[Research and development thought on biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica].

The biopharmaceutics classification system( BCS) is a scientific framework or method for classifying drugs based on drug solubility and permeability,which can be used to provide drug bioavailability-absorption correlation analysis. Based on the characteristics of multi-component and multi-target of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) as well as the concept,method and technology of BCS,the research group proposed biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica( CMMBCS) and carried out research and data accumulation of classical prescriptions. Based on the previous research results,further development ideas under the CMMBCS concept and framework were further proposed in this study. In the course of research,the influence of the intermediate links of the complex interactions of the multi-component environment was omitted,and the component absorption studies on the main clinical effects of prescription ingredients were directly concerned,or the components and data were reversely extracted from the aspects of metabolism,pharmacodynamic pathways and absorption principles. Studies were conducted from two aspects( single component and compound prescription) to comprehensively evaluate the absorption properties of TCM compound. In the research path,the different ways in which Chinese medicine could exert its efficacy were fully considered,and CMMBCS classification and establishment rules were clarified mainly by focusing on the absorption pathway into the blood. Specifically,the network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to screen the compound index components of TCM; the absorption rules were studied by the physiologically based pharmacokinetic models and the absorption parameters of CMMBCS were calculated by reverse reasoning. Then the CMMBCS classification of TCM prescription was corrected by studying the efficacy or absorption pathway. In this paper,the theoretical framework and research methodology of CMMBCS were systematically improved based on the establishment of CMMBCS basic theory,the supplementary of drug-oriented research ideas and the application of modern mature Chinese medicine methodology.

[Research on attributes of biopharmaceutics classification system for Chinese materia medica of baicalein in Gegen Qinlian Decoction environment].

For the effects of multi-component environment on the solubility and permeability of single components,and the problems of biopharmaceutical attribute classification of single components in the compound prescriptions environment,baicalein was used as the research object in this study to investigate the biopharmaceutic attributes of single-component and their traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) biopharmaceutic attributes in the multi-component environment of Gegen Qilian Decoction. Shaking flask method,intrinsic dissolution rate test and HPLC were used to determine solubility of baicalein. Markers specified by FDA were utilized as permeable boundary reference materials to verify the applicability of the single-pass intestinal perfusion method( SPIP),and the quantitative research on the permeability of baicalein was also conducted. It is concluded that baicalein could be categorized as BCS-Ⅱ drug based on its low solubility and high intestinal permeability values,and it may be categorized into CMMBCS-I in the multi-component environment of Gegen Qilian Decoction due to its poor solubility but enhanced solubility and permeability in compound environment. This study could provide verification ideas for clinical determination of the best human oral dose of baicalein,and provide the data basis for the study of biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica( CMMBCS).

[Study on biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica for Gegen Qinlians Tablets based on anti-inflammatory activity].

The research on biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica( CMMBCS) should be finally implemented to the holistic research level of traditional Chinese medicine compounds,while the overall biopharmaceutical properties of traditional Chinese medicine compounds are not only the sum of solubility and permeability of each component. In this study,Gegen Qinlian Tablets was used as the research object,and the contents of 12 representative components,i.e. puerarin,daidzin,baicalin,daidzein,wogonoside,baicalein,wogonin,glycyrrhizic acid,coptisine hydrochloride,epiberberine,berberine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride,were simultaneously determined by HPLC to obtain the mass weight of each component. The in vitro lipopolysaccharide( LPS)-induced RAW264. 7 cells inflammation model was established to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of 12 representative components and obtain the efficacy weight of each component. In order to obtain the number of doses and effective permeability coefficient which can represent the overall biopharmaceutical properties of Gegen Qinlian Tablets,mass weight was combined with efficacy weight to integrate the solubility and permeability data of each component determined by typical shake flask method and in situ single pass intestinal perfusion model respectively. The results indicated that Gegen Qinlian Tablets should be categorized Ⅳ drug of the CMMBCS with low solubility and low permeability.

Physicochemical Investigations of Homeopathic Preparations: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis-Part 2.

Objectives: In Part 1 of the review of physicochemical research performed on homeopathic preparations the authors identified relevant publications of sufficient reporting quality for further in-depth analysis. In this article, the authors analyze these publications to identify any empirical evidence for specific physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations and to identify most promising experimental techniques for future studies. Methods: After an update of the literature search up to 2018, the authors analyzed all publications in terms of individual experiments. They extracted information regarding methodological criteria such as blinding, randomization, statistics, controls, sample preparation, and replications, as well as regarding experimental design and measurement methods applied. Scores were developed to identify experimental techniques with most reliable outcomes. Results: The publications analyzed described 203 experiments. Less than 25% used blinding and/or randomization, and about one third used adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations. The most promising techniques used so far are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation, optical spectroscopy, and electrical impedance measurements. In these three areas, several sets of replicated high-quality experiments provide evidence for specific physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations. Conclusions: The authors uncovered a number of promising experimental techniques that warrant replication to assess the reported physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations compared with controls. They further discuss a range of experimental aspects that highlight the many factors that need to be taken into consideration when performing basic research into homeopathic potentization. For future experiments, the authors generally recommend using succussed (vigorously shaken) controls, or comparing different homeopathic preparations with each other to reliably identify any specific physicochemical properties.

Protein-Based Fingerprint Analysis for the Identification of Ranae Oviductus Using RP-HPLC.

This work demonstrated a method combining reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with chemometrics analysis to identify the authenticity of Ranae Oviductus. The fingerprint chromatograms of the Ranae Oviductus protein were established through an Agilent Zorbax 300SB-C8 column and diode array detection at 215 nm, using 0.085% TFA (v/v) in acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% TFA in ultrapure water (B) as mobile phase. The similarity was in the range of 0.779-0.980. The fingerprint chromatogram of Ranae Oviductus showed a significant difference with counterfeit products. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) successfully identified Ranae Oviductus from the samples. These results indicated that the method established in this work was reliable.

[Study on biopharmaceutics classification system for Chinese materia medica of extract of Huanglian].

One of the advantages of biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica (CMMBCS) is expanding the classification research level from single ingredient to multi-components of Chinese herb, and from multi-components research to holistic research of the Chinese materia medica. In present paper, the alkaloids of extract of huanglian were chosen as the main research object to explore their change rules in solubility and intestinal permeability of single-component and multi-components, and to determine the biopharmaceutical classification of extract of Huanglian from holistic level. The typical shake-flask method and HPLC were used to detect the solubility of single ingredient of alkaloids from extract of huanglian. The quantitative research of alkaloids in intestinal absorption was measured in single-pass intestinal perfusion experiment while permeability coefficient of extract of huanglian was calculated by self-defined weight coefficient method.

Distinguishing the Chinese materia medica Tiepishihu from similar Dendrobium species of the same genus using histological and microscopic method.

The Chinese Materia Medica, Tiepishihu, used as a tonic for over one thousand years, is a well-known precious medicine in China. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, its source is the species Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, which is distinguished from other species in Dendrobium genus. However, these species from the same genus are similar with Tiepishihu and caused confusion in the market. To find a quick and simple method to distinguish Tiepishihu from other similar species, histologic and microscopic methods were combined together to investigate the transverse section of stem of Tiepishihu and other similar species. Phloroglucinol test solution with hydrochloric acid was used to reveal the lignified tissue by staining the transverse section of Tiepishihu and similar species. Results revealed the unique identification characteristics to distinguish Tiepishihu from similar species, which were difficult to distinguish by other methods. The identification characteristics of Tiepishihu include the cells of vascular bundle sheath were stained red, parenchyma cells were not stained red. What's more, other species can be distinguished from each other with microscopic and histological characteristics. These characteristics proved stable and can be easily observed by normal light microscopic examination. This method is rapid, accurate, stable, and inexpensive.

[Construction of biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica].

Based on the characteristics of multicomponent of traditional Chinese medicine and drawing lessons from the concepts, methods and techniques of biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) in chemical field, this study comes up with the science framework of biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica (CMMBCS). Using the different comparison method of multicomponent level and the CMMBCS method of overall traditional Chinese medicine, the study constructs the method process while setting forth academic thoughts and analyzing theory. The basic role of this system is clear to reveal the interaction and the related absorption mechanism of multicomponent in traditional Chinese medicine. It also provides new ideas and methods for improving the quality of Chinese materia medica and the development of new drug research.

The classification and application of toxic Chinese materia medica.

Many important drugs in the Chinese materia medica (CMM) are known to be toxic, and it has long been recognized in classical Chinese medical theory that toxicity can arise directly from the components of a single CMM or may be induced by an interaction between combined CMM. Traditional Chinese Medicine presents a unique set of pharmaceutical theories that include particular methods for processing, combining and decocting, and these techniques contribute to reducing toxicity as well as enhancing efficacy. The current classification of toxic CMM drugs, traditional methods for processing toxic CMM and the prohibited use of certain combinations, is based on traditional experience and ancient texts and monographs, but accumulating evidence increasingly supports their use to eliminate or reduce toxicity. Modern methods are now being used to evaluate the safety of CMM; however, a new system for describing the toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines may need to be established to take into account those herbs whose toxicity is delayed or otherwise hidden, and which have not been incorporated into the traditional classification. This review explains the existing classification and justifies it where appropriate, using experimental results often originally published in Chinese and previously not available outside China.

[Principles for molecular identification of traditional Chinese materia medica using DNA barcoding].

Since the research of molecular identification of Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) using DNA barcode is rapidly developing and popularizing, the principle of this method is approved to be listed in the Supplement of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Based on the study on comprehensive samples, the DNA barcoding systems have been established to identify CMM, i.e. ITS2 as a core barcode and psbA-trnH as a complementary locus for identification of planta medica, and COI as a core barcode and ITS2 as a complementary locus for identification of animal medica. This article introduced the principle of molecular identification of CMM using DNA barcoding and its drafting instructions. Furthermore, its application perspective was discussed.

[Current situation of toxicity classification of Chinese materia medica and its research thoughts].

Toxicity of Chinese materia medica (CMM) is an important part of Chinese herbal nature theory. In clinical application, the dosage, time limitation and compatibility of CMM is mainly determined by toxicity. At present, there is no uniform toxicity classification standard for the evaluation of Chinese herbal toxicity. Therefore, it is significant to research toxicity classification of CMM. The current situation of toxicity classification of CMM is reviewed in this paper, and proposed research thoughts are as follows: the measurement of toxicity parameters, the confirmation of poisoning target organs, the investigation on toxic mechanism by serum pharmacology and toxicokinetics, the comprehensive evaluation on toxicity based on quantitative theory.

A novel and effective multistage classification system for microscopic starch grain images.

This article presents a novel and effective multistage system for classifying Chinese Materia Medica microscopic starch grain images. The proposed classification system is constructed based on the Gaussian mixture model-based clustering, the feature assignment algorithm, and the similarity measurement. Several features for each starch grain image are extracted and every class of drug is represented by a set of characteristic features. For each stage of the system, only one feature is chosen and assigned to that stage via the feature assignment algorithm, and the corresponding characteristic features are subdivided into smaller subsets based on clustering techniques. At the final stage, each subset contains a certain class of drugs (with corresponding characteristic features) and similarity measurement is carried out for starch grain classification. Three sets of the current state-of-the-art starch grain features including the granulometric size distribution, the chord length distribution, and the wavelet signature are used to construct the system. Experimental results on a database of 240 images of 24 classes of drugs reveal the superior performance of the multistage system. Comparison with the traditional starch grain classification approaches indicates that our proposed multistage method produces a marked improvement in classification performance.

[Textual research on the Chinese names of three medicinal plants from Chaenomeles Lindl].

Mugua was commonly used Chinese Materia Medica in past generations, the original plant of that is the same as the Chenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai from the Rosaceae family; Mingzha in ancient times was misunderstood as and mixed with Mugua used as a herb, which comes from Ch. sinensis (Thouin) Kochne; Tiegenghaitang was used, as an ornamental flower before the Qing dynasty, the original plant of that corresponds with Ch. japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. In the attached images of Zhiwumingshitukao of the Qing dynasty, the name of Mugua was transposed. It has affected Japanese and some Chinese scholars in succession, which lead to the confused situation that mistook Mugua as the Chinese name of Ch. sinensis (Thouin) Kochne as well as Tiegenghaitang as the Chinese name of Ch. speciosa (Sweet) Nakai in current literature. It is proposed that it be decided to change the Chinese name of Ch. sinensis (Thouin)Koehne to Mugua, Ch. sinensis (Thouin) Koehne to Mingzha as well as Ch. japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. to Tiegenghaitang.

An update on Shankhpushpi, a cognition-boosting Ayurvedic medicine.

Shankhpushpi is an Ayurvedic drug used for its action on the central nervous system, especially for boosting memory and improving intellect. Quantum of information gained from Ayurvedic and other Sanskrit literature revealed the existence of four different plant species under the name of Shankhpushpi, which is used in various Ayurvedic prescriptions described in ancient texts, singly or in combination with other herbs. The sources comprise of entire herbs with following botanicals viz., Convulvulus pluricaulis Choisy. (Convulvulaceae), Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (Convulvulaceae), Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Papilionaceae) and Canscora decussata Schult. (Gentianaceae). A review on the available scientific information in terms of pharmacognostical characteristics, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, preclinical and clinical applications of controversial sources of Shankhpushpi is prepared with a view to review scientific work undertaken on Shankhpushpi. It may provide parameters of differentiation and permit appreciation of variability of drug action by use of different botanical sources.

Authentication of the 31 species of toxic and potent Chinese Materia Medica by light microscopy, Part 3: two species of T/PCMM from flowers and their common adulterants.

Toxic and potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) has become a hot and sensitive topic as more and more people around the world are interested in the safety of herbal medicines. T/PCMM is irreplaceable in treating some diseases; but it can easily cause serious problems if confused with other herbal medicines. Accurate identification is essential to ensure their safe use, but up to now, the literature on the authentication of T/PCMM is scant. Thus, we are undertaking a study of 31 T/PCMM originating from plants, animals, minerals, and secreta. Our previous study established microscopic observation as a simple, fast, accurate, and convenient method for identifying and authenticating animal and seed T/PCMM. This study focused on the authentication of flower T/PCMM as a part of the whole study. The flower T/PCMM studies were derived from two species, Datura metel L. (Flos Daturae) and Rhododendron molle G. Don (Flos Rhododendri Mollis). Other species easily confused with these two were also examined and characterized. Using the microscope camera, normal light and polarized light microscopy, we determined the macroscopic and microscopic features of the flowers; in addition, the oil immersion lens was used to study the pollen grain characteristics. The results demonstrated that flower T/PCMM can be identified and authenticated using a light microscope equipped with an oil immersion lens. This same equipment can be easily used to characterize other herbal flower medicines.

[Research and analysis of data source--analysis of the items of medical plants in Xiandai Bencao Gangmu].

Scientific data is the source of innovation in knowledge. In order to change the situation that there is few information in plenty of data and to obtain useful knowledge which has high information content, it is necessary to clean data and ensure data's accuracy and without noise off when database is established initially. High-quality data comes from high-quality data source. But incomplete and incorrect and irregular data exist widely in the data source of Chinese materia medica. The phenomenon of synonyms and homonym is quite serious, and there is no unified description for the name and origin of Chinese materia medica among different data sources. So data processing including data analysis and research is very important in the establishment of Chinese materia medica database. In order to get the most accurate and standard data, this paper analyzed the items of Medical Plants in Xiandai Bencao Gangmu, including classification analysis of medical plants: distribution analysis of different classes and analysis of medical part; analysis of synonyms and homonym; analysis of incorrect data and analysis of advantage and disadvantage of data sources.

Homeopathy and systematics: a systematic analysis of the therapeutic effects of the plant species used in homeopathy.

The therapeutic effects of the plant species used in homeopathy have never been subjected to systematic analysis. A survey of the various Materiae Medicae shows that over 800 plant species are the source of medicines in homeopathy. As these medicines are considered related to one another with respect to their therapeutic effects for treating similar symptoms, the aim is to classify and map them using the concept of homology. This involves placing the discipline of homeopathy into a comparative framework using these plant medicines as taxa, therapeutic effects as characters, and contemporary cladistic techniques to analyse these relationships. The results are compared using cladograms based on different data sets used in biology (e.g. morphological characters and DNA sequences) to test whether similar cladistic patterns exist among these medicines. By classifying the therapeutic actions, genuine homologies can be distinguished from homoplasies. As this is a comparative study it has been necessary first to update the existing nomenclature of the plant species in the homeopathic literature in line with the current International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

Authentication of the 31 species of Toxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) by microscopic technique, part 2: Three species of seed T/PCMM.

Toxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) are being used more and more in the treatment of various diseases. In view of their toxic side effects and to ensure their safe use, accurate and reliable authentication is indispensable. However, identifying characteristics of T/PCMM are seldom reported, even though modern microscopy can provide ample, unique identifying characteristics from cells found in transverse sections and powders. In particular, no systematic authentication studies on seed T/PCMM have been conducted. In the course of our study on 31 T/PCMM originating from plants, animals, minerals, and secreta, an accurate and convenient method, based on microscopic techniques, has been developed and reported for the authentication of animal T/PCMM. The present study deals with detailed investigations on three species of seed T/PCMM, namely Semen Hyoscyami (Hyoscyamus niger L.), Semen Euphorbiae (Euphorbia lathyris L.), and Semen Strychni (Strychnos nux-vomica L.). The macroscopic characters are here described in detail, and the microscopic characters were conclusively determined by common and polarized light microscopy. Results showed that these three T/PCMM can be easily identified by the present method even when powdered and combined. Thus, the microscopic method is applicable for authentication of the earlier three T/PCMM, and the morphological and microscopic characteristics described here are proposed as parameters to establish the authenticity of these three T/PCMM.

[Application of biotechnics in the identification of Chinese medicinal herbs and the production and cultivation of their excellent species].

In this paper, application of biotechnics in the identification of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, and the production and cultivation of their excellent species was discussed, and the relevant references about usage of biotechnics in TCM researches published in recent decade were summarized and analysed. Lots of literature showed that biotechnics played important roles in the quality identification of Chinese medicinal herbs and the researches on new drugs of TCM.

[Studies on identification of Gryllotalpa by near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyse the different species, same species in different regions and confusion species. METHOD: Near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectrometry was used. RESULT: Clustering analysis showed that clustering relations were far among different Gryllotalpa species and close among the same species from different regions, and there were close relations among the same species from near regions and between Teleogryllus emmus and G. orientalis. CONCLUSION: Near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectrometry method can be used in classification and identification of Gryllotalpa.