Two new isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis hendersonii / 中国中药杂志

Corydalis hendersonii(CH) is a Tibetan folk medicine with the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, cooling blood, checking diarrhea, and lowering blood pressure. It is often used to treat high altitude polycythemia, vasculitis, peptic ulcer, and diarrhea. Nine compounds were separated from the ethanol extract of CH by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified as hendersine H(1),hendersine I(2), dehydrocheilanthifoline(3), protopine(4), izmirine(5), 6,7-methylenedioxy-1(2H)-isoquinolinone(6), icariside D_2(7), ethyl 4-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxybenzoate(8), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid(9), respectively, by the spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with those in the literature. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 are new isoquinoline alkaloids, and compounds 7-9 are reported the first time for Corydalis. The hypoglycemic model of H9c2 cardiomyocytes and the inflammatory model of H9c2 cardiomyocytes induced by conditional supernatant were employed to determine the activities of the above compounds. The results showed that 20 μmol·L~(-1) compound 1 had a protective effect on H9c2 cardiomyocytes and 10 μmol·L~(-1) compounds 4 and 5 inhibited H9c2 cardiomyocyte inflammation induced by conditional supernatant.

Network pharmacology study of Tibetan medicine Corydalis Herba against acute myocardial ischemia / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the compound search was completed through SciFinder and CNKI databases, and the drug-like properties were screened in FAFdrugs4 and SEA Search Server databases. In addition, based on the target sets related to acute myocardial ischemia(AMI) searched in disease target databases such as OMIM database, GeneCards database and DrugBank, a network diagram of chemical component-target-pathway-disease was established via Cytoscape to predict the potential active components of Corydalis Herba, a traditional Tibetan herbal medicine which derived from the aerial parts of Corydalis hendersonii and C. mucronifera against AMI. A protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed through the STRING database and the core targets in the network were predicted. And the enrichment analyses of core targets were completed by DAVID database and R software. Furthermore, a molecular docking method was used to verify the binding of the components with core targets using softwares such as Autodock Vina. The present results showed that there were 60 compounds related to AMI in Corydalis Herba, involving 73 potential targets. The GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 282 biological processes(BP), 49 cell components(CC) and 78 molecular functions(MF). KEGG was enriched into 85 pathways, including alcoholism pathway, endocrine resistance pathway, calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway and adrenergic signaling transduction pathway of myocardial cells. The results of network topology analysis showed that the key components of anti-AMI of Corydalis Herba might be tetrahydropalmatine, etrahydrocolumbamine, N-trans-feruloyloctopamine, N-cis-p-coumaroyloctopamine, N-trans-p-coumaroylnoradrenline and N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine, and their core targets might be CDH23, SCN4 B and NFASC. The results of molecular docking showed that the key components of Corydalis Herba had stable binding activity with the core targets. This study provides reference for further elucidation of the pharmacological effects of Corydalis Herba against AMI, subsequent clinical application, and development.

Research Process on Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications of Commonly Used Medicinal Plants of Genus Ilex / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Four commonly used medicinal plants of genus Ilex, including I. pubescens, I. asprella, I. rotunda, and I. latifolia, have been extensively used in clinic. The Ilex plants contain triterpenes and their glycosides, flavones, phenols and other compositions, and their have the pharmacological activities of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antithrombosis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, etc. Among them, I. pubescens has significant pharmacological activities in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, but there are few studies on clinical application. There are a few literature reports on the anti-inflammatory, lowering blood lipids, anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities of I. asprella, which is clinically used in the treatment of upper respiratory diseases and infectious diseases. I. rotunda has strong activities of antithrombosis and anti-inflammatory, it is clinically used for the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. I. latifolia shows activities of hypolipidemic, antitumor, antibacterial and antioxidant, and its leaves are often used in the treatment of hypertension. This review summarized the research progress on the pharmacological effects and clinical applications of commonly used medicinal plants of this genus in recent years, in order to provide basis for their clinical applications, and provide useful reference for the further development of the research direction and the development of medicines and health products.

Chemical and pharmacological progress on a Tibetan folk medicine formula Bawei Chenxiang Powder / 中国中药杂志

Bawei Chenxiang Powder is a traditional Tibetan folk medicine formula, consisting of resinous wood of Aquilaria sinensis, kernel of Myristica fragrans, fruit of Choerospondias axillaris, travertine, resin of Boswellia carterii or B. bhaw-dajiana, stem of Aucklandia lappa, fruit of Terminalia chebula(roasted), and flower of Gossampinus malabarica. It has the function of clearing heart heat, nourishing heart, tranquilizing mind, and inducing resuscitation, which has been used for the treatment of coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Modern research shows that the medicine materials of this formula mainly contain terpenoids like sesquiterpenes and triterpenes and polyphenols like flavonoids, lignans, and tannins, displaying some pharmacological activities such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia, and spatial learning and memory promotion. This review summaries the traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities research progress, hopefully to provide a reference for clarification of its pharmacological active ingredients.

Research progress on terpenes and pharmacological effects of Saussurea lappa / 中国中药杂志

Saussurea lappa originates in India, and now mainly grow in Yunnan, Sichuan and other places in China. It is one of the commonly used traditional herbal medicines in Tibet and other minority regions, with effects in regulating qi to relieve pain and invigo-rating spleen to promote food. It has been used in clinic for gastrointestinal diseases, such as Qi stagnation syndrome of spleen and stomach, diarrhea and tenesmus. More than 200 compounds have been identified from S. lappa. Among them, sesquiterpenoids attracted much attention. In terms of the number of compounds, eudesmanetype is dominant, guaiane and germacranetypes have also been reported frequently. Pharmacological studies have involved extracts, volatile oils and monomeric components represented by dehydrocostus lactone. Anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects on digestive system have attracted great attention. However, due to the complex sources of S. lappa and widely used in clinical practice, there is few research progress on relevant chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. This paper systematically summarizes terpenes and the pharmacological effects of S. lappa, in order to provide basis for further studies and clinical applications.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Chinese Agarwood Essential Oil Via Inhibiting p-STAT3 and IL-1β/IL-6 / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: Eaglewood is a commonly used precious herbal medicine. Due to the multiple drug effects and shortage of medicinal resources, it is currently a hot research topic. Chinese agarwood essential oil (CEEO) is the main active ingredient of eaglewood. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of CEEO. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effect of CEEO was evaluated on xylene-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw swelling in rats. The production and transcription levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by ELISA or quantitative RT-PCR in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. The protein levels of p-transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and p-IκBα/p-NF-κBp65 were detected by Western blot analysis. The chemical profiles of CEEO were identified by GC-MS. RESULTS: Intragastric administration with CEEO (60-960 mg•kg-1 in mice and 680 mg•kg-1 in rats) produced significant anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, the highest inhibition percentages were 73% and 51%, respectively (P<0.001). After treatment with CEEO (10, 5, and 2.5 μg•mL-1), ELISA and RT-PCR analysis showed that the production and mRNA level of IL-1β and IL-6 were attenuated by 68% and 39%, 64% and 52% (P<0.001), respectively, at the highest concentration. Western blot analysis showed that CEEO (680 mg•kg-1, ig) significantly restrained the phosphorylation of STAT3 by 21% (P<0.05). Totally 117 compounds were identified in CEEO by GC-MS analysis and the chemical analysis revealed that sesquiterpenoids were the major compounds (68.83%). CONCLUSION: This study shows for the first time that intragastric administration of CEEO has significant anti-inflammatory effect, which may be due to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 by reducing the overexpression of p-STAT3, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of CEEO may be related to the primary component sesquiterpenoids.

Advance of a representative traditional Tibetan medicine Meconopsis horridula on its phytochemical and pharmacological aspects / 中国中药杂志

Meconopsis horridula is one of alpine plants belonging to family Papaveraceae, mainly distributed in Himalaya Range area. M. horridula is a rare alpine flower, and is a kind of traditional Tibetan medicine, which has been included in more than 40 compound formulae, having efficacies of clearing away heat and alleviating pain, activating blood circulation to remove stasis, traditionally used for the treatment of fractures, injuries, and chest and back pains. Modern research shows that the whole plant of M. horridula contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes, and its pharmacological activities including antitumor, antivirus and myocardial protection etc. However, due to various factors, the current research of M.horridula still faces many challenges. This paper summaries herein a progress of MH on its ecological resources, traditional uses, and studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects, hopefully to provide a useful reference for the ecological protection and applications.

A phytochemical and pharmacological advance on medicinal plant Litsea cubeba (Lauraceae) / 中国中药杂志

Litsea cubeba is one of aromatic medicinal plant belonging to family Lauraceae. The roots, stems and fruits of L. cubeba have been widely applied as folk medicines in some districts in China for relieving rheumatism and cold, regulating Qi (meridian) to alleviate pain. Previous studies revealed that this species contains major alkaloids, in specific aporphines, and minor flavonoids, lignans as well. Related pharmacological investigations demonstrated its activities and clinical applications on cardiovascular diseases, anti-cancer, against rheumatoid arthritis, relieving asthma and anti-allergic effects, as anti-oxidants, and so on. As an effort for further exploration of this bioactive ingredients and potential drug development, this paper summarizes most phytochemical and pharmacological results. Further, future prospects are also included.

Quality assessment and classification of persicae semen based on HPLC-UV fingerprint / 中国中药杂志

Persicae Semen (PS), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used for the syndrome of blood stasis in China since the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the present study, we developed an HPLC-UV fingerprint analysis method for the quality control of PS. The HPLC fingerprint was performed on Shimadzu Inertsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 35 degrees C. The mobile phases were composed of acetonitrile and water using a gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. The fingerprint method was validated according to the Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Injection Fingerprint, and applied to determine 41 batches representative herbs collected from Xinjiang of China. The chromatographic peaks were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and nine of them were identified by comparison with the literature and/or reference standards. In order to classify and assess the samples, hierarchical clustering analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis were performed based on the common chromatographic peaks, and the samples were geographically classified into two classes, with six chemical compounds as classification markers which were significantly different between the two classes (P < 0.05).

Alkaloids from roots and stems of Litsea cubeba / 中国中药杂志

A phytochemical investigation on the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba led to the isolation of seven isoquinolone alkaloids. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of their 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, these alkaloids were identified as (+)-norboldine (1), (+)-boldine (2), (+)-reticuline (3), (+)-laurotetanine (4), (+)-isoboldine (5), (+)-N-methyl-laurotetanine (6), and berberine (7), respectively. Among them, 7 was isolated from the genus for the first time. The evaluation of these compounds showed weak anti-inflammatory activity against NO production in RAW 267.4 and BV-2 cells.

Phytochemical and pharmacological advance on Tibetan medicinal plants of Corydalis / 中国中药杂志

It was estimated that about 428 species of genus Corydalis are distributed all worldwide, with about 298, especially 10 groups and 219 species being uniquely spread in China. The genus Corydalis have been widely employed as folk medicines in China, especially as traditional Tibetan medicines, for treatment of fever, hepatitis, edema, gastritis, cholecystitis, hypertension and other diseases. The phytochemical studies revealed that isoquinoline alkaloids are its major bioactive ingredients. The extensive biological researches suggested its pharmacological activities and clinic applications against cardiovascular diseases and central nervous system, antibacterial activities, analgesic effects, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-injury for hepatocyte, and so on. As an effort in promoting the research of pharmacodynamic ingredients, this article presents an overview focusing on the distribution, phytochemical and pharmacological results of Corydalis species that have been applied in traditional Tibetan medicinal, hopefully to provide a reference for the new Tibetan medicine development from Corydalis plant resource.

Survey and evaluation of iodine nutritional status of different populations in Harbin city in 2011 / 中国地方病学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate current iodine nutritional status of different groups of people in Harbin city, and to provide the basis for development of salt iodization standard and scientific iodine supplementation.MethodsThree urban districts and three surrounding counties were chosen in Harbin,2011.In each chosen urban district and county,one district office (township) was selected,and one residents committee (village) was chosen in each of the district office(township),and 30 households were selected by systematic sampling.Iodized salt,water iodine and iodine intake per capita were investigated.In each of the residents committee (village),20 adults aged 18 - 45,30 pregnant women or lactating women,and 100 school children aged 8 - 10 were selected.Urine samples were collected and urinary iodine level were tested.Salt iodine was determined by direct titration,water and urinary iodine by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry.Iodine uptake and iodine nutritional status of different populations in Harbin urban and rural areas were compared.ResultsThe edible rate of qunlified iodized salt were 93.3％(84/90) and 96.3％(156/162) in Harbin urban and rural residents,respectively,which were all greater than 90％,and the highest value of salt iodine were 38.3,46.0 mg/kg,respectively,in urban and rural areas,which all did not exceed the upper limit(50 mg/kg) of qualified iodized salt,but there were some samples of salt iodine content below the national standard(20 mg/kg).Water iodine value in urban and rural areas,even the highest value(9.40,8.40 μg/L),was failed to meet the national standard 10 μg/L; salt eaten by rural people perperson a day(8.33 g) was significantly higher than that of the urban people(7.03 g,Z=- 2.750,P ＜ 0.01); in addition to rural children aged 8 - 10,whose urinary iodine value(228.6 μg/L) was higher,the values in urban and rural adults ( 111.3,195.6 μg/L),pregnant women ( 193.0,172.9 μg/L),lactating women ( 128.4,173.7 μg/L)and urban children ( 186.8 μg/L ) were all in appropriate level.The urinary iodine medians ( 195.6,228.6 μg/L )of adults and children in rural were significantly higher than that of urban adults and children(111.3,186.8 μg/L,Z =- 2.294,- 5.434,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01,respectively).Population composition of iodine deficiency in both urban and rural adults,lactating and pregnant women[46.7％(28/60),21.6％(13/60) ; 21.1％(19/90),21.3％ (18/89) ; 27.8％ ( 25/90 ),42.2％ (38/90) ] were significantly higher than that of the population composition with iodine excess[4.6％(4/60),5.0％(3/60) ; 16.7％(15/90),16.9％(15/89) ; 4.4％(4/90),0.0％(0/90)],but proportion of iodine excessive population in rural children [26.3％(79/300)] was significantly higher than proportion of iodine deficiency[5.6％(17/300)].ConclusionsThe natural environment of Harbin city is still in the iodinedeficient state.In addition to children in rural areas,the iodine intake and iodine nutrition level is basically appropriate; the risk of disease caused by iodine deficiency in adults,lactating and pregnant women is higher than by iodine excess,but the situation of children in rural is on the opposite.Therefore,we should strengthen the monitoring of different populations,and supplement iodine scientifically based on their need.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Qufeng Zhitong capsule on the collagen-induced arthritis rat / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of anti-inflammatory effect and it's mechansim of Qufeng Zhitong capsule on the collagen-induced arthritis rat through the study of arthritis, joint inflammation and joint erosions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty male SD rat were assigned to 5 groups: normal control group, arthritis model group, and Qufeng Zhitong capsule treatment group (including low, medium and high doses), each group contains 10 rats. Arthritis were induced by immunization with type II collagen (CII) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). After administered Qufeng Zhitong capsule 2 weeks, the volume of back foot of arthritis rat were detected, and the histology changes of the ankle joints of the arthritis rat were studied. The serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treated with Qufeng Zhitong capsule, the swelling of the paw of the rats were significantly decreased compared with the controls. Histology study demonstrated that the Qufeng Zhitong capsule treatment could reduce the synovium hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, the inhibitory effects were in accordance with the doses of the drug. The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine of TNF-alpha in the arthritis rat were not changed significantly, while the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine of IL-10 were elevated significantly after treated with Qufeng Zhitong capsule.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Qufeng Zhitong capsule can inhibit the synovium hyperplasia and cartilage erosion by stimulating the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine of IL-10 and suggest it can be a candidate of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.</p>

Effect of total flaveos of Gymostemma pentaphyllum on protein expression of Fas/FasL genes and TNF-alpha concentration in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with hypoxia-reoxygenation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of total flaveos of Gymostemma pentaphyllum on the protein expression of apoptosis-associated Fas/FasL gene and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentration in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A cultured primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes model with H/R was erected, experiments were divided into six groups, (1)control group, (2)H/R group, (3)15 mg x L(-1) TFG plus H/R group, (4)45 mg x L(-1) TFG plus H/R group, (5) 105 mg x L(-1) TFG plus H/R group, (6)105 mg x L(-1) TFG group. TNF-aconcentration in cultured cardiomyocytes with H/R, was determined by ELISA method, the protein expression of Fas/FasL genes were estimated by immunohisto-chemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After cardiomyocytes were made with H/R, Compared with control group, the positive expression index (PEI) of Fas/FasL proteins in cardiomyocytes increased significantly, Compared with H/R groups, the PEI of Fas/FasL proteins were lower significantly in groups with different dosages of TFG (P < 0.05). TFG inhibited the secretion of TNF-alpha from myocardial cells and increased the survival rate of myocardial cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The protein expression of apoptosis-associated Fas/FasL genes increased during H/R. The TFG can protect myocardium against H/R injury by decreasing the production of TNF-alpha, downregulating the protein expression of Fas/FasL genes, and then inhibiting myocyte apoptosis.</p>