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Aristolochiae Fructus, a Chinese herbal medicine derived from the fruit of Aristolochia contorta Bge., contains nephrotoxic aristolochic acid analogues (AAAs). According to ancient medical texts, various medicinal parts of the fruit of A. contorta were ever used. In order to reveal which part could be safely and effectively used, it is necessary to analyze the chemical profiles of different medicinal parts. Herein we compared the chemical compositions and determined aristolochic acid I (AA-I) and aristolochic acid II (AA-II) in the four parts viz. outer pericarp, inner pericarp, septum, and seed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) was applied for chemical profiling. Ultra-high performance liquid coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) was employed to quantify AA-I and AA-II in different parts. It was found that the chemical compositions of the four parts varied both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 10 AAAs, including 5 aristolochic acids and 5 aristolactams, together with 3 alkaloids, were unambiguously or tentatively identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. The quantitatively analytical results obtained by UHPLC-QqQ-MS showed that AA-I and AA-II exclusively accumulate in the seeds of A. contorta. These findings provide supporting data for the rational selection of medicinal parts.

Lycii Fructus, a solanaceous drug, is widely used as functional foods and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Samples collected from different regions of China have been found to be not identical in chemical compositions which might affect the biological activities. Although many chromatographic and spectrometric methods have been reported to determine the concentration of betaine and other bioactive amino acids, disturbance resulted from other polar substances with low UV-absorbance and expensive mass facilities reduced the applicability of these techniques. In the present study, the strong cation exchange solid phase extraction procedure incorporated with

Heshouwu, derived from the root of Polygonum multiflorum (=Fallopia multiflora), is widely used in the Chinese medicine market as a traditional tonic. The emergence of heshouwu material with a human shape reflects a pursuit of its supplementing effects. However, reports of Heshouwu toxicity have repeatedly surfaced in recent years, attracting widespread concern. To clarify the situation surrounding the safety and efficacy of Heshouwu, this research utilizes a systematic review of the text and illustrations in historical bencao (materia medica) literature to investigate the origin, botanical characteristics, actions and processing of Heshouwu, as well as the origin and historical evolution of Baishouwu ("white Heshouwu").

Although Radix Paeoniae Alba (RPA) has been ranked as one of the top 6 herbs used frequently to prevent and treat miscarriages clinically, there is no clear evidence regarding its safety in embryonic development. This study aims to evaluate the potential impacts of RPA on embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and pregnant mice. Cytotoxicity assays of the extract were performed in ESCs and 3T3 cells. Pregnant ICR mice were orally treated with RPA extracts at dosages of 0 (G1 group as negative controls), 2, 8 and 32 g/kg/day (G2, G3 and G4 groups) respectively from the gestation day (Gd) 6-15. On Gd 18, there was no significant difference in the IC

Based on a systematic review of morphology and distribution of plants, alternate names, actions, and properties of herbs recorded in ancient and modern literatures, in combination of field investigation, 18 Chinese herbal medicines recorded in ancient bencao literature were regarded to be derived from 7 species in the Ardisia genus. Among them, the variety Ardisia crenata f. hortensis was identified as the source of Zhushagen and Zijinniu. A. hanceana is referenced as Tiesan in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature (Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao). The name Pingdimu refers to a different substance in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature and the Flower Mirror (Huajing). The medicinals named Yedihong, Aicha, and Duanjiao sanlangare all derived from A. japonica. The origin of the herb Xiaoqing referenced in the Illustrated Classic of the Materia Medica (Bencao Tujing) is A. pusilla. The medicinals Bailiangjin, Jiuguanxue and Zoumatai are derived from A. crispa, A. brevicaulis, and A. gigantifolia, respectively. This investigation clarifies the botanical sources and actions of related Chinese medicinal materials in the genus Ardisia, and provides clues and evidence for utilizing and developing their medicinal plant resources.

Herbal healthcare products are used worldwide as relatively safe and effective alternatives to allopathic drugs. Saussurea laniceps Hand.-Mazz. (SL), S. medusa Maxim. (SM) and S. involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.Bip. (SI) are three sources of the renowned 'snow lotus', Chinese materia medica for treating inflammatory diseases. The three species have different therapeutic effects, among which SL has been proved to be the most potent, but they are frequently confused on the market and in the academic community. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS) method was developed and used to analyze 49 herbal samples for species analysis and overall quality evaluation. With 25 simultaneously identified constituents, of which 12 were quantified, the three herbs showed different chemical profiles. Four-dimensional principle component analysis (4D-PCA) and orthogonal hierarchical cluster analysis (2D-HCA) results illustrated that SL should be grouped away from SM and SI, contradicting the botanical record in Flora of China. The present chemical determination and pattern recognition results directly explain the therapeutic potency of SL and distinguish the three confused snow lotus herbs. Furthermore, the findings suggest a possible extensive quality evaluation model for multi-origin medicinal plants and help monitor falsification of snow lotus herbal products on the market, contributing to a more regulated pharmaceutical industry. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd.

To identify the metabolites of norcoclaurine,liensinine, isoliensinine and neferine in Caco-2 cells by LC/ MS/MS.After Caco-2 cells were treated with norcoclaurine, liensinine, isoliensinine or neferine for 3, 6 and 12 h, samples were collected, purified and then analyzed by LC/MS/MS. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated by molecular masses, retention times, MS and MS/MS spectra comparing with those of the parent drug.The procedure identified that the major metabolites of norcoclaurine were methylnorcoclaurine and norcoclaurine-glucuronide, the major metabolite of liensinine was demethyl-liensinine, the major metabolite of isoliensinine was demethyl-isoliensinine, the major metabolites of neferine were liensinine, isoliensinine and their further demethylation products.LC/MS/MS is simple, rapid and sensitive for the metabolites identification. Methylation, demethylation and glucuronidation are main metabolic pathways of alkaloids from Nelumbinis Plumula in Caco-2 cells.

On-site field investigation was conducted to authenticate a batch of ancient Chinese medicinal decoction pieces that have been preserved in a rare collection at the Natural History Museum in London. These treasured artifacts comprise a portion of the Sloane Collection, and the nearly one hundred Chinese medicinal specimens examined within provide an objective record of the real situation regarding the Chinese medicinal materials in commercial circulation three hundred years ago. The precious data from this collection pro-vides an extremely valuable reference for the research into the history of medicinal exchange between China and the West during the Age of Exploration, shedding light on the evolution and historical changes in the species used in Chinese medicine, as well as the history of medicinal processing and decoction pieces.

Chinese medicinal authentication is fundamental for the standardization and globalization of Chinese medicine. The discipline of authentication addresses difficult issues that have remained unresolved for thousands of years, and is essential for preserving safety. Chinese medicinal authentication has both scientific and traditional cultural connotations; the use of scientific methods to elucidate traditional experience-based differentiation carries the legacy of Chinese medicine forward, and offers immediate practical significance and long-term scientific value. In this paper, a path of inheritance and innovation is explored through the scientific exposition of Chinese medicinal authentication, featuring a review of specialized publications, the establishment of a Chinese medicine specimen center and Chinese medicinal image databases, the expansion of authentication technologies, and the formation of a cultural project dedicated to the Compedium of Materia Medica.

Aims Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. ( O. diffusa ) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating cancer. Its pharmacological activities and anti-cancer effects have been the focus of intense research in recent years. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether the five major compounds from O. diffusa possess a unique inhibitory activity against ras -transformed cells in a well-established cell model. Main methods The anti-cancer effects of O. diffusa were assessed in a co-culture system containing normal and transformed Rat 6 (R6) fibroblasts. In addition, a transwell assay was used to examine the interaction between the drugs and the co-cultivated cells. Key findings Our data showed that among the samples tested, oleanolic acid (OA), but not the structural isomer ursolic acid (UA), inhibits the growth of ras oncogene-transformed R6 cells at a dosage that is not toxic to the co-cultivated normal fibroblasts. A significant inhibitory effect was also observed in the transwell experiments, indicating that the mode of action for OA-mediated growth inhibition of transformed cells does not require direct cell-to-cell contact between normal and ras -transformed cells. Data obtained from experiments conducted with the conditioned medium that was collected from normal R6 cells treated with OA also suggest that OA might cause normal cells to secrete inhibitory factor(s) against the transformed cells. The enhanced ability of OA to cause cytotoxicity in transformed cells in the presence of normal fibroblasts is also observed with the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SMMC-7721. Significance The present study demonstrates that OA may possess both cancer chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive activities. Thus, it may have great potential for clinical application as a novel anti-cancer drug.

Two new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, 4,21-deacetyl-deoxyyuzurimine (1) and macropodumine L (2), together with the two known related alkaloids, have been isolated from the bark of Daphniphyllum macropodum Miq. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of the detailed analysis of spectroscopic data, chemical method, and by comparison of the spectroscopic data with those of known compounds. Compounds 2 and 4 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HO-8910.

Four new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, namely dehydroxymacropodumine A (1), 4,21-deacetyl-23-demethyl-deoxyyuzurimine (2), 7-oxo-deoxyyuzurimine (3), and 4-acetoxydaphmanidin B (4), together with seven known related alkaloids, were isolated from the bark of Daphniphyllum macropodum Miq. The structures of new compounds 1–4 including relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic data analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. Dehydroxymacropodumine A (1) possesses a rare eleven-membered macrolactone ring representing the second example of this backbone isolated from natural sources.

Assessments of physiological parameters before, during and after ischemia (MCAO) in control and PSR pre-treated rats. Figure S1. Representative TTC-stained brain slices for sham and MCAO rats, with the latter animals divided into 4 groups that were pre-treated with vehicle, 1.1 g/kg, 2.2 g/kg or 5.5 g/kg PSR. Figure S2. Representative TTC-stained brain slices for sham and MCAO rats, with the latter animals divided into 4 groups that were post-treated with vehicle, 1.1 g/kg, 2.2 g/kg or 5.5 g/kg PSR. (DOCX 3065 kb)

Five new polycyclic Daphniphyllum alkaloids, macropodumines F (1) and G (2), 17-oxoyuzurimine (3), and macropodumines H (4) and I (5), were isolated from the leaves of D. macropodumMiq., collected in Sichuan Province, China. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds – as well as of four known, related alkaloids – were elucidated on the basis of in-depth spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses, by chemical derivatization, and by comparison of spectroscopic data with those of known compounds.

Bioactivity of Danggui is linked to the content of ligustilide, but the relationship between ligustilide with herb shape, cultivating areas and plant species is still unknown. The relationship was investigated by quantifying on the amounts of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide by HPLC-DAD-MS method, and then comparing the content of ligustilides (the sum of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide) among forty-four various "Danggui" samples containing thirty Chinese Danggui (CDG), six Japanese Danggui (JDG), four Korea Danggui (KDG) and four European Danggui (EDG). Results showed that the content of ligustilides in CDG samples (Angelica sinensis) was in the range of 5.63-24.53 mg x g(-1) with the mean of 11.02 mg x g(-1) (n = 30). Ligustilides amounts were varied among samples cultivated in different areas in China, i. e. 13.90 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in Yannan, 12.51 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in Sichuan and 10.04 mg x g(-1) (n = 13) in Gansu. It was also found that ligustilides content was related to the shape, color and fragrance of herb, e. g. the relative larger amount of ligustilides was in the small main root, long rootlet and perfumed sample. Further, ligustilides contents were estimated to be 1.00 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in JDG samples (A. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae) and 2.78 mg x g(-1) (n = 2) in EDG samples (lovage root, Levisticum officinale). However, ligustilides could not be detected in the four KDG samples (A. gigas) and two EDG samples (angelica root, A. archangelica). It has been concluded that ligustilide is significant variant among plant species, which may result in the variety of bioactivity and therapeutic effect.

To explore the correlation between microscopic characteristic constant and chemical component of Sophorae Flos.Capacity analysis was used to quantify pollen grains of Sophorae Flos. The content of total flavonoids was determined by UV method. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistics software.In Sophorae Flos, the microscopic characteristic constant of pollen grains and the content of total flavonoids were significantly correlated.Determination of microscopic characteristic of pollen grains can be applied to the quality control of Sophorae Flos.

The present study was carried out to investigate the neuroprotective effect of luteolin on amyloid beta (Abeta) (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cortical neurons. After exposure of primary cultures of rat cortical cells to 10 muM Abeta (25-35) for 48 h, cortical cell cultures exhibited marked apoptotic death. Pretreatment with luteolin (1, 10 microM) significantly protected cortical cell cultures against Abeta (25-35)-induced toxicity. Luteolin (1, 10 microM) showed a concentration-dependent inhibition on 10 muM Abeta (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal death, as assessed by MTT assay. Furthermore, luteolin reduced apoptotic characteristics by DAPI staining. For Western blot analysis, the results showed that the protective effect of luteolin on Abeta (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity was mediated by preventing of ERK-p, JNK, JNK-p, P38-p and caspase 3 activations in rat primary cortical cultures. Taken together, the results suggest that luteolin prevents Abeta (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal death through inhibiting the protein level of JNK, ERK and p38 MAP kinases and caspase 3 activations.

Five new polycyclic Daphniphyllum alkaloids, macropodumines F (1) and G (2), 17-oxoyuzurimine (3), and macropodumines H (4) and I (5), were isolated from the leaves of D. macropodumMiq., collected in Sichuan Province, China. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds – as well as of four known, related alkaloids – were elucidated on the basis of in-depth spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses, by chemical derivatization, and by comparison of spectroscopic data with those of known compounds.

To set up a new pattern of quality control and evaluation for Chinese medicine. By investigating the limitation of quality control pattern for Chinese medicine, the differences and similarities in the chemical substantial style as well as quality control patterns among Chinese medicine, chemical synthetic drugs and Biologicals, combining with the author's experience on the research of geo-authentic medicinal material and theory of Chinese medicinal nature, a new pattern of quality control for Chinese medicine has been explored and designed. A more rational pattern of quality control for Chinese medicine should be referred to Biologicals instead of chemical synthetic drugs, there are more similarity in chemical substantial style and quality control pattern for Chinese medicine between Chinese medicine and Biologicals than that between Chinese medicine and chemical synthetic drugs. Based on geo-authentic medicinal material and bioassay or biopotency detection, a new pattern of quality control for Chinese medicine could be built and applied.

To investigate the protective effect of the roots of F. hirta against the cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity and it's active components.Cocaine hydrochloride was subcutaneously injected to make male ICR mice liver wounded. Male ICR mice were randomly ig administered with the F. hirta decoction. The dose groups are 100, 200, 300 g x kg(-1) herb materials per body weight. Cocaine hydrochloride was subcutaneously injected into the mice after the administration. The serum ALT, AST activity and the activity of CAT in liver homogenate were assayed, and liver change of pathomorphism was evaluated to prove the effect of the F. hirta decoction on cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity. And the activity of psoralean which was separated from the F. hirta decoction by bioassay-guided fractionation, was proofed in the same method.We find that the F. hirta decoction shows a distinct effect on reducing serum transferase. The serum transferase and the content CAT in liver homogenate were dose-related reduced, and the histopathological examination found a significantly change of the liver tissues. And the psoralean, qua the mainly component, shows the same effect.F. hirta has the protective effect against the cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity. Psoralean is the basis.

To study the aqueous constituents of Houttuynia cordata.Various columns including Diaion HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and silica gel were employed for the isolation and purification of compounds from H. cordata. The structures of the compounds were identified by physiochemical properties and spectral analysis.Five compounds were isolated, and their structures were identified as chlorogenic methyl ester (1), (E)-4-Hydroxy-4-[3'-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy) butylidene]-3, 5, 5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (2), 2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl) ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), p-hydroxyphenethyl-beta-D-glucoside (4), 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-hydroxy-Benzoic acid (5).All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[structure: see text] Two new complex polycyclic alkaloids, macropodumines D (1) and E (2), both possessing unprecedented skeletons, along with four known related alkaloids, were isolated from the leaves and barks of Daphniphyllum macropodum Miq. The structures including the relative stereochemistry of new compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic data analysis.

To study the flavonoid constituents in fresh herb of Houttuynia cordata.Various column packing materials including Diaion HP - 20, Sephadex LH - 20, ODS and silica gel were employed for the isolation and purification of compounds from H. cordata. The structures of the compounds were identified by physiochemical properties and spectral analysis.Five compounds were isolated, and their structures were identified as quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercitrin (3), hyperin (4), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5).Compounds 1, 2 and 5 were separated from H. cordata for the first time.

To assay ligustilide content in the herb of Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong, CX), which is the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong in order to assess the quality.Ligustilide was quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography in 21 CX samples. An Alltima C18 column (4.6 mmx 150 mm, 5 microm) was used as the analytical column. The mobile phase consisted of water and acetonitrile (40:60). The flow rate was maintained at 1.0 mL x min(-1) with the column temperature at ambient conditions. The detection wavelength was set at 350 nm.The average content of Z-ligustilide in 21 CX samples was found to be 7.40 +/- 3.54 mg x g(-1)(x +/- s, n = 21). Therefore,the content of Z-ligustilide in CX should not be less than 0.66% (calculated on the dried basis).The overall analytical procedure is rapid and accuracy which is considered suitable for the quantitative analysis of ligustilide in CX. The amount of ligustilide in CX samples collected from different cultivation areas was obviously different. However, a relatively higher content of ligustilide was generally found in the CX collected from its main cultivated areas.

To set out the procedure for estimation of measurement uncertainty for the determination of ginsenosides R(g1), Re and R(b1) in Radix ginseng by HPLC.To facilitate the identification and analysis of the uncertainty sources arising from the procedure of analysis, a cause and effect diagram was constructed and simplified. Each uncertainty component whether associated with individual sources or with the combined effects of several sources, was evaluated with respect to the significance of its contribution to the overall measurement uncertainty and was expressed as standard uncertainty. All the standard uncertainties were then combined according to the appropriate rules to give a combined standard uncertainty and an expanded standard uncertainty. Results The expanded standard uncertainties for the HPLC determination of ginsenoside R(g1), Re, and R(b1), are 0.12c, 0.14c and 0.13c, respectively.Measurement uncertainty is applicable to set the limit of the ginsenosides in Radix ginseng. The establishment of the methodology for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty is important to the studies of Chinese materia medica standards.

In this article, a method of using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify 7 species and 3 variations of genus lycium (Gouqi) in China is described. This method is based on the additive IR absorptions of the chemical components and the differences of their relative contents in various Gouqi. These differences are reflected in the FTIR spectra. The method provides a novel fingerprinting technique for the identification and differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine. Such technique can serve as a rapid, simple, reliable and non-destructive analytical method for Gouqi as a Chinese material medication.

A reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for quantifying E-ligustilide (1) and Z-ligustilide (3) in the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels with confirmation using UV, atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) MS and APCI-MS-MS techniques. Based on the UV spectra of compounds 1, E-butylidenephthalide (2), 3 and Z-butylidenephthalide (4), the absorption at 350 nm was chosen as measuring wavelength in which baseline separation of compounds 1 and 3 could be obtained but avoided the interference of compounds 2 and 4. The identity of compounds 1 and 3 in samples were unambiguously determined by the respective quasi-molecular ions ([M+H]+) in APCI-MS. According to the stability data, acetonitrile was chosen for the preparation of standard solutions in order to minimize the isomerization of compound 3. Compounds 1 and 3 were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in seven samples of the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa, Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa var. sugiyamae Hikino and the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Analysis of an extract from a sample root of Angelica gigas Nakai using LC-MS for the first time could not detect the presence of ligustilide in this herb. The overall analytical procedure is rapid and reproducible which is considered suitable for quantitative analysis of large number of samples.