The traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Dictamnus dasycarpus: a review.

OBJECTIVES: Dictamnus dasycarpus is a plant of the Rutaceae family, and its root bark is the main part used as a medicine, named 'Bai-Xian-Pi'. It is used to clear away heat, remove dampness, and dispel wind and also used for detoxification. The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic review about the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of this plant. KEY FINDINGS: More than 200 compounds have been isolated and identified from the plant, including alkaloids and their glycosides, terpenoids and their derivatives and phenylpropanoids. Extensive pharmacological activities of the extracts or compounds of D. dasycarpus in vivo and in vitro were mainly confirmed, including anti-inflammatory activity, protecting cardiovascular activity, improving liver injury and anti-cancer activity. SUMMARY: In this paper, the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of D. dasycarpus were reviewed. In the future, D. dasycarpus needs further study, such as paying more attention to quality control and the utilization on agriculture. In addition, discussing the medicinal components of decoction as well as the toxicity will also contribute to the progress of clinical trial studies.

[Effect of Water Extracts from Rhizosphere Soil of Cultivated Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus on It's Seed Germination and Physiological Characteristics].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between continuous cropping obstacle and autotoxicity of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus. METHODS: Distilled water(CK), water extracts of rhizosphere soil(50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL) were applied to test their effect on early growth and physiological characteristics of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus. RESULTS: The water extracts from rhizospher soil of cultivated Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus significantly increased seedling emergence rate, root length and vigor index of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus seedling when at the concentration of 100 mg/mL or below, however,there was no significant effect at 200 mg/mL or higher. The water extracts from rhizosphere soil of cultivated Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus significantly reduced the SOD activity in Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus seedling at 400 mg/mL and POD activity at 200 mg/mL and 400 mg/mL,while significantly increased the MDA content. CONCLUSION: Water extracts from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus rhizosphere soil significantly affected Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus germination and seedling growth in a concentration-dependent manner, generally, low concentrations increased the SOD and POD activity which improved seed germination and seedling growth, while high concentrations caused cell membrane damage of the seedling.

[Summary of Hui prescriptions for treating cough].

By using the method of philology, 65 Hui prescriptions for treating cough were been collected to compare Arabic and Chinese names of pennisetum, anemarrhenae, honey, pease, white mustard, perilla and towel gourd stem. The Countif function in Microsoft Excel 2007 was used to count frequency of drugs in the prescriptions and summarize eight common Hui medicine for treating cough, namely sugar, honey, almond, fritillaria, liquorice, orange peel, white mulberry root-bark and lily. According to the commonly used drugs, philological studies and theories of Hui medicines, pathology and therapy of Hui medicines for treating cough were preliminarily inferred. In this study, 35 practical prescriptions and 30 simple and convenient Halal dietary prescriptions were summarized from collected prescriptions according to relevant literatures. On the basis of the long-lasting unique dietary therapy culture developed for Hui people, the simple and practical dietary prescriptions were defined according indications, therapy, prescription name and composition, and eight types of drug-admixed foods were summarized to relieve pains and improve health awareness and quality of life. Meanwhile, this study could also enrich and perfect the prescriptions, provide new ideas for improving health of patients, and lay a certain realistic foundation for further study of Hui medicines.

Two new compounds from Ganoderma lucidum.

Two pairs of new enantiomers, lucidulactones A and B (1 and 2), and two known compounds were isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic methods. The chiral HPLC was used to separate the ( - )- and (+)-antipodes of the new compounds.

[Autotoxicity of aqueous extracts from plant of cultivated Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus].

OBJECTIVE: To exploring the relationship between continuous cropping obstacle and autotoxicity of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, autotoxic effect of plant aqueous extract were determined. METHODS: Distilled water (CK), aqueous extract of plant, including root, stem and leaf (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/mL respectively)were applied to testing their effect on early growth of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus. Specifically, seed germination rate, germination index, emergence rate, elongation of radical and embryo, and seedling vigor index were determined. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of root, stem, and leaf at 25 mg/mL significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, and this inhibitory effect generally increased with the increase of the concentration of aqueous extracts. To the comprehensive allelopathic effect, the extracts from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus stem were more inhibitory than those from leaf and root. The germination index and seedling vigor index were more sensitive to extract than other determined parameters. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extracts from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus plant gave inhibitory effects on Astragalus. membranaceus var. mongholicus germination and seedling growth, and this inhibitory effect generally increased with the increases of aqueous extract concentration at a certain ranges. In conclusion, there is an autotoxicity in continuous cropping of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus.

A new periplogenin cardenolide from the seeds of Antiaris toxicaria.

A new periplogenin cardenolide, periplogulcoside (1), together with three known cardenolides, was isolated from the seeds of Antiaris toxicaria. The structure of the new compound was characterized as periplogenin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-TOF-MS, and CD spectrometry, and the known compounds were identified by comparison of their NMR and HR-TOF-MS data with those reported in the literature. Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against Hela and HepG-2 cell lines.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides as an adjuvant for recombinant vaccine through enhancement of humoral immunity by activating Tfh cells.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) have been shown to play a variety of immune-modulatory functions which include activation of T and B cells. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are now recognized as a subset of helper T cells which regulate the multiple stages of B cell maturation and function. In our current study, we found that LBP were able to activate CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells and induce IL-21 secretion. At the same time LBP also promoted the formation of germinal centers (GC) and production of GL-7+B220+GC B cells. LBP as an adjuvant could increase generation of rAd5VP1-induced Tfh cells. Our results indicate that LBP might enhance T cell-dependent Ab responses by acting as an adjuvant for the generation of Tfh cells. Future vaccine designs might therefore be targeted to induce strong antigen-specific Tfh responses in order to boost its protective effects.

[Study on chemical components of Aconitum flavum and their inflammatory and analgesic effects].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical compositions of active site of Aconitum flavum and their pharmacological effects on anti-inflammatory andantalgic. METHODS: Xylene-induced mice ear swollen and egg white-induce toe swollen test were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Aconitum flavum. Acetic acid-induce mice writhing and hot-plate test were used to assess the antalgic effect of Aconitum flavum. Silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20 techniques were employed for isolation and purification the constituents of Aconitum flavum. The chemical compounds were identified by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, HMQC and COSY. RESULTS: When compared with model group, there was significant difference in 30% alcohol active extract group (P < 0.05) in xylene-induce mice ear-swollen test. In the experiment of egg white-induce toe swollen test, 30% alcohol active extract group had great significant difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). In acetic acid writhing test, 30% alcohol active extract group had significant analgesic action when compared with model group. In hot plate test, when compared with model group, the analgesic effect of 30% alcohol active extract group (P < 0.05) at 30 and 45 minutes after administration was significanty increased. Fourteen compounds were isolated from the active extract,while seven compounds were identified as: sucrose (I), linarin (Ii), beta-sitosterol (III), beta-daucosterol (IV), beta-sitosterol-3, 5, 6-triol (VII), aconitine (V ) and hypaconitine (IV). CONCLUSION: 30% alcohol active extract of Aconitum flavum has anti-inflammatory and antalgic effects. Compounds I, II, IV, VI and VII are isolated for the first time.

[Summary of Hui prescriptions for stroke].

Current Hui prescriptions are mostly recorded in the Arabic language. Their fussy and inconsistent names (Arabic names) result in the restriction in the clinical application of Hui prescriptions. Having collected and screened out 101 Hui prescriptions for stroke, the author further studied some of their names in literatures, in order to facilitate clinical application of these prescriptions (i. e. unification of their Arabic and Chinese names, and textual research of identical drugs with different Arabic names). This lays a foundation for the clinical application of Hui prescriptions and the analysis on compatibility regulatory, and provides scientific basis for studies on new Hui medicines.

[Study on baking processing technology of hui medicine Aconitum flavum].

OBJECTIVE: To screen and optimize the processing technology of Aconitum flavum. METHODS: The acute-toxicity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic experiments were used as indexes. Four processing methods, including decoction, streaming, baking and processing with Chebulae Fructus decoction, were compared to screen the optimum processing method for Aconitum flavum. The baking time was also optimized. RESULTS: The optimal baked technology was that 1-2 mm decoction pieces was baked at 105 degrees C for 3 hours. CONCLUSION: The baking method is proved to be the optimal processing method of Aconitum flavum. It is shown that this method is simple and stable.

[Determination of chrysosplenetin, metabolic inhibitor of artemisinin, in rat plasma by UPLC-ms/MS and study on its pharmacokinetics].

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to develop the assay of chrysosplenetin (CHR), a metabolic inhibitor of artemisinin by UPLC-MS/MS in rat plasma and investigate the pharmacokinetics parameters of CHR. METHOD: The plasma samples were precipitated by acetonitrile to remove the proteins. Separation was carried out on a Shim-pack XR-ODS C,18(2. 0 mm x 100 mm, 2. 2 micromp.m) column using a mobile phase containing methanol-0. 1% formic acid (87:13) using by diazepam as internal standard. Mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization (ESI) operated in the positive ion mode was used for analysis. Total analysis time was 2 min. RESULT: The assay was linear in the range 5-5 000 microg L-1 (r =0. 999 3) with recoveries in the range from 69. 0% to 81.2% and satisfied inter-, intra- precision and accuracy. CHR after oral administration is not easy to absorb with double or multimodal peak phenomenon. The t1/2 of CHR after intravenous injection was very short and that of low, medium, and high dosage was (17. 01 +/- 8. 06) , (24. 62 +/- 4. 59), (28. 46+/- 4. 63) min, respectively. CONCLUSION: The developed method was special, rapid, and sensitive for determination of CHR pharmacokinetics. [Key words] UPLC-MS/MS; chrysosplenetin; pharmacokinetics; plasma; rat

[Macroscopic and microscopic identification of Ligularia przewalskii].

OBJECTIVE: To provide macroscopic and microscopic identification basis for Ligularia przewalskii. METHODS: Macroscopic and microscopic identification of roots, stems and leaves of Ligularia przewalskii were carried out with the methods of paraffin section, leaves epidermal section and powder transdermal section. RESULTS: The microscopic characteristics included: Open collateral vascular bundles in stem were not in the same size and arranged in two rings; Lots of fiber bundles scattered in the column parts; There were two vascular bundles in principal vein of leaf; Anticlinal wall of upper epidermis cells was thickened like moniliform, lower epidermis were like waves with irregular; The type of stoma was anomocytic; Calcium oxalate acicular crystal could be seen in the powder. CONCLUSION: These features can provide references for identification of Ligularia przewalskii.

[Study on molecular recognition technology in active constituents extracted and isolated from Aconitum pendulum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate CD molecular recognition technology applied in active constituents extracted and isolated from traditional Chinese medicine--Aconitum pendulum. METHODS: The inclusion constant and form probability of the inclusion complex of Aconitum pendulum with p-CD was calculated by UV spectra method. The active constituents of Aconitum pendulum were extracted and isolated by molecular recognition technology. The inclusion complex was identified by UV. The chemical constituents of Aconitum pendulum and inclusion complex was determined by HPLC. The analgesic effects of inclusion complex was investigated by experiment of intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid in rats. RESULTS: The inclusion complex was identified and confirmed by UV spectra method, the chemical components of inclusion complex were simple, and the content of active constituents increased significantly, the analgesic effects of inclusion complex was well. CONCLUSION: The molecular recognition technology can be used for extracting and isolating active constituents of Aconitum pendulum, and the effects are obvious.

[Optimization of extraction process of total alkaloids from radix of Aconitum flavum using response surface methodology].

OBJECTIVE: To study the technological parameters of the extraction process of total alkaloids from Radix of Aconitum flavum. METHODS: Using response surface methodology (RSM) of three factors and three levels to optimize ethanol heat reflux applied for alkaloids extraction from Radix of Aconitum flavum. RESULTS: A quadratic polynomial mathematical model with good correlation was constructed and employed to the optimization. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: the extraction time was 1.72 h, the concentration of ethanol was 64.00%, the ratio of ethanol to raw material was 8.18 mL/g, under which the predictive value of the rate of extraction yield of alkaloids was 0.526% and the measured value was 0. 521%, respectively, and there was a good agreement with their predicted values. CONCLUSION: This reveals the good predictability of the mathematical model, the selected process also has a good reproducibility.

Relaxant effects of matrine on aortic smooth muscles of guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether matrine, a kind of traditional Chinese medicinal alkaloid, can relax the aortic smooth muscles isolated from guinea pigs and to investigate the mechanism of its relaxant effects. METHODS: Phenylephrine or potassium chloride concentration-dependent relaxation response of aortic smooth muscles to matrine was studied in the precontracted guinea pigs. RESULTS: Matrine (1 x 10(-4) mol/L -3.3 x 10(3) mol/L) relaxed the endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted sub-maximally with phenylephrine, in a concentration-dependent manner, and its pre-incubation (3.3 x 10(-3) mol/L) produced a significant rightward shift in the phenylephrine dose-response curve, but had no effects on the potassium chloride-induced contraction. The anti-contractile effect of matrine was not reduced by the highly selective ATP-dependent K+ channel blocker glibenclamide (10(-5) mol/L), either by the non-selective K+ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (10(-3) mol/L), or by the beta-antagonist propranolol (10(-5) mol/L). In either "normal" or "Ca(2+)-free" bathing medium, the phenylephrine-induced contraction was attenuated by matrine (3.3 x 10(-3) mol/L), indicating that the vasorelaxation was due to inhibition of intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ mobilization. CONCLUSION: Matrine inhibits phenylephrine-induced contractions by inhibiting activation of alpha-adrenoceptor and interfering with the release of intracellular Ca2+ and the influx of extracellular Ca2+.

Purification and characterization of trimethylamine-N-oxide demethylase from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas).

Trimethylamine-N-oxide demethylase (TMAOase) was purified from Jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) and characterized in detail herein. The TMAOase was extracted from squid with 20 mM Tris-acetate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 1.0 M NaCl, followed by acid treatment and heat treatment. Then it was purified by deithylaminoethyl-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography, subsequently resulting in an 839-fold purification. The molecular mass of the TMAOase was defined to be 17.5 kDa. The optimum pH of the purified TMAOase was 7.0, and its optimum temperature was confirmed to be 55 degrees C. The TMAOase was stable to heat treatment up to 50 degrees C and stable at pH 7.0-9.0. Reducing agents such as DTT, Na2SO3, and NADH were effective at activating TMAOase, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, as well as Mg2+ and Ca2+, could also enhance the activity of TMAOase remarkably, whereas the TMAOase could be significantly inhibited by tea polyphenol, phytic acid and acetic acid. In addition, the TMAOase converted TMAO to dimethylamine and formaldehyde stoichiometrically with a K(m) of 26.2 mM.