[Comparison of in vivo pharmacokinetics of twelve constituents in Qihe Fenqing Yin in normal rats and diabetic rats].

This paper aims to study the pharmacokinetic differences of twelve effective constituents(succinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, 5-O-ferulogeninic acid, p-coumaric acid, nuciferine, quercetin, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid) in Qihe Fenqing Yin in normal and diabetic rats. The diabetic rat model was established by a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin. A UHPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS method was established for the simultaneous determination of 12 constituents in the plasma of normal rats and model rats after a single intragastric administration of Qihe Fenqing Yin. The results show that the established analytical method has a good linear relationship with the 12 components, and the specificity, accuracy, precision, and stability meet the requirements. The computational pharmacokinetic parameters are fitted by DAS 3.2.8 software, and the results show that the half-life time(t_(1/2)) of the other nine components in the model group was longer than that in the normal group except for caffeic acid, 5-O-ferulogeninic acid, and oleanolic acid. The area under curve(AUC_(0-t)) of cryptochlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid increases compared with the normal group. Meanwhile, mean residence time(MRT) delays. The "double peaks" of quercetin and nuciferine in the normal group are not observed in the model group, suggesting that the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drugs in the disease state are significantly different.

[Comparison on effects of Lycii Fructus from different origins on NaIO_3-induced retinal degenerative diseases in mice by multivariate statistical analysis].

The multivariate statistical analysis was performed to compare the therapeutic effects of Lycii Fructus from different origins on the retinal degenerative diseases(RDD) in mice. The mouse model of RDD was established by intraperitoneal injection of NaIO_3, and the visual function and retinal apoptosis were assessed by dark-light transition and TUNEL assay. Retinal thickness was measured by fundus optical coherence tomography(OCT), and the levels of antioxidant, inflammatory, and angiogenic markers in the serum and eyeball were determined. The therapeutic effects were compared by hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis. The results showed that the extracts of Lycii Fructus from different origins reversed NaIO_3-induced visual damage and retinal apoptosis, reduced oxidative stress, and restored the expression of inflammatory mediators and angiogenic markers in mice. The multivariate statistical analysis based on 17 pharmacodynamic indices suggested that the extract of Lycii Fructus from Ningxia demonstrated better therapeutic effects on RDD than the samples from the other four origins. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the selection of the advantageous production region of Lycii Fructus for the prevention and treatment of RDD.

[Comparison of multi-type chemical compounds in fruits of Lycium and correlations between compounds and traits].

To comprehensively reveal and utilize the plant resources of Lycium in China, this study determined and compared the content of monosaccharides, polysaccharides, proteins, carotenoids, organic acids, and phenols in the dried fruits of 8 different Lycium species. Furthermore, the traits including the hundred-fruit weight, shape index, and the ratio of seed to fruit were measured, and the correlations between the content of chemical compounds and fruit traits were assessed. The results showed that L. truncatum, L. barbarum var. auranticarpum, and L. dasystemum var. rubricaulium were the species with high content of monosaccharides. L. barbarum and L. barbarum var. auranticarpum were the species with high content of total polysaccharides, and L. barbarum was the species with high content of carotenoids. L. yunnanense and L. chinense var. potaninii had high content of soluble proteins. L. truncatum, L. dasystemum, and L. barbarum showed high content of organic acids and phenols. L. barbarum and L. barbarum var. auranticarpum demonstrated high fruit weight, while L. yunnanense and L. chinense had high ratios of seed to fruit. The multivariate statistical analysis indicated that polysaccharides, carotenoids, hundred-fruit weight, ratio of seed to fruit, scopolamine, fructose, 5-O-feruloylquinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, scopoletin, cryptochlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid were the main differential compounds in the fruits among different species of Lycium. Moreover, the results of correlation ananysis showed strong correlations between fruit traits and compound content. Specifically, the hundred-fruit weight had positive correlations with the content of total polysaccharides and scopola-mine. The ratio of seed to fruit was negatively correlated with the content of rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, fructose, and glucose and positively correlated with the content of succinic acid, soluble proteins, and zeaxanthin. The results implied that chemical compounds presented different distribution patterns in the fruits of 8 Lycium species. This study provides a basis for the comprehensive development and utilization, targeted breeding, and value-added application of Lycium plants.

[Identification of metabolites of Yiqi Baoyuan Prescription in rat plasma, bile, urine and feces after oral administration].

This study was designed to determine the metabolites of Yiqi Baoyuan Prescription(YQBYP) in rats. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-TOF-MS) and mass defect filter(MDF) were employed to analyze the metabolites of YQBYP in rat plasma, bile, urine and feces. Chromatographic separation was conducted on Acquity UPLC BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm) under gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(A)-acetonitrile(B), and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Electrospray ion(ESI) source was used under positive and negative ion modes, with capillary voltage of 3.0 kV and mass scanning range of m/z 100-1 000. In this experiment, 9 prototype components and 36 metabolites were identified in rat plasma, bile, urine and feces samples. The results showed that the main metabolic pathways of YQBYP in rats involved methylation, demethylation, oxidation, and other phase Ⅰ reactions as well as glucuronidation, sulfation, and other phase Ⅱ reactions. This study provided scientific basis for clarifying the therapeutic material basis of YQBYP and product development.

Comparative evaluation of four Lycium barbarum cultivars on NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mice via multivariate statistical analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (goji berry) is a traditional Chinese medicine and is often used to improve vision. While various goji cultivars may differentially treat retinal degeneration, however their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the protective effects of four goji cultivars on NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mouse model and identify the most therapeutically potent cultivar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The principal compounds in the extracts of four goji cultivars were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. A retinal degeneration mouse model was established via NaIO3 injection. Dark-light transition and TUNEL assays were used to assess visual function and retinal apoptosis. The levels of antioxidative, inflammatory, and angiogenic markers in serums and eyeballs were measured. Hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to objectively compare the treatment responses. RESULTS: Sixteen compounds were identified in goji berry extracts. All goji berry extracts could reverse NaIO3-induced visual impairment, retinal damage and apoptosis. The samples from the cultivar of Ningqi No.1 significantly modulated oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels, which are more effectively than the other cultivars based on integrated multivariate profiling. CONCLUSION: Ningqi No.1 demonstrated a stronger protective effect on mouse retina than other goji cultivars, and is a potential variety for further research on the treatment of retinal degeneration.