UHPLC quantification and brain permeability study of sinomenine and ligustrazine in CQM after single intravenous administration / 药学学报

Chuanxiong Qingfengteng mixture (CQM) is an analgesic developed based on clinical evidence and traditional Chinese medicine theory, which majorly consists of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Sinomenium acutum extracts. The current study aims to establish an UHPLC-UV method for the quantification of sinomenine and ligustrazine after CQM administration to rats, mice and cells, and to study the brain permeability of sinomenine and ligustrazine. The selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and stability of the established method demonstrated that it was suitable for the determination of sinomenine and ligustrazine in biological samples such as plasma, brain tissue and cellular fluid. After CQM was intravenously administered to rats and mice, both sinomenine and ligustrazine were detected in the brain from 5 min-2 h. The CSF/plasma partition coefficients (Kp, C/P) of each component were higher than those of brain tissue/plasma partition coefficient (Kp, B/P), the Kp, C/P and Kp, B/P of ligustrazine were higher than those of sinomenine. The concentrations between CSF and brain tissue were strongly correlated (Pearson's R>0.86, P<0.001). The unbound fraction in plasma of sinomenine and ligustrazine was 78.92% and 34.07%, respectively. The plasma protein binding rates displayed concentration-independent behavior within their respective in vivo concentration ranges. After CQM co-cultured with Caco-2 cell monolayers, the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of sinomenine and ligustrazine were 1.30×10-6 and 3.64×10-6 cm·s-1, respectively, following into the range of the intermediate and high permeability compounds. The efflux ratio (Papp(basolateral→apical)/Papp(apical→basolateral)) of sinomenine and ligustrazine were 0.67 and 0.85, respectively. When combined with P-glycoprotein inhibitor, the Papp of each component did not increase. In conclusion, the UHPLC-UV assay was successfully applied for the brain permeability study of CQM, the components of CQM can be quickly distributed to cerebrospinal fluid and pass through the blood-brain barrier. The brain permeability of ligustrazine is higher than that of sinomenine. The transmembrane transport of sinomenine and ligustrazine may not be affected by efflux transporters. All animal care and use complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals approved by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. All animal studies were implemented according to protocols, which were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

Analgesic effect of CQM on prosopalgia model rats and its impact on exciting amino acid neurotransmitters / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the analgesic effect of CQM on photochemically-induced prosopalgia model rats, and discuss its impact on the exciting amino acid neurotransmitter-glutamate (Glu).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group and the prosopalgia group. And the latter was subdivided into the model group, the gabapentin group (100 mg kg(-1)), and the CQM low-dose (35 mg x kg(-1)) and CQM high-dose (70 mg x kg(-1)) groups. The mechanical allodynia test was adopted to evaluate the pain behavior of rats, and reflect the efficacy with the mechanical withdrawal thresholds. The rat striatum extra-cellular fluid was collected by brain micro-dialysis. The Glu level of samples was measured by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescene detector (HPLC-FLD).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared to the control group, the threshold of the mechanical allodynia of the IoN injury group was decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the concentration of Glu was increased dramatically (P < 0.05). Compared to the model group, the mechanical allodynia of photochemically-induced prosopalgia model rats increased significantly (P < 0.01), with a notable increase in brain Glu concentration (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, all of mechanical withdrawal thresholds increased. Among them, the CQM high-dose group showed a remarkably growth at three time points (P < 0.05), with the maximum up to (23 +/- 7.3) g. And the gabapentin group showed a remarkably growth at two time points (P < 0.05), with the maximum up to (20.5 +/- 9.2) g. All of the drug groups showed significantly lower Glu concentrations in rat brains than the model group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CQM can ease the mechanical allodynia of photochemically-induced prosopalgia model rats. Its analgesic effect may be related to the decrease of Glu concentrations in striatum extra-cellular fluid.</p>

Effect of Erzhi Pill (二至丸) on improving cerebral nerve cell apoptosis in aging rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Erzhi Pill (二至丸,EZP) on nerve cell apoptosis in senescence model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats model of senescence was established by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. Forty SD rats were randomized into four groups, the normal control group, the senescence model group, the EZP treated group, and the vitamins treated group, 10 in each group. The rats were made into senescence model except those in the normal group. In the same time of D-galactose injection, the rats were treated respectively with distilled water, EZP 4.32 g/kg, and vitamins E and C 0.06 g/kg daily for 6 weeks via intragastric infusion. The index of main viscera (as brain, testis, etc.), serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC) were measured after a 6-week treatment. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex neuronal apoptosis proportion and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both EZP and vitamins E and C treatments showed effects on increasing testis index and serum level of T-AOC, reducing the percentage of neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, and elevating MMP in the aging rats model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EZP could inhibit the cerebral cortex neuron apoptosis and maintain the mitochondrial function in the senescent process of rats induced by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. It also shows antioxidation effect to some extents.</p>

Effect of prepared Polygonum multiflorum on striatum extracellular acetylcholine and choline in rats of intracerebral perfusion with sodium azide / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protection mechanism of prepared Polygonum multiflorum (PPMT) in rat brain with sodium azide (NaN3) perfusion.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were divided into six groups: control, model, PPMT, Duxil and PPMT + Duxil groups. The intracerebral microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography-post column Immobilized enzyme reactor-electrochemical detection were used to continuously measure extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) levels in striatum of freely moving awake rats.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The extracellular Ach, Ch levels of striatum stayed stable in the control group during the whole observing period, but the ACh levels in the model group were lower significant than that in the control group. The Ach levels of three drug groups were respectively higher significant than that of model group at some time points. While the extracellular Ch level in striatum of the model group increased singnificantly compared with the control group. The Ch levels of the three drug groups were lower significant than that of the model group respectively at certain time points. The effects of PPMT were similar with that of Duxil.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prepared P. multiflorum can improve the impaired cholinergic nerve function to exert the effects of brain protection by elevating extracellular Ach level and improving uptake of extracellular Ch. It may provide the experimental evidence to support the idea that P. multiflorum could be brain protective drug to treat retrogressive disease such as dementia.</p>

Effect of prepared radix Polygoni multiflori on the elevation of extracellular hydroxyl radical in striatum of rats induced by intracerebral perfusion of 6-hydroxy dopamine / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and mechanism of prepared Radix Polygoni Multiflori (RPM) on the elevation of extracellular hydroxyl radical in striatum of rats induced by intracerebral perfusion of 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cerebral microdialysis was used to establish the model. Hydroxyl radical was captured by salicylic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxy benzyl acid (2,3-DHBA) and 2,5-dihydroxy benzyl acid (2,5-DHBA) formed by hydroxyl radical in vital brain were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ED).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After perfusion of 6-OHDA in brain of rats, the levels of 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA in the model group increased rapidly. The former was higher during the whole course of observation (P<0.01), while the latter was higher at most time points than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The level of 2,3-DHBA in the RPM group was lower than that in the model group at 5 time points (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RPM could inhibit the elevating of extracellular hydroxyl radical in striatum of rats induced by intracerebral perfusion of 6-OHDA, indicating one of the brain protective mechanisms of RPM may be related to its anti-oxidation effect.</p>

Effects of Tianzhi Keli on extracellular acetylcholine and catecholamine levels in striatum of rats with neuromitochondrial impairment / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Tianzhi Keli (TZ) on acetylcholine (ACh) and catecholamine levels in striatum of rats with neuromitochondrial impairment, and try to find out the neuroprotective mechanism of TZ.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-post column Immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER)-electrochemical detection (ED) were used to establish a model of mitochondrial energy metabolism impairment which induced by perfusion with sodium azide (NaN3), and measure continuously the effects of TZ on extracellular ACh, choline (Ch) and catecholamine of model rats.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After perfusion with NaN3, ACh, noradrenalin (NE), adrenaline (E), dopamine (DA), 3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl-aletic (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels were decreased obviously (P < 0.05-0.01), while Ch level was increased distinctly (P < 0.01). Transmitters levels were recovered individually after stop the perfusion with NaN3. TZ can postpone the decrease of ACh and advance the recover of Ch. The effect of TZ coupled with duxil on increasing ACh level is more obviously than effect of TZ or duxil. TZ is also showing a tendency to postpone the decrease of catecholamine and advance its recovery. TZ coupled with duxil can advance the recovery of DOPAC and adjust the metabolic abnormity positively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TZ has effect on protecting impairment of choline neurosystem, which induced by damage of mitochondrion and abnormity of energy metabolism; coupled with duxil have synergistic action. TZ also has tendency to protect the impairment of epinephrine and dopamine neurosystem.</p>

Effect of tianma gouteng recipe on interfering LV and aortic hypertrophy in renovascular hypertension rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Tianma Gouteng recipe (TGR) on interfering left ventricular (LV) and aortic hypertrophy and tissue angiotensin II (Ang II) in rats with renovascular hypertension.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The animal model of renovascular hypertension was used in this experiment. Hypertensive rats were randomly allocated into model group, Enalapril group and TGR group, and the drugs were used for 6 weeks continuously. During this period, the blood pressure of rats was measured every two weeks. After rats were sacrificed, the wet weight, tissue Ang II level of LV and aorta, and the cardiac index were measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>One week after renovascular stenosis, the systolic blood pressure (SPS) of model group was increased by 37.4 mmHg, and 7 weeks after stenosis, the LV and aortic hypertrophy was obvious increased, meanwhile, tissue Ang II of LV and aorta was raised markedly (P < 0.01). Contrasting with the model group, blood pressure was reduced and the morphological index was improved in Enalapril group respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); the wet weight of LV and aorta were reduced, the morphological index was improved, the rise of Ang II in tissue was suppressed, in TGR group significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGR can attenuate myocardial and aorta hypertrophy induced by renovascular hypertension, and suppress the rise of Ang II in tissue significantly. This suggests that TGR has the effects on interfering LV and aortic hypertrophy by an independent-antihypertensive way.</p>

Progress of study on brain protective effect and mechanism of Polygonum multiflorum / 中国中西医结合杂志

This paper reviews the brain protective effect and mechanism of Polygonum multiflorum (PM), its extracts and active component, tetrahydroxystilbene-glucoside (2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside) published in recent decade. They have major effects as calcium channel antagonists, antioxidant, cholinomimetic drugs and cholinesterase inhibitors, as well as actions in regulating cell apoptosis and prolonging the ageing. The brain protective mechanism of PM is multi-target, multi-link and multi-way. Therefore, PM has great applicative value in prevention and treatment of senile neuropathies, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and vascular dementia, etc.

Effects of tianma gouteng fang on transmitter amino acids in the hippocampus extracellular liquids in freely moving rats subjected to brain ischemia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Tianma Gouteng Fang (TGF) on the transmitter amino acids in the hippocampus extracellular liquids in freely moving rats subjected to incomplete brain ischemia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Hippocampus extracellular liquids was collected continuously by the microdialysis sampling technology in freely moving rats during pre-ischemia, incomplete ischemia and reperfusion periods induced by the occlusion and loose of both common carotid arteries. Each dialysate sample was assayed for GABA, Tau, Glu, Cys and Arg with HPLC-electrochemical detector.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>TGF increased the concentrations of GABA and Tau in the extracellular liquids of rat hippocampus. Compared with the model group, the concentration of Glu in the middle and large dosage groups of TGF, during the 120 min of ischemia, reduced by 38.64% and 31.35%, Tau increased by 13.99% and 12.86%, GABA advanced 25.89% and 33.99%, Cys decreased by 40.93% and 42.08%, Arg raised to 116.95% and 108.96%, respectively. After 120 min of reperfusion, the concentration of Glu decreased by 14.55% and 11.48%, Tau increased by 16.13% and 14.03%, GABA increased by 24.41% and 26.22%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGF can increase the concentration of inhibitory amino acids in hippocampus extracellular liquids of rats and inhibit the excessive release of excitatory amino acids and raise the concentration of the inhibitory amino acids and Arg during the ischemia-reperfusion periods. Therefore, TGF can play the neuroprotective role.</p>

Research progress of neuroprotective mechanisms of Gastrodia elata and its preparation / 中国中药杂志

The effects of Gastrodia elata on preventing decrepitude and advancing memory are closely associated with its neuroprotective activity. Previous researches proved that G. elata, its active components and preparations played a neuroprotective role by affecting the excitotoxicity, nitric monoxide (NO) system, neuroglia, biomembrane, oxidative neurotoxicity, apoptosis et al. Recent researches also suggest that reducing energy metabolism impairment, anti-inflammatory and immune modulating function may be new research targets of neuroprotective mechanism of G. elata.