Quality of moxa from Artemisia argyi and A. stolonifera in different storage years based on simultaneous thermal analysis / 中国中药杂志

The quality of moxa is an important factor affecting moxibustion therapy, and traditionally, 3-year moxa is considered optimal, although scientific data are lacking. This study focused on 1-year and 3-year moxa from Artemisia stolonifera and A. argyi(leaf-to-moxa ratio of 10∶1) as research objects. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Van Soest method, and simultaneous thermal analysis were used to investigate the differences in the combustion heat quality of 1-year and 3-year moxa and their influencing factors. The results showed that the combustion of A. stolonifera moxa exhibited a balanced heat release pattern. The 3-year moxa released a concentrated heat of 9 998.84 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 54% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 140-302 ℃, with a heat production efficiency of 122 mW·mg~(-1). It further released 7 512.51 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 41% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 302-519 ℃. The combustion of A. argyi moxa showed a rapid heat release pattern. The 3-year moxa released a heat of 16 695.28 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 70% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 140-311 ℃, with an instantaneous power output of 218 mW·mg~(-1). It further released 5 996.95 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 25% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 311-483 ℃. Combustion parameters such as-R_p,-R_v, D_i, C, and D_b indicated that the combustion heat quality of 3-year moxa was superior to that of 1-year moxa. It exhibited greater combustion heat, heat production efficiency, flammability, mild and sustained burning, and higher instantaneous combustion efficiency. This study utilized scientific data to demonstrate that A. stolonifera could be used as excellent moxa, and the quality of 3-year moxa surpassed that of 1-year moxa. The research results provide a scientific basis for the in-depth development of A. stolonifera moxa and the improvement of moxa quality standards.

Therapeutic effects of Tongdu Qishen acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine decoction on post-stroke depression in 31 patients / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Tongdu Qishen acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine decoction on post-stroke depression in patients. Methods:Sixty-two patients with post-stroke depression who received treatment in Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University from October 2020 to April 2022 were included in this study. They were randomly treated either with traditional Chinese medicine decoction (control group, n = 31) or Tongdu Qishen acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine decoction (combined group, n = 31) based on routine medication. All patients were treated for 4 weeks. Depressive state, neurological function, and activities of daily living were compared between the two groups. Results:Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and Barthel index between the two groups (all P > 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the HAMD and NIHSS scores in the control group were (13.88 ± 3.92) points and (8.56 ± 1.82) points, respectively, and they were (8.72 ± 2.48) points and (6.67 ± 1.14) points in the combined group. There were significant differences in HAMD and NIHSS scores between the two groups ( t = 2.14, 2.43, both P < 0.05). The Barthel index in the combined group was (69.53 ± 13.29) points, which was significantly higher than (62.34 ± 15.67) points in the control group ( t = 2.23, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Tongdu Qishen acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine decoction can reduce depressive symptoms and improve neurological function and activities of daily living in patients with post-stroke depression. The combined therapy has obvious efficacy in the treatment of post-stroke depression.

Correlation analysis of TPO antibody and thyroglobulin antibody with clinicopathological features of PTC / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To explore and analyze the correlation between thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (papillary thyroid carcinoma, PTC) and to provide a more reasonable plan for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made of 142 PTC patients who underwent surgical resection from Jun. 2019 to Jun. 2022 in the Oncology Department of Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 115 patients were selected, including 25 males (21.74%), and 90 females (78.26%), and the average age was (43.48±9.74) years old. The medical records, pathology reports, and demographic characteristics and pathological characteristics were collected. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of TPO and Tg in PTC tissues, which were divided into positive and negative groups. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients.Results:The negative rate of TPO was 95.45% (105 cases). Univariate analysis showed that the tumor diameter ( t=5.746), lymph node metastasis, and the proportion of PT1 patients were significantly different between the two groups ( P<0.05), the TPO negative group was significantly higher than the positive group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, and proportion of PT1 patients were independent factors (95% CI=2.367-5.365, 1.101-2.738, 1.103-2.589, P<0.05). The positive rate of Tg was 77.41% (89 cases). Univariate analysis showed the proportion of people with BMI ≥ 25 ( χ2=11.180), tumor diameter ( t=2.117), and intracapsular invasion ( χ2=8.354), extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis ( χ2=27.740), and proportion of PT1 patients were significantly different between the two groups ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found BMI≥25, intracapsular invasion, extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis, proportion of PT1 patients were independent factors affecting Tg in patients with PTC (95% CI=3.845-11.735, 1.485-2.983,1.171-2.762,4.083-16.526,1.003-2.174, P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the expression of TPO and Tg in PTC ( r=-0.498, P<0.001) . Conclusion:TPO and Tg are highly correlated with tumor lymphatic metastasis, pathological grade, tumor diameter and tumor invasion range in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, and the expression of the two is negatively correlated, which can be used as effective indicators for evaluating the prognosis of patients.

[Variety and standard arrangement of Yao medicine in Euphorbiaceae].

The names, basic sources, medicinal parts, efficacy and standards of the medicinal materials in Euphorbiaceae were systematically collated and analyzed by the textual research for Yao medicine monographs in this paper. The results showed that there were great differences in the names, basic sources, medicinal parts and efficacy of some medicinal materials recorded in different literatures. There were 19 genera and 60 species(including varieties) of Euphorbiaceae of Yao medicine, involving 50 kinds of medicinal materials. Among them, there were 42 kinds of single basic sources medicine, 8 kinds of multi basic sources medicine, 28 kinds of root medicine, 26 kinds of whole plant medicine, 25 kinds of unique Yao medicine, accounting for 50%, 11 kinds of cross with Chinese medicinal materials, accounting for 22%. There were 21 kinds of Yao medicine standards at all levels, but only 1 kind of Laoban medicine and 2 kinds of Yao medicine standards. The Yao medicine in Euphorbiaceae could be named by means of transliteration of Yao language/Yao language transliteration/Chinese medicine name, Laoban medicine, plant morphology, medicinal properties, color and smell of medicine, while the medicinal parts and efficacy of the same medicinal name were different from those of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, the name and basic sources of the medicinal materials in Euphorbiaceae were not standardized, and the quality standard is not perfect. The above results provided a reference for the construction and improvement of quality standard system, the promotion of the production of medicinal materials and clinical medication standards, and the further development and utilization of Euphorbiaceae.

Change laws of water absorption in Chinese herbal pieces and prediction model of relative density for Chinese medicine decoction / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the change laws of water absorption in Chinese herbal pieces and establish the prediction model of relative density for Chinese medicine compound decoction. Firstly, fitted equations of water absorption and decocting time was established by observing the change laws of water absorption in 36 kinds of Chinese herbal pieces in 12 groups(according to the drug-parts) with decocting time. The r value of the mineral group and other type group was 0.691 2 and 0.663 3, respectively. The r value of the remaining 10 groups was 0.802 2-0.925 4. All P values were less than 0.05(n=21). The formula of the amount of water added was optimized by combining the fitted equations with determined water absorption, and the liquid yield could be controlled in a range of 100%±10%. Secondly, it was determined that the liquid density tester could be used for the rapid determination of relative density of Chinese medicine decoction after methodological study and comparison with the pycnometer method. The linear regression equation between the corrected relative density(y) and extraction ratio(%, x) was built by measuring and analyzing the related parameters such as liquid yield, relative density and extraction ratio in 46 kinds of Chinese herbal pieces. The established equation was y=0.041 3x+1.003 7, r=0.930 9(P <0.01, n=46), with linear range of 1.94%-65.75%. Based on this, the prototype model for predicting relative density of Chinese medicine decoction was established, and the relative densities of 8 Chinese medicine decoctions were within the prediction interval of this model in verification. This study lays a foundation for database construction of Chinese medicine decoction, implementation of personalized decocting mode and rapid quality control of Chinese medicine decoction.

Effects of endurance training on energy metabolism of young men in resting state / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the effect of endurance training on energy metabolism in young men in rest state.Methods Fifty males from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2017 to December 2017 were randomly assigned to endurance training group(n =25) and sedentary group(n =25) by random number table method.Endurance training group tided power bike with intensity of 75％ maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max),50 minutes each time,once a day for 12 weeks.The sedentary group maintained the daily life of the state can be guaranteed to exercise less than 60 minutes per week for 12 weeks.The basal metabolic rate(BMR),respiration quotient(RQ),body mass index(BMI),lean body mass(LBM) and body fat percentage(BF％) were measured before and after training in both two groups.Results Before training,there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(all P ＞ 0.05).After training,the BMR,RQ,BMI and LBM in the endurance training group were (5 720.0 ± 711.3) k J/d,(0.780 ± 0.043),(23.33 ± 3.30) kg/m2,(55.58 ± 4.21) kg,respectively,which were significantly improved compared with before training [(4 828.0 ± 712.6) kJ/d,(0.820 ± 0.033),(27.69 ± 3.28)kg/m2,(51.37 ±3.76)kg,t =7.434,-2.182,-2.578,2.035,all P ＜0.05],BF％ [(14.76 ±5.90)％ vs.(23.60 ± 5.37) ％] decreased more significantly (t =-10.492,P ＜ 0.01).After training,the BMR [(5 720.0 ± 711.3) kJ/d vs.(4 896.0 ± 715.6) kJ/d] and LBM [(55.58 ± 4.21) kg vs.(51.25 ± 3.45) kg] of the endurance training group were significantly higher than those of the sedentary exercise group(t =6.789,2.103,all P ＜ 0.05).RQ [(0.780 ± 0.043) vs.(0.820 ± 0.030)] and BMI [(23.33 ± 3.30) kg/m2 vs.(27.73 ± 3.58) kg/m2] of the endurance training group were significantly decreased (t =-2.179,-2.232,all P ＜ 0.05),BF％ [(14.76 ± 5.90) ％ vs.(23.62 ± 5.42) ％] decreased more significantly in the endurance training group (t =-10.462,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Endurance training can significantly improve the energy metabolism of young men and consume more fat in rest state.

Effects of endurance training on energy metabolism of young men in resting state / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To study the effect of endurance training on energy metabolism in young men in rest state.@*Methods@#Fifty males from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2017 to December 2017 were randomly assigned to endurance training group(n=25) and sedentary group(n=25) by random number table method.Endurance training group rided power bike with intensity of 75% maximal oxygen uptake(VO2max), 50 minutes each time, once a day for 12 weeks.The sedentary group maintained the daily life of the state can be guaranteed to exercise less than 60 minutes per week for 12 weeks.The basal metabolic rate(BMR), respiration quotient(RQ), body mass index(BMI), lean body mass(LBM) and body fat percentage(BF%) were measured before and after training in both two groups.@*Results@#Before training, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(all P>0.05). After training, the BMR, RQ, BMI and LBM in the endurance training group were (5 720.0±711.3)kJ/d, (0.780±0.043), (23.33±3.30)kg/m2, (55.58±4.21)kg, respectively, which were significantly improved compared with before training [(4 828.0±712.6)kJ/d, (0.820±0.033), (27.69±3.28)kg/m2, (51.37±3.76)kg, t=7.434, -2.182, -2.578, 2.035, all P<0.05], BF%[(14.76±5.90)% vs. (23.60±5.37)%] decreased more significantly(t=-10.492, P<0.01). After training, the BMR[(5 720.0±711.3)kJ/d vs. (4 896.0±715.6)kJ/d] and LBM[(55.58±4.21)kg vs. (51.25±3.45)kg] of the endurance training group were significantly higher than those of the sedentary exercise group(t=6.789, 2.103, all P<0.05). RQ[(0.780±0.043) vs. (0.820±0.030)] and BMI[(23.33±3.30)kg/m2 vs. (27.73±3.58)kg/m2] of the endurance training group were significantly decreased(t=-2.179, -2.232, all P<0.05), BF%[(14.76±5.90)% vs. (23.62±5.42)%] decreased more significantly in the endurance training group (t=-10.462, P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Endurance training can significantly improve the energy metabolism of young men and consume more fat in rest state.

Chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cyclocarya paliurus(Batal.)Iljinskaja:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Cyclocarya paliurus(Batal.)Iljinskaja,a Chinese native plant,contains various components of bioactive constitu-ents in leaves. The main chemical constituents are triterpenes,flavonoids,organic acids,polysaccharides,steroids,etc. and among them,the dammarane-type triterpenoids are the main sweet components. Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated that these compounds or plant extracts show hypoglycemic,lipid-lowering,blood pressure lowering,antioxidation,and antibacterial activi-ties,and so on. The research advances in chemical constituents and pharmacological effect of C. paliurus are reviewed for a prospect reference of its further development and utilization.

Introduction trial of medicine mulberry (Morus nigra) in Chongqing / 中国中药杂志

Medicine mulberry (Morus nigra) mainly distributed in southern areas of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and introduced by grafting, is a unique Morus species, whose plant number is little. As a traditional herbal medicine, medicine mulberry with high levels of secondary metabolites has important values of scientific research and utilization. In order to solve the introduction problems for medicine mulberry, we have established its rapid propagation system through tissue culture since 2011. The shoots of medicine mulberry through tissue culture were transplanted into the field to carry out an introduction experiment. Here, we firstly reported that the growth status and pest and disease occurrence of medicine mulberry in the field of Chongqing and found that the medicine mulberry through tissue culture had well-developed root system, it showed better growth than medicine mulberry by grafting technique, and Pseudodendrothrips moil was a major pest of medicine mulberry. The introduction technique for medicine mulberry established successfully in this study could lay the foundation for large-scale cultivation and high efficiency utilization of medicine mulberry.

Study on quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract / 中国中药杂志

As a part of the project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract was investigated and established. According to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the water and ash inspections were carried out. The marker components trifolirhizin, sophoraflavanone G, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in the samples were identified by qualitative TLC. The determination of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine was conducted by HPLC and the total flavonoids were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using sophoraflavanone G as reference substance. The results indicated the spots on the plate were clear with good resolution and the contents of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.87% - 11.1%, 0.970% - 4.33%, 1.30% - 2.59% and 0.260% - 1.14%, respectively. The total flavoids in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.88% - 7.93%. In the study, the validated methods were reproducible and the established quality standard was feasible, which could be used for the quality control of S. flavescens root extract and related preparations.

Determination of phenols and triterpenoid saponins in stems of Sargentodoxa cuneata / 中国中药杂志

The methods to determine the total phenols, total saponins, and marker constituents salidroside, chlorogenic acid and 3, 4-dihydroxy-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside in the samples of Sargentodoxae Caulis were established to provide the evidence for the improvement and revision of the quality standard of the crude material recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 Edition). The content of total phenols was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using gallic acid as a reference substance. The content of total saponins was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl] asiatic acid as a reference substance. The contents of salidroside, chlorogenic acid and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside were detected by HPLC. The linear ranges were 1.01-7.04 mg x L(-1) for total phenols, 37.7-201 μg for total saponins, 0.025 8-1.55 μg for salidroside, 0.076 2-5.44 μg for chlorogenic acid, and 0.064 9-3.47 μg for 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethyl-βP-D-glucopyranoside, respectively. Their average recoveries were 99.12%, 99.11% 105.5%, 99.08%, and 101.6%, respectively. The contents of total phenols and total saponins were 3. 04% -11. 9% and 0. 87% -3. 63%. The contents of salidroside, chlorogenic acid and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside fluctuated from 0.018% to 0. 572%, from 0.041% to 1.75% and from 0.035% to 1.32%. The established methods were reproducible, and they could be used for the quality control of Sargentodoxae Caulis. The present investigation suggested that total phenols, salidroside, and chlorogenic acid should be recorded in the quality standard of Sargentodoxae Caulis and their contents should not be less than 6.8% for total phenols, 0.040% for salidroside, and 0.21% for chlorogenic acid.

Burns induced by cupping therapy in a burn center in northeast china.

UNLABELLED: Cupping therapy as a curative skill has been developed and applied throughout history. Despite reports of adverse effects, this therapy is considered to be relatively safe with no systemic reviews documenting negative side effects. The aim of this study was to explore methods that avoid the adverse effects sometimes associated with this therapy. METHODS: Clinical records of 14 outpatients and inpatients that visited the First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) for management of burn injuries caused by cupping therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Characteristics, history of injury, and treatment of each patient was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Burn injury induced by cupping therapy was not uncommon. Most of the injuries were mild to moderate and cured by conservative methods without severe complications. The use of wet cupping was more prevalent among injured patients than dry cupping. CONCLUSION: Cupping therapy as an ancient alternative treatment is still popular with a large number of devoted practitioners. Although there is the potential for injury during the application of this therapy, this is mostly preventable. Standardized training for health care professionals and increased the awareness among the public about the proper methods to administer this therapy to avoid adverse effects is important.

Antiulcer effects and mechanism study of Veronicastrum axillare on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.</p>

TNF-alpha induces mitochondrial dysfunction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

TNF-alpha was the first proinflammatory cytokine identified linking obesity, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. However, the mechanism of TNF-alpha in the etiology of insulin resistance is still far from clear. Because the mitochondria play an important role in energy metabolism, we investigated whether mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in pathogenesis of TNF-alpha-mediated insulin resistance. First, a fully differentiated insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocyte model was established by incubating with 4 ng/ml TNF-alpha for 4 d, and then the mitochondrial morphology and functions were observed. TNF-alpha treatment induced pronounced morphological changes in the mitochondria, which became smaller and condensed, and some appeared hollow and absent of cristae. Mitochondrial dynamics changes were observed as increased mitofusion protein mfn1 and mitofission protein Drp1 levels compared with controls. No obvious effects on mitochondrial biogenesis were found. PGC-1alpha levels decreased, but no significant changes were found in mtTFA mRNA expression, NRF1mRNA expression and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). TNFalpha treatment also led to decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced production of intracellular ATP, as well as accumulation of significant amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further research is required to determine if mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the inflammatory mechanism of insulin resistance and may be a potential target for the treatment of insulin resistance.

Saussurea medusa cell suspension cultures for flavonoid production.

Saussurea medusa Maxim. is a valuable traditional Chinese herb. The flavonoids are the main active pharmaceutical compounds in this medicinal plant species and have effective anti-tumor and anti-inflammation properties. This species is now almost extinct in China because of over-exploitation. The establishment of plant cell cultures would be a promising alternative to avoid extinction of this species and establish cultivation for the production of bioactive flavonoids. The callus is induced from leaf explants of S. medusa on Murashiage and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-BA, 2 mg/L NAA, 30 g/L sucrose, and 5 g/L agar. A fine cell suspension is established from the induced light-yellow calluses in the MS liquid medium with 30 g/L sucrose, 0.5 mg/L BA, and 2.0 mg/L NAA for biosynthesis of flavonoids. The kinetics of cell growth and flavonoid accumulation in the cell suspension cultures are investigated. The highest dry weight and flavonoid production reach 17.2 g/L and 607.8 mg/L respectively after 15 d. Significantly high antioxidant activity and flavonoids accumulate in the cell suspension cultures of S. medusa.

Separation of chlorogenic acid from honeysuckle crude extracts by macroporous resins.

Chlorogenic acid, one of the most bioactive compounds rich in the Chinese medicinal herb honeysuckle, is a natural antioxidant and serves as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic agent. An efficient preparative separation process of chlorogenic acid from honeysuckle crude extracts has been developed in the present study. HPD-850 resin offers the best adsorption capacity, and adsorption and desorption ratios for chlorogenic acid among the nine macroporous resins tested, and its adsorption rate at 25 degrees C fit best to the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacity of HPD-850 resin was found to depend strongly on the pH value of the initial adsorption solution. The dynamic adsorption and desorption experiments have been carried out on a HPD-850 resin packed column to optimize the separation process of chlorogenic acid from honeysuckle crude extracts. After one run treatment with HPD-850 resin, the chlorogenic acid content in the final product was increased 4.46-fold from 11.2% to 50.0%, with a recovery yield of 87.9%. The preparative separation of chlorogenic acid can be easily and efficiently achieved via adsorption and desorption on HPD-850 resin, and the method developed will provide a potential approach for large-scale separation and purification of chlorogenic acid for its wide pharmaceutical use.

Plant regeneration of Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand. Mazz. and its chromatographic fingerprint analysis for quality control.

An efficient micropropagation system for Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand. Mazz., an important medicinal plant for heart disease, has been developed. Shoot organogenesis occurred from E. breviscapus leaf explants inoculated on a medium supplemented with a combination of plant growth regulators. On average, 17 shoots per leaf explant were produced after 30 days when they were cultured on MS basal salts and vitamin medium containing 5 microM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 5 microM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). All the regenerated shoots formed complete plantlets on a medium containing 2.5-10 microM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) within 30 days, and 80.2% of the regenerated plantlets survived and grew vigorously in field conditions. Based on the variation in common peaks and the produced amount of the most important bioactive component, scutellarin, a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting system was developed for quality control of these micropropagated plants. Chemical constituents in E. breviscapus micropropagated plants varied during plant development from regeneration to maturation, the latter of which showed the most similar phytochemical profile in comparison with mother plants. The regeneration protocol and HPLC fingerprint analysis developed here provided a new approach to quality control of micropropagated plants producing secondary metabolites with significant implications for germplasm conservation.

Enhancement of phenylethanoid glycosides biosynthesis in cell cultures of Cistanche deserticola by osmotic stress.

The effect of osmotic stress on cell growth and phenylethanoid glycosides (PeGs) biosynthesis was investigated in cell suspension cultures of Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma, a desert medicinal plant grown in west region of China. Various initial sucrose concentrations significantly affected cell growth and PeGs biosynthesis in the suspension cultures, and the highest dry weight and PeGs accumulation reached 15.9 g l(-1)-DW and 20.7 mg g(-1)-DW respectively at the initial osmotic stress of 300 mOsm kg(-1) where the sucrose concentration was 175.3 mM. Stoichiometric analysis with different combinations of sucrose and non-metabolic sugar (mannitol) or non-sugar osmotic agents (PEG and NaCl) revealed that osmotic stress itself was an important factor for enhancing PeGs biosynthesis in cell suspension cultures of C. deserticola. The maximum PeGs contents of 26.9 and 23.8 mg g(-1)-DW were obtained after 21 days at the combinations of 87.6 mM sucrose with 164.7 mM mannitol (303 mOsm kg(-1)) or 20 mM PEG respectively, which was higher than that of C. deserticola cell cultures grown under an initial sucrose concentration of 175.3 mM after 30 days. The stimulated PeGs accumulation in the cell suspension cultures was correlated to the increase of phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL) activity induced by osmotic stress.

Separation of scutellarin from crude extracts of Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand. Mazz. by macroporous resins.

Scutellarin, a flavone glycoside, popularly used in the treatment of heart disease, has been efficiently separated using macroporous resins from crude extracts of Chinese medicinal plant Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand. Mazz. HPD-800 resin offered the best adsorption and desorption capacity for scutellarin among the eight macroporous resins tested, and its adsorption data at 25 degrees C fit best to the Langmuir isotherm. The dynamic adsorption and desorption experiments have been carried out on a HPD-800 resin packed column to optimize the separation process of scutellarin from the crude extracts of E. breviscapus. After one run treatment with HPD-800 resin, the scutellarin content in the product was increased 15.69-fold from 2.61% to 40.96% with a recovery yield of 95.01%. The preparative separation process via adsorption-desorption method developed in this study provides a new approach for scale-up separation and purification of scutellarin for its wide pharmaceutical use.

An effective method for fast determination of artemisinin in Artemisia annua L. by high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection.

Artemisinin isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia annua L., is a promising and potent antimalarial drug, which meets the dual challenge posed by drug-resistant parasites and rapid progression of malarial illness. The aim of the current study was to develop a reliable and fast analytical procedure for the determination of artemisinin in A. annua using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) in couple with microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) as an efficient sample preparation technique. The HPLC conditions were Agilent C18 column using water:acetonitrile (40:60 v/v) mixture as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL min(-1). ELSD conditions were optimized at nebulizer-gas flow rate of 2.0 L min(-1) and drift tube temperature of 70 degrees C under the impactor off-mode, and the gain was set at 2. Afterwards, method validation system for HPLC-ELSD analysis was developed. Calibration range was 0.2-1.0 mg mL(-1) and correlation coefficient r was above 0.9990. Precision experiments showed relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of retention time was less than 0.5% and R.S.D. of peak area was less than 1.30%. Inter-day and intra-day variabilities showed that R.S.D. was ranged from 1.01% to 4.66%. Limit of detection was less than 40 microg mL(-1) and limit of quantification was less than 100 microg mL(-1). Accuracy validation showed that average recovery was between 98.23% and 104.97%. The developed analytical procedure was successfully applied to determine the contents of artemisinin in the different parts of A. annua plants.