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Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are usually complex mixtures and contain hundreds of chemically different constituents, which make the quality control (QC) of crude drugs and their medical preparations extremely difficult. In the past years, with the rapid development of modern instrumental analysis and computer-aided data processing techniques, great progress has been made in the research of quality standards and the development of QC techniques. Among them, the use of the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique is one of the best approaches because of its high separation efficiency. However, one-way separation, single detection methods or data processing cannot meet the needs of the QC of TCMs. Multidimensional information-based HPLC technologies such as two-dimensional HPLC, HPLC coupled with several different detection methods and HPLC fingerprint combined with multicomponent quantification have solved this problem with their comprehensive analysis; these methods have gradually been accepted by more researchers for further in-depth study. The present work provides an overview of the development of QC for TCMs based on HPLC technologies with modern hyphenated techniques, multiseparation methods and some common data processing methods in fingerprint spectra over the last six years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel method combining high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint and simultanous quantitative analysis of multiple acitve components was developed and validated for quality evaluation of one type of traditional Chinese medicine preparations: Shuang-huang-lian (SHL) oral liquid formulation. For fingerprint analysis, 45 peaks were selected as the common peaks to evaluate the similarities among several different SHL oral liquid preparations collected from manufacturers. Additionally, simultanous quantification of eleven markers, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, forsythiaside, scutellarin, baicalin, forsythin, luteoloside, apigenin, baicalein and wogonin, was performed. Statistical analysis of the obtained data demonstrated that our method has achieved desired linearity, precision and accuracy. Finally, concentrations of these eleven markers in SHL oral liquid prepared by different manufacturers in China were determined. These results demonstrated that the combination of HPLC chromatographic fingerprint and simultaneous quantification of multi-ingredients offers an efficient and reliable approach for quality evaluation of SHL oral liquid preparations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights • 25 fatty acids and 18 amino acids in DN rat plasma was determined by GC–MS. • 19 nucleosides and nucleobases in DN rat plasma was determined by LC–MS. • Quantitative metabolomics was first used in the DN and GBE against DN. • Time-dependent changes of metabolites was first investigated. • The biomarkers that predict the progression of DN and GBE intervention were first reported. Abstract Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the leading causes of death in diabetes mellitus (DM). Early warning and therapy has significant clinical value for DN. This research sought to find biomarkers to predict the occurrence and development of DN and the intervention of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GBE) by quantifying fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleosides and nucleobases in rat plasma. Samples were respectively collected at the weekend of 5–10 weeks after diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin were defined. Plasma fasting blood-glucose, kidney index, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urine albumin excretion and ultrastructural morphology of kidney were measured or observed. Fatty acids, amino acids and nucleosides and nucleobases in rat plasma were analyzed by gas chromatography or liquid phase chromatography and mass spectrometry, respectively. From the biochemical index and morphological change of kidney, the rats from the 5th to 7th week were in the stage of DM while from the begin of 8th week the rats were suggested in the early stage of DN. The results of quantitative metabolomics showed that 16 differential metabolites were related to the progression of DN, and oleic acid, glutamate and guanosine might be the potential biomarkers of kidney injury. 14 differential metabolites were related to GBE against the progression of DN, while oleic acid and glutamate might be the potential biomarkers of GBE against kidney injury. Those findings potentially promote the understanding of the pathogenic progression of DN and reveal the therapeutic mechanism of GBE against DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GBE), one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines worldwide, can be used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, its biotransformation in liver is not fully known under the state of DM. In this study, an off-line hydrophilic interaction × reversed-phase two-dimensional liquid chromatography (HILIC × RP 2D-LC) system coupled with diode array detection (DAD) and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (q/TOF-MS) was established for the qualification and quantification of the biotransformation of GBE in normal and diabetic rat liver microsomes (RLMs). 6 metabolites were tentatively identified according to the exact molecular weights and the characteristic fragment ions provided by q/TOF-MS data. The results of metabolic stability showed that the metabolic ratio of four target compounds including quercetin, genistein, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in diabetic RLMs were significantly enhanced when comparing with normal RLMs. The results of enzyme kinetics showed that compared with normal RLMs, the Michaelis-Menten constant (K m) value of genistein was obvious increased while its maximal velocity (V max) and intrinsic clearance (CL int) values were significantly decreased by diabetic RLMs, and the V max and CL int values of kaempferol and isorhamnetin were notably enhanced while their K m values were markedly reduced. For the half-time (t 1/2) values of four target compounds and the K m , V max and CL int values of quercetin, there were not statistically significant changes between normal and diabetic RLMs. The results suggest that the developed off-line 2D LC-DAD-q/TOF-MS method is an easy and accurate approach for the study of GBE biotransformation in RLMs and may provide the essential data for further pharmacological and clinical studies of GBE. Highlights • The biotransformation of GBE in diabetic rat liver microsomes (RLMs) was first investigated. • An off-line 2D LC-DAD-q/TOF-MS was first developed and optimized for the analysis. • 6 mono-glucuronide conjugation metabolites were tentatively characterized. • The metabolic stability of quercetin, genistein, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in diabetic RLMs was obtained. • The enzyme kinetics of quercetin, genistein, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in diabetic RLMs was first reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mesangial cell (MC) cultured with high glucose has been used to observe the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against diabetic nephropathy (DN), but the compounds interacting with cell are still unknown, which may be potential bioactive components. Based on this, the determination of GBE in MC lysates was proposed by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) in this study. The MC was cultured with normal or high glucose with GBE for 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h. The harvested cell was extracted with 40% acetic acid in water and further analyzed by LC–MS/MS. All the validation data including linearity, intra-day and inter-day precision, limit of detection and quantification, matrix effect, and stability were within the required limits. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify 11 compounds of GBE in cell lysates. The results showed that high glucose prolonged the peak time of all observed 11 compounds and peak concentrations of bilobalide, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide B, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and genkwanin in cell lysates, which hinted that these compounds may be the potential bioactive components of GBE with preventive effect against DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two independent and complementary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods were respectively developed and validated for the determination of edaravone or taurine in rat urine, feces and bile after intravenous administration, using 3-methyl-l- p -tolyl-5-pyrazolone and sulfanilic acid as the internal standards (IS). Edaravone was separated on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C 18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm) using methanol and water (containing 5 mM ammonium formate and 0.02% formic acid) as mobile phase, while taurine was performed on a Waters Atlantis HILIC Silica column (150 × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) using acetonitrile and water (containing 5 mM ammonium formate and 0.2% formic acid) as mobile phase. The mass analysis was performed in a Triple Quadrupole mass spectrometer via multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with negative ionization mode. The optimized mass transition ion pairs ( m/z ) for quantification were 173.1→92.2 and 187.2→106.0 for edaravone and its IS, 124.1→80.0 and 172.0→80.0 for taurine and its IS, respectively. The validated methods have been successfully applied to the excretion and metabolism interaction study of edaravone and taurine in rats after independent intravenous administration and co-administration with a single dose. The results demonstrated that there were no significant alternations on the metabolism and cumulative excretion rate of edaravone and taurine, implying that the proposed combination therapy was pharmacologically viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection was developed for the fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of seven active compounds in Xiaoyanlidan (XYLD) tablets. The chromatographic separations were obtained on an Agilent Eclipse plus C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm id, 1.8 μm) using gradient elution with water/formic acid (1%) and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Within 63 min, 36 peaks could be selected as the common peaks for fingerprint analysis to evaluate the similarities among several samples of XYLD tablets collected from different manufacturers. In quantitative analysis, seven compounds showed good regression ( R > 0.9990) within test ranges and the recovery of the method was within the range of 95.9-104.3%. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of seven compounds in six batches of XYLD tablets. These results demonstrate that the combination of chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous multi-ingredient quantification using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection offers a rapid, efficient, and reliable approach for quality evaluation of XYLD tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An LC- MS/ MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of edaravone and taurine in beagle plasma. The plasma sample was deproteinized using acetonitrile containing formic acid. Chromatographic separations were achieved on an Agilent Zorbax SB-Aq (100 × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm) column, with a gradient of water (containing 0.03% formic acid) and methanol as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analyte detection was carried out in multiple reaction monitoring mode and the optimized precursor-to-product transitions of m/ z [M+H]+ 175.1 → 133.0 (edaravone), m/ z [M+H]+ 189.1 → 147.0 (3-methyl-1- p-tolyl-5-pyrazolone, internal standard, IS), m/ z [M-H]− 124.1→80.0 (taurine), and m/ z [M-H]− 172.0 → 80.0 (sulfanilic acid, IS) were employed to quantify edaravone, taurine, and their corresponding ISs, respectively. The LOD and the lower LOQ were 0.01 and 0.05 μg/mL for edaravone and 0.66 and 2 μg/mL for taurine, respectively. The calibration curves of these two analytes demonstrated good linearity ( r ＞ 0.99). All the validation data including the specificity, precision, recovery, and stability conformed to the acceptable requirements. This validated method has successfully been applied in the pharmacokinetic study of edaravone and taurine mixture in beagle dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that the phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) gene is a susceptibility gene for ischemic stroke (IS) primarily in elder populations. However, few studies have reported the role of the PDE4D gene polymorphisms in a young cohort.Aims: To investigate the association between the PDE4D gene polymorphisms and young-onset IS in Chinese population.Materials and Methods: A total of 186 young patients (18-45 years) with IS and 232 matched control subjects were recruited. Two SNPs (rs918592 and rs2910829) in PDE4D gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to test the association between the genetic factors and IS.Results: The rs918592A/A genotype frequency and A allele frequency, rs2910829 CT/TT genotype frequency and T allele frequency of young IS group were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P < 0.05). Besides, the frequency of Hap (A-T) was remarkably higher in the young patients than that in the controls (OR =4.047, 95% CI: 3.521-4.652). Hap (A-C) and Hap (G-C) were associated with decreased risk of IS (OR =0.640, 95% CI: 0.452-0.906; OR =0.675, 95% CI: 0.466-0.978, respectively).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the rs918592 and rs2910829 polymorphisms and haplotypes of PDE4D gene are significantly associated with IS in Chinese young population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combinative method using fingerprint analysis (FA) and multi-ingredients quantification (MIQ) was developed and validated for the quality control of Yinhuang (YH) preparations including granule, capsule, and lozenge by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Common peaks with or without standard references in FA were confirmed or identified by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The chromatographic separations were achieved on a Sepax GP-C column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) with a gradient elution using a mixture of 0.1 % formic acid methanol solution and 0.1 % formic acid water solution. In quantitative analysis, nine bioactive constituents (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, luteoloside, baicalin, luteolin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A) were simultaneously determined. The detection wavelength was set at 275 nm, 320 nm, and 350 nm according to the absorption properties of the nine quantified compounds. The linearity, recovery, intraday and interday precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), repeatability and stability were all tested and good results were obtained. In the FA, 320 nm was selected. The correlation coefficients of similarity were determined on the basis of the relative retention time (RRT) and relative peak area (RPA) of 20 common peaks in chromatographic fingerprints. Results indicated that both the RRT and RPA of 20 common peaks shared a close similarity. From the 20 common peaks, 18 compounds, including the nine quantified compounds, were identified or tentatively characterized by comparing their retention times, UV spectra, and MS spectra with those of standard compounds or literature data. The study not only presents a powerful and reliable analytical tool for the quality control of YH preparations, but also provides the chemical evidence for revealing the material basis of their therapeutic effects. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a microfluidic chip for highly efficient separation of red blood cells (RBCs) from whole blood on the basis of their native magnetic properties. The glass chip was fabricated by photolithography and thermal bonding. It consisted of one inlet and three outlets, and a nickel wire of 69-μm diameter was positioned in the center of a separation channel with 149-μm top width and 73-μm depth by two parallel ridges (about 10 μm high). The two ridges were formed simultaneously during the wet etching of the channels. The nickel wire for generating the magnetic gradient inside the separation channel was introduced from the side of the chip through a guide channel. The external magnetic field was applied by a permanent magnet of 0.3 T placed by the side of the chip and parallel to the main separation channel. The RBCs were separated continuously from the 1:40 (v/v) diluted blood sample at a flow rate in the range 0.12–0.92 μL/min (9–74 mm/min) with the chip, and up to 93.7% of the RBCs were collected in the middle outlet under a flow rate of 0.23 μL/min. The cell sedimentation was alleviated by adjusting the specific density of the supporting media with bovine serum albumin. Quantum dot labeling was introduced for visual fluorescence tracking of the separation process. The uneven distribution phenomenon of the blood cells around the nickel wire was reported and discussed. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]