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

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

DNA barcoding identification of commercial decoctions in traditional Chinese medicine / 药学学报

Although the guiding principles for molecular identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using DNA barcoding have been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there is still a lack of systematic research on its application to commercial TCM decoctions. In this study, a total of 212 commercial TCM decoctions derived from different medicinal parts such as root and rhizome, fruit and seed, herb, flower, leaf, cortex, and caulis were collected to verify applicability and accuracy of the method. DNA barcodes were successfully obtained from 75.9% (161/212) of the samples, while other samples failed to be amplified due to genomic DNA degradation. Among the 161 samples, 85.7% of them were identified as recorded species in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). In addition, 14 samples could be identified as species recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and their closely related species in the same genus. Morphological identification for the unconfirmed samples showed that eight were genuine species and three were adulterants, while the other three were unidentifiable due to lack of morphological characteristics. Furthermore, the DNA barcodes of seven samples accurately mapped to the sequences of adulterants. Remarkably, counterfeit products were detected in two samples. These results demonstrate that DNA barcoding is suitable for the identification of commercial TCM decoctions. The method can effectively detect adulterants and is appropriate for use throughout the industrial chain of TCM production and distribution, and by the supervisory agencies as well.

[Production and quality control of original herbal materials of Danhong Injection].

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for residents in China. Danhong Injection(DHI) decoction piece is prepared from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, with the function of promoting the blood circulation, removing the blood stasis, relaxing the sinews and dredging the collaterals. In recent years, about 100 million bottles of DHI have been sold. Consequently, its safety and effectiveness are very important to a large number of patients. Raw materials are the source and foundation for production of traditional Chinese medicine injections. In this article, we reviewed the identification of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, resource distribution, cultivation, quality control, and detection of xenobiotic pollutants, in order to guide the production of high-quality, stable, and pollution-free raw materials. This will be a benefit in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of DHI and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions from the raw materials. By comparing the similarities and differences between the quality standards of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Carthami Flos and DHI, we provided some comments for improving the quality standards and post-marketing reevaluation of DHI, and provided some theoretical supports for the production of high-quality herbal raw materials.

Therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion at Jinsuo (GV 8)-eight-diagram points on diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion at Jinsuo (GV 8)- eight-diagram points on diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency as compared with oral administration of pinaverium bromide tablets and Chinese herbal decoction, .@*METHODS@#A total of 126 patients with IBS-D of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency were randomized into a herb-separated moxibustion group (moxibustion group), a western medication group and a Chinese herbal medication group, 42 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, the herb-separated moxibustion was applied to Jinsuo (GV 8)-eight-diagram points. The herbs in (fried , fried , and ) were ground into herbal paste and the paste was put on Jinsuo (GV 8)-eight-diagram points. The suspending moxibustion was exerted over the points for 40 min, once daily. In the western medication group, pinaverium bromide tablets were taken orally, 50 mg each time, three times a day. In the Chinese herbal medication group, the decoction of was taken orally, one dose a day, taking separately in two times. The duration of treatment was 8 weeks in each group. Before and after treatment, the symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), gastrointestinal (GI) symptom score, the score of IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) and the score of IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) scale were observed in patients of each group separately. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms, GI symptom scores and IBS-SSS scores were all obviously reduced in each group (<0.05). Each of the scores in the moxibustion group was lower than the western medication group and the Chinese herbal medication group respectively (<0.05). After treatment, the scores of each of eight subscale structures of IBS-QOL scale, named dysphoria, interference with activity, body image, health worry, food avoidance, social reaction, sexual intercourse and relationship, were all increased obviously in each group (<0.05). The scores of each of eight subscale structures in the moxibustion group were higher than the western medication group and the Chinese herbal medication group respectively (<0.05). The total effective rate was 92.9% (39/42) in the moxibustion group, higher than 71.4% (30/42) in the western medication group and 73.8% (31/42) in the Chinese herbal medication group respectively (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Herb-separated moxibustion at Jinsuo (GV 8)-eight-diagram points remarkably relieves gastrointestinal symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients of diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency, and its clinical therapeutic effect is superior to oral administration of either pinaverium bromide tablets or .

Production and quality control of original herbal materials of Danhong Injection / 中国中药杂志

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for residents in China. Danhong Injection(DHI) decoction piece is prepared from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, with the function of promoting the blood circulation, removing the blood stasis, relaxing the sinews and dredging the collaterals. In recent years, about 100 million bottles of DHI have been sold. Consequently, its safety and effectiveness are very important to a large number of patients. Raw materials are the source and foundation for production of traditional Chinese medicine injections. In this article, we reviewed the identification of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, resource distribution, cultivation, quality control, and detection of xenobiotic pollutants, in order to guide the production of high-quality, stable, and pollution-free raw materials. This will be a benefit in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of DHI and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions from the raw materials. By comparing the similarities and differences between the quality standards of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Carthami Flos and DHI, we provided some comments for improving the quality standards and post-marketing reevaluation of DHI, and provided some theoretical supports for the production of high-quality herbal raw materials.

Tetramethylpyrazine accelerates the function recovery of traumatic spinal cord in rat model by attenuating inflammation.

In the present study, we explored the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Ligusticum wallichii Franchat (chuanxiong), on a rat model of contusion spinal cord injury (SCI). The contusion SCI model was induced in rats by a modified Allen's weight-drop method with a severity of 5 g × 50 mm impacting on the T10 segment. In the TMP treatment group, rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with TMP (200mg/kg), every 24h for 5 days, starting half an hour after contusion SCI. The control group was treated with saline. Compared with the control group, the TMP group significantly ameliorated the recovery of hindlimb function of rats. TMP treatment significantly reduced the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, nuclear factor κappa B, pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 and neutrophil infiltration. On the other hand, TMP enhanced the expression of inhibitor κappa B and anti-inflammation cytokine interleukin-10. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TMP inhibits the development of inflammation and tissue injury associated with spinal cord contusion in rats which may improve the rats' hindlimb function.