[Accumulation and biosynthesis mechanism of volatile oils in glandular scale of Agastache rugosa].

The volatile oils are the effective components of Agastache rugosa, which are stored in the glandular scale. The leaves of pulegone-type A. rugosa were used as materials to observe the leaf morphology of A. rugosa at different growth stages, and the components of volatile oils in gland scales were detected by GC-MS. At the same time, qRT-PCR was used to determine the relative expression of key enzyme genes in the biosynthesis pathway of monoterpenes in volatile oils. The results showed that the density of A. rugosa glandular scale decreased first and then tended to be stable. With the growth of leaves, the relative content of pulegone decreased from 79.26% to 3.94%(89.97%-41.44%), while that of isomenthone increased from 2.43% to 77.87%(0.74%-51.01%), and the changes of other components were relatively insignificant. The correlation analysis between the relative content of monoterpenes and the relative expression levels of their key enzyme genes showed that there was a significant correlation between the relative content of menthone and isomenthone and the relative expression levels of pulegone reductase(PR)(r>0.6, P<0.01). To sum up, this study revealed the accumulation rules of the main components of the contents of the glandular scale of A. rugosa and the expression rules of the key enzyme genes for biosynthesis, which provided a scientific basis and data support for determining the appropriate harvesting period and quality control of the medicinal herbs. This study also initially revealed the biosynthesis mechanism of the monoterpenes mainly composed of pulegone and isomenthone in A. rugosa, laying a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of synthesis and accumulation of monoterpenes in A. rugosa.

[Identification and analysis of terpene synthase (TPS) gene family in Schizonepeta tenuifolia].

Terpenoids are important secondary metabolites of plants that possess both pharmacological activity and economic value. Terpene synthases(TPSs) are key enzymes in the synthesis process of terpenoids. In order to investigate the TPS gene family members and their potential functions in Schizonepeta tenuifolia, this study conducted a systematic analysis of the TPS gene family of S. tenuifolia based on the whole genome data of S. tenuifolia using bioinformatics methods. The results revealed 57 StTPS members identified from the genome database of S. tenuifolia. The StTPS family members encoded 285-819 amino acids, with protein molecular weights ranging from 32.75 to 94.11 kDa, all of which were hydrophilic proteins. The StTPS family members were mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts, exhibiting a random and uneven physical localization pattern. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the StTPS genes family were divided into six subgroups, mainly belonging to the TPS-a and TPS-b subfamilies. Promoter analysis predicted that the TPS gene family members could respond to various stressors such as light, abscisic acid, and methyl jasmonate(MeJA). Transcriptome data analysis revealed that most of the TPS genes were expressed in the roots of S. tenuifolia, and qRT-PCR analysis was conducted on genes with high expression in leaves and low expression in roots. Through the analysis of the TPS gene family of S. tenuifolia, this study identified StTPS5, StTPS18, StTPS32, and StTPS45 as potential genes involved in sesquiterpene synthesis of S. tenuifolia. StTPS45 was cloned for the construction of an prokaryotic expression vector, providing a reference for further investigation of the function and role of the TPS gene family in sesquiterpene synthesis.

[Cloning of StHD1 and StHD8 from Schizonepeta tenuifolia and function of regulating glandular trichome development].

Hd-Zip, a unique transcription factor in plant kingdom, influences the growth, development, and secondary metabolism of plants. Hd-zip Ⅳ is thought to play an important role in trichome development of Schizonepeta tenuifolia. This study aims to explore the functions of StHD1 and StHD8 in Hd-zip Ⅳ subfamily in peltate glandular trichome development. To be specific, the expression patterns of the two genes and interaction between the proteins encoded by them were analyzed based on transcriptome sequencing and two-hybrid screening. The subcellular localization was performed and functions of the genes were verified in tobacco and S. tenuifolia. The results showed that StHD1 and StHD8 had high similarity to HD-Zip Ⅳ proteins of other plants and they all had the characteristic conserved domains of HD-Zip Ⅳ subfamily. They were located in the nucleus. The two genes mainly expressed in young tissues and spikes, and StHD1 and StHD8 proteins interacted with each other. The density and length of glandular trichomes increased significantly in tobacco plants with the overexpression of StHD1 and StHD8. Inhibiting the expression of StHD1 and StHD8 by VIGS(virus-induced gene silencing) in S. tenuifolia resulted in the reduction in the density of peltate glandular trichomes, the expression of key genes related to mono-terpene synthesis, and the relative content of limonene and pulegone, the main components of monoterpene. These results suggested that StHD1 and StHD8 of S. tenuifolia formed a complex to regulate glandular trichomes and affect the biosynthesis of monoterpenes.

[Research status and prospects of integration of habitat processing and processing of Chinese medicinal decoction pieces].

The integration of habitat processing and processing of Chinese medicinal decoction pieces(hereinafter referred to as "integration") has changed the traditional processing mode and can ensure the quality of Chinese medicinal decoction pieces from the source. This paper introduced the background of integration from the connotation and denotation of integration, relevant policies and regulations, and variety development. The present situation of integration was analyzed from the existing problems and current research progress, and the development suggestions were proposed. It is considered that although the integration is in line with the development trend of the industry with the advantages of improving the quality and standardizing the management of decoction pieces, there are still some problems, such as the lack of variety selection principles and production technical specifications, imperfect quality control stan-dards in the production process, and inadequate integration of standards and supervision. Therefore, it is suggested to determine the integrated variety selection principles and variety range as soon as possible, establish relevant technical specifications, improve quality control standards in the production process, and strengthen policy guidance and supervision to promote the healthy and orderly development of integration.

[Expression profiling and functional verification of flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase gene from leaves of Euryale ferox].

Leaves of Euryale ferox are rich in anthocyanins. Anthocyanin synthesis is one of the important branches of the flavonoid synthesis pathway, in which flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase(F3'H) can participate in the formation of important intermediate products of anthocyanin synthesis. According to the data of E. ferox transcriptome, F3'H cDNA sequence was cloned in the leaves of E. ferox and named as EfF3'H. The correlation between EfF3'H gene expression and synthesis of flavonoids was analyzed by a series of bioinforma-tics tools and qRT-PCR. Moreover, the biological function of EfF3'H was verified by the heterologous expression in yeast. Our results showed that EfF3'H comprised a 1 566 bp open reading frame which encoded a hydrophilic transmembrane protein composed of 521 amino acid residues. It was predicted to be located in the plasma membrane. Combined with predictive analysis of conserved domains, this protein belongs to the cytochrome P450(CYP450) superfamily. The qRT-PCR results revealed that the expression level of EfF3'H was significantly different among different cultivars and was highly correlated with the content of related flavonoids in the leaves. Eukaryotic expression studies showed that EfF3'H protein had the biological activity of converting kaempferol to quercetin. In this study, EfF3'H cDNA was cloned from the leaves of E. ferox for the first time, and the biological function of the protein was verified. It provi-ded a scientific basis for further utilizing the leaves of E. ferox and laid a foundation for the further analysis of the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids in medicinal plants.

Structural analogues in herbal medicine ginseng hit a shared target to achieve cumulative bioactivity.

By a pilot trial on investigating immunomodulatory activity and target of ginsenosides, the major bioactive components of ginseng, here we report that structural analogues in herbal medicines hit a shared target to achieve cumulative bioactivity. A ginsenoside analogues combination with definite immunomodulatory activity in vivo was designed by integrating pharmacodynamics, serum pharmacochemistry and pharmacokinetics approaches. The cumulative bioactivity of the ginsenoside analogues was validated on LPS/ATP-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. The potentially shared target NLRP3 involved in this immunomodulatory activity was predicted by systems pharmacology. The steady binding affinity between each ginsenoside and NLRP3 was defined by molecular docking and bio-layer interferometry assay. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in LPS/ATP-induced RAW264.7 was significantly suppressed by the combination, but not by any individual, and the overexpression of NLRP3 counteracted the immunomodulatory activity of the combination. All these results demonstrate that the ginsenoside analogues jointly hit NLRP3 to achieve cumulative immunomodulatory activity.

[Study on Sparganium stoloniferum from different regions in China based on appearance characters and ISSR markers].

Based on the characteristics and ISSR molecular marker technology, the study is aimed to compare and perform genetic diversity analysis on Sparganium stoloniferum from 7 regions. Molecular identification method was established for S. stoloniferum from Hunan province. Differences among Sparganii Rhizoma samples from seven habitats were analyzed via measuring weight, length, width and thickness of them. Genetic diversity of S. stoloniferum from 7 regions was analyzed by screening out primers amplifying clear band and showing rich polymorphism, then a cultivars dendrogram was built. The target primer was screened out, and the specific band was sequenced. Nine ISSR primers were selected to amplified clear band, rich polymorphism. A total of 73 bands were amplified by nine ISSR primers selected from 27 ISSR primers. On average, each primer produced 8.0 bands. A total of 38 bands were polymorphic, which occupied 52.8% of all bands. The cultivars dendrogram showed the genetic similarity was 0.54-0.94. Genetic similarity coefficient of S. stoloniferum from Jiangsu province, Anhui province and Jiangxi province was big, indicating the differences among them were slight on genetic level. S. stoloniferum from Hunan province is quite different from samples from the other six habitats on appea-rance and genetic level. A specific band(327 bp) in S. stoloniferum from Hunan province was obtained via ISSR-857 primer, and was sequenced. According BLASTn database, there were few sequences similar to the gene fragment and had little correlation with the growth process of plant. ISSR molecular marker technology provides a new idea for the identification of S. stoloniferum. This result confirmed the particularity of S. stoloniferum from ancient Jingzhou.

Comparative analysis of sixteen active compounds and antioxidant and anti-influenza properties of Gardenia jasminoides fruits at different times and application to the determination of the appropriate harvest period with hierarchical cluster analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gardenia jasminoides fruit (GJF) is used as a well-known traditional folk medicine, a food and a natural colorant in Asia with a long history. The herbal medicine has usually been harvested in the autumn from September to November. However, this time span is too long and might result in the quality instability of GJF. AIM OF STUDY: We aimed to conduct the comprehensive quality evaluation of GJF including the quantitative analysis of the bioactive components and the main bioactivities, and further to determine the most appropriate harvest time of this phytomedicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, an UFLC-Q-TRAP-MS/MS method was established to quantify 7 iridoid glycosides (geniposide, geniposidic acid, secoxyloganin, gardenoside, genipin 1-gentiobioside, scandoside methyl ester, and shanzhiside), 7 phenylpropanoid acids (chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C, and caffeic acid) and 2 carotenoids (crocin-1 and crocin-2) in GJF. With this method, nine samples of GJF harvested at different times were analyzed and compared. These samples were also investigated and compared in terms of their antioxidant activity (DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS free radical scavenging, ferric-reducing antioxidation) and anti-influenza activity (neuraminidase inhibition), which are closely related to the GJF efficacies. Then, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was separately performed for the quantitative analysis and bioactivity evaluation in vitro. RESULTS: The HCA results demonstrated that three GJF samples (S5, S6, and S7) were clustered into one group for both quantitative analysis and bioactivity evaluation in vitro; these three samples were found to have the highest standardized scores in both the former (12.775, 12.106, 10.817) and the latter (3.406, 3.374, 3.440). Based on the comprehensive results, the optimum harvest period was confirmed to extend from mid-October to early-November. CONCLUSIONS: This study firstly validated the use of UFLC-Q-TRAP-MS/MS method for the determination of 16 bioactive components in GJF. It was also the first time that a quantitative analysis and a bioactivity assay in vitro were integrated for the determination of the most appropriate harvest period of GJF. We hope this paper may provide some reference to studies of appropriate harvest periods and even the quality control of TCMs.

Simultaneous Determination of Quercitrin, Afzelin, Amentoflavone, Hinokiflavone in Rat Plasma by UFLC-MS-MS and Its Application to the Pharmacokinetics of Platycladus orientalis Leaves Extract.

Leaves of Platycladus orientalis have been used as blood cooling and homeostatic therapy for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. Emerging evidences of modern pharmacology have proved flavonoids as the key elements responsible for the efficacies. However, there has been no report on pharmacokinetic study of the flavonoids from Platycladus orientalis leaves extract. In this study, a sensitive and rapid ultra-flow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of amentoflavone, afzelin, hinokiflavone and quercitrin in rat plasma. The four flavonoids and luteolin (internal standard, IS) were recovered from rat plasma by methanol-ethyl acetate (v:v, 50:50). Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column with gradient elution. Our results showed that the recoveries from spiked control samples were more than 85% for all analytes and IS. The relative standard deviations of intra-day and inter-day precision were within 15% while the REs ranged from -6.6% to 8.0%. The validated method in this study was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study in healthy rats after oral administration of P. orientalis leaves extract.

[Research strategies for feed additives and veterinary medicines from side products of Chinese medicine resources industrialization].

The global antimicrobial resistance has been a big challenge to the human health for years. It has to make balance between the safety of animal products and the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. Any methods that can minimize or even phase out the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry should be encouraged. We herein describe the research strategies for feed additives and veterinary medicines from the side products of Chinese medicine resources industrialization. Killing two birds with one stone-besides the major purposes, the rational utilization of non-medicinal parts and wastes of industrialization of Chinese herbal medicines is also achieved under the proposed strategies.

[Prokaryotic expression, functional identification of squalene synthase in Alisma orientale and its immunoassay study].

Squalene synthase of Alisma orientale catalyzes farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) to form squalene, which is the key regulatory enzyme of the carbon source flow to protostane triterpenes biosynthesis. For further research on the function and expression of AoSS gene, the open reading frame (ORF) of squalene synthase gene (accession no. JX866770) from A. orientale was subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pCzn1 and induced the expression of AoSS gene in Escherichia coli BL21(Roseta). The fusion protein was mainly in the form of inclusion bodies and purified to obtain high purity protein. By verifying its functionality through vitro enzymatic reaction, the results showed that the catalytic protein had the catalytic activity of FPP into squalene. In order to research the expression of AoSS in A. orientale, the purified protein was used to immunized rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibody which was then purified, the titer of the antibody was greater than 1∶51 200 by ELISA detection, and displayed good specificity by Western blotting. The prepared antibody was used for immunoassay of AoSS in different organs of A. orientale, and the results showed that the AoSS expression level was the highest in tubers, followed by leaves, and lowest in root. Successful construction of prokaryotic expression vector, validation of gene functions and establishment of rapid immunoassay lay the foundation for further researches on the function and regulation of AoSS gene, and also provide scientific basis on the application of the protostane triterpenes of A. orientale in the field of synthetic biology.

[Analysis on quality and differences of Mentha haplocalyx from different regions].

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)method was established for the analysis of volatile components in Mentha haplocalyx, and seven principal components were quantified by gas chromatography(GC). Based on these analyses, the differences of volatile components in M. haplocalyx from Jiangsu, Anhui and other regions were compared. The results showed that the volatile oil of M. haplocalyx was divided into four chemical types：menthol-menthone type, pulegone-menthone type, piperitone-menthol type, piperitone epoxide type, and menthol-menthone type was the principal type. Menthol was the highest and pulegone was the lowest. The differences of M. haplocalyx from Anhui and other regions were obvious. The major volatile components and the differences of M. haplocalyx from different regions were confirmed and a quantitative method was established for the determination of volatile components, which provided the basis for improving the quality standard of M. haplocalyx.

The hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides from the petioles and pedicels of Euryale ferox Salisb. on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.

The present study investigated the potential hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides extracted from the petioles and pedicels of Euryale ferox Salisb. (EFPP) on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. The EFPP had a total carbohydrate of 65.72 ± 2.81%, uronic acid of 4.56 ± 0.62% and protein of 0.58 ± 0.12%, with an average molecular weight from 1.02 kDa to 11.45 kDa and monosaccharide composition of Man, GlcA, Rha, Glc, Gal and Ara at a molar ratio of 0.12 : 0.01 : 9.57 : 0.41 : 1.00 : 0.24. Administration with EFPP, especially high dose EFPP, was beneficial to reverse body weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels, enhance serum insulin levels, improve oral glucose tolerance, increase hepatic glycogen content and GCK activity, and modulate the mRNA expression of GCK in the liver. Meanwhile, EFPP had protective effects against alloxan-induced oxidative injury in mice, via increasing the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px and decreasing the MDA contents in the liver and kidney of the mice. EFPP ameliorated the damage in pancreas, kidney and liver tissues, which was confirmed by histopathological observation. The results suggested that EFPP possess hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities, and could be a potential source of natural hypoglycemic and antioxidant agents for functional foods or complementary medicines.

New isocoumarin and stilbenoid derivatives from the tubers of Sparganium stoloniferum (Buch.-Ham.).

A new isocoumarin derivative 8,5'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-4-phenyl-5,2'-oxidoisocoumarin (1) and a new stilbenoid derivative methyl 5-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzofuran-4-carboxylate (2) together with nine known compounds (3-11) were isolated from the tubers of Sparganium stoloniferum Buch.-Ham.. Another stilbenoid derivative (3) and a xanthone (4) were identified as new natural products and compounds 5-10 were obtained for the first time from the genus Sparganium. All their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with available literature information.

Anti-inflammatory effect of volatile oil from Schizonepeta tenuifolia on carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats and its application to study of appropriate harvesting time coupled with multi-attribute comprehensive index method.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. (ST) herbs have been used as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating colds for thousands of years. The volatile oil is considered as the main material basis responsible for the efficacy of ST and has attracted lots of attention on its anti-inflammatory effect recently. AIM OF STUDY: This paper investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the distilled volatile oils from Schizonepeta tenuifolia (STVO) that were collected at different harvesting times on carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats. Based on the anti-inflammatory effects, instead of contents of marker components, we aim to evaluate the quality and determine the appropriate harvesting time of ST. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were eleven groups with eight male rats in each randomly. They were model group, control group, positive group (dexamethasone) and eight groups treated with eight STVOs at different harvesting times. All treatments were performed by gavage and administered once a day on four consecutive days. One hour after the last treatments, except the rats in control group, those in other groups were treated with carrageenin to induce the pleurisy. Four hours later, all the rats were sacrificed and their pleurisy exudates and lung tissues were collected for further analysis. To evaluate the comprehensive anti-inflammatory effect of the eight STVOs, multi-attribute comprehensive index method (MACIM) was used to obtain the integration of various effects. RESULTS: All the eight STVOs could decrease the seven indicators relating to pleurisy, which were exudate volume, leukocytes, protein level, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukine-1ß (IL-1ß). Majority of these decreases were significant (P<0.01, P<0.05). As far as each indicator was concerned, each STVO showed different effect from others. With MACIM, it was found that STVO in Group 6 was the most effective one with the highest Vs and appropriate harvesting time of ST was in late September. CONCLUSIONS: The study may provide scientific basis to further understanding of the mechanism of STVO in anti-inflammatory effect of carrageenin-induced pleurisy. Meanwhile, this study also provides a new access to determining the appropriate harvesting time of TCM and even evaluating the quality of TCM.

[Analysis and Evaluation of Inorganic Elements in Euryale Semen from Different Habitats by Microwave Digestion-ICP-OES].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a simple, rapid and efficient method for determination of different inorganic elements in Euryale Semen from different habitats. METHODS: Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES) was applied to determine inorganic elements in Euryale Semen, and the results were analyzed by principal component analysis. RESULTS: Euryale Semen from different habitats contained the kind of inorganic elements ranging from 22 to 26, including micronutrient elements like Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Molybdenum, Chrome and Cobalt, as well as macronutrient elements such as Potassium, Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium and Phosphorus. Five factors were extracted and used to comprehensively evaluate Euryale Semen from 20 different habitats covered almost China. The comprehensive function was F = 0. 38828F1 + 0. 25603F2 + 0. 07617F3 + 0. 06860F4 + 0. 04868F5, which resulted in the top three samples coming from Jiangsu Gaoyou, Hunan Xiangxi and Jiangsu Suzhou respectively. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that ICP-OES is a quick, accurate and sensitive method to determine the contents of inorganic elements in Euryale Semen,which provides scientific and reliable reference for its quality control and safety assessment.

[Research on resources chemistry of Chinese medicinal materials and resources recycling utilization ways and goals and tasks].

The objects of research on the resources chemistry of Chinese medicinal materials (RCCMM) are promotion of efficient production, rational utilization and improving quality of CMM and natural products. The development of TCM cause depends on the efficient utilization and sustainable development of CMM, hinges on the technologies and methods for using and discovering medicinal biological resources, stand or fall on the extension of industy chains, detailed utilizaion of resource chemical components by multi-way, multi-level. All of these may help to the recycling utilization and sound development of RCMM. In this article, five respects were discussed to the RCCMM researches and resources recycling utilization ways and goals and tasks. First, based on the principle of resource scarcity, discovering or replacing CMM resources, protecting the rare or endangered species or resources. Second, based on the multifunctionality of CMM, realizing the value-added and value compensation, and promoting the utilization efficiency through systermatic and detailed exploitation and utilization. Third, based on the resource conservation and environment-friendly, reducing raw material consumption, lowering cost, promoting recycling utilization and elevating utilization efficiency. Fourth, based on the stratege of turning harm into good, using the invasive alien biological resources by multi-ways and enriching the medicial resources. Fifth, based on the method of structure modification of chemical components, exploring and enhancing the utility value of resouces chemical substances. These data should provide references and attention for improving the utilization efficiency, promoting the development of recycling economy, and changing the mode of economic growth of agriculture and industry of CMM fundamentally.

Protective effects of the active fraction from the tuber of Scirpus yagara in mouse endotoxin shock model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scirpus yagara Ohwi is a perennial, aquatic plant, whose dry tubers have long been used as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "Sanleng" for the treatment of postpartum abdominal pain, hyperemesis gravidarum, amenorrhea, dyspepsia and several inflammatory related diseases. Although it is known to have anti-inflammatory activities, its mechanism of action on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation has not yet been identified in detail.This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the active fraction (AF) from the tuber of Scirpusyagara both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RAW264.7 macrophage was incubated for 16h with 1µg/ml of LPS in absence or presence of AF (0, 10, 50 and 100µg/ml) and the secretions of tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the medium were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the in vivo study, mice were orally administrated with AF (50 and 300mg/kg) for three days consecutively. 1h after the last AF administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (15mg/kg), and the life span of LPS-challenged mice were determined. Furthermore, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum, lung and liver were measured using ELISA kit, and histological change in lungs was examined by light microscopy. Additionally, the components of AF were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C18 column. RESULTS: AF significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-6 production induced by LPS in RAW264.7 macrophage. In LPS-induced mouse endotoxin shock model, AF pre-treatment significantly improved the survival rate of mice. And LPS-induced increases of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum, lung and liver were markedly suppressed by AF. Moreover, the histopathological examination indicated that AF could significantly attenuate lung tissues injury in endotoxemic mice. In addition, eight compounds (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, methyl-3,6-dihydroxy-2-[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-ethynyl] benzoate, sciryagarol I, sparstolonin B, SanLeng diphenyllactone) of AF were quantified by HPLC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that AF protected mice against LPS-induced lethality by inhibiting the production of multiple cytokines and organ dysfunction. Thus AF may prove beneficial in the prevention and treatment of endotoxin shock.

[Influence of different drying methods on the quality of Sparganii rhizoma based on multi-index evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of different drying methods on the quality of Sparganii Rhizoma and obtain the optimal one. METHODS: Based on multi-index evaluation technology, Sparganii Rhizoma was processed using five drying methods including drying in the shade, drying in the sun, drying in the oven, infrared drying and microwave drying. The contents of the functional ingredients such as seven phenolic compounds including p-hydroxybenzaldehde, vanillic acid,p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, kaempferol and formononetin, polysaccharide, total saponins and total polyphenols were determined by the validated procedures of HPLC and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The contents of seven phenolic compounds, polysaccharide and total polyphenols were the highest using microwave drying, while the content of the total saponins was the highest by drying in the oven. CONCLUSION: Different drying methods have significant influence on the quality of Sparganii Rhizoma.

[Multi-level identification and analysis about infrared spectroscopy of lophatheri herba].

Based on the infrared spectra of Lophatheri Herba and Commelinae Herba, one-dimensional infrared spectra, second derivative spectra and two-dimensional correlated spectra were used to find out the differences between Lophatheri Herba and its imitations, respectively. The common peak ratio and variant peak ratio dual-indexes sequential were calculated and established according to infrared spectra of eleven batches of herbs. Infrared spectral data of Lophatheri Herba cluster analysis was applied to explore the similarity between each sample. The grouping results trend of sequential analysis of dual-indexes and cluster analysis was accordant. The results showed that the differences could be found by multi-level identification, and the source and the quality of the herbs could be effectively distinguished by the two analysis methods. Infrared spectroscopy, used in the present work exhibited some advantages on quick procedures, less sample required, and reliable results, which could provide a new method for the identification of traditional Chinese medicine with the imitations and adulterants, and the control of quality and origin.