Dereplication‐guided isolation of a new indole alkaloid triglycoside from the hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla by LC with ion trap time‐of‐flight MS

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou‐Teng) as the monarch herb of many formulae (Fufang), e.g. “Tian‐Ma‐Gou‐Teng‐Yin,” “Ling‐Jiao‐Gou‐Teng‐Yin,” and “Yi‐Gan‐San”, is a famous traditional Chinese medicine documented in the Chinese pharmacopoeia for mental and cardiovascular diseases. In the traditional Chinese medicine system, only the hook‐bearing stems are used as the crude materials for Gou‐Teng, and the hooks are always considered more effective than the stems. Focusing on the mono‐herb and its active constituents from combinatorial formulae is the core idea of reductionism of traditional Chinese medicine theory. Detailed liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis on the hooks of U. rhynchophylla was performed to profile the chemical constituents based on tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation and UV absorption. Under the guidance of liquid chromatography with ion trap/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, one new indole alkaloid triglycoside ( 1 ), together with five known compounds 2 – 6 as the main constituents, were isolated from the hooks of U. rhynchophylla by various column chromatography methods. Compound 1 showed moderate activity on MT₁ and MT₂ melatonin receptors with agonistic rates of 79.6 and 46.3% at the concentration of 1 mM. This dereplication strategy can be equally applicable to rapidly disclose the active constituents of other Chinese herbs through targeted purification.     

中药活性成分研究是中药现代化的重要组成部分

中药现代化是一个逐步发展、不断完善和充实的长期的系统工程。中医药在我国民族生存和繁衍的几千年历程中起着至关重要的作用,具有自己的特色和优势,是中华民族的宝贵财富,既要继承,又要创新和发展。中药现代化可以有多种模式,只要有利于人民健康,有利于传承和发展中医药,不管采取何种模式均应得到鼓励和欢迎。中药的活性成分研究是中药现代化的重要组成部分：一方面,一些活性成分能直接或作为先导化合物间接发展成药物;另一方面,活性成分又为中药复方现代化提供物质基础。这体现在活性成分既在现代化中药的制造和生产中起到标准化作用,同时活性成分也是中药复方专利最重要的核心组成部分。     

Purification of lignans from Fructus Arctii using off‐line two‐dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography

As a common traditional Chinese medicine, Fructus Arctii has important clinical medical values. Its main components are lignans, which are difficult to separate and analyze because of the complex composition, similar chemical structures, and close properties. In this study, an off‐line two‐dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method, as well as an effective sample pretreatment method based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography material, was developed to enrich the minor lignan fractions and obtain high‐purity compounds. In total, 12 high‐purity compounds were isolated from Fructus Arctii . Their structures were identified by using high‐resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which showed that all were lignans and that most of them were isomers. The results demonstrated the effective off‐line two‐dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method for the purification of lignans from Fructus Arctii . The separation protocol established here will be beneficial for the separation of complex samples from other kinds of natural products.     

Studies of the Synergistic Actions of Three Herbs in Tong-Mai Formula

Tong-Mai oral liquid, containing three herbs (Pueraria radix, radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and rhizoma Chuanxiong), is a formula created under the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to invigorate the ‘blood’ and dispel ‘blood stasis’, which arises from poor blood circulation. In Tong-Mai formula, Pueraria radix is used for improved blood circulation and to treat cardiovascular diseases and arrhythmia. Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae was widely used in TCMs for treatment of coronary heart disease, blood circulation diseases, and other cardiovascular diseases; rhizoma Chuanxiong is used to treat thrombosis and platelet aggregation. Clinically, combining the use of these herbs was therapeutically valuable, which suggests that they might synergistically prevent thrombosis. In this study, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of puerarin and daidzein in rat plasma were studied after orally administrated to four kinds of extracts. Puerarin and daidzein were set as index components. In the Tong-Mai oral liquid group, puerarin and daidzein showed the maximum plasma concentration and the lowest clearance rate of plasma. The results indicated that the herbal constituents in Tong-Mai formula showed synergism, and it may be helpful to certificate the rationality of the matching in Tong-Mai formula.

     

Identification of anti‐inflammatory active ingredients from Tumuxiang by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐MSE

The dried roots of Inula helenium L. (IH) and Inula racemosa Hook f. (IR) are used commonly as folk medicine as ‘tumuxiang’ (TMX). The mixing and sharing of IH and IR in clinical use is a universal phenomenon. Modern pharmacological studies confirmed that IH and IR display anti‐inflammatory activities. However, the difference in anti‐inflammatory pharmacodynamic substances between these two herbs is still unknown. In the present study, the fingerprints of 18 IH and nine IR samples were established using UPLC/QTOF‐MS^E. A dimethylbenzene‐induced mouse ear vasodilation model was applied in evaluating the anti‐inflammatory properties of all 27 samples. Then, the spectrum–efficacy model between chemical characteristic peaks and anti‐inflammatory activities was investigated using principal component regression and partial least squares. Finally, the combination of UNIFI Scientific Information System with a library search of traditional Chinese medicines was employed to automatically characterize the peaks. UNIFI identified a total of 80 chemical components. Among the components, the 53 characteristic peaks showed correlation with anti‐inflammatory activities, pointing to phenolic and organic acids as primary anti‐inflammatory ingredients of TMX. This approach can efficiently and intelligently facilitate the identification of bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicine.     

微波萃取在中药提取中的应用

微波萃取是一种新型高效的萃取技术,对中药的现代化发展尤为重要。微波萃取技术具有选择性好、萃取速度快、提取效率高等特点,可应用于黄酮类、多糖类、苷类、挥发油、蒽醌类、有机酸类、生物碱类等中药有效成分的提取中。     

Application of HPLC‐LTQ Orbitrap MS for metabolic profiles of Polygonum multiflora extract in rats

The root of Polygonum multiflorum (PM) is an important Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of various diseases. Extensive pharmacological studies have been conducted and demonstrated that it shows a wide range of bioactivities. Meanwhile, a considerable number of hepatotoxicity cases owing to oral administration of PM have been reported and have attracted great attention. However, the limited knowledge regarding the metabolism of PM restricts the deeper studies on its pharmacological/toxicological mechanism and therapeutic material basis. The present study aimed to develop a high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a linear ion trap–Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometry method for separation and identification of metabolites in rat urine and plasma after oral administration of PM. Based on the proposed strategy, metabolism profiles of PM in rats were proposed for the first time and 43 metabolites were characterized or tentatively identified. Phase II metabolism, such as glucuronidation and sulfation, are the principal pathways of the main components. These findings will be beneficial to further understanding of the pharmacological mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis of PM.     

阐明中药科学内涵 推进中药现代化与创新药物研究进程

众所周知,中药对中华民族的繁衍昌盛发挥了不可磨灭的功绩。但是,作为经验医学,中药具有与生俱来的不足,诸如：缺乏采用循证医学原则提供的现代临床试验数据和结果;作用机理和作用物质尚不清楚;缺乏严格、科学的质量监控标准和方法。因此,难以保证达到作为药物所必须具备的“安全、有效、稳定、可控”的质量要求。这个问题如果不能妥善解决,不仅难于保证国人对疾病防治的需求,更难走向国际医药主流社会。通过多年的思考与实践,为揭示中药的科学内涵,推动中药现代化和创新药物研究,我们提出了一些新的研究思路和方法。     

A Systematic Review of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. in the Treatment of Diabetes and Its Complications

(1) Background: Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. is a traditional medicine used in the treatment of diabetes and chronic renal failure in southern China, Malaysia, and Thailand. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease and the number of diabetic patients in the world is increasing. This review aimed to systematically review the effects of O. stamineus in the treatment of diabetes and its complications and the pharmacodynamic material basis. (2) Methods: This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), using the databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science. (3) Results: Thirty-one articles related to O. stamineus and diabetes were included. The mechanisms of O. stamineus in the treatment of diabetes and its complications mainly included inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, regulating lipid metabolism, promoting insulin secretion, ameliorating insulin resistance, increasing glucose uptake, promoting glycolysis, inhibiting gluconeogenesis, promoting glucagon-likepeptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion and antiglycation activity. Phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpenoids might be the main components for hypoglycemia effects in O. stamineus. (4) Conclusion: O. stamineus could be an antidiabetic agent to treat diabetes and its complications. However, it needs further study on a pharmacodynamic substance basis and the mechanisms of effective constituents.     

The difference between blood‐associated and water‐associated herbs of Danggui‐Shaoyao San in theory of TCM,based on serum pharmacochemistry

Danggui‐Shaoyao San (DSS) is a famous Chinese formula for activating blood circulation and promoting urination. This study was to investigate the difference of material basis between a blood‐associated herbs group and a water‐associated herbs group. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the formula can be divided into a blood‐associated herbs group (Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora and Ligusticum chuanxiong) and a water‐associated herbs group (Atractylodes macrocephala, Alisma orientale and Poria cocos). The HPLC fingerprint of the formula was established for quality control. Serum samples from rats, orally administrated DSS, and the decomposed recipes of DSS, were analyzed by HPLC‐DAD and the transitional blood components of DSS were identified. Twenty‐one common peaks were identified in the fingerprint of DSS. Contents of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, ferulic acid and alisol B 23‐acetate in co‐decoction were significantly higher than those in individual decoction. Eleven peaks belonged to the blood‐associated herbs group (four metabolites and seven prototype components; paeoniflorin and ferulic acid appeared in prototype components), whereas six peaks belonged to the water‐associated herbs group (three metabolites and three prototype components). It was concluded that the serum pharmacochemistry is a meaningful approach for clarifying the difference between blood‐associated and water‐associated herbs in chemical composition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Separation and Identification of Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one from Ganoderma atrum by High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography and Spectroscopic Methods

High speed counter-current chromatography in semi-preparative scale was used to separate and purify ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one from Ganoderma atrum, a famous traditional Chinese medicine. A two-phase solvent system composed of a mixture of n-hexane–ethanol–water (6: 5: 1, v/v/v) was used and the separation conditions were optimized. In a typical run in less than 400 min, 100 mg of samples can be separated to yield 14 mg of ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one with 99.1% purity. The structure of this compound was elucidated by UV, EI-MS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR.

     

中国的中药微量元素研究I．微量元素：一切中药的基本成分

上世纪80年代开始,在中国开展了大规模的中药微量元素研究活动。30多年来的实践证明,微量元素是一切中药的基本成分;微量元素是中药有效药成分的核心组分;微量元素是中药性效量化的物质基础;微量元素是沟通中药传统理论与现代化学物理理论的桥梁。从中药微量元素含量的测定及中药微量元素与中药药效关系初探两个方面论述微量元素是一切中药的基本成分。     

膜技术在中药有效部位和有效成分提取分离中的应用

膜分离具有效率高、能耗低、操作简便、环境友好等优点,在中药制剂生产中呈现出显著的技术优势和广阔的应用前景。本文简要综述了膜技术在中药有效部位和有效成分的提取分离中的应用现状和发展趋势,主要涉及膜分离技术的原理和可行性分析,应用实例。最后指出了膜分离技术的应用要点和需要解决的关键问题等。     

老年性白内障与微量元素

参阅有关老年性白内障的文献．归纳其病因有四种学说:(1)老化学说;(2)醌体学说;(3)微量元素学说;(4)中医学说．按病因学说不同．用药各异．目前治疗老年性白内障药物有滴眼剂及内服剂,其中有一种新药名为除障灵．它是根据中医学说及微量元素学说，筛选中药制成,它含有丰富的锌、硒、铜、镁等微量元素．应用除障灵治疗老年性白内障患者102例(204只眼)，观察6个月至2年，有效率达95％，开创了治疗老年性白内障的新方法．     

The effective approach for the quality control of Codonopsis radix based on quality markers of immune activity

Codonopsis radix is an important edible and medicinal plant resource for immunomodulation in China and Southeast Asia. However, the chemical quality evaluation of C. radix in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Version) is still lacking; therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective method to evaluate its quality accurately and systematically. Herein, a reliable method for a comprehensive chemical analysis of bioactive compounds in C. radix by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector was developed based on the quality marker (Q-marker) concept, which can efficiently reflect its immune activity. Our previous research explored the seven potential bioactive compounds reflecting the immune regulation activities of C. radix by spectrum–effect relationship analysis. Therefore, in this study, we researched on establishing a quality control method and selected the modern pharmacodynamic experiment of immune regulation to verify the potential bioactive compounds as quality markers. A real quality control method that reflected the traditional efficacy of C. radix in strengthening the spleen and tonifying lungs was developed. Furthermore, the C. radix extract and the seven bioactive compounds could promote the proliferation of immune-related cells and regulate the secretion of inflammatory factors, thus playing a role in immune regulation.     

LC Analysis of Lignans from Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils.

Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. A rapid and convenient method to separate and quantify four lignans (schisandrin, schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, and γ-schizandrin) was established by reversed-phase liquid chromatographic. On a Shimadzu C₁₈ column (Phenomenex, 150 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm particle size), an isocratic flow elution program and a simplified sample pretreatment approach were used in the experiment. Samples from different parts of S. sphenanthera were extracted by chloroform and then separated with methanol and deionized water (70:30 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min⁻¹. The detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The content of lignans in fruits is the highest, and the quantities of schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, and γ-schizandrin from fruits are 0.56, 0.54 and 0.30%, respectively. Schisandrin is not detected in all the plant extracts. This research forms a basic framework for the better use of S. sphenanthera in medicine.

     

Evaluation and application of a mixed‐mode chromatographic stationary phase in two‐dimensional liquid chromatography for the separation of traditional Chinese medicine

In this study, two mixed‐mode chromatography stationary phases (C8SAX and C8SCX) were evaluated and used to establish a two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system for the separation of traditional Chinese medicine. The chromatographic properties of the mixed‐mode columns were systematically evaluated by comparing with other three columns of C8, strong anion exchanger, and strong cation exchanger. The result showed that C8SAX and C8SCX had a mixed‐mode retention mechanism including electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction. Especially, they were suitable for separating acidic and/or basic compounds and their separation selectivities could be easily adjusted by changing pH value. Then, several off‐line 2D‐LC systems based on the C8SAX in the first dimension and C8SAX, C8SCX, or C8 columns in the second dimension were developed to analyze a traditional Chinese medicine—Uncaria rhynchophylla. The two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system of C8SAX (pH 3.0) × C8SAX (pH 6.0) exhibited the most effective peak distribution. Finally, fractions of U. rhynchophylla prepared from the first dimension were successfully separated on the C8SAX column with a gradient pH. Thus, the mixed‐mode stationary phase could provide a platform to separate the traditional Chinese medicine in practical applications.     

Anti‐inflammatory activities and glycerophospholipids metabolism in KLA‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by diarylheptanoids from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum

Alpinia officinarum is used for its anti‐inflammatory activity historically in China. Diarylheptanoids isolated from A. officinarum play important biological roles in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders. Seven diarylheptanoids (1–7) were isolated from A. officinarum. The cell viabilities and anti‐inflammatory activities of diarylheptanoids were evaluated by MTT assay and tumor necrosis factor‐α production in Kdo2‐lipid A‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. The relationships between their anti‐inflammatories and structure‐activities are discussed. The results indicated that compounds 1 and 3–7 had significant anti‐inflammatory activities. The relationships between inflammation and phospholipids metabolism were elucidated by multivariate data analysis. Twenty‐two potential biomarkers were identified in inflammatory group vs. blank group, and 11 potential biomarkers were identified for inflammatory group vs. drug‐treatment groups. Ten common phospholipids were characterized. On the basis of a previous study in our laboratory, we found that phosphatidylethanolamine (18:0/18:1) might be the important glycerophospholipid biomarker in inflammation. In this study, we firstly combined anti‐inflammatory activities and glycerophospholipids changes of traditional Chinese medicine. This work suggests that the anti‐inflammatory activities of diarylheptanoids might be significantly related to glycerophospholipids and could provide a useful database for investigating the anti‐inflammatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine.     

Inhibitory effects of schisantherin F from Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis on human melanoma A375 cells through ROS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis

Abstract

Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis is a traditional medicinal plant used in Chinese folk medicine. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. To discover bioactive phytochemicals for preventing human melanoma, we have investigated the inhibitory effects of schisantherin F in Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis on human melanoma A375 cells and relevant mechanisms. The results showed that schisantherin F can inhibit A375 cells through inducing apoptosis. Further investigations have demonstrated schisantherin F attenuated the overproduction of ROS, depolarization of MMP, and mPTP opening. Meanwhile, schisantherin F inhibited the activity of Caspase-3 and up-stream Caspase-9, down-regulated Bcl-2 and up-regulated Bax. These findings propose the inhibitory mechanisms of schisantherin F in A375 cells include induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.