Clonal integration of stress signal induces morphological and physiological response of root within clonal network.

Clonal integration of defense or stress signal induced systemic resistance in leaf of interconnected ramets. However, similar effects of stress signal in root are poorly understood within clonal network. Clonal fragments of Centella asiaticas with first-young, second-mature, third-old and fourth-oldest ramets were used to investigate transportation or sharing of stress signal among interconnected ramets suffering from low water availability. Compared with control, oxidative stress in root of the first-young, second-mature and third-old ramets was significantly alleviated by exogenous ABA application to the fourth-oldest ramets as well as enhancement of antioxidant enzyme (SOD, POD, CAT and APX) activities and osmoregulation ability. Surface area and volume in root of the first-young ramets were significantly increased and total length in root of the third-old ramets was significantly decreased. POD activity in root of the fourth-oldest and third-old ramets was significantly enhanced by exogenous ABA application to the first-young ramets. Meanwhile, total length and surface area in root of the fourth-oldest and third-old ramets were significantly decreased. Ratio of belowground to aboveground biomass in the whole clonal fragments was significantly increased by exogenous ABA application to the fourth-oldest or first-young ramets. It is suggested that transportation or sharing of stress signal may induce systemic resistance in root of interconnected ramets. Specially, transportation or sharing of stress signal against phloem flow was observed in the experiment. Possible explanation is that rapid recovery of foliar photosynthesis in first-young ramets subjected to exogenous ABA application can partially reverse phloem flow within clonal network. Thus, our experiment provides insight into ecological implication on clonal integration of stress signal.

Traditional Chinese medicine invigorating the spleen and kidney promotes HBsAg seroclearance in the mouse model.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is often used as an adjuvant or alternative therapy for abnormal liver biochemistry or liver fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the role of TCM in HBsAg seroclearance remains unclear. We aimed at exploring the role and possible mechanisms of TCM in HBsAg seroclearance. Fifteen widely used TCM granules invigorating the spleen and kidneys were screened. C57BL/6J mice were administered daily with TCM granules by gavage for 1 week. The effect of TCM on the M1 polarization of macrophages was measured using a CD86 assay. According to the principles of formulating prescriptions, three single TCM with the most noticeable effect on M1 polarization, accompanied by two other TCM granules, were used to develop a TCM formula. The hepatitis B virus-expressing mouse model was constructed by hydrodynamic injection of the pAAV/HBV1.2 plasmid. Hepatitis B virus-expressing mice were gavaged daily with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), TCM formula, or Codonopsis Radix, for 1 week. HBsAg, HBeAg, and hepatitis B virus DNA levels were measured. In addition, gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rDNA sequencing. Several TCM granules showed significant effects on M1 polarization. The TCM formula accelerated HBsAg seroclearance compared with the Codonopsis Radix and PBS groups. Intrahepatic M1 polarization, as indicated by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, was induced in the TCM formula and Codonopsis Radix groups. The abundance of Alloprevotella significantly increased in the TCM formula and Codonopsis Radix groups. These results demonstrate that the TCM formula for invigorating the spleen and kidney can accelerate HBsAg seroclearance. This effect can be attributed, at least in part, to M1 polarization of intrahepatic macrophages.

Toxicity and risk assessment of mercury exposures from cinnabar and Baizi Yangxin Pills based on pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baizi Yangxin Pills (BZYXP), a popular cinnabar (α-HgS) contained Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is widely used in clinical trials. However, mercury is one of the most toxic elements. The adverse effects of cinnabar-containing TCMs have been occasionally reported in recent years, leading to the growing concerns about their toxicity and safety. AIM OF THE STUDY: The health risks of BZYXP and cinnabar related to the mercury exposures were evaluated through blood pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distribution of absorbed mercury in rats' blood and tissues were measured by the developed cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometric method. And the tissue damages were determined through the histopathological examinations. For single dose study, the low and high oral doses were equivalent to 1 and 10-fold therapeutic dose, respectively. The multiple doses study was conducted at low and high dose levels every 12 h for 30 consecutive days. RESULTS: Significant differences of mercury blood pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution characteristics were observed between the corresponding BZYXP and cinnabar groups. The herbal ingredients in BZYXP promoted the absorption of bio-accessible mercury of cinnabar and prolonged the elimination process, posing potential health risks. Although mercury was found easily accumulated in kidney, liver and brain tissues, kidney and liver didn't show obvious damages even after 30 days consecutive administration of BZYXP or cinnabar at 10-fold clinically equivalent doses. But brain did show some histopathological changes, and autonomic activities of rats decreased, pointing the potential neurotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Mercury tend to be accumulated especially when over-dose or prolonged medication with cinnabar-containing TCMs are given. The mercury exposures even at therapeutic doses of BZYXP or cinnabar do pose health risks from the neurotoxicity point of view.

Association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The indicators for measuring vitamin D are various, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is considered as the optimal indicator of total vitamin D levels. In this study, we aim to deeply explore the 25(OH)D status in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and evaluate its relation to SLE risk and disease severity. METHODS: Literature about 25(OH)D status and its associations with SLE were searched in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Standardized mean difference (SMD), odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were illustrated by forest plots, and correlation coefficients (r) were combined by generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity and publication bias were quantified by I-squared (I2 ) test, funnel plot and Egger's test, respectively. Sensitivity analyses were further examined by leave-one-out method. RESULTS: Nineteen articles were included into our meta-analysis. The overall results showed that compared with the healthy controls, the circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in SLE patients (pooled SMD = -1.63, 95% CI: -2.51 to -0.76). Subgroup analysis revealed that compared with the healthy controls, SLE patients of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) ≥ 10, Arab and European ethnicity, all 4 seasons, no vitamin D supplement, had significantly lower circulating 25(OH)D levels; no significant differences were observed in SLE patients of SLEDAI < 10, mixed ethnicity, spring, summer, vitamin D supplement, respectively; no matter the changes of age, disease duration, and the therapy of corticosteroid or immunosuppressive or neither, circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly reduced in SLE patients. The deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency of vitamin D could significantly elevate, slightly decrease (not significantly), significantly decrease SLE risk, respectively (pooled OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 1.49 to 12.84; pooled OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.26; pooled OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.63). Circulating 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with SLEDAI (pooled correlation coefficient = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.8278 to -0.1689). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with healthy controls, 25(OH)D levels are significantly lower in SLE patients, which is influenced by disease activity, ethnicity, seasons and vitamin D supplement; no matter the change of age, diseases duration and therapy of corticosteroid or immunosuppressive or neither, 25(OH)D levels are significantly decreased in SLE patients; the deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency of vitamin D could significantly elevate, slightly decrease, and significantly decrease SLE risk, respectively; and 25(OH)D levels inversely correlate with SLEDAI.

Identification of poliumoside metabolites in rat plasma, urine, bile, and intestinal bacteria with UPLC/Q-TOF-MS.

Poliumoside is representative of phenylethanoid glycosides, which are widely found in many plants. Poliumoside is also regarded as the main active component of Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun (CK), though its oral bioavailability in rat is extremely low (0.69%) and its in vivo and in vitro metabolism has not yet been systematically investigated. In the present study, an ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) method was employed to identify the metabolites and investigate the metabolic pathways of poliumoside in rat after oral administration 1.5 g·kg-1 of poliumoside. As a result, a total of 34 metabolites (30 from urine, 17 from plasma, and 4 from bile) and 9 possible metabolic pathways (rearrangment, reduction, hydration, hydrolyzation, dehydration, methylation, hydroxylation, acetylation, and sulfation) were proposed in vivo. The main metabolite, acteoside, was quantified after incubated with rat intestinal bacteria in vitro. In conclusion, the present study systematically explored the metabolites of poliumoside in vivo and in vitro, proposing metabolic pathways that may be significant for further metabolic studies of poliumoside.

Identification of poliumoside metabolites in rat plasma, urine, bile, and intestinal bacteria with UPLC/Q-TOF-MS / 中国天然药物

Poliumoside is representative of phenylethanoid glycosides, which are widely found in many plants. Poliumoside is also regarded as the main active component of Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun (CK), though its oral bioavailability in rat is extremely low (0.69%) and its in vivo and in vitro metabolism has not yet been systematically investigated. In the present study, an ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) method was employed to identify the metabolites and investigate the metabolic pathways of poliumoside in rat after oral administration 1.5 g·kg of poliumoside. As a result, a total of 34 metabolites (30 from urine, 17 from plasma, and 4 from bile) and 9 possible metabolic pathways (rearrangment, reduction, hydration, hydrolyzation, dehydration, methylation, hydroxylation, acetylation, and sulfation) were proposed in vivo. The main metabolite, acteoside, was quantified after incubated with rat intestinal bacteria in vitro. In conclusion, the present study systematically explored the metabolites of poliumoside in vivo and in vitro, proposing metabolic pathways that may be significant for further metabolic studies of poliumoside.

Identification of poliumoside metabolites in rat plasma, urine, bile, and intestinal bacteria with UPLC/Q-TOF-MS / 中国天然药物

Poliumoside is representative of phenylethanoid glycosides, which are widely found in many plants. Poliumoside is also regarded as the main active component of Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun (CK), though its oral bioavailability in rat is extremely low (0.69%) and its in vivo and in vitro metabolism has not yet been systematically investigated. In the present study, an ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) method was employed to identify the metabolites and investigate the metabolic pathways of poliumoside in rat after oral administration 1.5 g·kg of poliumoside. As a result, a total of 34 metabolites (30 from urine, 17 from plasma, and 4 from bile) and 9 possible metabolic pathways (rearrangment, reduction, hydration, hydrolyzation, dehydration, methylation, hydroxylation, acetylation, and sulfation) were proposed in vivo. The main metabolite, acteoside, was quantified after incubated with rat intestinal bacteria in vitro. In conclusion, the present study systematically explored the metabolites of poliumoside in vivo and in vitro, proposing metabolic pathways that may be significant for further metabolic studies of poliumoside.

[Pharmacokinetics of mercury after oral administration of cinnabaris and Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule in rats].

Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule was a classical compound prescription with the efficacy of heat-clearing, detoxification, sedation and anti-inflammation, with cinnabaris as one of its active ingredients. The study focuses on the pharmacokinetics of mercury in rats after oral administration of cinnabaris and Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule, in order to explore the effect of combined traditional Chinese medicines on mercury metabolism. In this study, the method of nitric-perchloric acid digestion system coupled with cold atomic-atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (CV-AFS) was adopted to accurately determine mercury in whole blood of rats. Fufang Niuhueng Xiaoyan capsule had three dose schemes of oral administration, namely equivalent clinical dose, 3 times of equivalent clinical dose and 10 times of equivalent clinical dose; And the doses of oral administration of cinnabaris was calculated according to that of Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule. SPF grade healthy SD rats were fasted overnight before the oral administration with cinnabaris suspension (or Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule suspension). After oral administration of different doses of cinnabaris, no obvious changes in tmax and MRT were observed, while Cmax/dose, AUC0-48 h/dose and AUC0-∞/dose decreased with the increase in dose, indicating that total mercury absorption in body was declining. As the dose increased, Ke, CL/F decreased, and t1/2 increased, indicating that the elimination slowed down, and mercury metabolism showed non-linear dynamic characteristics within a certain range of dose (22-220 mg•kg⁻¹). The total mercury metabolism in the whole blood of rats after oral administration with different doses of Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule also showed non-linear dynamic characteristics. The results were correlated with the low solubility of cinnabaris in the body. Compared with cinnabaris, Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule showed no obvious changes in V/F and MRT, while Ke, CL/F, tmax decreased, and t1/2, Cmax/dose, AUC0-48 h/dose, AUC0-∞/dose increased significantly. The results showed that Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule accelerated absorption, slowed down elimination and improved the total absorption of mercury in the whole blood, indicating that Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule may contain components for promoting absorption and alleviating elimination of mercury. Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule had an impact on the pharmacokinetics of cinnabaris, and long-term administration of cinnabaris (Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule) was possible to cause accumulation of mercury in the body. This study could explain changes in efficacy of Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule, evaluate the rationality of compound medicines containing toxic elements and provide scientific basis for the rational and safe use of Fufang Niuhuang Xiaoyan capsule.

[Neoflavonoids and their pharmacological activities in Dalbergia genus].

Neoflavonoids are a kind of characteristic components in the Dalbergia genus. Based on the previous researches, 59 neoflavonoids have been obtained from the Dalbergia genus. According to their molecular skeleton, the neoflavonoids can be divided intodalbergiphenols, dalbergiones, dalbergins, benzophenones and other types. Modern research shows that neoflavonoids displayed a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-androgen, anti-allergic, antioxidation etc. This paper reviewed neoflavonoids and their pharmacological functions, which could provide the valuable reference for comprehensive utilization and new drug development in the Dalbergia genus.

Simultaneous quantification of six alkaloid components from commercial stemonae radix by solid phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector.

BACKGROUND: Stemonae radix has been applied in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Alkaloids are the main active ingredient in stemonae radix, so their composition and concentration levels are directly linked to clinic effects. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to develop an analytical method with multiple markers for quality survey of commercial stemonae radix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A method for simultaneous determination of six compounds in commercial stemonae radix was performed using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector. The separation was carried out on an Agilent TC-C18 column with 0.1% acetonitrile solution of triethylamine aqueous solution and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under gradient elution within 70 min. The hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) was successfully used to classify the samples in accordance with their chemical constituents. RESULTS: Linearity (R(2) > 0.9990), intra- and inter-day precision (relative standard deviations <4%), limit of detection (0.011-0.086 µg/mL), limit of quantification (0.033-0.259 µg/mL) of the six alkaloids were determined, and the recoveries were between 96.6% and 103.7%. The method was successfully applied to analysis 36 batches of commercial stemonae radix. All the samples could be classified into five clusters by HCA. CONCLUSION: This article provides an accurate and simple analytical method for quality survey of commercial stemonae radix. Because of the significant chemical variations, careful selection of Stemona sources with obvious antitussive value but devoid of croomine followed by good agricultural practice and good manufacturing practice process is suggested.

Antimicrobial constituents from the flowers of Trollius chinensis.

A new 1-aryl-isochroman, trolliusol A (1), was isolated from the flowers of Trollius chinensis, along with seven known phenolic compounds in an antimicrobial activity-directed phytochemical investigation. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and their inhibitory activities against one fungus and four bacterial strains were measured.

Novel decaturin alkaloids from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium oxalicum.

From the mycelia of Penicillium oxalicum two new compounds, decaturins E (1) and F (2), have been isolated, along with four known analogues, decaturin A (3), decaturin C (4), decaturin D (5), and oxalicine B (6). The structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR analysis.

Protective effect of yixinshu capsule on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the protective effect of Yixinshu capsule on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) in SD rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixty healthy SD rats were randomized into six groups: sham group, MIRI model group, Xinsuning capsule group, low, middle or high dose Yixinshu capsule. Acute MIRI rat models were created by reperfusion for 120 min after anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery for 30 min. The serum creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde(MDA), blood viscosity, and infarction area of myocardium were determined.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Yixinshu capsule could reduce serum CK, LDH, AST and LDH activity, improve the blood viscosity, and reduced the myocardial infarct size.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yixinshu capsule can protect against MIRI in rats.</p>

A novel prenylated xanthone from the stems and leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum.

A novel prenylated xanthone, caloxanthone Q, was isolated from the stems and leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum. The structure elucidation was carried out by detailed spectroscopic analysis.

Inverse relationships between selenium and mercury in tissues of young walleye (Stizosedion vitreum) from Canadian boreal lakes.

The concentrations of total mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg) and total selenium (Se) were determined in muscle, liver and brain tissues of young-of-the-year walleye (Stizosedion vitreum) specimens collected from 8 boreal lakes that are located within 107km around the Sudbury smelters in Ontario, Canada. Dry weight basis concentrations of Hg were highest in muscle and lowest in brain (p<0.05), those of MeHg were higher in muscle than in liver and brain but there was no significant difference between liver and brain (p<0.05). The highest Se concentrations were found in liver and the lowest in brain (p<0.05). Considering the biomass of the studied tissues, muscle was the part of the body where most of Hg, MeHg and Se were accumulated. In fish muscle, the percentage of MeHg over Hg was the highest and this percentage was the lowest in liver. The concentrations of Hg, MeHg and Se in the studied tissues were closely related to the concentrations of total dissolved Se in lake waters which vary with the distance of the lakes from the smelters. Thresholds of Se concentrations in tissues were revealed (6.2, 12.0 and 3.5mgkg(-1) dry wt., for muscle, liver and brain, respectively), above which a significant reduction of MeHg concentrations was observed in all studied tissues compared to lower Se levels in the same tissues. Based on the collected information and data analysis, possible mechanisms for the biological processes behind the observed inverse relationships between Se and Hg in fish tissues are discussed.

Three new acylated flavone C-glycosides from the flowers of Trollius chinensis.

Three new flavone C-glycosides with the substitution of the unusual acyl, 2''-O-veratroylisoswertisin (1), 3''-O-2-methylbutyrylisoswertiajaponin (2), and 3''-O-2-methylbutyrylvitexin (3), together with the known compounds of 2''-O-2-methylbutyrylisoswertisin (4), 3''-O-2-methylbutyrylisoswertisin (5), and trollisin I (6) were isolated from the antibacterial fraction of the aqueous extract of the flowers of Trollius chinensis. The structural elucidations of these compounds were carried out by a detailed analysis of the NMR and MS spectra.

[Xanthones from leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum Linn].

To study the xanthones from the leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum Linn., several chromatography methods were employed to isolate the constituents. Investigation on the CHCl3 extract led to the isolation of a new xanthone named inophyxanthone A (1) and four known compounds, which were pancixanthone A (2), gerontoxanthone B (3), jacareubin (4) and pyranojacareubin (5). Among them, compound 2 was obtained from this plant firstly, and compound 3 was obtained for the first time from this genus. The structure of inophyxanthone A (1) was identified as 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy-2-(1, 1-dimethylallyl)xanthone by spectral analysis.

Xanthones from leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum Linn / 药学学报

To study the xanthones from the leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum Linn., several chromatography methods were employed to isolate the constituents. Investigation on the CHCl3 extract led to the isolation of a new xanthone named inophyxanthone A (1) and four known compounds, which were pancixanthone A (2), gerontoxanthone B (3), jacareubin (4) and pyranojacareubin (5). Among them, compound 2 was obtained from this plant firstly, and compound 3 was obtained for the first time from this genus. The structure of inophyxanthone A (1) was identified as 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy-2-(1, 1-dimethylallyl)xanthone by spectral analysis.

[Establishment of RP-HPLC fingerprint for quality assessment of Cortex Periplocae].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the RP-HPLC fingerprint analysis for the quality control of Cortex Periplocae. METHODS: HPLC fingerprint and analysis method of Cortex Periplocae were studied. Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) was used, with mixture of acetonitrile and 0.025% phosphate solution as mobile phase in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The wavelength of measurement was 220 nm. 15 Batches of Cortex Periplocae were determined. RESULTS: The 15 samples were classified as 4 clusters by cluster analysis and the 6 superior in producing area samples were confirmed to establish the mutual model. The samples' quality was assessed by "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM 2004". CONCLUSION: The method is simple and reliable. It can be used to evaluate and control the quality of Cortex Periplocae conveniently.

[Multi-central controlled study on three-part massage therapy for treatment of insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen].

OBJECTIVE: To make multi-central clinical evaluation for three-part massage therapy for treatment of insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six cases were randomly divided into a test group (n = 84) and a control group (n = 82). Multi-central, randomized and controlled methods were adopted. The test group were treated by the three-part massage therapy, i. e. acupoints at the head, abdomen and back were massaged, once each day; and the control group by oral administration of Guipi Pills [symbol: see text], 8 pills each time, thrice daily. The treatment was given for 15 consecutive days and then the therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven cases were cured, 11 markedly effective, 3 effective, and 3 ineffective in the test group, and the corresponding figures were 10, 21, 29 and 22 in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.001). The test group was superior to the control group in improvement for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleepless Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Sleepless Depression Scale (SDS) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The three-part massage therapy has definite therapeutic effect on insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen with safety.