Quality assessment of different forms of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum based on content of free amino acids / 中国中药杂志

In this study, we analyzed the composition and content of 25 free amino acids in 32 batches of different forms of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum(CCP; one-branched, two-branched, and three-branched) from 15 producing areas. The clustering analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were performed based on the content of 25 free amino acids. Potential differential metabolites were identified based on VIP value. The results showed that there were 25 free amino acids in CCP, and the average content of essential, non-essential, and total amino acids was 6.13, 32.99, and 39.12 mg·g~(-1), respectively. The clustering analysis and OPLS-DA demonstrated that 25 free amino acids had different content among the three forms of CCP, of which two-branched CCP samples were separately gathered into a group. Five differential components, including glutamic acid, tryptophan, ornithine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and hydroxylysine, were screened out as potential quality markers for the identification of different forms of CCP. This study provides a theoretical basis for the quality evaluation, processing, and utilization of different forms of CCP.

Simultaneous determination of 13 hormones in Testis et Penis Cervi using QuEChERS-ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry / 中国中药杂志

A reliable QuEChERS-ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) analysis method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 13 steroid hormones(nrolone, androstenedione, methyltestosterone, testosterone, norethindrone, medroxyprogesterone, progesterone, diethylstilbestrol, hexan-stilbestrol, estradiol, estrotriol, cortisone, hydrocortisone) in Testis et Penis Cervi. The samples were extracted with methanol and purified by QuEChERS. Subsequently, the samples were separated by ACQUITY BEH C_(18) column and detected in the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) mode under electrospray ionization in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Significant differences in the content of thirteen steroid hormones in Testis et Penis Cervi between the sika deer at different periods and the red deer were observed. The content of testosterone(10.88 μg·kg~(-1)) and hydrocortisone(12.82 μg·kg~(-1)) in Testis et Penis Cervi derived from rutting sika deer was significantly higher than the content of testosterone(1.05 μg·kg~(-1)) and hydrocortisone(0.73 μg·kg~(-1)) from antler growth stage. The content of progesterone in Testis et Penis Cervi derived from red deer was 6.07 μg·kg~(-1), significantly higher than that from sika deer. The content of progesterone in the testicle of red deer reached 27.46 μg·kg~(-1), 4.5 times greater than that in the penis of red deer. The sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the method can meet the detection requirements, and the developed method is suitable for the measurement of hormones in animal-derived food.

[Effects of Dioscorea septemloba on the biomechanical and bone histomorphometric parameters of femur in the ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the decoction of Rhizoma Dioscoreae septemlobae (RD) on the biomechanical and bone histomorphometric parameters of femur in the ovariectomized rats. METHODS: 25 female Wistar rats without pregnancy and deliver were divided into 5 groups randomly: sham (sham-operation), ovariectomy (OVX), OVX + high dosage RD (4 g/kg x d), OVX + middle dosage RD (2 g/kg x d) and OVX + low dosage RD (1 g/kg x d), n = 5 in every group. After intragastric administration 12-week period continuously, the biomechanical and the bone histomorphometric parameters of the femur of the rats in every group were determined, respectively, including percentage of trabecular bone volume (TBV%), percentage of trabecular osteoid (TOS%), mean osteoid width (MOSW), percentage of mineralizing surface (MdS%), percentage of double mineralizing surface (DMds%), percentage of DMds/MdS (%), percentage of travecular formation surface (TFS%), percentage of trabecular resorption surface (TRS%), mineral apposition rate (MAR), mineralizing lag time (MLT). RESULTS: The maximum loading, deflection, the maximum strain of the femur in the OVX group was 125.78 +/- 15.48 (N), 1.87 +/- 0.22 (mm), 9.34 +/- 1.10 (%), it was significantly lower than that in the sham group ( P< 0.05, P < 0.01), respectively. The maximum loading and maximum stress was increased in different extent in the every dose group of OVX + RD, respectively. TBV% of femur was significantily lower in the OVX group than that in the sham group (P < 0.01). The MdS%, DMds%, DMds/MdS (%), TOS%, MOSW, TRS%, MAR was significantly higher in the OVX group than that in the sham group, respectively (P < 0.01). In the RA high and middle dosage group, the TBV% of femur was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05), and the MdS%, DMds%, DMds/MdS (%), TRS%, TOS%, MOSW, MAR was significantly lower than that in the model group, respectively (P < 0.05), and MLT was decurtated slightly (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The decoction of RD can decline the bone turnover and the loss of bone of femur in the ovariectomized rats.

[Effects of Dioscorea septemloba on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the decoction of Rhizoma Dioscorea septemlobae (RD) on the bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. METHOD: Thirty female, 3-month-old Wistar rats without pregnancy and deliver were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham (sham-operation), ovariectomy (OVX), OVX + diethylstilbestrol, OVX + high dose RD (4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), OVX + middle dose RD (2 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and OVX + low dose RD (1 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) (n = 5 in every group). After 12-week period of continuous treatment, the urinary samples and blood samples were collected for the determination of serum estrodiol (E2), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), bone glaprotein (BGP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urinary calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr), phosphorus/ creatinine (P/Cr) and deoxypyridioline/creatinine (DPD/Cr). The uteri were removed and weighed. The bone mineral density (BMD) and the biomechanical parameters of the femur of the rats in every group were determined, respectively. RESULT: The coefficient of uteri in every dose group of OVX + RD was significantly higher than that in the OVX group (P < 0.01). The concentration of serum ALP, BGP and urinary DPD/Cr, Ca/Cr in the OVX group was significantly higher than that in the sham group (P < 0.05), respectively, However, that in the every dose of OVX + RD was lower than that in the OVX group, respectively. There was no significan difference in the concentration of serum Ca, P and urinary P/Cr in every group, respectively. The bone mineral density (BMD) in the OVX group was (0.032 +/- 0.007) g x cm(-2) and was significantly lower than that in the sham group (P < 0.01). However, the value in the group of every dose OVX + RD was significantly higher than that in the OVX group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), respectively. The maximum loading, deflection and the maximum strain of the femur in the OVX group were (125.78 +/- 15.48) N, (1.87 +/- 0.22) mm, (9.34 +/- 1.10) % and were significantly lower than those in the sham group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), respectively. The maximum loading and maximum stress were increased in different extent in the every dose group of OVX + RD, respectively. CONCLUSION: The decoction of RD can inhibit bone absorption, decline bone turnover and improve the loss of bone in ovariectomized rats.