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Flavonoids such as baohuoside I and icaritin are the major active compounds in Epimedii Folium(EF)and possess excellent therapeutic effects on various diseases.Encouragingly,in 2022,icaritin soft capsules were approved to reach the market for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)by National Medical Products Administration(NMPA)of China.Moreover,recent studies demonstrate that icaritin can serve as immune-modulating agent to exert anti-tumor effects.Nonetheless,both production effi-ciency and clinical applications of epimedium flavonoids have been restrained because of their low content,poor bioavailability,and unfavorable in vivo delivery efficiency.Recently,various strategies,including enzyme engineering and nanotechnology,have been developed to increase productivity and activity,improve delivery efficiency,and enhance therapeutic effects of epimedium flavonoids.In this review,the structure-activity relationship of epimedium flavonoids is described.Then,enzymatic en-gineering strategies for increasing the productivity of highly active baohuoside I and icaritin are dis-cussed.The nanomedicines for overcoming in vivo delivery barriers and improving therapeutic effects of various diseases are summarized.Finally,the challenges and an outlook on clinical translation of epi-medium flavonoids are proposed.
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The material base of TCM of preventing and curing diseases is an organic whole composed of many ingredients,and which has the characteristics of multi component,multi link and multi target.After many years of exploration and accumulation,the component structure theory of TCM based on the whole concept has been improved and developed.This paper systematically discussed cognition of material base of TCM and scientific connotation of innovative structural components of TCM focused on component structure theory,so as to provide strategies and methods for the research and development of modern innovative Chinese medicine preparations.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the bone development activity and differences in safety of ethanol extract (EE) and water decoction (WD) of Psoralea corylifolia L.efficiently.METHODS Zebrafish larvae were co-exposed to prednisolone 25 μmol· L-1 and different concentrations of EE and WD (0.1,1.0,10 and 100 mg crude drug· L-1),and etidronate disodium (ED) 30 mg·L-1.All these groups were incubated at 28.5℃ until 9 dpf.The medium solution was changed every other day.Zebrafish skeleton at 9 dpf was stained with alizarin red and inspected under an optical microscope,in addition,the death toll and organ toxicity of zebrafish were also observed.The mRNA expression of osteoprotegrin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) in 9 dpf zebrafish were determined with fluorescence quantitative PCR.Zebrafish embryos (1 dpf) were exposed to various concentrations of EE (10,20,30,35,40,50 and 60 mg crude drug· L-1),WD (10,50,100,125,150,175,200 and 500 mg crude drug· L-1),psoralen (12.5,25.0,50.0,100.0,200.0 and 400.0 μmol·L-1) and bakuchiol (1,5,10,25 and 50 μmol· L-1).Embryonic morphology of zebrafish (3 dpf) was inspected with an optical microscope and the death toll of embryos or larvale was counted from 2 dpf to 9 dpf and LC50was calculated.Components of EE and WD ware analyzed by HPLC method.RESULTS Both EE (0.1 mg crude drug· L-1) and WD (1.0 mg crude drug· L-1) groups could increase the staining area and optical density values of zebrafish skeleton compared with prednisolone group (P<0.01),indicating the increase in bone mineralization;the OPG mRNA expression in both EE and WD (1.0 mg crude drug· L-1) groups increased,while the RANKL mRNA expression decreased (P<0.01) and the ratio of OPG/RANKL improved obviously (P<0.01).Embryos exposed to EE,WD,psoralen and bakuchiol showed swelling of the heart and yalk sac,and decrease in GOT.The LC50 of WD and psoralen was 5~8 and 5~21 times that EE and bakuchiol,respectively.The composition and relative content of EE and WD also varied considerably.CONCLUSION Bone development activity and toxicity of EE are both stronger than those of WD.The lipid soluble characteristic components of Psoralea corylifolia L.,may be critical components of toxicity.
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OBJECTIVE:To study the cardiac and skeletal toxicity of retinoic acid (RA) in Danio rerio at early life stage. METHODS:Danio rerio embryos of 24 hours post fertilization(hpf)were used as toxicity model and were exposed under medium with various concentrations of RA(0.1,1,10,25,100 μmol/L). The morphology of embryos and larvae hearts were observed 24,48 h after exposed. LC50 was calculated. Danio rerio larvae of 4 days post fertilization (dpf) were used as skeletal deformity model and were exposed with a series of RA at various concentration(0.1,1,10,25,50μmol/L). They were sacrificed 5 d later, and then Danio rerio skeleton were fixed for staining with alizarin red. The microscopic was used to observe the difference of stained skeleton area. RESULTS:RA caused significant adverse effects on hatching capabilities of Danio rerio embryos,and the ob-vious malformation features were produced during the culture process. 1-100 μmol/L RA could cause heart malformation in Danio rerio embryos and larvae,and the main heart malformation characteristics included heart linearization,pericardial edema,yolksa-cedema,hemocytes accumulation incardiac region. 100 μmol/L RA could inhibit the hatching capabilities of Danio rerio embryos, and caused lethal effects on embryos and larvae. The LC50 were 36.44,23.69 μmol/L after exposed for 24,48 h. 0.1-50 μmol/L RA induced vertebral column sclerotization of Danio rerio embryos and larvae in advance,which was positively associated with the con-centration of RA. CONCLUSIONS:RA can cause cardiac and skeletal toxicity in Danio rerio embryo and larvae,which is positive-ly associated with the concentration of RA.
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Objective Kangfuling granules can be used for the treatment of radiation damage , but its quality criteria has not been established .This paper aimed to establish the quality criteria of Kangfuling granules to control its quality . Methods Radix as-tragali and Radix angelicae sinensis in the formula both were identified qualitatively by TLC .The content of astragaloside IV was exam-ined by HPLC:Agilent Zorbax Extend-C18 (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5μm) was used as the chromatographic column .The mobile phase was consisted of acetonitrile-water (32:68) with a flow rate at 1.0 mL/min.The evaporative light scattering detector was used to detect the compound.The content of astragaloside IV and ferulaic acid was examined by HPLC: Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5 μm) was used as the chromatographic column .The mobile phase was consisted of acetonitrile-0.085% phosphoric acid water (17:83) with a flow rate at 1.0 mL/min.The wave length was 320 nm and column temperature was set at 35℃. Results The same color spot was shown in the chromatogram of the test sample and the control sample in the corresponding position with no interference of negative control.The linear range for Astragaloside IV 0.030 6 mg/mL~0.612 0 mg/mL with R2 =0.999.The RSD of stability test was 2.17%.The RSD of precision test was 1.89%.The RSD of re-peatability test was 1.58%.The average recovery was 101.26%. The linear range for ferulaic acid 0.24-4.80 μg/mL with R2 =0.999.The RSD of stability test was 1.37%.The RSD of precision test was 0.83%.The RSD of repeatability test was 1.14%.The average recovery was 98.39%.This product was tentatively calculat-ed according to the dry matter , the amount of Astragaloside IV and ferulaic acid should not be less than 0.19 mg/g and 0.08 mg/g, re-spectively. Conclusion In this study, the established TLC was used for the qualitative identification of Kangfuling granules , and the content of Astragaloside IV and ferulaic acid was not less than 0.19 mg and 0.08 mg in per gram of Kangfuling granules , respectively. The established standard is suitable for the quality control of Kangfuling granules .
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Objective To explain the differences between zingiber officinale and its sulfur fumigation products on chromatography fingerprints by HPLC-DAD;To discuss the influence of sulfur-fumigation on the quality of zingiber officinale. Methods HPLC, diode array detector, and ZORBAX SB-C18 column were used with acetonitrile-water as the mobile phase, gradient elute, volume flow rate of 1 mL/min, column temperature of 25 ℃, and detection wavelength of 280 nm. HPLC-DAD technology was applied to establish the fingerprints of zingiber officinale before and after sulfur-fumigating process, in order to analyze the HPLC fingerprints of zingiber officinale before and after sulfur-fumigating process. External standard method was used to do the quantitative determination of 6-gingerol. Results The 17 common peaks were identified through the comparison of 3 batches of fingerprints of zingiber officinale and their sulfur-fumigated samples. The peak areas of NO.3, NO.10, NO.11, and NO.17 were reduced by 50.68%, 64.41%, 67.68%, and 21.23%respectively. The content of 6-gingerol had no significant change. Conclusion The chemical composition of zingiber officinale changed at different degrees after sulfur-fumigated process. The safety and effectiveness of sulfur fumigation products of zingiber officinale require more researches.
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Model organism zebrafish was used to study metabolism of asperosaponin VI from Dipsacus asper Wall. ex Henry for the first time. Metabolic components of asperosaponin VI after exposing to zebrafish for 24 h were identified by high performance liquid chromatography--electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS), the separation was performed with a Zorbax C18 column using a binary gradient elution of 0.05% formic acetonitrile--0.05% formic acid water. The quasi-molecular ions of compounds in both negative and positive mode were observed for molecule mass information, and the potential structures were identified by attentive study on the deglycosylation metabolites and one hydroxylation metabolite of asperosaponin VI. The results were highly in consistent with metabolism of asperosaponin VI in rat. It can be concluded that zebrafish model can wonderfully imitate current metabolic model with advantages of small amount of lower cost, far less amount compound, higher efficiency and more simple, and can reflect integrated metabolism results of in vivo method. Zebrafish metabolic model may become a novel organism model for quick predication on metabolism of even mircoamount compound, which can enrich the available models greatly.
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In order to study the chemical constituents in the water extract of the stem of Nauclea officinalis, column chromatography over D101 macroporous resin and silica gel and an automatic purification system were used to isolate and purify the chemical constituents from the extract. Nine compounds were obtained. By analysis of the physicochemical properties and spectral data, their structures were identified as naucleamide G (1), 3, 4-dimethoxyphenol-beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), kelampayoside A (3), 3alpha, 5alpha-tetrahydrodeoxycordifoline lactam (4), naucleamide A-10-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), pumiloside (6), 3-epi-pumiloside (7), strictosamide (8) and vincosamide (9), separately. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, compound 2 was found in plants of the genus Nauclea for the first time, and compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
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Zebrafish was selected as model animal, and glucocorticoid dexamethasone was used as a model compound to establish a rapid and high efficient osteopenia model. Zebrafish larvae at 4 days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to a serial concentrations of dexamethasone solutions, and 0.5% DMSO was selected as the vehicle control group. All groups were incubated in 24-well plates (28.5 degrees C) until 9 dpf. In addition, effects of 10 micromol x L(-1) dexamethasone on preventing against osteopenia induced by etidronate disodium were also investigated. Zebrafish bones at 9 dpf were stained with alizarin red. Quantitative analysis of the stained area was performed by microscopic inspection and digital imaging methods to reflect the amount of bone mineralization. Results showed that dexamethasone group at 2.5, 10 and 25 micromol x L(-1) can decrease the staining area and the staining optical density values of zebrafish head bones when compared with the vehicle control group (0.5% DMSO), which suggested that dexamethasone can significantly reduce the zebrafish mineralized bone and the bone mineral density. Results also showed that 15 and 30 microg x mL(-1) etidronate disodium can increase the mineralized matrix of zebrafish head bone and prevent against osteopenia induced by dexamethasone. In conclusion, the study indicated that zebrafish can be an idea osteopenia model induced by dexamethasone.
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The compound excipient containing sodium stearyl fumarate and plasdone S-630 was prepared by applying spray drying method. The basic physical properties of compound excipient were studied by solubility test, scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. The effect of compound excipient on moisture absorption and ferulic acid in vitro dissolution of spray drying power of angelica were investigated. The results showed that the chemical constituents of compound excipient did not change before and after spray drying. The water soluble compound excipient can improve significantly moisture absorption and has application prospect.
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This study aims to observe different factors which affected the bionic enzymatic hydrolysis of icariin into baohuoside I and to optimize the reaction conditions in order to provide research foundation for building a novel bionic enzymolysis drug delivery system. To simulate the environment in vivo, 37 degrees C was set as the temperature and artificial intestinal juice and gastric juice were selected as the buffer solutions. Taking the conversion of baohuoside I as index, the effects of the kinds of enzyme, enzyme activity, substrate concentration, reaction time, pancreatin in artificial intestinal juice and surfactant on the conversion of baohuoside I were investigated. The results showed that cellulase, beta-glucosidase and snailase were all inactive in artificial gastric juice and no baohuoside I generated. Pancreatin in artificial intestinal juice couldn't significantly influence the activity of beta-glucosidase or snailase (P > 0.05), but noticeably decrease the activity of cellulase (P < 0.05). In artificial intestinal juice, the conversion of baohuoside I was highest by using beta-glucosidase, and the optimum reaction conditions were determined as follows: enzyme activity 10 U x mL(-1), substrate concentration 1 mg x mL(-1), 3 g x L(-1) rhamnolipid and reaction time 3 h. Under this condition, the conversion of baohuoside I was 99.8%.
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Objective To explore the preventive effect of feedforward control on unexpected extubation in patients with cerebral apoplexy.Methods The clinical data of 42 cerebral apoplexy patients during May 2010 and May 2011 were retrospectively reviewed to find out the risk factors of unexpected extubation.The feedforward control was used to manage 49 cerebral apoplexy patients during June 2011 to June 2012 to control the risk factors.The incidence of unexpected extubation was compared between pre-and post-use of feedforward control. Results After application of feedforward control,the incidences of unexpected extubation of gastric tube,deep vein tubes and urinary tubes reduce were significantly decreased compared to pre-use of feedforward control(all P<0.01).Conclusion The feedforward control on patients with cerebral apoplexy is effective in reducing the incidence of unexpected extubation and ensuring the intubation safety.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference of the absorption difference between paeoniflorin monomer and Paeonia lactiflora extracts in rat intestinal canals by multi-channels.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The rat intestinal perfusion model was established. The intestinal perfusate, bile and plasma samples were collected, in combination of the intestinal enzymes incubation test and the partition coefficient determination, to conduct a multi-channel analysis and comparison on absorption difference between paeoniflorin and P. lactiflora extracts.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In the same concentration, permeability coefficient P(eff)* of paeoniflorin in the different intestinal segments of P. lactiflora extract higher than the monomer of paeoniflorin, especially in the jejunum and ileum intestinal segments (P < 0. 05). However, both paeoniflorin monomer and P. lactiflora extracts showed less P(eff)* in four intestinal segments, with the former ranging between 0. 209-0.290 and the latter 0.252-0.333. No paeoniflorin and its metabolin was determined in bile samples, plasma samples and intestinal enzymes incubation samples of paeoniflorin monomer and P. lactiflora extracts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with the paeoniflorin monomer, P. lactiflora extract showed significantly increase in P(eff)*, which indicated that other ingredients in the extract can improve the absorption of paeoniflorin. However, due to the poor absorption of paeoniflorin, this effect fails to increase the concentration of paeoniflorin in bile and plasma within short period of time.</p>
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Animals , Male , Rats , Benzoates , Pharmacokinetics , Bridged-Ring Compounds , Pharmacokinetics , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacokinetics , Glucosides , Pharmacokinetics , Intestinal Absorption , Intestines , Metabolism , Monoterpenes , Paeonia , Chemistry , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
On the road of the modern Chinese medicine developing internationally, there is a key issues that setting up a reasonable, accurate and be quantified quality evaluation system which is comply with the basic theory of Chinese medicine. Based on the overall understanding of the role of traditional Chinese medicine components, author suggested that the idea of "structural components" theory should be embedded into the system and thought the Chinese medicine play a multi-target, multi-channel pharmacodynamic effects founded on the specific microcosmic structural relationship between the components and the components within the group. At present, the way of Chinese pharmacopoeia checking the quality of Chinese medicine is mainly depends on controlling the single or multiple targets of ingredients. In fact, this way is out of the overall effectiveness of the Chinese medicine, so we can not thoroughly controlling the quality of Chinese medicine from the essence of the Chinese medicine. Secondly, it's only macro-structural quantity that the Chinese pharmacopoeia just controlling the less effective ingredients, this is not enough to reflect the internal microstructure of the integrity and systematic. In other words, this cannot reflect the structural components of the Chinese medicine (the essence of traditional Chinese medicine). In view of above mentioned reasons, the author propose the new idea on the quality control in the medicine that quantify the ratio structural relationship in component and the ingredients of the components, set the optimal controlling proportion between the components and ingredients. At the same time, author thought we should conduct the depth study in the micro-quantified the multi-component and multi-ingredient, in the process of studying the material basis of Chinese medicine. Therefore, it could establish a more rational basis for the Chinese medicine quality controlling system.
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Humans , China , Drug Therapy, Combination , Reference Standards , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Reference Standards , Therapeutic Uses , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Reference Standards , Phytotherapy , Reference Standards , Quality ControlABSTRACT
With the development of the modernization drive of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations, new-type TCM dosage forms research have become a hot spot in the field. Because of complexity of TCM components as well as uncertainty of material base, there is still not a scientific system for modern TCM dosage forms so far. Modern TCM preparations inevitably take the nature of the multi-component and the general function characteristics of multi-link and multi-target into account. The author suggests building a multiple drug release system for TCM using diverse preparation techniques and drug release methods at levels on the basis the nature and function characteristics of TCM components. This essay expounds elaborates the ideas to build the multiple traditional Chinese medicine release system, theoretical basis, preparation techniques and assessment system, current problems and solutions, in order to build a multiple TCM release system with a view of enhancing the bioavailability of TCM components and provide a new form for TCM preparations.
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Animals , Humans , Biological Availability , Chemistry, Pharmaceutical , Methods , Dosage Forms , Drug Delivery Systems , Methods , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Pharmacokinetics , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Ecliptae Herba extract on cigarette smoke extract-induced cytotoxicity.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The effect of Ecliptae Herba extract on CSE-induced NHBE cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. GSH content was determined by DTNB colorimetry. GST activity was measured by CDNB colorimetric assay. NQO1 activity was detected by NADPH and DCIP. The protein expression was determined by Western blot assay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ecliptae Herba extract reduced CSE's inhibitory effect on NHBE cells, recover the decrease in intracellular GSH caused by CSE and reduce the CSE-induced activity of GST and NQO1 and NQO1 protein expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ecliptae Herba extract can reduce CSE-induced injury on NHBE cells, which may be related to phase II detoxification enzymes.</p>
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Humans , Cell Line , Cell Proliferation , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Eclipta , Chemistry , Gene Expression , NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) , Genetics , Metabolism , Protective Agents , Pharmacology , Smoke , Smoking , Nicotiana , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the major factors affecting the conversion efficiency of naringin-HP-beta-CD that was enzymed to prepare naringenin were determined and select the process condition with high conversion efficiency, stable and suitable for industrial production.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The dropping method was used to prepare naringin-HP-beta-CD, which was hydrolyzed by snailase to obtain naringenin. With the bioconversion rate as the index, the effects of pH value, temperature, reaction time, dosage of enzyme and concentration of naringin-HP-beta-CD on conversion rate of naringenin were detected for the purpose of optimizing the preparation condition. the conversion efficiency of naringin-HP-beta-CD was verified by scanning calorimetry, and the Hydrolysis product was identified by H-NMR, and 13C-NMR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The optimum enzymolysis of naringin-HP-beta-CD with snailase was 98.4% under the conditions of 37 degrees C, a pH 5.0 acetic acid- sodium acetate buffer solution for 12 hours. The substrate concentration was 30 g x L(-1) and the weight ratio of enzyme and substrate was 3: 5. Under the optimum enzymolysis condition, the conversion rate of naringin-HP-beta-CD was higher than naringin that was not entrapped with HP-beta-CD, with 272.25 reaction product relative molecules. The structure of naringenin was confirmed by the analysis of 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Naringin which is entrapped with HP-beta-CD to prepare naringenin can significantly improve the conversion efficiency by shortening the reaction time, increasing the concentration of the substrate and reducing the amount of enzyme. Therefore, the process is stable and it was suitable for industrialization.</p>
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2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin , Flavanones , Chemistry , Hydrolysis , Solubility , beta-Cyclodextrins , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare the solid dispersion of tanshinone II A (TS II A) by the combined application of nano-silica and poloxamer 188 (F68), in order to observe its dissolution and stability.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Tanshinone II A solid dispersion was prepared by the solvent method with nano-silica and poloxamer 188 as binary vectors. Its physical characteristics, in vitro dissolution and stability were further assessed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The tanshinone II solid dispersion was prepared with the weight ratio of nano-silica and poloxamer 188 of 1: 3. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that Tanshinone II A existed in vectors as amorphous state. The in vitro dissolution of tanshinone II A solid dispersion is up to 90% at 60 min. Accelerating experiment showed that content and in vitro dissolution of tanshinone II A solid dispersion did not change after storage over 3 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Solid dispersion of binary vector of tanshinone II A can obviously improve the dissolution and stability of tanshinone II in practice.</p>
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Calorimetry, Differential Scanning , Abietanes , Chemistry , Drug Stability , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , SolubilityABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>A new method for simultaneous determination of solasonine (1), solamargine (2) and khasianine (3) in Solanum Nigrum by reversed-phase HPLC was developed.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The samples were separated at 30 degrees C on Agilent Zorbax SB C18 (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) column with acetonitrile-water-phosphoric as mobile phase. Flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was 205 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There was good linearity between the peak area and concentration at the ranges of 0.860-10.320 microg (r = 0.999 7), 0.726-8.710 microg (r = 0.999 7), 0.856-10.270 microg (r = 0.999 7) for 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The average recoveries of 1, 2 and 3 were 101.04%, 99.65%, 100.17%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is rapid, simple and accurate, and it can be used for the evaluation of Solanum Nigrum L.</p>
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Alkaloids , Chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Methods , Phytosterols , Chemistry , Solanaceous Alkaloids , Chemistry , Solanum nigrum , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare ursolic acid ethosomes and investigate the penetration characteristics of ursolic ethosomes as a transdermal vehicle.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Ursolic acid ethosomes were prepared by injection method, and the shape and particle size of the ethosomes were analyzed. Ursolic acid permeation tests in vitro through the skin of rats were performed in TP-3 diffusion cell. The accumulated permeation amounts of ursolic acid 10% isopropanol solution, ursolic acid liposomes, ursolic acid ethosomes were compared.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The average encapsulation percentage, particle size, and Zeta potential of the ethosomes were (95.83 +/- 0.86)%, (87.5 +/- 7.5) nm and - (38.4 +/- 3.6) mV, respectively. The accumulated permeation amount of the ethosomes in 12 h was 146.49 microg x cm(-2), and its transdermal permeability in 12 h was 12.17 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The encapsulation percentage of the ethosomes is good, and the stability of the ursolic acid ethosomes is fine. Ethosomes can significantly enhance the diffusion rate of ursolic acid through the skin of rats.</p>