Evaluation of Biological Mechanisms of Eucommiae Folium in Hypertensive Kidney Injury by Integration of Untargeted Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology.

Hypertensive kidney injury (Hki) is one of the most common complications of hypertension. Early prevention and treatment of renal injury in patients with hypertension is great significance. The study, which used an integrated ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) analysis, network pharmacology approach, and plasma metabolomics, aimed to discover the active ingredients and therapeutic mechanisms of Eucommiae folium (Ef) in treating Hki. The chemical components of Ef were analyzed by UPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS), and the "compound-target-disease" network was constructed by screening the closely related drug targets from the drug-target database, then the signaling pathways related to Hki were analyzed. Finally, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to test and verify the key targets in the common pathways of metabolomics and network pharmacology. The results indicated that Eucommiae folium might play an excellent role in treating Hki, likely through regulating the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway, which were validated by increasing levels of nitric oxide, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and reducing levels of endothelin 1, angiotensin II, renin, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine, as well as the reduced gene expression of Ache, Ddah2, Egfr, Lcat, Pla2g2a, Stat3 and Vegfa. The study systematically explored the protective mechanisms of Ef against Hki and also provided the practical treatment strategies of Hki from the Chinese herb.

Material basis, effect, and mechanism of ethanol extract of Pinellia ternata tubers on oxidative stress-induced cell senescence.

BACKGROUND: The tuber of Pinellia ternata has been used for a thousand years in China. P. ternata possessed the activities of anti-emetic, sedative-hypnotic, anti-cancer, anti-asthmatic, anti-tussive, and anti-inflammatory. It is the representative of expectorant medicines in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Phlegm is the pathological product and a new pathogenic factor of the metabolite, which is analogous to the damage of oxidative stress. PURPOSE: The objectives of the study were to investigate the protective activity and mechanism of ethanol extract of P. ternata tubers (PTE) and its main constituents on oxidative stress-induced cell senescence. METHODS: H2O2 and AAPH were used to establish cellular senescence models. The anti-aging effects of PTE and its components were evaluated by SA-ß-gal staining, flow cytometry, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and multiple microplate reader, the molecular mechanisms of them were investigated by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. RESULTS: We found PTE exhibited the apparent effect on cell senescence, evidenced by inhibiting senescence ß-Galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) expression, lipofuscin accumulation, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, oxidative damage and apoptosis, and increasing telomerase activity. Their mechanisms were related to increase expressions of SIRT1, forkhead box 3a (Foxo3a), Bcl-2, active regulator of SIRT1, RPS19BP1 (AROS), and Hu antigen R (HuR), but decrease Bax, p53 and deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) levels. Furthermore, adenosine, and succinic acid, as the critical substances in PTE, could also inhibit SA-ß-gal expression and cell cycle arrest, down-regulate the expression of Bax, and up-regulate Bcl-2, SirT1, and Foxo3a. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that PTE slows down oxidative stress-induced cell senescence, and adenosine and succinic acid are the key active components.

Liupao tea extract alleviates diabetes mellitus and modulates gut microbiota in rats induced by streptozotocin and high-fat, high-sugar diet.

Liupao tea, a popular dark tea, exhibited anti-diabetic activity in Chinese tea culture. However, the bioavailability of the main active components is low. Therefore, the relationship between the anti-diabetic activity and the modulation of gut microbiota was investigated in this study for the first time. Liupao tea extract (LTE) could significantly alleviate hyperglycemia, insulin-resistance, and plasma lipid profiles. The hypoglycemic effect of high-dose LTE was comparable to that of metformin. Importantly, LTE exhibited beneficial effect on modulating the diabetic-induced disorder of gut microbiota, such as increasing Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and up-regulating putative short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, including Prevotella and Bacteroides. Moreover, 29 key phylotypes were significantly correlated with at least one diabetic index. In conclusion, LTE could be developed into an anti-diabetic functional beverage and its beneficial effects is likely to be associated with the prebiotic effects for increasing the level of SCFAs and the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria.

Rapid Characterization of Constituents in Tribulus terrestris from Different Habitats by UHPLC/Q-TOF MS.

A strategy for rapid identification of the chemical constituents from crude extracts of Tribulus terrestris was proposed using an informatics platform for the UHPLC/Q-TOF MSE data analyses. This strategy mainly utilizes neutral losses, characteristic fragments, and in-house library to rapidly identify the structure of the compounds. With this strategy, rapid characterization of the chemical components of T. terrestris from Beijing, China was successfully achieved. A total of 82 steroidal saponins and nine flavonoids were identified or tentatively identified from T. terrestris. Among them, 15 new components were deduced based on retention times and characteristic MS fragmentation patterns. Furthermore, the chemical components of T. terrestris, including the other two samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, China, and Rome, Italy, were also identified with this strategy. Altogether, 141 chemical components were identified from these three samples, of which 39 components were identified or tentatively identified as new compounds, including 35 groups of isomers. It demonstrated that this strategy provided an efficient protocol for the rapid identification of chemical constituents in complex samples such as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by UHPLC/Q-TOF MSE with informatics platform. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

An efficient approach to identify different chemical markers between fibrous root and rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry with multivariate statistical analysis.

An ultra high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry approach coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was established and applied to rapidly distinguish the chemical differences between fibrous root and rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides. The datasets of tR-m/z pairs, ion intensity and sample code were processed by principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Chemical markers could be identified based on their exact mass data, fragmentation characteristics, and retention times. And the new compounds among chemical markers could be isolated rapidly guided by the ultra high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and their definitive structures would be further elucidated by NMR spectra. Using this approach, twenty-four markers were identified on line including nine new saponins and five new steroidal saponins of them were obtained in pure form. The study validated this proposed approach as a suitable method for identification of the chemical differences between various medicinal parts in order to expand medicinal parts and increase the utilization rate of resources.

Phenylethanoid glycosides and phenolic glycosides from stem bark of Magnolia officinalis.

An investigation of the hydrophilic constituents of the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis was performed and which led to isolation and identification of twenty-one previously unreported glycosides. These included eleven phenylethanoid glycosides, magnolosides F-P, and ten phenolic glycosides, magnolosides Q-Z, along with eight known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical hydrolysis methods, as well as by comparison with literature data. Most of the phenylethanoid glycosides contained an allopyranose moiety, which is rare in the plant kingdom. Magnolosides I and K as well as 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) ethanol 1-O-[4-O-caffeoyl-2-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-6-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]-ß-d-glucopyranoside showed more potent α-glucosidase inhibitory effects (IC50 values of 0.13, 0.27, and 0.29mM, respectively) than the positive control, acarbose (IC50 value of 1.09mM) in vitro. Magnolosides H, E and D also showed moderate cytotoxicity against MGC-803 and HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 13.59-17.16µM and 29.53-32.46µM, respectively.

Comparison of ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography for the separation of spirostanol saponins.

Spirostanol saponins are important active components of some herb medicines, and their isolation and purification are crucial for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicines. We aimed to compare the separation of spirostanol saponins by ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Four groups of spirostanol saponins were separated respectively by UHPSFC and UHPLC. After optimization, UHPSFC was performed with a HSS C18 SB column or a Diol column and with methanol as the co-solvent. A BEH C18 column and mobile phase containing water (with 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile were used in UHPLC. We found that UHPSFC could be performed automatically and quickly. It is effective in separating the spirostanol saponins which share the same aglycone and vary in sugar chains, and is very sensitive to the number and the position of hydroxyl groups in aglycones. However, the resolution of spirostanol saponins with different aglycones and the same sugar moiety by UHPSFC was not ideal and could be resolved by UHPLC instead. UHPLC is good at differentiating the variation in aglycones, and is influenced by double bonds in aglycones. Therefore, UHPLC and UHPSFC are complementary in separating spirostanol saponins. Considering the naturally produced spirostanol saponins in herb medicines are different both in aglycones and in sugar chains, a better separation can be achieved by combination of UHPLC and UHPSFC. UHPSFC is a powerful technique for improving the resolution when UHPLC cannot resolve a mixture of spirostanol saponins and vice versa.

Comparative study of lanostane-type triterpene acids in different parts of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf by UHPLC-Fourier transform MS and UHPLC-triple quadruple MS.

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine, and approximately 10% of traditional Chinese medicinal preparations contain this material, according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Although the epidermis (fulingpi in Chinese, or FLP) and the inner parts (baifuling in Chinese, or BFL) of P. cocos had different therapeutic applications in history, studies pertaining to a comparative analysis of their chemical constituents have been scarce. UHPLC-DAD-FT/MS(n) has been used in the current study to identify the triterpene acids present in fungus based on a detailed analysis of the fragmentation behavior of 13 standard compounds. This analysis allowed for the identification of 27 triterpene acids, including five groups of isomers and four potential new compounds. Furthermore, a UHPLC-MS/MS method has been developed for quantifying the amounts of nine bioactive triterpene acids in samples of the FLP and BFL, including three 3,4-seco-lanostane-type triterpene acids. These results revealed significant differences in the amounts of these compounds in the FLP and BFL samples. Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis of the results for the FLP and BFL samples clearly demonstrated that dehydrotumulosic acid, trametenolic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid and poricoic acid A were the main compounds contributing to the clusters in FLP and BFL. The observed differences in the chemical compositions of FLP and BFL could provide some explanation of the differences in their clinic applications. This study represents the first reported comprehensive analysis of lanostane-type triterpene acids in FLP and BFL parts of P. cocos.

An HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous quantitative determination of four active hydrophilic compounds in Magnoliae officinalis cortex.

Magnoliae officinalis cortex (MOC), derived from Magnolia officinalis and its variation M. officinalis var. biloba, is an important traditional Chinese medicine. In our previous work, 11 hydrophilic ingredients of MOC were isolated and structurally elucidated and four, namely syringin (SG), magnoloside A (MA), magnoloside B (MB) and magnoflorine (MF), showed bioactive effects. Herein, we describe an HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of MA, MB, MF and SG in MOC for the first time. The chromatographic separation of samples was performed on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) by gradient elution with water-acetic acid (pH 3.0) and methanol at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The wavelengths were set at 265 nm for MF and SG, and 328 nm for MA and MB. The average recovery of the four compounds was from 97.63 to 103.84%. Nearly 100 MOC samples harvested from eight habitats were analyzed in which the contents of the tested compound varied in the range of 0.016-0.350% (MF), 0.010-0.337% (SG), 0.017-3.009% (MB) and 0.077-2.529% (MA). The analysis also indicated that MOC contains a significant amount of phenylethanoid glycosides. This was an unexpected finding because previously lignan was considered to be the main component of MOC.

HPLC-DPPH screening method for evaluation of antioxidant compounds extracted from Semen Oroxyli.

Semen Oroxyli, derived from the seed of Oroxylum indicum L., is a commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine with beneficial effects against several respiratory disorders. Antioxidative flavonoids may be partly responsible for its medicinal functions. The aim of this study was to rapidly determine the antioxidants in Semen Oroxyli based on a HPLC-DPPH method. Four major flavonoids, baicalein-7-O-gentiobioside, baicalein-7-O-glucoside, baicalein, and baicalin, were identified as the active components against DPPH free radicals, which is in accord with the results of our former traditional activity-guided phytochemical study. The oxidative products of the four antioxidant flavonoids were studied in the DPPH spiking HPLC assay, it was suggested that the three active flavonoid glycosides were converted into 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, which implied that an additional hydroxyl at C-6 in 5,7-dihydroxyflavones plays an important role in the DPPH assay.

Phenolic glycosides and other constituents from the bark of Magnolia officinalis.

A new phenolic glycoside, syringic acid 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 5)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), together with 12 known compounds consisting of eight phenolic glycosides (2-9), two phenolic acids (10 and 11), and two norsesquiterpenoids (12 and 13), was isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Magnolia officinalis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, aldose reductase, lipase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, α-glucosidase, and three cancer cell lines. However, all the compounds showed weak or no activities in these tests.

[Experimental study on anti-atherosclerotic effect of compatibility of active components of danshen and shanzha].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of active components of Danshen and Shanzha of different matching proportions on atherosclerosis (AS), in the expectation of obtaining the optimum combination method. METHOD: Atherosclerotic rats were fed with high fat diet, and injected with vitamin D3 and ovalbumin. Aqueous extracts of Danshen (DSA) and Shanzha (SZA) and lipophilic extracts of danshen (DSL) were adopted for a low, medium and high-dose orthogonal experiment, to observe the effect of their different matching proportions on lipid level, oxidative stress, endothelial function and inflammatory reaction. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis were adopted for the multi-objective optimization of experimental results. RESULT: Compared with the model group, all of samples with different proportions of DSA, DSL and SZA showed effect in lowering lipid level, scavenging free radicals, reducing endothelial dysfunction and inhibiting inflammation. According to the variance analysis, DSA2-SZA2-DSL1, DSA3-SZA2-DSL1, DSA3-SZA3 -DSL3 and DSA3-SZA1-DSL1 were the optimal proportions for lowering lipid level, scavenging free radicals, reducing endothelial dysfunction and inhibiting inflammation, respectively. According to the results of the multi-objective optimization, DSA2-SZA1-DSL2 was the optimal proportions of anti-AS. CONCLUSION: All of active components of Danshen and Shanzha of different matching proportions show the anti-AS effect in rats to varying degrees, but with different focus in different matching proportions.

Studies on the alkaloids of the bark of Magnolia officinalis: isolation and on-line analysis by HPLC-ESI-MS(n).

The bark of Magnolia officinalis is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the present study, two new alkaloids, named (S)-4-keto-magnoflorine (6) and (R)-3,4-dehydromagnocurarine (11), together with seven known alkaloids: (S)-magnoflorine (5), trans/cis N-feruloylputrescine (7/8), (R)-magnocurarine (10), (S)-tembetarine (12), (R)-oblongine (14), and (R)-asimilobine (17) were isolated and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESI-MS. The absolute configurations of the isoquinoline alkaloids 5, 6, 10-12, 14, and 17 were determined by CD. In vitro inhibitory activities against aldose reductase, lipase, α-glucosidase, DPP-IV and three cancer cell lines (A549, Bel-7402, and HCT-8) were evaluated for all isolated compounds. However, all compounds showed weak activities in all tests at the same concentration as the positive control drugs. An HPLC-ESI-MS(n) method has been established for screening of alkaloids in the bark of M. officinalis. A total of 23 alkaloids were identified or tentatively characterized; including 13 aporphines, eight benzylisoquinolines and two amides. Plausible fragmentation pathways of the representative compounds 6, 7/8, 11, and 17 were proposed in the present study.

Effects of an aqueous extract of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. fruit on experimental atherosclerosis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Atherosclerosis (AS) can result in severe cardiovascular diseases. Early indications of AS include disorders in lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and endothelial dysfunction. Statins are the preferred drugs for stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques because of their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation and endothelial-protection activities. However, they can exhibit side effects and are effective in only one-third of patients. Many natural products (especially traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)) possessing similar lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation and antioxidant activities are of interest in many studies exploring new AS drug therapy. The widely distributed hawthorn is used to prevent and cure heart disease not only in China but also in the United States and several European countries. For example, the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. (a commonly used hawthorn fruit in China) is used in combination with other TCMs to treat AS. Studies have also shown that the water extracts of these two hawthorn fruits are effective against hyperlipidemia by lowering lipid levels, reducing endothelial dysfunction, and inhibiting inflammation. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of the aqueous extract of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major on AS rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major was extracted with 70% ethanol; the ethanol extract was chromatographed on a D101 macroporous resin to obtain a sugar-free aqueous extract (AECP). Atherosclerotic rats were fed a high-fat diet and injected with vitamin D3 and ovalbumin. Rats were divided into five groups: normal, model, model plus simvastatin, model plus low-dose AECP, and model plus high-dose AECP. AECP and simvastatin were administered (via the intragastric route) to AECP groups and the simvastatin group. For normal and model groups, water was given for 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood were measured by an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-8, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in arteries were observed using an optical microscope and the intima-media thickness (IMT) calculated. Cholesterol deposition was evaluated by filipin staining. Chemical ingredients in AECP were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative means by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: AECP significantly reduced the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C but increased HDL-C levels. It also decreased the concentrations of CRP, IL-1ß, IL-8 and IL-18. AECP increased levels of ET and TXB2 but increased 6-keto-PGF1α levels. Histopathological examination showed that AECP inhibited pathological changes in the arteries of AS rats and reduced IMT. Chemical analysis suggested that the main components of AECP were chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2, (-)-epicatechin, rutin and isoquercitrin. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that AECP can inhibit AS progression in high-fat-diet-fed rats. Possible mechanisms of action include improvement of lipid metabolism, decrease in inflammatory cytokine responses, and protection of the endothelium.

[Study on digitization of difference in drug color and odor of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex before and after perspiration].

OBJECTIVE: To digitalize the changes in characters of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex after perspiration with colorimeter and electronic nose. METHOD: With perspired and non-perspired Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex as objective, colorimeter and electronic nose were used to detect their color characteristic parameter and odor characteristic parameter. Finally, an identification model was established. RESULT: In terms of drug color, the color characteristic parameter model was established for perspired and non-perspired Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex on the basis of L*, a*, b* color spaces. The range of 90% of reference values of perspired Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex: L* (52.22-59.42), a* (5.36-7.68), b* (22.04-27.05). The range of 90% of reference values of non-perspired Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex: L* (38.42-47.31), a* (9.63-11.85), b* (18.48-25.53). In terms of drug odor, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the partial least squares method (PLS) showed significant difference between perspired and non-perspired Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex. CONCLUSION: The difference in drug color and odor of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex before and after perspiration can be digitalized according to color and odor characteristic parameters tested with colorimeter and electronic nose.

Quality evaluation of semen oroxyli based on the determination of multiple components with a single reference standard.

The determination of multiple components is considered to be one of the key methods to control the quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), because the clinical efficacy of TCM is derived from the synergistic action of multi-components. When simultaneously determining multi-components in TCM with multiple reference standards (MRS), the limited availability and high expense of various reference standards is a major obstacle. Currently, a practical method determining multi-components with a single reference standard (SRS) is needed to solve the problem, in which the contents of those components without reference standards can be calculated using relative conversion factor. In the present paper, both MRS and SRS methods were established for the simultaneous quantitative determination of seven bioactive flavonoids in Muhudie (MHD), the seed of Oroxylum indicum L., a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for centuries. Forty samples were assayed and data obtained from the two methods were compared, and no statistically significant difference was observed by a T-test (P > 0.05), thus, the SRS method can be applied for quality analysis of MHD. At the same time, a certain correlation was discovered between the contents of the bioactive components and the morphological character of MHD.

Bioactive polar compounds from stem bark of Magnolia officinalis.

Two new phenylethanoid glycosides magnoloside D (1) and E (2), together with nine known compounds, were isolated from the polar part of methanol extract of the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectral analysis. Anti-spasmodic activity of four major constituents (3, 4, 9 and 11) was tested in isolated colon of rat, compounds 3, 4, and 9 showed inhibition against acetylcholine, with the effect similar to that of magnolol and honokiol. At the same time, antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds was investigated using a DPPH and an ORAC assay. All of the compounds, except compound 8 showed potent antioxidant capacity in the ORAC assay, while compounds 1-5 and 11 exhibited potent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay.

Antioxidant flavonoids from the seed of Oroxylum indicum.

Three new flavonoid glycosides (1-3) and nineteen known compounds (4-22) were isolated from the aqueous ethanolic extract of the seed of Oroxylum indicum. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Antioxidant activities of all the isolated compounds were evaluated using a DPPH and an ORAC assay. Compounds 3, 5-7, 9 and 12 exhibited potent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, while compounds 3-15 showed potent antioxidant capacity in the ORAC assay, and seven antioxidant flavonoids (4-6, 8, 9, 11, 12) were detected as the main ingredients in the methanolic extract of seed of O. indicum using an HPLC analysis.

Three new water-soluble alkaloids from the leaves of Suregada glomerulata (Blume) Baill.

Three new water-soluble alkaloids (1-3) together with twelve known compounds (4-15) have been isolated from the water extract of leaves of Suregada glomerulata. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical method. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and HIV-1 replication. However, no significant activities were found.

[Effects of primary processing on quality of cortex Magnolia officinalis].

In this paper, the changes of volatile oil and non-volatile ingredients in Cortex Magnolia Officinalis before and after primary processing were determined by an HPLC and a GC-MS method. The method is based on quantitative determination of three index ingredients, beta-eudesmol, honokiol and magnolol, and on qualitative fingerprinting analysis using HPLC and GC. Big differences were observed between processed and unprocessed samples according to their chromatographic fingerprinting data calculated by statistic software. Compared with unprocessed samples, the contents of honokiol and magnolol in processed samples increased, whereas the contents of beta-eudesmol and magnoloside A in processed samples decreased. Magnoloside A was isolated from this plant for the first time.