Protective Effects of Danmu Extract Syrup on Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice through Endothelial Barrier Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup (DMS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table (n=12), including control (normal saline), LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg, and LPS+Dexamethasone (DXM, 5 mg/kg) groups. After pretreatment with DMS and DXM, the ALI mice model was induced by LPS, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration, cell counts and inflammatory cytokines. The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was calculated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 ß in BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of Claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes. Compared with the LPS group, the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 ß (P<0.01). Meanwhile, DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5, VE-cadherin and VEGF (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier. It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.

Superior Gait Symmetry and Postural Stability among Yoga Instructors-Inertial Measurement Unit-Based Evaluation.

This study investigates gait symmetry and single-leg stance balance of professional yoga instructors versus age-matched typically developed controls using inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based evaluation. We recruited twenty-five yoga instructors and twenty-five healthy control subjects to conduct the walking experiments and single-leg stance tests. Kinematic data were measured by attaching IMUs to the lower limbs and trunk. We assessed the asymmetry of swing phases during the normal-walk and tandem-walk tests with eyes open and closed, respectively. The subjects subsequently conducted four single-leg stance tests, including a single-leg stance on both legs with eyes open and closed. Two balance indexes regarding the angular velocities of the waist and chest were defined to assess postural stability. The gait asymmetry indexes of yoga instructors were significantly lower than those of the typically developed controls. Similarly, the yoga instructors had better body balance in all four single-leg stance tests. This study's findings suggest that yoga improves gait asymmetry and balance ability in healthy adults. In the future, further intervention studies could be conducted to confirm the effect of yoga training.

Chemical Constituents and Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of Essential Oils of Alpinia officinarum (Zingiberaceae), Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae), and Their Herbal Pair.

The essential oil (EO) of the herbal pair (HP), Alpinia officinarum-Cyperus rotundus (HP G-X) has been conventionally used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for 'warming the stomach' and relieving pain. However, its pharmacologically active compounds, as well as the mechanism of its anti-gastric ulcer properties remain unclear. In this study, the EOs obtained from HP G-X and its corresponding single herbs were analyzed using GC/MS. A total of 74, 56, and 85 compounds were detected in A. officinarum (GLJ), C. rotundus (XF), and HP G-X, accounting for 93.2 %, 89.5 %, and 92.0 % of the total content, respectively. GLJ mainly contains 1,8-cineol (22.0 %) and α-terpineol (11.8 %), whereas cyperenone (22.4 %) and cyperene (12.3 %) were the major constituents in XF. These four compounds were also detected in the HP G-X with relatively high composition as 11.8 %, 5.5 %, 11.8 %, and 10.6 %, respectively. Although no new compounds were detected in HP G-X, the relative concentration of some compounds increased, while others decreased or even disappeared. HP G-X showed the lowest toxicity (TC50 >800 µg/mL) against human gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) and had the best protective effect against ethanol-induced GES-1 cell damage compared to the individual herbs. In vitro studies demonstrated that HP G-X and the corresponding single herbs significantly reduced IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2. In addition, in vivo investigations indicated that HP G-X can protect the gastric mucosa of mice from ethanol-induced damage by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction and providing analgesia. It can also inhibit the expression of NF-κBp65, COX-2, and TRPV1 protein, reduce the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α, and relieve heat-induced pain. This study further substantiated the traditional application of HP G-X against gastric ulcers through both in vivo and in vitro investigations.

Hypophosphatemia as an Early Metabolic Bone Disease Marker in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants After Prolonged Parenteral Nutrition Exposure.

BACKGROUND: Early metabolic bone disease (MBD) detection is important in preterm infants to decrease long-term consequence. We aim to explore the early MBD biochemical marker in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 95 preterm infants born in a tertiary care-level neonatal intensive care unit between January 2015 and June 2018, with birth weight <1000 g. Thirty-five infants were "nothing by mouth" for >14 days and categorized as the high-risk group; the remaining 60 were categorized as the control group. Mineral intake in the first 14 days and the trend of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were compared in both groups. RESULTS: The Ca and P supplementation in the first 2 weeks of life were inadequate in both groups. Compared with the control group, significantly lower serum P (mg/dL) levels were noted in the high-risk group on weeks 2 (3.65 ± 1.2 vs 4.67 ± 1.45; P < .001), 4 (3.21 ± 0.95 vs 5.83 ± 1.18; P < .0001), and 6 (3.94 ± 1.1 vs 6.22 ± 0.78; P <.0001). There was no significant difference in the serum Ca level, and significantly higher ALP (U/L) levels were found up until 2 months of life in the high-risk group (458.36 ± 189.02 vs 335.7 ± 111.51; P < .014). CONCLUSION: Hypophosphatemia developed as early as 2 weeks old in high-risk preterm infants because of inadequate supplementation. Neither the serum Ca or ALP levels were affected. Thus, the routine monitoring of serum P level should be started 2 weeks after birth for early MBD detection in extremely ELBW infants.

Effect of Alpina oxyphylla extract on streptozotocin-induced kidney injure via regulating TGF-ß1 and MyD88.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal renal metabolism is closely related to the development of chronic kidney disease. It is well known that renal inflammation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tubulointerstitial damage in the renal tubules. The purpose of the experiment was to observe the bioactivity of Alpina oxyphylla extract (AOE) on renal injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five group (n = 6): (1) intact control (non-diabetic, ND); (2) intact diabetic (STZ), (3) diabetic rats treated with gliclazide 5 mg/kg (STZ-gli), (4) diabetic rats treated with AOE 400 mg/kg (AOE 400), (5) diabetic rats treated with AOE 800 mg/kg (AOE 800). The diabetic nephropathy rat model was established by single intraperitoneal injected 50 mg/kg STZ. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight was observed at 1、3、6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the renal function parameters of five groups and 24 h urinary protein were detected. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) were assessed by Western Blot. RESULTS: The STZ group showed hyperglycemia, proteinuria, renal function damage, and the levels of 24 h urinary protein, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the STZ group increased significantly compared with the ND group. The expression of TGF-ß1 in STZ group was increase (p < 0.01), and the expression of MyD88 was significantly lower than in ND group (p < 0.05). The treatment of DN rats with AOE attenuated DN-associated in the serum biochemical index and the expression of TGF-ß1. CONCLUSIONS: AOE can effectively protect kidney tissues of diabetic nephropathy, and probably through regulating level of TGF-ß1/MyD88.

EVALUATION OF A TRANSDISCIPLINARY CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM FOR UNDER-REPRESENTED MINORITY STUDENTS.

AIM/PURPOSE: This paper will describe the initial development of systems to evaluate research education activities of a U.S. academic Partnership to train minority students as cancer researchers and provide preliminary data from monitoring Partnership activities during the first six months. BACKGROUND: There is increased focus on multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary research training programs. However, few training programs have included detailed evaluations to assess their outcomes and effectiveness. METHODOLOGY: The Temple University/Fox Chase Cancer Center and Hunter College Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparity Partnership (TUFCCC/HC Cancer Partnership, or the Partnership) is a recently-initiated center focused on training individuals from under-represented minorities (URMs) as cancer researchers. Evaluation of the training activities involves detailed specification of goals for each of the Partnership's Cores; objectives for addressing each goal; measures and indicators to determine progress towards each objective; and data sources to provide information for the measures/indicators. CONTRIBUTUION: This paper will provide important information for evaluation of training programs focused on students from URM populations and development of trans-disciplinary research education programs. FINDINGS: Goals, objectives, measures, and data sources for evaluation of the Partnership's Research Education Core (REC) were developed jointly by personnel from the REC and the Planning Evaluation Core (PEC) in an iterative process. These measures capture the training activities led by the REC (e.g., number of seminars and workshops), scientific output by trainees (e.g., papers and grants), and ability of the program to meet trainees' goals and expectations. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS AND RESEARCHES: Evaluation plans for transdisciplinary training programs need to be developed prior to program initiation. Evaluation measures should be jointly specified by training and evaluation personnel, then reviewed and revised in an iterative process. IMPACT ON SOCIETY: This program is intended to enhance diversity among cancer researchers and increase studies to address disparities in cancer care. FUTURE RESEARCH: The PEC will oversee the evaluation of Partnership training activities over the five year period and assist Partnership leaders in ensuring successful outcomes.

Measurement of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of three bioactive constituents from Zanthoxylum armatum DC in rat plasma and tissues through UFLC-MS/MS.

The compounds of N-Methylanhydrotetrahydroberberrubine A, dictamnine and eudesmin were the primary bioactive components in the roots of Zanthoxylum armatum DC (Z. armatum). To clarify the pharmacokinetics and distribution of these three compounds, an ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) was employed to determine the contents of these three compounds in rat plasma and seven tissues. The separation was achieved on a Kinetex XB-C18 100A column (2.1 × 50 mm, 2.6 µm, Phenomenex). The optimized mobile phase system was set with 0.1‰ formic acid aqueous solution (A) and acetonitrile (containing 0.1‰ formic acid) (B) with a programmed elution of 0.00 to 0.50 min, 2% B; 0.51-4.00 min, 30%-60% B; and 4.01-5.00 min, 2% B. All analytes were measured with optimized multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in the positive ion ESI mode. Berberine hydrochloride was selected as the internal standard (IS). The MS/MS transitions of N-Methylanhydrotetrahydroberberrubine A, dictamnine, eudesmin and IS were 339.9135.1, 200.1 → 129.1, 387.4 → 369.0 and 337.1 → 321.1, respectively. The lower limits quantification (LLOQ) of the three analytes was 0.5-20 ng/ml. The linear ranges were 0.5-400 ng/ml for N-Methylanhydrotetrahydroberberrubine A and dictamnine and 20-4000 ng/ml for eudesmin. The present analysis showed that the two alkaloids were quickly absorbed, with Tmax in 0.167-0.292 h, and eudesmin was absorbed in 2.5 h. Moreover, all compounds were found at high concentrations in the gastrointestinal track. These results are helpful for further investigation of the clinical application of Z. armatum.

Sika Deer Antler Collagen Type I-Accelerated Osteogenesis in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via the Smad Pathway.

Deer antler preparations have been used to strengthen bones for centuries. It is particularly rich in collagen type I. This study aimed to unravel part of the purported bioremedial effect of Sika deer antler collagen type I (SDA-Col I) on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The results suggest that SDA-Col I might be used to promote and regulate osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. SDA-Col I might potentially provide the basis for novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of bone injury and/or in scaffolds for bone replacement strategies. Finally, isolation of SDA-Col I from deer antler represents a renewable, green, and uncomplicated way to obtain a biomedically valuable therapeutic.

Metabonomic study of the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla as an effective treatment for chronic renal injury in rats.

Alpinia oxyphylla (Zingiberaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant. Its fruit ("Yi-Zhi-Ren" in Chinese) is used as an anti-diuretic and traditionally used for the treatment of enuresis and reduce urination. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease with the characteristic of the slowly loss of kidney function and has a prevalence of up to 7-10% in adults. Recent advances in its etiology and pathogenesis are providing more speculative hypotheses focused on integral systems. Using a UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS-based metabolomic platform, we explored the changes of metabolic profiling in plasma/urine simultaneously between chronic kidney disease (CKD) induced from adenine excess and the protective effects of A. oxyphylla extract (AOE). The total twenty-one metabolites (twelve in urine and nine in plasma), up-regulated or down-regulated, were identified and contributed to CKD progress. Among these biomarkers, agmatine, CAMP, 7-methylguanine, hippuric acid, indoxyl sulfate, asparagines, kynurenic acid and p-cresol sulfate were restored back to the control-like level after the treatment of AOE (p<0.05 or 0.01), These findings may be promising to yield a valuable insight into the pathophysiology of CKD and serve as characteristics to explain the mechanisms of AOE.

Relative Inhibitions of 5-Lipoxygenase and Myeloperoxidase and Free-Radical Scavenging Activities of Daidzein, Dihydrodaidzein, and Equol.

The effects of bioavailability and metabolic transformation on the biological activities of daidzein are relatively unknown. The effects of daidzein, dihydrodaidzein, and equol at physiologically relevant concentrations on the production of leukotriene B4 and F2-isoprostanes, and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity in freshly isolated human neutrophils were examined. Equol, at physiological concentrations, inhibited leukotriene B4 production (IC50-200 nmol/L) in human neutrophils significantly more than daidzein and dihydrodaidzein (IC50 values >1000 nmol/L). Daidzein, dihydrodaidzein, and equol did not affect the enzymatic hydrolysis of leukotriene A4 to leukotriene B4, suggesting that they exerted their inhibitory effects on the 5-lipoxygenase activity. Daidzein (IC50 = 600 nmol/L) protected against free radical peroxidation of arachidonic acid significantly more than did equol and dihydrodaidzein (IC50 values >1000 nmol/L). Equol also showed significantly greater inhibition of myeloperoxidase activity (IC50 = 450 nmol/L) when compared to daidzein and dihydrodaidzein. Equol accumulated within the human neutrophils at significantly higher concentrations than daidzein and dihydrodaidzein after incubation with the three compounds at physiologically relevant concentrations. Neutrophils were able to accumulate intracellular daidzein, dihydrodaidzein, and equol up to a concentration of ∼600 nmol/L. Our results provide in vitro evidence that the biological activities of daidzein are profoundly influenced by bioavailability and metabolic transformation.

Could the gut microbiota reconcile the oral bioavailability conundrum of traditional herbs?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A wealth of information is emerging about the impact of gut microbiota on human health and diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. As we learn more, we find out the gut microbiota has the potential as new territory for drug targeting. Some novel therapeutic approaches could be developed through reshaping the commensal microbial structure using combinations of different agents. The gut microbiota also affects drug metabolism, directly and indirectly, particularly towards the orally administered drugs. Herbal products have become the basis of traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicine and also been being considered valuable materials in modern drug discovery. Of note, low oral bioavailability but high bioactivity is a conundrum not yet solved for some herbs. Since most of herbal products are orally administered, the herbs' constituents are inevitably exposed to the intestinal microbiota and the interplays between herbal constituents and gut microbiota are expected. Emerging explorations of herb-microbiota interactions have an opportunity to revolutionize the way we view herbal therapeutics. The present review aims to provide information regarding the health promotion and/or disease prevention by the interplay between traditional herbs with low bioavailability and gut microbiota through gut microbiota via two different types of mechanisms: (1) influencing the composition of gut microbiota by herbs and (2) metabolic reactions of herbal constituents by gut microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The major data bases (PubMed and Web of Science) were searched using "gut microbiota", "intestinal microbiota", "gut flora", "intestinal flora", "gut microflora", "intestinal microflora", "herb", "Chinese medicine", "traditional medicine", or "herbal medicine" as keywords to find out studies regarding herb-microbiota interactions. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition, Volume I) was also used to collect the data of commonly used medicinal herbs and their quality control approaches. RESULTS: Among the 474 monographs of herbs usually used in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the quality control approach of 284 monographs is recommended to use high-performance liquid chromatography approach. Notably, the major marker compounds (>60%) for quality control are polyphenols, polysaccharides and saponins, with significant oral bioavailability conundrum. Results from preclinical and clinical studies on herb-microbiota interactions showed that traditional herbs could exert heath promotion and disease prevention roles via influencing the gut microbiota structure. On the other hand, herb constituents such as ginsenoside C-K, hesperidin, baicalin, daidzin and glycyrrhizin could exert their therapeutic effects through gut microbiota-mediated bioconversion. CONCLUSIONS: Herb-microbiota interaction studies provide novel mechanistic understanding of the traditional herbs that exhibit poor oral bioavailability. "Microbiota availability" could be taken consideration into describing biological measurements in the therapeutic assessment of herbal medicine. Our review should be of value in stimulating discussions among the scientific community on this relevant theme and prompting more efforts to complement herb-microbiota interactions studies.

DIURETIC AND ANTI-DIURETIC BIOACTIVITY DIFFERENCES OF THE SEED AND SHELL EXTRACTS OF ALPINIA OXYPHYLLA FRUIT.

BACKGROUND: Alpinia oxyphylla fruit (AOF, Yizhi in Chinese) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-diuretic agent and composed of two parts i.e. seed and shell. These two parts have different components, but the bioactivity differences of the two parts are not clear. This study aims to evaluate the different anti-diuretic effects of the seed and shell of AOF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The potential bioactive components were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The diuretic and anti-diuretic activity was determined with saline-loads rats. RESULTS: The results showed that the 200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg of SREAO displayed a short-time anti-diuretic activity 1h after administration and then a significant diuretic activity was being observed at 5-6 h in 400mg/kg group of SREAO. And the 400mg/kg doses of SREAO also showed a remarkable increase for electrolyte excretion of K+. Three sesquiterpene compounds, namely oxyphyllol A (1), oxyphyllol B (2), and nootkatone (3) were identified from the active SREAO fraction by UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS. CONCLUSION: The seed part of Alpinia oxyphylla possessed pronounced diuretic and anti-diuretic effect. The sesquiterpene components are the major constituents and possibly contributed the diuretic and anti-diuretic activity.

Differential systemic exposure to galangin after oral and intravenous administration to rats.

BACKGROUND: Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is present in high concentrations in herbal medicine such as Alpinia officinarum Hance. Galangin shows multifaceted in vitro and in vivo biological activities. The number and position of hydroxyl groups in this molecule play an important role in these biological activities. However, these hydroxyl groups undergo glucuronidation and sulfation in in vitro assay system. However, the systemic exposure to galangin after dosing in animals and/or humans remains largely unknown. Thus it is not clear whether the galangin exists in the body at concentrations high enough for the biological effects. Furthermore, the metabolite identification and the corresponding plasma pharmacokinetics need to be characterized. RESULTS: Two LC-MS/MS methods were developed and validated and successfully applied to analyze the parent drug molecules and aglycones liberated from plasma samples via ß-glucuronidase hydrolysis. Our major findings were as follows: (1) The routes of administration showed significant influences on the systemic exposure of galangin and its metabolites. (2) Galangin was preferentially glucuronidated after p.o. dosing but sulfated after i.v. medication. (3) Kaempferol conjugates were detected demonstrating that oxidation reaction occurred; however, both glucuronidation and sulfation were more efficient. (4) Oral bioavailability of free parent galangin was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic exposure to galangin and its metabolites was different in rat plasma between oral and intravenous administration. Further research is needed to characterize the structures of galangin conjugates and to evaluate the biological activities of these metabolites. Graphical abstractGalangin was preferentially glucuronidated after p.o. dosing but sulfated after i.v. medication.

Izalpinin from fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla with antagonistic activity against the rat bladder contractility.

BACKGROUND: Alpinia oxyphylla (Zingiberaceae), an herbaceous perennial plant, its capsular fruit is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of different urinary incontinence symptoms including frequency, urgency and nocturia. These symptoms are similar to the overactive bladder syndrome. In our lab, we found that the 95% ethanol extract of the capsular fruits exhibited significant anti-muscarinic activity. Some constituents in capsular fruits including flavonoids (e.g., izalpinin and tectochrysin), diarylheptanoids (e.g., yakuchinone A and yakuchinone B) and sesquiterpenes (e.g., nootkatone), are regarded as representative chemicals with putative pharmacological activities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antagonistic actions of izalpinin on carbachol-induced contraction of the rat detrusor muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro inhibition of rat detrusor contractile response to carbachol was used to study the functional activity of izalpinin. The isolated detrusor strips of rats were mounted in organ baths containing oxygenated Krebs' solution. The cumulative consecutive concentration-response curves to carbachol-evoked contractions in strips of rat bladder were obtained. RESULTS: Carbachol induced concentration-dependent contractions of isolated rat bladder detrusor strips. The vehicle DMSO had no impact on the contraction response. The contraction effects were concentration-dependently antagonized by izalpinin, with a mean EC50 value of 0.35 µM. The corresponding cumulative agonist concentration-response curves shifted right-ward. CONCLUSIONS: Izalpinin exhibits inhibitory role of muscarinic receptor-related detrusor contractile activity, and it may be a promising lead compound to treat overactive bladder.

Identification of known chemicals and their metabolites from Alpinia oxyphylla fruit extract in rat plasma using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with selected reaction monitoring.

Alpinia oxyphylla (Yizhi) capsularfruits are commonly used in traditional medicine. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that A. oxyphylla capsularfruits have some beneficial roles. Besides volatile oil, sesquiterpenes, diarylheptanoids and flavonoids are main bioactive constituents occurring in the Yizhi capsularfruits. The representative constituents include tectochrysin, izalpinin, chrysin, apigenin-4',7-dimethylether, kaempferide, yakuchinone A, yakuchinone B, oxyphyllacinol and nootkatone. Their content levels in the fruit and its pharmaceutical preparations have been reported by our group. The nine phytochemicals are also the major components present in the Yizhi alcoholic extracts, which have anti-diarrheal activities. However, the fates of these constituents in the body after oral or intravenous administration remain largely unknown. In the present study, we focus on these phytochemicals albeit other concomitant compounds. The chemicals and their metabolites in rat plasma were identified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with selected reaction monitoring mode after orally administered Yizhi extract to rats. Rat plasma samples were treated by methanol precipitation, acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis. This target analysis study revealed that: (1) low or trace plasma levels of parent chemicals were measured after p.o. administration of Yizhi extract, Suoquan capsules and pills to rats; (2) flavonoids and diarylheptanoids formed mainly monoglucuronide metabolites; however, diglucuronide metabolites for chrysin, izalpinin and kaempferide were also detected; (3) metabolic reduction of Yizhi diarylheptanoids occurred in rats. Yakuchinone B was reduced to yakuchinone A and then to oxyphyllacinol in a stepwise manner and subsequently glucuronidated by UDP-glucuronosyl transferase. Further research is needed to characterize the UDP-glucuronosyl transferase and reductase involved in the biotransformation of Yizhi chemicals.

Different accumulation profiles of multiple components between pericarp and seed of Alpinia oxyphylla capsular fruit as determined by UFLC-MS/MS.

Plant secondary metabolites are known to not only play a key role in the adaptation of plants to their environment, but also represent an important source of active pharmaceuticals. Alpinia oxyphylla capsular fruits, made up of seeds and pericarps, are commonly used in traditional East Asian medicines. In clinical utilization of these capsular fruits, inconsistent processing approaches (i.e., hulling pericarps or not) are employed, with the potential of leading to differential pharmacological effects. Therefore, an important question arises whether the content levels of pharmacologically active chemicals between the seeds and pericarps of A. oxyphylla are comparable. Nine secondary metabolites present in A. oxyphylla capsular fruits, including flavonoids (e.g., tectochrysin, izalpinin, chrysin, apigenin-4',7-dimethylether and kaempferide), diarylheptanoids (e.g., yakuchinone A and B and oxyphyllacinol) and sesquiterpenes (e.g., nootkatone), were regarded as representative constituents with putative pharmacological activities. This work aimed to investigate the abundance of the nine constituents in the seeds and pericarps of A. oxyphylla. Thirteen batches of A. oxyphylla capsular fruits were gathered from different production regions. Accordingly, an ultra-fast high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated. We found that: (1) the nine secondary metabolites were differentially concentrated in seeds and fruit capsules; (2) nootkatone is predominantly distributed in the seeds; in contrast, the flavonoids and diarylheptanoids are mainly deposited in the capsules; and (3) the content levels of the nine secondary metabolites occurring in the capsules varied greatly among different production regions, although the nootkatone levels in the seeds were comparable among production regions. These results are helpful to evaluating and elucidating pharmacological activities of A. oxyphylla capsular fruits. Additionally, it may be of interest to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the distinct accumulation profiles of these secondary metabolites between seeds and pericarps.

Factors associated with willingness to participate in biospecimen research among Chinese Americans.

A paucity of information exists on the recruitment of Asian Americans for biospecimen research. Although studies show that Chinese Americans are at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, little is known about their willingness to participate in HBV-related biospecimen research and how knowledge, attitudes, and cultural factors impact their willingness to participate. The study was guided by Community-Based Participatory Research principles. Data were derived from an assessment study on HBV-related biospecimen research participation among Chinese Americans in the Philadelphia region. The assessment was conducted with 415 Chinese Americans recruited from eight Chinese community-based organizations. Cultural beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes toward biospecimen research were examined for associations with their willingness to participate in biospecimen banking research. Overall, 192 (46.3%) of 415 participants who completed the assessment indicated they were willing to participate if they were invited to donate blood to be frozen and stored for future HBV biospecimen studies. Cultural variables significant in bivariate analysis included collectivism, knowledge about biospecimen research, and Yin-Yang beliefs. Fatalism and individualism were not associated with participation willingness. In multivariate analysis, age, health care attitudes, and trust were significantly associated with willingness to participate in biospecimen banking research. Asian American communities have little knowledge of biospecimen banking and will benefit from educational campaigns that emphasize collective benefits and attitudes towards and trust in the health care system. Understanding cultural factors is important for improving Chinese Americans' knowledge, awareness, and intentions of participation in biospecimen research. Similar efforts need to be undertaken to develop culturally appropriate educational intervention programs to increase participation in biospecimen research among other Asian American groups.

Crude dietary polysaccharide fraction isolated from jackfruit enhances immune system activity in mice.

Crude polysaccharides (PSs) were isolated from the fruit pulp of jackfruit, and their chemical composition determined and evaluated for an immune regulatory activity in mice. The PSs were isolated from water extracts of jackfruit pulp (JFP) using the ethanol precipitation method. The resulting precipitates were further purified by dialysis and protein depletion by the Sevage method. The phenol-sulfuric method was used to determine the content of the PSs. The composition of PSs was determined by the Sephadex-G200 column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods. The thymus index and macrophage phagocytic function methods in mice were used to evaluate the immune regulatory activity of JFP-PSs. The JFP-PSs content in jackfruit was about 21% (w/w) and the yield of crude PSs was 3.91%. The single molecular mass weight PS was the main constituent of JFP-PSs. The major monosaccharide residues were rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. The JFP-PSs enhanced the thymus weight index and the phagocytic rate after 30 days of subchronic p.o. administration to mice at 4.5 mg/kg. The JFP contains single molecular PS and JFP-PS has immune-stimulating activities in mice. These data suggest that at least some of the traditional uses of JFP can be ascribed to its immunomodulatory effects.