Chemical composition analysis of Qingyan dropping pills using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: This study developed a method for the rapid classification and identification of the chemical composition of Qingyan dropping pills (QDP) to provide the theoretical basis and data foundation for further in-depth research on the pharmacological substance basis of the formula and the selection of quality control indexes. METHODS: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and data postprocessing technology were used to analyze the chemical composition of QDP. The fragmentation information on possible characteristic fragments and related neutral losses was summarized based on the literature and was compared with the MS data obtained from the assay, and thus a rapid classification and identification of chemical components in QDP could be achieved. RESULTS: A total of 73 compounds were identified, namely 24 flavonoids, 14 terpenoids, 30 organic acids and their esters, 3 alkaloids, and 2 phenylpropanoids. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and data postprocessing technology were used to realize the rapid classification and identification of the chemical constituents of QDP, which provided a comprehensive, efficient, and fast qualitative analysis method, a basis for further quality control and safe medication of QDP.

Rapid classification and identification of chemical components in three different Zanthoxylum species by ultra-high-performance-liquid chromatography quadrupole-orbitrap-mass spectrometry.

Zanthoxylum, as a medicinal and edible herbal medicine, has a long history and complex chemical composition. There are many varieties of Zanthoxylum, and there are differences in composition between varieties. In this study, a rapid classification and identification method for the main components of Zanthoxylum was established using ultra-high-performance-liquid chromatography quadrupole-orbitrap-mass spectrometry. The components of Shandong Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Wudu Zanthoxylum bungeanum, and Zanthoxylum schinifolium were identified by studying the characteristic fragmentations and neutral losses of characteristic components. A total of 48 common components and 24 different components were identified and the fragmentation patterns of the main components, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and organic acids were summarized. These findings provided a reference for the study of pharmacodynamic substance basis and quality control of different varieties of Zanthoxylum.

[Progress on application of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in identification of traditional Chinese medicine].

With the increasing demand for traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs), the resources of TCMs are gradually rare, and the phenomenon that TCMs fake is a common occurrence. Consequently, we need to urgently improve identification technique of TCMs. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy(THz-TDS) is a newly emerging spectroscopy technology that has been widely used in image, security inspection, biological detection, medicine, material technology, aerospace, oil exploration and other fields. Which is currently used as a simple and quick method to identify the origins, fake products, processed products and pesticide residues of TCMs, hence, it plays a significant role in supplementing and improving the quality control levels of TCMs. In this paper, the composition principle of THz-TDS and its advantages in authentification of TCMs have been summarized. Additionally, the current situation and application prospects of THz-TDS in the field of TCM identification have also been reviewed.

Phenolic compounds from Bletilla striata.

Two new malic acid derivatives, namely eucomic acid 1-methyl ester (2) and 6'''-acetylmilitaline (7), together with ten known compounds (1, 3-6, 8-12), were isolated from the dry tubers of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. F., a perennial traditional Chinese medicinal herb, which was used for the treatment of pneumonophthisis, pneumonorrhagia, tuberculosis, and hemorrhage of the stomach or lung. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS.

New verticillane-diterpenoid as potent NF-κB inhibitor isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia sacra.

Two new verticillane-diterpenoids (1 and 2) were isolated from the gum resin Boswellia sacra. Their structures were elucidated by physiochemical and spectroscopic analysis, as well as ECD calculation. In addition, the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated by determining the inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 mouse monocyte-macrophages. The results showed that compound 1 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on NO generation with an IC50 value of 23.3 ± 1.7 µM suggesting that it might be a candidate for an anti-inflammatory agent. Furthermore, 1 potently inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. Using Western blot and Immunofluorescence methods, compound 1 was found to inhibit inflammation mainly by restraining the activation of NF-κB pathway. And in the MAPK signaling pathway, it was found to have inhibitory effects on the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK proteins and have no effect on the phosphorylation of p38 protein.

The effect of the major components of Fructus Cnidii on osteoblasts in vitro.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the cause of weak bones or bone loss is generally regarded as a result of kidney deficiency. Fructus Cnidii (FC), which is also known as She-Chuang-Zi, is a traditional herb that has been claimed to have kidney warming effects that invigorate Yang. In this study, we tried to determine the bone production-inducing effect of FC on osteoblastic cells in vitro using osthole, the main component of FC. Osteoblasts were isolated from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat calvaria using the tissue piece culture method and treated with various concentrations of osthole ranging from 2.5 to 640 microg/mL, together with a blank control. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and bone nodules were measured. The cells were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, the Gomori Calcium-Cobalt method and immunofluorescent staining. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (or MTT) assay, ALP assay, and bone nodule results indicated significantly enhanced osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation at concentrations of osthole ranging from 40 to 320 microg/mL. Concentrations lower than 40 microg/ mL seemed less effective, and cytotoxicity to osteoblasts was observed at concentrations higher than 320 microg/mL. These results indicate that osthole is effective at inducing osteoblastic bone formation through the up-regulation of ALP activity. FC is a Chinese herb used to treat lumbar pain in clinical practice. Further studies concerning the effects and mechanism of osthole on osteoporotic patients and animals should be performed, as these studies may lead to the development of a drug treatment for osteoporosis in the future.