressions of NLRP3 (p < 0.05), iNOS (p < 0.01), COX2 (p < 0.01), and P-p65 (p < 0.05), and suppressed NO release (p < 0.001) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion: GA ameliorated DSS-induced UC in mice via inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings furnish evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of herbal medicines containing GA on UC.

Beware of the Potential Risks for Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Induced Liver Injury.

Background: Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke (PM) is a widely-used medicinal plant in China, whose root and stem are included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as Polygoni Multiflori Radix (RPM), Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparata (PMP), and Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (PMC). The hepatotoxicity of RPM and PMP is concerned by the public, while the risk of PMC is ignored. Purpose: Here, we investigate the potential risks for PMC-induced liver injury from clinical, chemical, and animal features. Study design: First, we analyzed the 12-month usage of RPM, PMP, and PMC in Longhua Hospital. Second, we determined the contents of gallic acid, cis-2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside (cis-SG), trans-2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside (trans-SG), emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucoside (EG), physcion-8-O-ß-D-glucoside (PG), emodin, and physcion in the water extracts from 15 batches of RPM, PMP, and PMC. Third, we probed the hepatotoxic effect of RPM, PMP, and PMC in mice and explored the mechanism of cis-SG and trans-SG causing the liver injury at the dosages based on our results from the first and second parts. Results: PMC had nearly five times the amount of usage in both outpatient prescriptions and inpatient orders than RPM and PMP. Overall, 68% dosage of PMC was 30 g. The contents of cis-SG, trans-SG, and emodin in PMC water extracts were significantly lower than those in RPM and PMP water extracts. PMC induced milder idiosyncratic liver injury for its lower content of cis-SG and trans-SG than its root counterparts. Conclusion: The potential risks for PMC-induced liver injury should be fully aware of.

Fingerprinting and Determination of Hepatotoxic Constituents in Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata of Different Producing Places by HPLC.

Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP) is used as Chinese herbal medicine with long history. However, reports about PMRP hepatotoxicity have increased recently, and producing area might be one reason. This article aims to figure out the relationship between producing area and hepatotoxic ingredients in PMRP. HPLC fingerprint for PMRP was established and the contents of gallic acid, trans-stilbene glycoside (TSG), emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucoside (EG), emodin and physcion were determined. Clustering heatmap was implemented by TCMNPAS software，and principal component analysis was implemented by SPSS and SIMCA-P software. Hepatotoxic constituents' contents of PMRP from separate producing area were different. PMRP from Guangxi had the highest content of gallic acid, TSG, EG, emodin and physcion, followed by Hubei, Guangdong, Guizhou, Yunnan. PMRP from Henan had the lowest contents of hepatotoxic components. Hepatotoxic components' contents of PMRP in southern were higher than central China. This study carried out a preliminary qualitative and quantitative investigation on the PMRP from different producing places, which provided a basis for safe medication of PMRP.

Effects of Qing Chang Suppository Powder and its Ingredients on IL-17 Signal Pathway in HT-29 Cells and DSS-induced Mice.

BACKGROUND: Qingchang Suppository, a formula used for more than 30 years in Longhua Hospital, has shown satisfactory clinical effects on Ulcerative Colitis (UC). However, its therapeutic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE: The study aims to investigate the effects of Qingchang Suppository powder (QCSP) and its ingredients by regulating the IL-17A signaling pathway which plays an important role in the development of UC. METHODS: HPLC was used to analyze the main ingredients (Gallic acid, Indigo, Indirubin) in QCSP. HT-29 cells were induced by rhIL-17A and TNF-α, and IL-17A related protein expressions were determined by western blot. BALB/C mice were induced by 4% Dextran Sodium sulfate (DSS). The effects of QCSP and its ingredients were evaluated by measuring weight loss, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histological analysis. Western blot was used for analysis of IL-17A and MAPK related proteins p-ERK, p-JNK, p-P38. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) was used to detect the expression of IL-17A, HSP90 and ACT1 in colon tissue. Cytokines such as IL-17A, IL-1ß, IFN-γ and TNF-α were determinated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: QCSP had good therapeutic effect on DSS-induced colitis in mice. QCSP significantly relieved weight loss, restored colon length, repaired colon lesions, reduced histological scores and DAI, decreased TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-17 and IFN-γ contents, significantly suppressed the gene expressions of IL-17A, ACT1 and HSP90, and up-regulated the expressions of tight junction proteins like ZO-1 and Occludin. IL-17A pathway related proteins such as IL-17A, IL-17RA, HSP90, MAPKs, P-iκbα and iNOS were significantly increased in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: This paper reveals that QCSP inhibited the IL-17A signaling pathway in HT-29 cells and DSS induced mice, presenting a new mechanism of QCS on treating UC.

Bufothionine induces autophagy in H22 hepatoma-bearing mice by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway, a possible anti-cancer mechanism of cinobufacini.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cinobufacini is extracted from the skins and parotid venom glands of the toad for treating symptoms like swelling and pain in ancient times. Nowadays, cinobifucini injection has also achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our previous work found that bufothionine, an alkaloid abundant in cinobufacini injection, induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In this work, the underlying effects of bufothionine on autophagy in HCC and its possible dependent pathway were investigated. METHODS: CCK-8 and Hoechst staining assays were performed to verify effects of drugs on proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC7721 cell. H22-tumor-bearing mice model was established by inoculating ascites fluid. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in liver and tumor tissues. ELISA and Western blot experiments were conducted to investigate IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The effects of drugs on expressions of autophagic relative proteins were investigated by Western blot in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In vitro, CCK-8 and Hoechst staining assays showed that bufothionine inhibited SMMC7721 cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis at 100 µM. In vivo, bufothionine relieved symptoms of H22-tumor-bearing mice and exerted anti-inflammation activity. ELISA and Western blot demonstrated that bufothionine significantly reduced serum IL-6 concentration, suppressed p-Stat3tyr705, p-Stat3ser727 and Jak2 expressions in tumor tissues and upregulated Atg5, Atg7 and LC3Ⅱ expressions in SMMC7721 cell and H22 tumor. CONCLUSION: This is the first report showing that bufothionine might induce autophagy in HCC by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway, presenting a possible anti-cancer mechanism of bufothionine in cinobufacini injection.

Ingredients, Anti-Liver Cancer Effects and the Possible Mechanism of DWYG Formula Based on Network Prediction.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis virus infection plays a critical role in liver cancer initiation and development; so the purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-liver cancer effects of DiWuYangGan (DWYG) which was effective for hepatitis. METHODS: Network predictions were performed. Next, several tests, including HPLC, Caco-2 absorption models, MMT, protein chip, Western blotting and H22-tumor-bearing mouse, were carried out to investigate the effects and possible mechanism of DWYG. RESULTS: Network results showed DWYG might be involved in some processes such as STAT cascade. Some target genes may correspondingly participate in these procedures, such as IL-6, CASP3, AKT1, PPAR, and TP53. Diseases associated with DWYG formula may be liver cancer and hepatitis. Potential active compounds might be CUR and ISO. Chemical analysis results showed that ingredients in the formula, including DEO, SCHB, SOLA, SOLB, SCHA, LIQ, ISO, POT, and CHL, could be determined, indicating that DWYG samples for the following experiments were controllable and consistent. Caco-2 absorption of ingredients in DWYG, including DEO, SCHB, SOLA, SOLB, and LIQ, worked very well. In vitro experiment results showed that DWYG could inhibit the growth of cell lines and its effective ingredients might be SCHB, SOLB, SINA, SINB, SOLB, CUR, DEM, BIS, and GER. Further protein results showed that DWYG could upregulate the expressions of some proteins, including ERK1/2, AKT Ser473, BAD Ser112, PRAS40, Thr246, P38, Gsk-3ß, and Ser9. In vivo experiment results showed that DWYG could shrink tumor size, recover ALT and AST, and decrease IL-6 levels. Their possible mechanism might be through the JAK/STAT3 pathway. CONCLUSION: Besides the known pharmacological function of anti-hepatitis, DWYG extract expressed anti-liver cancer effects and the results were consistent partly with network predictions.

Primary Mechanism Study of Panax notoginseng Flower (Herb) on Myocardial Infarction in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen is one of the most common herbs in China. Because of its good efficacy and little adverse reaction, Panax notoginseng has been used widely to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of Panax notoginseng flower (PN-F) on rats with myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: The proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in rats was ligated to induce acute myocardial infarction. Then, animals were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: MI control group, Betaloc control group (with Betaloc 10 mg/kg/d), FD500 (low-dose) group (Panax notoginseng flower decoction 500 mg/kg, n=10), and FD1000 (high-dose) group (Panax notoginseng flower decoction 1000 mg/kg, n=10). Panax notoginseng flower decoction or Betaloc was orally administrated for two to four weeks before and after operation. Sham-operated group was used as a normal untreated group, in which animals were treated with double distilled water, once daily. HE (hematoxylin and eosin) staining, immunofluorescent assay, TUNEL assay, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot analysis were, respectively, performed to observe morphology, count mean minimal vessels, investigate apoptotic cells, and record gene (HIF-1, VEGFA, and KDR) and protein (Bcl-2 and Bax) expressions. RESULTS: Two weeks after MI, PN-F significantly enhanced capillary density in the border area of MI, decreased infarct size, improved minimal vessels, suppressed cell apoptosis, and enhanced expressions of genes (HIF-1, VEGFA, and KDR) and proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax). CONCLUSIONS: PN-F demonstrated a potential herb to treat rats with myocardial infarction through promoting angiogenesis and inhibition of apoptosis in the infarct area.

Effects and possible mechanism of Ruyiping formula application to breast cancer based on network prediction.

Ruyiping (RYP), a Chinese herbal formula, can remove toxin and clear nodular, showing ability of preventing postoperative recurrence of breast cancer. In this study, network was performed to predict possible targets, genes and pathways associated with RYP and breast cancer. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were used to quantitatively study RYP formula and its single herbs. MTT methods, Luciferase reporter systems, zebrafish model and western blotting were respectively adopted to verify network prediction. Results showed that the quality of RYP could be controlled and icariin could be selected as mark ingredient; RYP expressed anti-breast tumor effects, which could be associated with inhibiting expression of Transforming Growth Factor ß (TGFß), promoting cells apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis. Parts of these results were consistent with network predictions in some degree, but not all. Network can help us narrow areas, focus on crucial factors, save money as well as time, but the results predicted by network should be confirmed by further experiments.

Compatibility Study of Danggui Buxue Tang on Chemical Ingredients, Angiogenesis and Endothelial Function.

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a classic Chinese herbal formula which consists of Astragali mongholici Radix and Angelica sinensis Radix (ASR). For chemical ingredients, HPLC were performed. Results showed compared with single herbs, DBT decoction could promote the dissolution of ingredients such as ferulic acid and calycosin. Furthermore, when ratio of AMR to ASR was 5 to 1, synthetic score was the best. For angiogenesis, normal and injured zebrafish model were applied. Results showed DBT and its ingredients had angiogenesis effects on Sub Intestinal vessels (SIVs) of normal zebrafish. Meanwhile, DBT and its single herbs could also recover Inter-Segmental Vessels (ISVs) injured by VRI. Angiogenesis effects of DBT on ISVs were better than single herbs. AMR extract, Total Saponins of AMR, Polysaccharide of ASR, ferulic acid, calycosin and calycosin-7-glucoside could be effective ingredients for angiogenisis. For endothelium functions, Lysoph-Osphatidyl choline was used to damage rat endothelial function of thoracic aorta. The results showed DBT and its single herbs could improve endothelial dysfunctions in dose-dependence. Both ferulic acid and calycosin-7-glucoside could also improve endothelium dysfunction in dose dependence. Therefore, compatibility of DBT was reasonable. Compared with single herbs, DBT could promote dissolution of effective ingredients, enhance angiogenesis and relieve endothelial dysfunction.

Chemosynthesis pathway and bioactivities comparison of saponins in radix and flower of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen is a well known medicinal plant. Its radix is used in the history while its flower is recently used for health care. In this study we compared chemical ingredients and bioactivities in cell culture for radix and flower of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system was applied to determine the contents of saponins in flower and radix of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen. Transcription specific luciferase reporter assay and qPCR method for selected RNA were carried out to assess the impacts of flower and radix extract on the transcription signal pathways. RESULTS: The results of chemical analysis showed that the contents of saponins in flower and radix are very different: the contents of Rg1, Rb1, Re, R1, Rg3-20R, Rh1 and Rf in radix are abundant; in contrast, the contents of Rb3, Fc, Ft1, Rb2 and Rh2-20s in flowers are plentiful. There are substantial variations of those saponin contents from one batch vs another. Based on relative content of saponins, the chemosynthesis pathway of ingredients in radix and flower are proposed: for radix, both PPT (Protopanaxatriol) and PPD (Protopanaxadiol) type triterpenoids are involved, the main pathway is PPT→Rb1→Rg1→R1 or PPD→Rh2 20s→Rg3(20s)→Rd→Rb1; for flowers, only PPD is main passage with PPD→Rh2 (20s)→Rg3(20s)→Rd→Rb2→Fc. The results of signal transcription assays demonstrated that herb water extract of radix and flower had no significant influences on most of transcription activities. However, total saponins of radix and flower which have highly content of saponins were able to inhibit the inflammatory related transcriptional activities and their related mRNA expression of IFNα, TNFα, il-6 and TGFß as well as induce anti-oxygen NrF2 activities. In summary, although chemical ingredients and chemosynthesis pathway of flower and radix for Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen were different, these differences might not result in their differences of pharmacological activities.

Amelioration of acute myocardial infarction by saponins from flower buds of Panax notoginseng via pro-angiogenesis and anti-apoptosis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The root of Panax notoginseng is traditionally used as an anti-hemorrhagic agent to promote blood circulation without causing "congealed" blood. Furthermore, the flower of P. notoginseng is a popular, traditional medicine taken daily for the preventing of hypertension and for reducing blood cholesterol profiles. Besides, the flower of P. notoginseng contains a higher level of saponins, particularly protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, as compared to the root. However, detailed pharmacological studies on this flower have rarely been conducted. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the saponins extracted from the flower of P. notoginseng (FS) were examined on the endothelial cell migration assay, chemically induced vascular insufficiency model in zebrafish larvae and myocardial infraction (MI) model in rats, for determination of their pro-angiogenic and therapeutic effects on MI treatment. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that FS significantly promoted VEGF-induced migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and partially restored defective intersegmental vessels (ISV) in a chemically induced vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish larvae. When compared to MI group, two weeks post-treatment of FS (25-50mg/kg/day) induced approximately 3-fold upregulation of VEGF mRNA expression and a concomitant increase in blood vessel density in the peri-infarct area of the heart. Moreover, TUNEL analysis indicates a reduction in the mean apoptotic nuclei per field in peri-infarct myocardium upon FS treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The pro-angiogenic effects of FS demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo experimental models suggest that the purified saponin preparation from flowers of P. notoginseng may potentially provide preventive and therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases.

Bufothionine induced the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in H22 liver tumor and acute liver injury.

BACKGROUND: Bufothionine is an alkaloid in Cinobufacini (Huachansu). This study aims to investigate the effects of bufothionine on liver tumors and acute liver injury. METHODS: In the hepatoprotective experiment, fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): normal saline group, model group, compound glycyrrhizin injection (9.14 mL/kg); cinobufacini injection (3.42 mL/kg) (InjA) and bufothionine (9.77 mL/kg) (BufoA) group. Liver weight indices were recorded to judge the degree of liver swelling, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of liver tissues was carried out to observe liver histological morphology injury and biochemical indicators including aspartate aminotransferase (AST); alanine aminotransferase (ALT); alkaline phosphatase (ALP); and total bilirubin (TBIL) were determined by modular auto-analyzer. In anti-tumor experiment, H22-tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): normal saline group, model group, cinobufacini injection (InjB) (5.14 mL/kg), bufothionine (8.02 mL/kg) (BufoB) and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) (3.42 mL/kg). Tumors were picked out and determined with vernier calipers. Histological morphology of tumors was observed by H&E staining. In SMMC-7721 cells, expressions of proteins related to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway including Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, cyto-c, Bid, and p53 were analyzed by western blotting at low, medium, high concentrations of bufothione (3.62 µg/mL, 18.12 µg/mL,90.62 µg/mL). RESULTS: Butothionine relieved CCl4-induced liver morphology, decreased the level of ALT (P =2.46 × 10(-2)) and expressed tendency to decrease other biochemical markers including AST, ALP and TBIL. Butothionine could also promote necrosis of tumor tissue in H22-tumor-bearing mice and restrained tumor growth with 65.16% inhibition rate. Its mechanism might relate to up-regulation of p53 (at low, mediate and high concentration, corresponding P values were 0.142, 0.0257, 0.0162), caspase-3 (P = 0.246, 0.0267 and 0.0236), cyto-c (P = 0.276, 0.0343 and 0.0429), Bid (P = 0.0125, 0.0395 and 0.0132) and Bax (P = 0.563, 0.0492 and 0.0357) in a dose-dependent manner, down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.0232, 0.0178 and 0.0464), but had no significant effects on caspase-9 (P = 0.253, 0.147 and 0.287). CONCLUSION: Bufothionine induced the proteins for the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis that inhibits liver tumors and protects the liver against acute injury.

Optimization of high pressure machine decocting process for Dachengqi Tang using HPLC fingerprints combined with the Box-Behnken experimental design.

Using Dachengqi Tang (DCQT) as a model, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints were applied to optimize machine extracting process with the Box-Behnken experimental design. HPLC fingerprints were carried out to investigate the chemical ingredients of DCQT; synthetic weighing method based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) was performed to calculate synthetic scores of fingerprints; using the mark ingredients contents and synthetic scores as indicators, the Box-Behnken design was carried out to optimize the process parameters of machine decocting process under high pressure for DCQT. Results of optimal process showed that the herb materials were soaked for 45 min and extracted with 9 folds volume of water in the decocting machine under the temperature of 140 °C till the pressure arrived at 0.25 MPa; then hot decoction was excreted to soak Dahuang and Mangxiao for 5 min. Finally, obtained solutions were mixed, filtrated and packed. It concluded that HPLC fingerprints combined with the Box-Behnken experimental design could be used to optimize extracting process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Study on spectrum-effect relationship of rhizoma Rhei, cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, fructus Aurantii Immaturus and their formula.

Rhizoma Rhei, cortex Magnoliae Officinalis and fructus Aurantii Immaturus compose dachengqi tang (DCQT), a classical formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is used for acute intestinal obstruction and has been proven to be effective and economic. However, the ingredients of TCM are complicated, and it is unclear which ingredients are the most important for its effects. In this paper, the relationship between the spectra and effects is discussed to provide a powerful method and some insights into the quality control of the herbs and their formula. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) fingerprint analysis was performed to investigate the chemical structures in different batches of rhizoma Rhei, cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, fructus Aurantii Immaturus and DCQT. Hierarchical clustering analysis was employed to evaluate the similarities between fingerprints. Animal model of small intestinal propulsion was established to study the purgative functions of the herbs and DCQT. The relationship between the chemical ingredients and the effects was explored by regression analysis. HPLC fingerprint analysis results demonstrated variations between ingredients in different batches of rhizoma Rhei, cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, fructus Aurantii Immaturus and DCQT. The origin, collection time and preparation process may have contributed to these differences. Small intestinal propulsion results showed that, compared with the control group, the positive and therapeutic groups including single herbs and formula were significantly effective (P < 0.05). Spectrum-effect relationship results indicated that seven peak ingredients, hesperidin, aloe-emodin, honokiol, rhein, magnolol, emodin and sennoside A, were inducted in the regression equation, among which, the influence of sennoside A was the largest and most positively associated with the effects. The data analysis results indicated that many ingredients contributed to the purgative effects, among which, sennoside A might be the most important effective component; therefore, sennoside A should be determined for quality control. Furthermore, the spectrum-effect relationship is simple, operative and suitable for the quality evaluation of TCM.

Bufothionine, a possible effective component in cinobufocini injection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cinobufacini has been traditionally used in China for the treatment of tumor since hundreds years ago. For recent years, its modern preparation,cinobifucini injection has also obtained satisfactory therapeutic functions for cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was applied to determine the content of cinobufagin, resibufogenin and bufothionine in cinobufacin extract liquid and injection; MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis were also respectively used to study the effect of cinobufacini extract liquid, injection and three chemical structures on cells and cell cycles. RESULTS: HPLC results demonstrated that in cinobufacini extract liquid three ingredients (cinobufagin, resibufogenin and bufothionine) were all monitored while in cinofacini injection only bufothinone was detected; MTT assays showed bufothionine could obviously inhibit the proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines such as SMMC-7721 and BEL-7402 in a dose- and time-dependent manner as well as cinobufagin and resibufogenin; further flow cytometric analysis indicated obvious increases in G2/M phase and decrease in G0/G1 phase when SMMC-7721 cell line exposure to bufothionine (480 µg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested bufothionine could be involved in treatment of human cancer for cinobufacini injection and the mechanism might be relative to induce G2/M phase cell cycle arrest.