Analysis of Medication Rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Malaria Treatment Based on Data Mining.

Objective To analyze the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for malaria treatment.Methods Statistical analysis was conducted on the basic attributes of TCM drugs with regard to property, therapeutic methods, flavor, and meridian tropism. A complex network of TCM drug associations was constructed. Cluster analysis was applied to obtain the core drugs for malaria treatment. The Apriori algorithm was applied to analyze the association rules of these core drugs.Results A total of 357 herbs were used 3,194 times in 461 prescriptions for malaria treatment. Radix Glycyrrhizae (), Rhizoma Pinelliae (), Radix Bupleuri (), and Radix Dichroae () were the frequently used herbs through supplementing, exterior-releasing, heat-clearing, qi-rectifying, and damp-resolving therapeutic methods. Such herbs had warm, natural, and cold herbal properties; pungent, bitter, and sweet flavors; and spleen, lung, and stomach meridian tropisms. Cluster analysis showed 61 core drugs, including Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Pinelliae, Radix Bupleuri, and Radix Scutellariae (). Apriori association rule analysis yielded 12 binomial rules (herb pairs) and 6 trinomial rules (herb combinations). Radix Bupleuri plus Radix Scutellariae was the core herbal pair for treating malaria. This pair could be combined with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae () for treating warm or cold malaria, combined with Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae () or Radix Dichroae () for treating miasmic malaria, or combined with turtle shells () for treating malaria with splenomegaly.Conclusions TCM can be used to classify and treat malaria in accordance with the different stages of development. As the core herbal pair, Radix Bupleuri and Radix Scutellariae can be combined with other drugs to treat malaria with different syndrome types.

Myasthenia Gravis: Novel Findings and Perspectives on Traditional to Regenerative Therapeutic Interventions.

The prevalence of myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder, is increasing among all subsets of the population leading to an elevated economic and social burden. The pathogenesis of MG is characterized by the synthesis of autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4), or muscle-specific kinase at the neuromuscular junction, thereby leading to muscular weakness and fatigue. Based on clinical and laboratory examinations, the research is focused on distinguishing MG from other autoimmune, genetic diseases of neuromuscular transmission. Technological advancements in machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) have been assistive in accurate diagnosis and management. Besides, addressing the clinical needs of MG patients is critical to improving quality of life (QoL) and satisfaction. Lifestyle changes including physical exercise and traditional Chinese medicine/herbs have also been shown to exert an ameliorative impact on MG progression. To achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy, cholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressive drugs, and steroids in addition to plasma exchange therapy are widely recommended. Under surgical intervention, thymectomy is the only feasible alternative to removing thymoma to overcome thymoma-associated MG. Although these conventional and current therapeutic approaches are effective, the associated adverse events and surgical complexity limit their wide application. Moreover, Restivo et al. also, to increase survival and QoL, further recent developments revealed that antibody, gene, and regenerative therapies (such as stem cells and exosomes) are currently being investigated as a safer and more efficacious alternative. Considering these above-mentioned points, we have comprehensively reviewed the recent advances in pathological etiologies of MG including COVID-19, and its therapeutic management.

Wuzi Yanzong Pill protects neural tube defects by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital malformations that can lead to lifelong disability. Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WYP) is an herbal formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been shown to have a protective effect against NTDs in a rodent model induced by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of WYP on NTDs were investigated in vivo using an atRA-induced mouse model and in vitro using cell injury model induced by atRA in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and Chinese hamster dihydrofolate reductase-deficient (CHO/dhFr) cells. Our findings suggest that WYP has an excellent preventive effect on atRA-induced NTDs in mouse embryos, which may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, improved embryonic antioxidant capacity, and anti-apoptotic effects, and this effect is not dependent on folic acid (FA). Our results demonstrated that WYP significantly reduced the incidence of NTDs induced by atRA; increased the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and content of glutathione (GSH); decreased the apoptosis of neural tube cells; up-regulated the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), phospho protein kinase B (p-Akt), nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor (Nrf2), and b-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2); and down-regulated the expression of bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Our in vitro studies suggested that the preventive effect of WYP on atRA-treated NTDs was independent of FA, which might be attributed to the herbal ingredients of WYP. The results suggest that WYP had an excellent prevention effect on atRA-induced NTDs mouse embryos, which may be independent of FA but related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and improvement of embryonic antioxidant capacity and anti-apoptosis.

Integration of high-throughput omics technologies in medicinal plant research: The new era of natural drug discovery.

Medicinal plants are natural sources to unravel novel bioactive compounds to satisfy human pharmacological potentials. The world's demand for herbal medicines is increasing year by year; however, large-scale production of medicinal plants and their derivatives is still limited. The rapid development of modern technology has stimulated multi-omics research in medicinal plants, leading to a series of breakthroughs on key genes, metabolites, enzymes involved in biosynthesis and regulation of active compounds. Here, we summarize the latest research progress on the molecular intricacy of medicinal plants, including the comparison of genomics to demonstrate variation and evolution among species, the application of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to explore dynamic changes of molecular compounds, and the utilization of potential resources for natural drug discovery. These multi-omics research provide the theoretical basis for environmental adaptation of medicinal plants and allow us to understand the chemical diversity and composition of bioactive compounds. Many medicinal herbs' phytochemical constituents and their potential health benefits are not fully explored. Given their large diversity and global distribution as well as the impacts of growth duration and environmental factors on bioactive phytochemicals in medicinal plants, it is crucial to emphasize the research needs of using multi-omics technologies to address basic and applied problems in medicinal plants to aid in developing new and improved medicinal plant resources and discovering novel medicinal ingredients.

Wuzi Yanzong Pill Plays A Neuroprotective Role in Parkinson's Disease Mice via Regulating Unfolded Protein Response Mediated by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects and its possible mechanism of Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WYP) on Parkinson's disease (PD) model mice. METHODS: Thirty-six C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups including normal, PD, and PD+WYP groups, 12 mice in each group. One week of intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was used to establish the classical PD model in mice. Meanwhile, mice in the PD+WYP group were administrated with 16 g/kg WYP, twice daily by gavage. After 14 days of administration, gait test, open field test and pole test were measured to evaluate the movement function. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neurons in substantia nigra of midbrain and binding immunoglobulin heavy chain protein (GRP78) in striatum and cortex were observed by immunohistochemistry. The levels of TH, GRP78, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4, p-IRE1α, XBP1, ATF6, CHOP, ASK1, p-JNK, Caspase-12, -9 and -3 in brain were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the PD group, WYP treatment ameliorated gait balance ability in PD mice (P<0.05). Similarly, WYP increased the total distance and average speed (P<0.05 or P<0.01), reduced rest time and pole time (P<0.05). Moreover, WYP significantly increased TH positive cells (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence showed WYP attenuated the levels of GRP78 in striatum and cortex. Meanwhile, WYP treatment significantly decreased the protein expressions of GRP78, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4, p-IRE1 α, XBP1, CHOP, Caspase-12 and Caspase-9 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: WYP ameliorated motor symptoms and pathological lesion of PD mice, which may be related to the regulation of unfolded protein response-mediated signaling pathway and inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated neuronal apoptosis pathway.

Wuzi Yanzong Pill relieves CPZ-induced demyelination by improving the microenvironment in the brain.

Ethnopharmacology relevance: Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WYP), a well-known prescription for invigorating the kidney and essence, which is widely used to treat infertility such as oligoasthenospermia. Studies have shown that WYP can be used to treat neurological diseases, but its therapeutic effects and mechanisms for multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unclear. Aim of the study: Based on the establishment of Cuprizone (CPZ)-induced demyelination model, this study determined the effect of WYP on remyelination by detecting changes in the microenvironment of the central nervous system. Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups. The CPZ group and CPZ + WYP group were fed with 0.2% CPZ feed, and the control group was fed normal feed, for 6 weeks. At the end of the second week, the CPZ + WYP group was gavaged with WYP solution (16 g/kg/d), and the other two groups were gavaged with normal saline twice a day with an interval of 12 h each time, for 4 weeks. Forced swimming and elevated plus maze were used to detect changes in anxiety and depression before and after treatment. Luxol fast blue staining and the expression of MBP were used to evaluate the demyelination of the brain. Western blot was used to detect the expression of microglia and their subtype markers Iba-1, Arg-1, iNOS, the expression of neurotrophic factors BDNF, GDNF, CNTF, and the expression of oligodendrocyte precursor cells NG2. ELISA detected the content of IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-10, TGF-ß, BDNF, GDNF, CNTF in the brain. The distribution of Iba-1 in the corpus callosum was observed by immunofluorescence. Results: The results showed that on the basis of improving mood abnormalities and demyelination, WYP reduced the protein content of Iba-1 and iNOS, increased the protein content of Arg-1, and reduce accumulation of microglia in the corpus callosum. In addition, WYP reduced the secretion of IL-6 and IL-1ß while promoting the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-ß. After WYP intervention treatment, the levels of neurotrophic factors BDNF, GDNF, CNTF increased. Due to the improvement of inflammatory and nutritional environment in the CNS, promoting the proliferation of NG2 oligodendrocyte, increased the expression of MBP, and repairing myelin sheath. Conclusion: Our results indicated that WYP promoted the proliferation and development of oligodendrocytes by improving the CNS microenvironment, effectively alleviating demyelination.

Integrated strategy of RNA-sequencing and network pharmacology for exploring the protective mechanism of Shen-Shi-Jiang-Zhuo formula in rat with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

CONTEXT: Shen-Shi-Jiang-Zhuo formula (SSJZF) exhibits a definite curative effect in the clinical treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of SSJZF on NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, NAFLD, positive drug (12 mg/kg/day), SSJZF high-dose (200 mg/kg/day), SSJZF middle-dose (100 mg/kg/day), and SSJZF low-dose (50 mg/kg/day) groups. After daily intragastric administration of NAFLD rats for 8 weeks, lipid metabolism and hepatic fibrosis were evaluated by biochemical indices and histopathology. Then we uncovered the main active compounds and mechanism of SSJZF against NAFLD by integrating RNA-sequencing and network pharmacology, and PI3K/AKT pathway activity was verified by western blot. RESULTS: High dose SSJZF had the best inhibitory effect on hepatic lipid accumulation and fibrosis in rats with NAFLD, which significantly down-regulated total triglycerides (58%), cholesterol (62%), aspartate aminotransferase (57%), alanine aminotransferase (41%) andγ-glutamyl transpeptidase (36%), as well as the expression of ACC (5.3-fold), FAS (12.1-fold), SREBP1C (2.3-fold), and CD36 (4.4-fold), and significantly reduced collagen deposition (67%). Then we identified 23 compounds of SSJZF that acted on 25 key therapeutic targets of NAFLD by integrating RNA-sequencing and network pharmacology. Finally, we also confirmed that high dose SSJZF increased p-PI3K/PI3K (1.6-fold) and p-AKT/AKT (1.6-fold) in NAFLD rats. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found for first time that SSJZF improved NAFLD in rats by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. These findings provide scientific support for SSJZF in the clinical treatment of NAFLD and contribute to the development of new NAFLD drugs.

Wuzi Yanzong pill attenuates MPTP-induced Parkinson's Disease via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WYP) was found to play a protective role on nerve cells and neurological diseases, however the molecular mechanism is unclear. To understand the molecular mechanisms that underly the neuroprotective effect of WYP on dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). PD mouse model was induced by the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Gait and hanging tests were used to assess motor behavioral function. Immunofluorescence assay was used to determine TH-positive neurons in substantia nigra (SN). Apoptosis, dopamine and neurotrophic factors as well as expression of PI3K/Akt pathway were detected by TUNEL staining, ELISA and western blotting, respectively. First, it was observed that WYP intervention improved abnormal motor function in MPTP-induced PD model, alleviated the loss of TH+ neurons in SN, and increased dopamine content in brain, revealing a potential protective effect. Second, network pharmacology was used to analyze the possible targets and pathways of WYP action in the treatment of PD. A total of 126 active components related to PD were screened in WYP, and the related core targets included ALB, GAPDH, Akt1, TP53, IL6 and TNF. Particularly, the effect of WYP on PD may be medicate through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and apoptotic regulation. The WYP treated PD mice had higher expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl-2 but lower expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 than the non-WYP treated PD mice. Secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) were also increased in the treated mice. WYP may inhibit apoptosis and increase the secretion of neurotrophic factor via activating PI3K/ Akt signaling pathway, thus protecting the loss of dopamine neurons in MPTP-induced PD mice.

High-throughput LC-MS method for the rapid characterisation and comparative analysis of multiple ingredients of four hawthorn leaf extracts.

INTRODUCTION: The comprehensive component characterisation of Chinese herbal medicine is the premise of effectively driving the discovery of pharmacodynamic substances or new drugs in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To use the high-throughput liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) approach to systematically characterise phytochemical compounds from four hawthorn leaf extracts, along with evaluating their classification. METHODS: In the present study, the compounds from 50% ethanol extract, macro porous resin extract, ethyl acetate extract and standard decoction of hawthorn leaves were completely analysed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). RESULTS: Eight-nine compounds were putatively identified by comparison with secondary MS data and available references. Of these compounds identified, 56 compounds were found for the first time in hawthorn leaves, which was somewhat inconsistent with the findings of other studies. It could be inferred that falconoid, organic acids and nitrogenous compounds were the most abundant in 50% ethanol extract and standard decoction extract, which were considered as better choices for extracting hawthorn leaves. CONCLUSIONS: This work developed a simple, accurate and rapid method for the compound identification of hawthorn leaves, which laid the basis for further discovering pharmacodynamic material basis or new drugs from hawthorn leaves.

Optimal Perioperative Nutrition Therapy for Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review with a Component Network Meta-Analysis.

Numerous strategies for perioperative nutrition therapy for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) have been proposed. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current relevant published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating different nutritional interventions via a traditional network meta-analysis (NMA) and component network meta-analysis (cNMA). EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched to identify the RCTs. The evaluated nutritional interventions comprised standard postoperative enteral nutrition by feeding tube (Postop-SEN), preoperative enteral feeding (Preop-EN), postoperative immunonutrients (Postop-IM), preoperative oral immunonutrient supplement (Preop-IM), and postoperative total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The primary outcomes were general, infectious, and noninfectious complications; postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF); and delayed gastric emptying (DGE). The secondary outcomes were mortality and length of hospital stay (LOS). The NMA and cNMA were conducted with a frequentist approach. The results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Two primary outcomes, infectious complications and POPF, were positively influenced by nutritional interventions. Preop-EN plus Postop-SEN (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.02~0.72), Preop-IM (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.08~0.62), and Preop-IM plus Postop-IM (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.03~0.37) were all demonstrated to be associated with a decrease in infectious complications. Postop-TPN (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.19~0.71) and Preop-IM plus Postop-IM (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.06~0.77) were clinically beneficial for the prevention of POPF. While enteral feeding and TPN may decrease infectious complications and POPF, respectively, Preop-IM plus Postop-IM may provide the best clinical benefit for patients undergoing PD, as this approach decreases the incidence of both the aforementioned adverse effects.

Activation of IGF-1 pathway and suppression of atrophy related genes are involved in Epimedium extract (icariin) promoted C2C12 myotube hypertrophy.

The regenerative effect of Epimedium and its major bioactive flavonoid icariin (ICA) have been documented in traditional medicine, but their effect on sarcopenia has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Epimedium extract (EE) on skeletal muscle as represented by differentiated C2C12 cells. Here we demonstrated that EE and ICA stimulated C2C12 myotube hypertrophy by activating several, including IGF-1 signal pathways. C2C12 myotube hypertrophy was demonstrated by enlarged myotube and increased myosin heavy chains (MyHCs). In similar to IGF-1, EE/ICA activated key components of the IGF-1 signal pathway, including IGF-1 receptor. Pre-treatment with IGF-1 signal pathway specific inhibitors such as picropodophyllin, LY294002, and rapamycin attenuated EE induced myotube hypertrophy and MyHC isoform overexpression. In a different way, EE induced MHyC-S overexpression can be blocked by AMPK, but not by mTOR inhibitor. On the level of transcription, EE suppressed myostatin and MRF4 expression, but did not suppress atrogenes MAFbx and MuRF1 like IGF-1 did. Differential regulation of MyHC isoform and atrogenes is probably due to inequivalent AKT and AMPK phosphorylation induced by EE and IGF-1. These findings suggest that EE/ICA stimulates pathways partially overlapping with IGF-1 signaling pathway to promote myotube hypertrophy.

Transcriptomic profiles of 33 opium poppy samples in different tissues, growth phases, and cultivars.

Opium poppy is one of the most important medicinal plants and remains the only commercial resource of morphinan-based painkillers. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) biosynthesis in opium poppy. Herein, the full-length transcriptome dataset of opium poppy was constructed for the first time in accompanied with the 33 samples of Illumina transcriptome data from different tissues, growth phases and cultivars. The long-read sequencing produced 902,140 raw reads with 55,114 high-quality transcripts, and short-read sequencing produced 1,923,679,864 clean reads with an average Q30 rate of 93%. The high-quality transcripts were subsequently quantified using the short reads, and the expression of each unigene among different samples was calculated as reads per kilobase per million mapped reads (RPKM). These data provide a foundation for opium poppy transcriptomic analysis, which may aid in capturing splice variants and some non-coding RNAs involved in the regulation of BIAs biosynthesis. It can also be used for genome assembly and annotation which will favor in new transcript identification.

Thermo-sensitive gel in glaucoma therapy for enhanced bioavailability: In vitro characterization, in vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics study.

AIMS: Glaucoma is a chronic ophthalmic disease, which has become one of the leading causes to progressive and irreversible blindness. Current ophthalmic drug delivery to treat glaucoma is mostly eyedrop, whose rapid elimination on corneal surface can lead to poor bioavailability. The present study was aimed to develop a timolol maleate loaded thermo-sensitive gel (TM-TSG) with improved bioavailability to treat glaucoma. MAIN METHODS: TM-TSG was prepared by homogeneously dispersing 0.3% (w/v) timolol maleate, 24.25% (w/v) poloxamer 407 (P407) and 1.56% (w/v) poloxamer 188 (P188) into phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.4) and the formulated TM-TSG was characterized. KEY FINDINGS: TM-TSG was stored in liquid form at room temperature (25 °C) and transited to semisolid gel at physiological temperature (32 °C). The rheological property of TM-TSG was in favor of uniform distribution of drug. TM-TSG showed good stability at different conditions including centrifugation, autoclaving and different temperature. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that TM-TSG could enhance absorption of TM in aqueous humor and improve the ocular bioavailability in comparison of commercial TM eyedrops. In vivo experiment result showed that TM-TSG had greater effect in treating glaucoma than TM eyedrops by sustainably lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) for a week. Moreover, slit lamp test and histopathological analysis demonstrated that TM-TSG had excellent biocompatibility. SIGNIFICANCE: TM-TSG could be a promising ophthalmic delivery system for glaucoma therapy.

Fingerprint and multi-ingredient quantitative analyses for quality evaluation of hawthorn leaves and Guang hawthorn leaves by UPLC-MS

ABSTRACT This paper aimed to evaluate the quality of hawthorn leaves and Guang hawthorn leaves by an UPLC-MS method from two aspects, fingerprint analysis and multi-ingredient quantification. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an UPLC system, the standardized characteristic fingerprints was established by Similarity Evaluation System for chromatographic fingerprinting of traditional Chinese medicine and cluster analysis. Eight components were simultaneously determined by mass spectrometry in multiple reaction-monitoring mode. The method was validated in terms of linearity (R2 > 0.9971), intraday and interday precision (RSD < 2.0%), repeatability (RSD < 2.3%), stability (RSD < 2.5%) and recovery (96.2-103.8%). The developed method was successfully applied to the quality evaluation between hawthorn leaves and Guang hawthorn leaves, and there were differences in the component and the content, hawthorn leaves and Guang hawthorn leaves cannot substitute each other in clinical medication.

Ocular Cubosome Drug Delivery System for Timolol Maleate: Preparation, Characterization, Cytotoxicity, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Evaluation.

Glaucoma is an ocular disease featuring increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and its primary treatment strategy is to lower IOP by medication. Current ocular drug delivery in treating glaucoma is confronting a variety of challenges, such as low corneal permeability and bioavailability due to the unique anatomical structure of the human eye. To tackle these challenges, a cubosome drug delivery system for glaucoma treatment was constructed for timolol maleate (TM) in this study. The TM cubosomes (liquid crystalline nanoparticles) were prepared using glycerol monooleate and poloxamer 407 via high-pressure homogenization. These constructed nanoparticles appeared spherical using transmission electron microscopy and had an average particle size of 142 nm, zeta potential of -6.27 mV, and over 85% encapsulation efficiency. Moreover, using polarized light microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), it was shown that the TM cubosomes have cubic liquid crystalline D-type (Pn3m) structure, which provides good physicochemical stability and high encapsulation efficiency. Ex vivo corneal permeability experiments showed that the total amount of TM cubosomes penetrated was higher than the commercially available eye drops. In addition, in vivo studies revealed that TM cubosomes reduced the IOP in rabbits from 27.8∼39.7 to 21.4∼32.6 mmHg after 1-week administration and had a longer retention time and better lower-IOP effect than the commercial TM eye drops. Furthermore, neither cytotoxicity nor histological impairment in the rabbit corneas was observed. This study suggests that cubosomes are capable of increasing the corneal permeability and bioavailability of TM and have great potential for ocular disease treatment.

Protective effect of corn peptides against alcoholic liver injury in men with chronic alcohol consumption: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Corn peptides (CPs) are a novel food prepared from corn gluten meal, which is a main by-product of the corn starch industry. Recently, significant beneficial effects of CPs on early alcoholic liver injury in rats and on acute alcoholic injury in mice were observed. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report showing that CPs supplementation has beneficial effects on lipid profile, oxidative stress and alcoholic liver injury in men with chronic alcohol consumption. METHODS: A 9-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted between September 2011 and August 2012 to assess the hepatoprotective effect of CPs. A total of 161 men were randomized to receive CPs (n=53), whey protein (n=54), or corn starch placebo (n=54) at the same dose of 2 g twice daily. 146 participants completed the study. Serum lipid profile, serum markers of liver injury, oxidative stress and inflammation, and fatty liver based on the results of abdominal ultrasonography were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. RESULTS: CPs supplementation (4 g/d) for 9 weeks significantly lowered serum levels or activities of total cholesterol, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-α, and significantly increased serum activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, but the same dose of whey protein and corn starch (placebo) did not demonstrate these effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that CPs may have protective effects on alcohol-induced liver damage via modulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. CPs may potentially be used as a functional food for the management of alcoholic liver disease in subjects with chronic alcohol consumption.

[Extraction and purification technologies of total flavonoids from Aconitum tanguticum].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extraction and purification technologies of total flavonoids from Aconitum tanguticum whole plant. METHODS: With the content of total flavonoids as index, the optimum extraction conditions for the concentration, volume of alcohol, extracting time and times were selected by orthogonal optimized; Comparing the adsorption quantity (mg/g) and resolution (%), four kinds of macroporous adsorption resins including D101, AB-8, X-5 and XAD-16 were investigated for the enrichment ability of total flavonoids from Aconitum tanguticum; Concentration and pH value of sample, sampling amount, elution solvent and loading and elution velocity for the optimum adsorption resin were determined. RESULTS: The content of total flavonoids in Aconitum tanguticum was about 4.39%; The optimum extraction technique was 70% alcohol reflux extraction for three times,each time for one hour, the ratio of material and liquid was 1:10 (w/v); The optimum purification technology was: using XAD-16 macroporous resin, the initial concentration of total flavonoids of Aconitum tanguticum was 8 mg/mL, the sampling amount was 112 mg/g dry resin, the pH value was 5, the loading velocity was 3 mL/min, the elution solvent was 70% ethanol and the elution velocity was 5 mL/min. Under the optimum conditions, the average content of total flavonoids was raised from 4.39% to 46.19%. CONCLUSION: The optimum extraction and purification technologies for total flavonoids of Aconitum tanguticum were suitable for industrial production for its simplicity and responsibility.

[Chemical constituents from whole plants of Aconitum tanguticum (III)].

Nineteen compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Aconitum tanguticum by various of chromatographic techniques and their structures were determined through spectral analysis (1D, 2D-NMR and MS) and comparison with the literature data. These compounds were identified as 5-hydroxymethy furfural (1), 5-acetoxymethyl furfural (2), pyrrolezanthine [5-hydroxymethyl-1-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) -ethyl] -1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde] (3), lichiol B (4), phthalic acid dibutyl ester (5), 3, 4-dihydroxy phenylethanol (6), 3, 4-dihydroxy phenylethanol glucoside (7), salidroside (8), p-hydroxy phenylethanol (9), p-hydroxybenzoie acid glucoside (10), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (11), gastrodin (12), 1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) -1, 2-ethanediol (13), p-hydroxy benzaldehyde (14), p-hydroxy acetophenone (15), 3, 4-dihydroxy phenyl ethyl acetate (16), syringic aldehyde (17), ethyl beta-D-fructopyranoside (18), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester (19). Compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from the Ranunculaceae family for the first time, and compounds 2, 6 and 9-19 were isolated from the Aconitum genus for the first time, and compounds 1 and 5 were isolated from the species for the first time.

[Quality standard study on Vigna radiata].

In order to control the quality of Vigna radiata, the quality control method and standard were established in this study. The tests of water content, ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of V. radiata were carried out according to the methods recoded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1). The TLC method was established by using vitexin and isovitexin as references, and a mixture of acetate-method-water (10: 1.7 : 1.3) as the developing solvent system on GF254 thin layer plate. The contents of vitexin and isovitexin were determined by HPLC on a Prevail C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column, using acetonitrile: water (23 : 77) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature is 30 degrees C and the detection wavelength is 337 nm. As a result, vitexin, isovitexin and the other constituents were well separated on TLC detected under the UV light (254 nm). The methodology validation for the assay of vitexin and isovitexin presented that they were in good linear correlation in the ranges of 6.12-98 mg x L(-1) and 6.85-109.6 mg x L(-1), with the regression equations of Y = 46.213X - 7.100 (r = 1.000) and Y = 54.515X + 6.829 (r = 1.000), and the average recoveries were 98.2% (RSD 1.9%) and 97.2% (RSD 0.79%), respectively. The content ranges of vitexin and isovitexin from 25 different batches of V. radiata were 1.076-2.062 mg x g(1) and 1.127-2.303 mg x g(-1), respectively. suggesting that the qualities of V. radiata are relatively stable. The ethanol-soluble extractives, water content and total ash of 25 samples varied in the ranges of 13.27% - 18.46%, 9.59% - 12.43% and 2.63% - 3.53%, respectively. All of the above data proved that the established quality of control method V. radiata is specific and accurate, which can be used for the quality control of this drug.

Two new compounds from Aconitum tanguticum.

A phytochemical investigation on the whole plant of Aconitum tanguticum (Ranunculaceae) resulted in the isolation and characterization of two new phenylpropanoid glycosides (1 and 2). Their structures were elucidated as 4-hydroxyphenethoxy-8-O-ß-d-[6-O-(4-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl)-sinapoyl]-glucopyranoside (1) and 3,4-dimethoxy-trans-cinnamic acid-9-O-ß-d-allopyranoside (2) on the basis of spectroscopic data (1D NMR, 2D NMR, and MS) and comparison with the literature data.