Salvianolic acid A attenuates steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome through suPAR/uPAR-αvβ3 signaling Inhibition

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Salvianolic acid A (SAA) is extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza and is the main water-soluble and the biologically active ingredient. SAA possesses a variety of pharmacological activities and has an excellent protective effect on kidney disease, especially steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), and has advantages in improving the efficacy of glucocorticoids, but its mechanism needs to be further explored.

PURPOSE

The study was designed to explore the effect of suPAR and uPAR in SRNS patients and evaluate the potential effect of SAA in improving podocyte steroid resistance and explore its mechanism.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The ELISA kits were used to detect the levels of suPAR in the blood and urine of subjects. The levels of uPAR, GRα, and GRβ expression in renal tissues of SRNS patients was detected by immunohistochemistry and analyzed using the Pearson method. In vitro studies, steroid resistance model was induced by the TNF-α and IFN-γ. The protein and mRNA expression of Nephrin, GR, GRα and GRβ were analyzed using western blot and qRT-PCR. The activity of GR-DNA binding was detected by using TransAM™ GR kits. Adriamycin further induced steroid resistance podocyte. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of SAA on podocyte apoptosis. ELISA assay was used to detect the suPAR expression in the podocyte supernatant. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of uPAR and Nephrin in podocytes.

RESULTS

The serum and urine levels of suPAR were conspicuously higher in SRNS patients than healthy volunteers and SSNS patients, and the expression of uPAR in renal tissue of SRNS patients is negatively correlated with GRα, but positively correlated with GRβ. The combination of TNF-α and IFN-γ could conspicuously increase the GRβ expression and reduce GRα/GRβ, and induce steroid resistance in podocytes. Moreover, we found that SAA could reduce the apoptosis of podocytes and suppress the expression of suPAR/uPAR, and increase the expression of Nephrin.

CONCLUSION

The level of suPAR and uPAR expression may have important value in predicting glucocorticoids resistance in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). The combination of TNF-α and IFN-γ induce podocytes can establish steroid resistance model in vitro. SAA could improve glucocorticoids resistance of podocyte which can be attributed in part to regulate the suPAR/uPAR-αvβ3 signaling pathway.

The attenuation of HIV-1 Tat-induced neurotoxicity by Salvianic acid A and Danshen granule

The neurotoxicity of HIV-1 Tat protein contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of HAND, and hence the attractive therapeutic strategies focusing on Tat-induced neurotoxicity are warranted. Salvia miltiorrhiza have been known to antioxidant property and neuroprotective effects. The Danshen granule is the pharmaceutical dosage forms of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvianic acid A is an essential chemical constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza. However, the protective effects of Salvianic acid A and Danshen granule on Tat-induced neurotoxicity remain unknown. Here, we found that Salvianic acid A and Danshen granule remarkable inhibited Tat-induced cell death, blocked LDH release and rescued dendritic spine loss. Furthermore, Salvianic acid A and Danshen granule significantly ameliorates Tat-induced intracellular ROS and MDA production, attenuates cell apoptosis. In addition, Salvianic acid A and Danshen granule pretreatment obviously increases antioxidant enzymatic activity of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px and inhibits apoptotic pathways. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Salvianic acid A and Danshen granule provides substantial neuroprotection against Tat-induced neurotoxicity, which may be new therapeutic agent in Tat induced HAND or neurodegenerative diseases.

Salvianolic acids from antithrombotic Traditional Chinese Medicine Danshen are antagonists of human P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors

Many hemorheologic Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) that are widely-used clinically lack molecular mechanisms of action. We hypothesized that some of the active components of hemorheologic TCMs may function through targeting prothrombotic P2Y1 and/or P2Y12 receptors. The interactions between 253 antithrombotic compounds from TCM and these two G protein-coupled P2Y receptors were evaluated using virtual screening. Eleven highly ranked hits were further tested in radioligand binding and functional assays. Among these compounds, salvianolic acid A and C antagonized the activity of both P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors in the low µM range, while salvianolic acid B antagonized the P2Y12 receptor. These three salvianolic acids are the major active components of the broadly-used hemorheologic TCM Danshen (Salvia militorrhiza), the antithrombotic molecular mechanisms of which were largely unknown. Thus, the combination of virtual screening and experimental validation identified potential mechanisms of action of multicomponent drugs that are already employed clinically.

Longterm storage of post-packaged bread by controlling spoilage pathogens using Lactobacillus fermentum C14 isolated from homemade curd

One potent lactic acid bacterial strain C14 with strong antifungal activity was isolated from homemade curd. Based on morphological as well as biochemical characters and 16S rDNA sequence homology the strain was identified as Lactobacillus fermentum. It displayed a wide antimicrobial spectrum against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, and also against number of food spoilage, plant and human pathogenic fungi. The cell free supernatant (CFS) of the strain C14 was also effective against the fungi tested. Inhibition of radial growth of Penicillium digitatum, Trichophyton rubrum and Mucor sp. was noticed in the presence of CFS of C14 even at low concentration (1%). More than 94.3 ± 1.6% and 91.5 ± 2.2% inhibition of conidial germination of P. digitatum and Mucor sp. were noticed in the presence of 10-fold-concentrated CFS of C14. Massive deformation of the fungal mycelia was observed by SEM studies, and losses of cellular proteins and DNA are also evident upon its treatment with C14. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenyl lactic acid, lactic acid along with some unidentified compounds in the antifungal extract. Challenge experiment showed immense potential of the strain C14 in preventing the spoilage of bread samples caused by Mucor sp. and Bacillus subtilis. The bread samples remained fresh upto 25 days even after inoculation with Mucor sp. (3.7 × 104 spores /ml) and B. subtilis (4.6 × 104 CFU /ml). Along with the antifungal properties, the isolated lactic acid bacterial strain also showed very good antioxidant activities. Unchanged level of liver enzymes serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in albino mice upon feeding with C14 also suggested non-toxic nature of the bacterial isolate.

Efficient magnesium lactate production with in situ product removal by crystallization

In this paper, attempts were made to develop an in situ product removal process for magnesium lactate production based on crystallization. The crystallization was conducted at 42°C without seed crystal addition. The product concentration, productivity and yield of fermentation coupled with in situ product removal (ISPR) reached 143 g L(-1), 2.41 g L(-1)h(-1) and 94.3%. In four cycles of crystallization, the average reuse rate of fermentation medium and removal rate of product reached 64.0% and 77.7%. At the same time, ISPR fermentation saved 40% water, 41% inorganic salts and 43% yeast extract (YE) as compared to fed-batch fermentation. The process introduces an effective way to reduce the amount of waste water and the raw material cost in magnesium lactate fermentation.

Efficient calcium lactate production by fermentation coupled with crystallization-based in situ product removal

Lactic acid is a platform chemical with various industrial applications, and its derivative, calcium lactate, is an important food additive. Fermentation coupled with in situ product removal (ISPR) can provide more outputs with high productivity. The method used in this study was based on calcium lactate crystallization. Three cycles of crystallization were performed during the fermentation course using a Bacillus coagulans strain H-1. As compared to fed-batch fermentation, this method showed 1.7 times higher average productivity considering seed culture, with 74.4% more L-lactic acid produced in the fermentation with ISPR. Thus, fermentation coupled with crystallization-based ISPR may be a biotechnological alternative that provides an efficient system for production of calcium lactate or lactic acid.

Salvianolic acid A protects against vascular endothelial dysfunction in high-fat diet fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Salvianolic acid A (SalA) is one of the main active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhizae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of SalA on the diabetic vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED). The rats were given a high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 1 month followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). The diabetic rats were treated with SalA (1 mg/kg, 90% purity) orally for 10 weeks after modeling, and were given a high-fat diet. Contractile and relaxant responses of aorta rings as well as the serum indications were measured. Our results indicated that SalA treatment decreased the level of serum Von Willebrand factor and ameliorated acetylcholine-induced relaxation and KCl-induced contraction in aorta rings of the diabetic rats. SalA treatment also reduced the serum malondialdehyde, the content of aortic advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity as well as the expression of endothelial NOS protein in the rat aorta. Exposure of EA.hy926 cells to AGEs decreased the cell viability and changed the cell morphology, whereas SalA had protective effect on AGEs-induced cellular vitality. Our data suggested that SalA could protect against vascular VED in diabetes, which might attribute to its suppressive effect on oxidative stress and AGEs-induced endothelial dysfunction.

[Research progress of salvianolic acid A]

Salvianolic acid A is a water-soluble component from Danshen, which is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine. High performance liquid chromatography was often used to analyze content of salvianolic acid A. The yield of salvianolic acid A increased by the technological improvement of extraction and separation. Salvianolic acid A possessed multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidants, myocardial ischemic protection, antithrombatic, neuroprotection, anti fibrosis, prevention of diabetes and complications. Recently, preliminary pharmacokinetics characteristics of salvianolic acid A were clarified. Based on the research literature and study work from author's laboratory, this review will focus on recent developments concerning the chemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetic of salvianolic acid A, and prospect further research.

[Intestinal absorption properties of three components in salvianolic acid extract and the effect of borneol on their absorption in rats]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of concentration, intestinal section and borneol on the intestinal absorption of salvianolic acids. The experiment not only studied the intestinal absorption properties of three concentrations of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid A at duodenum, jejunum and ileum, but also of salvianolic acids compatible with borneol at different concentrations using single-pass intestinal perfusion model in rat with phenol red as the marker. The results showed that salvianolic acids was stable under weak-acid condition and affected by metabolism enzyme; The Peff and Ka significantly different among three concentrations of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B, whose intestinal absorption were saturated in high concentration, suggesting that the transport mechanisms of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B were similar to active transport or facilitated diffusion; However, there was inconspicuousness in the Peff and Ka of salvianolic acid A at different concentrations, whose absorption was not saturated in high concentration, indicating that the transport mechanisms of salvianolic acid A was passive diffusion; The Peff and Ka in the ileum obviously higher than those in the duodenum and jejunum, namely the ileum was the best absorption section; When concentration of borneol increased, the enhancing effect of intestinal absorption of salvianolic acids increased, but significantly decreased when borneol increased to some degree. The enhancing effect of medium borneol concentration was the optimum. This implied that borneol can enhance the intestinal absorption of salvianolic acids, and the capacity of enhancing effect was influenced by the concentration of borneol.

Isolation of salvianolic acid A, a minor phenolic carboxylic acid of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvianolic acid A (Sal A), a caffeic acid derivative present in Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), has shown significant biological activities, some of which are more potent than those of salvianolic acid (Sal B), the most abundant and bioactive compound in Danshen. However, its low content in the raw material makes it difficult to be used in the clinic. In this study, a novel procedure was developed to isolate Sal A from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Using this procedure, Sal A could be enriched to 1.7% in the raw material by hydrolyzing Sal B. The solution was further purified by macroporous resin and ODS column chromatography. The yield of Sal A was 0.5% with a purity of 98.0%. The procedure is efficient and convenient and is considered suitable for the separation of Sal A from Danshen.

Isolation and purification of salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza by high-speed counter-current chromatography and comparison of their antioxidant activity

Water-soluble salvianolic acid A (Sal A) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) were successfully isolated and purified from the crude extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The solvent system was n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (3:6:6:10, v/v/v/v). 4.27 mg of Sal A and 32.09 mg of Sal B were obtained from 260 mg of the crude sample. The purities of Sal A and Sal B were 96.67% and 97.43%, respectively. Their structures were identified by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. Antioxidant activities of Sal A and Sal B were also evaluated and compared by the methods of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS(+)) radical cation decolourisation assay. Both Sal A and Sal B showed high radical scavenging activities with their EC(50) values being 1.43+/-0.09 and 1.81+/-0.01 microg/ml in DPPH radical method. The ABTS results showed that Sal A and Sal B exhibited high total antioxidant activities, their EC(50) values were 1.35+/-0.00 and 1.43+/-0.01 microg/ml, respectively.

Substituting citrate for lactate in peritoneal dialysis fluid improves ultrafiltration in rats

BACKGROUND

Exposure to peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid induces an inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity. Blockers of complement and coagulation have improved ultrafiltration in animal models of PD. Citrate is a clinically established anticoagulant that also blocks complement activation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects on ultrafiltration of a gradual substitution of citrate for lactate in an experimental model of PD.

METHODS

Fractions (0, 5, 10, and 15 mmol/L) of the 40 mmol/L lactate buffer of filter-sterilized 2.5% glucose PD fluid were replaced by citrate. The modified fluids were compared in a rat model of single PD fluid exposure through an indwelling catheter. The initial kinetics of citrate and ionized calcium were evaluated in separate, single, short time dwell experiments.

RESULTS

Replacing 10 and 15 mmol/L of the lactate buffer by sodium citrate significantly increased osmotic ultrafiltration (by 24.7%+/-7.7% at 10 mmol/L), net ultrafiltration, and glucose retention at 4 hours of dwell time in the rat model. Osmotic ultrafiltration was significantly correlated to citrate concentration and glucose concentration. Citrate was rapidly eliminated from the peritoneal cavity, concentrations falling to less than half in 1 hour and concentrations of calcium ions concomitantly normalized.

CONCLUSIONS

Substituting citrate for lactate induced a dose-dependent increase in ultrafiltration. Mechanisms probably involve the relation between diffusion and ultrafiltration, leading to increased glucose retention. The increase in ultrafiltration was quantitatively important at a citrate concentration (10 mmol/L) that is compatible with clinical applications of citrate.

Three new derivatives of anti-HIV-1 polyphenols isolated from Salvia yunnanensis

During the study of anti-HIV-1 active components of the aqueous extracts of the roots of Salvia yunnanensis, three new derivatives of polyphenols, namely: methyl salvianolate A (2), ethyl salvianolate A (3) and cis-lithospermic acid (5) were isolated along with two known polyphenols, salvianolic acid A (1) and lithospermic acid (4) their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and MS spectral analyses. The anti-HIV-1 activities of the 5 polyphenols were tested for the inhibition of P24 antigen in HIV-1 infected MT-4 cell cultures and HIV-1 replicative enzymes in vitro.

[Absorption and isolation of macroporous resin for five salvianolic acids from Salviae mitiorrhizae]

OBJECTIVE

To study the adsorption of the macroporous resin for the five salvianolic acids (danshen su, rosmarinic acid, protocate chualdehyde, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, extracted from Salviae mitiorrhizae.

METHOD

The five salvianolic acids were employed as an index, and the change of them in the static and dynamic absorbent was detected by HPLC, respectively.

RESULT

HP20 resin was a suitable marcoporous resin to purify salvianolic acids. The dynamic adsorption capacity of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid A was 30.506 mg x g(-1) (dry resin), 36.996 mg x g(-1), (dry resin), 43.85 mg x g(-1) (dry resin) respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is not suitable that danshensu and protocate chualdehyde are the evaluation indexes for using 8 macroporous resins to purify salvianolic acids.

Chromatographic fingerprinting analysis of Danshen root (Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma) and its preparations using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS)

Danshen root (Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma) is a representative Chinese herb containing multiple components contributing to its polyvalent bioactivities. Advanced analysis approaches are needed to obtain a comprehensive picture of the targeting constituents in complete matrix. In this study, a chromatographic fingerprinting method to monitor simultaneously the hydrophilic and lipophilic constituents was developed for the quality evaluation of Danshen root and its preparations. Ten hydrophilic and nine lipophilic components were identified using HPLC-diode array detection-electrospray-MS (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) by comparing with the available references and reported data. Using the established method, 13 Danshen root samples collected from different sources, and 21 batches of Danshen preparations including tablets, injections, capsules, and dropping pills produced by different manufacturers were analyzed and their chromatographic fingerprints (CFP) were constructed. The results showed that the products of Danshen roots such as the tablets and capsules contained both the hydrophilic and lipophilic components, while the injections and dropping pills contained mainly the hydrophilic components. Principal components analysis (PCA) was applied for the statistical analysis of the fingerprinting data of crude herb and its preparations. The established CFPs demonstrate the representative chemical profiling of the existing components and can be applied to the authentication and quality assessment of Danshen roots and other Danshen containing formulated preparations.

[Studies on polyphenolic chemical constitutents from root of Salvia yunnansis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents in the root of Salvia yunnansis.

METHOD

Compounds were isolated and purified by Diaion HP20, Sephadex LH - 20, ODS chromatography. Their structures were determined by spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULT

Twelve compounds were isolated and identified from the root of S. yunnansis protocatechaldehyde (1), caffeic acid (2), ferulic acid (3), rosmarinic acid (4), salvianolic acid A (5), salvianolic acid C (6), lithospermicacid (7), lithospermicacid B (8), 9'-methyl lithospermate B (9), 9"'-methyl lithospermate B (10), 9',9'''-dimethyl lithospermate B (11), 9'-ethyl lithospermate B (12).

CONCLUSION

The compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were first isolated from S. yunnanensis.

[Separation of water-soluble active components in Salvia miltiorrhiza bge. f. alba using capillary zone electrophoresis]

To establish a high performance capillary zone electrophoretic method for the separation of water-soluble active components, protocatechuic aldehyde (PAH), danshensu (DSS), and protocatechuic acid (PA), in Salvia miltiorrhiza bge. f. alba, many factors that can affect the resolution and the migration time, including the concentration of phosphate-borax buffer, pH value, separation voltage and detection wavelength were investigated. The optimized conditions were as follows: uncoated capillary column, 75 microm x 60.2 cm (effective length of 50 cm); column temperature, 25 degrees C; detection wavelength of the photo-diode-array detector, 210 nm; injection, 3.45 kPa x 4 s; separation voltage, 27.5 kV; running buffer, 5 mmol/L borax (pH 7.5). Under the optimized conditions, good separation of PAH, DSS and PA can be achieved in less than 8 min.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Prunella vulgaris]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Prunella vulgaris.

METHOD

To separate the constituents of P. vulgaris by using various kinds of chromatography and identify their structures on the basis of spectral analysis.

RESULT

Seven compounds were isolated from the spikes of P. vulgaris. Their structures were established as autantiamide acetate (1), rhein (2), tanshinone I (3), danshensu (4), stigmast-7, 22-dien-3-one (5), 3, 4, alpha-trihydroxy-methyl phenylpropionate (6), butyl rosmarinate (7).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1-4 were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Antifungal compounds from cultures of dairy propionibacteria type strains

Antifungal compounds from cultures of five type strains of dairy propionibacteria, as well as from the cultivation medium, were studied. Cell-free supernatants and medium were fractionated by C(18) solid phase extraction. The aqueous 95% acetonitrile fractions were analyzed by GC-MS or subjected to reversed-phase HPLC, to identify, quantify or isolate antifungal substances. The resulting HPLC fractions were screened for antifungal activity against the mold Aspergillus fumigatus and the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Active fractions were further separated by HPLC and the structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. All five strains produced 3-phenyllactic acid, at concentrations ranging from 1.0 microg mL(-1) (Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii) to 15.1 microg mL(-1) (Propionibacterium thoenii), and at L/D -ratios ranging from 2 : 3 (Propionibacterium acidipropionici) to 9 : 1 (Propionibacterium freudenreichii). A number of active compounds found in cultures of propionibacteria were also present in noninoculated growth medium: two antifungal diketopiperazines, cyclo(L-Phe-L-Pro) and cyclo(L-Ile-L-Pro), and seven antifungal linear peptides. Three of the linear peptides corresponded to sequences found in the medium component casein, suggesting their origin from this component, whereas the diketopiperazines were suggested to be formed from medium peptides by heat treatment.

Protective effect of salvianic acid a on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

Previous research has shown that salvianic acid A [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid, SA] extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza BGE (Danshen) markedly inhibits lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial membrane of hepatic cells in vitro. The present study was conducted to examine protective effect of SA on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and its possible mechanism in vivo. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-200 g were used in the experiments. Five mmol/kg CCl4 in olive oil was given to rats i.p. Spectrophotometrical method was used to measure activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level in hepatic tissue and the rate of superoxide anion (O2*-) generation in hepatic submitochondrial particles. Hepatic histological structure was observed under light microscopy. CCl4 caused significant changes of activities of the enzymes, MDA level, and the rate of O2*- generation and histopathological changes of acute hepatic injury were noted. SA reversed the significant changes induced by CCl4. These results demonstrate that SA produces protective action on acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4 via an antioxidative mechanism.

One-step separation and purification of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B and protocatechualdehyde from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by high-speed counter-current chromatography

Three kinds of polyphenols of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B and protocatechualdehyde, were separated and purified in one step with solvent system n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-acetic acid-water (1:6:1.5:1.5:8) by high-speed counter-current chromatography. Acetic acid was successfully used to increase the partition of high polar target compounds in organic phase to modify partition coefficient value. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B and protocatechualdehyde were purified from 100mg water extracted crude sample of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge at purity of 97.6%, 94.2% and 98.2% and at yield of 98.6%, 73.6% and 90.2%. High-speed counter-current chromatography together with organic/aqueous solvent system supplied an efficient method to purify water-soluble compounds directly from crude samples of traditional Chinese medicines.

Relaxant effects of danshen aqueous extract and its constituent danshensu on rat coronary artery are mediated by inhibition of calcium channels

In this study, we have investigated the actions of danshensu, an active, water-extractable component of the medicinal herb danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), on rat isolated coronary artery rings precontracted with 1 microM 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its action compared to the water-extractable fraction of the herb. Extraction of the water-soluble fraction from danshen (S. miltiorrhiza) provided yield of 17.5% (35 g/200 g). The amount of danshensu determined in the crude danshen herb and in its aqueous fraction was 0.45 mg/g (0.045%) and 3.28 mg/g (0.33%). The danshen aqueous extract was 13 times less potent than danshensu in relaxing 5-HT-precontracted coronary artery rings; IC50 values were 930.3+/-133.5 microg/ml and 71.5+/-11.0 microg/ml. Removal of the endothelium did not significantly affect their vasodilator potencies; IC50 values were 842.1+/-123.8 microg/ml and 84.8+/-8.8 microg/ml. On the other hand, a potassium channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM) shifted their concentration-response curves by 1.7 and 2.2 folds. The possible involvement of Ca2+ channels was investigated in artery rings incubated with Ca2+-free buffer and primed with 1 microM 5-HT or 60 mM KCl for 5 min prior to addition of CaCl2 to elicit contraction. In 5-HT-primed preparations, the CaCl2-induced vasoconstriction was abolished by 2 mg/ml danshen aqueous extract and 200 microg/ml danshensu, whereas, in KCl-primed preparations, 10 mg/ml danshen aqueous extract and 600 microg/ml danshensu were required to abrogate the vasoconstriction. These findings suggest the vasorelaxant actions of danshen aqueous extract and danshensu were produced by inhibition of Ca2+ influx in the vascular smooth muscle cells. The opening of K+ channels had a minor contribution to the response, but endothelium-dependent mechanisms were not involved.

Rosmarinic acid, a new snake venom phospholipase A2 inhibitor from Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae): antiserum action potentiation and molecular interaction

Many plants are used in traditional medicine as active agents against various effects induced by snakebite. The methanolic extract from Cordia verbenacea (Cv) significantly inhibited paw edema induced by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and by its main basic phospholipase A2 homologs, namely bothropstoxins I and II (BthTXs). The active component was isolated by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 and by RP-HPLC on a C18 column and identified as rosmarinic acid (Cv-RA). Rosmarinic acid is an ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid [2-O-cafeoil-3-(3,4-di-hydroxy-phenyl)-R-lactic acid]. This is the first report of RA in the species C. verbenacea ('baleeira', 'whaler') and of its anti-inflammatory and antimyotoxic properties against snake venoms and isolated toxins. RA inhibited the edema and myotoxic activity induced by the basic PLA2s BthTX-I and BthTX-II. It was, however, less efficient to inhibit the PLA2 activity of BthTX-II and, still less, the PLA2 and edema-inducing activities of the acidic isoform BthA-I-PLA2 from the same venom, showing therefore a higher inhibitory activity upon basic PLA2s. RA also inhibited most of the myotoxic and partially the edema-inducing effects of both basic PLA2s, thus reinforcing the idea of dissociation between the catalytic and pharmacological domains. The pure compound potentiated the ability of the commercial equine polyvalent antivenom in neutralizing lethal and myotoxic effects of the crude venom and of isolated PLA2s in experimental models. CD data presented here suggest that, after binding, no significant conformation changes occur either in the Cv-RA or in the target PLA2. A possible model for the interaction of rosmarinic acid with Lys49-PLA2 BthTX-I is proposed.

[The qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis of purification of salvianolic acids by macroreticular resin]

OBJECTIVE

To purify salvianolic acids by macroreticular resin,then mensurate the contents of salvianolic acids and analyse the chromatogram with HPLC.

METHOD

Make salvianolic acids with macroreticular resin; mensurate the content of Salvianolic acids with UV spestrophotometry: the control compound is protocaechuic aldehyde, and the wavelength is 281 nm. Analysis the chromatogram with HPLC, and compare the chromatogram in different technics: zorbax ODS column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), mobilephase: 1% aceticacid-water and methanol in different proportions, the wavelength is 281 nm.

RESULT

The contents of salvianolic acids is 53.8%; HPLC chromatogram indicate that the method is reasonable to make salvianolic acids.

CONCLUSION

Determination of contents and HPLC chromatogram can control the quality of Salvianolic acids more accurately.

[Advances in study of the pharmacological effects of danshen on hemorheology]

The article reviewed the research on the pharmacological effects of Danshen on hemorheology. We discussed the action mechanism of Danshen and its preparations from the points of hemorheology, blood and vessel endothelium cell. Danshen and its preparations can obviously improve the hemorheological characteristic by various ways.