Decoction derived from Allium ascalonicum L. bulbs and Sojae Semen Praeparatum alleviates wind-cold-type common cold via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and modulation of Lactobacillus murinus level.

Background: Cong-Chi decoction (CCD) is made using Allium ascalonicum L. (shallot) bulbs and Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP). Shallot bulbs and SSP are both used regularly in traditional Chinese medicine; however, there are no recent pharmacological studies on their synergistic effects. Despite their roles in the treatment of the common cold for thousands of years, their pharmacological mechanisms of action against wind-cold-type common cold are yet to be explored comprehensively. Methods: A mouse model was standardized using wind-cold modeling equipment to study the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects of CCD. Then, 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze the association between Lactobacillus murinus and changes in body temperature. Additionally, the antipyretic effects of L. murinus were validated via animal experiments. Results: The results indicate that CCD improves the symptoms of wind-cold by reducing fever, levels of pro-inflammatory factors, and cellular apoptosis, as well as increasing the blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, thereby alleviating lung tissue damage. The effects of CCD are mediated by upregulation of pulmonary Nrf2 and HO-1 expressions, thereby reducing oxidative damage in the lungs, in addition to other anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Furthermore, CCD increases the abundance of L. murinus in the intestinal tract. The animal experiments confirm that L. murinus ameliorates fever in mice. Conclusion: CCD exhibits remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for effectively treating wind-cold-type common cold. Furthermore, its regulatory effects on L. murinus represent a novel mechanism for product development.

Two new terpenoids with anti-inflammatory activity from the fruits of Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.

Two new terpenoids (1 and 2), arenterpenoid D (1) and pinnasesquiterpene A (2), along with 16 phenylpropanoids (3-18) and 8 known terpenoids (19-26) were isolated from 70% EtOH extract of the Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. fruits. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR. The absolute configuration of arenterpenoid D (1) was defined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Furthermore, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of all compounds, and outcomes showed that 2 and 21 exposed moderate suppressive effects against NO generation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

[Therapeutic material basis of Daqinglong Decoction: based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology].

Based on the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology, the components of Daqinglong Decoction absorbed in serum were analyzed and identified, and the therapeutic material basis of the prescription was revealed via network pharmacology. UPLC conditions are as follows: Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 µm), mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(A)-0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile(B), gradient elution. Peakview 2.0 and MetabolitePilot 1.5 were employed for the comparison of Daqinglong Decoction, blank serum, and serum after the administration of the decoction, and the components of Daqinglong Decoction absorbed in serum were analyzed based on MS/MS profiles in related database and literature. The targets of the components absorbed in serum were retrieved from SwissTargetPrediction, DrugBank, and Batman-TCM. With the search terms of common cold, influenza, flu, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, rhinallergosis, allergic coryza, rheumatic arthritis, and nephritis, the related disease targets were screened out. Then the absorbed component-potential target gene network and absorbed component target-disease target network were constructed, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the core targets. iGEMDOCK was employed for molecular docking of the absorbed components and core targets. In the serum after the administration of the decoction, 28 components were preliminarily identified, with 21 prototypes and 7 metabolites. Among them, 5 core components of ephedrine, demethylephedrine, glycyrrhetinic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 2-methoxybenzoic acid were screened out, and 9 core targets, such as JUN, tumor protein 53(TP53), and protein kinase B(AKT1), were identified. Molecular docking showed high binding affinity of core components and core targets. Therefore, Daqinglong Decoction may exert therapeutic effect by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG) signaling pathways and further improving and regulating inflammatory response and other physiological and pathological processes. This study clarifies the components of Daqinglong Decoction absorbed in serum and explores the therapeutic material basis of the prescription, which provides a reference for further elucidating the mechanism of Daqinglong Decoction and its clinical application.

Exploring the mechanism of Qinbaiqingfei-concentrate pills in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia from the perspective of intestinal microbiota and mucosal immunity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese medicine categorizes Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia as "lung heat", and treatment with heat clear and detoxify. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the lungs and intestines come from the same source, and the intestine is related to pneumonia. This is the same as the gut-lung axis theory. Qinbaiqingfei concentrate pills (QBs) were modified based on Cough San in the ancient medical book Medical Awareness. It clears lung heat, moisturizes the lungs and dredges collaterals, and has a good ability to treat Mycoplasma pneumoniae. AIM OF THE STUDY: A rat model of Mycoplasma pneumoniae was established. From the aspect of intestinal flora and mucosal immunity, the potential mechanism of the QBs was researched. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, the content of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in lung tissue and the levels of the inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α and INF-γ were detected. To determine the expression of NF-kB related proteins in lung tissue, which can understand the ability in treating disease. Next, metagenomic sequencing was performed to detect changes in short-chain fatty acids, proving the ability of the drug to regulate intestinal microecology. Finally, HDAC, LPS, SIgA, etc. were detected to facilitate the correlation of the overall experimental indicators. RESULTS: QBs reduces the levels of IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α and INF-γ in the serum by inhibiting the expression of MyD88, IKKα, IκBα, and NF-κB p65 in lung tissue. In addition, QBs restores the ratio of gram-negative bacteria to gram-positive bacteria in the intestine, restores the secretion of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid, and promotes the secretion of NF-κB p65 and SIgA by HDAC1/3. The result is that the lung tissue is repaired and the proliferation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: From the "gut-lung axis", a new research perspective was discovered. QBs intervened in the intestines and lungs to treat Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

A Study Based on Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Experimental Verification to Explore the Mechanism of Qinbaiqingfei Concentrated Pills in the treatment of Mycoplasma Pneumonia.

Qinbaiqingfei concentrated pills (QB) are a commonly used medicine for the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia in China, and the mechanism of action of QB needs to be studied further. Therefore, we use a combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology to clarify the mechanism of QB. Nontarget metabolomics studies were performed on rat serum, urine, and lung tissues, and 56 therapeutic biomarkers were found. Subsequently, the components of QB absorbed into the blood and lung tissues were clarified, and based on this finding, the core target of network pharmacology was predicted. The enrichment analysis of biomarkers-genes finally confirmed their close relationship with the NF-κB signaling pathway. By western blotting expression of the proteins in the lung tissue-related signaling pathways, it is finally confirmed that QB inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway through SIRT1, IL-10 and MMP9, CTNNB1, EGFR, and other targets. It plays a role in regulating immunity, regulating metabolism, and treating diseases.

[Analysis of chemical constituents of Ginseng-Douchi compound fermentation products based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS].

In this experiment, ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze and identify chemical constituents of Ginseng-Douchi(GD) compound fermentation, and explore the conversion rules of ginsenosides and soybean isoflavones after compound fermentation. Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm) was adopted, with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(A)-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution(B) as mobile phase for gradient elution; electrospray ion source(ESI) was used to collect data in positive and negative ion modes; according to the exact mass number, the secondary spectrum comparison of the database and the existing literature reports, Peakview 2.0/masterview 1.0 software was used to determine the common ion structure formula. Finally, a total of 133 chemical constituents were analyzed and identified from the GD. Ginseng saponins and isoflavone glycosides were significantly converted after fermentation. Among them, peak areas of prototype ginsenosides Rk_3, Rh_1, Rh_2, Rh_3, daidzin, glycitin and genistin decreased significantly; whereas peak areas of se-condary ginsenoside Rb_1, Rb_2, Rk_1, glycitein, genistein and daidzein increased significantly. In this experiment, liquid-mass spectrometry technique was used to investigate the conversion of active ingredients of GD compound fermented products after co-fermentation, so as to provide a scientific basis for elucidating pharmacodynamics material basis and quality control.

New Diterpenes from Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr. Fruits.

Three new ent-kauran-type diterpenes (1⁻3), named arenterpenoids A⁻C, and five known ones (4⁻8) were isolated and identified from Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr. Fruits. The structures of these compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scientific report of diterpenes from Arenga genus.

Identification and characterization of major constituents in Juglans mandshurica using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS).

The present study was designed to identify and characterize the major constituents in Juglans mandshurica Maxim. A simple, efficient and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS) method was established and validated under positive and negative ion modes. The separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 µm) by gradient elution with a mobile phase (Phase A: 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution, Phase B: 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution). A total of 165 compounds were rapidly selected by Targeted and Non-Targeted Peak Finding approaches, and then tentatively identifled by comparing with reference substances or inferred through mass spectrometry fragment ion analysis and literature data. These compounds included 68 naphthalenequinones, 20 diarylheptanoids, 29 flavonoids, 20 triterpenes, and 28 phenolic acids. In conclusion, the present study provided an effective approach to identifying components in complex matrices of herbal medicines such as Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

[Dynamic variation of components in exocarp of Juglans mandshurica with browning based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS].

To analyze the dynamic changes in components in exocarp of Juglans mandshurica at different browning periods. Twenty-six batches of exocarp of J. mandshurica samples from thirteen browning periods were assessed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The formula of different compounds were determined by accurate mass and isotopic abundance ratio from target screening function of Peakview 2.0/masterview1.0 software. Then their structures were determined by analysis of MS/MS fragment or comparison with standard substances and references. The contents of chemical components were changed significantly in different browning periods and twenty five compounds were identified or inferred. Of the 13 naphthoquinone compounds, the contents of 6 compounds with similar parent nucleus as juglone and 3 naphthoquinone glycosides compounds were decreased significantly, and 4 naphthoquinone derivatives such as regiolone were produced; the contents of four flavones and two phenolic acids compounds were decreased significantly; and the contents of 6 diarylheptanoids compounds were increased significantly. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS method can be used to identify and analyze the chemical constituents from exocarp of J. mandshurica rapidly and accurately, and analyze the rules of dynamic changes, to reveal the browning of Chinese medicinal materials and its effects on compositions of fruits and vegetables.

[Serum metabonomics in mice infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS].

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was applied to metabonomics study in BALB/c mice infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) to analyze the changes in serum endogenous metabolites, identify potential biomarkers associated with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP), analyze the metabolic pathway and explore the pathogenic mechanism of MPP. The BALB/c mice were inoculated with MP by repeated intranasal infectious routes to establish MPP models, and the results of the lung tissue biopsy, IgM and mycoplasma nucleic acid content determination showed that the models of MP in BALB/c mice were successfully established. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the serum metabolic profiling of BALB/c mice infected with MP, and then principal component analysis(PCA) was combined with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) for data processing. The results showed that there were significant differences in serum metabolic profile between the MP infected mice and the normal mice. Forty-seven potential biomarkers such as ornithine, cortisol, vitamin A and tryptophan were screened out by database searching and MS information matching. These potential biomarkers related to 17 metabolic pathways including retinol metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, steroid hormone synthesis and so on. The metabonomic research method for serum of mice infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was established in this study. The metabolic changes of endogenous small molecules in mice infected with MP were reflected in the overall level, laying the foundation for the selection and evaluation of MPP drugs.

[Serum pharmacochemistry of Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellets based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS].

To analyze the main components of Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellets in rat serum with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology and serum pharmacochemistry theory. After gavage administration with Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellets, blood was collected from hepatic portal vein. ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm) was used, with 0.1% formic acid agueous solution(A)-0.1%formic acid and acetonitrile(B) as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.3 mL•min⁻¹, the column temperature was maintained at 35 ℃. Through the comparative analysis fingerprints of Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellets, drug containing-serum and blank serum, and with the help Peakview and Metabolitepilot software, components in serum were defined. A total of 28 compounds were identified, including 18 prototypes and 10 metabolites. As a result, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology and serum pharmacochemistry theory were applied to comprehensively expound Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellets'constituents migrating to rat serum, and provide scientific basis for further studies for in vivo metabolic process and effective material base.

[Dynamic variation of major effective components in fresh rejuvenated fruit of Juglans mandshurica based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS].

The changes in effective components of Juglans mandshurica at different harvest periods were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Eighteen batch samples of J. mandshurica from six harvest periods were assessed by multivariate statistical analysis with Markerview software. The formula of different compounds were determined by accurate mass and isotopic abundance ratio from target screening function of Peakview 2.0/Masterview1.0 software. Then their structure were determined by analysis of MS/MS fragment or comparison with standard substances and references. Naphthoquinone are the major markers in samples of Juglans mandshurica from different harvest periods. Thirty-eight of naphthalenequinones were identified or inferred in J. mandshurica and contents decline gradually. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method which develops a new strategy can identify and analyze chemical constituents from J. mandshurica rapidly and accurately, main chemical constituents can be used for quality evaluation and efficacy material research. The dynamic changes in the metabolite accumulation of J. mandshurica the basic data for harvesting medicinal plants at different times.

[Identification of Chemical Constituents of the Leaves from Acanthopanax senticosus by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS].

Objective: To analyze the chemical compositions of the leaves from Acanthopanax senticosus. Methods: Rapid identification of chemical constituents in the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS / MS. The chemical constituents were identified and speculated by using Peakview data processing software, the retention time, exact relative molecular mass, and cleavage fragments of MS / MS were detected. Chromatography-mass spectrometry conditions were as follows, the analysis was performed on Waters BEH C18column( 100 mm × 2. 1 mm,1. 7 µm) in gradient elution with a mobile phase of 0. 1% formic acid aqueous solution and 0. 1%formic acid acetonitrile, the flow rate was at 0. 3 m L / min, the data was collected by the negative and positive ion mode using ESI ion source. Results: 30 compounds were identified and speculated by the standards and compounds of MS / MS, the references and Chemispider database. Conclusion: This method is fast, sensitive and comprehensive with the rapid identification of chemical constituents in the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus, which will provide the evidences for perfecting the quality standard, and clarify the efficacy material base of the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus.

Identfication of new naphthalenones from Juglans mandshurica and evalution of their anticancer activities.

Two new naphthalenone compounds were isolated from green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica and their structures were identified as 4-butoxybutoxy-5,8-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one (1), 4-ethoxyethoxy-5,8-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were named as Juglanstetralone A (1) and Juglanstetralone B (2). Compound 1 showed more significant anti-tumor activity than 2 against gastric cancer BGC-823 cells, wih the IC50 of 125.89 (g(mL(-1).

[Pharmacological effects of volatile oil of Valeriana amurensis on CNS].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacological effects of volatile oil of Valeriana amurensis on central nervous system. METHODS: The pharmacological effects of volatile oil of Valeriana amurensis on the autonomic activities of mice, the sleeping synergistic action of mice with pentoharbital sodium at subthreshold and hypnotic dosages, the sleep phases of rats, the writhing response of mice caused by acetic acid and the convulsion of mice induced by thio-semicarbazide were investigated. RESULTS: The autonomic activities of mice were significantly inhibited by the volatile oil of Valeriana amurensis. The rate of falling sleep and the extension of sleeping time of mice were significantly increased by the synergic action of pentobarbital sodium with the volatile oil. The sleep phases of SWS2 and REMS of rats were obviously extended by the volatile oil of Valeriana amurensis. In addition, the frequency of writhing response of mice caused by acetic acid was reduced, and the convulsion of mice induced by thio-semicarbazide was antagonized with the administration of the volatile oil. CONCLUSION: The volatile oil of Valeriana amurensis has significantly sedative analgesic and anti-hyperspasmia effects.