Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Rubia cordifolia L. with their NO inhibitory activity.

A new naphthoquinone derivative (1) together with twenty-three known compounds (2-24), were isolated from the aerial parts of Rubia cordifolia L. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and HR-ESIMS data. Compounds 1-13 were assessed for their inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Compounds 2-6 exhibited significant inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 21.37, 13.81, 24.56, 20.32, and 30.08 µmol·L-1, respectively.

Anthraquinones from the Aerial Parts of Rubia cordifolia with Their NO Inhibitory and Antibacterial Activities.

The present study aimed to identify the composition of the aerial parts of Rubia cordifolia L. A chemical investigation on the EtOAc extracts from the aerial parts of Rubia cordifolia resulted in the isolation of four new anthraquinones, namely Cordifoquinone A-D (1-4), along with 16 known anthraquinones. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and HR-ESIMS data. All isolates were assessed for their inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Compounds 1, 3 and 10 exhibited significant inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 14.05, 23.48 and 29.23 µmol·L-1, respectively. Their antibacterial activities of four bacteria, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC 29213), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (ATCC 14028) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), were also evaluated. Our results indicated that the antibacterial activity of these compounds is inactive.

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry combined with chemometric analysis as an approach for the quality evaluation of Mume Fructus.

Mume Fructus is an important traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in the treatment of intestinal diseases and asthma for thousands of years. In order to evaluate the quality of Mume Fructus in different processing methods, the main chemical components in Mume Fructus were investigated and a method was established for simultaneous quantification of organic acids of Mume Fructus. First, an optimized ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem-mass spectrometry method was used to identify the structures of main components in Mume Fructus. A total of 41 chemical compounds were identified, including 11 organic acids, 13 flavonoids, and three fatty acids. The contents of 11 organic acids in 18 batches of Mume Fructus from different processing methods were simultaneously determined by a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method. The results of quantitative and hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that Mume Fructus under different processing methods were rich in the above 11 organic acids and the contents were obviously different. Taken together, the proposed quality evaluation method was fast and comprehensively reflects the content of the main chemical components in Mume Fructus under different processing methods, and provides a useful reference for the quality control and evaluation of Mume Fructus.

[Distribution laws of 5 compounds in rhizome and root of Polygonum cuspidate].

To understand the distribution and accumulation rules of polydatin, resveratrol, anthraglycoside B, emodin and physicion in different tissue structure of rhizome and root of Polygonum cospidatum, the content of 5 active compounds were analyzed simultaneously by HPLC, based on plant anatomy and histochemistry. The rhizome and root consist of different tissues, with an increased diameter, the proportions of the secondary xylem and phloem have increased. Resveratrol and polydatin mainly distributed in the pith, the secondary phloem and periderm of rhizome, and the secondary phloem and periderm of the root, while emodin and anthraglycoside B concentrated in the secondary structure and pith of rhizome mostly. In different thickness of the measured samples, the total contents of 5 compounds were correspondingly higher in thinner rhizome and root than those in the coarse ones.

[Analysis of trace elements in chrysanthemum from different habitats with ICP-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determination of trace elements in chrysanthemum and analyze trace elements in chrysanthemum from different habitats. METHODS: The preprocessing for determination of trace elements in chrysanthemum was carried out by microwave digestion,the content of trace elements in chrysanthemum was determined by ICP-MS. RESULTS: The content of trace elements of chryscmthemum varied with the habitats. CONCLUSION: The contents of trace elements as well as heavy metals of Chrysanthemum relate to its species and habitats to a certain degree.

[Dynamic accumulation of dry substance and active components in root of Peucedanum praeruptorum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamic accumulation regulation of dry substance and four coumarin constituents in root of Peucedanum praeruptorum, so to provide the basis for optimal harvest time. METHOD: Roots of P. praeruptorum were collected periodically. The dry weight of the roots was measured and the content of four coumarins was determined by HPLC method. RESULT: The dry substance accumulation of the root reached the maximum amount and the coumarin contents maintain stability at the end of the vegetative growth period. The coumarins of roots decline significantly in the reproductive growth period. CONCLUSION: The most optimum collecting time of root of P. praeruptorum cultivated in Ningguo county in Anhui province should be from December to next February.

[Investigation on wild resources of Dendrobium officinale distribution and ecological envirment in Anhui].

The wild resources of Dendrobium officinale in Anhui province were studied by textural research, data collection, interview survey and regional survey, in order to investigate the resources distribution and ecological characters and provide the reference for Anhui Dendrobium industry. In this paper, a part of producing areas of wild D. officinale in Anhui province was selected to analyze the ecological characters. As a result, we find that the wild resources of D. officinale in Anhui distributed only sporadic and the conditions of growth environment were harsh. Our findings may provide some suggestions on wild resources protection and artificial cultivation in suitable environments because the wild resources of D. officinale in Anhui are decreasing rapidly and facing an endangered situation.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of rhizoma of Coniogramme japonica].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Rhizoma of Coniogramme japonica. METHODS: The Rhizome of C. japonica were extracted with ethanol and the chemical constituents were separated by chromatography technique, and their structures were determined by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as butyl 2-formyl-5-butoxymethyl-1 H-pyrrole-1-butanoate (1), pterolactam (2), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (3), methyl linoleate (4), trilinolein (5), dehydrovomifoliol (6). CONCLUSION: All compounds are isolated from the genus for the first time, and the compound 1 is a new compound.

[Study on effect of picking bud and cutting old branch on the production of root bark of Fengdan in Anhui].

OBJECTIVE: To increase the production of root bark of Fengdan by means of picking bud and cutting old branch cultivated in Nanling, Anhui province. METHODS: An experimental plot where Fengdan has been culitivated for 4 years was selected, which was divided into 3 sections for the experiment of picking bud, cutting old branch and comparison. The buds were picked in spring of the first year. 20 plants were dug randomly from both of picking bud and comparison section monthly during April and September, and the dry weight of their root bark was recorded, respectively. The old branches were cut in autumn. 20 plants were dug randomly from both sections of cutting branch and comparison monthly during April and September of the second year, and their root bark dry weight was recorded. RESULTS: The statistical and comparative results showed that compared to the comparison section, prcking bud section botains little increase of production of root bark, while cutting old branch section had got notable increase of production. CONCLUSION: Picking bud plays an unimportant role in the production of Fengdan bark, while cutting old branch has significant influence on it.

[Studies on absorption kinetics of paeonol and paeonol-beta-CD in rat's intestines].

To explore the absorption mechanism of paeonol-beta-CD from various intestinal segments and offer biopharmaceutics data for paeonol new dosage form. The absorption kinetics and permeability rate consatants were investigated by the in situ perfusing method in rats. The absorption of the drug conforms to the firt-order kinetics and passive transport mechanism . The results indicate that paeonol-beta-CD absorption mechanism wasn't change.