HPF Modulates the Differentiation of BMSCs into HLCs and Promotes the Recovery of Acute Liver Injury in Mice.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) to alleviate acute liver injury (ALI). Herpetfluorenone (HPF), as an active ingredient in the dried, mature seeds Herpetospermum caudigerum Wall, used in Tibetan medicine, has been proven to effectively alleviate ALI. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether HPF can promote the differentiation of BMSCs into HLCs and promote ALI recovery. Mouse BMSCs were isolated, and the BMSCs' differentiation into HLCs was induced by HPF and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Under the induction of HPF and HGF, the expression of hepatocellular specific markers and the accumulation of glycogen and lipids in the BMSCs increased, indicating that BMSCs successfully differentiated into HLCs. Then, the ALI mouse model was established, using carbon tetrachloride, followed by an intravenous injection of BMSCs. Then, only HPF was injected intraperitoneally, in order to verify the effect of HPF in vivo. In vivo imaging was used to detect the homing ability of HPF-BMSCs, and it was detected that HPF-BMSCs significantly increased the levels of serum AST, ALT and ALP in the liver of ALI mice, and alleviated liver cell necrosis, oxidative stress and liver pathology. In conclusion, HPF can promote the differentiation of BMSCs into HLCs and promote the recovery of ALI in mice.

[Determination of artemisinin in Artemisia annuna by HPLC-ELSD].

OBJECTIVE: A HPLC method was first established to determine artemisinin in Artemisia annuna by HPLC-ELSD. Artemisinin in Herba of Artemisia annuna from different places was determined by this new method. METHODS: The method utilized MeOH-H2O (75: 25) as mobile phase with flow rate of 1 ml/min, C18 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column. The temperature of detector was 40 degrees C, the pressure of N2 was 3.5 bar, and gain value was 9. RESULTS: The calibration curves were linear within the range of 1 - 5 microg, and the average recovery was 99.33% (RSD = 1.97%). CONCLUSION: The method was rapid, convenient, and accurate. It can be used for the quality control of this herbal medicine.