Exploring the anxiolytic mechanism of Fructus gardeniae based on metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and anxiolytic mechanism of a natural remedy called Fructus gardeniae (FG). METHODS: The elevated-plus maze (EPM) test was used to confirm the anxiolytic effect of FG. The potential and anxiolytic components, targets, and route processes of FG were investigated using the network pharmacology method in conjunction with metabolomics and molecular docking technologies. RESULTS: FG could greatly enhance the proportion of time and times of opening arms, according to the EPM data. As to the metabolomics findings, a total of 61 distinct metabolites were found, mainly involved in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism as well as alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. The primary active ingredients of FG, nicotiflorin, jasminodiol, and crocetin, demonstrated substantial binding affinities with monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), monoamine oxidase A (ACHE), malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), glutamate decarboxylase 2 (GAD2), glutamate decarboxylase 1 (GAD1), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), according to the findings of network pharmacology and molecular docking. CONCLUSION: FG exerts an anxiolytic action via targeting MAOA, ACHE, MDH2, GAD2, GAD1, and NOS1, and regulating the metabolism of glycine, serine, and threonine as well as alanine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid.

Discrimination between raw and ginger juice processed Fructus Gardeniae based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose.

INTRODUCTION: Fructus Gardeniae (ZZ), a traditional Chinese herb, has been used in treating patients with jaundice, inflammation, etc. When mixed with ginger juice and stir-baked, ginger juice-processed Fructus Gardeniae (JZZ) is produced, and the chemical compositions in ZZ would be changed by adding the ginger juice. OBJECTIVE: To illuminate the differential components between ZZ and JZZ. METHODS: HPLC, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose were applied to identify the differential components between ZZ and JZZ. RESULTS: HPLC fingerprints of ZZ and JZZ were established, and 24 common peaks were found. The content determination results showed that the contents of shanzhiside, geniposidic acid, genipin-1-ß-D-gentiobioside and geniposide increased, while the contents of crocin I and crocin II decreased in JZZ. By UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS, twenty-six possible common components were inferred, among which 11 components were different. In further investigation, eight components were identified as the possible distinctive non-volatile compounds between ZZ and JZZ. By Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, four substances were inferred as the possible distinctive volatile compounds in JZZ. CONCLUSION: Shanzhiside, caffeic acid, genipin-1-ß-D-gentiobioside, geniposide, rutin, crocin I, crocin II, and 4-Sinapoyl-5-caffeoylquinic acid were identified as the possible differential non-volatile components between ZZ and JZZ. Aniline, 3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutanol-1-ol, E-3-octen-2-one, and decyl propaonate were inferred as the possible distinctive volatile compounds in JZZ. This experiment explored a simple approach with objective and stable results, which would provide new ideas for studying decoction pieces with similar morphological appearance, especially those with different odors.

Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis missed by a radiologist at initial diagnosis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare type of ischemic colitis characterized by thickening of the wall of the right hemicolon and calcification, sclerosis, and fibrosis of mesenteric veins. The diagnosis of IMP is based on typical clinical features and imaging findings. We report a case of IMP that was initially missed by the radiologist. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to chronic diarrhea for over 2 months. She had been consuming Chinese patent medicines (CPM) containing fructus gardeniae for more than 15 years. Colonoscopy revealed an edematous mucosa, bluish-purple discoloration, erosions, and ulcerations throughout the colorectal area. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse mural thickening of the entire colorectum, with tortuous thread-like calcifications in the right hemicolon, left hemicolon, and rectum. Most of the calcifications were located in the mesenteric vein. The diagnosis of IMP was established based on medical history, colonoscopy, CT findings, and histopathological examination. The patient was treated conservatively with papaverine and rifaximin, and CPM was stopped. Her diarrhea symptoms improved, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment. Over the next several years, she took opium alkaloids for an extended period and did not require hospitalization for the aforementioned gastrointestinal disorder. CONCLUSION: IMP is a rare gastrointestinal disease affecting Asian populations, possibly related to long-term herbal medicine intake. Accurate imaging analysis is crucial for diagnosis, but insufficient understanding of the disease can lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Treatment strategies should be personalized.

Research Progress on Yueju Pill in the Treatment of Depression and Associated Traditional Chinese Medicine Connotation / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Depression has become a serious disease affecting the health of Chinese people. Yueju pill has shown a unique rapid and lasting anti-depression effect, and Yueju pill can rapidly improve Parkinson's disease with depression.The drug pair of Fructus Gardeniae and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong is necessary for traditional Chinese formula Yueju Pill for antidepressant effect. Recent studies have found the antidepressant effect of Yueju pills at regular doses, and an integrative pharmacological method was adopted to predict the targets and pathways of Yueju pill and explore its molecular mechanism for depression. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of clinical studies on the treatment of depression with Yueju pills and significant therapeutic effects. A new clinical study found that Yueju pill may have antidepressant effects and increase serum BDNF concentration. This paper reviewed the recent research progress of Yueju pill in the treatment of depression in recent 5 years.

Cytotoxic effect of geniposide and its metabolite genipin on HepG2 cells and mechanism / 中国药理学通报

Aim To compare the cytotoxicity of geni-poside (GS)and its metabolite genipin (GP)on hu-man hepatocelluar HepG2 cells and explore the sub-stance and mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by Fructus Gardeniae.Methods The cytotoxic effect of GS and GP was analyzed by MTT method;the antioxi-dant enzyme activities of manganese superoxide dis-mutase (Mn-SOD),catalase (CAT)and levels of glu-tathione (GSH)were detected by respective kits;the change of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS ) was measured by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA)staining method;multiparameter cytotox-icity analysis (cell loss,nuclear size and morphologi-cal changes,DNA content,cell membrane permeabili-ty,mitochondrial membrane potential changes,cyto-chrome C release ) were measured simultaneously by high content screening (HCS)assays.Results No cytotoxicity was found in GS (20~1 000 μmol·L-1 ) groups (P>0.05 ),but GP was found to exert obvi-ous cytotoxic effect,and 50μmol·L-1 GP could obvi-ously inhibit HepG2 cell proliferation (P0. 0 5 ),GP could significantly decrease the activity of Mn-SOD,CAT and the level of GSH,and obviously increase the content of ROS (P0.05 ). Conclusion GP is the direct substance of hepatotox-icity induced by Fructus Gardeniae,and the mecha-nism might be associated with oxidative stress,mito-chondria injury and apoptosis.

Study on Antipyresis and Cholagogue Effect ofFructus Gardeniae - Fructus Forsythiae Herb Couple / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to observe the antipyresis and cholagogue effect of theFructus Gardeniae-Fructus Forsythiaeherb couple in order to explore the possible pharmacodynamic mechanism. Dry yeast suspension was subcutaneously injected into the back of rat to establish the fever model. The freeze-dried powders ofF. Gardeniae,F. Forsythiae, andF. Gardeniae-F. Forsythiaeherb couple were prepared. They were dissolved in the water for intragastric administration. SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, positive control group and Chinese medicine group. The Chinese medicine group was subdivided into the group ofF. Gardeniae,F. Forsythiae, andF. Gardeniae-F. Forsythiaeherb couple. The concentration of herbal water extract was 10 mL·kg-1 (which equaled to 3 g·kg-1 of a single crude herb). The concentration of positive control was 10 mL·kg-1. Intragastric administration of equal amount of normal saline was given to the blank group and the model group. Except rats in the normal group, rats in other groups were subcutaneously injected with 10 mL·kg-1 of 15% dry yeast suspension on the back of to establish the fever model. Electronic thermometer was used to record the body temperature of rats at 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 h after the injection, respectively. Meanwhile, bile was collected from 1-1, 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-12, 12-24 h, respectively. Observation was given on changes of body temperature and bile amount of rat. The results showed thatF. Gardeniae,F. Forsythiae, andF. Gardeniae- F. Forsythiaeherb couple had certain effect to reduce the body temperature of rats. The temperature-reducing effect of the combination of both herbs was better than a single herb. TheF. Gardeniae -F. Forsythiae herb couple can reduce the body temperature of fever rat (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). It had a little effect on the body temperature of normal rat. TheF. Gardeniae - F. Forsythiaeherb couple can promote the bile secretion, which was better than the single using of F. Gardeniae (P < 0.05). It was concluded that theF. Gardeniae - F. Forsythiaeherb couple had better temperature-reducing effect than the using of a single herb; however, there was no significant difference. But it had obvious effect on the promotion of bile secretion, which indicated the strengthening of cholagogue effect.

Application of internal standard correction method in the simultaneous determination of multi-components of Fructus Gardeniae / 中国药科大学学报

Aim: To establish a simple and convenient quality evaluation method for Fructus Gardeniae(FG).Methods: The internal standard correction factors(f_(km))of four crocetin derivatives to crocin-1 were established and the system suitability was tested.The content of crocin-1 was determined by external standard method,the contents of other crocetin derivatives were calculated by the content of crocin-1 and their f_(km).Results: There was no significant difference between the test results obtained by the methods oftheoretical calculation by f_(km)androutire determination technique.Conclusion: The internal standard correction method(the method oftheoreti-cal calculation by f_(km))is practical and feasible in the quantitative analysis of Frnctus Gardeniae.

Experimental Studies on Fructus Gardeniae in Decreasing Blood Sugar / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To investigate the effect of decoction of Fructus Gardeniae in decreasing blood sugar level in normal mice and diabetes mellitus mice (DM). Methods DM mice models were induced by glucose, adrenalin, desamethasone and alloxan respectively. After treatment, the influence of Fructus Gardeniae on blood sugar level in normal mice and DM mice was observed. Results Fructus Gardeniae decreased the blood sugar level significantly in DM mice and slightly in normal mice. Conclusion Fructus Gardeniae is effective in decreasing blood sugar level in both normal mice and several DM mice.

TLC Identification of Fuke Zhixue Granules / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To establish a TLC method for the identification of herbal medicines in Fuke Zhixue Granules.Methods Fructus Gardeniae,Radix Scutellariae,Flos Sophorae,Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Cortex Moutan were identified by TLC.Results Under the selected condition,clear and distinguishable spots were detectable and the separating result was satisfactory.Conclusion The methods are proved to be simple and specialized with a good reproductivity and can be used as one of the quality control for the preparation.

Fingerprint of water-soluble composition of Fructus Gardeniae from different breed and production places / 中成药

AIM:To set up the fingerprint chromatograms of chemical principles of Fructus Gardeniae in Jiangxi Province by HPLC. METHODS:The chromatographic seperation was performed on an Eclipse XDB-C_(18) column(4.6 mm?250 mm,5 ?m,Agilent) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid,gradient eluent,at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.The UV detection was set at the maximum absorption wavelength at 238 nm for iridoid glycosides and at 440 nm for crocins. RESULTS:Based on the fingerprint chromatograms of water-soluble composition of 12 batches Fructus gardeniae in authentic regions of Jiangxi,we have pinpointed 11 common peaks. CONCLUSION:This method can provide a basis for controlling the quality of Fructus gardeniae and be a means of germplasm resources.

The relative quantitative method of HPLC digitized fingerprints for Fructus Gardeniae / 中成药

AIM: To explore a relative quantitative method by establishing HPLC digitized fingerprints of Fructus Gardeniae and taking the control medicinal material as a reference substance. METHODS: The chromatographic fingerprints were obtained by injecting the sample solution each time on a CenturySIL C_(18) BDS column (20 cm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) with the gradient elution solvent system composed of 1% acetate acid-water and 1% acetate acid-acetonitrile.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min,the column temperature was maintained at(30?0.15) ℃ and the detection wavelength was set at 265 nm.The HPLC fingerprints of the control medicinal material for Fructus Gardeniae were obtained under different injection volumes and calculated by "the digitized evaluation system of the traditional Chinese medicine fingerprint with the super-information characteristics".Equivalent regression curves were obained by making linear regression between the fingerprint peak areas and apparent injection amounts.(RESULTS:) 35 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks of Fructus Gardeniae by taking Geniposide peak as the reference peak.Both the equivalent relation between each of the ten places and control medicinal material of Fructus Gardeniae and the equivalent relation between each fingerprint peak of different places and that of Fructus Gardeniae control medicinal material were calculated by equivalent regression curves. CONCLUSION: This method can be useful in the quality control of Fructus Gardeniae.It is also of importantance in deeply studying the relative amounts of single fingerprint peak,and it provides reference value in extending the quantitative evaluation methods of TCM.

Study on adsorption of crocin in gardenia with macroporous resin / 中成药

AIM: To select optimum macroporous resin and adsorption conditions of crocin in Fructus gardeniae. METHODS: The content of crocin was determined by UV spectrophotometer with crocin Ⅰ as standard. Property of adsorption and desorption, adsorption dynamics and factors affecting the adsorption were investigated by static adsorption method. RESULTS: The macroporus resin of HPD series had the best performance; the adsorption quantily of HPD300,HPD450,HPD400、HPD600 was 100.60 、 91.15 , 100.95 、 72.27mg?g -1 , desorption efficiency 84.05% , 87.22% , 93.83% , 78.38% , time of adsorption equilibrium was 4,3,3,2 hours respectively; the purer the sample, the higher the adsorption quantity was; the adsorption quantity had no remarkable difference when pH was less than 8 and concentration of ethanol was less than 1.5% . CONCLUSION: HPD400 was the optimum macroporous resin; the appropriate adsorption conditions consisted of 15% alcoholic sedimentation after extraction in neutral solution.

Study on HPLC fingerprint determination Huanglianjiedu Decoction / 中成药

Objective:To establish a HPLC fingerprint determination which could separate the main principles of alkaloids, flavonoids and iridoids in Huanglianjiedu Decoction. Methods: The HPLC method was used and chromatography conditions were C 18V column, binary or ternary solvent-delivery gradient elution and diode-array detector. Results: A HPLC fingerprint determination method was established, which could separate main principles of the three effective groups of Huanglianjiedu Decoction. Conclusion: The ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine consist of several effective groups with different chemicals and physical properties, compared with the plant standard extracts, further studies are required for establishing HPLC fingerprint.

Quality standard of Jieeryin Effervescent Tablets / 中成药

AIM: To establish the quality standard for Jieeryin Effervescent Tablets (Fructus Cnidii, Folium Artemisiae Argyi, Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, Cortex Phellodendri, etc.). METHODS: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis、Cortex Phellodendri、Radix Scutellariae and Fructus Gardeniae in Jieeryin Effervescent Tablets were identified by TLC. The content of geniposide was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The average recovery was 99% and relative standard deviation was 1.6%. CONCLUSION: The precision and reproducibility of the method are good. The method can be used for quality control of Jieeryin Effervescent Tablets.

Quality standard for Yinxie Tablets / 中成药

AIM: To establish quality standard for Yinxie Tablets(Fructus Gardeniae, Radix Astragali, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, etc.). METHODS: Fructus Gardeniae, Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis were identified by TLC, and the content of geniposide was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: Fructus Gardeniae, Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis could be identified by TLC. The calibration curve of geniposide was linear (r=0.999 5). The precision was perfect (RSD=0.98%). The average recovery was 101.81% with RSD of ~0.54% . CONCLUSION: This method is simple, quick and specific, suitable for the quality control.

HPLC fingerprint of ultramicro decoction piece of Fructus gardeniae / 中成药

AIM: To determine the HPLC fingerprint of ultramicro decoction piece of Fructus gardeniae. METHODS: Chromatographic conditions were as follows: column: Hypersil BDS C_ 18 (4.6 mm?200 mm,5 ?m), mobile phase: acetonitrile-water (10∶90), column tempemture: 25 ℃,flow rate: 1 mL?min -1 , wavelength: 238 nm, and inject volume: 10 ?L. RESULTS: The fingerprint of ultramicro Fructus gardeniae was established and 7 common peaks in the fingerprint were indicated. CONCLUSION: It can nearly completely reflect intrinsic quality of ultramicro decoction piece of Fructus gardenian.

The fingerprints of Fructus Gardeniae by HPCE / 中成药

AIM: A capillary electrophoresis fingerprints(CEFP) method of Fructus Gardeniae was established to evaluate its quality. METHODS: The background electrolyte(BGE) was 25 mmol/L sodium borate solution containing 10% acetonitrile.The detection wavelength was 228 nm and 24 kV was applied.Fructus Gardeniae was extracted by water and injectded for 15 s(9 cm).Some parameters were used to evaluate the similarities.(RESULTS): 24 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks of Fructus Gardeniae taking chlorogenic acid peak as the reference peak.The similarities between each of the ten places and the standard CEFP of Fructus Gardeniae were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively.The CEFP was also evaluated by the information index(I) and the relative information index(I_r). CONCLUSIONS: The CEFP has acceptable precision,reproducibility and can be used to control the quality of Fructus Gardeniae.

HPLC digitized fingerprints of Fructus Gardeniae and its normalization / 中成药

AIM: To establish a novel method for the overall quality control of Fructus Gardeniae by HPLC digitized fingerprint and its normalization. METHODS: The chromatographic fingerprints were obtained by injecting 5 ?L of the sample solution each time on a Century SIL C_ 18 BDS column (20 cm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m) with the gradient elution solvent system composed of 1% acetate acid-water and 1% acetate acid- acetonitrile. The flow rate was 1.0 mL /min, the column temperature was maintained at (30?0.15)℃ and the detection wavelength was set at 265 nm. The chromatographic fingerprints were evaluated by the digitized parameters, such as the chromatographic fingerprint index (F), quantitative similarity, etc,. The influence of big peak on similarity was elaborated by direction cosines, and its cancellation was achieved by the qualitative similarity of peak area ratio. RESULTS: 35 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks of Fructus Gardeniae by taking Geniposide peak as the reference peak. The HPLC digitized fingerprint and its normalization were implemented. CONCLUSION: This method with good precision and reproducibility can be useful in the quality control of Fructus Gardeniae.

Qualitative Identification of 4 Constituents in Qindan Granules by TLC / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To establish the quality standard for Qindan granules. METHODS: The constituents including Radix Scutellariae, Radix Astragali, Cortex Moutan and Fructus Gardeniae in Qindan granules were identified respectively by TLC. RESULTS: The test samples and their respective reference substances were alike in that the same color chromatographic spots were noted at the corresponding places. The color spectra of the samples were clear yet without interference of surrounding impurity. CONCLUSION: The established method has high specificity and can be used for the quality control of Qindan granule.