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Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of Astragaloside Ⅳ on inhibiting apoptosis and delaying kidney aging in rats by regulating SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway., Methods: The aging model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose 200 mg/(kg·d). SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group (intragastric infusion of 5 ml/(kg·d) normal saline), aging model group (intragastric infusion of 5 ml/(kg·d) normal saline), Astragaloside IV group (intragastric infusion of 40 mg/(kg·d) Astragaloside IV),and SRT1720 group( intragastric infusion of 20 mg/(kg·d) SRT1720), with 10 rats in each group. After 8 weeks, the serum samples of rats were collected to detect the levels of renal function (creatinine and urea nitrogen) and senescent associated secretory phenotype (TGF-β and IL-6) by ELISA. The renal tissues of rats were obtained for HE and Masson staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, p21 and pRb were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR., Results: Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in the aging model group were higher than those in the normal group, but there was no significant difference in each group ( P ＞0.05). The serum levels of TGF-β and IL-6 in the aging model group were higher than those in the normal group ( P ＜0.05), and which in the Astragaloside IV group and SRT1720 group were lower than those in the model group ( P ＜0.05). There was no significant differences between Astragaloside IV group and SRT1720 group ( P ＞0.05). The results of pathological staining of renal tissues showed that, compared with the normal group, the renal tubules dilated, local atrophy, infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of collagen fibers were observed in the aging model group. Compared with the aging model group, the pathological changes were alleviated in Astragaloside IV group and SRT1720 group. The results of Western blot and RT-PCR showed that, compared with the normal group, the protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1 and pRb in the renal tissue of the aging group were decreased, the protein expression of Bcl-2 was decreased( P ＜0.05), and the protein and mRNA expressions of p53 and p21 were increased, the protein expression of Bax was increased( P ＜0.05). Compared with the aging group, Astragaloside IV and SRT1720 improved the above-mentioned indexes ( P ＜0.05)., Conclusion: Astragaloside IV can delay kidney aging by regulating the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway.

Background: Exposure to air pollutants has been related to preterm birth, but little evidence can be available for PM 2.5 , O 3 and CO in China. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effect of exposure to air pollutants on risk preterm birth during 2014-2016 in Ningbo, China., Methods: We conducted a time-series study to evaluate the associations between daily preterm birth and major air pollutants (including PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , O 3 and CO) in Ningbo during 2014-2016. A General Additive Model extend Poisson regression was used to evaluate the relationship between preterm birth and air pollution with adjustment for time-trend, meteorological factors and day of the week (DOW). We also conducted a subgroup analysis by season and age., Results: In this study, a total of 37,389 birth occurred between 2014 and 2016 from the Electronic Medical Records System of Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, of which 5428 were verified as preterm birth. The single pollutant model suggested that lag effect of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 reached a peak at day 3 before delivery and day 6 for SO 2 , and no relationships were observed for O 3 and preterm birth. Excess risks (95% confidence intervals) for an increase of IQR of air pollutant concentrations were 4.84 (95% CI: 1.77, 8.00) for PM 2.5 , 3.56 (95% CI: 0.07, 7.17) for PM 10 , 3.65 (95% CI: 0.86, 6.51) for SO 2 , 6.49 (95% CI: 1.86, 11.34) for NO 2 , - 0.90 (95% CI: -4.76, 3.11) for O 3 , and 3.36 (95% CI: 0.50, 6.30) for CO. Sensitivity analyses by exclusion of maternal age < 18 or > 35 years did not materially alter our results., Conclusions: This study indicates that short-term exposure to air pollutants (including PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 ) are positively associated with risk of preterm birth in Ningbo, China.

The present study was designed to develop a practical strategy to tackle the problem of lacking standard compounds and limited references for identifying structure-related compounds in Streptocaulon griffithii Hook. f., especially those in trace concentrations, with a focus on antitumor activity. The cardiac glycosides (CGs)-enriched part was determined using in vitro bioactive assays in three cancer cell lines and then isolated using macroporous resins. The MS and MS/MS data were acquired using a high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-time of flight (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) system. To acquire data of trace compound in the extract, a multiple segment program was applied to modify the HPLC-Q-TOF-MS method. A mass defect filter (MDF) approach was employed to make a primary MS data filtration. Utilizing a MATLAB program, the redundant peaks obtained by imprecise MDF template calculated with limited references were excluded by fragment ion classification, which was based on the ion occurrence number in the MDF-filtered total ion chromatograms (TIC). Additionally, the complete cleavage pathways of CG aglycones were proposed to assist the structural identification of 29 common fragment ions (CFIs, ion occurrence number ≥ 5) and diagnostic fragment ions (DFIs, ion occurrence number < 5). As a result, 30 CGs were filtered out from the MDF results, among which 23 were identified. This newly developed strategy may provide a rapid and effective tool for identifying structure-related compounds in herbal medicines., (Copyright © 2018 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In order to clarify the chemical constituents in Yangxue Qingnao granule, we established a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E)) method. According to the high resolution MS spectra data, fragmentation ion information and retention time,142 peaks were identified or tentatively presumed by comparison with reference standards data and literature reports. The herbal sources of these peaks were assigned. The results implied that phenolic acids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, phthalides, monoterpene glycosides were included in the main components of Yangxue Qingnao granule. The method is rapid for systematically elucidation of the constituents of Yangxue Qingnao granule and the results would facilitate the quality control of Yangxue Qingnao granule for safe and efficacious use.

The present study was designed to determine the chemical constituents of the stems and hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla. The chemical constituents were isolated and purified from CH2Cl2 fraction by chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Their cytotoxicity was tested using MTT method. Two new ortho benzoquinones, 3-diethylamino-5-methoxy-1, 2-benzoquinone (1) and 3-ethylamino-5-methoxy-1, 2-benzoquinone (2), together with a known compound isorhynchophyllic acid (3) were isolated from U. rhynchophylla. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against cancer cells A549, HepG2 and A2780. Compounds 1 and 2 were new ortho benzoquinones and showed weak antiproliferative activities on A549, HepG2 and A2780 cells. Compound 3 significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549, HepG2 and A2780 cells with IC50 values being 5.8, 12.8 and 11.8 µmol·L(-1), respectively., (Copyright © 2016 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study was designed to determine the major chemical constituents of the leaves of Rhododendron dauricum L. Compounds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral data. The present study identified two new C-methyl flavanones, 5, 7, 3', 5'-tetrahydroxy-6, 8-di-C-methyl flavanone (1) and 5, 4'-dihydroxy-8-C-methylflavanone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and one new flavonoid glycoside, quercetin-3-O-β-D-(6"-O-cinnamoyl)-galactoside (3), along with seven known compounds, including syzalterin (4), poriolin (5), farrerol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), myrciacetin (7), quercetin-3-O-β-D-(6-p-hydroxy-benzoyl)-galactoside (8), quercetin-3-O-β-D-(6-p-coumaroyl)-galactoside (9), and 5, 7, 3', 5'-tetrahydroxyl flavanone (10). Compounds 1-3 were determined to be new flavonoids; compounds 4-6 were isolated from this species for the first time; and compounds 7-10 were reported for the first time from this genus., (Copyright © 2015 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In our previous study, we have elucidated the chemical profile of YGS40, a fraction of Yi-Gan San (YGS), used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD. The aim of the present study was to explore the protective effects of YGS40 against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and the underlying mechanisms. PC12 cells were exposed to 100 μmol·L(-1) of H2O2 for 12 h with or without YGS40 pretreatment. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT (3, (4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays; apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide coupled staining and by determining caspase-3 activity and Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by the retention of rhodamine123; and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured using commercially available enzymatic kits. Pretreatment with YGS40 significantly prevented H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and protected the cells against H2O2-triggered apoptosis characterized by externalization of membrane phosphatidylserine and caspase-3 activation and the increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in PC12 cells. Further studies showed that YGS40 suppressed H2O2-induced MMP loss, increased SOD activity, and decreased MDA level. These findings suggest that YGS40 may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-mediated disorders., (Copyright © 2015 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To synthesize a series of 3-, 4-, and/or 11-trihydroxy modified bergenin derivatives and evaluated their cytotoxic activity in vitro. The phenolic hydroxyl groups of bergenin were protected by benzyl groups with benzyl bromide. Treatment of dibenzyl bergenin with the corresponding acid in the presence of EDC·HCl and DMAP in CH2Cl2, followed by hydrogenation over Pd/C catalysts, afforded derivatives of bergenin esters. All of the target compounds were identified by IR, MS, and (1)H NMR. Twenty-six novel and three known derivatives of bergenin esters were synthesized. Their cytotoxicity values were evaluated by the MTT assay on the inhibition of DU-145 and BGC-823 cells in vitro. Several triply-substituted (3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a) and doubly-substituted (8b, 9b) bergenin derivatives exhibited higher cytotoxic activity than bergenin. The result showed that the size of substituents and the lipophilicity of the bergenin esters displayed an important role on their cytotoxic activity., (Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Yi-Gan San (YGS), a traditional Chinese medicine for dementia-related symptoms, was previously fractionated. One active fraction, YGS40 exhibited a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. In the present study, high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, was applied for the identification of its chemical constituents and for quantification studies. The chemical profile of YGS40 consisted of sixty-four identified or tentatively characterized compounds. The levels of the major marker compounds increased significantly in the mixed decoction compared with those in the single plant decoction. The results suggest the high precision of the analyses of most of the constituents in YGS40 and establish the quantitative variations of the major marker compounds between the single and mixed decoction processes., (Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A total of 2 769 children with allergic disease were admitted from October 2010 to December in Ningbo Women & Children's Hospital. Fourteen kinds of serum specific-IgE were detected by immunoblotting method. Among the 2 769 children, the total positive rate of sIgE was 76.0% (2 105/2 769). The sIgE positive rate in males (80.0%, 1 344/1 679) was significantly higher than that of females (69.8%, 761/1 090)(P < 0.05). The top three allergens were dust mites (33.2%), milk (12.6%) and fungi (12.6%). There were statistical differences of positive reaction to dust mites among 4 seasons (19.4%, 33.9%, 39.3%, 36.0%) (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the positive rates of dust mites, milk, fungi, and egg among the age groups (P < 0.05). The level of dust mite specific IgE were mainly in grade 3-6 (613/918, 66.8%).

Aim: To synthesize the baicalein amino acid derivatives and evaluate their cytotoxicity activities in vitro., Methods: Amino acids were subjected to methylation and aminoacylation reaction, then reacted with formaldehyde and baicalein to synthesize baicalein-8 benzyl amino acid derivatives. Through carboxyl group protection and aminoacylation of amino acid and benzyl protection of baicalein, derivatives of baicalein-6-O-amino acid esters were obtained. All of the target compounds were identified by IR, MS and (1)H NMR., Results: Thirteen novel derivatives were synthesized and characterized. Their cytotoxic activities were assessed by the MTT method on the inhibition of HepG2 cells in vitro., Conclusion: Compounds 4c, 4d, 7a and 7b showed a significant increase in cytotoxicity compared with baicalein., (Copyright © 2013 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Ilex pubescens Hook. et Am., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by various column chromatographic methods with diatomite, silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified on physical properties and spectroscopic methods., Results: Nine compounds were isolated and determined as luteolin(1), quercetin(2), hyperoside(3), rutin(4), 1, 5-dihydroxy-3-methyl-anthraquinone(5),3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid-1-O-beta-D-glucoside(6), hexadecanoic acid(7), stearic acid(8), n-tetratriacontanol(9), respectively., Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 5 and 6 are isolated from this genus for the first time.

A sensitive and selective high performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with DAD detection is presented for quality control of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis. By means of this analytical procedure the major individual constituents (ilexoside O, ilexgenin A, ilexsaponin A1, ilexsaponin B1, liriodendin and acanthoside B) could be quantified simultaneously. LC-ESI-MS was applied for identification of the six compounds in the plant by comparing their m/z value and retention times with those of selected standards. For quantitative analysis, the extraction procedure and the extraction solvent were optimized in order to ensure the exhaustive extraction of the plant material. The HPLC conditions were evaluated and optimized for the exact quantification of all six individual compounds. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column using gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid as the mobile phase. Detection was carried out using a photodiode array detector. The calibration curves for determination of the six constituents showed good linearity over the investigated ranges (r2>0.999). Measurement of intra-day and inter-day variability (expressed as RSD value) was conducted to assess precisions of the method, and RSD (%) of intra- and inter-day variation were between 1.56-3.36% and 1.61-3.58%, respectively. The recoveries of the six compounds were between 96.4-102.2%, with RSD (%) values ranging from 1.7-3.8%. These validation results demonstrated the suitability of the method for the precise and accurate determination of the main constituents in Radix Ilicis Pubescentis. The method was successfully applied for quality evaluation of 12 batches of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis obtained from different regions of southern China. The contents of the six major constituents varied significantly due to their different origins, which can be used as an aid to assessing the quality of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis.