Demethylbellidifolin prevents nitroglycerin tolerance via improved aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activity

Validated LC-MS/MS method for quantitation of demethylbellidifolin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies

Demethylbellidifolin, a major xanthone compound of Swertia davidi Franch, shows many beneficial pharmacological effects including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis and cardiovascular protection effects. In this research, a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of demethylbellidifolin in rat plasma was developed. The demethylbellidifolin and internal standard of aurantio-obtusin were extracted from 50 μL of rat plasma samples with ethyl acetate, then the dried residue was reconstituted and injected in an HPLC system with Zorbax SB-C₁₈ analytical column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 μm) and eluted with the mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.2% formic acid aqueous solution (80:20, v/v). Quantification was performed using a TSQ Quantum Ultra mass spectrometer in negative ESI using selected reaction monitoring mode of the transitions m/z 259.1 → 215.1 for demethylbellidifolin and 329.0 → 314.2 for the IS. Excellent linearity was observed between 1.92 and 960 ng/mL with a limit of quantitation of 1.92 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precision (RSD) values of quality control samples were both <8.3%. This study was successfully utilized for the pharmacokinetic profiles of demethylbellidifolin in rats after oral or intravenous administration. The oral bioavailability of demethylbellidifolin was 3.6%.

Herbal drugs against cardiovascular disease: traditional medicine and modern development

Herbal products have been used as conventional medicines for thousands of years, particularly in Eastern countries. Thousands of clinical and experimental investigations have focused on the effects and mechanisms-of-action of herbal medicine in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Considering the history of clinical practice and the great potentials of herb medicine and/or its ingredients, a review on this topic would be helpful. This article discusses possible effects of herbal remedies in the prevention and treatment of CVDs. Crucially, we also summarize some underlying pharmacological mechanisms for herb products in cardiovascular regulations, which might provide interesting information for further understanding the effects of herbal medicines, and boost the prospect of new herbal products against CVDs.