Effects of pollen concentration on allergic rhinitis in children: A retrospective study from Beijing, a Chinese megacity.

With global climate change and rapid urbanization, the prevalence of allergic diseases caused by pollen is rising dramatically worldwide with unprecedented complexity and severity, especially for children in mega-cities. However, because of the lack of long time-series pollen concentrations data, the accurate evaluation of the impact of pollen on allergic rhinitis (AR) was scarce in the Chinese metropolis. A generalized additive model was used to assess the effect of pollen concentration on pediatric AR outpatient visits in Beijing from 2014 to 2019. A stratified analysis of 10 pollen species and age-gender-specific groups was also conducted during the spring and summer-autumn peak pollen periods separately. Positive associations between pollen concentration and pediatric AR varied with the season and pollen species were detected. Although the average daily pollen concentration is higher during the spring tree pollen peak, the influence was stronger at the summer-autumn weed pollen peak with the maximum relative risk 1.010 (95% CI 1.009, 1.011), which was higher than the greatest relative risk, 1.003 (95% CI 1.002, 1.004) in the spring peak. The significant adverse effects can be sustained to lag10 during the study period, and longer in the summer-autumn peak (lag13) than in the spring peak (lag8). There are thresholds for the health effects and they varied between seasons. The significant effect appeared when the pollen concentration was higher than 3.74 × 105 grain·m-2·d-1 during the spring tree pollen peaks and 4.70 × 104 grain·m-2·d-1 during the summer-autumn weed pollen peaks. The stratified results suggested that the species-specific effects were heterogeneous. It further highlights that enough attention should be paid to the problem of pollen allergy in children, especially school-aged children aged 7-18 years and weed pollen in the summer-autumn peak pollen period. These findings provide a more accurate reference for the rational coordination of medical resources and improvement of public health.

Promising Nanomedicines of Shikonin for Cancer Therapy.

Malignant tumor, the leading cause of death worldwide, poses a serious threat to human health. For decades, natural product has been proven to be an essential source for novel anticancer drug discovery. Shikonin (SHK), a natural molecule separated from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, shows great potential in anticancer therapy. However, its further clinical application is significantly restricted by poor bioavailability, adverse effects, and non-selective toxicity. With the development of nanotechnology, nano drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to improve bioavailability and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. To overcome the shortcoming of SHK, various nano drug delivery systems such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, nanoparticles, nanogels, and nanoemulsions, were developed to achieve efficient delivery for enhanced antitumor effects. Herein, this review summarizes the anticancer pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of SHK. Additionally, the latest progress of SHK nanomedicines in cancer therapy is outlined, focusing on long circulation, tumor targeting ability, tumor microenvironment responsive drug release, and nanosystem-mediated combination therapy. Finally, the challenges and prospects of SHK nanomedicines in the future clinical application are spotlighted.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanisms of hepatic injury caused by long-term environmental exposure to atrazine in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Atrazine (ATZ) is the second most commonly used herbicide worldwide, resulting in the pollution of water bodies and affecting the economic benefits of aquaculture. ATZ is known to cause liver damage in the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., one of the most widely cultivated fish in China, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, juvenile common carp Cyprinus carpio L. were exposed to three different environmental levels (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 µg/L) of ATZ for 12 weeks and changes in the liver transcriptomes between the high-dose group and the control group were analyzed. The data showed that different levels of ATZ exposure caused hepatotoxicity in juvenile carp, shown by biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. Comparative transcriptomics showed that high-dose ATZ exposure led to alterations in the expression of various lipid metabolism-related gene changes, including genes associated with metabolic pathways, fatty acid metabolism, and fatty acid elongation. Furthermore, a connection network analysis of the top 100 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed a variety of associations between high-dose ATZ-induced liver damage and the principal DEGs, indicating the complexity of hepatotoxicity induced by ATZ. In conclusion, the molecular mechanisms underlying ATZ-triggered hepatotoxicity in juvenile carp are primarily related to impaired lipid metabolism.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of PIN-FORMED (PIN) and PIN-LIKES (PILS) gene family reveals their role in adventitious root development in tea nodal cutting (Camellia Sinensis).

Auxin affects all aspects of plant growth and development, including morphogenesis and adaptive responses. Auxin transmembrane transport is promoted by PIN formation (PIN) and a structurally similar PIN-like (PILS) gene family, which jointly controls the directional transport of the auxin between plant cells, and the accumulation of intracellular auxin. At present, there is no study investigating the roles of CslPIN and CslPILS gene family in root development in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). In this study, 8 CslPIN and 10 CslPILS genes were identified in the tea plant, and their evolutionary relationships, physical and chemical properties, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, chromosome location, collinearity, and expression characteristics were analyzed. The mechanism of CslPIN and CslPILS in the formation of tea adventitious roots (ARs) was studied by the AR induction system. Through functional verification, the regulation of CslPIN3 gene on root growth and development of tea plant was studied by over-expression of CslPIN3 in Arabidopsis thaliana and in situ hybridization in Camellia sinensis. The results confirmed CslPIN3 was involved in the regulation of root growth and development as well as auxin accumulation. This study provides a better insight into the regulatory mechanism of CslPIN and CslPILS gene family on the formation of AR in tea plant.

Genome-wide identification of RNA editing sites in chloroplast transcripts and multiple organellar RNA editing factors in tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.): Insights into the albinism mechanism of tea leaves.

RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification process, the chloroplast genes of which are involved in the process of chloroplast development in plant. However, the RNA editing sites of chloroplast genes remains unknown. In this study, we identified 39 RNA editing sites in 18 chloroplast genes from chloroplast genome of C. sinensis. Furthermore, the feature, structures and specificity of RNA editing sites were systematic analyzed. The differential editing efficiency were examined at 11 RNA editing sites among C. sinensis var. sinensis 'Huabai 1', 'Baiye 1' and 'Longjing 43'. Meanwhile, we identified 10 C. sinensis MORFs from five subgroups and performed comparative analyses of chromosome locations, duplication model and expression profiles. Expression analysis showed that the expression level of CsMORF9.2 was down-regulated significantly in 'Huabai 1' albino tea cultivar. This study provides a foundation for further reveal in the role of chloroplast RNA editing in albinism process of tea leaves.

Functionalized monolithic columns: Recent advancements and their applications for high-efficiency separation and enrichment in food and medicine.

The chromatographic column is the core of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, and must have excellent separation efficiency and selectivity. Therefore, functional modification materials for monolithic columns have been rapidly developed. This study is a systematic review of the recently reported functionalized monolithic columns. In particular, the study reviews the types of functional monomers under different modification conditions, as well as the separation and detection techniques combined with chromatography, and their development prospects. In addition, the applications of functionalized monolithic columns in food analysis, biomedicine, and the analysis of active ingredient of Chinese herbal medicines in recent years are also discussed. Also reviewed are the functionalized monolithic columns for qualitative and quantitative analysis. It provided a reference for further development and application of organic polymer monolithic columns.

Graphene oxide-based a network porous poly (trially isocyanurate-co-methacrylate) monolithic column for HPLC separation of aromatic molecular and lipopeptide antibiotics.

Graphene oxide (GO) was introduced into a monolithic column and a network porous poly (GO-co-TAIC-co-MMA) monolith was prepared by redox polymerization. The internal morphology and pore size distribution of the polymer were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the nitrogen adsorption-desorption and mercury intrusion methods. After optimization, 8 kinds of aromatic compounds were effectively separated in 5 min, and the theoretical plates number of the monolithic column exceeded 33, 070 plates m-1. Five kinds of main ingredients were separated from the traditional Chinese medicine (Schisandra) ingredients and 26 peaks were successfully separated from the fermentation broth containing natural lipopeptide antibiotics. The addition of GO material enhanced the interaction between the compound and the monolithic column, increased the binding sites, improved the uniformity of the internal pore structure of the monolithic column, and improved the separation performance of the monolith. Methodologic validation of five ingredients in Schisandra showed that the correlation coefficients of the linear regressions were in the range of 0.9987-0.9997. The intra- and inter-day values of the relative standard deviation for precision were in the range of 0.6-4.1% and 1.1-4.8%, respectively. The values of accuracy (expressed as recovery) were in the range of 97.7-103.2%, 100.5-105.0%, 98.2-101.8%, 101.3-104.1%, and 101.2-103.3% for the 5 ingredients in order. In terms of the relative standard deviation of the retention time, the reproducibility of the monolithic column M1 was <3.7%. The monolithic column based on GO has great potential in chromatographic separation.

The efficacy and safety of auricular point pressing therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the leading causes of disability. The effectiveness of auricular point pressing therapy for treating KOA remains controversial. This protocol describes the method of a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness and safety of auricular point pressing therapy for treating KOA. METHODS: Four English databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases and Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang) will be searched. All randomized controlled trials related to auricular point pressing therapy for KOA will be included. Extracted data will include publication details, basic information, demographic data, intervention details and patient outcomes. The primary outcome will be Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and visual analogue scale. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias. Article selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be performed by 2 independent reviewers. If the meta-analysis is precluded, we will conduct a descriptive synthesis using a best-evidence synthesis approach. The strength of recommendations and quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development. RESULTS: The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of auricular point pressing therapy on KOA. CONCLUSION: The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of auricular point pressing therapy for KOA patients. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: For this review, ethical approval is not required. Patients will not be involved. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202220077.

Glytabastan B, a coumestan isolated from Glycine tabacina, alleviated synovial inflammation, osteoclastogenesis and collagen-induced arthritis through inhibiting MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways.

The roots of Glycine tabacina are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and joint infection in folk medicine. Glytabastan B (GlyB), a newly reported coumestan isolated from this species, was found to significantly attenuate IL-1ß-induced inflammation in SW982 human synovial cells at 3 and 6 µM, as evidenced by the decreased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). GlyB also suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, decreased the expression of osteoclastogenic markers (NFATc1, CTSK, MMP-9) and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Further, GlyB administration (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) significantly inhibited inflammation, osteoclast formation and disease progression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. Integration of network pharmacology, quantitative phosphoproteomic and experimental pharmacology results revealed that these beneficial actions were closely associated with the blockade of GlyB on the activation of MAPK, PI3K/AKT and their downstream signals including NF-κB and GSK3ß/NFATc1. Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, cellular thermal shift (CETSA) assay and molecular docking analysis confirmed that there were direct interactions between GlyB and its target proteins ERK2, JNK1 and class Ⅰ PI3K catalytic subunit p110 (α, ß, δ and γ), which significantly contributed to the inhibition of activation of MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest GlyB is a promising multiple-target candidate for the development of agents for the prevention and treatment of RA.

Psychological Behavior of Frontline Medical Staff in the Use of Preventive Medication for COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: To understand the current pandemic, levels of anxiety in frontline staff, and whether they have been using medication to prevent COVID-19. METHODS: Between January 10 and March 10, 2020, 290 frontline staff completed a questionnaire incorporating the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7) to indicate their psychological behavior in the use of preventive medication. RESULTS: Of those who participated in the study, 77.6% used preventive medication, with 47.5, 40.9, and 11.6% using these as part of routine preventive treatment, to fight infection after it was contracted, and after occupational exposure, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the anxiety scale scores and the frequency of medication use (P < 0.05). Comparative analyses revealed that the scores of those in the group taking medication after occupational exposure (to respiratory and blood-borne pathogens) were significantly different from other groups. The proportion of participants choosing Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and integrated Chinese and Western medicine was 24.4, 28.0, and 47.6%, respectively. Additionally, the relationship between the anxiety scale scores and the three types of medication was statistically significant (P < 0.05), as was the difference between Western medicine and other groups. According to Multinomial logistic regression based on the adjustment to gender, age, educational level, marital status, current workplace, and profession, participants with moderate to severe anxiety, had higher odds (OR = 10.331, 95%CI:1.453-73.429) of using Western medicine than participants with no anxiety. Participants with moderate anxiety were 6.399 times more likely to use an integrated combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine compared to those with no anxiety (OR = 6.399, 95%CI:1.007-40.658). Furthermore, those with mild anxiety were 2.656 times more likely to use integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine than those with no anxiety (OR = 2.657, 95%CI:1.075-6.570). The probability that frontline medical staff with moderate anxiety took preventive medication after occupational exposure to COVID-19 was 8.066 times (OR = 8.066, 95%CI:1.043-62.353) higher than that of staff without anxiety. DISCUSSION: This study revealed that there was more anxiety among frontline medical staff who took medication after unexpected occupational exposure. There was less anxiety among those using an integrated course of Chinese and Western medicine than Western medicine alone. It was also observed that anxiety affects the types and frequency of the preventive medication taken. Frontline medical staff who suffer from anxiety are also more likely to use medication to prevent COVID-19.

Isolation and expression analysis of CsCML genes in response to abiotic stresses in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis).

Calmodulin-like (CML) proteins are a class of important Ca2+ sensors in plants, which play vital roles in regulating plant growth and development and response to abiotic stress. Tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) is the most popular non-alcoholic economic beverage crop around the world. However, the potential functions of CMLs in either tea plants growth or in the response to environmental stresses are still unclear. In the present study, five CsCML genes (CsCML16, CsCML18-1, CsCML18-2, CsCML38, and CsCML42) were isolated from tea plant, and functionally characterized. The CsCML genes showed diverse expression patterns in leaves, roots, old stems, immature stems and flowers of tea plants. To investigate the expression changes of the genes under various abiotic stresses and ABA treatment, time-course experiments were also performed, the results indicated that the expression levels of CsCML16, 18-2 and 42 were significantly induced under low temperature and salt condition, while CsCML38 was induced distinctly under drought stress and ABA treatment. Overall, CsCML genes showed diverse function in tea plant under various stimuli. These results will increase our knowledge of the significance of CsCML genes in tea plant in response to abiotic stresses and hormone treatments.

[Suggestions on improving administration of local crude drug quality standards].

To improve the administration of local crude drug quality standard, the administration history, and current administration situation of local crude drugs were reviewed, the legal orientation and positive effect of local crude drugs were analyzed, and the existing problems were summarized. It was found that many problems existed in the administration of local crude drug quality standards, especially the phenomenon of homonym and synonym on their names. The suggestions on improving the administration of local crude drug quality standards were proposed. First of all, the construction of legal system should be strengthened to improve the administration methods. Secondly, the coordination mechanism should be developed to solve the outstanding problems. Thirdly, the basic research should be enhanced to resolve the general technical problems. Lastly, the channels to transfer the local crude drugs into pharmacopeia standards should be developed to achieve dynamic administration.

Effect of selenium-enriched probiotics on laying performance, egg quality, egg selenium content, and egg glutathione peroxidase activity.

A 35-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of selenium-enriched probiotics (SP) on laying performance, egg quality, egg selenium (Se) content, and egg glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Five hundred 58-week-old Rohman laying hens were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments of 100 each. Each treatment had 5 replicates, and each replicate had 5 cages with 4 hens per cage. The SP was supplemented to a corn-soybean-meal basal diet at 3 different levels that supplied total Se at 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg. The basal diet served as a blank control, while the basal diet with supplemental probiotics served as a probiotics control. The results showed that dietary SP supplementation not only increased (p < 0.05) the rate of egg laying, day egg weight, mean egg weight, egg Se content, and egg GPX activity but also decreased (p < 0.05) the feed:egg ratio and egg cholesterol content. The egg Se content was gradually increased (p < 0.05) along with the increasing level of dietary Se. The SP supplementation also slowed down (p < 0.05) the drop of Haugh units (HU) of eggs stored at room temperature. The egg GPX activity had a positive correlation (p < 0.01) with egg Se content and a negative correlation (p < 0.01) with egg HU drop. These results suggested that Se contents, GPX activity, and HU of eggs were affected by the dietary Se level, whereas the egg-laying performance and egg cholesterol content were affected by the dietary probiotics. It was concluded that this SP is an effective feed additive that combines the organic Se benefit for hen and human health with the probiotics benefit for laying hen production performance. It was also suggested that the eggs from hens fed this SP can serve as a nutraceutical food with high Se and low cholesterol contents for both healthy people and patients with hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, or cardiovascular disease.

[Suggestions for improving quality control of extrinsic residues in crude drugs].

To improve the impurity control of extrinsic residues in Chinese crude drugs and ensure the quality of crude drugs, relative suggestions should be provided. The present situation of extrinsic residues control in crude drugs was reviewed, and relative problems existed were analyzed. To develop the impurity control of extrinsic residues in Chinese crude drugs, more effort focus on strengthening basic research, improving analytical methods and optimizing the pattern of administration should be made.

[Suggestions for improving quality control of excipients used in processing of crude drugs].

To propose for improving the quality control of excipients used in processing of crude drugs. The quality control and administration of excipients in processing of crude drug were reviewed, and problems existed were analyzed. For enhance the excipients quality control, more effort should be focused on fundamental research, improving of management mechanism and construction of quality control system.

Functional characterization of premnaspirodiene oxygenase, a cytochrome P450 catalyzing regio- and stereo-specific hydroxylations of diverse sesquiterpene substrates.

Solavetivone, a potent antifungal phytoalexin, is derived from a vetispirane-type sesquiterpene, premnaspirodiene, by a putative regio- and stereo-specific hydroxylation, followed by a second oxidation to yield the alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone. Mechanistically, these reactions could occur via a single, multifunctional cytochrome P450 or some combination of cytochrome P450s and a dehydrogenase. We report here the characterization of a single cytochrome P450 enzyme, Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene oxygenase (HPO), that catalyzes these successive reactions at carbon 2 (C-2) of the spirane substrate. HPO also catalyzes the equivalent regio-specific (C-2) hydroxylation of several eremophilane-type (decalin ring system) sesquiterpenes, such as with 5-epi-aristolochene. Moreover, HPO displays interesting comparisons to other sesquiterpene hydroxylases. 5-Epi-aristolochene di-hydroxylase (EAH) differs catalytically from HPO by introducing hydroxyl groups first at C-1, then C-3 of 5-epi-aristolochene. HPO and EAH also differ from one another by 91-amino acid differences, with four of these differences mapping to putative substrate recognition regions 5 and 6. These four positions were mutagenized alone and in various combinations in both HPO and EAH and the mutant enzymes were characterized for changes in substrate selectivity, reaction product specificity, and kinetic properties. These mutations did not alter the regio- or stereo-specificity of either HPO or EAH, but specific combinations of the mutations did improve the catalytic efficiencies 10-15-fold. Molecular models and comparisons between HPO and EAH provide insights into the catalytic properties of these enzymes of specialized metabolism in plants.

Effect of selenium source and level in hen's diet on tissue selenium deposition and egg selenium concentrations.

The present study was conducted in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block (RCB) design to compare the effects of a commercial inorganic Se source (sodium selenite, SS) with a commercial organic Se source (Se-enriched yeast, SY) on tissue Se distribution and blood and whole-egg Se concentrations in laying hens. Both Se sources were added into the basal diet at 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of Se. Seven hundred 68 week old Rohman laying hens were fed with a basal diet containing 0.15 mg/kg DM (dry matter) of Se for 2 weeks, and then, they were allocated randomly into seven groups and were investigated for 28 days. Each group was replicated five times with five cages of four hens per cage in each replicate. During the experiment, two eggs per replicate from each treatment were collected every 7 days and blood was sampled on days 0, 14, and 28 for whole-egg and whole-blood Se analyses. At the end of the experiment, two hens per replicate from each treatment were slaughtered, and muscle (cardiac and breast muscles), liver, spleen, and kidney were sampled for the determination of Se concentrations. The results showed that the addition of Se from either source caused a significant increase in whole-egg and whole-blood Se concentrations (p < 0.01) and Se concentrations in liver, kidney, spleen, and cardiac and breast muscles (p < 0.05) of hens in comparison to the control. Both Se sources and Se levels significantly influenced (p < 0.01) Se concentrations in egg, blood, and the above-mentioned tissues. There was a more significant increase in the Se concentrations in egg (p < 0.01), spleen (p < 0.05), and breast muscle (p < 0.01) and a decrease (p < 0.01) in whole-blood and kidney from hens fed SY than those from hens fed SS. The order of Se distribution was liver > kidney > spleen > cardiac muscle > egg > blood > breast muscle, irrespective of the addition level or source. It was concluded that meat and eggs from hens fed commercial SY are a potential source of Se for humans.

[Inoculation experiments of Cistanche tubulosa on 8 introduced Tamarix species].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the inoculation ratio and echinacoside content of Cistanche tubulosa and provide theoretical basis for Tamarix introduction, resource protection and screening of C. tubulosa. METHOD: 8 Tamarix species were introduced in the North China Plain and inoculation of C. tubulosa was conducted on all species. Phenylethanoid glycosides fingerprinting and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa were analyzed by using HPLC. RESULT: The adaptability of 8 Tamarix species were significantly different, phenylethanoid glycosides component of C. tubulosa on T. gansuensis and T. austromongolica were basically identical in contrast to T. chinensis, echinacoside content showed no obvious difference in C. tubulosa plant growing 4 months. CONCLUSION: T. gansuensis and T. Austromongolica are suitable for the host introduction plant of C. tubulosa resource protection and screening in North China Plain.

Eremophilane sesquiterpenes from capsidiol.

A series of eremophilane sesquiterpene alcohols and hydrocarbons was prepared from the phytoalexin capsidiol (1) for mechanistic studies with epiaristolochene synthase and epiaristolochene dihydroxylase. Among them, 3-deoxycapsidiol (10) was obtained through selective derivatization and reductive cleavage of the equatorial 3 alpha hydroxyl group. Two novel isomers of aristolochene and eremophilene were accessed from the 1- and 3-deoxycapsidiol isomers. 4-Epieremophilene (17) was obtained by conjugate reduction of epiaristolochen-1-one tosylhydrazone with catecholborane followed by sulfinate elimination and diimide rearrangement. Epimerization of epiaristolochen-3-one (27a) at the C4 methyl followed by reductions led to the previously unknown aristolochene isomer, eremophila-9(10),11(12)-diene (30). Optical rotations and characteristic (1)H NMR data for the related eremophilenols and dienes are collected in Tables 1 and 2. Finally, bioassays were used to assess the antifungal potencies of capsidiol and its synthetic derivatives. The minimum inhibitory concentration for capsidiol (3-10 ng) was at least 1 order of magnitude lower than that of any of the derivatives and considerably lower than those previously reported for ketoconazole, nystatin, and propiconazole.

[Changes in level of organic acids in fructus crataegi after processing].

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the organic acids level in fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major before and after processing. METHOD: The amount of total organic acids and individual citric acid, malate acid, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid in fruit of C. pinnatifida var. major before and after processing were determined by pH titration and HPLC analysis. RESULT: Good linear relationship between peakarea and amount was noted for 0.28-9.02 microg of malate acid, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. Regression equation was Y = 2344.7 + 49309.6 X. Good linear relationships between the logarithm of peak area and amount were noted for 0.348-1.74 microg of usolic acid and 0.498-2.48 microg of oleanolic acid, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998 in each case. Regression equations were Y = 1.3628 X + 5.9508 and Y = 1.4447 X + 5.8236, respectively. CONCLUSION: The lipid-soluble organic acids mostly remain whereas only about 70% of the water-soluble acids remain after processing in fruit of C. pinnatifida var. major.