[Material basis and mechanism of Bletillae Rhizoma for melasma, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, lung cancer and bronchoplumonary inflammation as "homotherapy for heteropathy" based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS coupled with network pharmacology and molecular docking].

Based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS coupled with the network pharmacology and molecular docking, the common material basis and molecular mechanisms of Bletillae Rhizoma for melasma, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, lung cancer and bronchoplumonary inflammation as "homotherapy for heteropathy" were explored. The fingerprint of 17 batches of Bletillae Rhizoma from different areas was established using HPLC, and the similarity analysis was carried out. The common chemical components of the 17 batches of Bletillae Rhizoma were identified using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS. Depending on the bioavailability and drug-like properties of the common components, the active chemical components were screened, and then their protein targets were collected using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction database. The protein targets related to diseases were retrieved from the databases DrugBank, TTD and GeneCards to produce a Venn diagram. The shared targets were obtained between drugs and diseases as "homotherapy for heteropathy" targets. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) was analyzed with the STRING database, and KEGG and GO analyses of the "homotherapy for heteropathy" targets were performed using the Bioconductor database. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was employed to construct the "chemical components of Bletillae Rhizoma-homotherapy for heteropathy targets" network and PPI network, and topological analysis was conducted to screen out the key active chemical components and core targets. Finally, the affinity between the active components and core targets was evaluated using the molecular docking by AutoDock Vina 4.2.6, which verified the interaction between them. Thirteen common peaks were identified by fingerprint chromatography, and the similarity between different batches was 0.941-0.998. Fifty-three chemical components were identified by mass spectrometry in Bletillae Rhizoma, and 18 common chemical constituents were obtained in the 17 batches of Bletillae Rhizoma. Network pharmacologic screening showed that the pharmacodynamic substances of Bletillae Rhizoma for melasma, gastrointestinal hemo-rrhage, lung cancer and bronchoplumonary inflammation with "homotherapy for heteropathy" were 11 compounds, such as polysaccharides, biphenanthrenes, dihydrophenanthrenes and bibenzyls. There were 42 common targets identified for the treatment of different diseases. These targets were involved in biological processes such as cell response to chemical stress, reactive oxygen species and positive regulation of protein kinase B signal transduction. They were also involved in 121 signaling pathways, encompassing vital pathways such as PI3K-Akt, ErbB, Rap1, FoxO, MAPK and estrogen. Molecular docking results showed a strong affinity between the key active components and the core targets. This study provides a preliminary explanation of how Bletillae Rhizoma exerts its therapeutic effect on chloasma, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, lung cancer, and bronchopneumonic lesions as "homotherapy for heteropathy" through a combined action involving multiple components, targets, and pathways. These findings offer a certain theoretical basis for the further deve-lopment and application of Bletillae Rhizoma.

[Chemical constituents from Alangium chinense subsp. pauciflorum].

Chemical constituents of 70% ethanol extract of Alangium chinense subsp. pauciflorum were investigated. The 70% ethanol extract of A. chinense subsp. pauciflorum was isolated and purified by D-101 macroporous resins, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and other methods. As a result, nineteen compounds were isolated and identified as 4-cyclohexene-1α,2α,3α-triol-1-O-ß-D-glucoside(1), 1ß,4α,6α,13-tetrahydroxy-eudesm-11(12)-ene(2), sucrose(3), 1'-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1″→6')-ß-D-glucopyranoside(4), bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate(5),(Z)-10-heneicosenoic acid(6), di-O-methylcrenati(7), methyl-α-D-fructofuranoside(8), ß-daucosterol(9), syringic acid(10), vanillicacid(11), octacosanol(12), isoarborinol(13), 2,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-1-naphthalenecarboxylate(14),vanillin(15), coniferyl aldehyde(16), 9(11)-dehydroergosterolperoxide(17), 5α,8α-epidioxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta-6,22-dien-3ß-ol(18), ß-sitosterol(19), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 were new compounds, compounds 5-11, 13, 15-18 were isolated from Alangium for the first time.The anti-inflammatory activity of compourd 1 was determinded by the LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage inflammation model. The results showed that the new compound 1 has a certain inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production of RAW264.7 cells, and the inhibitory rate was 54.57%.

[Qualitative and quantitative study of constituents in Lysionoti Herba based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS and HPLC-UV].

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS) was employed to systematically analyze the chemical constituents in Lysionoti Herba, and high perfor-mance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(HPLC-UV) to determine the content of main compounds. A Synergi~(TM) Hydro-RP 100 Å colu-mn(2 mm×100 mm, 2.5 µm) was used for gradient elution with acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous formic acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL·min~(-1) and a column temperature of 40 ℃. MS and MS/MS were conducted with electrospray ionization(ESI) in both positive and negative modes. The chemical components in Lysionoti Herba were identified by comparison with the retention time and mass spectra of reference compounds and the relevant mass spectral data reported in MS databases and relevant literature. Furthermore, the content of five constituents(neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, forsythoside B, acteoside, and nevadensin) in different Lysiono-ti Herba samples was simultaneously determined by HPLC-UV at the wavelength of 330 nm. A total of 84 compounds were identified in Lysionoti Herba, including 27 flavonoids, 20 phenylethanoid glycosides, 5 amino acids, 18 organic acids, 1 alkaloid, 6 nucleosides, and 7 others. The content of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, forsythoside B, acteoside, and nevadensin showed good linear relationship(r>0.999) with the peak area within certain concentration ranges, which were 3.22-102.90, 12.84-410.82, 31.63-1 012.01, 25.00-800.11, and 4.08-130.51 µg·mL~(-1), respectively. The instrument precision, method repeatability, and solution stability all met requirement, and the average recovery rate was 97.31%-100.2%, with RSD ranging from 0.95% to 2.4%. The content of the five components varied among different Lysionoti Herba samples collected from different regions of Guizhou, and the average content of forsythoside B was the highest. The established qualitative method can rapidly and efficiently identify the chemical components of Lysionoti Herba, and the developed HPLC-UV method can simultaneously determine the content of five components in a simple, ra-pid, and accurate manner, providing a scientific basis for the quality evaluation of Lysionoti Herba.

Six New Constituents from the Fruit of Hypericum patulum and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Four new xanthone glucosides, 3-hydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), 4,8-dihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), 2-methoxyxanthone-5-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), 4-hydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4), a new phenolic acid, 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-imino-di-benzoic acid monomethyl ester (5), and a new isoquinoline, methyl 6-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylate (6) were isolated from the fruit of Hypericum patulum. The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was primarily based on HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effect against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Compound 2, 3 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against NO production.

Quantification of six volatile oil constituents of Oleum Cinnamomi in rat plasma and multiple tissues using GC-MS and its application to pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies.

Oleum Cinnamomi is the essential oil obtained from the herb Fructus Cinnamomi which is used by the Hmong people in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. At present, there are a variety of marketed preparations with it as the main medicine on the market. Information regarding the in vivo process of it is lacking, which has become a bottleneck restricting its development and utilization. In view of this, a GC-MS SIM analysis method was established for the simultaneous determination of six main volatile components [eucalyptol, p-cymene, 4-carvomenthenol, 4-isopropyl-2-cyclohexenone, α-terpineol, and 2-(4-Methylphenyl)-propan-2-ol] in plasma and ten tissues of rats to study their pharmacokinetic and distribution characteristics in vivo. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the t1/2 of each index was 0.41-1.66 h, Tmax was 0.16-0.68 h, Cmax was 13.66-2015.02 ng/mL, AUC0-t was 12.84-4299.00 h·ng/mL, CLZ/F was 1750.93-107013.11 mL/h/kg. This meant that the six components could be absorbed quickly, had a short residence time, and be eliminated quickly in the body. Among them, eucalyptol has the highest degree of absorption and a larger amount of entering the body. Moreover, the Cmax and AUC0-t of the six components increased correspondingly with the increase of the dose, indicating that the concentration of Oleum Cinnamomi in the rat plasma was dose-dependent. At different time points, the six components were widely distributed with uneven characteristics in the body. The six components mainly tend to be distributed in stomach, small intestine, and liver, followed by kidney, spleen, heart, and brain, and to a lesser extent in lung, skin, and muscle. And the six components were eliminated quickly in each tissue. The pharmacokinetic process and tissue distribution characteristics of Oleum Cinnamomi were expounded in this study, which can provide scientific theory for the in-depth development and guidance of clinical drug use of Oleum Cinnamomi, and at the same time provide a medicinal material basis for the in-depth development and utilization of Oleum Cinnamomi.

Four new compounds from fruits of Hypericum patulum Thunb.

A new naphthoquinone, patulumnaphthoquinone A (1) and three new glycosides, patulumside B (2), patulumside C (3) and patulumside D (4) were isolated from the 30% ethanol extract of the fresh ripe fruits of Hypericum patulum Thunb. using column chromatography techniques. The structures of these compounds including absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopic analyses, calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra and comparison with the literatures.

[Uptake and transport of Laportea bulbifera extract in Caco-2 cell model].

Laportea bulbifera extract is effective in resisting inflammation and shows a good therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis in rats. However, the absorption characteristics of active components in L. bulbifera extract in Caco-2 cells are still unclear, which limits the in-depth development of L. bulbifera resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the absorption and transport mechanism of the active components of L. bulbifera extract in the Caco-2 cell model and explore the effects of different factors(concentration, time, pH value, temperature, and efflux transporter inhibitor) on its uptake and transport. The results showed that L. bulbifera extract at the concentration of 2.0-8.0 mg·mL~(-1) showed no toxicity to Caco-2 cells. The uptake and transport of L. bulbifera extract in the Caco-2 cell model were concentration-dependent and time-dependent. The main absorption mechanism was passive diffusion, and acidic condition(pH 5.0-6.0) and 37 ℃ were more favorable for drug absorption. P_(app)>1.0×10~(-6 )cm·s~(-1) of each component indicated that L. bulbifera was a moderately absorbed drug. P-gp, MRP2, and BCRP were not involved in its uptake and transport.

[Effects of Gukang Capsules on activity and protein expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes in rats].

Gukang Capsules are often used in combination with drugs to treat fractures, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Cytochrome P450(CYP450) mainly exists in the liver and participates in the oxidative metabolism of a variety of endogenous and exogenous substances and serves as an important cause of drug-metabolic interactions and adverse reactions. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the effect of Gukang Capsules on the activity and expression of CYP450 for increasing its clinical rational medication and improving the safety of drug combination. In this study, the Cocktail probe method was used to detect the changes in the activities of CYP1A2, CYP3A2, CYP2C11, CYP2C19, CYP2D4, and CYP2E1 in rat liver after treatment with high-, medium-and low-dose Gukang Capsules. The rat liver microsomes were extracted by the calcium chloride method, and protein expression of the above six CYP isoform enzymes was detected by Western blot. The results showed that the low-dose Gukang Capsules could induce CYP3A2 and CYP2D4 in rats, medium-dose Gukang Capsules had no effect on them, and high-dose Gukang Capsules could inhibit them in rats. The high-dose Gukang Capsules did not affect CYP2C11 in rats, but low-and medium-dose Gukang Capsules could induce CYP2C11 in rats. Gukang Capsules could inhibit CYP2C19 in rats and induce CYP1A2 in a dose-independent manner, but did not affect CYP2E1. If Gukang Capsules were co-administered with CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP3A2, CYP2C11, and CYP2D4 substrates, the dose should be adjusted to avoid drug interactions.

[Potential pharmacodynamic substances of Laportea bulbifera in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on serum pharmacochemistry and pharmacology].

The present study investigated the pharmacodynamic material basis of Laportea bulbifera in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly, human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte line MH7A was cultured in vitro and treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α, 50 ng·mL~(-1)). The proliferation and the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as prostaglandin E2(PGE2), interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß), and interleukin-6(IL-6) of the MH7A cells exposed to the serum containing L. bulbifera were determined to evaluate the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of the serum. Furthermore, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry fingerprints of the L. bulbifera crude extract, the drug-containing serum, and the drug-free serum were compared to identify the compounds newly generated in the serum after oral administration of the extract. According to the peak areas of common peaks and the results of anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect test, the active components were identified. The serum containing L. bulbifera significantly inhibited the proliferation of the MH7A cells activated by TNF-α and the expression of PGE2, IL-6, and IL-1ß. Thirty newly generated compounds were detected in the drug-containing serum. Among them, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, luteoloside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and quercitrin were also present in the crude extract. Twelve characteristic peaks(3, 7, 8, 14, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, m6, m7, and m15) were significantly correlated with the pharmaceutical effect. According to the correlations, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and chlorogenic acid had great contributions to the anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity. This study preliminarily clarified the potential pharmacodynamic substances of L. bulbifera in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which laid a theoretical and experimental foundation for further development and application of the medicinal plant.

Design, synthesis, and in vitro protective effect evaluation of α-carboline derivatives against H2O2-induced cardiomyocyte injury.

As one of the most important features of myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MI/R) injury, the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelms the intrinsic antioxidant and impairs the function of mitochondria and, finally, leads to cardiomyocyte death. To improve the damage of cardiomyocyte caused by oxidative stress, a series of α-carboline derivatives were designed and synthesized in this study. The biological studies revealed that most of the α-carbolines exhibited obvious protective activities against H2O2-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Among them, compound 14b significantly increased the cell viability in H2O2-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts with a concentration-dependent manner, which was more potent than polydatin. Pretreatment of 14b obviously inhibited H2O2-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, enhanced the capacity of endogenous antioxidant defenses, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced the formation of the toxic product of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA). In addition, 14b effectively reduced the overproduction of ROS and restored the mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm, better than that of polydatin. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 14b markedly reduced both necrosis and apoptosis in H9c2 cells after the exposure to H2O2. Further Western blot analysis revealed that 14b obviously decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and reduced the expression of cytochrome c. Overall, these results revealed the potential of α-carboline 14b as a promising cardioprotective agent against H2O2-induced oxidative injury.

Chemical profiling and quantification of multiple components in Jin-Gu-Lian capsule using a multivariate data processing approach based on UHPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 240 MS and UHPLC-MS/MS.

The Jin-Gu-Lian capsule, a Chinese Miao herbal compound, is widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, a rapid, selective, and sensitive UHPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 240 MS method was developed to analyze the chemical composition of Jin-Gu-Lian capsules. A total of 88 compounds were identified, including 23 flavonoids, 23 organic acids, 14 phenylpropanoids, 12 phenols, eight alkaloids, four terpenes, three quinones, and one ketone. Among these, 21 compounds were clearly detected based on a comparison with reference standards and selected as quality control markers. Thereafter, these compounds were simultaneously determined in the Jin-Gu-Lian capsules. The established method was successfully validated and applied for the simultaneous determination of 21 biologically active compounds in Jin-Gu-Lian capsules of 27 sample batches. Quantitative data of the analytes were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis to determine the quality of the Jin-Gu-Lian capsules. Four compounds (JGLC6 [salidroside], JGLC8 [chlorogenic acid], JGLC12 [liriodendrin], JGLC19 [quercetin]) were identified as chemical markers for quality control of Jin-Gu-Lian capsules. Altogether, the established method was validated as a novel and efficient tool, that can be used for rapid analysis of Jin-Gu-Lian capsules. Accordingly, this study serves as a reference for scientific research on traditional Chinese and ethnic medicine.

Shenxiong glucose injection inhibits oxidative stress and apoptosis to ameliorate isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia in rats and improve the function of HUVECs exposed to CoCl2.

Background: Shenxiong Glucose Injection (SGI) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of ligustrazine hydrochloride and Danshen (Radix et rhizoma Salviae miltiorrhizae; Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Lamiaceae). Our previous studies and others have shown that SGI has excellent therapeutic effects on myocardial ischemia (MI). However, the potential mechanisms of action have yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of SGI in MI treatment. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with isoproterenol (ISO) to establish the MI model. Electrocardiograms, hemodynamic parameters, echocardiograms, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were analyzed to explore the protective effect of SGI on MI. In addition, a model of oxidative damage and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was established using CoCl2. Cell viability, Ca2+ concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis, intracellular ROS, and cell cycle parameters were detected in the HUVEC model. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Caspase-3, PARP, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Cyt-c and Bax, and p-ERK1/2) was determined by western blotting, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was analyzed by immunofluorescence. Results: SGI significantly reduced ROS production and serum concentrations of cTnI and cTnT, reversed ST-segment elevation, and attenuated the deterioration of left ventricular function in ISO-induced MI rats. In vitro, SGI treatment significantly inhibited intracellular ROS overexpression, Ca2+ influx, MMP disruption, and G2/M arrest in the cell cycle. Additionally, SGI treatment markedly upregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and downregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins p-ERK1/2, mitochondrial Bax, cytoplasmic Cyt-c, cleaved caspase-3, and PARP. Conclusion: SGI could improve MI by inhibiting the oxidative stress and apoptosis signaling pathways. These findings provide evidence to explain the pharmacological action and underlying molecular mechanisms of SGI in the treatment of MI.

[Effect of Laportea bulbifera extract on CYP450 enzyme activities in rats by Cocktail probe drug method].

The Cocktail probe drug method was used to evaluate the effect of Laportea bulbifera extract on the different subtypes of CYP450 enzyme activities in rats, and to provide references for its clinical rational drug use. The rats were randomly divided into a high-dose L. bulbifera group(0.45 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and a low-dose L. bulbifera group(0.09 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After continuous gavage for 7 and 14 days, the Cocktail probe mixing solution, including caffeine, midazolam, tolbutamide, omeprazole, metoprolol, and chlorzoxazone, was injected into the tail vein, and the blood sample was obtained from the tail vein at different time points. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS) was established to determine the concentration of six probe drugs in rat plasma. DAS 2.0 was used to calculate its pharmacokinetic parameters, and the effect of L. bulbifera extract on CYP1 A2, CYP2 C9, CYP2 C19, CYP2 D6, CYP2 E1, and CYP3 A4 in rats was investigated. As compared with the blank control group, under the omeprazole index, the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of the 7-day administration groups and the 14-day high-dose group were significantly decreased, and the CLz and Vz were significantly increased. Under the midazolam index, the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of the 7-day low-dose group and the 14-day administration group were significantly decreased, and the CLz was significantly increased. In addition, the AUC_(0-∞) of the 7-day high-dose group was also significantly decreased. Under the index of metoprolol, the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of each experimental group were decreased significantly, and the CLz and Vz of the 7-day low-dose group and the 14-day low-dose group were increased significantly. Under the caffeine index, the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of the 7-day administration groups were increased significantly, the CLz was decreased significantly, and the t_(1/2 z) of the 14-day high-dose group was increased significantly. Under the chlorzoxazone index, the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of the 7-day low-dose group were increased significantly, and the CLz was decreased significantly. Under the tolbutamide index, there was no statistical difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters. In conclusion, L. bulbifera extract induces the activities of CYP2 C19, CYP3 A4, and CYP2 D6, inhibits the activities of CYP1 A2 and CYP2 E1, and does not affect the activity of CYP2 C9.

[Pharmacokinetic study of Polygonum orientale extract in H9c2 cells by UPLC-MS/MS].

A detection method of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) was established to detect concentrations of isoorientin, orientin, quercetin, vitexin and kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucoside in H9 c2 cells and applied to the pharmacokinetic study of Polygonum orientale extract in the cells. H9 c2 cells were treated with 100 µg·mL~(-1) P. orientale extract and then they and the corresponding nuclei, mitochondria and Golgi bodies were collected at the set time. After protein precipitation, UPLC-MS/MS was used to determine concentrations of isoorientin, orientin, quercetin, vitexin and kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucoside in the whole cells and subcellular structures. Also, related pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The results showed that the peak time was 8 h for all these components. Orientin, vitexin, quercetin and isoorientin have high affinities to nuclei and mitochondria, while the affinity of kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucoside is higher with mitochondria compared to nuclei. It is suggested that these chemical components of P. orientale may mainly act on nuclei or mitochondria to exert pharmacological effects of protecting cardiomyocytes.

Shenxiong glucose injection inhibits H2O2-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis by activating the ERK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Shenxiong glucose injection (SGI) is a traditional Chinese medicine injection composed of water extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligustrazine hydrochloride. SGI has shown strong antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-apoptotic effect need to be addressed. METHODS: H9c2 cell apoptosis model was established by treatment of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cell survival rates were examined by MTS assay, cell apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry, levels of intracellular ROS were assessed by ROS kit, proteome phosphorylation was determined by phosphoproteomic analysis, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK, phosphorylated c-Jun, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 were examined by Western blot. RESULT: SGI showed protective effects against H2O2-induced reduced cell viability, elevated ROS, and increased apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Phosphorylation proteomics detected a total of 3369 proteins with 78 protein of upregulated phosphorylation and 104 protein of downregulated phosphorylation. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of differentially phosphorylated proteins showed that the ERK pathway, the downstream pathway of the focal adhesion pathway related to apoptosis, was highly enriched, and the phosphorylation levels of ERK and c-Jun were confirmed by Western blot. In addition, the ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 significantly inhibited the anti-apoptotic effect of SGI. CONCLUSION: SGI antagonizes H2O2-induced cell apoptosis by activating the ERK pathway.

Pseudosterins A-C, Three 1-Ethyl-3-formyl-ß-carbolines from Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Their Cardioprotective Effects.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in China not only as a functional food but also as an herb to tonify the spleen, enhance immunity, and treat palpitation. Our previous investigation showed that a fraction enriched in glycosides obtained from the roots of P. heterophylla possessed pronounced protective effects on H9c2 cells against CoCl2-induced hypoxic injury. However, the active compounds responsible for the observed effects were still unknown. In the current investigation, pseudosterins A-C (1-3), three new alkaloids with a 1-ethyl-3-formyl-ß-carboline skeleton, together with polydatin, have been isolated from the active fraction. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. The four compounds showed cardioprotective effects against sodium hydrosulfite-induced hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells, with the three alkaloids being more potent. This is also the first report of alkaloids with a ß-carboline skeleton isolated from P. heterophylla as cardioprotective agents.

[Intestinal absorption characteristics of Polygonum orientale extract in normal and isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia model rats via everted intestinal sac models].

The present study is to investigate the absorption characteristics of the main components in Polygonum orientale extract in normal and isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia model rats with everted intestinal sac models. Intestinal sac fluid samples were collected in different part of intestine(duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon) at different time after administration of different concentration of P. orientale extract(5.0,10.0, 20.0 mg·mL~(-1)). An UPLC-TQD method was employed for the determination of six components including orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucoside and quercitrin in the intestinal sac samples. The absorption rate and cumulative absorption were calculated to analyze the intestinal absorption characteristics of six components in normal and myocardial ischemia model rats. The P-glycoprotein(P-gp) inhibitor was applied to investigate influence of intestinal absorption of six components in P. orientale extract. The results showed that the main absorption sites were concentrated on the duodenum at low concentration, while they were the colon at the medium concentration and the ileum at high concentration in control groups. In the condition of myocardial ischemia model, the main absorption sites focus on the ileum and jejunum at low concentration; the main absorption sites were in the ileum at the medium concentration and main absorption sites were the duodenum and ileum at high concentration. Compared with the normal group, the absorption rate and cumulative absorption of the six components significantly decreased in the model group. P-gp inhibitor markedly increased the absorption rate and cumulative absorption of six components in the model group, inferring that the 6 components may be the substrates of P-gp, and the mechanism needs further study. In this study, it is revealed that the six components of P. orientale extract can be absorbed into the intestinal sac, and it is an effective method to assess the intestinal absorption characteristics of P. orientale extract through everted intestinal sac model, providing data support for the clinical application and further development of P. orientale.

Rhizoma Bletillae polysaccharide elicits hemostatic effects in platelet-rich plasma by activating adenosine diphosphate receptor signaling pathway.

Rhizoma Bletillae, the tubes of Bletilla striata, has been traditionally used in China as a hemostatic agent. In preliminary studies, the major active fraction responsible for its hemostatic effect have been confirmed to be Rhizoma Bletillae polysaccharide (RBp), but the hemostatic mechanism of action of RBp is still unknown.The main aim of this study was to clarify its mechanism of hemostatic effect. RBp was prepared by 80 % ethanol precipitation of the water extract of Rhizoma Bletillae followed by the Sevag method to remove proteins. The average molecular weight (Mw) of the crude RBp maintained at a range of 30.06-200 KDa. The hemostatic effects of RBp were evaluated by testing its effect on the platelet aggregation of rat platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP was dealt with different concentrations of RBp and platelet aggregation was measured by the turbidimetric method. The hemostatic mechanism of RBp was investigated by examining its effect on platelet shape, platelet secretion, and activation of related receptors (P2Y1, P2Y12 and TXA2) by electron microscopy and the turbidimetric method. RBp significantly enhanced the platelet aggregations at concentrations of 50-200 mg/L in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory rate of platelet aggregation was significantly increased by apyrase and Ro31-8220 in a concentration-dependent manner, while RBp-induced platelet aggregation was completely inhibited by P2Y1, P2Y12 and the PKC receptor antagonists. However, the aggregation was not sensitive to TXA2. RBp, the active ingredients of Rhizoma Bletillae responsible for its hemostatic effect, could significantly accelerate the platelet aggregation and shape change. The hemostatic mechanism may involve activation of the P2Y1, P2Y12, and PKC receptors in the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor signaling pathway.

[Simultaneous determination of four components of Shuganning Injection in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study].

This study aims to reveal the pharmacokinetics of Shuganning Injection in normal rats. In this experiment,ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry( UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was used to establish an analytical method for simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid,gardenioside,oroxylin A and baicalin in rat plasma. Then,the non-compartmental model( NCA) in Phoenix WinN onL in 6. 4 software was used to fit pharmacokinetic parameters. The methodological validation showed that the linear relationship of the components in rat plasma samples were good( r>0. 995). The recovery rate and matrix effect of plasma samples with low,middle and high concentration were 79. 14%-101. 4%. The intra-day and inter-day precision,accuracy and stability meet the requirements of biological sample analysis. The half-life( t1/2) of chlorogenic acid,gardenioside,oroxylin A did not change significantly and the area under blood concentration-time curve( AUC0-t) is proportional to the dose,which suggested that three components showed a linear kinetic characteristics,but baicalin showed nonlinear kinetic characteristics. Moreover,the retention time of each component in rats was short. The established UPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis method is rapid,sensitive and accurate,which can be used for the determination of chlorogenic acid,gardenioside,oroxylin A and baicalin in rat plasma and pharmacokinetic study of Shuganning Injection.