A Newly Discovered Phenylethanoid Glycoside from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Affects Insulin Secretion in Rat INS-1 Islet ß Cells.

The tea-like beverage Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Stevia) is popular in China because it reduces blood glucose and has a sweet taste. In this work, a comprehensive quality assessment of Stevia led to the discovery of five phenylethanoid glycosides, namely steviophethanoside (1), cuchiloside (2), salidroside (3), icariside D (4), and tyrosol (5). Of them, compound 1 is a novel compound. Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy were employed to confirm the absolute configuration. A hydrolytic step with 4 N TFA at 95 °C for 4 h was used to confirm the monosaccharides. In addition, Discovery Studio 4.0 was used to predict the ADME and toxicity activity of compound 1. The results suggested that compound 1 was biocompatible and had poor toxicity, which was verified by rat INS-1 islet ß cells through an MTT assay. Meanwhile, a significant stimulatory effect on INS-1 cells was observed, which indicated a hypoglycemic effect of compound 1. This is the first report that describes a natural, novel, and hypoglycemic phenylethanoid glycoside in Stevia.

[On Chinese medicine quality precision in expectation].

According to the correlative analyses on Chinese medicine essence, dosage forms and quality control level, it expounds the precise concept of Chinese medicine, and its quality advantages and characteristics in this paper, furthermore discusses how to achieve the ideal drugs and Chinese medicine quality precision in expectation. Base on the Chinese medicine essence, using the concept of nature medicine and its drug system to construct Chinese medicine effective material basis and its drugs, with the correlative analyses of whole view and reductionism, the problems of uncertainty quality of original natural medicinal resources and preparations may well be solved, and further with the macroscopic to microcosmic construction of drug system, the precision in expectations of Chinese medicine quality and higher production lever may well be achieved.

[HPLC-fingerprint-based quality evaluation on a Tibetan medicine Phyllanthus emblica and its tannin parts].

This study is to establish the fingerprint for Phyllanthus emblica and their tannin parts from different habitats by HPLC for its quality control. The determination was carried out on a Diamonsil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column, with methanol-0.2% glacial acetic acid as mobile phase with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1). The temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C and the detected wavelength is 260 nm, Thirteen chromatographic peaks were extracted as the common peaks of the fingerprint of P. emblica, and eleven as the common peaks of P. emblica tannin parts, and five peaks were identified by comparing with referent samples. The fingerprints of 8 samples were compared and classified by similarity evaluation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The similarity degrees of eight P. emblica were between 0.763 and 0.993, while tannin parts were between 0.903 and 0.991. All the samples of P. emblica and their tannin parts were classified into 3 categories. The method was so highly reproducible, simple and reliable that it could provide basis for quality control and evaluation of P. emblica from different habitats.

Gaultheria: Phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics.

The genus Gaultheria, comprised of approximately 134 species, is mostly used in ethnic drugs to cure rheumatism and relieve pain. Phytochemical investigations of the genus Gaultheria have revealed the presence of methyl salicylate derivatives, C6-C3 constituents, organic acids, terpenoids, steroids, and other compounds. Methyl salicylate glycoside is considered as a characteristic ingredient in this genus, whose anti-rheumatic effects may have a new mechanism of action. In this review, comprehensive information on the phytochemistry, volatile components and the pharmacology of the genus Gaultheria is provided to explore its potential and advance research.

Regional Differences in Chinese Female Demand for Childcare Services of 0-3 Years: The Moderating and Mediating Effects of Family Childcare Context.

There are multiple reasons to consider the use of formal childcare: parental employment, child development, fertility choices, elderly health, generational relations, etc. This study explores the relationship between regional differences (urban/rural; eastern/central/western) and demand for childcare services (quantity, price, quality) from birth to three years of age, moderated and mediated by the family childcare contexts among Chinese women. Altogether, 1770 mothers of children aged 0-3 were selected from a national survey and analyzed. There are three major findings: (1) Urban mothers show a willingness to spend on the higher monetary cost of center-based childcare compared to rural mothers, as a result of more severe work-child conflicts faced by urban women. Urban-rural gaps in individual and household income also contribute to the differences in affordability. (2) Mothers in eastern China have a more substantial need to place their infants or toddlers in nurseries before the age of three than their counterparts in central and western China, primarily due to a lack of grandparental and paternal childcare support and an expectation of higher quality programs. (3) There is no significant regional disparity in terms of care-related or education-related quality preferences. The paper proposes regional prioritized strategies and targeted services to address the "3A" problems of childcare provision.

[Quantitative determination of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 in Polygalae radix].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the method for quantitative determination of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 in Polygalae Radix by HPLC. METHOD: The ultrasonic extracting method was applied in sample pre-treatment. The HPLC procedure was performed on the chromatographic column of Agela Promosil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), the mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid water solution (10:90). The detection wavelength was 330 nm and flow velocity was 1 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 30 degrees C. RESULT: The method has good linearity in the ranges of 0.0087-0.0694 g x L(-1) (r = 0.9993) for sibricose A5, 0.0090-0.0723 g x L(-1) (r=0.9991) for sibricose A6. The average recoveries of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 were 101.7%, 97.87%, with the RSD of 1.7%, 1.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method was simple, quick accurate and reliable. It is appropriate for the quantitative determination of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 in Polygalae Radix.

Three new isoflavone glycosides from Tongmai granules.

Three new isoflavone glycosides, 3'-methoxydaidzein-7,4'-di-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1), biochanin A-8-C-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (2), daidzein-7-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), and a new natural isoflavone glycoside, daidzein-7-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated along with 18 known isoflavones from the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions of the aqueous extraction of Tongmai granules. All the isoflavones were obtained and determined for the first time from Tongmai granules. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectral methods. It was confirmed that the compounds 1-4 were originally from Puerariae Lobatae Radix based on HPLC-DAD analysis of the crude drug extract. The isoflavones isolated were tested for their antioxidative activities by measuring the capacities of scavenging the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical.

Absorbable phenylpropenoyl sucroses from Polygala tenuifolia.

Three phenylpropenoyl sucroses--sibiricose A5, A6 and 3',6-disinapoyl sucrose--were isolated from the 30% EtOH extract of Polygala tenuifolia, which displayed antidepressant-like action. HPLC analysis indicated that the three phenylpropenoyl sucroses could be absorbed into serum. From the serum pharmacochemistry point of view, these three phenylpropenoyl sucroses might prevent or relieve depression.

[Comparison of green tea and four other kind of teas].

Nowadays, tea and the substitution (other kinds of tea) take an important status in the drinking, food, health product and the related industry. The most popular Green tea, Maté originated from South America, Large-leaved Kudingcha, Small-leaved Kudingcha, and the Eagle tea used civilian have many similarities on history, chemical constituents and biological activities. In this article, we summarized the similarities and the characteristics of the Green tea and the other four teas in order to provide scientific evidences for better development of the tea and substitutions.

[Quantitative determination of contents of three components in Brucea javanica by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an HPLC method for quantitative determination of three quassinoids in Brucea javanic. METHOD: The determination was carried out on a phenomenex C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with gradient elution program of methol-water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was 270 nm. RESULT: Linearites of bruceine D, brusatol and bruceine H were good (r = 0.9996, 0.9996, and 0.9998) in ranges of 2.52-12.60, 2.19-10.95, and 2.91-14.55 microg, respectively. The average recoveries of bruceine D, brusatol and bruceine H were 100.01%, 100.95% and 100.43% respectively, and RSD of the above three compounds were 0.31% (n = 6), 1.7% ( n = 6) and 1.7% (n = 6), respectively. CONCLUSION: The determination results of three batch samples showed that the method was simple, accurate and could be used in the quantitative determination of three components in the B. javanica.

[Effect of Huanglian Jiedu tang active fraction on calcium overloading in neurons and related mechanism analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Huanglian Jiedu Tang active fraction (HIJDTAF) on calcium overloading in neurons. METHOD: Cerebral ischemia was imitated by hypoxia/hypoglycemia damage on fetal rat neurons. Double wavelength fluorospectrophotometry was used to assay the content of calcium in neurons in order to evaluate the effect of HLJDTAF on calcium overloading. Neurons were treated with glutamic acid, potassium chloride (KCl), A23187, caffeine(CAF) and methacholine (Mch) to analysis the related mechanism of HLJDTAF on calcium overloading in neurons. RESULT: HLJDTAF 0.3, 0.15 g x k(-1) could remarkably inhibit the calcium overloading in neurons caused by hypoxia/hypoglycemia, glutamic acid, KCl and A23187. HLJDTAF 0.3 g x kg(-1) could inhibit the increasing of calcium caused by CAF and Mch in the presence of and in the absence of extra-calcium. CONCLUSION: HLJDTAF could remarkably inhibit the calcium overloading in neurons after cerebral ischemia injury, it probably plays the function via several pathways.

[Chemical contituents in leaves of Ehretia thyrsiflora].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Ehretia thyrsiflora. METHOD: Compounds were isolated with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and RP-C18 colum chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by means of physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol (1), ethyl caffeate (2), 2-methoxyl benzoic acid octyl ester (3), tetradecenoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (4), daucoster (5), allantoin (6). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-5 were obtained from this species for the first time. Compounds 2-5 were obtained from the genus Ehretia for the first time.

Oxysophocarpine protects airway epithelial cells against inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting miR-155 expression.

Oxysophocarpine (OSC) has been documented for anti-inflammatory activity. However, the mechanisms of OSC in anti-inflammation are unclear. Aim: To investigate the protective effects of OSC on inflammation and apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide in NCI-H292 and human primary airway epithelial cells. Materials & methods: MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to detect cells viability. Inflammatory responses were determined by ELISA. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect mRNA/miRNA and protein expressions respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation was investigated for protein interactions. Results & conclusion: miR-155 mimics significantly induced cell apoptosis, inflammatory responses and MAPK and NF-κB pathways. NDFIP1 was identified as the target of miR-155. OSC protected cells against apoptosis and inflammatory responses and compromised miR-155 activity by attenuating MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

[Studies on chemical components of Lobelia chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the chemical constituents of Lobelia chinensis. METHOD: The coloumn chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate constituents, and their structures were elucidated by means of spectral data analysis. RESULT: Sixteen compounds were isolated and identified as daucosterol (1), diosmetin (2), apigenin (3), chrysoeriol (4), loteolin (5), hesperidin (6), loteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (8), linarin (9), diosmin(10), 5,7-dimethoxy-8- hydroxycoumarin (11), palmitinic acid (12), lacceroic acid (13), stearic acid (14), beta-sitosterol (15), daucosterol (16). CONCLUSION: All of these compouds were obtained from L. chinensis for the first time.

Intestinal Absorption Profile of Three Polygala Oligosaccharide Esters in Polygalae Radix and the Effects of Other Components in Polygalae Radix on Their Absorption.

Oligosaccharide esters, which are among the main active components of Polygalae Radix (PR), demonstrate significant pharmacological activities in the human nervous system. In our previous research, some other constituents in PR were able to improve the bioavailability of oligosaccharide esters such as sibiricose A5 (SA5), sibiricose A6 (SA6), and 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS), but the related components and their underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the intestinal absorptive profile of SA5, SA6, and DISS and the absorptive behavior influenced by the coadministration of polygalaxanthone III and total saponins of PR (TS) using an in vitro everted rat gut sac model, along with the possible mechanisms that may influence absorption. The results showed that TS could significantly enhance the absorption of SA5, SA6, and DISS monomers. Verapamil, a P-glycoprotein inhibitor, was able to elevate the absorption of SA5 and SA6, and an absorption experiment using Rho123 led us to conclude that TS influenced the absorption of SA5 and SA6 in a manner similar to that of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor. Sodium caprate, a paracellular absorption enhancer, was found to increase the absorption of SA5, SA6, and DISS. Results showed that the absorption mechanisms of SA5 and SA6 may combine active transport with paracellular passive penetration, while DISS's absorption was dominated by paracellular passive penetration. However, the relationship between polygala saponins and the absorption of SA5, SA6, and DISS by paracellular passive penetration remain to be examined. This is the direction of our future research.

[A novel triterpenoid saponin from Prunella vulgaris].

To study the constituents of the Prunella vulgaris L, the constituents were isolated by various column chromatography and the structures were identified on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis. One saponin compound (I) and one flavone glycoside compound (II) were obtained from Prunella vulgaris L. Their structures were elucidated as 16-oxo-17-demethyl-3beta,24-dihydroxylolean-12-en-3-O-beta-D-glucuronoside (I), and acacetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (II). Compound I is a novel triterpenoid saponin and named as prunelloside A. Compound II was obtained for the first time from the Prunella genus.

[HPLC determination of 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, pronuciferine, nuciferine and roemerine in Nelumbo nucifera and its alkaloid fraction].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC method for the determination of four alkaloids, i.e., 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, pronuciferine, nuciferine and roemerine, in Nelumbo nucifera and its alkaloid fraction. METHOD: The determination was carried out at 35 degrees C on a Hypersil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), eluting with acetonitrile-water containing 0.1% triethylamine as mobile phases in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and detection at the wavelength was set at 270 nm. RESULT: The linear ranges of 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, pronuciferine, nuciferine and roemerine were 0.110-0.658 microg (r = 0.9995), 0.0210-0.126 microg (r = 0.9995), 0.103-0.618 microg (r = 0.9998), 0.085 6-0.514 microg (r = 0.9995), with the average recoveries (n=6) were 101.5%, 99.14%, 99.21% and 98.41% for the alkaloid fraction of N. nucifera and 99.53%, 100.5%, 97.51% and 100.1% for N. nucifera respectively. CONCLUSION: The determination results of the three batches of samples showed that the method was easy and accurate which could be used to determine the contents of four components in N. nucifera and its alkaloid fraction.

[Study on adscription of drug constituents in Beagle dog plasma after intragastric administration with Jiangzhining extract].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the drug constituents in Beagle dog plasma after intragastric administration with Jiangzhining extract, which is a Chinese medicine prescription and it consisting of processed Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Fructus Crataegi, Semen Cassiae and Folium Nelumbinis. METHOD: The drug constituents and their origin in Beagle dogs plasma were assigned by comparison of high-performance liquid chromatographic profiles, retention time and ultraviolet spectra of the drug-free plasma, plasma contained drug, Jiangzhining extract and the ingredients of crude drug. RESULT: Twenty-four components were detected after intragastric administration of Jiangzhining extract, among which eight compounds were the original components existed in Jiangzhining extract and sixteen compounds were likely to metabolites of the some chemical constituents in ingredients of crude drug. CONCLUSION: Studies on the drug constituents and the metabolites in plasma after intragastric administration of Jiangzhining extract are useful to elucidate the effective substances of Jiangzhining prescription.

[Relative adscriptions of components in the effective fractions of Yinqiao decoction and its composing individual herbs].

HPLC and LC-MS/MS were used to establish a comprehensive HPLC analytical method of Yinqiao decoction and identify the chemical constituents of the whole and individual herbs of Yinqiao decoction. YWG-C18 (250 mm x4. 6 mm ID, 10 microm) column was used; the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile (A) and water ( B, with 3% acetic acid) with gradient elution; the flow rate was 1. 0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was set up at 25 degrees C. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. The chromatographic fingerprints of Yinqiao Decoction showed 30 main peaks. Peak 2, 14, 15, 17 were from Lonicera japonica Thunb, peak 3, 12, 13, 24 were from Fosythia suspense (Thunb) Vahl, peak 19, 25, 26, 27 were from Arctium lappa L. , peak 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 28 were from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, peak 20, 21 were from Mentha haplocalyx Briq. , peak 22, 23 were from Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. , peak 1 presented in the chromatograms of Lonicera japonica Thunb, Fosythia suspense (Thunb) Vahl, Mentha haplocalyx Briq. , Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. and Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq. ) A. DC. , peak 7 presented in the chromatograms of Fosythia suspense (Thunb) Vahl and Glycine max (L. ) Merr. , peak 16 presented in the chromatograms of Mentha haplocalyx Briq. and Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. , peak 29 presented in the chromatograms of the herbs except Mentha haplocalyx Briq. and Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq. ) A. DC. , peak 30 presented in the chromatograms of the herbs except Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq. ) A. DC. , peak 4 was not identified, maybe it was a new constituent produced during decoction. By comparison of the standards isolated and MS spectra, 14 peaks were identified as 2 ( chlorogenic acid) , 9 ( liquiritin ) , 10 ( 4'-O-[ beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1--> 2 ) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl] liquiritigenin), 12 (forsythiaside), 13 (rutin), 14 (4,5-O-dicaffeoylquiniic acid), 15 (3, 5-O-dicaffeoylquiniic acid ), 16 ( 4-0- [ beta-D-apiofuranosyl ( 1 -->2 ) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl ] isoliquiritigenin) , 17 ( 3, 4-O-dicaffeoylquiniic acid) , 18 (2'-O-[ beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1 -->2 ) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl] isoliquiritigenin) , 19 (arctiin) , 20 (linarin) , 25 (genistein) , 28 ( isoliquiritigenin) . The method could be used to identify the characteristics of Yinqiao decoction, and it could be used to evaluate the quality and quantity of Yinqiao decoction.

[A new chemical component of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi].

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. was extracted for two times with 70% ethanol and the 70% ethanol-extracts was condensed. Various column chromatography with AB-8 macroreticular resin, Toyopearl HW-40, pharmadex LH-20, and silica gel were employed for the isolation and purification of the 70% ethanol-extracts from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. Five compounds were isolated and their structures were identified by physiochemical properties and spectral analysis (UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, etc.): (4R)-3-[ 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl]-4-(4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxybenzyl) but-2-en-4-olide (1), 4', 8-dimethoxyl-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl isoflavone (2), eicosanoic acid (3), hexadecanoic acid (4), tetracosanoid acid-2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (5). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2, 3, 4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.