Harmonizing international quality standards for Andrographis paniculata: A comparative analysis of content determination methods across pharmacopeias.

The quality standards for Andrographis paniculata, a widely used medicinal herb, exhibited significant variations across different pharmacopeias. In this study, we compared the HPLC content determination methods and total lactone content of A. paniculata samples from different regions, as specified in the Chinese (CP), United States (USP), European (EP), Thai (TP), and Indian pharmacopeias (IP), as well as the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HK). We aimed to assess the differences and similarities among these pharmacopeias and harmonized international quality standards for A. paniculata. The analysis revealed variations in sample preparation, liquid chromatographic conditions, fingerprint profiles, and total lactone content among the different pharmacopeias. Specifically, the CP and HK methods exhibited superior sample preparation and chromatographic separation. Further comparing the content of 20 A. paniculata samples with the CP, USP, EP and HK methods showed consistent determinations for the same components, indicating similar detection capabilities. The discrepancies in total lactone content primarily stemmed from differences in the number and types of detected compounds. Moreover, the acceptance criteria exhibited a stringency in the order CP > HK > EP > USP. In conclusion, this comparison analysis of content determination in CP, USP, HK, EP, TP and IP provided a scientific foundation for the international standardization and trade regulations of A. paniculata. It also served as a valuable reference for the development of international quality standards for other medicinal herbs, facilitating the harmonization of global pharmaceutical standards.

Effects of three medical nutrition therapies on nutritional metabolism and intestinal flora in overweight/obese with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have shown that energy restriction could be beneficial for controlling bodyweight in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aim to compare the effects of a high-protein diet (HPD), a high-protein and high-dietary fiber diet (HPHFD), and a calorie-restricted diet (CRD) on metabolic health and gut microbiota in overweight/obese PCOS patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We will enroll a total of 90 overweight/obese PCOS patients into this eight-week open-label randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: CRD group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, 0.8-1.2 g/kg protein, carbohydrate energize 55-60%, and fat energize 25-30%), HDP group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, and 1.5-2.0 g/kg protein) and HPHFD group (based on the high protein diet with 15 g more dietary fiber supplement). The primary outcome is body weight, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. The secondary outcomes will include changes in blood lipids, inflammation, glucose tolerance, blood pressure, and gut microbiota compositions. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements at baseline will be compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis test when appropriate. Within-group difference after 8-week intervention will be compared using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements after 8-week diet intervention will be compared using linear mixed model and ANCOVA. The gut microbiota will be analyzed using 16S amplicon sequencing and the sequencing data will be analyzed using the standardized QIIME2 piperline.

Characterization of Constituents with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Chinese Lonicera Species by UHPLC-HRMS Based Metabolite Profiling.

This study centered on detecting potentially anti-inflammatory active constituents in ethanolic extracts of Chinese Lonicera species by taking an UHPLC-HRMS-based metabolite profiling approach. Extracts from eight different Lonicera species were subjected to both UHPLC-HRMS analysis and to pharmacological testing in three different cellular inflammation-related assays. Compounds exhibiting high correlations in orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of pharmacological and MS data served as potentially activity-related candidates. Of these candidates, 65 were tentatively or unambiguously annotated. 7-Hydroxy-5,3',4',5'-tetramethoxyflavone and three bioflavonoids, as well as three C32- and one C34-acetylated polyhydroxy fatty acid, were isolated from Lonicera hypoglauca leaves for the first time, and their structures were fully or partially elucidated. Of the potentially active candidate compounds, 15 were subsequently subjected to pharmacological testing. Their activities could be experimentally verified in part, emphasizing the relevance of Lonicera species as a source of anti-inflammatory active constituents. However, some compounds also impaired the cell viability. Overall, the approach was found useful to narrow down the number of potentially bioactive constituents in the complex extracts investigated. In the future, the application of more refined concepts, such as extract prefractionation combined with bio-chemometrics, may help to further enhance the reliability of candidate selection.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Lignan Constituents in Caulis Trachelospermi by HPLC-QTOF-MS and HPLC-UV.

A high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass (HPLC-QTOF-MS) and ultraviolet spectrometry (HPLC-UV) was established for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major chemical constituents in Caulis Trachelospermi, respectively. The analysis was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 µm) using a binary gradient system of water and methanol, with ultraviolet absorption at 230 nm. Based on high-resolution ESI-MS/MS fragmentation behaviors of the reference standards, the characteristic cleavage patterns of lignano-9, 9'-lactones and lignano-8'-hydroxy-9, 9'-lactones were obtained. The results demonstrated that the characteristic fragmentation patterns are valuable for identifying and differentiating lignano-9,9'-lactones and lignano-8'-hydroxy-9,9'-lactones. As such, a total of 25 compounds in Caulis Trachelospermi were unambiguously or tentatively identified via comparisons with reference standards or literature. In addition, 14 dibenzylbutyrolatone lignans were simultaneously quantified in Caulis Trachelospermi by HPLC-UV method. The method is suitable for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of dibenzylbutyrolatone lignans in Caulis Trachelospermi.

Active components with inhibitory activities on IFN-γ/STAT1 and IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathways from Caulis Trachelospermi.

Initial investigation for new active herbal extract with inhibiting activity on JAK/STAT signaling pathway revealed that the extract of Caulis Trachelospermi, which was separated by 80% alcohol extraction and subsequent HP-20 macroporous resin column chromatography, was founded to strongly inhibit IFN-γ-induced STAT1-responsive luciferase activity (IFN-γ/STAT1) with IC50 value of 2.43 µg/mL as well as inhibiting IL-6-induced STAT3-responsive luciferase activity (IL-6/STAT3) with IC50 value of 1.38 µg/mL. Subsequent study on its active components led to the isolation and identification of two new dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans named 4-demethyltraxillaside (1) and nortrachelogenin 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), together with six known compounds. The lignan compounds 1-4 together with other lignan compounds isolated in previous study were tested the activities on IFN-γ/STAT1 and IL-6/STAT3 pathways. The following result showed that the main components trachelogenin and arctigenin had corresponding activities on IFN-γ/STAT1 pathway with IC50 values of 3.14 µM and 9.46 µM as well as trachelogenin, arctigenin and matairesinol strongly inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 pathway with IC50 values of 3.63 µM, 6.47 µM and 2.92 µM, respectively.

[Chemical constituents from the roots of Angelica polymorpha Maxim].

Angelica polymorpha Maxim. is a plant of the Angelica genus (Umbelliferae). The root and stem of this plant is a folk medicine known to have the actions of relieving rheumatism and cold and subsiding swelling and pains. To investigate the chemical constituents in the root of A. polymorpha Maxim., seven compounds were isolated from an 80% ethanol extract by column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated according to the spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 is a new sesquiterpene, named as bisabolactone. Its absolute configuration was determined by 1D NOESY and CD analysis. The others were identified as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (2), hycandinic acid ester 1 (3), ferulic acid (4), isooxypeucedanin (5), noreugenin (6) and cimifugin (7). Compound 2 and 3 were isolated from this genus for the first time and compound 4 was isolated from this plant for the first time.

Intake of fish and marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of breast cancer: meta-analysis of data from 21 independent prospective cohort studies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between intake of fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and the risk of breast cancer and to evaluate the potential dose-response relation. DESIGN: Meta-analysis and systematic review of prospective cohort studies. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Embase up to December 2012 and references of retrieved relevant articles. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Prospective cohort studies with relative risk and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer according to fish intake, n-3 PUFA intake, or tissue biomarkers. RESULTS: Twenty six publications, including 20,905 cases of breast cancer and 883,585 participants from 21 independent prospective cohort studies were eligible. Eleven articles (13,323 breast cancer events and 687,770 participants) investigated fish intake, 17 articles investigated marine n-3 PUFA (16,178 breast cancer events and 527,392 participants), and 12 articles investigated alpha linolenic acid (14,284 breast cancer events and 405,592 participants). Marine n-3 PUFA was associated with 14% reduction of risk of breast cancer (relative risk for highest v lowest category 0.86 (95% confidence interval 0.78 to 0.94), I(2)=54), and the relative risk remained similar whether marine n-3 PUFA was measured as dietary intake (0.85, 0.76 to 0.96, I(2)=67%) or as tissue biomarkers (0.86, 0.71 to 1.03, I(2)=8%). Subgroup analyses also indicated that the inverse association between marine n-3 PUFA and risk was more evident in studies that did not adjust for body mass index (BMI) (0.74, 0.64 to 0.86, I(2)=0) than in studies that did adjust for BMI (0.90, 0.80 to 1.01, I(2)=63.2%). Dose-response analysis indicated that risk of breast cancer was reduced by 5% per 0.1g/day (0.95, 0.90 to 1.00, I(2)=52%) or 0.1% energy/day (0.95, 0.90 to 1.00, I(2)=79%) increment of dietary marine n-3 PUFA intake. No significant association was observed for fish intake or exposure to alpha linolenic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Higher consumption of dietary marine n-3 PUFA is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. The associations of fish and alpha linolenic acid intake with risk warrant further investigation of prospective cohort studies. These findings could have public health implications with regard to prevention of breast cancer through dietary and lifestyle interventions.

[A new naphthaquinone derivative from Pyrola calliantha H. Andres].

To investigate the chemical constituents of hemostatic extract of Pyrola calliantha H. Andres, the extract was subjected to chromatographic separation and purification. Along with some known compounds, a new naphthaquinone derivative was isolated and identified as 2-(1, 4-dihydro-2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-dioxo-3-naphthalenyl)-3, 4, 5-trihydroxylbenzoic acid by physicochemical and spectroscopic analysis.

[Determination of icaritin in rat plasma by HPLC-MS/MS].

The paper is to report the development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of icaritin (ICT) in rat plasma. After precipitated with acetonitrile from the plasma, ICT was isolated chromatographically on a Dikma C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (72 : 28 : 1.5, v/v/v). Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in the positive ion mode. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the transitions of m/z 387 --> m/z 313 and m/z 331 --> m/z 315 were used to quantify ICT and the internal standard, respectively. The linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range of 2.5-1,000 ng x mL(-1). The lower limit of quantification was 2.5 ng x mL(-1). The inter- and intra-day precision (RSD) were less than 9.63%, and the accuracy (relative error) was within +/-7.42%. The method was proved to be suitable for the pharmacokinetics of ICT, which offers advantages of high sensitivity and selectivity.

[Studies on bioassay-guided anti-inflammatory fraction in bark of Albizia julibrissin combined determination with LC-MS-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To search the anti-inflammatory fraction of Albizia julibrissin. METHOD: Inflammatory model of Kunming mice ear edema induced by croton oil and determination combined with the LC-MS-MS-guided fractionation and isolation were used. RESULT: The n-butanol fraction (AJ-B) obtained from the ethanolic extract of the Cortex albiziae was the major active fraction. The lignan glycosides fraction (AJ-B-1), which was further isolated from AJ-B, showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and exhibited dose-dependent relationship in the dose of 5 to 20 mg x kg(-1). CONCLUSION: The method of bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation combined with the LC-MS-MS determination may be of benefit to the logical studies on the bioactive fractions or constituents of traditional Chinese materia medica.

Antidepressant-like effects of the ethanolic extract of Xiaobuxin-Tang, a traditional Chinese herbal prescription in animal models of depression.

BACKGROUND: Xiaobuxin-Tang, a traditional Chinese herbal prescription recorded in a silk scroll unearthed from Mogao Caves of Dunhuang has been indicated that it can remit depressive disorder. The present study was designed to investigate its antidepressant effects in various animal depression models. METHODS: Xiaobuxin-Tang was extracted by 70% alcohol, and then three behavioral despair models and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (HTP)-induced head twitch response model were adopted to assess the antidepressant effects of the ethanolic extract of Xiaobuxin-Tang with the study on spontaneous motor activity. Groups of mice and rats received oral treatment with Xiaobuxin-Tang (150 - 1200 mg/kg) only once acutely in all tests. The duration of immobility was measured during the last 4 minutes of the 6-minutes test period in mice forced swimming test, rats forced swimming test and mice tail suspension test. In 5-HTP-induced head twitch response, the mice were intraperitoneally administered with 120 mg/kg of L-5-HTP, and then the cumulative number of head twitches was counted in 20 minutes. Spontaneous motor activities of mice were recorded automatically in 10 minutes by VIDEOMEX-V image analytic system. RESULTS: The extract at doses of 300 mg/kg (p.o.) and 600 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in a dose dependent manner in mice forced swimming test; also, the extract at dose of 1200 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in rat forced swimming test. Furthermore, the extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg had the same effect in mice tail suspension test. Meanwhile, the extract at the effective doses for behavioral despair models, had no effect on spontaneous motor activity in mice. The extract (300 - 1200 mg/kg, p.o.) also increased the accumulative number of the 5-HTP-induced head twitch response in mice in 20 minutes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the ethanolic extract of Xiaobuxin-Tang exerts antidepressant-like effect.

[Chemical constituents of Knoxia valerianoides].

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard. METHODS: Chromatographic methods were used for the isolation and purification. Structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical analysis and spectroscopic data. RESULTS: Three anthraguinones were isolated from K. valerianoides and identified as 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy-2-methyl-6-methoxyl-anthraguinone (kaoxiadin, I), 1, 3, 6-trihydroxy-5-ethoxylmethyl-anthraguinone (II) and 1, 3-dihydroxy-2-methylanthraguinone (rubiadin, III). CONCLUSION: Compound II is a new anthraguinone constituent.

[Study on chemical constituents of bark of Paeonia suffruticosa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the bark of Paeonia suffruticosa. METHOD: The 95% ethanol extract was re-extracted with EtOAc, and then separated and purified by column chromatography using silica gel, Sephadex LH -20 and RP-18 as packing materials. The structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and physico-chemical characters. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as (+)-catechin (1), paeonidanin (2), paeoniflorigenone (3), 2, 5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (4), paeonol (5), gallic acid (6). CONCLUSION: The compound 1 was isolsted from the genus Paeonia for the first time. The compounds 2, 3 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[The chemical constituents of Knoxia valerianoides].

AIM: To study chemical constituents of Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard. METHODS: Chromatographic methods were used for the isolation and purification. Structures was elucidated on the basis of chemical analysis and spectroscopic data. RESULTS: Two anthraquinone were isolated from Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard and identified as 1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-ethoxymethyl-6-methoxyl-anthraquinone (I) and 1,3-dihydroxy-2-ethoxymethyl-anthraquinone (II). CONCLUSION: The compound I was found to be a novel anthraquinone constituent and II was isolated from Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents in seeds of Atriplex centralasiatica].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in seeds of Atriplex centralasiatica. METHOD: The chemical components were isolated by solvents extractions and column chromatography. The chemical structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical constants and spectral data. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as isorhamnetin(I), tricin(II), querecetin-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside(III), isoorientin(IV), beta-sitosterol(V), beta-daucosterlo(VI). CONCLUSION: Compound I, II, III, IV are isolated from genus Atriplex for the first time.

[Isolation and indentification of chemical compounds from Drynaria fortunei].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical components of Drynaria fortunei. METHOD: The herbal material was extracted with 75% ethanol. The chemical components were isolated by silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures were identified on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data. RESULT: Four compounds were isolated, three of which were identified as (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-beta-D-allopyranoside, (-)-epiafzelechin and beta-sitosterol. CONCLUSION: (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-beta-D-allopyranoside, (-)-epiafzelechin were obtained from D. fortunei for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constitutents in herb of Verbena officinalis].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify the chemical constituents from Verbena officinalis. METHOD: The compounds were isolated by means of chromatography and the structures were determined on the basis of physical and spectral analysis. RESULT: Four compounds were isolated and identified as apigenin (I), 4'-hydroxywogonin (II), verbenalin (III) and hastatoside (IV). CONCLUSION: Compounds I and II were obtained from the genus for the first time.

[Alkaloids from the root of Lindera angustifolia].

AIM: To study the alkaloid constituents of the root of Lindera angustifolia Cheng. METHODS: The constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography and the structures were characterized by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Seven aporphine alkaloids, laurotetanine (I), N-methyllaurotetanine (II), boldine (III), isoboldine (IV), norboldine (V), N-ethoxycarbonyllaurotetanine (VII) and a quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid, magnocurarine (VI), were isolated and identified. The structure of VII was further identified by semi-synthesis with I as starting material. CONCLUSION: All compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time and compound VII was found as a naturally occurring compound for the first time.

[Advances in study on bark of Albizzia julibrissin].

Cortex Albizziae, the stem bark of the leguminous plant Albizzia julibrissin, is specified in Chinese pharmacopoeia as a traditional Chinese medicine used to relieve melancholia and uneasiness of body and mind, invigorate the circulation of blood and subside a swelling. This article reviews the recent advances in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cortex Albizziae.

The cytoprotective effect of inulin-type hexasaccharide extracted from Morinda officinalis on PC12 cells against the lesion induced by corticosterone.

High concentration of corticosterone (Cort) 0.2 mM was incubated with PC12 cells to simulate the lesion state of brain neurons in depressive illness, it was found that the inulin-type oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officinalis, inulin-type hexasaccharide (IHS) at the doses of 0.625, 1.25 microM or desipramine (DIM) 0.25, 1 microM protected the PC12 cells from the lesion induced by Cort. With Fura-2/AM labeling assay, DIM 0.25, 1 microM or IHS 2.5, 10 microM attenuated the intracellular Ca2+ overloading induced by Cort 0.1 mM for 48 h in PC12 cells. Using RT-PCR, treatment with Cort 0.1 mM for 48 h decreased the nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA level in PC12 cells, IHS 5, 10 microM reversed this change. In summary, IHS attenuate the intracellular Ca2+ overloading and thereby up-regulate the NGF mRNA expression in Cort-treated PC12 cells, which may be consisted at least part of the cytopretective effect of IHS. These results also extend evidence for our hypothesis that neuroprotective action is one of the common mechanisms for antidepressants.