Unraveling the mystery of efficacy in Chinese medicine formula: New approaches and technologies for research on pharmacodynamic substances

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to unlock treasures of Chinese civilization. TCM and its compound play a beneficial role in medical activities to cure diseases, especially in major public health events such as novel coronavirus epidemics across the globe. The chemical composition in Chinese medicine formula is complex and diverse, but their effective substances resemble “mystery boxes”. Revealing their active ingredients and their mechanisms of action has become focal point and difficulty of research for herbalists. Although the existing research methods are numerous and constantly updated iteratively, there is remain a lack of prospective reviews. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive account of existing new approaches and technologies based on previous studies with an in vitro to in vivo perspective. In addition, the bottlenecks of studies on Chinese medicine formula effective substances are also revealed. Especially, we look ahead to new perspectives, technologies and applications for its future development. This work reviews based on new perspectives to open horizons for the future research. Consequently, herbal compounding pharmaceutical substances study should carry on the essence of TCM while pursuing innovations in the field.     

Spectral studies, cyclic voltammetry and synthesis of cobalt(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes with symmetric and asymmetric ring containing membered N2S2, N4, and N5 donor macrocyclic ligands

Reaction of divalent cobalt(II) and trivalent ruthenium(III) salts (NO3, SCN and SO4) with macrocyclic ligands L1, L2 and L3 having N2S2, N4 and N5 core, have been designed and carry out. All these three macrocyclic ligands and their complexes were obtained in pure form. Their structures were investigated by using microanalytical analyses, IR, mass, magnetic moments, electronic and EPR spectral studies. The redox properties of the complexes were also examined by cyclic voltammetry. An interesting feature of complexes is that the relatively large rings of macrocyclic ligands prevent the macrocyclic rings from approaching the metal center as closely as they would, if they were not constrained. So the Ru-N distances are longer than expected due to ring size. Electrochemical studies show that the macrocyclic ligand L1 is more effective electron donors to ruthenium than of L2 and L3. Electronic spectral properties also show that the sulphur donor atom of L1 weakens the ligand field with respect to ligand-to-metal charge-transfer band. However it is expected that second-row transition metal-ligand bonds tend to be weaker than third-row transition metal-ligand bonds. There are well-established examples of reactions in which decreased of reactivity down a triad of transition metals is not observed. These novelties are usually attributed to pi-bonding effects for ligands such as carbon monoxide, solvent effects, or a change in mechanism.     

Modeling the adsorption of U(VI) onto animal chitin using coupled mass transfer and surface complexation

This paper reports the development of a treatment system, using animal chitin as a passive biosorbent, for removing U(VI) from aqueous waste streams. An integral part of this system is a model that provides for the optimization of the treatment system through simulation of U(VI) removal efficiency based on the characteristics of the influent waste stream. The model accounts for changing solution matrix conditions through the coupling of surface complexation and mass transfer models. Complexation of U(VI) by chitin surface sites was modeled using FITEQL. Application of FITEQL in the “forward” mode provided the sorbed and aqueous phase concentrations needed for the mass transfer model. The mass transfer model was derived for both batch and continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) configurations using Fick's Law, reactor mass balances and rate law expressions. The coupled model was successfully validated using CSTR data at pH 6.5 and rate constants determined from batch sorption experiments. The CSTR configuration yields a steady-state, eighty percent U(VI) removal for 1 μM influent U(VI) with a solution-phase pH of 6.5 and 3.9 g l⁻¹ chitin.     

Characterization of low-molecular weight peptides in champagne wine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

This paper reports the use of an on-line LC–ESI–MS/MS method for the identification and quantification of di- and tripeptides in champagne wine without laborious sample pretreatment. The identification of these compounds, in their underivatised form, is based on identical retention times and ESI–MS spectra to those of reference standards. The presence of nine dipeptides (Arg–Ile, Ile–Arg, Ile–Val, Lys–Phe, Lys–Tyr, Phe–Lys, Tyr–Gln, Tyr–Lys, Val–Ile) and the absence of two tripeptides (Phe–Arg–Arg and Lys–Met–Asn) have been evidenced in the matrix. Calibration curves for each analyte were established using Phe–Arg as internal standard. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range 0.1–10 mg L⁻¹ with a determination coefficient, r², better than 0.992. The accuracy for the calibration standard was estimated at between 92 and 102%. This method allows high recovery and satisfies the necessary requirements with respect to accuracy, repeatability and sensitivity. The first application of this analytical method to the measurement of di- and tri-peptides in different vintages of champagne wine is reported. Compositional changes in the peptides occurred depending on the vintage.     

Synthesis and structure of two lanthanide complexes with isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HL): [Ln(L)2(H2O)4]n·(NO3)n·n(H2O) (Ln = Sm or Tb)

Two new lanthanide complexes of isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HL), namely [Ln(L)₂(H₂O)₄]_n·(NO₃)_n·n(H₂O) for Ln = Sm or Tb, have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. IR spectra suggest that isonicotinic acid N-oxide acts as a O,O′-bidentate ligand, the N-oxide group as well as the nitrate group are not involved in coordination. Single crystal analyses have shown that both complexes are isomorphous, where the Ln(III) centers are eight coordinated by four O atoms of four water ligands and other four O atoms of two isonicotinic acid N-oxide ligands. The carboxylate groups are only involved in the bidentate syn–syn bridging mode into infinite chains. Hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands, lattice molecules, nitrate and N-oxide groups are formed giving a three-dimensional network.     

Phosphaniminato-Komplexe des Antimons. Die Kristallstrukturen von [Sb2Cl5(NPMe3)2][SbCl6] · CH3CN und [SbCl(NPPh3)]2[SbCl6]2 · 6 CH3CN

Phosphorane Iminato Complexes of Antimony. The Crystal Structures of [Sb₂Cl₅(NPMe₃)₂][SbCl₆] · CH₃CN and [SbCl(NPPh₃)]₂[SbCl₆]₂ · 6 CH₃CN The title compounds are formed by reaction of antimony pentachloride in acetonitrile solution with the phosphorane iminato complexes SbCl₂(NPMe₃) and SbCl₂(NPPh₃), respectively, which themselves are synthesized by reaction of antimony trichloride with Me₃SiNPR₃ (R = Me, Ph). The complexionic compounds are characterized by ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer spectroscopy and by crystal structure determinations. [Sb₂Cl₅(NPMe₃)₂][SbCl₆] · CH₃CN: Space group P4₁, Z = 4, 3 698 observed unique reflections, R = 0.022. Lattice dimensions at ?60°C: a = b = 1 056.0(1), c = 2 709.6(2) pm. The structure consists of SbCl₆^? ions and cations [Sb₂Cl₅(NPMe₃)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺, in which one Sb^III atom and one Sb^V atom are bridged by the N atoms of the phosphorane iminato ligands. [SbCl(NPPh₃)]₂[SbCl₆]₂ · 6 CH₃CN: Space group P1 , Z = 2, 5 958 observed unique reflections, R = 0.033. Lattice dimensions at ?60°C: a = 989.4(11), b = 1 273(1), c = 1 396(1) pm, α = 78.33(7), β = 77.27(8)°, γ = 86.62(8)°. The structure consists of SbCl₆^? ions and centrosymmetric cations [SbCl(NPPh₃)(CH₃CN)₂]₂²⁺, in which the antimony atoms are bridged by the N atoms of the phosphorane iminato ligands.     

Separation and characterisation of sphingoceramides by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

We developed a simple and reliable analytical method for the quantification and the characterization of ceramides extracted from biological samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS/MS). The chromatographic separation of analytes was carried out in a RP8 column, eluting with a methanol-water mixture in gradient elution mode. The separated lipids were detected by total ion monitoring and characterised by MS/MS spectra; quantitative analysis was performed by integrating the extracted ion peaks obtained in the negative ion mode. Good repeatability was obtained for retention time (0.3-2%), peak area ratio (A(S)/A(IS), 2-8%), as well as limit of detection (LOD, 5-26 pg) and quantification (LOQ, 13-53 pg). The method was validated for the analysis of N-palmitoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (Cer16), N-stearoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (Cer18), N-tetracosanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (N24:0, lignoceric ceramide, Cer24:0), and N-tetracos-15'-enoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (N24:1, nervonic ceramide, Cer24:1), giving good results. Lipid mixtures, extracted from skin and epidermal cells, were analysed for their content of the studied ceramides.     

优化分离与鉴定蓝斑背肛海兔口腔神经节蛋白质组

采用双向凝胶电泳技术优化分离蓝斑背肛海兔(Notarcus leachii cirrosus Stimpson, NLCS)口腔神经节(Buccal Ganglion, BG)蛋白质组, 并获得约300个蛋白质斑点. 用组合基质辅助激光解吸电离化飞行时间(MALDI-TOF)质谱技术和胶内酶解技术测定BG蛋白质组中的96个蛋白质斑点的肽指纹(Peptide mass fingerprint, PMF)图谱. 经数据库检索与比对后, 发现96种蛋白质中仅有4种蛋白质可获得较高的匹配率, 它们分别是微管蛋白(Tubulin)、 肌动蛋白(Actin)和两个1,5-二磷酸核酮糖-羧化酶/加氧酶(Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, Ribulose), 均属于神经细胞骨架蛋白质; 同时还发现一种交配信号肽前体(Peptide mating pheromone precursor). 利用LOCtrees软件和分类法对56种蛋白质进行亚细胞定位与分类.     

Analysis of fragrances in cosmetics by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic (GC)-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method has been developed for the routine analysis of 11 fragrance substances in cosmetics: cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, hydroxy citronellal, α-amyl cinnamic aldehyde, geraniol, isoeugenol, coumarin, dihydrocoumarin, citronellal and citral. Methods for sample preparation of various types of cosmetic products, prior to GC analysis, have also been developed and proved to be rugged. Detection limits of all of target fragrance substances were approximately 1 ppm. Calibration curves of the target fragrance substances analyzed by GC were found to be linear in the investigated concentration range, 0.005% – 0.50%. The recoveries of the target fragrances from various types of cosmetic products were 80% – 116% and the relative standard deviations of the quantitative analysis of the target fragrance substances were within 5%.     

Spektroskopische Eigenschaften von Di(phthalocyaninato)metallaten(III) der Seltenen Erden. Teil 2: Die Multikern(1H-, 13C-, 15N-, 17O- und 31P)-NMR-Spektren und Nachweis komplexgebundenen Wassers

Spectroscopical Properties of Di(phthalocyaninato)metalates(III) of the Rare Earth Elements. Part 2: The Multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁷O, and ³¹P) NMR Spectra and Determination of Complex Bound Water The ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁷O and ³¹P NMR spectra of (PNP)[Ln(Pc^2?)₂] and (TDOA)[Ln(Pc^2?)₂] (Ln = La …? (—Pm) …? Lu); PNP: di(triphenylphosphine)-iminium; TDOA: Tri(n-dodecyl)n-octylammonium dissolved in CD₂Cl₂ are reported. With the exception of the nitrogen atoms of the cations all light atoms of both homologues complex salt rows have been detected and assigned. Proof of the presence of additional water contained in the (solid) complex salts has been given unambigously. The otherwise strong Fermi contact interactions diminuish rapidly with growing distance from the paramagnetic centre favouring dipolar (pseudo-contact) interactions. As a consequence the mostly element independent paramagnetic shifts of the atoms situated on the periphery of the anion as well as those of the cations and water are determined by the distance factor. Therefore a first glance of the structure of the ion-pair present in solution emerges, in which the water molecule seems to play an important role.