A bibliometric and thematic analysis of the trends in the research on ginkgo biloba extract from 1985 to 2022.

Background: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a complementary and alternative medicine, has been widely used for disorders such as brain infarction, dementia, and coronary heart disease, in recent decades. Given its widespread clinical use, GBE has always been a vital research topic. However, there are no bibliometric analyses on this topic; furthermore, published reviews of GBE focus only on a specific research field or lack scientific and systematic evaluation. This study combined bibliometrics with thematic reviews by visual analysis to identify the current status of GBE research and to better identify research hotspots and trends in the past 40 years to understand future developments in basic and clinical research. Methods: Articles and reviews on GBE were retrieved by topic from the Web of Science Core Collection from inception to 2022.12.01. Countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords in the field were visually analyzed using CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and VOSviewer software; then, these visualization results for references and keywords were clarified in detail by thematic reviews in subdivisions of the fields. Results: In total, 2015 publications were included. The GBE-related literature has high volumes of publications and citations. The majority of literature is from China, and the USA cooperates most closely with other countries. In GBE research, Christen Yves is the most cited author, Phytotherapy Research is the most prolific journal, and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology is the most co-cited journal. Through a comprehensive analysis of keywords, references, and reviews, the quality of the meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials of GBE in treating dementia was evaluated by the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews scale (ROBIS). Current research on GBE focuses on its pharmacological mechanisms, and neuroprotective application in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and glaucoma. Randomized controlled trials are the current research hotspot. Conclusion: Research on GBE is flourishing; using bibliometric and thematic analysis, we identified its hotspots and trends. The pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications of GBE are the focus of present and likely future research.

Quantitative comparison of the efficacies and safety profiles of three first-line non-platinum chemotherapy regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to quantify the efficacies and safety profiles of the three first-line non-platinum chemotherapy regimens recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Materials and Methods: The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched comprehensively, and clinical trials involving patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with one of three first-line non-platinum regimens (gemcitabine combined with vinorelbine, gemcitabine combined with docetaxel, or gemcitabine alone) were included in the analysis. A parametric proportional hazard survival model was established to analyze the time course of overall survival (OS). The objective response rate (ORR) and incidence rates of grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs) were summarized using a single-arm meta-analysis with a random-effects model. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Age and performance status (PS) scores were significant predictors of OS. For each 10-years increase in age, mortality risk increased by 18.5%, and the mortality risk increased by 4% for every 10% increase in the proportion of patients with a PS score of 2. After correcting for the above factors, we found that the three first-line non-platinum chemotherapy regimens did not differ based on OS or toxicity. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in OS or toxicity among the three first-line non-platinum chemotherapy regimens. Age and PS scores were significant predictors of OS, and their heterogeneity across different studies should be considered in cross-study comparisons and sample size estimations when designing clinical trials.

Enhancement of biotransformation of ginsenosides in white ginseng roots by aerobic co-cultivation of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma reesei.

In the present work, the biotransformation of ginsenosides in white ginseng roots was innovatively investigated using the aerobic fermentation by the co-cultivation of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma reesei. It is found that in the co-cultivation mode, the optimal nitrogen source was corn steep liquor, and the loading of ginseng powder and inoculation proportion of B. subtilis and T. reesei were 15 g/L and 1:4, respectively. The total ginsenoside yield and production of minor ginsenosides in the co-cultivation mode obviously enhanced in comparison to the monoculture mode. Meanwhile, the maximal total ginsenoside yield of 21.79% and high hydrolase activities were achieved using the staged inoculation at the inoculation proportion of 1:4 in the co-cultivation mode, the production of minor ginsenosides such as Rg3 and Rh1, Rh2 was significantly strengthened, and the pharmacological activities of the fermented solution obviously improved. The enhancement of ginsenoside transformation can be mainly attributed to hydrolysis of the produced hydrolases and metabolism of two probiotics. This result clearly reveals that using the staged inoculation in co-cultivation fermentation mode was favor of the ginsenoside biotransformation in ginseng due to non-synchronous cell growth and different metabolic pathways of both probiotics. This work can provide a novel method for enhancing ginsenoside transformation of ginseng.Key points• Co-cultivation fermentation significantly promoted ginsenoside biotransformation.• The staged inoculation in co-culture mode was an optimal operation method.• The pharmacological activity of the co-cultured solution was significantly enhanced.

9-PAHSA promotes browning of white fat via activating G-protein-coupled receptor 120 and inhibiting lipopolysaccharide / NF-kappa B pathway.

Browning of white adipose tissue is a novel mechanism to counteract obesity in view of its thermogenic activity. Activation of G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) can promote the browning of white fat. 9-PAHSA, an endogenous mammalian lipid, which is acting as the ligand of GPR120 to enhance glucose uptake and exert anti-inflammatory effect. In the study, we would like to investigate the biological effects of 9-PAHSA on adipocyte browning. Here, we show that 9-PAHSA induces browning of 3T3-L1 adipocytes via enhanced expression of brown fat specific genes. 9-PAHSA-induced browning in white adipocytes of WT mice and ob/ob mice was investigated by determining expression levels of brown adipocyte-specific genes/proteins by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, immunoblot analysis and immunochemical staining. The effects of 9-PAHSA on brown fat markers in 3T3-L1 cells were decreased when GPR120 gene was silenced. To investigate the molecular mechanism of 9-PAHSA on adipocyte browning, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory model was conducted. 9-PAHSA treatment abolished LPS-induced NF-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and inflammatory cytokine secretion. But these anti-inflammatory effects of 9-PAHSA were attenuated by GPR120 knockdown. Our finding demonstrated that the browning of adipocyte was induced by 9-PAHSA through activating GPR120 and inhibiting the LPS/NF-κB pathway. This promising result will help to reveal the potential pathogenesis of obesity.

Piperine (PP) enhanced mitomycin-C (MMC) therapy of human cervical cancer through suppressing Bcl-2 signaling pathway via inactivating STAT3/NF-κB.

Piperine (PP), an alkaloid from black and long peppers (Piper nigrum Linn &Piper longum Linn), exhibits antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the ability of piperine (PP) to reverse the drug resistance of human cervical cancer cells. In our study, the cervica cancer cells resistant to mitomycin-C (MMC) treatment were used. We found the growth inhibitory effects of piperine on human cervical cancer cell, which were resistant to MMC. Piperine and MMC co-treatment resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of the cell proliferation. Decreasing of phosphorylated-signal transducer and activator of transcription (p-STAT3) was linked to the suppression of p65 by PP and MMC combinational treatment. Additionally, the presence of PP potentiated the effects of MMC on apoptosis induction in cervical cancer cells with drug resistance, which was dependent on Bcl-2 inhibition. The pro-apoptotic proteins of Bax and Bid were up-regulated, accompanied with Caspase cleavage. Moreover, in mice xenograft models, the combined therapy inhibited tumor growth compared to the PP or MMC mono-therapy group. Our data indicated a novel therapeutic strategy of PP to potentiate MMC-induced anti-tumor effect on cervical cancer cells with drug resistance through blocking p-STAT3/p65 and Bcl-2 activation.

[Effect of Modified Hangqi Chifeng Decoction Containing Serum on the Expression of Col IV, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 in Glomerular Mesangial Cells Induced by LPS].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Modified Hangqi Chifeng Decoction (MHCD) on levels of collagen type IV (Col IV), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in extracellular matrix (ECM) of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in LPS induced mice. METHODS: Normal serum and telmisartan, high, medium, low dose MHCD containing serums were prepared by using serum pharmacology method. GMCs were cultured in vitro. The proliferation of mesangial cells were induced using LPS as stimulating factor. GMCs were divided into six groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the telmisartan group, high, medium and low dose MHCD groups. Col IV content in the supernatant of mesangial cells was detected using ELISA. Protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected using Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, Col IV content obviously increased in the model group after 72-h LPS stimulation; protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were obviously up-regulated, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, Col IV content obviously decreased in high and medium dose MHCD groups and the telmisartan group (P < 0.01); protein expressions of MMP-2 were obviously down-regulated in medium and low dose MHCD groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the protein expression of TIMP-2 was obviously down-regulated in high, medium, low dose MHCD groups and the telmisartan group (P < 0.01). The pro- tein expression of TIMP-2 was obviously lower in the high dose MHCD group than in the low dose MHCD group (P < 0.01). MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was obviously up-regulated in the telmisartan group, high and medium dose MHCD groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MHCD could regulate disordered MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio in LPS induced ECM, inhibit excessive production of Col IV in ECM, promote the degradation of ECM, reduce the accumulation of ECM, thereby, delaying the process of glomerular sclerosis.

[Anti-renal Fibrosis Mechanism of Modified Huangqi Chifeng Decoction Based on TGF-p1/Smad Signal Pathway].

Objective To observe the effect of Modified Huangqi Chifeng Decoction (MHCD) on TGF-ß1/Smad signal pathway, and to explore its anti-renal fibrosis mechanism. Methods Adopting ser- um pharmacology method, rats were intragastrically administered with MHCD and telmisartan to prepare drug containing serum. Mouse mesangial cells were cultured in vitro, using lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as stimulating factor. The cells were divided into six groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the telmisartan group, high, medium and low dose MHCD groups. The cell supernatant was collected in each group after mouse mesangial cells were intervened by drug containing serum for 72 h. Contents of laminin (LN) and fibronectin (FN) were measured using ELISA. Protein expression levels of TGF-P, , p-Smad2/3, Smad7, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were detected using Western blot. Results (1) Compared with the normal group, contents of LN and FN in supernatant significantly increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, contents of LN and FN were significantly reduced in the telmisartan group and the medium dose MHCD group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). FN content in su- pernatant significantly decreased in the low dose MHCD group (P <0. 01). (2) Compared with the normal group, protein expressions of TGF-ß1 , p-Smad2/3, and CTGF were significantly increased, Smad7 protein expression significantly decreased in the model group, with statistical difference (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, protein expressions of TGF-ß1 and CTGF significantly decreased in the telmisartan group and 3 MHCD groups (P <0. 01 , P <0. 05) ; protein expression of p-Smad23 significantly decreased in the telmisartan group, high and medium dose MHCD groups (P <0.01); Smad7 protein expression were significantly increased in high and medium dose MHCD groups (P <0. 05). Conclusion MHCD could inhibit increased inflammatory factors induced secretion of extracellular matrix in glomerular mesangial cells, and restrain excessive activation of TGF-ß1/Smad signal pathways, which might be one of its anti-renal fibrosis mechanisms.

[Treating menopause syndrome by kuntal capsule and hormone replacement therapy: a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety comparison].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kuntai Capsule (KC) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in treating menopause syndrome by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were electronically retrieved from PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, Chinese Doctoral Dissertation Full Text Database, Chinese Outstanding Masters' Dissertation Full Text Database, and VIP database, Wanfang Database, and some other related papers were manually checked. All papers were assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of interventions and then effective data were analyzed by RevMan 5.0.2 Software. RESULTS: Eight randomized control trials involving 675 patients were included. Results of Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in the Kupperman Menopausal Scores [MD = 1.91, 95% CI (-0.31, 4.12)] and the effective rate of Kupperman Menopausal Scores [OR = 1.37, 95% CI (0.66, 2.85)] between the KC group and the estrogen replacement therapy group (P > 0.05). Compared with the KC group, the E2 level [MD = -12.8, 95% CI (-22.85, -2.76)] and the FSH level [MD = 17.96, 95% CI (3.03, 32.88)] could be significantly improved in the estrogen replacement therapy group. Compared with the estrogen replacement group, KC could significantly reduce the total incidence of adverse reactions [OR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.24, 0.73)], the incidence of breast distending pain [OR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.42, 1.00)], and the incidence of vaginal bleeding [OR = 0.26, 95% CI (0.17, 0.40) ] (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current limited evidence showed that, when compared with the estrogen replacement therapy group, KC could also improve climacteric symptoms. It was inferior to the estrogen replacement therapy group in improving in vivo hormone levels. But it was superior in reducing the incidence of adverse reactions, breast distending pain, and vaginal bleeding.

Isolation and cytotoxic activity of selaginellin derivatives and biflavonoids from Selaginella tamariscina.

Five selaginellin derivatives, including two new selaginellins termed selaginellins M (1) and N (2), and three previously identified compounds, selaginellin (3), selaginellin A (4), and selaginellin C (5), were isolated from the Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring plant. In addition, four known biflavonoids, namely neocryptomerin ( 6), hinokiflavone (7), pulvinatabiflavone (8), and 7''- O-methylamentoflavone (9), were also isolated. The structures of new compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1- 9 was evaluated against a small panel of human cancer cell lines, including U251 (human glioma cells), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma cells), and MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells). The two new selaginellins, selaginellins M (1) and N (2), showed medium activity against the human cancer cell lines.

Quantitative analysis and simulation of anti-inflammatory effects from the active components of Paino Powder () in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore different combinations of the active ingredients of Paino Powder ()), including paeoniflorln, naringin, neohesperidln and platyeodin-D, which are responsible for the inhibition of carrageenin-induced edema in rats, and to evaluate the performance of the orthogonal simulation method in quantitative analysis and the simulation of the combinations. METHODS: A 1-level (used) and 2-level (unused) orthogonal design was applied to assign 7 combinations of active components. Aspirin and saline were set as the two controls. The carrageen In-Induced edema in the right hind paws of rats was established as the acute inflammation model The efficacy indices were expressed by the area under the curve (AUC) and the peak value of the swelling change (%) over time in rats. RESULTS: Compared with the saline group, the rats in active component combinations showed a significant reduction of AUG and peak value in the swelling (P<0.05). The maximum anti-inflammatory effect was from the whole four-ingredient combination. Among the four ingredients, naringin showed a dominant contribution to the combination, while paeoniflorin > platycodin-D > naringin contributed in succession. These results are consistent with the results of computer simulation. CONCLUSIONS: A single component from Paino Powder does not exhibit any anti-inflammatory effect, but some combinations show such effect. The strongest inhibition to edema comes from the full 4-ingredient combination. The orthogonal simulation method is feasible in the research on decomposed formulas of Chinese medicine.

PopW of Ralstonia solanacearum, a new two-domain harpin targeting the plant cell wall.

Harpins are extracellular glycine-rich proteins eliciting a hypersensitive response (HR). In this study, we identified a new harpin, PopW, from Ralstonia solanacearum strain ZJ3721. This 380-amino-acid protein is acidic, rich in glycine and serine, and lacks cysteine. When infiltrated into the leaves of tobacco (non-host), PopW induced a rapid tissue collapse via a heat-stable but protease-sensitive HR-eliciting activity. PopW has an N-terminal harpin domain (residues 1-159) and a C-terminal pectate lyase (PL) domain (residues 160-366); its HR-eliciting activity depends on its N-terminal domain. Analyses of subcellular localization and plasmolysis demonstrated that PopW targeted the onion cell wall. This was further confirmed by its ability to specifically bind to calcium pectate, a major component of the plant cell wall. However, PopW had no detectable PL activity. Western blotting revealed that PopW was secreted by the type III secretion system in an hrpB-dependent manner. Gene sequencing indicated that popW is conserved among 20 diverse strains of R. solanacearum. A popW-deficient mutant retained the ability of wild-type strain ZJ3721 to elicit HR in tobacco and to cause wilt disease in tomato (a host). We conclude that PopW is a new cell wall-associated, hrpB-dependent, two-domain harpin that is conserved across the R. solanacearum species complex.

[Anti-inflammatory effects and quantitative study of the combinations of active ingredients of Painong powder in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-inflammatory effects of the combinations of active components of Painong powder, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and the quantitative analysis of their interactions. METHODS: The mouse model of acute inflammation with increase of capillary permeability was induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid. An orthogonal design with 2 levels (used and unused) was applied to assign the combinations groups of active ingredients including naringin and neohesperidin, peoniflorin, and platycodin. Aspirin and normal saline were administered as control. The pharmacodynamic interactions were analyzed by the optical density (OD) of infiltrated Evans blue. RESULTS: The different combinations of active ingredients showed anti-inflammatory effect with different degree, and the predicted values of OD varied from 0.115 to 0.170. The maximum anti-inflammatory effect was from the combination of naringin, neohesperidin, paeoniflorin and platycodin, better than that of the saline group (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference as compared with the aspirin group (P > 0.05). Paeoniflorin showed a dominant contribution to the formula, and platycodin the least. The combination of all active components exhibited synergism. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that all the ingredients are efficacious constituents of the formula, and paeoniflorin shows a dominant contribution to the formula. More information about prescription compatibility can be obtained by the orthogonal simulation method.

[Study on traditional Chinese medicine extracts of rhizoma coptidis by FTIR spectroscopy].

In the present paper, we applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and second derivative infrared spectroscopy to establish a rapid and efficient analytical method for a preliminary quality control of medicinal herb extracts. The commonly used Chinese herb medicine, Rhizoma coptidis, was taken as an example. The main component-berberine in rhizoma coptidis was analyzed as target compound. The results indicated that the IR spectra of rhizoma coptidis herb, its water and alcohol extracts, exhibit their macroscopic fingerprint characters with fine repeatability, and the corresponding secondary derivative spectra further confirmed the spectral characteristics of the original IR spectra by enhancing spectral resolution. The typical and strongest absorption band of IR spectrum of berberine is at 1,505 cm(-1), which is assigned to aromatic skeleton vibration band, and its intensities in spectra of rhizoma coptidis herb and its different extracts become the main identification standard of the contents of berberine in those samples. In addition, comparing the IR spectra of the medicinal herb and its extracts, it was shown that the main bioactive components, alkaloids in rhizoma coptidis herb, are enriched by extraction, and the contents of berberine in alcohol extracts of rhizoma coptidis are higher than those in water extracts. The spectroscopic technique described is a simple and rapid analytical technique, which could provide valuable information about chemical constituents of medicinal extracts for guiding further chromatographic analysis and separation improvement.

[Quantitative approach for calculation of pharmacodynamic interactions and simulation of combined response].

OBJECTIVE: An approach is set up to calculate pharmacodynamic interaction and simulate the combined response. METHOD: An orthogonal design with 1-level = high dose and 2-level = low dose was adopted. An example of the compound with four components was applied to evaluate this quantitative approach. The bias was evaluated by the both scatter plots. RESULT: This approach can calculate the value of each component with different dose by its contribution to combined response, and the value is related to the importance of a compound. Drug interactions were evaluated among the combinations in each group. The prediction model performed well and simulated the combined response in the different of components in combination. CONCLUSION: The approach can be used in the similar research, and it also provides predictions of component combinations from the other studies by simulation.

Steroids and flavonoids from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Four new steroidal compounds possessing a rare 13,14-seco-16,24-cycloergostane skeleton, physalin Y ( 1), physalin Z ( 2), physalin I ( 6), and physalin II ( 7), were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of calyces from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii together with 11 known steroids ( 3- 5 and 8- 15) and eight flavonoids ( 16- 23). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated primarily on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic studies. The relative configuration of the 3-OH group of 3, 4, and 5 was also established or re-established. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1- 23 on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccaride-activated macrophages were evaluated.

[Study on IR fingerprint spectra of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq].

Fourier transform infrared spectrum has been developed for application in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine, and two new indexes, including common peak ratio and variant peak ratio, were applied, and their values were calculated by means of the sequential analysis for eight kinds of essence oil of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq from different cultural areas (Hainan, Guangxi and Guangdong), in which each sample's IR fingerprint spectra were set up and the common peak ratio and variant peak ratio sequences were arranged in the order of size in comparison with other samples. It can be seen that Alpinia oxyphylla samples from Guangxi, Hainan and Guangdong provinces could be successfully revealed directly by the common peak ratio and variant peak ratio sequences. In comparison with their conventional IR spectra, the primary difference in Alpinia oxyphylla is the intensity of characteristic peaks at 1 710 and 1 666 cm(-1). Considering the spectral range of 400-4 000 cm(-1), the common peak ratio of the spectra between Hainan and Guangdong was 62%, while the common peak ratio between Hainan and Guangxi was 52%. But the mix common peak ratio of the spectra in Hainan is 66%. The fingerprint characters of IR can not only identify the main chemical constituents in medicinal materials, but also compare the components differences among the similar samples. The analytical method is an rapid, effective, fast and advanced to evaluate the production area for pharmaceutical market.

[Studies on isolation and identification of flavonoids in herbs of Agrimonia pilosa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in Agrimonia pilosa. METHOD: The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatographic methods and elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences. RESULT: Nine flavonoids were obtained and identified as tiliroside (1), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhampyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhampyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol (6), apigenin (7), luteolin (8), quercetin (9). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-3, 5, 6 and 8 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Study on the compatibility of medicines of sini-tang by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to analyze the different sini-tang formulas. The findings indicated that the FTIR spectra of different formulas show certain regular changes. According to the identification and assignment of the characteristic peaks, it is clear how the interaction of each single drug in the compound and the administrated amount influence the formulas. This method offers a new thought for exploring the formulas research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on Angelica and its different extracts by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation IR spectroscopy.

In order to develop a rapid and effective analysis method for studying integrally the main constituents in the medicinal materials and their extracts, discriminating the extracts from different extraction process, comparing the categories of chemical constituents in the different extracts and monitoring the qualities of medicinal materials, we applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) associated with second derivative infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR) to study the main constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Angelica and its different extracts (extracted by petroleum ether, ethanol and water in turn). The findings indicated that FT-IR spectrum can provide many holistic variation rules of chemical constituents. Use of the macroscopical fingerprint characters of FT-IR and 2D-IR spectrum can not only identify the main chemical constituents in medicinal materials and their different extracts, but also compare the components differences among the similar samples. This analytical method is highly rapid, effective, visual and accurate for pharmaceutical research.

Flavonoids from preparation of traditional Chinese medicines named Sini-Tang.

A new flavonoid, 7-hydroxyl-4'-O-beta--(6'-O-alpha-hydroxylpropionyl)-glucopyranosyl dihydroflavone (1), together with 12 known flavonoids, has been isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the aqueous extract of Sini Tang. The structures of the compounds have been elucidated by spectral methods. The new compound comes from Glycyrriza uralensis Fisch., as determined by HPLC-ESI-MS.