[Protective effect of different polar fractions of Carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (cRRR) against oxidative injury]

The protective effect of different polar fractions of Carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (cRRR) against ox-LDL-induced damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated by MTT assay, and the components were identified by using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. According to the study, ethyl acetate extract and n-butanol extract could increase cell viability (P<0.01), while petroleum ether extract had no influence, and water extract could even inhibit the cell viability to some degree. Moreover, 32 compounds in four polar fractions were analyzed, including 31 quinones and their glycosides, and one rubiprasins C. Petroleum ether extract, ethyl acetate extract, n-butanol extract and water extract contained 23, 32, 26, 15 compounds, respectively. According to cell experiments in vitro, active fractions were ethyl acetate extract and n-butanol extract. The results could provide scientific references for further studies on effective material basic of cRRR, and lay a foundation for studies on the relationship between efficacies and materials.

[Comparative study on acute toxicity of different active ingredient fractions from Kansui stir-baked with vinegar on zebrafish embryos]

The 24 h normal developing zebrafish embryos were used to evaluate the acute toxicity and the compounds of respective fractions were analyzed by UFLC-Q-TOF-MS simultaneously. Nine concentration groups with respective concentration and a blank control group were designed for each fraction to investigate their effect on survival rates of zebrafish embryos 96 h after drug administration, and calculate the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of different fractions to zebrafish embryos. The results showed that all of the fractions had acute toxicity to zebrafish embryos except VEKD, and the order was as follows: VEKB, VEKC, VEKA and VEKD. According to the results of UFLC-Q-TOF-MS, the chemical ingredients contained in VEKB and VEKC were mainly composed of ingenane-type and japhane-type diterpenoids, respectively. It could be speculated that japhane-type diterpenoids might be the active compounds with lower toxicity associated with the results of toxicity study, providing some references for the further research on effective material basis of Kansui stir-baked with vinegar according to the principle of "drastic medicine, no death risks".

Anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic effects of Rubia cordifolia extract in zebrafish

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rubia cordifolia is a common traditional Chinese medicine that promotes blood circulation and eliminates blood stasis, and has been used to cure diseases related to blood stasis syndrome (BSS) clinically for many years. It has been previously demonstrated that anti-thrombosis and pro-angiogenesis can improve BSS. However, the anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic activities of Rubia cordifolia have not been well investigated.

AIM OF STUDY

To determine the potential anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic activities of Rubia cordifolia and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In addition, the major chemical constituents of Rubia cordifolia extract (QC) were qualitatively analysed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS to explore the association between pharmacological activity and chemical constituents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The QC samples were composed of a 95% ethanol extract and an aqueous extract following extraction using 95% ethanol. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was used to analyse the major chemical constituents of QC. For the anti-thrombotic experiment of QC, a phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced AB strain zebrafish thrombosis model was used. The zebrafish larvae were stained using O-dianisidine, and the heart and caudal vein of the zebrafish were observed and imaged with a fluorescence microscope. The staining intensity of erythrocytes in the heart (SI) of each group and the morphology of thrombus in the caudal vein were used to assess the anti-thrombotic effect of QC. For the pro-angiogenic assay of QC, the intersegmental blood vessel (ISV) insufficiency model of Tg(fli-1: EGFP)y1 transgenic zebrafish (Flik zebrafish), which was induced by the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor II (VRI), was used. The morphology of the intact ISVs and defective ISVs was observed to evaluate the pro-angiogenic activity of QC. The mechanism involved in promoting angiogenesis was studied with real-time PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 12 components in QC were identified based on standard compounds and references, including nine anthraquinones and three naphthoquinones. After treatment with QC, the PHZ-induced thrombosis in AB strain zebrafish larvae decreased to a certain degree, which we believe was related to its dosages, and the therapeutic effect within the 50-200 µg/mL QC treatment groups was especially prominent (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) compared to that in the PHZ model group. Similarly, QC also recovered the loss of the ISVs, which was induced by VRI in Flik zebrafish larvae, which have a certain dose-effect relationship. The pro-angiogenic activity of QC was also conspicuous (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) compared to that of the VRI model group. The following real-time PCR assay proved that QC significantly restored the VRI-induced downregulation of vWF, VEGF-A, kdrl, and flt-1 in Flik zebrafish (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 12 compounds from QC were analysed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. The data of the pharmacological experiments demonstrated that QC presented anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic activities in zebrafish, and the principal active components were likely anthraquinones and naphthoquinones. Thus, the current study provided a theoretical basis for the clinical use of Rubia cordifolia as a traditional Chinese medicine in promoting blood circulation and eliminating stasis.

[Changes of chemical constituents in Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma before and after carbonized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method]

In order to explore the effect on chemical constituents after carbonized, the changes of chemical constituents in raw and carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The research also used principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) for data statistics to find out the main differences on components before and after carbonized. The accurate m/z values of Q-TOF-MS and Q-TOF-MS-MS fragments were applied to identify the structures. The results showed that 6 more discrepant constituents were existed between raw and carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma. Three constituents were selected as the main discrepant components according to the peak area (276 nm) and identified, as lucidin, xanthopurpurin and 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone. After carbonized, contents of xanthopurpurin and 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone were observably increasing, while lucidin was obviously decreasing. They could be used as the chemical markers for the differentiation between raw and carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma. The results of this experiment played an important role in the study of processing principle of carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma. It also provided important evidences for the interpretation of effective material based on carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma.

[Acute toxicity of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and vinegar-processing Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix on zebrafish embryo]

The embryos of model organism zebrafish were used to evaluate the acute toxicity of the extracts of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and vinegar-processing Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix, and the total terpene content of each extract was determined by using euphol as the reference standards. Twenty-four h normally developed zebrafish embryos were chosen, and 8 concentrations were adopted for each extract. Then the growth and death of zebrafish embryos were observed at 96 h after administration, and median lethal concentrations (LC50) of the different samples on zebrafish embryos were calculated. The results showed that all of the extracts (before and after vinegar processing) had acute toxicity on zebrafish embryos. The toxicity of vinegar-processing Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix was significantly lower than that of crude Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix. Among different extraction methods, ethanol extract was more poisonous than water extract; in different polarity fractions, the toxicity was in the following order: petroleum ether>dichloromethane>ethyl acetate>n-butyl alcohol and remaining part. Combined with the results of the determination of terpene components, it can be concluded that the terpenoids are the main toxic components of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix, positively correlated with toxicity degree. It indicates that the zebrafish embryo model is appropriate for the toxicity evaluation of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and provides appropriate research methods and theoretical basis for the further study of the toxic components and the mechanism of reducing toxicity.

Anti-inflammatory effect of volatile oil from Schizonepeta tenuifolia on carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats and its application to study of appropriate harvesting time coupled with multi-attribute comprehensive index method

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. (ST) herbs have been used as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating colds for thousands of years. The volatile oil is considered as the main material basis responsible for the efficacy of ST and has attracted lots of attention on its anti-inflammatory effect recently.

AIM OF STUDY

This paper investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the distilled volatile oils from Schizonepeta tenuifolia (STVO) that were collected at different harvesting times on carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats. Based on the anti-inflammatory effects, instead of contents of marker components, we aim to evaluate the quality and determine the appropriate harvesting time of ST.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were eleven groups with eight male rats in each randomly. They were model group, control group, positive group (dexamethasone) and eight groups treated with eight STVOs at different harvesting times. All treatments were performed by gavage and administered once a day on four consecutive days. One hour after the last treatments, except the rats in control group, those in other groups were treated with carrageenin to induce the pleurisy. Four hours later, all the rats were sacrificed and their pleurisy exudates and lung tissues were collected for further analysis. To evaluate the comprehensive anti-inflammatory effect of the eight STVOs, multi-attribute comprehensive index method (MACIM) was used to obtain the integration of various effects.

RESULTS

All the eight STVOs could decrease the seven indicators relating to pleurisy, which were exudate volume, leukocytes, protein level, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukine-1β (IL-1β). Majority of these decreases were significant (P<0.01, P<0.05). As far as each indicator was concerned, each STVO showed different effect from others. With MACIM, it was found that STVO in Group 6 was the most effective one with the highest V_s and appropriate harvesting time of ST was in late September.

CONCLUSIONS

The study may provide scientific basis to further understanding of the mechanism of STVO in anti-inflammatory effect of carrageenin-induced pleurisy. Meanwhile, this study also provides a new access to determining the appropriate harvesting time of TCM and even evaluating the quality of TCM.

Analysis of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

AIM

To establish an LC-MS/MS method for determination of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside and investigate its application on pharmacokinetic study in rats.

METHODS

Eight rats were given 5 mg·kg(-1) isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside after intravenous administration. A highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein rat plasma using rutin as internal standard. The analytes and rutin (internal standard) were extracted with methanol followed by a rapid isocratic elution with 10 mmol·L(-1) ammonium acetate buffer/methanol (20 : 80, V/V) on a C18 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, I.D., 5 μm) and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry in the multi-eaction-monitoring mode.

RESULTS

The assays were linear over the concentration range of 0.01-10 μg·mL(-1) for isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein rat plasma. The lower limit of quantifications for isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside was 0.01 μg·mL(-1).

CONCLUSION

The validated method is successfully applied to determine the plasma concentrations of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein in rats.

[Filtration of active fractions with hemostasis effect from platycladi cacumen carbonisatum]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the hemostasis of the different polarities of Platycladi Cacumen Carbonisatum (PCC) on the blood heat and hemorrhage syndrome rat model induced by dry yeast.

METHOD

The SD rats were divided into seven groups. Yunnan Baiyao was taken as the positive control drug. The rats in the control group and model group were fed with CMC-Na for 7 days, and the rats in other groups were fed with corresponding drugs simultaneously. On day 7, the blood heat and hemorrhage syndrome rat model was established. Indexes including the whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen content (FIB), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), blood platelet count (PLT), thrombocytocrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and the rate of platelet aggregation induced by ADP were detected. Additionally, the pathological examinations of lungs among each group were compared.

RESULT

Compared with the control group, the RBC, HGB and HCT of rats in the model group increased significantly, with distinct increase in high, middle and low whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity of rats in the model group; TT and APTT were notably prolonged, while PT was notably shortened, with significant increase in FIB content; PLT, PCT, MPV and PDW remarkably increased; Additionally, the rate of platelet aggregation induced by ADP significantly decreased. After ig administration of the ethyl acetate extract of PCC, the low whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity remarkably decreased; TT and APTT were significantly shortened, with notable reduction in PDW and in FIB content Additionally, the rate of platelet aggregation induced by ADP significantly increased. The injury of lungs was also improved in ethyl acetate extract group. The rate of platelet aggregation induced by ADP of n-butanol extract group notablly increased. Plasma viscosity of water extract group remarkably decreased, with TT being significantly shortened. But the effects of n-butanol extract or water extract were weaker than that of ethyl acetate extract. And the effect of petroleum ether extract was the weakest.

CONCLUSION

Ethyl acetate extract is the active part of PCC, showing the effect of hemostasis by reducing the low whole blood and plasma viscosity, improving coagulation function mainly by acting on the endogenous coagulation, and ameliorating the function of platelet aggregation.

[Study on detoxication of euphorbia pekinensis radix processed with vinegar on rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cells IEC-6]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the difference of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix before and after being processed with vinegar in the toxicity on rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cells IEC-6, and make a preliminary study on the mechanism of detoxication of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix processed with vinegar.

METHOD

With rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cells IEC-6 as the study object, the MTT method was adopted to detect the effect of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix before and after being processed with vinegar on IEC-6 cell activity. The morphology of cells were observed by the inverted microscope. The down-regulated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of enterocytes caused by the vinegar processing was analyzed by using the high content screening.

RESULT

Compared with the negative control group, the proliferation inhibition experiment showed that Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix showed a relatively high intestinal cell toxicity (P < 0.01). The results of HCS analysis showed that Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix could significantly reduce the cell nucleus Hoechst fluorescence intensity and mitochondria membrane (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and increase Annexin V-FITC and PI fluorescence intensity and membrane permeability (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). After being processed with vinegar, compared with Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix groups with different doses, Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix processed with vinegar could significantly decrease the cell proliferation inhibition effect on enterocytes, increase the cell nuclear Hoechst fluorescence intensity and mitochondria membrane (P < 0.05, P < 0.05), and decrease Annexin V-FITC and PI fluorescence intensity and membrane permeability (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and showed a certain dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSION

The vinegar processing can further reduce the toxicity of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix on enterocytes. Its possible mechanism can decrease the effect of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix on the permeability of IEC-6 cell membrane, so as to provide a basis for further explanation of the detoxication mechanism of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix processed with vinegar.

[Comparative study on effects of Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma and carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma on acute blood stasis rat model]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (RRR) and carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (CRRR) on the acute blood stasis rat model, and reveal their differences in efficacy.

METHOD

The acute blood stasis model was induced by subcutaneously injecting adrenaline hydrochloride and soaking in ice water. Yunnan Baiyao was used as the positive control drug, and administered for consecutively seven days. This model was adopted to observe the effect of high, middle and low dose RRR and CRRR groups on hemorheology, thrombin activity, and blood platelet system.

RESULT

RRR could significantly reduce the wholeblood viscosity and plasma viscosity of blood stasis rats under different shear rates, and showed certain two-way regulating function in hemostasis. It also showed certain effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation rate, but which was lower than CRRR. CRRR achieved the main hemostatic mechanism by stimulating intrinsic and extrinsic blood coagulation and fibrinogen, and could significantly enhance the platelet aggregation rate of rats in the acute blood stasis model (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSION

RRR had the effect of removing blood stasis and hemostasis, while CRRR mainly has the hemostatic effect. This further demonstrates the traditional processing theory of "promoting blood circulation with crude herbs and stopping bleeding with processed herbs".

[Analysis of mineral elements in different organs at different harvesting times of Schizonepeta tenuifolia on ICP-AES]

To study the main storage organ of each mineral element in Schizonepeta tenuifolia, and explain its reasonable harvesting time and medicinal parts in view of mineral elements. The mineral elements of Schizonepeta tenuifolia in different organs at different harvesting times were determined by ICP-AES technique. The mineral elements, K, Ca, Na, P, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, were determined in the study. The results showed that at different harvesting times, (1) the contents of K, P, Cu in fringe and the contents of Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn in leaf were highest among different organs. (2) among the macroelements, the contents of K and Ca were highest while the content of Na was lowest; among the microelements, the content of Fe was highest while the content of Mo was lowest. (3) in item, the proportion of K:P was highest while the proportion of Zn: Cu was lowest; in fringe, the proportions of Ca:Mg and Fe:Mn were lowest. (4) within the harvest period, variations of the mineral elements were not obvious.

CONCLUSIONS

In the stem of Schizonepeta tenuifolia, the contents of every mineral elements were lower than other organs, including leaves and spikes. Considering the mineral elements, the correlations of harvesting time and content change were not remarkable.

[HPLC specific chromatograms of drug pair of schizonepetae herba and saposhnikoviae radix]

In this experiment, the HPLC specific chromatogram was adopted, with Agilent Extend-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) as the chromatographic column, and 0.5 per thousand trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase for gradient elution, so as to establish specific chromatograms for drug pair of Schizonepetae Herba and Saposhnikoviae Radix from different producing area, identify 12 common characteristic peaks, and obtain the comparison specific chromatography of drug pair of Schizonepetae Herba and Saposhnikoviae Radix. The method is simple, accurate and highly reproducible, and thus can be used as the basis for the quality control of the drug pair.

Platycladus orientalis leaves: a systemic review on botany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Platycladus orientalis leaves (Cebaiye) have been used for thousands of years as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to the theory of TCM, they are categorized as a blood-cooling and hematostatic herb. In clinical practice, they were usually prescribed with heat-clearing herbs to reinforce the efficacy of hemostasis. The review provides the up-to-date information from 1980 to present that is available on the botany, processing research, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the leaves. The information is collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via library and electronic search (Google Scholar, Pubmed and CNKI). Through literature reports, we can find that the leaves show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, disinsection, anticancer, diuretic, hair growth-promoting, neuroprotective and antifibrotic activities. Diterpene and flavonoids would be active constituents in P. orientalis leaves. Many studies have provided evidence for various traditional uses. However, there is a great need for additional studies to elucidate the mechanism of blood-cooling and hematostatic activity of the leaves. Therefore, the present review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and toxicity has provided preliminary information for further studies of this herb.

[Protective effect of different solvent extracts from platycladi cacumen carbonisatum on LPS-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells damage]

OBJECTIVE

To study the protective effect of different solvent extracts from Platycladi Cacumen Carbonisatum (PCC) on LPS-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell damage, and discuss the effective extracts from PCC for protecting vascular endothelial cells and their possible active substances.

METHOD

HUVECs were cultured in vitro; And LPS was adopted to establish the human umbilical vein endothelial cell damage model. MTT colorimetric method was used to determine cell activity; Xanthine oxidase method was adopted to detect the activity of superoxide dismutases (SOD) in the cell culture fluid; The TBA method was adopted to determine the content of malondialdehyde (MDA); The nitrate reductase method was used to detect the content of nitric oxide (NO); And UPLC/Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the difference in flavonoids components among different solvent extracts from PCC.

RESULT

Compared with the model group, N-butanol extract (100 mg x L(-1)) and ethylacetate extract (100, 50 mg x L(-1)) could significantly enhance the cell activity (P < 0.05), significantly reduce MDA and NO content, and increase SOD activity (P < 0.05). Among the four solvent extracts, the content of total flavonids were the highest in ethyl acetate extract, the lowest in water extract and equivalent in N-butanol and petroleum benzene extract. In terms of the contents of quercitrin and myricitrin, N-butanol extract were second only to ethyl acetate extract.

CONCLUSION

Ethylacetate extract from PCC has a notable antagonistic effect in the damage induced by LPS to HUVECs, and thus is the most effective extract from PCC in protecting vascular endothelial cells. Quercitrin, myricitrin or multiple flavonoids that it contains may be their active substances for protecting vascular endothelial cells. Its mechanism may be related to the decrease in the production of NO and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells.

[Study on reducing mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by ethyl acetate fractions of kansui radix stir-baked with vinegar in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To study the mechanism of the reducing mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by ethyl acetate fractions of Kansui Radix stir-baked with vinegar in mice.

METHOD

Mice with normal ICR were orally administered with ethyl acetate fractions of Kansui Radix and Kansui Radix stir-baked with vinegar. Their blood and liver homogenate were collected to detect the level of AST, ALT, LDH, SOD, activities of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) -Mg(2+) -ATPase, GSH and MDA. Liver tissues were collected for HE staining and morphological observation under light microscope.

RESULT

According to the results of pathological sections, compared with the control group, all of Kansui groups showed a significant increase in the hepatic tissues injury (P < 0.01). Compared with Kansui groups, all of vinegar-baked groups showed a significant decrease in the hepatic tissues injury (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, all of Kansui groups showed a significant increase in ALT, AST and LDH (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) in serum and hepatic tissues, and significantly decrease in the activity of SOD (P < 0.001) and the content of GSH. They also showed a significant increase in MDA (P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in the level of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) -Mg(2+) -ATPase (P < 0.01) in hepatic tissues, with a certain dose-effect relationship. Compared with all of Kansui groups, all of vinegar-baked groups showed a significant decrease in ALT, AST and LDH (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), and a notable increase in SOD (P < 0.001) and GSH in serum and hepatic tissues. They also showed a remarkable decrease in MDA (P < 0.001), and a significant increase in the level of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) - Mg(2+) -ATPase (P < 0.01) in hepatic tissues, with a certain dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSION

Being stir-baked with vinegar can significantly reduce the hepatotoxicity of Kansui Radix. Its mechanism may be related to the reduction of the effect of Kansui Radix on the permeability of hepatic tissues cell membranes and the oxidative injury.

[Effect of Kansui Radix prepared by different processes on LO2 cell cycle and apoptosis]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the effect of Kansui Radix prepared by different processes on cell cycle and apoptosis of normal human liver cell lines LO2.

METHOD

With normal human liver cell lines LO2 as the study object, the MTT method was adopted to study the effect of Kansui Radix prepared by different processes, including Kansui Radix, stir-baking Kansui Radix, Kansui Radix moistening with vinegar and Kansui prepared by different processes, on LO2 cell activity. The cellular morphological changes were observed by inverted microscope. The effect of Kansui Radix stir-baked with vinegar on LO2 cell cycle and apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry.

RESULT

Compared with the negative control group, Kansui could obviously inhibit the activity of human normal liver cell lines LO2 (P <0.01) , and significantly increase the percentage of LO2 cells in S phase (P <0.05) , notably decrease the percentage of LO2 cells in G2/M phase (P <0.01) , significantly increase the early apoptosis rate, late apoptosis rate and necrosis rate and total apoptosis rate of human normal liver cell lines LO2 (P <0.01). Compared with the Kansui group, all of the other processed Kansui samples could significantly decrease the cell proliferation inhibition (P <0.01) , and the trend of morphological degradation. Besides, they could significantly increase the percentage of LO2 cells in G2/M phase (P <0.05, P <0.05, P <0. 01) , significantly decrease the early apoptosis rate, late apoptosis rate and necrosis rate, and total apoptosis rate of human normal liver cell lines LO2 (P < 0.01). The order of the increase in the percentage of cells in G2/M phase and the decrease in apoptosis rate was Kansui Radix stirbaked with vinegar > Kansui Radix moistening with vinegar > stir-baking Kansui Radix.

CONCLUSION

The toxicity of processed Kansui could be reduced by affecting LO2 cell cycle and apoptosis. The processes of stir-baking and moistening with vinegar can play a synergistic effect in the detoxication of human normal liver cell lines LO2, which provides a basis for unveiling the rationality of stirbaking with vinegar of Kansui in the detoxication, as well as the optimizing the process.

[Study on detoxication and mechanism of vinegar-processed Euphorbia pekinensis on normal liver cells LO2]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the toxicity of Euphorbia pekinensis before and after being processed by vinegar on normal liver cells LO2, and discuss its possible mechanism.

METHOD

LO2 cells were cultured in vitro, and processed with different concentrations of crude and vinegar-processed E. pekinensis. MTT assay was used to measure the inhibitory effect of LO2 cell; Hoechst 33258 staining was used to observe the morphological changes in apoptosis cell; Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptotic rate of LO2 cell; PI staining flow cytometry was used to analyze its impact on cell cycle. The level or content of ALT, AST, LDH, SOD, MDA and GSH were observed as well.

RESULT

Compared with the negative control group, crude E. pekinensis at all concentrations could obviously inhibit LO2 cell proliferation, induce LO2 cell apoptosis and cause cell arrest in S phase, with significant differences (P <0.05). E. pekinensis could significantly increase the levels of ALT, AST and LDH (P <0.05) in the supernatant of cell culture fluid, significantly decrease the level of SOD and the content of GSH (P <0.05) , and significantly increase the content of MDA (P <0.05). Compared with the crude E. pekinensis group, E. pekinensis after being vinegar-processed can significantly reduce cell apoptotic rate, cell cycle arrest, activities of ALT, AST, LDH in the supernatant of cell culture fluid (P <0.05) , and remarkably increase the level of SOD and the content of GSH, but reduce the content of MDA in the supernatant of cell culture fluid.

CONCLUSION

Vinegar-processed E. pekinensis can release the cytotoxicity of LO2 cell. Its mechanism may be related to the decrease in the oxidative damage of LO2 cells, thereby reducing the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

[Effects and mechanisms of platycladi cacumen carbonisatum on rats with blood-heat and hemorrhage syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the effect and mechanism of Platycladi Cacumen Carbonisatum (PCC) on rats with blood heat and hemorrhage syndromes.

METHOD

Rats were fed with 15 g x kg(-1) water decoctions of Zingiberis Rhizoma and 5% alcohol for 15 days to establish the blood-heat and hemorrhage syndrome model. Yunnan Baiyao was taken as the positive control drug, and PCC decoctions (5.0, 10.0 g x kg(-1)) were given simultaneously, in order to detect changes in general physical signs of rats, such as body weight, daily diet, volume of daily drinking and urine and stool, and rectal temperature. Automatic hematology analyzers was used to determine white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT), blood time by docking (BT). Blood rheometers was used to detect whole blood and plasma viscosities, thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen content (FIB). Indexes related to thyroid functions, such as triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radio-immunoassay, and changes in lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain.

RESULT

After modeling, rats witnessed slow-down in weight growth rate, significant increase in daily diet, volume of daily drinking, urine and temperature, significant decrease in stools and their water content (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), rise in plasma T4 level, notable growth in T3 and rT3 concentrations (P < 0.05), decline in TSH concentration. Additionally, their WBC, RBC, HGB and HCT remarkably increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), with significant increase in high, middle and low whole blood viscosities and plasma viscosity (P < 0.01); their BT, TT, APTT were notably prolonged (P < 0.01), with significant increase in FIB content (P < 0.01). After oral administration of Yunnan Baiyao or PCC, rats of all groups showed significant improvement in blood heat syndromes (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and their blood coagulation indexes including BT, TT, APTT, FIB, thyroid function indexes including T4, T3, rT3, TSH, WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were getting normal (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

PCC can ameliorate blood heat symptoms and pathologic hemorrhage among rats with blood heat and hemorrhage syndromes by inhibiting thyroid functions and correcting hemorheological and coagulation disorders.

[Spectrum-active relation research on Typha angustifolia before and after carbonized]

OBJECTIVE

To study the components of Typha angustifolia change before and after carbonized and the correlation with its effective.

METHODS

The chemical constitutions between the pollen and its carbonized product were compared by UPLC-MASS and their thrombin activity was tested.

RESULTS

The change of components was significant especially the flavonoids. The content of flavonoid glycoside was reduced obviously and the thrombin activity showed the main difference was quercetin and isorhamnetin.

CONCLUSION

The flavonoids in pollen typha may be the main factors in their thrombin activity.

[Common and variant peak ratios in IR fingerprint of Cacumen platycladi with dual-index sequence analysis]

To establish a new method to analyze IR fingerprint, which is in line with the characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine, two indexes, common peak ratio and variant peak ratio, were applied and their values were calculated by means of sequential analysis, in which each Cacumen platycladi sample's IR fingerprint spectra were set up and the common peak ratio sequences were arranged in the order of size in comparison with other samples. The analytical results showed that samples G1 and G8 from the same region, and G4, G2 and G6 from the closer regions were the most similar samples with higher common peak ratio (> or = 90.0%) and lower variant peak ratio (< or = 11.1%). However, the samples G10, G3, G4 and G5 from the closer regions collected in different years, and G2 and G7 from the farther regions,were of significant disparity with common peak ratio less than 50% and variant peak ratio larger than 50%. As a result, the method could be used to distinguish Cacumen platycladi of different areas and batches. The dual index sequential analysis enables us to distinguish two or more herb's IR fingerprints, is a new method to analyze IR fingerprint spectra, and can be used in line with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine.

Isolation and biological activities of neomyrrhaol and other terpenes from the resin of Commiphora myrrha

A new cycloartane-type triterpene named cycloartane-1alpha,2alpha,3beta,25-tetraol (neomyrrhaol) (1), along with four known terpenes, sandaracopimaric acid (2), abietic acid (3), 2-methoxy-5-acetoxyfruranogermacr-1(10)-en-6-one (4), and dehydroabietic acid (5) have been isolated from the resin of COMMIPHORA MYRRHA. Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D, 2 D NMR and HR-mass spectroscopy. Compounds 2-5 are known compounds but not previously isolated from the resin of C. MYRRHA. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited significant aromatase inhibiting activity with IC50 values at 0.2 microM and 0.3 microM, respectively. As shown in the MTT assay, 2, 3, 4, and 5 had inhibitory effects on HUVEC growth with IC50 values of 0.122 microM (2), 0.125 microM (3), 0.069 microM (5). Compounds 1-5 did not inhibit contraction of the isolated uterine and did not protect HUVEC from damage induced by H2O2 at the tested concentration.

Screening and analyzing the potential bioactive components from Shaofu Zhuyu decoction, using human umbilical vein endothelial cell extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

In this paper, a useful method for screening and analyzing the potential bioactive components in bioassay-guided fraction (SF-11) from Shaofu Zhuyu decoction was developed using human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF/MS spectrometry. In addition, the protective effects on HUVEC damage induced by adrenaline in vitro were also investigated. The results showed that SF-11 significantly inhibited the endothelin (ET) release and reversed the NO secretion of HUVEC (p < 0.05), and promoted the PGI(2) release of HUVEC (p < 0.05). Two effective components, paeoniflorin and typhaneoside, from SF-11 were screened and identified using live cell extract and HPLC coupled with Q-TOF/MS spectrometry. The compounds, paeoniflorin and typhaneoside, showed significantly inhibiting effects on the ET release and reversing of NO secretion of HUVEC (p < 0.05), with similar effects to SF-11, and promoting the PGI(2) release of HUVEC at the concentration of 0.208 and 0.013 micromol/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). These data indicated that the method of live cell extraction coupled with HPLC-MS technology is feasible, rapid and useful for screening and analyzing potential bioactive components from TCMs.

[Absorption mechanism of icariin across Caco-2 monolayer model]

OBJECTIVE

To study the absorption mechanism of icariin by using Caco-2 monolayer model.

METHOD

Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to study the bi-direction transport of icariin. The effects of time, drug concentration and inhibitor on the absorption of icariin were studied. The concentration of icariin in cell culture medium was measured by UPLC and the apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) was calculated.

RESULT

The amount of icariin which was transported increased linearly with the time (14 hr). The ratio of PBA/PAB was larger than 4. Verapamil, the P-glycoprotein inhibitor, could cause significantly effect on transport of icariin, PAB increased, the ratio of PBA/PAB decreased.

CONCLUSION

The reason for low absorption of icariin in Caco-2 cell model may be the secretion of the P-gp transporter.

[Research on hemostatic mechanism of extracts from carbonized Schizonepeta tenuifolia Brig]

It has been shown that StE can significantly shorten PT, TT, KPTT and RT of experimental animals and has an antiheparin function in the body. Meanwhile, it can significantly shorten ELT and strengthen FA. Its hemostatic action is accomplished through promoting coagulation and inhibiting fibrinolysis. 3P test and EG test were negative, it is thus impossible for a large dosage of StE to lead to DIC.

[A research on the constituents of ginger in various preparations]

The constituents extracted by ether from ginger in different preparations were checked up by GC-MS-DS. The results are as follows: 25 constituents were found in fresh ginger; 22 in dry ginger, of which one had not been found in other forms of ginger; 23 in ginger roasted with sand in a pan, of which two had not been found in other forms of ginger; 23 in ginger charcoal, of which three had not been found in other forms of ginger. A comparison has been made of the content of the constituents in the ginger studied, and the result shows that some of the constituents have changed. All of the essential oil constituents in roasted ginger and ginger charcoal were reported for the first time.