Structural characterization, molecular dynamic simulation, and conformational visualization of a water-soluble glucan with high molecular weight from Gastrodia elata Blume.

Polysaccharides have been widely used in the development of natural drugs and health food. However, polysaccharide characterization lags due to inherently complicated features and the limitations of existing detection approaches. We aimed to provide new insight into the fine structure and conformational visualization of polysaccharides from Gastrodia elata Blume, a medicinal and edible plant. A water-soluble polysaccharide (GEP2-6) with the high molecular weight of 2.7 × 106 Da was first obtained, and its purity reached 99.2 %. Chemical and spectroscopic analyses jointly revealed that GEP2-6 was a glucan linked by α-(1 â†’ 4) and α-(1 â†’ 6) glycosidic bonds. After enzymolysis, the local structure of GEP2-6 included α-1,4-Glcp, α-1,6-Glcp, α-1,4,6-Glcp, and α-1-Glcp at a molar ratio of 31.27∶1.32∶1.08∶0.93. The glycosidic linkage pattern of repeating units was further simulated by a glycan database and spatial examination software. The good dissolution performance was interpreted by dynamics simulation and practical molecular characteristics. Spherical flexible chains and the porous stable conformation were corroborated using atomic force microscopy. In addition, GEP2-6 could effectively scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radicals as a promising natural antioxidant. These efforts will contribute to the expansion of clinical applications of this G. elata polysaccharide and the structural elucidation for macromolecular polysaccharides combined with traditional and modern analysis techniques.

Synthesis, Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Selenium Nanoparticles and Its Effect on DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Selenium nanoparticles have attracted extensive attention due to their good bioavailability and activity. In the present study, a new form of selenium nanoparticle (Low molecular weight chitosan selenium nanoparticles (LCS-SeNPs)) were synthesized in a system of sodium selenite and acetic acid. The size, element state, morphology and elementary composition of LCS-SeNPs were characterized by using various spectroscopic and microscopic measurements. The protection of LCS-SeNPs against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and the inherent mechanisms of this process were investigated. The results showed that LCS-SeNPs, with an average diameter of 198 nm, zero-valent and orange-red relatively uniform spherical particles were prepared. LCS-SeNPs were mainly composed of C, N, O and Se elements, of which Se accounted for 39.03% of the four elements C, N, O and Se. LCS-SeNPs reduced colon injury and inflammation symptoms and improved intestinal barrier dysfunction. LCS-SeNPs significantly reduced serum and colonic inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Moreover, LCS-SeNPs remarkably increased antioxidant enzyme GSH-Px levels in serum and colonic tissue. Further studies on inflammatory pathways showed that LCS-SeNPs alleviated DSS-induced colitis through the NF-κB signaling pathway, and relieved inflammatory associated oxidative stress through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Our findings suggested that LCS-SeNPs are a promising selenium species with potential applications in the treatment of oxidative stress related inflammatory intestinal diseases.

Preparation of Monascus-fermented ginkgo seeds: optimization of fermentation parameters and evaluation of bioactivity.

In this study, a high monacolin K yield was achieved through solid-state fermentation of Ginkgo biloba seeds. Monascus purpureus suspension made from red yeast rice was used as spore inoculum. Fermentation conditions in solid-state fermentation were optimized using response surface methodology, and the optimal conditions for the maximum monacolin K yield (17.71 ± 1.57 mg/g) were 0.22% ammonium sulfate, 0.34% ammonium chloride, 0.05% magnesium sulfate, fermentation time of 12 days, inoculation volume of 11%, and temperature of 27 °C. The total phenolic content of Monascus-fermented ginkgo seeds attained 9.67 mg GAE/g, 4.88-fold higher than that of unfermented ginkgo seeds. The scavenging abilities of DPPH and ABTS free radicals increased to 9.79 mg TE/g and 13.92 mg TE/g, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the optimal fermentation conditions for maximum monacolin K yield and the utilization value of ginkgo seed as fermentation substrate for higher bioactivities. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01078-z.

Microbiota drive insoluble polysaccharides utilization via microbiome-metabolome interplay during Pu-erh tea fermentation.

Polysaccharides are abundant components in Pu-erh tea, yet the utilization of insoluble polysaccharides under the actions of microbiota has rarely been studied. The aim of this work was to study how insoluble polysaccharides were utilized during fermentation through the investigation of the variations and correlation of microbiota with polysaccharides degradation products. Genomics study revealed the significant changes of microbiota. Metabolomics analysis showed monosaccharides (types 1 and 3) were consumed during early and middle fermentation stages, while carboxylic acids and other monosaccharides (type 2) were accumulated at middle and late pile-fermentation stages. Correlation revealed that type 1 and 3 monosaccharides, which act as energy providers, were positively associated with Aspergillus, while type 2 monosaccharides possessing multiple bioactivities and carboxylic acids influencing tea taste were positively related to Rasamsonia, Thermomyces, Bacillaceae, and Lactobacillaceae. This study would be beneficial to improve production efficiency and provide basis for quality control of Pu-erh tea fermentation.

Dynamic changes of phenolic acids and antioxidant activity of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium during aging processes.

Citri reticulatae pericarpium (CRP) shows multiple bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammation. The folk proverb "CRP, the older, the better" means storing for longer time would improve its quality, which attributed to the influence of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to study which compounds are the factors that long storage would influence the quality of CRP. 161 compounds, including 65 flavonoids, 51 phenolic acids, 27 fatty acids, and 18 amino acids were identified through derivatization and non-derivatization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry approaches. Their dynamic changes indicated phenolic acids, which were reported to have various activities, were the main increased components. Furthermore, the representative phenolic acids were quantified and correlation analysis between their contents and antioxidant activity implicated they were the possible indicators that long storage would improve CRP quality. The results would provide basis for quality control of CRP during storage.

Profiling and identification of chemical components of Shenshao Tablet and its absorbed components in rats by comprehensive HPLC/DAD/ESI-MSn analysis.

Shenshao Tablet (SST), prepared from Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA) and total ginsenoside of Ginseng Stems and Leaves (GSL), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation prescribed to treat coronary heart disease. However, its chemical composition and the components that can migrate into blood potentially exerting the therapeutic effects have rarely been elucidated. We developed an HPLC/DAD/ESI-MSn approach aiming to comprehensively profile and identify both the chemical components of SST and its absorbed ingredients (and metabolites) in rat plasma and urine. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse XDB C18 column using acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. MS detection was conducted in both negative and positive ESI modes to yield more structure information. Comparison with reference compounds (tR, MSn), interpretation of the fragmentation pathways, and searching of in-house database, were utilized for more reliable structure elucidation. A total of 82 components, including 21 monoterpene glycosides, four galloyl glucoses, two phenols from PRA, and 55 ginsenosides from GSL, were identified or tentatively characterized from the 70% ethanolic extract of SST. Amongst them, seven and 24 prototype compounds could be detectable in the plasma and urine samples, respectively, after oral administration of an SST extract (4 g·kg-1) in rats. No metabolites were observed in the rat samples. The findings of this work first unveiled the chemical complexity of SST and its absorbed components, which would be beneficial to understanding the therapeutic basis and quality control of SST.

Compound to Extract to Formulation: a knowledge-transmitting approach for metabolites identification of Gegen-Qinlian Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula.

Herbal medicines usually contain a large group of chemical components, which may be transformed into more complex metabolites in vivo. In this study, we proposed a knowledge-transmitting strategy for metabolites identification of compound formulas. Gegen-Qinlian Decoction (GQD) is a classical formula in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is widely used to treat diarrhea and diabetes in clinical practice. However, only tens of metabolites could be detected using conventional approaches. To comprehensively identify the metabolites of GQD, a "compound to extract to formulation" strategy was established in this study. The metabolic pathways of single representative constituents in GQD were studied, and the metabolic rules were transmitted to chemically similar compounds in herbal extracts. After screening diversified metabolites from herb extracts, the knowledge was summarized to identify the metabolites of GQD. Tandem mass spectrometry (MSn), fragment-based scan (NL, PRE), and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) were employed to identify, screen, and monitor the metabolites, respectively. Using this strategy, we detected 131 GQD metabolites (85 were newly generated) in rats biofluids. Among them, 112 metabolites could be detected when GQD was orally administered at a clinical dosage (12.5 g/kg). This strategy could be used for systematic metabolites identification of complex Chinese medicine formulas.

A targeted strategy to analyze untargeted mass spectral data: Rapid chemical profiling of Scutellaria baicalensis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry and key ion filtering.

Structural identification of natural products by tandem mass spectrometry requires laborious spectral analysis. Herein, we report a targeted post-acquisition data processing strategy, key ion filtering (KIF), to analyze untargeted mass spectral data. This strategy includes four steps: (1) untargeted data acquisition by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC/orbitrap-MS); (2) construction of a key ion database according to diagnostic MS/MS fragmentations and conservative substructures of natural compounds; (3) high-resolution key ion filtering of the acquired data to recognize substructures; and (4) structural identification of target compounds by analyzing their MS/MS spectra. The herbal medicine Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) was used to illustrate this strategy. Its extract was separated within 20 min on a C18 column (1.8 µm, 2.1×150 mm) eluted with acetonitrile, methanol, and water containing 0.1% formic acid. The compounds were detected in the (-)-ESI mode, and their MS/MS spectra were recorded in the untargeted manner. Key ions were then filtered from the LC/MS data to recognize flavones, flavanones, O-/C-glycosides, and phenylethanoid glycosides. Finally, a total of 132 compounds were identified from Huang-Qin, and 59 of them were reported for the first time. This study provides an efficient data processing strategy to rapidly profile the chemical constituents of complicated herbal extracts.

Anti-H1N1 virus, cytotoxic and Nrf2 activation activities of chemical constituents from Scutellaria baicalensis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huang-Qin, derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is a popular Chinese herbal medicine mainly used to treat influenza and cancer. This study aims to elucidate the anti-influenza, anti-cancer and anti-oxidation effective components of S. baicalensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various column chromatography techniques and semi-preparative HPLC were used to isolate Scutellaria compounds, and their structures were identified by HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic analysis. The pure compounds were evaluated for anti-influenza activities against A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus in MDCK cells, cytotoxic activities against HepG2, SW480 and MCF7 human cancer cells by MTS assay, and antioxidant activities by Nrf2 luciferase reporter assay. In addition, the contents of 12 major compounds in 27 batches of S. baicalensis were simultaneously determined by a fully validated UPLC/UV method. RESULTS: A total of thirty compounds (1-30), including four new ones (3, 7, 11 and 23), were isolated from S. baicalensis. Baicalin (15), baicalein (26), wogonin (27), chrysin (28) and oroxylin A (30) showed potent anti-H1N1 activities, with IC50 values of 7.4, 7.5, 2.1, 7.7 and 12.8 µM, respectively, which were remarkably more potent than the positive drug Osv-P (oseltamivir phosphate, IC50 45.6 µM). Most free flavones (26-28 and 30) showed significant cytotoxic activities at 10 µM (up to 61.2% inhibition rate). Furthermore, 30 could activate Nrf2 transcription by 3.8-fold of the control at 10 µM. UPLC analysis indicated the 12 major compounds (including the bioactive ones) accounted for 195.93 ± 43.9 mg g(-)(1) of the herbal materials. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that free flavones showed potent anti-influenza, anti-cancer and anti-oxidative activities. They are important effective components of S. baicalensis, and can be used as chemical markers for quality control of this herbal medicine.

Rapid characterization of chemical constituents and rats metabolites of the traditional Chinese patent medicine Gegen-Qinlian-Wan by UHPLC/DAD/qTOF-MS.

Gegen-Qinlian-Wan (GQW) is a popular traditional Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. It is composed of four herbal medicines, Puerariae Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method based on ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-qTOF-MS) was established to characterize the chemical constituents and rats metabolites of GQW. Samples were separated on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus-C(18) column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) by gradient elution using acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. On the basis of UV and qTOF high-accuracy mass spectral analysis, a total of 62 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized from GQW, including 42 flavonoids, 8 alkaloids, 6 triterpenoids, 3 phenylethanoid glycosides, and 3 other types. Among them, 27 compounds were confirmed by comparing with reference standards. Furthermore, metabolites in rats plasma and urine after oral administration of GQW were also analyzed. A total of 42 compounds were identified, including 29 prototypes and 13 metabolites through metabolic pathways of demethylation, methylation, hydrolysis, sulfate conjugation, and glucuronide conjugation. Glucuronidated flavonoids were the main constituents in the plasma, and were then transformed into aglycones and excreted from urine. This is the first systematic study on the chemical constituents and metabolic profiling of GQW.

In vivo metabolites and plasma exposure of TongMai Keli analyzed by UHPLC/DAD/qTOF-MS and LC/MS/MS.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: TongMai Keli (TM) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine preparation for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is composed of Puerariae Lobatae Radix (roots of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.). The aim of this study is to identify the in vivo metabolites of TM, and to elucidate the pharmacokinetics of TM constituents and their metabolites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For metabolites identification, TM was orally administered to rats (n=3), and the metabolites in plasma were identified by UHPLC/DAD/qTOF-MS analysis and ß-glucuronidase hydrolysis. For pharmacokinetic study, rats (n=10) were treated with TM at a clinical dose, and the plasma was analyzed by LC/MS/MS. RESULTS: A total of 25 metabolites from TM were identified in rats plasma. Glucuronide and sulfate conjugations were the major metabolic reactions, and produced 14 metabolites. The analytical method for pharmacokinetic study was fully validated with good linearity (r>0.99), wide dynamic ranges (6-6000 ng/mL), and low variations (<14.3%). The plasma concentration-time curves of puerarin and nine metabolites were profiled. CONCLUSION: Isoflavones from Puerariae Lobatae Radix were the major metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of TM. Puerarin and other isoflavone glycosides could reach their first C(max) within 30 min, and were then rapidly eliminated, followed by their phase II metabolites.

Analytical strategy to reveal the in vivo process of multi-component herbal medicine: a pharmacokinetic study of licorice using liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

Although various techniques have been employed to analyze drug metabolites, the metabolism of multi-component herbal medicine has seldom been fully addressed. In contrast to chemical drugs, a number of compounds in herbal medicine could get into circulation and then be metabolized. Moreover, these compounds may have metabolic interactions which make their pharmacokinetics (PK) even more complicated. The present work aims to elucidate the multi-component pharmacokinetics of a herbal medicine, and to demonstrate how PK behaviors were altered by co-existing constituents. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.), a most commonly used herbal medicine, was chosen as a model. A strategy was proposed to compare the PK profiles of licorice extract with those of nine single compounds. These compounds were major bioactive constituents of licorice, and represented various structural types (flavanone, chalcone, isoflavone, saponin, and coumarin). We established a segmented selected reaction monitoring LC/MS/MS method to simultaneously monitor 63 licorice metabolites in rat plasma, and obtained the PK profiles of 55 metabolites. The results indicated that interactions among licorice compounds altered their PK behaviors in 4 aspects: improvement in bioavailability for aglycones (133- and 109-fold increase for liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin, respectively), prolongation in system circulation for glycosides (0.3h delay in T(max) for liquiritin apioside and isoliquiritin apioside), decrease of potential toxicity for saponins such as glycyrrhizic acid, and shift in plasma distribution for phase II metabolites. This is the first attempt to systematically reveal the in vivo process of licorice. Moreover, the study indicates noticeable interactions to alter pharmacokinetics among licorice compounds, which may be characteristic for herbal medicines.

A strategy for efficient discovery of new natural compounds by integrating orthogonal column chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis: Its application in Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium and Panax notoginseng to characterize 437 potential new ginsenosides.

To discover new natural compounds from herbal medicines tends to be more and more difficult. In this paper, a strategy integrating orthogonal column chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis was proposed, and was applied for rapid discovery of new ginsenosides from Panax ginseng (PG), Panax quinquefolium (PQ), and Panax notoginseng (PN). The ginsenosides extracts were fractionated by MCI gel×silica gel orthogonal column chromatography. The fractions were then separated on a C(18) HPLC column, eluted with a three-component mobile phase (CH(3)CN/CH(3)OH/3mM CH(3)COONH(4)H(2)O), and detected by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The structures of unknown ginsenosides were elucidated by analyzing negative and positive ion mass spectra, which provided complementary information on the sapogenins and oligosaccharide chains, respectively. A total of 623 comprising 437 potential new ginsenosides were characterized from the ethanol extracts of PG, PQ and PN. New acylations, diversified saccharide chains and C-17 side chains constituted novelty of the newly identified ginsenosides. An interpretation guideline was proposed for structural characterization of unknown ginsenosides by LC/MS. To confirm reliability of this strategy, two targeted unknown trace ginsenosides were obtained in pure form by LC/MS-guided isolation. Based on extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and other techniques, they were identified as 3-O-[6-O-(E)-butenoyl-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1,2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-20(S)-protopanaxadiol-20-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1,6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (named ginsenoside IV) and 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1,2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-3ß,12ß,20(S),24(R)-tetra hydroxy-dammar-25-ene-20-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1,6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (ginsenoside V), respectively. The fully established structures were consistent with the MS-oriented structural elucidation. This study expanded our understanding on ginsenosides of Panax species, and the proposed strategy was proved efficient and reliable in the discovery of new minor compounds from herbal extracts.

Metabolic regulatory effects of licorice: a bile acid metabonomic study by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Licorice is one of the most popular herbal medicines worldwide, and is mainly used to moderate the characteristics of other herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is hypothesized that licorice exerts this role by regulating systemic metabolism. Bile acids play a critical role in lipid digestion and cholesterol metabolism, and are sensitive biomarkers for hepatic function. In this study, the regulatory effects of licorice on bile acid metabonome in rats were investigated using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. After oral administration of a clinical dosage of licorice water extract, the levels of 21 fully identified and 41 tentatively characterized bile acid analogs in rat plasma were determined by a fully validated method. Following partial least squares discriminant analysis, the results showed that licorice treatment led to dose-dependent up-regulation of free and glycine-conjugated bile acids excretion. Particularly, the plasma levels of cholic acid (1465.33±915.93-7156.46±3490.49 ng/mL, p=0.0027) and ß-muricholic acid (228.19±163.95-1284.40±775.62 ng/mL, p=0.0045) increased significantly 48 h after administration. As licorice is widely used as a detoxifying drug, the regulation of plasma bile acids may be an important evidence to interpret its mechanism.

[Evaluation of shensongyangxin capsules in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a randomized, double-blind and controlled multicenter trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal shensongyangxin capsules in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. METHODS: From August 2007 to July 2008, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital conducted a multicenter study, select the eleven hospital's outpatient subjects, aged 18 to 75 years old, male or female, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (at least one electrocardiogram diagnosis) seizure frequency ≥ 2 times/month, according to the ratio 1:1:1, subjects were randomly divided into three groups: a. shensongyangxin group, taking shensongyangxin capsule 4 + propafenone analogues 150 mg, 3 times a day; b. propafenone group, taking propafenone tablets 150 mg + 4 shensongyangxin analogues, 3 times a day; shensongyangxin capsule + propafenone group, taking shensongyangxin capsule 4 + propafenone 150 mg, 3 times a day. The treatment course is 8 weeks, with 3 times of follow-up. RESULTS: Total of 349 cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which 117 cases in shensongyangxin group, 115 cases in propafenone group; 117 cases in shensongyangxin + propafenone group. The baseline data analysis showed that there were no significantly difference (P > 0.05) among the three groups of atrial fibrillation seizure frequency, vital signs, general condition, medical history, 24-hour ambulatory ECG, 12-lead normal electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound and symptoms. The comparison before and after (8 weeks) treatment showed that the frequency (from 6 times/m to 2 times/m in each group, P < 0.01), number of cases [from 46 (43.3%) to 22 (20.8%), 43 (43.4%) to 25 (25.3%), and 40 (40.6%) to 31 (29.2%), respectively P < 0.01] and duration time of attack of atrial fibrillation (from 4 h to 0.5 h, 4 h to 0.5 h, and 4.25 h to 0.5 h, respectively P < 0.01) all decreased in three groups. No significant difference among the three groups comparing the overall effect (62.3%, 58.6%, and 58.5%, respectively, P > 0.05), while the efficacy of TCM symptoms in shensongyangxin group (80.2%) was better than that of propafenone group (67.7%) (P < 0.05). Safety evaluation showed that adverse reaction rate was 1.8% in shensongyangxin group, and 8.2% and 5.4% in propafenone group and shensongyangxin + propafenone group. CONCLUSION: Shensongyangxin capsules and propafenone have comparable efficacies in the treatment of PAF. The efficacy of TCM symptoms is better than propafenone. Shensongyangxin capsules have an excellent profile of safety.

Differentiation of various traditional Chinese medicines derived from animal bile and gallstone: simultaneous determination of bile acids by liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

Animal biles and gallstones are popularly used in traditional Chinese medicines, and bile acids are their major bioactive constituents. Some of these medicines, like cow-bezoar, are very expensive, and may be adulterated or even replaced by less expensive but similar species. Due to poor ultraviolet absorbance and structural similarity of bile acids, effective technology for species differentiation and quality control of bile-based Chinese medicines is still lacking. In this study, a rapid and reliable method was established for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of 18 bile acids, including 6 free steroids (cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid) and their corresponding glycine conjugates and taurine conjugates, by using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). This method was used to analyze six bile-based Chinese medicines: bear bile, cattle bile, pig bile, snake bile, cow-bezoar, and artificial cow-bezoar. Samples were separated on an Atlantis dC18 column and were eluted with methanol-acetonitrile-water containing ammonium acetate. The mass spectrometer was monitored in the negative electrospray ionization mode. Total ion currents of the samples were compared for species differentiation, and the contents of bile acids were determined by monitoring specific ion pairs in a selected reaction monitoring program. All 18 bile acids showed good linearity (r² > 0.993) in a wide dynamic range of up to 2000-fold, using dehydrocholic acid as the internal standard. Different animal biles could be explicitly distinguished by their major characteristic bile acids: tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid for bear bile, glycocholic acid, cholic acid and taurocholic acid for cattle bile, glycohyodeoxycholic acid and glycochenodeoxycholic acid for pig bile, and taurocholic acid for snake bile. Furthermore, cattle bile, cow-bezoar, and artificial cow-bezoar could be differentiated by the existence of hyodeoxycholic acid and the ratio of cholic acid to deoxycholic acid. This study provided bile acid profiles of bile-based Chinese medicines for the first time, which could be used for their quality control.

[Effects of Liangxue Tongyu Formula on brain edema and expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Liangxue Tongyu Formula (LXTYF), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on brain edema in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage and to explore the mechanism. METHODS: Intracerebral hemorrhage was induced by using the intrastriatal autologous blood injection. Rats were randomized into sham-operated (SO) group, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) group and LXTYF group. Rats in the LXTYF group were intragastrically administered with LXTYF every day while the other two groups were given normal saline. Brain water content was determined at 24, 48, 72, and 120 h after intracerebral hemorrhage. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level, and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA expressions in perihematoma area were detected by gelatin zymography and fluorescence quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction at the four time points, respectively. RESULTS: Water content in the ICH group was highly elevated after intracerebral hemorrhage, and reached to the peak at 72 h. Compared with the ICH group, the LXTYF group had lower water contents at 48, 72 and 120 h after intracerebral hemorrhage (P<0.01). The difference in water content between the LXTYF and SO groups was significant only at 72 h (P<0.01). Although the pro-MMP-9 level and MMP-9 activity in the LXTYF and ICH groups were enhanced, they were still lower in the LXTYF group than in the ICH group (P<0.01 for 24, 48, 72 and 120 h, respectively). And there was no significant difference in them between the LXTYF group and the SO group at 120 h. Meanwhile, MMP-9 mRNA expressions were increased in the ICH and LXTYF groups, but the levels in the LXTYF group were significantly lower (P<0.01 for 48, 72 and 120 h, respectively) than those in the ICH group. Also, TIMP-1 mRNA expressions at 24, 48, 72 and 120 h after intracerebral hemorrhage were up-regulated in the LXTYF group, and there were significant differences in TIMP-1 expressions between the LXTYF group and ICH group after intracerebral hemorrhage (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Liangxue Tongyu Formula ameliorates brain edema in rats after intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting MMP-9 expression and activity and up-regulating TIMP-1.

[Preparation and in vitro evaluation of gastroretentive dosage form containing puerarin-HP-beta-CD inclusion complex].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare a novel floating micropellets containing hydroxy propyl-beta-oyclodextrin(puerarin-HP-beta-CD) for gastroretentive dosage form and evaluate its pharmaceutical characteristics in vitro. METHOD: The puerarin HP-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was prepared by freeze-drying method. Puerarin and its HP-beta-CD inclusion complex were incorporated into alginate beads, respectively. The effect of methyl cellulose (MC), Mg-Stearate and chitosan on buoyancy and cumulative release rate of puerarin were investigated in simulated gastric fluid. RESULT: The spectrums of FTIR and profiles of X-ray powder diffraction of samples proved the formation of inclusion complex between puerarin and HP-beta-CD. Magnesium stearate had a significant effect on the buoyancy of micropellets, and satisfied results were gained by the content with 2%. The solubility of puerarin was increased 65.6-fold by the formation of inclusion complex, the dissolution rate and cumulative release percentage also improved significantly although with the burst release phenomena. The micropellets showed sustained release properties by using puerarin-HP-beta-CD inclusion complex mixed with puerarin (1:1) and treated thoroughly under homogenizer. CONCLUSION: The solubility and release rate of puerarin are increased by the formation of inclusion complex with HP-beta-CD and its gastroretentive dosage forms displayed satisfied floating and sustained release characteristics.

Aqueous extract of Yin-Chen-Hao decoction, a traditional Chinese prescription, exerts protective effects on concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice through inhibition of NF-kappaB.

In traditional oriental medicine, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction is used for the remedy of liver diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, hepatocirrhosis and jaundice. However, despite extensive pharmacological study, the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of Yin-Chen-Hao decoction is poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the pharmacological action on the mechanism of concanavalin A-induced T cell-dependent hepatitis in mice. Concanavalin A administration resulted in a severe liver injury. This was shown through increased levels of serum transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase, and increased liver DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. Pretreatment with the aqueous extract from Yin-Chen-Hao decoction dose-dependently inhibited the elevation in transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activity, and reduced liver DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 levels. There was an improvement in histological changes including inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte necrosis and degeneration, and Kupffer cell hyperplasia. In addition, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction significantly inhibited tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in-vitro and in-vivo. Moreover, the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), which regulates TNF-alpha production, was blocked by Yin-Chen-Hao decoction in-vitro and in-vivo. In conclusion, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction was capable of regulating T-cell-mediated liver injury in-vivo. This event may have depended on the decrease of TNF-alpha production through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

Copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase from lemon cDNA and enzyme stability.

A full-length cDNA clone of 744 bp encoding a putative copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) from lemon (Citrus limon) was cloned by PCR approach. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this cDNA clone revealed that it comprised an open reading frame coding for 152 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences showed high identity (65-84%) with the sequences of the Cu/Zn-SODs from other plant species. Computer analysis of the residues required for coordinating copper (His-45, -47, -62, and -119) and zinc (His-62, -70, and -79 and Asp-82), as well as the two cysteines (56 and 145) that form a single disulfide bond, showed they were well-conserved among all reported Cu/Zn-SOD sequences in the present study. To further characterize the lemon Cu/Zn-SOD, the coding region was subcloned into an expression vector, pET-20b(+), and transformed into Escherichia coliBL21(DE3). Expression of the Cu/Zn-SOD was confirmed by enzyme activity staining on a native gel and purified by Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid Sepharose superflow. The purified enzyme showed two active forms (70% monomer and 30% dimer) in equilibrium, and the specific activity was 7 456 units/mg. The activity of the dimer was 65% higher than that of the monomer. The thermal inactivation rate constant K(d) value calculated for the dimer at 90 degrees C was -7.0 x 10(-3) min(-1), and the half-life for inactivation was 99 min. Both activity and forms of the enzyme were affected very little by acidic pH, basic pH, or 4% SDS. The dimeric structure was more resistant to heat and proteolytic attack with trypsin or chymotrypsin compared to the monomeric structure. Imidazole caused the dimer to dissociate into monomers. These studies suggested subunit interaction might be important for enzyme stability.