Correlations between appearance traits and internal quality of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots based on theory of "quality evaluation through morphological identification" / 中国中药杂志

It is generally believed that high-quality Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots possess specific morphological characteristics, being red, robust, and long with strong odor. However, the scientific connotation of these characteristics has not been elucidated. According to the theory of "quality evaluation through morphological identification", we studied the correlations between appearance traits(the RGB value of root surface, root length, root diameter, dry weight, and ratio of phloem to xylem) and content of main chemical components(volatile oils, total saponins, total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, and seven saikosaponins) of B. scorzonerifolium roots. Epson Scanner and ImageJ were used to scan the root samples and measure the appearance traits. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry and HPLC were employed to determine the content of chemical components. The correlation, regression, and cluster analyses were performed to study the correlations between the appearance traits and the content of chemical components. The results showed that the content of volatile oils and saikosaponins were significantly correlated with RGB value, root length, and root diameter, indicating that within a certain range, the roots being redder, longer, and thicker had higher content of volatile oils and saikosaponins. According to the appearance traits and chemical component content, the 14 samples from different producing areas were classified into four grades, and the differences in morphological traits and chemical component content were consistent among different grades. The findings in this study demonstrate that appearance traits(RGB value, root length, and root diameter) can be used to evaluate the quality of B. scorzonerifolium roots. Meanwhile, this study lays a foundation for establishing an objective quality evaluation method for B. scorzonerifolium roots.

Application of DNA barcoding technology to national drug sampling inspection / 药学学报

Adulterants and counterfeits were found in some of the commercial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions in Hongjin Xiaojie Jiaonang, Hongjin Xiaojie Pian, and Chaihuang Keli during the national drug sampling inspection. However, it was difficult to determine the species of the adulterants and counterfeits by conventional testing methods. Therefore, a total of 184 samples of the TCM decoctions and raw materials belong to the prescriptions of above mentioned traditional Chinese patent medicines, including Bupleuri Radix, Bajiaolian, Heimayi, and Shufuchong, were collected and authenticated by DNA barcoding technology. 111 ITS2 sequences were obtained from 115 commercial TCM decoctions and raw materials of Bupleuri Radix, among which 71 were Bupleurum chinense, three were B. scorzonerifolium, and 31 were closely related species in the same genus. In addition, counterfeits derived from different genera, such as Ailanthus altissima (one sample), Saposhnikovia divaricate (two samples), and Solidago decurrens (three samples), were also detected. 21 ITS2 sequences were obtained from 22 commercial TCM raw materials of Bajiaolian, among which 15 were Diphylleia sinensis and six were Dysosma versipellis and other species in genus Dysosma. For 22 Heimayi samples, PCR amplification of COI sequence was failed due to genomic DNA degradation. Among 38 Shufuchong samples, 24 COI sequences were obtained and only nine of them were the genuine species (Armadillidium vulgare) recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 11 were Porcellio laevis, two were Mongoloniscus sinensis, and two samples could not be identified due to the limitation of database. This study demonstrates that DNA barcoding technology is suitable for the species authentication of the decoctions of traditional Chinese patent medicine prescription. It is a conductive way for the establishment of traceability system for the whole TCM industrial chain.

Transcriptomic analysis in Anemone flaccida rhizomes reveals ancillary pathway for triterpene saponins biosynthesis and differential responsiveness to phytohormones / 中国天然药物

Anemone flaccida Fr. Schmidt is a perennial medicinal herb that contains pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins as the major bioactive constituents. In China, the rhizomes are used as treatments for a variety of ailments including arthritis. However, yields of the saponins are low, and little is known about the plant's genetic background or phytohormonal responsiveness. Using one-quarter of the 454 pyrosequencing information from the Roche GS FLX Titanium platform, we performed a transcriptomic analysis to identify 157 genes putatively encoding 26 enzymes involved in the synthesis of the bioactive compounds. It was revealed that there are two biosynthetic pathways of triterpene saponins in A. flaccida. One pathway depends on β-amyrin synthase and is similar to that found in other plants. The second, subsidiary ("backburner") pathway is catalyzed by camelliol C synthase and yields β-amyrin as minor byproduct. Both pathways used cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases (CYPs) and family 1 uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs) to modify the triterpenoid backbone. The expression of CYPs and UGTs were quite different in roots treated with the phytohormones methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and indole-3-acetic acid. This study provides the first large-scale transcriptional dataset for the biosynthetic pathways of triterpene saponins and their phytohormonal responsiveness in the genus Anemone.

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) / 中国天然药物

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 C 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.

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) / 中国天然药物

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 C 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.

Comparative Analysis on Preparation Standards for TCM Decoction Pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Districts / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To provide technical support for market supervision of TCM decoction pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei districts; To facilitate the medical treatment of people in the three districts. Methods A comparative study and analysis on processing procedures of TCM decoction pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei districts was conducted. Results There were some differences in TCM decoction pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei districts. The quality of TCM decoction pieces is easy to be contradictory according to different standards. Conclusion It is badly in need of a unified standard for the preparation of TCM decoction pieces.

Determination of eight heavy metals and two main ingredients of safflower planted in linzhi of Tibetan / 中国中药杂志

The eight heavy metals and two essential constitutes of safflowers planted in linzhi which lies in Southern Tibet were analyzed by ICP-MS and by HPLC respectively. Heavy metals of safflower in the region were at the lower level and the essential constitutes were at the higher level. The better quality of safflower here was assisted by the excellent climate in tibet.

Study of quality standards on Qianshan Huoxue plaster / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the methods of identification and assay in Qianshan Huoxue Gao.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Using TLC to identify Sanchi, Dragon's Blood and using HPLC to determine the content of ginsenoside Rg1.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The linear range of ginsenoside Rg1 was from 0.153 9 to 1.026 microg. The average recovery was 97.4%, RSD was 2.1%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The methods are simple and have good reproducibility.</p>