Huangjia Ruangan Granule Inhibits Inflammation in a Rat Model with Liver Fibrosis by Regulating TNF/MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

The Huangjia Ruangan granule (HJRG) is a clinically effective Kampo formula, which has a significant effect on liver fibrosis and early liver cirrhosis. However, the mechanism underlying HJRG in treating liver fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to induce liver fibrosis in rats to clarify the effect of HJRG on liver fibrosis and its mechanism. Using network pharmacology, the potential mechanism of HJRG was initially explored, and a variety of analyses were performed to verify this mechanism. In the liver fibrosis model, treatment with HJRG can maintain the liver morphology, lower the levels of AST and ALT in the serum, and ameliorate pathological damage. Histopathological examinations revealed that the liver structure was significantly improved and fibrotic changes were alleviated. It can effectively inhibit collagen deposition and the expression of α-SMA, reduce the levels of the rat serum (HA, LN, PC III, and Col IV), and inhibit the expression of desmin, vimentin, and HYP content in the liver. Analyzing the results of network pharmacology, the oxidative stress, inflammation, and the related pathways (primarily the TNF signaling pathway) were identified as the potential mechanism of HJRG against liver fibrosis. Experiments confirmed that HJRG can significantly increase the content of superoxide dismutase and glutathione and reduce the levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase in the rat liver; in addition, HJRG significantly inhibited the content of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) and reduced the expression of inflammatory regulators (Cox2 and iNOS). Meanwhile, treatment with HJRG inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65, IκBα, ERK, JNK, and MAPK P38. Moreover, HJRG treatment reversed the increased expression of TNFR1. The Huangjia Ruangan granule can effectively inhibit liver fibrosis through antioxidation, suppressing liver inflammation by regulating the TNF/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby preventing the effect of liver fibrosis.

[A new C21 steroidal saponins from Periplocae Cortex].

To study the chemical constituents of Periplocae Cortex, the separation and purification of 70% alcohol extract were carried out by column chromatographies on AB-8 macroporous resin, silica gel and preparative HPLC. The structure of the compounds were identified by NMR and TOF-MS. A new compound was isolated and identified as 21-O-methyl-Δ5-pregnene-3ß, 14ß, 17ß, 21-tetraol-20-one-3-O-ß-D-oleandropyranosyl(1-->4)-ß-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-ß-D-cymaropyranosyl (1), named as periplocoside P.

Tentative identification of new metabolites of epimedin C by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Epimedin C is one of the major bioactive constituents of Herba Epimedii. The aim of this study is to characterize and elucidate the structure of metabolites in the rat after administration of epimedin C. Metabolite identification was performed using a predictive multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (pMRM-IDA-EPI) scan in positive ion mode on a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer. A total of 18 metabolites were characterized by the changes in their protonated molecular masses, their MS/MS spectrum and their retention times compared with those of the parent drug. The results reveal possible metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rats; the metabolic pathways including hydrolysis, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, demethylation and conjugation with glucuronic acid and different sugars were observed. This study provides a practical approach for rapidly identifying complicated metabolites, a methodology that could be widely applied for the structural characterization of metabolites of other compounds.

[Determination of astragaloside IV of eight area in Astragali Radix is by HPLC-ELSD internal standard method].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC-ELSD internal standard method for determination of astragaloside IV in Astragali Radix. METHOD: With Ginsenoside Rb2 as internal standard, the separation were carried out on an Agilent TC-C18 (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 3.5 microm) column with methanol-water (72: 28) as mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the drift tube temperature of the ELSD was 75 degrees C. The gas pressure was set at 172.4 kPa using the clean and dry compressed air as spray gas. RESULT: There was good linearity in the range of 0.5624-5.624 microg of astragaloside IV (r = 0.9999); The average recovery was 98.06% with RSD of 0. 98%. CONCLUSION: The internal standard method is accurate and reproducible, and suitable for quality control of radix astragali.

Three minor novel triterpenoids from the leaves of Diospyros kaki.

Two novel 18, 19-secoursane triterpenoids, kakisaponin B (1) and kakisaponin C (2), an ursane type 28-nortriterpene, kakidiol (3) and one known triterpenoid rosamultin (4), were isolated from the leaves of Diospyros kaki. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined as 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3alpha,19,24-trihydoxy-18,19-secours-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (1) and 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2alpha,3alpha,19-trihydoxy-18,19-secours-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (2) by chemical methods and spectra experiments. Kakidiol (3) was characterized as a C(29)-triterpene with an aromatic E-ring in structure. This is the first report of 18,19-secoursane triterpenoids and 28-nortriterpene from family Ebenaceae.

[Advance of pharmacological study on ginsenoside Rb1].

Ginsenoside Rb1 is a representative component of panaxadiol saponins, which belongs to dammarane-type tritepenoid saponins and mainly exists in family araliaceae. It has been reported that ginsenoside Rb1 has diverse biological activities. In this paper, the research development in recent decade on its pharmacological effects of cardiovascular system, anti-senility, reversing multidrug resistance of tumor cells, adjuvant anti-cancer chemotherapy, promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, et al, are reviewed.

[Study on correlation of soil nutrients and content of active constituents in root of Rumex gmelini].

OBJECTIVE: To provide scientific basis for the selection of agrotype and property fertilization for Rumex gmelini cultivated in compliance with good agricultural practice (GAP). METHOD: HPLC method was applied to determinate the content of seven active constituents (resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion) of annual R. gmelini. And the correlation between soil nutrients and content of active constituents in the root of R. gmelini were analyzed by stepwise regression analysis. RESULT: Seven regression equation were established. The statistic significance was found in three of them. CONCLUSION: The soil with high total K level is not suitable for R. gmelini cultivation. But the higher available N, available P, available K level of soil is suitable.

[Study on the optimal harvesting time of Rumex gmelini by analyzing the contents of principal components].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method used for optimization of harvesting time and determine the best time for harvesting Rumex gmelini. METHOD: An HPLC method was applied to determinate the contents of seven active constituents(resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion)of R. gmelini at different development stage. The result was analyzed by principal component analysis. RESULT: The accumulation of active constituents showed a regular pattern. CONCLUSION: The best harvesting time of R. gmelini is early July.