Green tea consumption and risk of depressive symptoms: Results from the TCLSIH Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The prospective studies on the effect of particular type of tea consumption, especially green tea, on depressive symptoms are limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the prospective association between green tea consumption and depressive symptoms in a large general adult population. METHODS: This prospective cohort study investigated 7524 participants aged 25 to 90 years from May 2013 to December 2018 and they were free of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depressive symptoms at baseline. Green tea consumption was obtained through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Self-Rating Depressive Scale (SDS). The association between green tea consumption and depressive symptoms was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1064 first incident cases of depressive symptoms (SDS ≥45) occurred during 14,661 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up of 2.0 years). In the crude model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.00 (reference), 0.95 (0.81, 1.12), 0.97 (0.83, 1.14) and 0.95 (0.79, 1.14), respectively. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and dietary intake, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.00 (reference), 0.88 (0.74, 1.05), 0.84 (0.69, 1.02) and 0.78 (0.63, 0.97), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prospective study suggests that frequent green tea consumption is associated with a decreased risk of depressive symptoms in the general Chinese population.

Nigella A ameliorates inflammation and intestinal flora imbalance in DSS induced colitis mice.

Nigella A, also named Sieboldianoside A, has been extracted from many kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as Nigella glandulifera, Stauntonia chinensis DC., and the leaves of Acanthopanax sieboldianus. Nigella A exhibited potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activities. However, whether Nigella A could treat ulcerative colitis (UC) is still unknown. As saponins always be regarded as the kinds of ingredients that could regulate immunity and intestinal flora. This research aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Nigella A on UC and explore its effect on intestinal flora. We noted that Nigella A and Sulfasalazine (SASP) could significantly improve the signs and symptoms, alleviate colonic pathological injury in DSS-induced mice. The changing of many specific bacterial genus such as Lactobacillus, Porphyromonadaceae, Bacteroides and Escherichia might closely related to the recovery of intestinal inflammatory response. This study initially confirmed the therapeutic effect of Nigella A and SASP on DSS-induced colitis by improving the diversity of intestinal microbial composition. Nigella A has the potential to be developed for the treatment of UC and other disorders related to the imbalance of intestinal flora.

Anti-breast cancer and toxicity studies of total secondary saponin from Anemone raddeana Rhizome on MCF-7 cells via ROS generation and PI3K/AKT/mTOR inactivation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The rhizome of Anemone raddeana Regel (A. raddeana) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of carbuncle and swelling. Carbuncle swollen is an explanation of tumor in the theory of TCM and softening and resolving hard mass effects are one of the important pharmacological activities of A. raddeana. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the potential anti-breast cancer effect and toxicological properties of alkali-ethanol extract from A. raddeana, namely total secondary saponin (TSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-proliferative effect of total saponin of A. raddeana (ATS) and TSS were tested using MTT assay. Hoechst staining, flow cytometry analysis, DCFH-DA fluorescence microscopy and western blot were carried out to evaluate the mechanisms of action of TSS. The potential anti-breast cancer activity and toxicological properties of TSS were tested in vivo. RESULTS: ATS and TSS could inhibit the proliferation of A549, HepG2, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and SKBr-3 cells, especially for MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that TSS (10, 12 and 15 µg/ml) could induce cell cycle arrest on G0/G1 phase and promote apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. TSS could increase Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, elevate cytochrome c levels in cytosol and activate caspase-3/9. In addition, TSS also induced ROS generation and inactivated PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway which may involved in the mitochondrial dysfunction of MCF-7 cells. TSS showed slight toxic at the dosage of 100 and 200 mg/kg by oral administration without any toxic potential for 28 days. TSS (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) showed significant inhibitory effect on growth of transplanted tumor in mice. At last, twenty-three C-3 monosaccharide oleanane-type triterpene saponins were tentatively identified, which may contributed to the anti-cancer activity of TSS. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that TSS exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptosis activities on MCF-7 cells via ROS-mediated activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. TSS might be used as chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer with relatively low toxicity.

Anti-colitic effects of Physalin B on dextran sodium sulfate-induced BALB/c mice by suppressing multiple inflammatory signaling pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Physalin B is one of the main active withanolide existed in Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino, a famous traditional Chinese food and herbal medicine, which has been widely used as heat-clearing and toxin-resolving medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory disease, such as cough, excessive phlegm, pharyngitis, sore throat, pemphigus, eczema, and jaundice. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to confirm the therapeutic effects of Physalin B on ulcerative colitis (UC) and enrich the further application of its traditional anti-inflammatory effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-UC effects of Physalin B were evaluated in Balb/c mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induction. The body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI) and pathological changes of colon tissue were measured. Cytokine levels were detected by ELISA. NF-κB pathway and protein levels of related pathways, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), ß-arrestin1 and NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were detected by western blot. RESULTS: The dose of Physalin B that is not cytotoxic could dramatically reduce the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Meanwhile, Physalin B dramatically improved clinical signs and symptoms, alleviated body weight loss and colon length shortening in DSS-induced UC mice. Meanwhile, Physalin B also dramatically relieved the pathological damage, reduced in the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and reestablished the balance of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Physalin B could suppress DSS-induced activation of NF-κB. Moreover, Physalin B also markedly suppressed the activation of STAT3, ß-arrestin1 and NLRP3 inflammasome. CONCLUSION: This study preliminary confirmed the therapeutic effect of Physalin B on experimental acute UC mice and provided robust evidence support for the anti-inflammatory effect of Physalin B, suggesting that Physalin B might be a potential agent for the therapeutic efficacy on UC.

Potential Cytotoxicity, Pharmacokinetics, and Excretion Properties of Sapindoside B from the Seeds of Nigella sativa var. hispidula.

The seeds of Nigella sativa var. hispidula are widely used in food preparation by the Uighur people in western China. Recently, series of oleanane triterpenoid saponins were extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa var. hispidula, especially α-hederin as representative that exhibited strong antitumor activity. Compared to α-hederin, sapindoside B has just 1 more terminal xylopyranose in the 3-O position and displays similar effects against various human cancer cell lines with cisplatin. Considering this potential cytotoxic activity, a reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed to quantify sapindoside B in rat plasma, urine, and feces. Chromatographic separation was conducted on an Agilent Zorbax SB-Aq (3.0 × 150 mm, 3.5 µm) column via an isocratic elution procedure with acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% formic acid. Mass spectrometric detection was coupled with an electrospray ionization source in the MRM mode. The linear range of calibration curves was 15 ~ 3000 ng/mL in plasma/urine and 30 ~ 3000 ng/g in feces. The intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 11.1%, and accuracy ranged from 92.2% to 108.7%. The proposed method was validated and shown to be reliable, precise, and accurate and was successfully applied to its pharmacokinetics and excretion studies. Sapindoside B exhibited dosage-dependent pharmacokinetics in the range of 2.5 mg/kg to 12.5 mg/kg, and only about 2% of intravenous dose of sapindoside B was excreted by the feces and urine in its unchanged form over 48 h. These results provide further data support for evaluating the druggability of sapindoside B.

Ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and therapeutic applications of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel: A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL USAGES: Fructus Alpiniae oxyphyllae (A. oxyphylla) is an important medicinal plant that is used not only as an edible fruit, but also as an important traditional medicine for benefiting cognitive performance and alleviating a wide spectrum of diseases. Such as; warming kidney, securing essence and arresting polyuria, as well as warming the spleen and stopping diarrhea and saliva. AIMS: The purpose of this review is to provide updated, comprehensive and categorized information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological research of A. oxyphylla in order to explore their therapeutic potential and establish a solid foundation for directing future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the available information on A. oxyphylla was collected via electronic search (using Pubmed, SciFinder, Scirus, Google Scholar and Web of Science) and additionally a number of unpublished resources, (e.g. books, Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, government reports). RESULTS: Phytochemical research on A. oxyphylla has led to the isolation of components such as essential oils, terpenes, diarylheptanoids, flavones, nucleobases and nucleosides, steroids and others. Crude extracts, fractions and phytochemical constituents isolated from A. oxyphylla showed a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities like neuroprotective, anti-diarrheal, anti-diuretic, anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, viscera protective and anti-diabetic activities. Neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diarrheal and anti-diuretic effects are major areas of research conducted on A. oxyphylla. CONCLUSIONS: Modern pharmacological studies have supported many traditional uses of A. oxyphylla, including nervous system, urinary system and gastrointestinal system disease. There was convincing evidence in experimental animal models in support of its neuroprotection, secure essence, reduce urination, and anti-carcinogenic effects. However, all the reported pharmacological activities were carried out at pre-clinical level and the authors urge further investigation in clinical trials about these therapeutic fields of A. oxyphylla.

Development and validation of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of a potential anticancer triterpene saponin from seeds of Nigella glandulifera in rat plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study.

Nigella glandulifera Freyn et Sit is a folk medicinal plant, whose seeds show significant anticancer activities attributed to triterpene saponins and volatile oil. In this study, an in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that Nigella A, the major component of triterpene saponins extracted from N. glandulifera, exhibited growth inhibition in the human lung carcinoma A-549 cell line. Due to this potential activity, a reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantify Nigella A in rat plasma for a pharmacokinetic study was developed. Nigella A and pravastatin, as internal standard (IS), were extracted from rat plasma using acetonitrile to precipitate protein. Separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax SB-Aq (3.0 × 150 mm, 3.5 µm) column using a gradient elution method with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Detection was performed using an electrospray ionization in a negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. The deprotonated precursor to product ion transitions monitored for Nigella A and IS was at m/z 1352.7→882.6 and m/z 423.1→321.0, respectively. The linear range was 0.240-120 µg/mL with a square regression coefficient (r=0.9996). The intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 6.93%. The simple extraction procedure provided recovery ranged from 92.32 to 95.44% for both analyte and IS. The method was proved to be reliable, precise, and accurate, and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of Nigella A in rats after i.v. administration via the tail vein at doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg.

Characterization of physalins and fingerprint analysis for the quality evaluation of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii by ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Physalins are important bioactive compounds from genus Physalis. They often occur as isomers, which makes the structural elucidation difficult. In the present study, the fragmentation behavior and UV characteristics of seven physalins from genus Physalis were firstly investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and diode array detection (DAD). Combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and DAD, the established approach to the structural identification of physalins by ESI-MS/MS was then applied to the analysis of Physalis alkekengi L. According to the UPLC retention behavior, the diagnostic UV spectra and the molecular structural information provided by MS/MS spectra, about 19 fingerprint peaks were identified, including 14 physalins and 5 other compounds. Finally, the established fingerprint method was applied to the analysis of 31 P. alkekengi L. samples collected from different locations, which reflected their similar chemical constituent properties. The proposed method provides a scientific and technical platform to the herbal industry for quality control and safety assurance of herbal preparations that contain this class of physalins.

An ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of three physalins in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (Chinese lantern) in rats.

An ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the quantification of three major ingredients in Chinese lantern preparations (CLP) in rat plasma. Following extraction by ethyl acetate, the analytes were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH Shield RP C(18) column using a gradient mobile phase system of acetonitrile-water. Electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem interface was employed prior to mass spectrometric detection. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 5.0-500.0 ng/ml for physalin D, 2.3-230.0 ng/ml for physalin G and 0.71-71.0 ng/ml for 4,7-didehydroneophysalin B. The average extraction recoveries, examined at four concentration levels, carried from 57.1% to 76.9%, and the accuracies ranged from 94.0% to 113.3% with precision (RSD) <15%. The validated method was successfully applied to the determination of the three physalins in rat plasma after intragastric administration of CLP suspension.

Development of the fingerprint for the quality of Radix Linderae through ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

An ultra-pressure LC (UPLC) method has been developed and validated for the quality evaluation of a traditional Chinese medicine (Radix Linderae) by chemical fingerprint analysis with chromatograms collected at two wavelengths (260 and 320 nm). Eleven characteristic peaks in the fingerprints were identified by comparing their retention times, UV spectra and ESI-MS/MS data with those of the reference substances or the data in the literatures. Both correlation coefficient of similarities in chromatograms and relative peak areas of common peaks were calculated for quality expression of the Radix Linderae samples collected from different areas in China. The results showed high variation of relative peak area and correlation coefficients among the samples collected from various habitats, which indicated that the quality consistency of Radix Linderae is still a problem worthy of serious concern.

Analysis of ochratoxin A and ochratoxin B in traditional Chinese medicines by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using [(13)C(20)]-ochratoxin A as an internal standard.

The paper reported a reliable analytical method for simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) and ochratoxin B (OTB) in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The development of the method and investigations on the matrix influence were described in particular. The matrix effects were thereby minimized by using a reliable internal standard and a simple sample pretreatment. The established method was further validated by determining the linearity (R(2) > or = 0.9990), average recovery (86.3-114.2%), sensitivity (limit of quantitation 0.03-0.19 ng mL(-1)) and precision (relative standard deviation < or = 13.1%). It was shown to be a suitable method for simultaneous determination of OTA and OTB in various TCMs. Finally, a total of 51 TCMs widely used in China were screened for OTA and OTB with the proposed method. The results showed that only 4 samples were contaminated with ochratoxins at low levels, indicating that it was low risk of ochratoxins to consumers who occasionally used TCMs.

An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2 in traditional Chinese medicines.

An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2 in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) was developed. The approach was characterized in details and a special focus was placed on the recovery rates of isolation procedure in different TCM matrices, i.e. rhizomes and roots, seeds, flowers, grasses and leaves. For this purpose, [(13)C(17)]-aflatoxinB1 was employed as the internal standard and a reliable solid phase extraction-based clean-up method was developed. The observed recovery rates of the six aflatoxins ranged from 85.6% to 117.6% in different matrices. Then, the established method was successfully applied to the determination of the six aflatoxins in various TCMs. For 30 commercial samples analyzed, 16 were contaminated with aflatoxins. The mean levels (incidence) of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in positive samples were 1.40 (68.8%), 1.27 (50.0%), 0.50 (43.8%) and 0.94 (43.8%) microg kg(-1), respectively. Interestingly, aflatoxin M1 was detected in two samples with the maximal content of 0.70 microg kg(-1). No sample was contaminated with aflatoxin M2. Meanwhile, a possible association between the contamination levels and the selected herbs was clarified in the present study.

Sesquiterpene lactones from the root tubers of Lindera aggregata.

Phytochemical investigation of the root tubers of Lindera aggregata resulted in the isolation of five new sesquiterpene lactones, linderagalactones A-E (1-5), along with eight known sesquiterpenoids, 3-eudesmene-1beta,11-diol, hydroxylindestenolide, strychnistenolide, hydroxyisogermafurenolide, atractylenolide III, linderane, neolinderalactone, and linderalactone. The structures and relative configurations of 1-5 were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially HRESIMS and 2D NMR techniques. The absolute configurations of 1-4 were defined by comparison of quantum chemical TDDFT calculated and experimental ECD spectra. Linderagalactone A (1) is a halogenated sesquiterpene lactone possessing a unique rearranged carbon skeleton. Linderagalactone E (5), linderane, hydroxylindestenolide, and linderalactone showed hepatoprotective activity against H2O2-induced oxidative damages on HepG2 cells with EC(50) values of 67.5, 167.0, 42.4, and 98.0 microM, respectively.

[Simultaneous determination of three sesquiterpene lactones in Radix Linderae by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of three major sesquiterpene lactones in Radix Linderae. METHOD: The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) using isocratic elution of acetonitrile-water (containing 0.1% H3 PO4) (45 : 55) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). Detection was carried out using a photodiode array detector at 220 nm. RESULT: The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.001 8-0.036 0 g x L(-1) for hydroxylinderstrenolide (R2 = 0.999 8), 0.016 2-0.323 2 g x L(-1) for neolinderalactone (R2 = 0.999 9), 0.010 5-0.209 9 g x L(-1) for linderane (R2 = 0.999 9), respectively. The average recoveries were 100.0% for hydroxylinderstrenolide, 98.8% for neolinderalactone and 98.9% for linderane with RSD not more than 3.3%. CONCLUSION: The established method was proved to be simple, sensitive and credible, and can be applied to quality control of Radix Linderae.

Simultaneous determination of four alkaloids in Lindera aggregata by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A new separation and quantification method using liquid chromatography under ultra-high-pressure in combination with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of four alkaloids in Lindera aggregata. The analysis was performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column (50mmx2.1mm, 1.7microm particle size; Waters, Milford, MA, USA) utilizing a gradient elution profile and a mobile phase consisting of (A) water containing 10mM ammonium acetate adjusted to pH 3 with acetic acid and (B) acetonitrile. An electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem interface in the positive mode was employed prior to mass spectrometric detection. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 17.1-856ng for boldine, 42.4-2652ng for norboldine, 6.1-304ng for reticuline and 0.5-50ng for linderegatine, respectively. The average recoveries ranged from 99.2 to 101.4% with RSDs< or =2.7%. Then, four L. aggregata samples from different batches were analyzed using the established method. The results indicated that ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry provided improved chromatographic parameters resulting in significantly increased sample throughput including lower solvent consumption and lower limits of quantitation (LOQs) for most of target analytes compared to previous method employing conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation. So, the established method was validated, sensitive and reliable for the determination of four alkaloids in L. aggregata.