Site-specific accumulation and dynamic change of flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium.

Site-specific accumulation of flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium was determined by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and the localization of catechins also was observed via vanillin-HCl staining under the conventional optical microscope. The contents of five flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium from different harvest times and growth parts were measured using HPLC method. LSCM observation showed that flavonoids are accumulated in cuticle of epidermal cells and vessel walls, especially in protoplasts and nucleolus of the collenchyma cells and the epidermal cells. Catechins are localized in the palisade parenchyma cells and vessel walls, particularly in the laticifers found in the phloem. On the basis of the difference of the maximal emission wavelength between quercetin and kaempferol derivatives which have fluorescence behavior by appropriate treatment, kaempferol and its derivatives are localized exclusively in the cuticle. Results showed that the content of astragalin in Apocyni Veneti Folium from different parts revealed the decreasing trend, while hyperin and isoquercitrin were higher in June and July analyzed by HPLC. In summary, the site-specific accumulation of flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium can be determined by LSCM and vanillin-HCl staining. The contents of flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium are correlated with harvest times and growth parts.

Identification of ACTG2 functions as a promoter gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cells migration and tumor metastasis.

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a mostly incurable disease. The fact that the identity of the mechanisms that regulate metastasis in HCC is known hampers the development of anti-metastatic therapies. Currently, there is no effective treatment for HCC once it is progressed to metastatic stage. Therefore, further study to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the metastasis of HCC is urgently required for the improvement of HCC treatment. Here, we describes actin gamma smooth muscle 2 (ACTG2) over-express in HCC and demonstrates high-expression of ACTG2 as a promising therapeutic target in HCC metastasis. The use of shRNA to knock-down ACTG2 impaired cells migration and invasion in vitro. Moreover, silencing of ACTG2 causes almost complete inhibition of metastasis in vivo. In contrast, overexpression ACTG2 significantly enforces HCC cells migration and metastasis. Finally, ACTG2 boosts the metastatic potential of HCC cells in a Notch homolog 1 (Notch1) dependent manner. Collectively, our study reveals a critical role of ACTG2 in HCC tumor metastasis, and renders it a novel target for the treatment of HCC.

[Study on the HPCE fingerprint of Rehmannia glutinosa].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the analytical method for the fingerprint of Rehmannia glutinosa by HPCE and compare the fingerprints of Rehmannia glutinosa and its processed products. METHODS: Based on the mode of high performance capillary electrophoresis, 60 mmol/L sodium borate was used as buffer solution (5% MeOH, pH 9.5). The separation voltage was 20 kV and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Catalpol was used as a reference standard, the chromatographic fingerprint were determined. The data were analyzed by fuzzy cluster and fingerprint similarity evaluation software was used to compare the similarity of samples. RESULTS: HPCE fingerprints with 7 common peaks of Rehmannia glutinosa were established preliminarily. It was discovered that a small number of samples differed from others. Regarding to the fingerprints of Rehmannia glutinosa and its processed products, there were obvious differences in the relative areas of common peaks. CONCLUSION: The method is reliable, accurate and can be used for quality control of Rehmannia glutinosa.

[Study on HPCE fingerprint of Eucommiae Cortex].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the analytical method for the fingerprint of Eucommiae Cortex by HPCE and compare the fingerprints of Eucommiae Cortex and its processed products. METHODS: Based on the mode of high performance capillary electrophoresis, 60 mmol/L sodium borate-20 mmol/L sodium dihydrogen phosphate-10% methanol (pH 10.0) was used as buffer solution. The separation voltage was 20 kV and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Pinoresinol diglucoside was used as a reference standard, the chromatographic fingerprint were determined. The data were analyzed by fuzzy cluster and fingerprint similarity evaluation softwarewas used to compare the similarity of samples. RESULTS: HPCE fingerprints with 10 common peaks of Eucommiae Cortex were established preliminarily. It was discovered that a small number of samples differed from others. Regarding to the fingerprints of Eucommiae Cortex and its processed products, there were obvious differences in the relative areas of common peaks. CONCLUSION: The method is reliable, accurate and can be used for quality control of Eucommiae Cortex.

[Study on HPCE-DAD fingerprint of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the analytical method for the fingerprint of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma by HPCE-DAD and estimate its quality. METHODS: Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were analyzed and the chromatographic fingerprint were determined by HPCE-DAD. The data were analysed by fuzzy cluster and fingerprint similarity evaluation software was used to compare the similarity of samples. RESULTS: HPCE-DAD fingerprint of 10 main common peaks was established preliminarily. It was discovered that a small number of samples were different from the others. CONCLUSION: The method is reliable, accurate and can be used for the quality control of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

[Comparative analysis of volatile components of medicinal materials from Perilla frutescens].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences of volatile components of medicinal materials from Perilla frutescens (Perillae Folium; Perillae Caulis; Perillae Fructus). METHODS: The volatile components were identified by HSGC/MS. The relative percentage content of the components were determined by peak area normalization method and the content change of common components were determined. RESULTS: 47 compounds were separated and identified from Perillae Folium, 39 compounds were identified from Perillae Caulis, 46 compounds were identified from Perillae Fructus. There were 17 common components of the three groups. For example, beta-Caryophyllene, Perillaketone, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool, 1-Octen-3-ol, alpha-Bergapten and Apiol. CONCLUSION: It provides basis scientific explanation to the differences of traditional efficacy of medicinal materials from Perilla frutescens.

[Preliminary analysis of quality of Antrodia camphorata powder].

OBJECTIVE: To proceed a preliminary analysis of the quality of Antrodia camphorata powder. METHODS: The contents of water-soluble extract were detected according to the standards stated in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. UV-VIS was used to analyze total polysaccharide and triterpenoid. HPLC method was applied for the analysis of adenosine in Antrodia. camphorata. Besides, volatile compounds were analyzed by HSGC-MS. RESULTS: The contents of water-soluble extract (37.26% - 40.98%), total polysaccharide (5.45% - 8.08%), total triterpenoid (2.44% - 2.87%) and adenosine (0.0470% - 0.0604%) were obtained respectively. 49 volatile compounds were identified in Antrodia camphorata powder. CONCLUSION: The established method can be used for the quality control of Antrodia camphorata powder.

[Location and relative quantity of flavonoids in the leaf of Apocynum venetum].

In this study, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to determine the location and relative quantity of flavonoids in the leaves of Apocynum venetum L. from the top, middle and basal parts of the branch. The leaves of the plants of one, two and three years old, separately, were collected in July. ANOVA and LSD test were employed in the statistical analysis. The results indicated that flavonoids located mainly in xylem conduit of vein, collenchyma, epidermic cells and cuticle. The data of flavonoids contents under statistical analysis showed that difference existed in the leaves of different parts and different ages. This study provided the reliable scientific material about the analysis of the ecological and the exploitation of the leaves of Apocynum venetom L.

[Study on the fingerprints of magnetitum by FTIR].

Thirteen different magnetitum samples were analyzed by FTIR, and the FTIR fingerprint was set up with them. Processed samples and the crudes were compared with the fingerprint. It was found that all the similarities of the samples are more than 0.97. The similarities and the correlation coefficients of the processed samples are decreased. The FTIR fingerprint could be used for evaluating the quality of magnetitum for commodities.

[Studies on NACE-DAD fingerprint of Cortex Phellodendri].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the analytical method for the fingerprint of Cortex Phellodendri by NACE-DAD and estimate the quality of Cortex Phellodendri from different habitats and species. METHODS: Based on the mode of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis, 40 mmol/L sodium acetate and 40 mmol/L ammonium acetate methanol solution was selected for the buffer (pH 5.8). The separation voltage was 25 kV and detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Berberine was used as a reference standard, the chromatographic fingerprint was determined. The data were analysed by Fuzzy Cluster and Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation Software to compare the similarity of samples. RESULTS: NACE-DAD fingerprints with 9 common peaks were established preliminarily. It was discovered that a small number of samples differed from others. Regarding to the fingerprints of Cortex Phellodendri and its processed products, there were obvious differences in the relative areas of common peaks. CONCLUSION: The method is reliable, accurate and can be used for quality control of Cortex Phellodendri.