Simultaneous quantitative determination of 9 active components in traditional Chinese medicinal preparation ShuangDan oral liquid by RP-HPLC coupled with photodiode array detection

A Rapid and Efficient Strategy for Quality Control of Clinopodii herba Encompassing Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Coupled with Sensitive Variable Wavelength Detection

Clinopodii herba is a folk herbal medicine for treatments of hemorrhagic disorders. However, there is not even a quantitative standard for clinopodii herba deposited in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The development of a strategy for rapid and efficient extraction and simultaneous detection of multiple components in clinopodii herba is therefore of great value for its quality evaluation. Here, a variable wavelength strategy was firstly applied to quantity multiple components by segmental monitoring by UHPLC with diode array detector following ultrasound-assisted extraction. The parameters of ultrasound-assisted extraction were optimized using single factor optimization experiments and response surface methodology by a Box-Behnken design combined with overall desirability. Subsequently, a rapid, efficient, and sensitive method was applied for simultaneous determination of eleven compounds, which represented the major and main types of components in clinopodii herba. Moreover, the performance of the validated method was successfully applied for the quality control of various batches of clinopodii herba and provided sufficient supporting data for the optimum harvest time. The Box-Behnken-optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction coupled with variable wavelength detection strategy established in this work not only improves the quality control of clinopodii herba, but also serves as a powerful approach that can be extended to quality evaluation of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Gastroprotective effect of gallic acid against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats: Involvement of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and anti-apoptosis role

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, GA) is a phenolic compound found in many medicinal plants traditionally used in China or patent medicine such as Feiyangchangweiyan capsule (FY capsule) for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases for decades. However, the evidence for the gastroprotective effect of GA is deficient and the pharmacological mechanisms remain limited. The present investigation was initiated to demonstrate the gastroprotective effect and to understand potential underlying mechanism of GA on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric ulcers were induced by absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg, i.g.) in male Sprague-Dawley rats, GA (10, 30, and 50 mg/kg), FY capsule (0.4 g/kg) and 30 mg/kg Lansoprazole was administered orally. Physiological saline and lansoprazole were used as negative and positive control, respectively. Induction of rats with ethanol resulted in a significant rise in ulcer index, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines markers (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), TBARS, protein expression of Bax and Caspase-3 and a significant reduction in the activities or levels of endogenous antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GSH), gastric mucosal protective factors (PGE2 and NO) and protein expression of Bcl-2. Pretreatment with GA showed a remarkable decrease in ulcer index, inflammatory cytokines markers, TBARS, protein expression of Bax and Caspase-3 and a significant increase in the activities of endogenous antioxidants, levels of PGE2 and NO, and protein expression of Bcl-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 when compared with ethanol treated groups. This study demonstrated the gastroprotective effect of Gallic acid and FY capsule on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The underlying mechanism of GA and FY capsule against gastric ulcer in rats caused by ethanol might be involved in Nrf2/HO-1 anti-oxidative pathway and ultimately played an anti-apoptotic role through regulating Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3.

Fingerprint Analysis and Quantitative Determination of Fourteen Active Components in the Traditional Chinese Medicinal Preparation Feiyangchangweiyan Capsule by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS

FeiYangchangweiyan capsule (FY capsule), a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation consisting of three medicinal herbs, has been used to treat bacterial dysentery, acute, and chronic gastroenteritis for several decades. In this study, a novel, convenient, accurate, and valid method was developed by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detection (DAD) to obtain a chromatographic fingerprint of FeiYangchangweiyan capsule (FY capsule). Then, fourteen peaks were identified according to MS/MS fragmentation behavior of the reference standards by using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis. At the same time, the fingerprint similarity was calculated and the contents of known ingredients were also determined simultaneously. The result demonstrated that the HPLC fingerprint combining similarity evaluation and quantification analysis can be successfully applied to control the quality of FY capsule.

Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Gallic Acid After Oral Administration of Gallic Acid Monohydrate in Normal and Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarcted Rats

Gallic acid (GA) is a polyphenolic natural product widely distributed in food, beverage, and traditional Chinese herbs with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. In this research, a comparative study was conducted to investigate the possible difference of pharmacokinetic process in normal and isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats after oral administration of GA monohydrate with the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Quantification of GA in rat plasma was achieved by using a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The results revealed that pharmacokinetics of GA were greatly different between normal and pathological state. GA exhibited slower absorption into the bloodstream, and yielded 1.7-fold (50 mg/kg GA) and 1.3-fold (100 mg/kg GA) less values of area under concentration-time curve as well as 2.5-fold lower of maximum blood concentration (C_max) in MI rats than those in normal rats. In addition, significant prolonged T_1/2 and MRT as well as decreased CL were also registered in MI rats. Our findings suggest that myocardial infarction could alter the pharmacokinetic process of GA, and thus the potential pharmacokinetic differences of herbal preparations (or dietary nutrition) containing GA between normal and pathological conditions should be brought to the forefront seriously in clinical practice.

Fingerprint analysis and pharmacological evaluation of Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima (AA) has been used in various anticancer prescriptions and showed excellent therapeutic effect. However, there is no report on the method of quality control and the anti-glioblastoma activity. In this study, we used a combinative method approach consisting of chromatographic fingerprinting and quantitative methods to analyze quality of different samples. The anti-glioblastoma activity and the possible mechanisms were studied by pharmacological methods. The samples were separated on a Kromasil 100-5 C18 column and the flow rate was 0.8 ml/min at 25˚C. The mobile phase was composed of 1% formic acid and 1% methanol-water at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. The method was validated and applied to the quantification of different samples. Ten batches of AA from different provinces in China were detected, and we found that the contents of Ailanthone (AT) ranged from 0.21-1.78 mg/g and the relative retention times were similar in different origins. Ten batches of AA were analyzed by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting method and 19 common peaks were detected. The similarity of 10 batches is <1.5%. The peak areas in different samples were significantly different (0.682-0.954). We also found that AA induced oxidative stress first in U87 cells, then induced ER stress, finally activated the caspases which caused cell apoptosis. In conclusion, a method combining chromatographic fingerprinting and quantitative analysis can be used to control the quality of AA. AA could be used as a medicine or a constituent part of herb prescription to treat glioblastoma.

Quantitative studies of rhubarb using quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker and response surface methodology

In this work, we developed a novel approach to evaluate the contents of bioactive components in rhubarb. The present method was based on the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single-marker and response surface methodology approaches. The quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single-marker method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection was developed and applied to determine the contents of 12 bioactive components in rhubarb. No significant differences were found in the results from the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single-marker and the external standard method. In order to maximize the extraction of 12 bioactive compounds in rhubarb, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were obtained by the response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design. According to the obtained results, we showed that the optimal conditions would be as follows: proportion of ethanol/water 74.39%, solvent-to-solid ratio 24.07:1 v/w, extraction time 51.13 min, and extraction temperature 63.61°C. The analytical scheme established in this research should be a reliable, convenient, and appropriate method for quantitative determination of bioactive compounds in rhubarb.

Evaluating Pharmacological Effects of Two Major Components of Shuangdan Oral Liquid: Role of Danshensu and Paeonol in Diabetic Nephropathy Rat

Shuangdan oral liquid (SDO) containing radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (Chinese name Danshen) and cortex moutan (Chinese name Mudanpi) is a traditional Chinese medicine using for treating vascular diseases. Danshensu (DSS) is a main effective monomer composition derived from radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and paeonol (Pae) from cortex moutan. Although the two herbs are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacological functions of their active compositions were not reported. Therefore, the research of DSS and Pae in mechanisms and pharmacodynamics interaction can provide scientific evidence to support clinical application. The diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats which were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were treated with SDO, DSS, Pae, and DSS+Pae for eight weeks. The positive effects on DN animal models were investigated by detection of physiological and biochemical indexes and oxidative stress markers, within five treatments: SDO, DSS, Pae, DSS+Pae and insulin group. Compared with the model group, the DSS+Pae group improved the renal function, blood lipid metabolism and blood viscosity, increased the vitality of T-SOD or T-AOC and decreased the level of MDA or NO after the treatment. The study was successfully showed that the DSS+Pae group could delay the process of DN, especially in the renal injury part of histopathology changes. Our results suggest that the co-administration of DSS and Pae significantly may play a protective role in DN rats through decreasing the oxidative stress and improving the blood lipid metabolism mechanisms.

Paeonol and danshensu combination attenuates apoptosis in myocardial infarcted rats by inhibiting oxidative stress: Roles of Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt pathway

Paeonol and danshensu is the representative active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs Cortex Moutan and Radix Salviae Milthiorrhizae, respectively. Paeonol and danshensu combination (PDSS) has putative cardioprotective effects in treating ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, the evidence for the protective effect is scarce and the pharmacological mechanisms of the combination remain unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of PDSS on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats and to elucidate the potential mechanism. Assays of creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin I and T and histopathological analysis revealed PDSS significantly prevented myocardial injury induced by ISO. The ISO-induced profound elevation of oxidative stress was also suppressed by PDSS. TUNEL and caspase-3 activity assay showed that PDSS significantly inhibited apoptosis in myocardia. In exploring the underlying mechanisms of PDSS, we found PDSS enhanced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in myocardial injured rats. Furthermore, PDSS increased phosphorylated PI3K and Akt, which may in turn activate antioxidative and antiapoptotic signaling events in rat. These present findings demonstrated that PDSS exerts significant cardioprotective effects against ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats. The protective effect is, at least partly, via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and involvement of the PI3K/Akt cell survival signaling pathway.

Simultaneous determination of 10 components in Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Wan by solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and evaporative light scattering detection

An effective, accurate and reliable method for the simultaneous separation and determination of 10 major components in Chinese medicine Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Wan (BZYQW) was developed and validated using solid phase extraction column-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-evaporative light scattering detection (SPE-HPLC-DAD-ELSD). The chromatographic separation was performed on a Spursil™ C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 30°C with an acetonitrile-water gradient as mobile phase. The DAD detection wavelength 254 nm was utilized for the quantitative analysis. The drift tube temperature and the carrier gas flow rate of the ELSD detection was set at 110.5°C and 3.1 mL/min. The total run time is 103 min, these determined components peak out within 81 min. Excellent linear behaviors over the investigated concentration ranges were observed with the values of r(2) higher than 0.9990 for all the analytes. The Linear range over hesperidin, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, ononin, calycosin, formononetin, ligustilide, butylene phthalide, astragaloside IV, astragaloside I is 4.50-94.50 µg/mL, 22.75-364.00 µg/mL, 2.30-45.00 µg/mL, 11.76-125.14 µg/mL, 4.62-50.35 µg/mL, 1.90-28.93 µg/mL, 1.29-159.00 µg/mL, 2.90-36.00 µg/mL, 35.40-192.40 µg/mL, 41.40-96.60 µg/mL, respectively. The method was validated by its repeatability [relative standard deviation (RSD) < 3.54%] and intra-day (RSD < 2.11%) and inter-day precision (RSD < 3.45%). The limits of detection and quantification of each component were in the ranges of 0.04-10.24 and 0.12-39.22 µg/mL, respectively. The average recovery yields of the 10 compounds ranged from 95.79 to 101.25%. The validated method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of these principal components in 10 commercial samples of BZYQW from different manufacturers.

Simultaneous quantification of nine major active components in traditional Chinese prescription Mahuang decoction and the influence of herbal compatibility on their contents

Background:

Mahuang decoction (MHD), a famous classic traditional Chinese formula, has been extensively applied for treating cold, influenza, asthma, acute bronchitis, and other pulmonary diseases. However, the interaction among four drugs of MHD has not been clearly deciphered from the aspect of molecular composition.

Objective:

To assess the quality of MHD and explore the interplay among different prescription drugs.

Materials and Methods:

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD) method for the simultaneous separation and determination of nine bioactive components was developed. A somatomedin A (SMA)-phenyl column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was eluted by a gradient mobile phase contained acetonitrile and 0.05% formic acid-0.05% triethylamine aqueous solution. Four detection wavelengths (210, 252, 278, and 291 nm) were utilized for the quantitative analysis due to the different ultraviolet (UV) spectra of these compounds.

Results:

Satisfactory separation was obtained for all the components, and the assay was fully validated in respects of linearity, precision, stability, and accuracy. It was found that the calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (R²≥ 0.9991) within the test ranges. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra- and interday repeatability were not more than 1.70 and 2.66%, respectively. The spike recoveries of nine components varied from 97.50 ± 1.69 to 99.27 ± 1.37%.

Conclusion:

The established method was successfully applied to analyze nine active compounds in decoction samples of various drug compatibilities of MHD. The variations of contents were obvious for different combinations, which hinted the mutual promotion or inhibition of componential dissolution among four herbs of MHD.

Identification and determination of major constituents in a traditional Chinese medicine compound recipe Xiongdankaiming tablet using HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS(n) and HPLC-UV/ELSD

Xiongdankaiming tablet (XDKMT), a well-known compound in traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used for the treatment of acute iridocyclitis and primary open-angle glaucoma. In this paper, accurate and reliable methods were developed for the identification of 20 constituents using high-performance liquid chromatography with photo-diode array and electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS(n)), and determination of nine of the constituents (chlorogenic acid, gentiopicroside, isochlorogenic acid B, diosmetin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, apigenin, diosmetin, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, acacetin, and taurochenodeoxycholic acid) was developed using HPLC with ultraviolet absorption detector and evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-UV/ELSD) for the first time. The best results were obtained on a Zorbax SB-C18 column with gradient elution using water (0.1% formic acid) (A) and methanol (0.1% formic acid) (B) at a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid, owing to their low UV absorption, were detected by ELSD. The other seven compounds were analyzed by HPLC-UV with variable wavelengths. The calibration curves of all nine constituents showed good linear regression (R(2)>0.9996) within the linearity ranges. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.0460-9.90 μg/ml and 0.115-24.8 μg/ml, respectively. The accuracy, in terms of recovery, varied from 95.3% to 104.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 4.4%. Precision (with the intra- and inter-day variations less than 4.4%) was also suitable for its intended use. The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of major components in XDKMT, which provides an appropriate method for the quality control of XDKMT.

Simultaneous Quantitative Determination of Nine Active Chemical Compositions in Traditional Chinese Medicine Glycyrrhiza by RP-HPLC with Full-Time Five-Wavelength Fusion Method

A new, simple, accurate and reliable full-time five-wavelength fusion method for the simultaneous separation and determination of nine active chemical compositions (liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, ononin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, calycosin, isoliquiritigenin, Glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt) in traditional Chinese medicine Glycyrrhiza was developed using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with a diode-array detector (DAD). The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent TC-C18 column with gradient elution using 0.04% methanoic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1 and UV detection at 248 nm, 250 nm, 276 nm, 362 nm, 370 nm. The standard curves were linear over the range of 2.1379–12.8272 μg for liquiritin apioside, 3.9299–23.5794 μg for liquiritin, 1.0432–6.2592 μg for isoliquiritin apioside, 0.8764–5.8584 μg for ononin, 1.0701–6.4205 μg for isoliquiritin, 1.3685–8.2111 μg for liquiritigenin, 0.3927–2.3563 μg for calycosin, 0.2498– 1.4986 μg for isoliquiritigenin, 2.0094–12.0564 μg for Glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt, respectively (r2 > 0.9997). The recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD) varied from 95.09% to 103.54% and 1.09% to 2.36%, respectively. The precision for all the analytes was less than 2.52%. The method indicated good performance in terms of precision, accuracy and linearity. The method enabled the simultaneous determination of nine active chemical compositions for quality control of Glycyrrhiza.

Chronic supplementation of paeonol combined with danshensu for the improvement of vascular reactivity in the cerebral basilar artery of diabetic rats

One of the leading causes of death in the world is cerebrovascular disease. Numerous Chinese traditional medicines, such as Cortex Moutan (root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew) and Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), protect against cerebrovascular diseases and exhibit anti-atherosclerotic effects. Traditional medicines have been routinely used for a long time in China. In addition, these two herbs are prescribed together in clinical practice. Therefore, the pharmacodynamic interactions between the active constituents of these two herbs, which are paeonol (Pae) and danshensu (DSS), should be particularly studied. The study of Pae and DSS can provide substantial foundations in understanding their mechanisms and empirical evidence to support clinical practice. This study investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of the pharmacodynamic interaction between Pae and DSS on cerebrovascular malfunctioning in diabetes. Experimental diabetes was induced in rats, which was then treated with Pae, DSS, and Pae + DSS for eight weeks. Afterward, cerebral arteries from all groups were isolated and equilibrated in an organ bath with Krebs buffer and ring tension. Effects of Pae, DSS, and Pae + DSS were observed on vessel relaxation with or without endothelium as well as on the basal tonus of vessels from normal and diabetic rats. Indexes about oxidative stress were also determined. We report that the cerebral arteries from diabetic rats show decreased vascular reactivity to acetylcholine (ACh) which was corrected in Pae, DSS, and Pae + DSS treated groups. Furthermore, phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction response decreased in the treated groups. Phenylephrine and CaCl(2)-induced vasoconstrictions are partially inhibited in the three treated groups under Ca2+-free medium. Pre-incubated with tetraethylammonium, a non-selective K+ channel blocker, the antagonized relaxation responses increased in DSS and Pae + DSS treated diabetic groups compared with those in diabetic and Pae-treated diabetic groups. In addition, superoxide dismutase activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content significantly changed in the presence of Pae + DSS. We therefore conclude that both Pae and DSS treatments prevent diabetes-induced vascular damage. Furthermore, Pae + DSS prove to be the most efficient treatment regimen. The combination of Pae and DSS produce significant protective effects through the reduction of oxidative stress and through intracellular Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms.

Green synthesis of gold-chitosan nanocomposites for caffeic acid sensing

In this work, colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized into a chitosan matrix were prepared using a green route. The synthesis was carried out by reducing Au(III) to Au(0) in an aqueous solution of chitosan and different organic acids (i.e., acetic, malonic, or oxalic acid). We have demonstrated that by varying the nature of the acid it is possible to tune the reduction rate of the gold precursor (HAuCl(4)) and to modify the morphology of the resulting metal nanoparticles. The use of chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer with a large number of amino and hydroxyl functional groups, enables the simultaneous synthesis and surface modification of AuNPs in one pot. Because of the excellent film-forming capability of this polymer, AuNPs-chitosan solutions were used to obtain hybrid nanocomposite films that combine highly conductive AuNPs with a large number of organic functional groups. Herein, Au-chitosan nanocomposites are successfully proposed as sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors for the determination of caffeic acid, an antioxidant that has recently attracted much attention because of its benefits to human health. A linear response was obtained over a wide range of concentration from 5.00 × 10(-8) M to 2.00 × 10(-3) M, and the limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 2.50 × 10(-8) M. Moreover, further analyses have demonstrated that a high selectivity toward caffeic acid can be achieved without interference from catechin or ascorbic acid (flavonoid and nonphenolic antioxidants, respectively). This novel synthesis approach and the high performances of Au-chitosan hybrid materials in the determination of caffeic acid open up new routes in the design of highly efficient sensors, which are of great interest for the analysis of complex matrices such as wine, soft drinks, and fruit beverages.