[Integrated smart hyperspectral imaging and CARS-based characteristic band selection for rapid determination of SO_2 content in sulphur-fumigated Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix].

In order to realize the rapid and non-destructive detection of SO_2 content in sulphur-fumigated Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, this paper first prepared the sulphur-fumigated Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix samples with the usage amount of sulphur being 0, 2.5%, and 5% of the mass of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix pieces. The SO_2 content in different batches of sulphur-fumigated Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix was determined using the method in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, followed by the acquisition of their hyperspectral data within both visible-near infrared(435-1 042 nm) and short-wave infrared(898-1 751 nm) regions by hyperspectral imaging. Meanwhile, the first derivative, AUTO, multiplicative scatter correction, Savitzky-Golay(SG) smoothing, and standard normal variable transformation algorithms were used to pre-process the original hyperspectral data, which were then subjected to characteristic band extraction based on competitive adaptive reweighted sampling(CARS) and the partial least square regression analysis for building a quantitative model of SO_2 content in sulphur-fumigated Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix. It was found that the accuracy of the quantitative model built depending on the visible-near infrared spectra was high, with the determination coefficient of prediction set(R■) reaching 0.900 1. The established quantitative model has enabled the rapid and non-destructive detection of SO_2 content in sulphur-fumigated Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, which can serve as an effective supplement to the method described in Chinese Pharmacopeia.

[Discrimination of quality markers of Shujin Huoxue Capsules based on five principles coupled with cobweb model].

The quality markers(Q-markers) of Shujin Huoxue Capsules were comprehensively discriminated based on the five principles of transfer and traceability, specificity, compatibility, effectiveness and measurability. The compounds that could be transferred from the original medicinal materials to the preparation were selected with the principle of transfer and traceability. The specific components in the prescription were screened by reviewing literature with the principle of specificity. According to the principle of compatibility, the attributes of compounds were evaluated by the sovereign, minister, assistant and guide combination rules of the original medicinal materials in the prescription. According to the principle of measurability, the measurable components were summarized by reference to the pharmacopoeia and literature combined with the content. The mechanism of Shujin Huoxue Capsules in the treatment of osteoporosis was studied through network pharmacology based on the principle of effectiveness, which was the evaluation index of effectiveness. The chemical components screened out above were regarded as candidate Q-markers, and the cobweb model was plotted to obtain the comprehensive score of Q-markers. Hydroxysafflor yellow A, trachelosid, eleutheroside B, α-cyperone, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde and 4-methoxy salicylaldehyde were discriminated as the Q-markers of Shujin Huoxue Capsules based on the five principles combined with cobweb model.

Two new nor-lignans from Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim and their antihyperglycemic activities.

Two new nor-lignans, pulvin A (1) and moellenoside C (2), along with two known compounds (3-4) were isolated from the whole plant of Selaginella pulvinate (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis. All the isolates were investigated for their antihyperglycemic activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 promoted the glucose consumption prominently in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-response manner. Compound 1 and 2 induced 1.14-1.73 folds and 1.03-1.55 folds changes relative to the basal level, respectively, in the concentration range of 12.5 µM to 50 µM.

[Identification of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins based on near infrared hyperspectral imaging technology].

In order to establish a rapid and non-destructive evaluation method for the identification of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins, the spectral information of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen in the range of 898-1 751 nm was collected based on hyperspectral imaging technology. Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins were collected as research objects, and a total of 720 Armeniacae Semen Amarum samples and 600 Persicae Semen samples were used for authenticity discrimination. The region of interest(ROI) and the average reflection spectrum in the ROI were obtained, followed by comparing five pre-processing methods. Then, partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), support vector machine(SVM), and random forest(RF) method were established for classification models, which were evaluated by the confusion matrix of prediction results and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC). The results showed that in the three sample sets, the se-cond derivative pre-processing method and PLS-DA were the best model combinations. The classification accuracy of the test set under the 5-fold cross-va-lidation was 93.27%, 96.19%, and 100.0%, respectively. It was consistent with the confusion matrix of the predicted results. The area under the ROC curve obtained the highest values of 0.992 3, 0.999 6, and 1.000, respectively. The study revealed that the near-infrared hyperspectral imaging technology could accurately identify the medicinal materials of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins and distinguish the authentication of these two varieties.

[Fusion of spectrum and image features to identify Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from different origins based on hyperspectral imaging technology].

To identify Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from different geographical origins, spectrum and image features were extracted from visible and near-infrared(VNIR, 435-1 042 nm) and short-wave infrared(SWIR, 898-1 751 nm) ranges based on hyperspectral imaging technology. The spectral features of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma samples were extracted from hyperspectral data and denoised by a variety of pre-processing methods. The classification models were established by using Partial Least Squares Discriminate Analysis(PLS-DA), Support Vector Classification(SVC) and Random Forest(RF). Meanwhile, Gray-Level Co-occurrence matrix(GLCM) was employed to extract textural variables. The spectrum and image data were implemented from three dimensions, including VNIR and SWIR fusion, spectrum and image fusion, and comprehensive data fusion. The results indicated that the spectrum in SWIR range performed better classification accuracy than VNIR range. Compared with other four pre-processing methods, the second derivative method based on Savitzky-Golay(SG) smoothing exhibited the best performance, and the classification accuracy of PLS-DA and SVC models were 93.40% and 94.11%, separately. In addition, the PLS-DA model was superior to SVC and RF models in terms of classification accuracy and model generalization capability, which were evaluated by confusion matrix and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC). Comprehensive data fusion on SPA bands achieved a classification accuracy of 94.82% with only 28 bands. As a result, this approach not only greatly improved the classification efficiency but also maintained its accuracy. The hyperspectral imaging system, a non-invasively, intuitively and quickly identify technology, could effectively distinguish Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma samples from different origins.

[Evaluation of key production processes of Schizonepetae Herba formula granules based on characteristic chromatogram and quantitative transfer relationship].

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the key production processes of Schizonepetae Herba formula granules based on the new model of combining characteristic chromatogram with quantitative transfer relationship. The rationality of production process design was evaluated by studying the intermediates in different processes of formula granules, analyzing the loss of index component pulegone in each step, and establishing the characteristic chromatogram. The content of pulegone in 10 batches of standard decoction ranged between 0.067% and 0.124%(70%-130% of the average value), and the transfer rate of pulegone was 44.58%-93.97%. After the improvement of the production process, the content of pulegone in Schizonepetae Herba formula granules was 0.093%, and the transfer rate of pulegone was 68.38%, which was consistent with the parameters range of standard decoction. This study emphasized the integrality of the research process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula granules, and provided a new idea for the quality control of TCM with content determination as the main evaluation index for a long time.

[Evaluation of key production processes of Chan Taoren formula granules based on characteristic chromatogram and D-amygdalin transfer rate].

This study aimed to establish characteristic chromatogram and content determination method for Chan Taoren formula granules,evaluate the production processes of Chan Taoren formula granules based on the correlation of characteristic chromatogram and the transfer rate of D-amygdalin,and clarify the key control points. The optimized analytical method was carried out on a Waters CORTECS C18 column(4. 6 mm×150 mm,2. 7 µm) with acetonitrile-0. 1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0. 6 m L·min-1. The detection wavelength was 207 nm,and the column temperature was 20 ℃ ． As compared with the standard decoction of Chan Taoren,there were five characteristic peaks in the decoction pieces,extracts,concentrates,spray-dried powders and formula granules,basically consistent in relative retention time and peak pattern; in addition,the transfer rate of D-amygdalin from Chan Taoren pieces to the formula granules was within the transfer rate range of standard decoction. The average transfer rate of D-amygdalin was 56.65%,72.85%,94.58% and 99.29% respectively in the extraction,concentration,spray drying and granulation processes. Therefore,the factors affecting D-amygdalin in the extraction process were further studied. The results showed that D-amygdalin was easily converted to L-amygdalin in the water extraction process,leading to a low transfer rate of D-amygdalin in this process.D-amygdalin was unstable under alkaline conditions and prone to isomerization. Both liquid to solid ratio and extraction time had significant effects on the extraction rate of D-amygdalin. In this study,the key links in the production process of Chan Taoren formula granules was clarified based on the characteristic chromatogram and the quantity transmission of D-amygdalin,which provided a theoretical basis for production and quality control.

[Overview on hypoglycemic active constituents of traditional Chinese medicine based on insulin receptor signaling pathway].

Insulin resistance,as the main link in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus( T2 DM),runs through the whole process of occurrence and development of T2 DM and is closely related to the insulin receptor signaling pathway. Insulin stimulation causes autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor( IR),which then activates tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate( IRS).Phosphorylation of IRS can induce and activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase( PI3 K),subsequently activate downstream 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protease 1( PDK1) and Akt/PKB,and finally promote expression and translocation of glucose transporter 4 to increase glucose uptake of insulin-sensitive tissues and alleviate insulin resistance. Currently,oral hypoglycemic agents for clinical treatment of T2 DM have different side effects on the human body. Traditional Chinese medicine not only has a wide range of sources and abundant types,but also has comprehensive multi-component,multi-link and multi-target effects,showing unique advantages in the treatment of diabetes. In recent years,more and more researchers at home and abroad pay attention to the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine for alleviating insulin resistance. In this paper,we would summarize the active hypoglycemic ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine associated with the insulin receptor signaling pathway,which may provide some theoretical guidance for the development of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diabetes.

[Quality evaluation of Moutan Cortex Formula Granules].

A scientific and perfect quality evaluation system for Moutan Cortex Formula Granules was established,including content determination method,characteristic chromatogram method and mass spectrometry method. The content of paeoniflorin and paeonol in Moutan Cortex Formula Granules was determined by high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC),and the average content was 1. 72% and 1. 42%,respectively. The characteristic chromatogram was used to characterize Moutan Cortex Formula Granules,which contained 7 characteristic peaks,namely gallic acid,p-hydroxybenzoic acid,oxypaeoniflorin,paeoniflorin,tetragalloyl glucose,1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose and paeonol. A total of 40 compounds in Moutan Cortex Formula Granules,including gallic acids,paeoniflorins,paeonols,flavonoids and benzoic acids,were identified by mass spectrometry. In this study,a variety of analytical methods were used to evaluate the quality system of Moutan Cortex Formula Granules,which could play a positive role in improving the level of quality evaluation and process quality control.

Microwave-Assisted Degradation of Polysaccharide from Polygonatum sibiricum and Antioxidant Activity.

Four polysaccharide fractions (P-1: 71.40%, P-2: 1.95%, P-3: 1.14%, P-4: 1.64%) were isolated from crude Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP), processed by water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and further separated with diethylaminoethyl cellulose-52 anion-exchange chromatography. Their molecular weights and monosaccharide compositions were characterized by high performance gel chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector and ultraviolet-visible detector. The antioxidant activity of four polysaccharides fractions were assessed by the electron transfer menchanism (DPPH, ferric reducing power, and ABST assays) and chelation of transition metals (Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelation ability). The highest content fraction P-1 exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity, and the ranking of antioxidant capacity was P-4 > P-3 > P-2 > PSP > P-1. After processed by microwave-assisted degradation, the molecular weight of P-1 was decreased from 2.99 × 105 to 2.33 × 103 Da, while the antioxidant activity of degraded P-1 was about eightfold higher than natural P-1. These results indicated that the proposed microwave-assisted degradation approach was an efficacious methodology to improve their bioactivity by lower the molecular weight of polysaccharides. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provided an environmentally friendly, convenient and efficient microwave-assisted degradation technology to process the neutral polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum. The results could be used for the development and utilization of various plant polysaccharides as a kind of food supplement in our daily life.

[Effects of hypericum perforatum extract on the immunogenic myocardial fibrosis in mice and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) on myocardial fibrosis of the experimental autoimmune myocarditis (MFEAM) in mice. METHODS: MFEAM model of immunosuppressive mouse was established by porcine cardiac myosin. The mice in the MFEAM model group were randomly divided into: MFEAM model group (n=14), HPE 100 mg/kg group (n=13), HPE 40 mg/kg group (n=13) and captopril (Cap) 50 mg/kg control group (n=13). Drug in each group was dissolved in 0.4 ml of physiological saline each time, and administered by intragastric administration twice a day for 60 days; the normal control group (n=10) and the MFEAM model group was given normal saline at the same volume and course of treatment as above described way. The ratio of heart weight and spleen weight to body weight were calculated, the general conditions of mice were observed. The contents of procollagen I N-terminal peptide(PINP), procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) and TGF-ß1 in serum of mice were detected. The degree of myocardial fibrosis (MF) and collagen volume fraction (CVF)were measured under the microscope by Masson staining. The protein expression of TGF-ß1 was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The serum levels of TGF-ß1, PINP and PIIINP in the model group were higher than those in the normal group significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Meanwhile , the levels of MF and CVF were increased, and the protein expression of myocardial TGF-ß1 was up-regulated. However, the serum levels of PINP, PIIINP and TGF-ß1 in HPE40 mg/kg, HPE 100 mg/kg and Cap treated-groups were decreased significantly. HPE and Cap could improve or decrease the MF level and CVF of the MFEAM model mice, and down-regulated the expression of TGF-ß1 protein in different degrees. Compared with the MFEAM model group, the difference was significant (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: HPE has a therapeutic effect on MF, which may be related to its reduction of collagen deposition and inhibition of TGF-ß1 signaling pathway.

[Application of fingerprint technology in quality evaluation and process control of traditional Chinese medicine formula granules].

The fingerprint technology could reflect the internal chemical characteristics of Chinese herbal medicine or preparation, which has the characteristics of "wholeness" and "fuzziness". It is suitable for evaluating the quality of intermediate and finished products in the production process of traditional Chinese medicine formula granules. In this paper, the applications of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectrum (IR) fingerprint technology in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine formula granules were reviewed, and their advantages and disadvantages were analyzed. The aim of this article is to enhance the combined application of various fingerprint technologies in traditional Chinese medicine formula granules. It could provide technical reference for realizing the stability of production process and improving the overall quality of formula granules.

[Interaction between gomizine D and α-glucosidase].

This paper describes a study exploring the interaction between gomizine D and α-glucosidase. The inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase by gomizine D was determined using PNPG as substrates Gomizine D gave the IC50 value of 0.59 mmol•L⁻¹, which was higher than that of acarbose (1.95 mmol•L⁻¹). Gomizine D was a reversible and non-competitiveα-glucosidase inhibitor with an inhibition constant Ki=4.026 g•L⁻¹. The binding mode between gomizine D and α-glucosidase was analyzed by AutoDock Vina molecular docking software. The lowest energy of Gomizine D binding to α-glucosidase was -7.7 kcal•mol⁻¹, which was lower than that of acarbose (-6.6 kcal•mol⁻¹). After binding with gomizine D, UV spectroscopy analysis displayed that the microenvironment of aromatic residue in the secondary structure of α-glucosidase was changed, and the polarity of protein was reduced.

Low local blood perfusion, high white blood cell and high platelet count are associated with primary tumor growth and lung metastasis in a 4T1 mouse breast cancer metastasis model.

It was originally thought that no single routine blood test result would be able to indicate whether or not a patient had cancer; however, several novel studies have indicated that the median survival and prognosis of cancer patients were markedly associated with the systemic circulation features of cancer patients. In addition, certain parameters, such as white blood cell (WBC) count, were largely altered in malignant tumors. In the present study, routine blood tests were performed in order to observe the change of blood cells in tumor-bearing mice following the implantation of 4T1 breast cancer cells into the mammary fat pad; in addition, blood flow in breast tumor sites was measured indirectly using laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), in an attempt to explain the relevance between the blood circulation features and the growth or metastasis of breast cancer in mice model. The LDPI and blood test results indicated that the implantation of 4T1 breast cancer cells into BALB/c mice led to thrombosis as well as high WBC count, high platelet count, high plateletcrit and low blood perfusion. Following implantation of the 4T1 cells for four weeks, the lung metastatic number was determined and the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed that the number of visceral lung metastatic sites had a marked negative association with the ratio of basophils (BASO%; r=-0.512; P<0.01) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin was significantly correlated with primary tumor weight (r=0.425; P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that tumor growth led to thrombosis and acute anemia in mice; in addition, when blood BASO% was low, an increased number of lung metastases were observed in tumor-bearing mice.

[Research progress on active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines improved insulin resistance based on PPARs targets].

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear transcriptional factors closely related to glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity. Activation of PPARs targets treated type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and other metabolic diseases by insulin resistance. Recently, a variety of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been proved to activate PPARs targets for improving insulin resistance, which has attracted widespread attention at home and abroad. In this paper, we reviewed the pathological mechanisms between insulin resistance and PPARs, and summarized the active ingredients of TCMs improved insulin resistance based on PPARs targets. This paper may provide some theoretical guidance for the development of new drugs and TCMs.

Coumarins from Edgeworthia chrysantha.

A new coumarin, edgeworic acid (1), was isolated from the flower buds of Edgeworthia chrysantha, together with the five known coumarins umbelliferone (2), 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (3), daphnoretin (4), edgeworoside C (5), and edgeworoside A (6). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data, particularly by the use of 1D NMR and several 2D shift-correlated NMR pulse sequences (1H-1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC), in combination with acetylation reactions.

A new furolactone-type lignan from Lycium chinense.

The phytochemical investigation of extracts from the root barks of Lycium chinense yielded a new furolactone-type lignan, lyciumin (1). Its structure and absolute configurations were established on the basis of spectral data, particularly by the use of 1D NMR, 2D shift-correlated NMR pulse sequences ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY) and CD spectra.

Norlignans from Asparagus cochinchinensis.

A new norlignan glycoside, named iso-agatharesinoside (2), and its aglycone, iso-agatharesinol (1), were isolated from the tuberous roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data, particularly by the use of 1D NMR and several 2D shift-correlated NMR pulse sequences (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY).

Two phthalide dimers from the radix of Angelica sinensis.

The phytochemical investigation of extracts from the radix of Angelica sinensis yielded a new phthalide dimer, 3,3'Z-6.7',7.6'-diligustilide, along with a known dimer, levistolide A. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data, particularly using 1D-NMR and several 2D shift-correlated NMR pulse sequences (¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY).