Study on the mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in sedation and tranquillising mind.

This study analysed the pharmacological mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in sedation and tranquillising mind using network pharmacology methods. The findings of this study aimed to serve as a reference for the development of novel drugs and the clinical expansion and application of traditional Chinese medicine formulas. The chemical constituents and therapeutic targets of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen were acquired from TCMSP, HERB, and ETCM databases. Active components were identified using ADME criteria, while the primary targets associated with sedation and mental tranquillity were obtained from GENECARDS, OMIM, and DRUGBANK databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was conducted using the STRING platform to investigate potential functional protein modules by the network. The METASCAPE platform was employed for the study of the "component-target" and its associated biological processes and pathways. Subsequently, the "component-target" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Finally, the validation of molecular docking was conducted through AUTODOCK. The findings revealed that Quercetin, Atropine, Dauricine, (S)-Coclaurine, and other active ingredients were identified as the core constituents of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. Additionally, PTGS2, PTGS1, MAOB, GABRA1, SLC6A2, ADRB2, CHRM1, HTR2A, and other targets were identified as the core targets. The results of the molecular docking analysis demonstrated that Quercetin, Atropine, Dauricine, and (S)-Coclaurine exhibited binding solid affinity towards PTGS2 and PTGS1. The predominant biological pathways associated with sedation and tranquilisation primarily involved Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and activation of receptors involved in chemical carcinogenesis. This study provided initial findings on the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism underlying the sedative and tranquillising effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. These findings had the potential to serve as a foundation for the future development and utilisation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.

[Optimization of extraction process of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma based on network pharmacology and multi-index orthogonal test].

To optimize the extraction process of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma herb pair by network pharmacology combined with analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method and multi-index orthogonal test. The potential active components and targets of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking, and the process evaluation indexes were determined with reference to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The core components of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma were determined as gastrodin, parishin B, parishin C, parishin E, ferulic acid, and 3-butylphthalide. With the extraction volume of each indicator and yield of dry extract as comprehensive evaluation indicators, the extraction conditions were optimized by the AHP-entropy weight method and orthogonal test as the ethanol volume of 50%, the solid-liquid ratio of 1∶8(g·mL~(-1)), extraction for three times, and 1.5 h each time. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, the process evaluation index was determined, and the optimized process was stable and reproducible for the extraction of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma herb pair, which could provide reference for in-depth research.

Optimization of extraction process of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma based on network pharmacology and multi-index orthogonal test / 中国中药杂志

To optimize the extraction process of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma herb pair by network pharmacology combined with analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method and multi-index orthogonal test. The potential active components and targets of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking, and the process evaluation indexes were determined with reference to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The core components of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma were determined as gastrodin, parishin B, parishin C, parishin E, ferulic acid, and 3-butylphthalide. With the extraction volume of each indicator and yield of dry extract as comprehensive evaluation indicators, the extraction conditions were optimized by the AHP-entropy weight method and orthogonal test as the ethanol volume of 50%, the solid-liquid ratio of 1∶8(g·mL~(-1)), extraction for three times, and 1.5 h each time. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, the process evaluation index was determined, and the optimized process was stable and reproducible for the extraction of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Gastrodiae Rhizoma herb pair, which could provide reference for in-depth research.

[Effect of ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

This study observed the effects of ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma(GE) on multiple aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction by investigating the mitochondria isolated from rat brains subjected to focal middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R). SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group(Sham), a model group(MCAO/R), low-and high-dose ethanol extract of GE groups(262.3 and 524.6 mg·kg~(-1)), and a nimodipine group(Nim, 15 mg·kg~(-1)). After continuous intragastric administration for 7 days, the MCAO/R model was induced in rats by the suture method. The neurological function and percentage of cerebral infarction volume were measured 24 h after reperfusion, and mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed under an electron microscope. Mitochondria were separated by gradient centrifugation and detected for reactive oxygen species(ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA), respiratory chain enzyme complex Ⅰ-Ⅳ activity, mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP), mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression of cytochrome C(Cyt C) in different sites. TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of brain tissues in each group, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) in brain tissues. The experimental results revealed that compared with the Sham group, the MCAO/R group showed evident neurological dysfunction and cerebral infarction(P<0.01) accompanied by mitochondrial swelling and crest disappearance, increased ROS level and MDA content, inhibited activity of respiratory chain enzyme complex Ⅰ-Ⅳ, abnormal opening of mPTP, and reduced MMP and mitochondrial ATP(P<0.01). Besides, many Cyt C was released from mitochondria into the cytoplasm to induce apoptosis(P<0.01). The ethanol extract of GE positively affected the behavior deficit and mitochondrial health of MCAO/R rats, with the manifestations of decreased production of ROS and MDA(P<0.01), potentiated activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme complex Ⅰ-Ⅳ, and restored the level of mPTP(P<0.05). In addition, the ethanol extract of GE reduced the loss of MMP and the escape of Cyt C to the cytoplasm(P<0.05), reduced the number of TUNEL positive cells(P<0.01) accompanied by the decrease in Bax and the up-regulation of Bcl-2(P<0.01), and increased the level of ATP(P<0.01). In conclusion, GE ethanol extract has a protective effect against MCAO/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of oxidative stress, maintenance of functional morphology of mitochondria, and inhibition of endogenous apoptosis.

pH as a Key Factor for the Quality Assurance of the Preparation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma Formula Granules.

Gastrodiae rhizoma (GR) formula granules and preparations have been used as a popular traditional Chinese medicine for clinical treatment since they have good pharmacological activity to treat nervous system diseases. Gastrodin and parishins have been the main active components in aqueous extracts for GR formula granules, but their pharmacological activities and metabolism are different. For quality control of the extracts, the extraction conditions should be investigated to accurately control the contents of two kinds of components. In this paper, the transfer rate of six index components (including gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin A, parishin B, parishin C, and parishin E) obtained by HPLC were used as indicators to investigate the effect of pH on the GR extraction process. The results demonstrated that pH is a key factor for preventing transforming parishins into gastrodin and maintaining high content of parishins in the extracts. It can be concluded that the weak acid environment could improve the transfer rate of parishins, thus ensuring the gastrodin and parishins consistency between GR raw materials and its aqueous extracts. Therefore, pH is an essential condition for accurate quality control of the extracts.

Rapid Identification of Gastrodiae Rhizoma with Different Sulfur Fumigation Levels Based on Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveIn order to find a fast odor-based method for the identification of sulfur fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma， an ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose technology was used to identify the odors of different degrees of sulfur fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma decoction pieces. MethodHeracles NEO ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose was employed to collect gas chromatograms of unsulfured and sulfured with different degrees of Gastrodiae Rhizoma decoction pieces， gas chromatograms were performed under programmed temperature （initial temperature of 40 ℃， 0.2 ℃·s-1 to 60 ℃， and then 4 ℃·s-1 to 250 ℃）， the sample volume was 5 mL， the incubation temperature was 65 ℃ and incubation time was 35 min. Kovats retention index and the AroChemBase database were used for qualitative analysis， and stoichiometric analysis was performed on this basis. Principal component analysis （PCA）， discriminant factor analysis （DFA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） models were established to identify the Gastrodiae Rhizoma decoction pieces with different degrees of sulfur fumigation. ResultAccording to the comparative analysis of AroChemBase database， there were significant differences in the odor characteristics of sulfur fumigated and non-sulfur fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma， cyclopentane， acetone and heptane might be the odor components to distinguish the degree of sulfur fumigation in Gastrodiae Rhizoma decoction pieces. The identification index of PCA model was 81， the accumulative discriminant index of the discriminating factors was 92.09% in DFA model， the supervisory model interpretation rate of PLS-DA model was 0.963 and the predictive ability parameter was 0.956， indicating that PCA， DFA and PLS-DA models could well distinguish Gastrodiae Rhizoma decoction pieces with different sulfur fumigation degrees. ConclusionHeracles NEO ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose can be used as a rapid method to identify and distinguish Gastrodiae Rhizoma decoction pieces with different levels of sulfur fumigation. Meanwhile， it can provide a rapid， simple and green method and technology for identification of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces by sulfur fumigation.

Gastrodiae rhizoma attenuates brain aging via promoting neuritogenesis and neurodifferentiation.

BACKGROUND: Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma), the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata Bl. (Orchidaceae), is listed as a top-grade herbal medicine in Shen-nong Ben-ts'ao Jing and has been used for treating headaches, dizziness, vertigo and convulsion. It has a neuroprotective effect and extends the lifespan in mouse models of Huntington's disease and Niemann-Pick type C disease. However, its effect on senescence remains unknown. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the anti-aging effects and the underlying mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. METHODS: D-galactose (D-gal)- and BeSO4-induced cellular senescence and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) activity were evaluated in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. D-gal-induced aging mice were used as an in vivo model. Animal behaviors including nesting and burrowing and Morris water maze were conducted. Neurogenesis in the hippocampus was assessed by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, and the aging-related proteins were assessed by Western blot analysis. The potential neuritogenesis activity of the partially purified fraction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (TM-2) and its major ingredients were investigated in PC12 cells. RESULTS: TM-2 could improve D-gal-induced learning and memory impairement by inhibiting oxidative stress, increasing hippocampal neurogenesis and regulating the SH2B1-Akt pathway. Moreover, N6-(4-hydroxybenzyl)adenine riboside (T1-11) and parishins A and B, three constituents of TM-2, had anti-aging activity, as did T1-11 and parishin A induced neuritogenesis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that TM-2 slowed down D-gal-induced cellular and mouse brain aging. These results indicate that Gastrodiae Rhizoma has a beneficial effect on senescence. It may be used for neuroprotection and promoting neurogenesis.

[Quality evaluation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma standard decoction based on UPLC fingerprint and quantitative analysis multi-components method].

To establish the quantitative analysis multi-components with a single-marker(QAMS) method for six components and fingerprint of standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, verify the accuracy and feasibility of the method, and evaluate the quality of standard decoction. Based on UPLC with gastrodin as the internal standard, relative correction factors of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin E, parishin B, parishin C, parishin A and gastrodin were determined by investigating the column temperature, flow rate, chromatographic columns and multi-point concentration correction. The total contents in 18 batches of standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma and the similarity were determined to calculate the similarity. The results of standard curve method, external standard one-point method and quantitative analysis multi-components with a single-marker(QAMS) were compared, and the results showed that there was no significant difference among these three methods. By analyzing the results of standard decoctions from different origins, it can be seen that the quality of Gastrodia standard decoctions derived from Anhui and Yunnan was better, followed by Shaanxi and Hubei, and relatively poor in Gansu, with similarities all above 0.90 in the fingerprints. Therefore, the QAMS method that can measure the contents of gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin E, parishin B, parishin C and parishin A in standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma combined with fingerprint is accurate, feasible and fast, which can be used to evaluate the quality of standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, and also provide a reference for the research on the quality standards of raw materials for Gastrodiae Rhizoma prepared slices and alike.

[Evolution of commercial specification and experimental identification terms of Gastrodiae Rhizoma].

Gastrodia Rhizoma, as a precious Chinese materia medica, has attracted the attention of Chinese materia medica experts in the past dynasties for the commercial specification and experimental identification, and has gradually formed a wealth of terms concerning commercial specification and experimental identification. Through combing the literatures of successive dynasties, this paper discussed the change of the commercial specification of the Gastrodiae Rhizoma and formation of its identifying terms. It has found that the Gastrodiae Rhizoma mainly came from the dried rhizomes of the Gastrodia elata f.elata before the Qing Dynasty. Since the Qing Dynasty, G. elata in Yunnan and Guizhou gradually arose and become one of sources of mainstream commodities. After that, G. elata f. glauca and G. elata f. elata were becoming the main sources of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. Before the large-scale cultivation of G. elata in the 1970 s, there is only wild G. elata over the country. In terms of commercial specification, they were often classified into Chunma and Dongma according to their harvest time. With the successful promotion of cultivation technology and the endangered wild resources of G. elata, the Dongma became the mainstream in the market. The adulterants of G. elata increased significantly in the 1960 s and 1970 s, in this period, the terms of experimental identification for G. elata also increased obviously. Experimental identification is distinctive in different times, therefore, studying experimental identification of medicinal materials helps to promote the development of the Chinese materia medica.

Herb-drug interaction of gastrodiae rhizoma on carbamazepine: A pharmacokinetic study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR), is a traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used for neurological disorders, including epilepsy. Epilepsy patients may be treated with adjunctive therapy of GR with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In particular, carbamazepine (CBZ) is of high potential to interact with concurrent treatment of Chinese Medicine. This study was to investigate the herb-drug interactions of GR and CBZ, an AED, through pharmacokinetic approach in rats. METHODS: We adopted a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system to quantify the plasma level of CBZ and its metabolite (carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide, CBZE). The method was validated as per instructions under United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) guidance. For the herb-drug interaction study, rats were randomly divided into four different treatment groups: single-dose CBZ treatment, single-dose CBZ/GR treatment, 2-week course of CBZ treatment and 2-week course of CBZ/GR treatment. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated the auto-induction of CBZ metabolization when comparing single-dose with 2-week course of CBZ treatment. Pharmacokinetic interactions were noted in concomitant use of GR with CBZ by comparing two single-dose treatments (CBZ versus CBZ/GR). Our data showed that GR increased the mean residence time (MRT0-t) and the time taken to reach the maximum concentration (Tmax) of CBZ in single-dose of CBZ/GR treatment. The maximum drug concentration (Cmax) of CBZ was reduced in single-dose CBZ/GR treatment. When comparing the 2-week course of CBZ treatment with the 2-week course of CBZ/GR treatment, the MRT0-t and half-life of CBZ were increased. The AUC0-t, the Cmax and the half-life of CBZE were increased. CONCLUSION: CBZ/GR treatment may reduce the auto-induction of CBZ over 2 weeks. While the reduction of auto-induction could enhance the therapeutic effects of CBZ, it could also lead to an increase in neurological side effects and non-neurological adverse effects. Our results provided preclinical evidence of herb-drug interaction, which may have implications for epilepsy patients treated with GR.

Discovery and identification of proangiogenic chemical markers from Gastrodiae Rhizoma based on zebrafish model and metabolomics approach.

INTRODUCTION: Angiogenesis is closely related to a variety of diseases, and therapies based on angiogenesis are intensely investigated. Studies have shown that the use of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR, Gastrodia elata) can benefit the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis by stimulating angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This study tested the angiogenesis effects of a group of chemical markers isolated from GR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zebrafish model was used to evaluate angiogenesis by setting four groups: blank control group, model group, positive control group and treatment group (0.1, 1, and 100 µg/mL RGP). The Gray correlation analysis (GCA) was implemented to calculate the correlation coefficients of each compound between the peak area in liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) and the bioactivity, the top ten components with the correlation degree > 0.9 were listed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The optimum final concentration of GR on proangiogenesis effect was determined to be 100 µg/mL. Ten compounds, including gastrodin, parishin E, stigmasterol, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, citric acid, etc., were identified to have high correlation coefficients with proangiogenic activity. Furthermore, the network pharmacologic analysis of these compounds revealed that the compounds systematically regulate the formation of new blood vessels via networked vital targets and signalling pathways. CONCLUSION: GR can promote the growth of blood vessels, ten chemical components discovered contribute to this proangiogenesis activity. These chemical markers of GR thus provide a foundation for further studies on medicinal substances and quality evaluation of GR, also providing a scientific basis for modern interpretation of the processing theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Intestinal absorption properties of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder with different particle size by circulation pass perfusion model in rats].

This study is to study the absorption properties of different particle size of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder in rats. In vivo circulation pass perfusion model combined with ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) method was used to determine the cumulative absorption of each component in different particle size of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder, and the effect of different particle size, different concentrations, different intestine segments and bile on the intestine absorption of gastrodin and other compositions in Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder was investigated to illuminate the absorption properties and compare the absorption difference of gastrodin and other compositions in Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder in different particle size. The results showed that the absorption of gastrodin in each intestinal segment has no significant difference, pointing out that gastrodin may be passive absorption and the absorption of barrison glycosides may be active absorption; the absorption of gastrodin in ultrafine powder was better than that of common powder and superfine powder of Gastrodiae Rhizoma; the absorption of these barrison glycosides was good in ultrafine powder of Gastrodiae Rhizoma under the high concentration. However, an appropriate degree of superfine grinding can promote the absorption of active ingredients of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. This test can provide information for the deep development of Gastrodiae Rhizoma.

Therapeutic assessment of fractions of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on chronic atrophic gastritis by 1H NMR-based metabolomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR), a well-known and commonly-used TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for treating headache, dizziness, tetanus, epilepsy, and etc., has been proven to relieve chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Due to its complex ingredients, the active fractions responsible for the treatment of CAG remain largely unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the underlying material and interpret its underlying mechanism, the therapeutic effect of extract from different polar parts of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on autoimmune CAG was studied based on the 1H NMR metabolomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat model of CAG was established by autoimmune method. The modeled CAG rats were then treated with 4 polar parts (T1-4 in descending polarity, corresponding to water, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts, respectively) of Gastrodiae Rhizoma for 21 consecutive days. The stomach and serum samples were collected and then subjected to histopathology observation, biochemical measurement (MDA, SOD, GSH, NO, XOD and pepsin), 1H NMR metabolic profiling and multivariate/univariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that T1 had the best therapeutic effect, T2 the second, and T3 and T4 the poorest with no obvious therapeutic effect, demonstrating that the effective components of Gastrodiae Rhizoma should be compounds of high polarity. T1 achieved good therapeutic effects due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, and by rectifying the disturbed energy and amino acid metabolism in CAG model. CONCLUSION: This integrated metabolomics approach proved the validity of the therapeutic effect of extract from different polar parts of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on autoimmune CAG, providing new insights into the underlying mechanisms, and demonstrating the feasibility of metabolomics to evaluate efficacy of herbal drug, which is often difficult by traditional means.

Effect of Ultrafine Powder of Gastrodiae Rhizoma in Improving Learning and Memory Ability of Vascular Dementia Rats by Regulating Cholinergic System / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate whether ultrafine powder of Gastrodiae Rhizoma （UPG） can alleviate the learning and memory impairment of vascular dementia rats and delay the process of VD， and whether this effect is related to the release of acetylcholine （Ach） through the regulation with acetylcholinesterase （AChE） and choline acetyltransferase （ChAT） and control of cholinergic system. Method:SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， UPG low dose group （0.45 g·kg-1）， UPG high dose group （1.8 g·kg-1） and Huperzine A group （80 μg·kg-1）， with 12 rats in each group. The drug administration groups were given orally drugs once a day for 8 weeks， and sham group and model group were given orally the same amount of distilled water. The learning and memory ability of the rats with VD were evaluated by the Morris water maze. Htoxylin eosin（HE） staining was used for pathomorphological observation of hippocampus CA1 area of the rats. The content of Ach was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， AChE and ChAT protein expressions were detected by Western blot， and expression of ChAT in hippocampus CA1 area was observed by immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with the sham operation group， the escape latency of the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the frequency of crossings platform and the time of staying in the target quadrant were reduced significantly （P<0.01）. HE staining of hippocampal tissues from VD rat showed neuron disorders， loss and degeneration and necrosis， pyknosis of the nucleus and light coloration of the cytoplasm. The level of acetylcholine in the hippocampus was significantly decreased by ELISA （P<0.05）， the expression level of AChE protein was significantly up-regulated， and the expression level of ChAT protein was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， each administration group could significantly reduce the escape latency of the model rats， and significantly increase the frequency of crossing platform and the time of staying in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， the content of Ach was significantly increased （P<0.05）， the expression of AChE protein was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）， while the expression of ChAT protein was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. Conclusion:UPG improves the learning and memory ability of vascular dementia rats， and its mechanism may be related to the increase of Ach， ChAT level and the decrease of AChE level.

Evolution of commercial specification and experimental identification terms of Gastrodiae Rhizoma / 中国中药杂志

Gastrodia Rhizoma, as a precious Chinese materia medica, has attracted the attention of Chinese materia medica experts in the past dynasties for the commercial specification and experimental identification, and has gradually formed a wealth of terms concerning commercial specification and experimental identification. Through combing the literatures of successive dynasties, this paper discussed the change of the commercial specification of the Gastrodiae Rhizoma and formation of its identifying terms. It has found that the Gastrodiae Rhizoma mainly came from the dried rhizomes of the Gastrodia elata f.elata before the Qing Dynasty. Since the Qing Dynasty, G. elata in Yunnan and Guizhou gradually arose and become one of sources of mainstream commodities. After that, G. elata f. glauca and G. elata f. elata were becoming the main sources of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. Before the large-scale cultivation of G. elata in the 1970 s, there is only wild G. elata over the country. In terms of commercial specification, they were often classified into Chunma and Dongma according to their harvest time. With the successful promotion of cultivation technology and the endangered wild resources of G. elata, the Dongma became the mainstream in the market. The adulterants of G. elata increased significantly in the 1960 s and 1970 s, in this period, the terms of experimental identification for G. elata also increased obviously. Experimental identification is distinctive in different times, therefore, studying experimental identification of medicinal materials helps to promote the development of the Chinese materia medica.

[Correlation between appearance characteristics and intrinsic quality of Gastrodiae Rhizoma].

Totally 21 batches of Gastrodiae Rhizoma pieces from various habitats with different appearance characteristics were analyzed. Five active components( gastrodin,4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,parishin B,parishin C,and parishin A) were determined by UPLC. Polysaccharide content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. And the content of alcohol extracts was determined. The correlation between appearance characteristics and active components,polysaccharide content and amount of alcohol extracts of Gastrodiae Rhizoma pieces was statistically analyzed by SPSS 19. 0 software. And the five active components in the 21 Gastrodiae Rhizoma pieces were clustered by using the Ward' s method in SPSS 19. 0 software. The study found that inconspicuous keratinous Gastrodiae Rhizoma had a low content of each component,and the degree of keratin was positively correlated with the content of each component and the extract,with no significant correlation with the polysaccharide content. In the cluster analysis,the 21 batches were divided into three groups,except the second group whose gastrodin content was significantly higher than the special conditions of other groups. According to the content of the five active components,19 batches of Gastrodiae Rhizoma pieces were classified into two groups with obvious keratin and no obvious keratin. In terms of color,with the deepening of brown color,the content of each component showed a downward trend. The grading of decoction pieces of Gastrodiae Rhizoma shall give full consideration to the color and texture. And the combination of chemical composition and appearance characteristics is an indicator to evaluate the product specification standards.

[Research progress of Gastrodiae Rhizoma machining processing, composition analysis and in vivo metabolism].

Steaming method is a traditional processing method for Gastrodiae Rhizoma(GR). The current studies on the steaming method's mechanism of GR are mainly focused on facilitating softening slice, destroying the ß-glycosidic bond enzymes to reduce the decomposition of gastrodia glycosides (killing enzyme and protecting glycosides). The researches on the processing mechanism are still incomplete, while revealing and analyzing the active components in the body's metabolic process are important channels and new models to clarify the mechanism of traditional medicine processing. In order to provides a reference for the in-depth study of the processing mechanism of GR, we have reviewed the relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years and briefly summarized the processing, composition analysis and in vivo metabolism of GR in this study.

[Quantitative analysis and stability of p-hydroxybenzyl hydrogen sulfite in sulfur-fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma].

Studies on the characteristic chemical markers of sulfur fumigation have become an effective auxiliary way for quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. This study established a quantitative analysis method for the determination of p-hydroxybenzyl hydrogen sulfite (p-HS) in Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR) based on UPLC-MS/MS. Then, 37 batches of GR were screened, and the results showed that 27 batches of them were sulfur-fumigated. Especially, the GR samples in Yunnan producing areas were sulfur-fumigated more seriously. Based on the stability of p-HS after different storage time and heat treatment methods, it was found that the content of p-HS was stable and reliable in the storage period of 8 months and under normal heat treatment (50, 60, 70, 80 °C) conditions. In conclusion, this study shows a high sensitivity, good selectivity and good stability of p-HS, which can provide reference for the quality control and sulfur fumigation screening of GR.

[Changes of chemical compositions and sulfur dioxide residues of Gastrodiae Rhizoma with different storage times].

To study the effect of different storage time on the chemical compositions and sulfur dioxide residues of sulfur-fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR), and provide scientific basis for solving the quality and safety issues of sulfur-fumigated traditional Chinese medicinal materials. GR, sulfur-fumigated GR and its medicinal slices were stored under the same conditions, and then 8 active ingredients and sulfur dioxide residues were measured respectively. The results showed that the content of gastrodins in sulfur-fumigated GR and its medicinal slices was significantly lower than that in the non-fumigated GR. Moreover, the content of sulfur dioxide residue in sulfur-fumigated GR was significantly higher than that in its medicinal slices. That is to say, sulfur fumigation degree had significantly higher effect on GR quality as compared with its medicinal slices. During the whole storage time (8 months), the content of the eight chemical components in GR was not changed greatly in general. However, after the storage for 4 months, the content of 8 components and sulfur dioxide residues in all of GR samples were significantly changed. In particular, the content of sulfur dioxide residue in GR medicinal materials decreased up to 50% or more.

[Quality changes in Gastrodia Rhizoma of different origins and forms before and after sulfur fumigation].

As Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR) is one of the herbs more seriously affected by sulfur fumigation, so its quality has been always of a great concern. In this paper, GR samples collected from eight main producing areas and in three forms were fumigated with sulfur and quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The results showed that the contents of gastrodin, parishin, parishin B and parishin C were decreased, while the content of parishin E was increased after sulfur fumigation treatment. Besides, a new sulfur marker named p-hydroxybenzyl hydrogen sulfite was produced in sulfur-fumigated GR samples. As compared with producing origins, forms had a greater impact on the quality of GR, especially in Hongtianma and Wutianma. Besides, the contents of gastrodins and parishins in Hongtianma from Jilin were lowest as compared with those in other producing areas. This might be correlated with planting patterns and environmental factors. In conclusion, sulfur fumigation has a more obvious impact on the quality of GR than origins and forms, which is attributed to the generation of new sulfur fumigated markers.