Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Gibberellic acid Regulates the Growth and Flavonoid Synthesis in Phellodendron chinense Schneid Seedlings

The phytohormone gibberellic acids (GAs) play a crucial role in the processes of growth, organ development, and secondary metabolism. However, the mechanism of exogenous GA3 regulating the growth and flavonoid synthesis in Phellodendron chinense Schneid (P. chinense Schneid) seedlings remains unclear. In this study, the physicochemical properties, gene expression level, and secondary metabolite of P. chinense Schneid seedlings under GA3 treatment were investigated. The results showed that GA3 significantly improved the plant height, ground diameter, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, soluble substance content, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities. This was accompanied by elevated relative expression levels of Pc(S)-GA2ox, Pc(S)-DELLA, Pc(S)-SAUR50, Pc(S)-PsaD, Pc(S)-Psb 27, Pc(S)-PGK, Pc(S)-CER3, and Pc(S)-FBA unigenes. Conversely, a notable reduction was observed in the carotenoid content, catalase activity and the relative expression abundances of Pc(S)-KAO, Pc(S)-GID1/2, and Pc(S)-GH 3.6 unigenes in leaves of P. chinense Schneid seedlings (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GA3 evidently decreased the contents of pinocembrin, pinobanksin, isosakuranetin, naringin, naringenin, (-)-epicatechin, tricetin, luteolin, and vitexin belonged to flavonoid in stem bark of P. chinense Schneid seedlings (p < 0.05). These results indicated that exogenous GA3 promoted growth through improving chlorophyll content and gene expression in photosynthesis and phytohormone signal pathway and inhibited flavonoid synthesis in P. chinense Schneid seedlings.

Study on chemical constituents and fingerprints of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry

The chemical constituents from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. were characterized systematically by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry method for collecting mass spectrometry data, and the fingerprints method was established, providing reference for its quality control. The chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC BEH-C18 (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and the compounds from P. amurense Rupr. were identified by Qualitative Analysis 10.0 software, reference substance, retention time, mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern and database retrieval. Meanwhile, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry fingerprint methods of P. amurense Rupr. and Phellodendron chinense Schneid. were established by using the similarity evaluation system of chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine (2012 edition), and the differences were analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis methods. A total of 105 compounds were identified, including 102 alkaloids, two phenolic acids, and one lactone compound. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry fingerprint method was established with ideal precision, stability and repeatability, and 12 quality differential markers were recognized between the above two herbs. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method can be used for qualitative analysis of the constituents of Phellodendron amurense Rupr., providing reference for clarifying the material basis and promoting the clinical precision medication and quality evaluation of P. amurense Rupr.

[Characterization and identification of alkaloids in Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex based on UHPLC-IM-Q-TOF-MS]

A strategy combining collision cross section(CCS) prediction and quantitative structure-retention relationship(QSRR) model for quinoline and isoquinoline alkaloids was established based on UHPLC-IM-Q-TOF-MS and applied to Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex. The strategy included the following three steps.(1) The molecular features were extracted by the "find features" algorithm.(2) The potential quinoline and isoquinoline alkaloids were screened by filtering the original characteristic ions extracted from Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex by the established CCS vs m/z prediction interval.(3) According to the retention time of candidate compounds predicted by QSRR model, the chemical constituents were identified in combination with the characteristic fragment ions and pyrolysis law of secondary mass spectrometry. With the strategy, a total of 80 compounds were predicted, and 15 were identified accurately. The strategy is effective for the identification of small analogs of traditional Chinese medicine.

Structural elucidation and anti-diabetic osteoporotic activity of an arabinogalactan from Phellodendron chinense Schneid

Phellodendron chinense Schneid. was widely used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of diabetic osteoporosis in China. In this study, an arabinogalactan, named as PPCP-1, was isolated from the bark of Phellodendron chinense Schneid., and purified by DEAE-cellulose DE52 and Sephacryl S-200 HR column chromatography. The structure of PPCP-1 was characterized as a repeating unit consisting of →3)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →3)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Manp-(1→ with branches of →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→ and terminal α-l-Araf. Pharmacologically, the oral administration of PPCP-1 preserved osteoporosis associated with hyperglycemia by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, improving glucose tolerance, decreasing the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as down-regulating the expression of receptor for AGEs in tibias of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Collectively, the present study suggested that the arabinogalactan PPCP-1 from Phellodendron chinense Schneid. might potentially be used as functional foods for bone health and/or developed for drug discovery for alleviating diabetic osteoporosis.

Study on the compatibility effect and active constituents of Atractylodis Rhizoma in Ermiao Wan against Acute Gouty Arthritis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ermiao Wan (EMW), composed of Atractylodis Rhizoma (AR) and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PC), is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription having been used to treat the disease named "Tong Feng", which is described as "ache in bones and joints" with the same symptom of modern disease named acute gouty arthritis for many years in TCM clinical practice. Besides, both PC and AR were considered to be effective in anti-inflammatory according to modern pharmacological research.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Present study was undertaken to probe the compatibility rationality between the two herbs PC and AR in EMW and the active constituents of AR against acute gouty arthritis (AGA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat model of AGA was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension, and PC combined with or without different AR extracts were used for AGA treatment. Ankle joint swelling, proinflammatory cytokines in serum and pathological changes of synovium were investigated. Using the developed UHPLC-QQQ-MS method, the plasma concentrations of the primary alkaloids in PC, such as berberine, phellodendrine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, berberrubine, palmatine, and tetrahydropalmatine, in AGA rat were determined, and pharmacokinetics properties were compared following oral administration of PC, PC combined with or without different AR extracts.

RESULTS

PC, PC combined with AR volatile oil (VO) extract or PC combined with whole AR extract significantly attenuated the ankle joint swelling of AGA rats. Besides, the combination of PC and VO extract of AR showed superior efficacy than other groups in ameliorating ankle joint swelling, reducing the IL-6 expression in serum and improving tissue lesions of ankle joints. Furthermore, it turned out that the VO extract of AR increased the blood exposure level of PC related alkaloids than non-volatile oil (NVO) extract of AR, by comparing the pharmacokinetic results of each group.

CONCLUSIONS

The VO components of AR were the key compatible materials to combine with PC in EMW for AGA treatment. Moreover, the enhanced anti-AGA activity of PC after combining with VO extract of AR may attribute to the influence of VO on the pharmacokinetics of PC. This study may provide useful information for elucidating the compatibility effects of AR in EMW against AGA.

Deciphering the Q-markers of nourishing kidney-yin of Cortex Phellodendri amurense from ZhibaiDihuang pill based on Chinmedomics strategy

BACKGROUND

Cortex Phellodendri amurensis (CPA) has high medicinal value in the treatment of kidney-yin deficiency diseases. However, due to the lack of research on the therapeutic material basis of CPA, the current quality control standard for CPA is defective, and the effect of the nourishing kidney-yin of CPA was limited.

PURPOSE

Based on the principle of correspondence between the syndrome and prescriptions, we studied the CPA in ZhibaiDihuang pill (ZBDH) to identify quality markers (Q-markers) of CPA in ZBDH for treating kidney-yin deficiency and seek the potential Q-markers of CPA under nourishing kidney-yin effect combined with the analysis of single CPA.

METHODS

Taking Chinmedomics as the core strategy, metabonomics analysis and effective component identification were performed by UPLC-MS.

RESULTS

A total of 121 chemical components of ZBDH were identified, among which the contents of berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine changed the most obviously with the addition of CPA. Forty-five components were identified in the blood in the markedly effective state, including berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine. The therapeutic material basis of ZBDH in the treatment of kidney-yin deficiency was found, and 6 components were found to derive from CPA, including magnoflorine and jatrorrhizine. In addition, seventeen components were identified in the blood in the single CPA treatment, including berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnoflorine and jatrorrhizine were the Q-markers of CPA for treating kidney-yin deficiency in the formula of ZBDH and they were also potential Q-markers of the nourishing kidney-yin of CPA.

Exploration of yellow-emitting phosphors for white LEDs from natural resources

White light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used in various lighting fields as a part of energy-efficient technology. However, some shortcomings of luminescent materials for white LEDs, such as complexity of synthesis, high cost, and harmful impact on the environment, limit their practical applications to a large extent. In this respect, the present work aims to study the ability of using Berberine (BBR) chloride extracted from Rhizoma coptidis and Phellodendron Chinese herbs as yellow phosphor for white LEDs. For this, white LEDs were successfully fabricated by applying 0.006 g of BBR chloride onto the blue LED chips (450 nm). The produced LEDs exhibited good luminescence properties at a voltage of 2.4 V along with eco-friendly characteristics and low cost. The Commission International de l'Eclairage chromaticity, the correlated color temperature, and the color rendering index were determined to be (${x} = {0.32}$, ${y} = {0.33}$), 5934 K, and 74, respectively. Therefore, BBR chloride is a suitable environmentally friendly and easily accessible yellow phosphor for white LEDs.

Phellodendron amurense Extract Protects Human Keratinocytes from PM2.5-Induced Inflammation via PAR-2 Signaling

Dietary supplement and personal care products aiming to provide protection from air pollution have been of great interest for decades. Epidemiology demonstrated that PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter (PM) are an actual threat to public health worldwide, but the detailed processes of how these particles attack the cells are not fully understood. Here, we report that the measurement of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) using human respiratory or skin cells can illustrate pollutant challenges by triggering Ca²⁺ influx in these cells. This signal was generated by proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), confirmed by competition analyses, and Phellodendron amurense bark extract (PAE), a traditional medicine, was able to control the response and expression of PAR-2. Increase in proinflammatory cytokines and decrease in cell adhesion components could suggest a severe damage status by air pollutants and protection by PAE. Finally, we identified 4-O-feruloylquinic acid (FQA), an active compound of PAE, showing the same effects on Ca²⁺ influx and PAR-2 regulation. The results presented here should help understand the underlying mechanism of PM insults and the beneficial effect of standardized PAE as dietary supplement or cosmetical ingredient.

Multicenter Clinical Trials Analyzing Efficacy and Safety of Topical Cortex Phellodendri Compound Fluid in Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical application of cortex phellodendri compound fluid (CPCF) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. MATERIAL AND METHODS From January 2012 to December 2015, a total of 720 cases of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) were randomly assigned into an experimental group (n=540) that was treated by CPCF and a control group (n=180) that was treated by a Kangfuxin solution (KFS). After 4 weeks of treatment, their ulcer area, serum growth factor, clinical total effective rate, and incidence of adverse events were assessed. RESULTS There were 720 patients who completed the trial. The experimental group was superior to the control group in reducing ulcer area, increasing growth factor content, and total effective rate (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the adverse events rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS CPCF external treatment of diabetic foot ulcer can promote ulcer healing and increase the concentration of growth factors, and it is safe and reliable.

Synergistic Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase by Alkaloids Derived from Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex

Alkaloids having acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity are commonly found in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); for example, berberine from Coptis chinensis, galantamine from Lycoris radiata, and huperzine A from Huperzia serrata. In practice of TCM, Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (STR) is often combined with Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) or Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC) as paired herbs during clinical application. Fangchinoline from STR and coptisine and/or berberine from CR and/or PCC are active alkaloids in inhibiting AChE. The traditional usage of paired herbs suggests the synergistic effect of fangchinoline–coptisine or fangchinoline–berberine pairing in AChE inhibition. HPLC was applied to identify the main components in herbal extracts of STR, CR, and PCC, and the AChE inhibition of their main components was determined by Ellman assay. The synergism of herb combination and active component combination was calculated by median-effect principle. Molecular docking was applied to investigate the underlying binding mechanisms of the active components with the AChE protein. It was found that fangchinoline showed AChE inhibitory potency; furthermore, fangchinoline–coptisine/berberine pairs (at ratios of 1:5, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) synergistically inhibited AChE; the combination index (CI) at different ratios was less than one when Fa = 0.5, suggesting synergistic inhibition of AChE. Furthermore, the molecular docking simulation supported this enzymatic inhibition. Therefore, fangchinoline–coptisine/berberine pairs, or their parental herbal mixtures, may potentially be developed as a possible therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s patients.

Transcriptome analysis provides insights into the immune responsive pathways and genes in the head kidney of tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) fed with Spatholobus suberectus, Phellodendron amurense, or Eclipta prostrata

The tiger grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, is an economically important fish in Southeast Asia but has been plagued by several diseases. Spatholobus suberectus (S), Phellodendron amurense (P), and Eclipta prostrate (E) are three commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs. Although previous pharmacological and clinical studies indicated that S, P, and E possess a variety of beneficial functions in mammals, little is known about their functions in farmed fish and the underlying molecular mechanism of their actions. Challenge tests in this study showed that after 14 days of diet supplement, all these herbs could effectively enhance the disease resistance of E. fuscoguttatus against Vibrio harveyi. However, the non-specific immune parameters of the herb-supplemented groups were not significantly different from the control group. To further explore the molecular mechanism of herbal immune-regulating effects on E. fuscoguttatus, transcriptome sequencing and RNA-Seq technique were applied on E. fuscoguttatus kidney. De novo transcriptome assembly of E. fuscoguttatus kidney yield 80,014 unigenes, among which, 44,901 (56.12%) were annotated with at least one of the public databases (Nr, Nt, Swiss-Prot, KEGG, COG, GO). Among these, 22,738, 11,700 and 27,457 unigenes were assigned to 57, 25 and 258 categories of GO, COG and KEGG databases, respectively. Using Solexa/Illumina's DGE platform, a total of 231, 186 and 144 putative differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in P, E and S group compared with the control group. GO analysis indicated that in P and E, down-regulated DEGs were dominant in almost every GO term; whereas in S, up-regulated DEGs were more dominant. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that putative DEGs in all three herb groups were obviously enriched in the pathways related to infective diseases and immune system. We also identified a number of immune relative genes and pathways (TLR5, IL8 and MAPK pathway, for instance) associated with P, E and S's regulatory effects on E. fuscoguttatus. This study will enrich the E. fuscoguttatus transcriptome database, contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with the immunoregulatory activities of Chinese medicinal herbs on teleost and provide valuable information on the prevention of grouper Vibrio diseases using Chinese medicinal herbs.

Phytochemical Quantification and the In Vitro Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Phellodendron chinense and Its Components

The dried bark of Phellodendron chinense has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to remove damp heat, relieve consumptive fever, and cure dysentery and diarrhea. In the present study, we performed quantitative analyses of the two components of P. chinense, phellodendrine and berberine, using high-performance liquid chromatography. A 70% ethanol extract of P. chinense was prepared and the two components were separated on a C-18 analytical column using a gradient solvent system of acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) aqueous trifluoroacetic acid. The ultraviolet wavelength used for detection was 200 nm for phellodendrine and 226 nm for berberine. The analytical method established here showed high linearity (correlation coefficient, ≥0.9991). The amount of phellodendrine and berberine used was 22.255 ± 0.123 mg/g and 269.651 ± 1.257 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, we performed an in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity assay and an amyloid-β aggregation test to examine the biological properties of phellodendrine and berberine as therapeutic drugs for Alzheimer's disease. Phellodendrine and berberine inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 36.51 and 0.44 μM, respectively). In contrast, neither phellodendrine nor berberine had an effect on amyloid-β aggregation. The P. chinense extract and phellodendrine, but not berberine, exhibited antioxidant activity by increasing radical scavenging activity. Moreover, P. chinense demonstrated a neuroprotective effect in hydrogen peroxide-treated HT22 hippocampal cells. Overall, our findings suggest that P. chinense has potential as an anti-Alzheimer's agent via the suppression of the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase and the stimulation of antioxidant activity.

Gastroprotective Effect of Alkaloids from Cortex Phellodendri on Gastric Ulcers in Rats through Neurohumoral Regulation

The present study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity of the total alkaloids from the bark of Phellodendron amurense and identify their possible mechanism. Total alkaloids were obtained through an alcohol extraction method and were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced by acetic acid (0.14 mol/L) filter paper on the gastric serosa. The antiulcer effect of total alkaloids was evaluated using the ulcer area, the ulcer inhibition ratio, and epidermal growth factor. The gastroprotective mechanism of total alkaloids was revealed using the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. The results showed that oral administration of total alkaloids (30 mg/kg/day) obviously decreased the ulcer area (7.67 ± 2.06 mm²; p < 0.01) compared with the model group (15.15 ± 2.34 mm²). The ulcer inhibition ratio of the total alkaloids group (50 %) was higher than the omeprazole-treated group (46 %), which showed that the antiulcer effect of the total alkaloids may be superior to omeprazole. Besides, the total alkaloids significantly increased the epidermal growth factor level and accelerated the healing of ulcers. Histological examination of gastric tissues also supported the same conclusion. In addition, the total alkaloids significantly elevated the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline (both p < 0.01 compared to the model group). Our data indicates that total alkaloids of Cortex Phellodendri exerts a beneficial gastroprotective effect and the involved mechanism is likely neurohumoral regulation. Thus, Cortex Phellodendri may develop into a promising clinical medicinal agent for improving the quality of ulcer healing.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Phellodendron lavallei

The essential oils from inflorescences, fruits and leaves of Phellodendron lavallei Dode were analyzed by GC, GC/MS and IH NMR spectroscopy. About 100 compounds were identified. The principal components in the fruit oil were myrcene (47.7-52.0%) and limonene (38.4-40.9%), followed by germacrene D (1.2-3.2%) and (E)-p-caryophyllene (2.4-2.9%). The inflorescence oil contained mainly myrcene (44.8%), limonene (43.2%) and (E)-β-ocimene (4.1%). The main constituents of the leaf oil were limonene (26.7%) myrcene (22.1%), (E,E)-a-famesene (5.6%) and a-pinene (5.0%). The antibacterial activity was examined towards both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The fruit oil showed weak activity against the bacteria tested.

[Effect of Acaí (Euterpe oleracea) on biological expression characteristics of deficiency-heat and deficiency-cold rats]

To study the effects of Acaí on biological expression characteristics in rats with deficiency-heat and deficiency-cold syndromes, SD rats were divided into blank group, deficiency-heat model group, deficiency-heat+Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex group, deficiency-heat+Acaí high dose and low dose groups, deficiency-cold model group, deficiency-cold+Cinnamomi Cortex group, deficiency-cold+Acaí high dose and low dose groups. The rats were treated with intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone (20 mg•kg⁻¹) or dexamethasone sodium phosphate (0.35 mg•kg⁻¹) for 21 days to set up deficiency-heat model and deficiency-cold models. The levels of cAMP, cGMP, T3, T4 and rT3 were detected by radioimmunoassay. The levels of TP, UA, TC, TG and ALB were detected by colorimetry. The level of cAMP, cAMP/cGMP in serum were reduced in Acaí high dose group (P<0.05, P<0.001). The levels of T3, T4 and rT3 were significantly reduced in the Acaí high dose group (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05). The levels of TP, UA, TC, TG and ALB were significantly reduced in the Acaí high dose group (P<0.001, P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.01). However, Acaí had no obvious effects on deficiency-cold models. Acaí showed the same effect with Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in adjusting the levels of deficiency-heat rats; but unlike Cinnamomi Cortex, Acaí showed no obvious effects in adjusting the levels of deficiency-cold rats.

Inhibitory effect of the extract of Phellodendron amurense ruprecht root on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the dried root of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht (Phellodendri cortex; PC) extract improves arthritic symptoms through anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects in collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

METHODS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was induced in male DBA/1 mice by immunization with type II collagen (ColII). CIA mice were divided into 5 groups (n=10 per a group) with normal, CIA control, PC extract (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg)-treated, and meloxicam (50 mg/kg)-treated as the reference drug. The PC extract or meloxicam were administered orally in CIA mice once a day for 14 days after arthritis induction. Arthritic score, levels of anti-ColII IgG_2a antibody, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-17 in the sera of CIA mice were measured. Histopathological changes in the ankle joints of CIA mice were also analyzed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), safranin-O and immunohistochemistry using anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-17 antibodies.

RESULTS

The arthritic score was increased in CIA mice in a time-dependent manner, as were the serum levels of anti-ColII IgG_2a antibody, PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-17. However, the oral administration of PC extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg in CIA mice significantly decreased the arthritic scores, and the serum levels of anti-ColII IgG_2a, PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-17 compared with those in the CIA group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, histopathological improvement of the joint architecture in CIA mice was observed after administration of PC extract. PC extract also significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-17 in the joints of CIA mice by suppressing the expression of their mRNA and proteins.

CONCLUSION

PC extract may improve the pathological progression of RA through the inhibition of joint destruction by synovial inflammation and immune-stimulation, therefore, it would be a potential anti-arthritic agent in RA.

DECOCTION PROCESS OPTIMIZATION AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF YI-HUANG DECOCTION BY HPLC FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS

Yi Huang decoction (YHD) has been used as one of famous traditional formula because of its unique effectiveness against gynecological diseases. YHD is composed of five herbs, including the rootstock of Dioscoma opposita Thunb. (Dioscoreaceae), the kernel of Etayale ferx Salisb. (Nymphaeaceae), the bark of Phellodendron chinense Schneid. (Rutaceae), the seed of Plantago asiatica L. (Plantaginaceae), and the seed of Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae). To effectively control the quality, the processing method for YHD was optimized by means of single factor test as well as orthogonal test in this study. A completely validated method based on HPLC coupled with diode array detector was performed on a Kromasil C(18) column at 30° with mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile. As a result, HPLC fingerprint on the basis of the chromatographic data from 32 batches of samples was obtained, which contained 44 common peaks. Among these common peaks, 6 peaks were identified as geniposidic acid, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, phellodendrine chloride, magnoflorine, and verbascoside, respectively, based on their retention time relative to the standards. Meanwhile, the contents of these 6 compounds were also simultaneously examined. In sum, this study offered valuable information for the proper processing and quality control for YHD.

Comparison of Helicobacter pylori Urease Inhibition by Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Phellodendri and Berberine: Mechanisms of Interaction with the Sulfhydryl Group

Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Phellodendri, and berberine were reported to inhibit Helicobacter pylori. However, the underlying mechanism remained elusive. Urease plays a vital role in H. pylori colonization and virulence. In this work, aqueous extracts of Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Phellodendri of different origins, and purified berberine were investigated against H. pylori urease and jack bean urease to elucidate the inhibitory capacity, kinetics, and mechanism. Results showed that berberine was the major chemical component in Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Phellodendri, and the content of berberine in Rhizoma Coptidis was higher than in Cortex Phellodendri. The IC50 values of Rhizoma Coptidis were significantly lower than those Cortex Phellodendri and purified berberine, of which Coptis chinensis was shown to be the most active concentration- and time-dependent urease inhibitor. The Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis indicated that the inhibition pattern of C. chinensis against urease was noncompetitive for both H. pylori urease and jack bean urease. Thiol protectors (L-cysteine, glutathione, and dithiothreithol) significantly protected urease from the loss of enzymatic activity, while fluoride and boric acid showed weaker protection, indicating the active-site sulfhydryl group was possibly responsible for its inhibition. Furthermore, the urease inhibition proved to be reversible since C. chinensis-blocked urease could be reactivated by glutathione. The results suggested that the anti-urease activity of Rhizoma Coptidis was superior to that of Cortex Phellodendri and berberine, which was believed to be more likely to correlate to the content of total alkaloids rather than berberine monomer. The concentration- and time-dependent, reversible, and noncompetitive inhibition against urease by C. chinensis might be attributed to its interaction with the sulfhydryl group of the active site of urease.

[Numerical taxonomy of corlor in Phellodendron Cortex]

Through the investigation of Phellodendron Cortex on the market, and 28 batches of samples were collected. By using spectrophotometer the color values of outer surface, inner surface and cross - section of these samples were measured. These measured color data was translated into 3D structure diagram by using the Lab color space tool. The level difference value, the mean value and the threshold value were calculated based the measured color data of these different batches of samples. All 28 groups measured data was analyzed using the methods of Ward linkage and average Euclidean distance. At the same time, we invited Professor Jin Shiyuan, the "Chinese medicine master", to identify, quality-evaluate and grade these 28 batches of Phellodendron Cortex samples base on the traditional experience, then compared the traditional empirical results with the spectrophotometer measurement results. The result showed that, the Phellodendron Cortex could be divided into Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by color numerical clustering, and classified according to quality. The classification result has a high degree of consistency with the traditional experience.

[Application of Cocktail Probe Drugs for Detecting Influences of Raw and Processed Phellodendri Cortex on Cytochrome P450 Isoforms]

OBJECTIVE

To research and compare the influences of raw and processed Phellodendri Cortex on the cytochrome P450 four isoforms by Cocktail probe drugs, and to explore the processing principle of Phellodendri Cortex.

METHODS

SD rats were randomly divided into raw group,processed with rice-wine group, processed with salt-water group and blank control group, which were given raw decoction, processed with rice-wine decoction, processed with salt-water decoction (3.24 g/kg) and normal saline respectively for one week, then given the mixture of four probe drugs on the 8th day, and soon after the blood samples were obtained through the orbits at a series of time-points. HPLC method was used to determine the concentrations of probe drugs in rat plasma, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by DAS3.0. The effect of raw and processed Phellodendri Cortex on cytochrome P450 were judged indirectly by the pharmacokinetic parameters.

RESULTS

Compared with the blank control group, the t½ significantly increased of theophylline in raw and processed with salt-water group. The CL/F significantly decreased and AUC(0-t) AUC(0-∞). significantly increased of theophylline in raw and processed with rice-wine groups. The t(½) AUC(0-∞) and AUC(0-∞) significantly decreased and CL/F significantly increased of dapsone in raw, processed with rice-wine and processed with salt-water group. The AUC(0-t) significantly increased of chlorzoxazone in raw and processed with salt-water group. The t(½), AUC(0-∞). and AUC(0-t) significantly decreased and CL/F significantly increased of chlorzoxazone in processed with rice-wine group. The AUC(0-t), significantly decreased of tolbutamide in raw, processed with rice-wine and processed with salt-water groups.

CONCLUSION

The raw Phellodendri Cortex can inhibit CYP1A2, induce CYP3 A4 and also is need to make a further research work on CYP2C9 and CYP2E1. Meanwhile, it also can change the activities of cytochrome P450 after processed with rice-wine and salt-water. The Phellodendri Cortex processed with rice-wine can reduce the inhibitory effect of CYP1A2 and enhance induction of CYP3A4, it provides reference and basis to make an interpretation about Phellodendri Cortex processed with rice-wine.

[Effects of Processing on Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex Based on Material and Energy Metabolism]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the pharmacodynamic indicators of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex with its processed products, in order to study the processing mechanism.

METHODS

The effects of raw Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and its processed products on 17 kinds of indicators in rats were compared, such as the biological characteristics (weight and rectal temperature), material metabolism (lactic acid, acetone acid and triglyceride), energy metabolism (Na+ - K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, LDH, SDH and liver glyco- gen), thyroid function axis (T3, T4, TSH and TRH), cyclic nucleotide ( cAMP, cGMP and cAMP/cGMP value).

RESULTS

Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and its salt processing product changed the indicators including weight, rectal temperature, material metabolism, energy metabolism, thyroid function shaft and cyclic nucleotide in rats. The effect of salt processing product was better than that of the raw one, but wine processing product had little effects.

CONCLUSION

The "cold" influence of Philodendri Chinensis Cortex is enhanced after pro- cessing with salt,but induced after processing with wine.

Ionic liquid-aqueous solution ultrasonic-assisted extraction of three kinds of alkaloids from Phellodendron amurense Rupr and optimize conditions use response surface

In this paper, we chose diffident kinds of ionic liquids to optimal selection an optimal one to extract alkaloids from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Four ionic liquids with diffident carbon chains or anions have been investigated and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide with best productivity. Then, selections have been optimized in different conditions, including concentration of ionic liquid, time for ultrasonic treatment, ultrasonic power and solid-liquid ratio. Moreover, three conditions have been comprehensively assessment by response surface methodology, the optimal conditions were determined as follows ultrasonic power 100 W, extraction time 75 min and ratio of solvent to raw material 1:14. Under these conditions, the yield% (MIX) was 106.7% (extracted by heat reflux being defined 100%). Comparing with other methods, the advantages are saving conserving, time saving, high yield% and especially pollution-free.

THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY IDENTIFICATION FOR RHUBARB AND PHELLODENDRI AMURENSIS CORTEX IN SHUANG-BAI CATAPLASM AND STUDY OF SKIN IRRITATION ASSAY

This paper aimed to raise a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification method for rhubarb and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex and inspected skin irritation induced by them. It applied the TLC identification for Rhubarb and Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex in Shuang-bai cataplasm prescription. In this study six rabbits were divided into two groups to observe the skin irritation from Shuang-bai cataplasm on intact and defected skin. Another 36 were randomly divided into 6 groups to observe the acute toxicity from Shuang-bai cataplasm on intact and defected skin. Also 30 guinea pigs were divided into 3 groups to observe skin allergy to Shuang-bai cataplasm. The results showed that the average weight of the group of intact-skin rabbits was 2.026±0.10 kg and 2.427±0.023 kg after medication; the average weight of the group of defected-skin rabbits was 2.170±0.05 kg and 2.540±0.15 kg after medication; Shuang-bai cataplasm produced no irritation on intact or defected rabbit skin, no acute toxicity in rabbits and no allergy on the skin of guinea pigs. The skin allergy rate on guinea pigs of the medication group was 0 at each time quantum. Therefore, it can be concluded that this preparation produces no extreme skin irritation for rabbits, guinea pigs or human beings, and it can be safely put into practice.

[ILs-HPLC simultanesous determination of five alkaloids in phellodenddri chinensis cortex]

A RP-HPLC method was established for simultaneous determination of phellodendrine hydrochloride (PH1), magnoflorine hydrochloride (MH), jatrorrhizine hydrochloride (JH), palmatine hydrochloride (PH2) and berberine hydrochloride (BH) in Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by using ionic liquids as mobile phase additives. The separation was performed on a Kromasil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) coupled with ultraviolet (UV) detection. The effect of extraction solvent, detection wavelength, length of alkyl chain on different imidazolium ionic liquids and concentration of ionic liquids on the separation and determination of alkaloids were investigated. Ionic liquid, [BMIm] BF4, can obviously improve the resolution and peak shape. This ILs-HPLC method is simple, rapid, and reliable, which can be used for determination of alkaloids in Phellodenddri Chinensis Cortex.

Er-Miao-San, a traditional herbal formula containing Rhizoma Atractylodis and Cortex Phellodendri inhibits inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages through inhibition of NF-κB pathway and MAPKs activation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Er-Miao-San (EMS) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation that contains combinations of Rhizoma Atractylodis (RA) and Cortex Phellodendri (CP). It exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and have been used for the treatment of various "Bi Zheng" for thousand years in China. The aims of the present study were to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of EMS and elucidate the underlying mechanisms with regard to its molecular basis of action for the best combination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effects of EMS were studied by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated activation of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages. Expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation, p65 phosphorylation, inhibitor-κBα (IκBα) degradation, and NF-κB DNA-binding activity were further investigated.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated that EMS could suppress the production of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. However, CP and RA did not have significant inhibitory effect on them. EMS also inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta and macrophage chemotactic protein-1. Further investigations showed EMS could suppress iNOs expression and p38 phosphorylation. EMS significantly decreased the content of IκBα, reduced the level of phosphorylated p65 and suppressed the NF-κB DNA-binding activity. All these results suggested the inhibitory effects of EMS on the production of inflammatory mediators through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that EMS inhibited inflammatory events and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells through the inactivation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathway. This study gives scientific evidence validating the use of EMS in treatment of patients with "Bi Zheng" in clinical practice in traditional Chinese medicine.

[Research on allelopathic effects of phellamurine]

Conducted research on new allelochemicals phellamurine extracted from deciduous of Phellodendron amurense, which worked in allelopathy effect to seed germination and growth process of P. amurense and P. chinense in order to interpret the causes of rare seedlings of wild populations of P. amurense. Extracted and separated phellamurine from P. amurense deciduous, and treated the seeds of P. amurense and P. chinense in after-ripening stage and germination stage with different concentrations of phellamurine solution, then detection of the seed germination rate, germination index, seedling height, root length and seed vigor index to evaluate the allelopathic effect of phellamurine. The results show that: phellamurine solution at 0.30 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seed after-ripening of P. amurense, and also the solution at 0.15 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seeds germination of P. amurense; the solution at 0.15 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seeds after-ripening and seeds germination of P. chinense, inhibition intensity increased with the concentration and enhanced. For both species, the presence of phellamurine can lower the seed germination rate, extend the germination time, reduce the ability of seedlings to adapt to the environment, thus the phellamurine may be one of the causes of rare seedlings in the wild population of P. amurense.

Simultaneous determination of contents of three active components in Jiejia tincture by HPLC method

The objective of the study was to determine the contents of three active components in Jiejia tincture by establishing HPLC method. Test articles were prepared by ultrasonic extraction. Separation was performed using a Kromasil C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) chromatographic column, and gradient elution was performed with acetonitrile-0.3% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase at a volumetric flow rate of 0.80 mL/min. The contents of catechin, baicalin and berberine in Jiejia tincture were determined at the wavelength of 276 nm and a column temperature of 30 □. The results revealed that catechin showed a good linear relationship at the range of 100∼800 µg/mL (r=0.9997); baicalin showed a good linear relationship at the range of 15∼120 µg/mL (r=0.9996), and berberine at the range of 7∼56 µg/mL (r=0.9995). Their average recovery rates were 99.67% (RSD 1.01%, n=6), 98.7% (RSD 1.93%, n=6) and 100.5% (RSD 2.88%, n=6) respectively. The study concluded that the high-performance liquid chromatography established in this study was simple, accurate and reproducible, and can also be used in the determination of catechin, baicalin and berberine contents in Jiejia tincture.

[Determination of obacunone and obaculactone in different processing products of Phellodendri amurensis cortex]

OBJECTIVE

To study the impact of different processing methods on the content of limonin compounds in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex.

METHODS

Used RP-HPLC method to determine the content of obacunone and obaculactone in different processing products of Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex. The chromatographic separation was carried out on Kromasil C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm,5 micro m), with mobile phase of acetonitrile and water (50: 50) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 25 degrees C and the detection wavelength was 205 nm.

RESULTS

The content of obacunone and obaculactone had significant differences in different processing products. The sequence of the content changes of obacunone was as follows: raw products > fried carbon products > wine fried products salt fried products. The content of obaculactone was fried carbon products approximately wine fried products approximately salt fried products > raw products.

CONCLUSION

The loss of obacunone in fried carbon products is much more than that of wine fried products or salt fried products. The content of obaculactone have similar degree of increase, increasing rate is 18.15%, 15.62% and 15.84%, respectively.

Comparison the neuropreotective effect of Cortex Phellodendri chinensis and Cortex Phellodendri amurensis against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Cortex Phellodendron chinensis (CPC) and Cortex Phellodendron amurensis (CPA) derived from the dried bark of Phellodendron chinense Schneid. or Phellodendron amurense Rupr., respectively, are used interchangeably in clinical practice under the name "Huang Bai" for centuries in Chinese medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. Previous study in our laboratory demonstrated that CPC and CPA had different anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. In this present study, we aimed to compare the protective effect of ethanol extract of Cortex Phellodendri chinensis (ECPC) and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis (ECPA) against beta-amyloid (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, a typical model of Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that ECPC and ECPA contain four common chemical markers such as berberine, but palmatine and jatrorrhizin were not found in CPC in contrast to the presence in CPA. In addition, both ECPC and ECPA can significantly increase the cell viability in Aβ-treated PC12 cells. Moreover, ECPC and ECPA can markedly elevate the ratio of the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2/Bax, while remarkably decrease the release of cytochrome c, and the protein and mRNA expression of caspase-3. Interestingly, ECPA has better protective effect than ECPC against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. These results indicate that both ECPC and ECPA have potential protective effect against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, and ECPA is more potential of the two species to be used in traditional medicine as a neuroprotective agent for the treatment of AD. The neuroprotective effect of the two species may be mediated, at least in part, via suppressing of the cellular apoptosis.

[Fatty acid of Rkatsiteli grape seed oil, Phellodendron lavallei oil and Amaranthus seeds oil and its comparative byological activity]

The aim of the study is individual qualitively and quantitatively identification of fatty acids in Pkatsiteli grape seed oil, Phellodendron lavallei oil and Amaranthus seed oil and prediction of its biological activity. Using high-effective liquid chromatogramphy fatty acids were franctionated. Their relative concentrations are expressed as percentages of the total fatty acid component. Identification of the fatty acids consituents is based on comparison of their retention time with that of known standards. The predominant fatty acids in the oils were palmitic, oleic and stearic acids. The investigation demonstrated that fatty acids composition takes marked part in lipid metabolism of biological necessary components. The most interesting result of the investigation was the detection of unusual for the essentain oil begenic acid.

[Optimization of technology conditions from Ermiao Wan decoction by semi-bionic extraction method]

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the technology of Ermiao Wan decoction by SBE with uniform design.

METHOD

Uniform design was used to optimize the efficient processing conditions of the SBE for Ermiao Wan decoction according to the content of the berberine, total alkaloids, volatile oil and the yield of the total extract.

RESULT

The extract condition for Ermiao Wan decoction was set up as follow: the pH value of the water was 6.00, 6.50 and 8.7, respectively,and the extract times were 2, 1 and 1 h,respectively.

CONCLUSION

The optimized extraction condition of the SBE for Ermiao Wan decoction is reasonable.

[Study of cortex phellodendri chinensis decoction experiment based on the spectral imaging technology]

The purpose of decoction traditional Chinese medicine is to make full exhalation of medicinal materials active ingredients, thus it has the maximum effect of traditional Chinese medicine to treat disease. In order to detect the dissolution change of medicinal materials active ingredients in decoction process, this paper applys spectral imaging technology, with Chinese traditional medicine cortex phellodendri as an example, discussing its fluorescence intensity at different time in decoction process. And the analysis results reflect edgewise the dissolution rule of cortex phellodendri active ingredients.

[Study on compatibility extraction technology of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimum compatibility extraction technology of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex.

METHOD

The drugs were combined respectively firstly, then use HPLC to determinate extraction rates of evaluating indicators including emodin, chrysophano, baicalin and berberine hydrochloride. Orthogonal experiment was used to detect the effect on concentration and volume of ethanol, times of extraction.

RESULT

The extraction rates of evaluating indicators were relatively high in combined extraction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma with Scutellariae Radix and single extraction of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. The optimized combined extraction were 12 times more than the volume of 60% ethanol solution, by boiling for 3 times, each for 1.0 hour, and that of single extraction were 10 times more than the volume of 60% ethanol solution, by boiling for 3 times, each for 1.0 hour.

CONCLUSION

The optimized compatibility extraction technology is reasonable, stable and practical.

Bioguided isolation of (9Z)-octadec-9-enoic acid from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. and identification of fatty acids as PTP1B inhibitors

The therapy of type-2 diabetes mellitus is one of the major challenges of our age. A possible strategy to prevent the progression of this disease is the inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a major negative regulator in the insulin and leptin signalling pathway. Phellodendri amurensis cortex is a well-known Asian herbal drug traditionally used as antiphlogistic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory agent, and its efficacy against diabetes-related symptoms is reported as well. However, information regarding active principle(s) or the molecular mode of action was scarce. By bioguided isolation using an IN VITRO enzyme assay with human recombinant PTP1B, (9 Z)-octadec-9-enoic acid (oleic acid) could be identified as a major PTP1B inhibitor in the bark of Phellodendron amurENSE Rupr. (Rutaceae); it showed an IC₅₀ value of 6.2 µM. Consistent with this inhibition of PTP1B, oleic acid was capable of enhancing insulin signalling in wild-type, but not PTP1B knockout fibroblasts. By testing a series of other fatty acids of different chain length and degree of saturation, their general PTP1B-inhibitory potential in the micromolar range was observed. More pronounced effects were associated with a longer carbon backbone and saturation of the double bonds. Therefore, our work provides first scientific evidences for the antidiabetic properties of P. amurense via a new target, effects which seem to be explainable by oleic acid. The discovery of a PTP1B inhibition by many fatty acids also adds a novel facet to the pharmacological properties of a class of compounds that is found in many food items in considerable amount and triggers speculation over their possible involvement in the feedback regulation of cellular fatty acid synthesis.

Improved thin-layer chromatography bioautographic assay for the detection of actylcholinesterase inhibitors in plants

INTRODUCTION

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) bioautographic method is a simple and rapid method to screen acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plant extracts. However, the high consumption of enzyme (6 U/mL) in current methods makes the procedure expensive, which is an obstacle to scientific research centers lacking funding.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a new low-cost TLC bioautographic method.

METHODOLOGY

A series of compounds, as substrates, were synthesised and their ability to be hydrolysed by acetylcholinesterase was evaluated by the HPLC method.

RESULTS

4-Methoxyphenyl acetate (14) was proved to be an appropriate substrate for TLC bioautographic assay. Therefore a new and cheap TLC bioautographic assay was set up. The mechanism of this new method is that the enzyme converts 4-methoxylphenyl acetate into 4-methoxyphenol, which reacts with a solution of potassium ferricyanide ([K₃(FeCN)₆]) and iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃·6H₂O) to make an aquamarine blue coloured background on the TLC plates. Regions of the TLC plate which contain acetylcholinesterase inhibitors show up as light yellow spots against the background. The consumption of enzyme (1 U/mL) in the new method is low and the detection limit of two known acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, huperzine A (0.0001 μg) and physostigmine (0.001 μg), for this assay are close to published values.

CONCLUSION

A low-cost TLC bioautographic method was developed, which will benefit research groups pursuing natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Comparison on the anti-inflammatory effect of Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis in 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-induced ear edema in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cortex Phellodendri is derived from the dried bark of Phellodendron chinense Schneid. or Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Traditionally, Cortex Phellodendron Chinensis (CPC) and Cortex Phellodendron Amurensis (CPA) are used interchangeably under the name "Huang Bai" for the treatment of gastroenteritis, abdominal pain or diarrhea. The present study aims to compare the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extracts of Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis (ECPC) and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis (ECPA) in a mouse model of inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate (TPA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by measuring the ear thickness, activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the production reactive oxygen species (ROS). The anti-inflammatory mechanism was explored by determining the protein and mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6.

RESULTS

The results showed that both ECPC and ECPA significantly decreased the ear thickness, MPO activity and the ROS level in mouse model of inflammation induced by TPA. In addition, ECPC and ECPA also remarkably inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2. Interestingly, ECPC has better anti-inflammatory effect than that of ECPA.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that both ECPC and ECPA have potential anti-inflammatory effect on TPA-induced inflammatory in mice, and ECPC is more effective than ECPA. The anti-inflammatory effect of the herbal drugs may be mediated, at least in part, by down-regulating the mRNA expression of a panel of inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2.

Tableting technology from the individual and new galenic alkaloid consisting preparations of the Phellodendron lavallei bark

The aim of the research was to work out the technology and tablet composition from new galenic preparations consisting of alkaloids of the bark of Phellodendron lavallei and hydrochloride of berberin on the base of complex research. The bark of the Phellodendron lavallei introduced in Georgia contains alkaloids, from which 2% is berberine used for curing chronicle hepatitis, hepatic cholecystitis and bilestone disease. The structural-mechanical and technological character of tablets and their masses were defined by the known methodic. Friability was studied by defining the fluctuation and bending corner. Volume density was established by using vibration cylinder. Volume density of powders was studied by pyknometers. Porosity was calculated by the bearing of volume density of the masses. The size of pressing was established by defining the firmness of tablets. The granule composition was defined by analysis. On the basis of studying technological and physical-chemical character features of the substances of new galenic preparations and individual substances consisting of alkaloids got from the bark of Phellodendron lavallei, it is scientifically proved and practically offered optimal technological parameters of tablets forming process and recipes.

[Identification of Cortex Phellodendri by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and principal component analysis]

Fourier transform infrared spectrometer was used to collect infrared spectra of Cortex Phellodendri from six different regions. Original spectra were preprocessed by carrying out appropriate baseline correction and five-points smoothing, and the averaged spectra of Cortex Phellodendri from the six origins were analyzed. As a result, the averaged spectra looked quite similar. The normalized spectra were selected to construct principal component analysis model in the range of fingerprint region 1800 - 500 cm(-1), and according to the model, the first three principal components accounted for 98% of the variance information in the fingerprint region, and each sample was able to form distinct cluster in the principal component space, then the identification of Cortex Phellodendri from the six regions was basically achieved; besides, to some extent, the sparse density of the samples distribution reflected the genetic relationship. The loading factors of the model were analyzed, and the results indicated that the differences between Cortex Phellodendri samples mostly depended on the contents of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, alkaloids, sterols, obaculactone, oba-cunone, and obacunonlc acid. On the whole, combined with principal component analysis, FTIR provides an effective way to evaluate the herbal Cortex Phellodendri rapidly and nondestructively, which also reflects the content difference of material composition.

[Investigation on pattern and methods of quality control for Chinese materia medica based on dao-di herbs and bioassay - bioassay for Coptis chinensis]

Establishment of bioassay methods is the technical issues to be faced with in the bioassay of Chinese materia medica. Taking the bioassay of Coptis chinensis Franch. as an example, the establishment process and application of the bioassay methods (including bio-potency and bio-activity fingerprint) were explained from the aspects of methodology, principle of selection, experimental design, method confirmation and data analysis. The common technologies were extracted and formed with the above aspects, so as to provide technical support for constructing pattern and method of the quality control for Chinese materia medica based on the dao-di herbs and bioassay.

[Changes of metabolic indices caused by berberin and extract, obtained from the bark of Phellodendron lavalei, introduced in subtropic regions of Georgia, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats]

The goal of the study was to identify changes in lipid metabolism, functional condition of liver and kidney influenced by berberin and extract, obtained from the bark of Рhеllodendron lavalei, introduced in sub tropic regions of Georgia, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes in animals was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in 1 M citrate buffer, pH 4.5, dose 40 mg/kg per body weight, 1 ml volume. Treatment was conducted using berberin hydrochloride dose 150 mg/kg and extract of the bark of Рhеllodendron lavalei dose 400 mg/kg per orally, on an everyday basis, once a day during 3 weeks. Afterwards the concentrations of the following agents were measured in blood: glucose, uric acid, creatinine, AST, ALT, bilirubin, triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. It was determined that per oral administration of berberin hydrochloride dose and extract of the bark of Рhеllodendron lavalei during 3 weeks caused decrease in blood glucose level, improved morpho-functional characteristics of liver and kidneys, and modulated lipid spectrum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In conclusion we can suggest that these phytodrugs can be a valuable asset to the treatment of metabolic syndrome and prevention of diabetes type 2, associated with metabolic and systemic disorders.

[Antidiabetic activity of berberin and extract, obtained from the bark of Phellodendron lavalei, introduced in subtropic regions of Georgia, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats]

The goal of the study was to identify antidiabetic impact of berberin and extract, obtained from the bark of Рhеllodendron lavalei, introduced in subtropic regions of Georgia. The study was conducted on Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes in animals was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in 1M citrate buffer, pH 4.5, dose 40 mg/kg per body weight, 1 ml volume. Treatment was conducted using berberin hydrochloride dose 150 mg/kg and extract of the bark of Рhеllodendron lavalei dose 400 mg/kg per orally, on an everyday basis, once a day during 3 weeks. The following indicators were measured: weight gain during the observation period, amount of food intake g/day, food efficiency ratio (%), relative mass of internal organs and blood glucose level. Blood glucose level was measured after 3 weeks from the day experiment started, after fasting all night. It was determined that per oral administration of berberin hydrochloride dose 150 mg/kg and extract of the bark of Рhеllodendron lavalei dose 400 mg/kg, during 3 weeks caused decrease in blood glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The marker of this efficacy was improvement of symptoms: decrease in hyperglycemic values, decrease in polyuria and polyphagia and relative weight of kidneys and heart, improvement of food efficiency ratio and mark decrease of weight loss. It should be noted that berberins antidiabetic activity was more marked. It is suggested that medicinal plants containing studied active components can be used as a crude drug for obtaining medicinal agent of promising antidiabetic phytotherapy and along with standard treatment can be used against metabolic syndrome and prevention of diabetes type 2.

[Study on allelopathy effect of pericarp extract of Phellodendron amurense]

Through the study of allelopathy of the pericarp of Phellodendron amurense, the role of self-regeneration barriers was investigated in order to find ways and means for the protection of wild populations of P. amurense. Solution preparation: soaked pericarp of P. amurense in distilled water at 4 degrees C to get solution A, and reflux extraction of pericarp with distilled water at 100 degrees C to get solution B. Both of the solution A and solution B were used in the experiment of seed germination and seedling growth with the seeds of cabbage and wheat. The results showed that 20 g x L(-1) concentration of solution A and solution B inhibited significantly seed germination of cabbage and wheat, while 100 g x L(-1) concentration of solution A even completely inhibited the seed germination of wheat. 20 g x L(-1) concentration of solution A significantly inhibited the cabbage and wheat seedling growth, completely inhibited the root growth of cabbage, while 100 g x L(-1) concentrations of solution A completely inhibited seedling growth of cabbage and wheat. Comparing to solution A, the intensity of solution B are diminished on seed germination and seedling growth. It is concluded that the allelopathy of pericarp of P. amurense is multi-material role in the results, some of allelochemicals are easily degradable when exposed to heat. Overall, the allelopathy of pericarp of P. amurense can affect the seed germination and seedling growth. It is supposed that allelochemicals existed in the pericarp of P. amurense is one of the reason leading to difficulties in self-regeneration of its population.

Chemical and biological differentiation of Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis

The Chinese herbal drug Cortex Phellodendri is derived from two species of PHELLODENDRON, P. CHINENSIS Schneid. and P. AMURENSE Rupr. Traditionally, Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis (CPC) and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis (CPA) are used interchangeably because they are believed to share the same clinical efficacy. Berberine has been believed to be the active ingredient of the herbs. However, recent studies have shown that the content of berberine is much higher in CPC than in CPA. Interestingly, the majority of researches deal with CPA, the one with lower content of berberine. These observations provoke us to reconsider the active ingredients of Cortex Phellodendri. In this study, two traditional usages (antidiarrheal and antibacterial) of Cortex Phellodendri were compared with the chemical analysis of the two herb species used in its formulation. The results suggest that berberine is one of the active ingredients responsible for the antidiarrheal and antibacterial activities of the herbs, but that other chemical ingredients are also involved in regulating the biological actions of the herbal drug. These chemical ingredients may have the same or the opposite effect as berberine. The effectiveness of the herbs is more likely to correlate to the content of total alkaloids rather than to the content of berberine.

Simultaneous determination of seven alkaloids in Phellodendron chinense Schneid by high-performance liquid chromatography

By optimizing the extraction, separation, and analytical conditions, a reliable and accurate HPLC method coupled with a photodiode array detector was developed for simultaneous detection and quantification of seven alkaloids, i.e., (-)-(R)-platydesmin, noroxyhydrastinine, berberine, skimmianine, canthin-6-one, chilenine, and pteleine in "huangbo" (the bark of Phellodendron chinense), a commonly used herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The optimal condition for separation was achieved on a reversed-phase Cis column with a stepwise mobile phase gradient prepared from 0.1% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile. For all the alkaloids, a good linear regression relationship (r > 0.9997) was obtained between the peak area and concentration at the range of 0.5-700 microg/mL. The LODs and LOQs for the analytes ranged from 0.07 to 0.28 microg/mL and from 0.28 to 1.12 microg/mL, respectively. The optimized method was applied to the determination of alkaloids in several P. chinense samples, and found to be feasible and reliable. This method and quantitative results can provide scientific and technical bases for setting up QC standards to assure the safety and quality of P. chinense bark raw material, as well as for proprietary Chinese medicine products containing P. chinense bark.

[Simultaneous determination of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex by RP-HPLC]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a HPLC method to determine the content of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex simultaneously. MEHTOD: The separations were carried out at 25 degrees C on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitril and water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), detection wavelengthes were 345 nm for jatrorrhizine , palmatine, berberine and 210 nm for obacunone.

RESULT

The average recoveries of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone were 98.94%, 101.17%, 96.22% and 98.90%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The method is simple, accurate and repeatable, and can be used in content determination of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex.

[Optimization of combination modes of medical materials in extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction by semi-bionic extraction]

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the combination modes of medical materials in extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction.

METHOD

Divided the medical materials of Huanglian Jiedu decotion into 15 groups and extracted by semi-bionic estraction (SBE), the contents of berberine, baicalin, geniposide, total alkaloid, total flavonoid, total integral calculus area of HPLC and extract of 1 000 were determined, standardized, weighted and evaluated, respectively.

RESULT

The maximum evaluated value Y for the extracting technique was AD + BC.

CONCLUSION

The optimal combination mode of the perscription is that Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Gardeniae, Radix Scutellariae and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis are decocted together respectively then the two decoctions are merged.

Determination of bioactive compounds in Cortex Phellodendri by high-performance liquid chromatography

An HPLC method combined with a photodiode array detector was developed for quantitative determination of five bioactive compounds that belong to two subclasses, including limonin, phellodendrine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, and berberine in Cortex Phellodendri. The analysis was performed on an Agilent Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 x 250 mm, 5 microm) using a gradient of acetonitrile and 0.3% aqueous diethylamine phosphate (v/v), a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, and a detection wavelength of 220 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 2.5-100.0 microg/mL for both phellodendrine and jatrorrhizine, 5.0-200.0 microg/mL for palmatine, and 7.5-300.0 microg/mL for both berberine and limonin. The average recoveries ranged from 97.56 to 102.53% with RSD < or = 1.00%. Samples from different geographical locations were analyzed to evaluate the applicability of the established method, and the results indicated that the method was efficient, sensitive, and reliable for determining limonin and four alkaloids in Cortex Phellodendri.

Phellodendron amurense bark extract prevents progression of prostate tumors in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate: potential for prostate cancer management

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in Western society. Epidemiological studies suggest that a reduced risk of cancer is associated with the consumption of a phytochemical-rich diet that includes fruits and vegetables. Strategies to delay clinically significant prostate cancer will have a tremendous impact in reducing the overall incidence of prostate cancer as well as improving quality of life for elderly men. Furthermore, the long latency involved in the development of clinically significant prostate cancer provides a plethora of opportunities for its management, especially using prevention approaches. Previous studies from our laboratory show that Nexrutine (bark extract from Phellodendron amurense) prevents prostate tumor development when given prior to the development of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. In this study, we investigated the effect on the progression of established tumors in the TRAMP model by administering Nexrutine to 28-week-old TRAMP mice. Efficacy of Nexrutine was determined by histopathological evaluation of the prostate. Our data indicate that Nexrutine inhibited progression of prostate tumors that was correlated with tissue levels of transcription factors nuclear factor kappa B, cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein and phosphorylated CREB. Moreover, Nexrutine intervention resulted in a significant increase in the bone mineral density of the left femur diaphysis (p=0.009) and prevented the development of metastatic lesions. Nexrutine treatment also significantly (p=0.005) inhibited invasion of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

[Studies on NACE-DAD fingerprint of Cortex Phellodendri]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the analytical method for the fingerprint of Cortex Phellodendri by NACE-DAD and estimate the quality of Cortex Phellodendri from different habitats and species.

METHODS

Based on the mode of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis, 40 mmol/L sodium acetate and 40 mmol/L ammonium acetate methanol solution was selected for the buffer (pH 5.8). The separation voltage was 25 kV and detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Berberine was used as a reference standard, the chromatographic fingerprint was determined. The data were analysed by Fuzzy Cluster and Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation Software to compare the similarity of samples.

RESULTS

NACE-DAD fingerprints with 9 common peaks were established preliminarily. It was discovered that a small number of samples differed from others. Regarding to the fingerprints of Cortex Phellodendri and its processed products, there were obvious differences in the relative areas of common peaks.

CONCLUSION

The method is reliable, accurate and can be used for quality control of Cortex Phellodendri.

[Water-soluble chemical constituents from fruits of Phellodendron chinense var. glabriusculum]

OBJECTIVE

To study the water-soluble chemical constituents from the fruits of Phellodendron chinense var. glabriusculum.

METHOD

Chemical constituents were purified by chromatographic methods and identified by spectroscopic analysis.

RESULT

Eight known compounds were obtained, whose structures were elucidated as sinapyl 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), betulalbuside A (2), arbutin (3), adenosine (4), 3,5-dihydroxyphenethyl alcohol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), orcinol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine (7), berberine (8) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1-7 were obtained from Phellodendron chinense var. glabriusculum for the first time.