[Study on totai flavonoids of Epimedium assisted with soybean polysaccharide spray-drying powder]

In order to evaluate the characteristics of the spray drying of total flavonoids of Epimedium extracts assisted with soybean polysaccharide, a certain percentage of soybean polysaccharide or polyvidone were added to the total flavonoids of Epimedium extract to conduct the spray drying. The effect of soybean polysaccharides against the wall sticking effect of the spray drying was detected, as well as the powder property of total flavonoids of Epimedium spray drying powder and the dissolution in vitro behavior of the effective component. Compared with the total flavonoids of Epimedium spray drying powder, soybean polysaccharide revealed a significant anti-wall sticking effect. The spray drying power which had no notable change in the grain size made a increase in the fluidity, improvement in the moisture absorption and remarkable rise in the dissolution in vitro behavior. It was worth further studying the application of soybean polysaccharide in spray drying power of traditional Chinese medicine.

Development of a reverse genetics system for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and evaluation of novel strains containing duplicative gene rearrangements

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease is a non-contagious infectious viral disease of wild and domestic ruminants caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). EHDV belongs to the genus Orbivirus within the family Reoviridae and is transmitted by insects of the genus Culicoides. The impact of epizootic haemorrhagic disease is underscored by its designation as a notifiable disease by the Office International des Epizooties. The EHDV genome consists of 10 linear dsRNA segments (Seg1-Seg10). Until now, no reverse genetics system (RGS) has been developed to generate replication-competent EHDV entirely from cloned cDNA, hampering detailed functional analyses of EHDV biology. Here, we report the generation of viable EHDV entirely from cloned cDNAs. A replication-competent EHDV-2 (Ibaraki BK13 strain) virus incorporating a marker mutation was rescued by transfection of BHK-21 cells with expression plasmids and in vitro synthesized RNA transcripts. Using this RGS, two additional modified EHDV-2 viruses were also generated: one that contained a duplex concatemeric Seg9 gene and another that contained a duplex concatemeric Seg10 gene. The modified EHDV-2 with a duplex Seg9 gene was genetically stable during serial passage in BHK-21 cells. In contrast, the modified EHDV-2 with a duplex Seg10 gene was unstable during serial passage, but displayed enhanced replication kinetics in vitro when compared with the WT virus. This RGS provides a new platform for the investigation of EHDV replication, pathogenesis and novel EHDV vaccines.

Improvement in oral bioavailability and dissolution of tanshinone IIA by preparation of solid dispersions with porous silica

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the oral bioavailability and dissolution of tanshinone IIA (tanIIA) by preparation of solid dispersions (SDs) with porous silica.

Methods

SDs of tanIIA were prepared using a solvent method. The physicochemical properties, dissolution property, drug stability and in-vivo performance of the SDs prepared were all evaluated.

Key findings

Compared with tanIIA alone and corresponding physical mixtures, tanIIA from SDs showed remarkably improved in-vitro dissolution rate. After forming the SDs, tanIIA changed into an amorphous state, which can infer from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also revealed the presence of interactions between tanIIA and porous silica in SDs. During the stability study, there is no significant decreasing in either the in-vitro dissolution or the drug content, which was observed following storage at room temperature for 12 months. The results of a pharmacokinetic study in rats showed the areas under the concentration–time curve from 0 h to 24 h (AUC0–24h) for the SDs and tanIIA were 1019.87 ± 161.819 mg/h per litre and 343.70 ± 75.628 mg/h per litre, respectively.

Conclusions

SDs with porous silica as carrier could achieve superior oral bioavailability by improving drug dissolution, whereas drug stability could be maintained.

[Study on porous starch as solid dispersion carrier of total Epimedium flavonoids]

In order to evaluate the characteristic of porous starch (PS) as the solid dispersions carrier of the total Epimedium flavonoids (TEF), the PS was used. The dissolution of icariin was selected as an indicator to analyze the differences of dissolution between TEF and its solid dispersion. TEF was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Solid dispersion was irregular block and no powder characteristics of TEF and PS could be seen in SEM, DSC and XRD analysis suggested that TEF may be present in solid dispersion as amorphous substance. The dissolution rate of icariin has been improved significantly when the proportion of TEF and PS was 1:2. PS as a traditional solid dispersion carrier is worthy of further study.

[Study on solid dispersion of precipitated calcium carbonate-based oleanolic acid]

Oleanolic acid-precipitated calcium carbonate solid dispersion was prepared by using solvent evaporation method. The microscopic structure and physicochemical properties of solid dispersion were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And its in vitro release also was investigated. The properties of the precipitated calcium carbonate was studied which was as a carrier of oleanolic acid solid dispersion. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis suggested that oleanolic acid may be present in solid dispersion as amorphous substance. The in vitro release determination results of oleanolic acid-precipitated calcium carbonate (1: 5) solid dispersion showed accumulated dissolution rate of.oleanolic acid was up to 90% at 45 min. Accelerating experiment showed that content and in vitro dissolution of oleanolic acid solid dispersion did not change after storing over 6 months. The results indicated that in vitro dissolution of oleanolic acid was improved greatly by the solid dispersion with precipitated calcium carbonate as a carrier. The solid dispersion is a stabilizing system which has actual applied value.

[Study on sustained release preparations of Epimedium component]

The formulation for sustained release tablet of Epinedium component was selected and the evaluation equation of in vitro release was established. The liquidity of component was improved with the help of colloidal silica aided by spray drying, which would be the main drug in the sustained release tablets. Dissolution was selected as an evaluation index to investigate skeletal material type, fillers, impact porogen, lubricants and other materials on the quality of sustained release tablet. The sustained release tablets were prepared by dry compression. Formulation of sustained release preparations was main drug 35%, HPMC K(4M) 20% and HPMC K(15M) 10% as skeleton material, MCC 31% as filler, PEG6000 2% as porogen and magnesium stearate 2% as lubricant. The sustained release tablets released up to 80% in 8 h. The zero order equation, primary equation and Higuchi equation could simulate the release characteristics of sustained release tablets in vitro, the correlation coefficients r were larger than 0.96. The primary equation was most similar in vitro release characteristics and its correlation coefficient r was 0.9950. The preparation method is simple and the results of formulation selection are reliable. It can be used to guide the production of Epimedium component sustained release preparations.

Mechanism of enhanced antiosteoporosis effect of circinal-icaritin by self-assembled nanomicelles in vivo with suet oil and sodium deoxycholate

BACKGROUND

Circinal-icaritin (CIT), one new active aglycone of Epimedium, can exert a beneficial effect on osteoporotic bone. However, its low bioavailability limits its clinical efficacy for the treatment of osteoporosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this paper, suet oil (SO) was used to improve the oral bioavailability of CIT and enhance its antiosteoporosis effect and absorption. After oral administration of CIT together with SO, the CIT and SO self-assembled into nanomicelles under the action of sodium deoxycholate (DOC) by bile secretion. The antiosteoporosis effects of the CIT-SO-DOC nanomicelles were evaluated in osteoporotic rats by bone mineral density, serum biochemical markers, bone microarchitecture, bone biomechanical properties, and related protein and gene expressions. We examined the bioavailability of CIT and its nanomicelles in vivo, and subsequently the nanomicelles were verified using transmission electron microscopy. Finally, we evaluated absorption across a rat intestinal perfusion model.

RESULTS

Compared with CIT, in the CIT-SO groups, protein and messenger ribonucleic acid expressions of osteoprotegerin were increased, while expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in bone tissue were decreased; bone-turnover markers in serum of hydroxyproline, alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand levels were decreased, while osteoprotegerin and osteocalcin levels were increased; and trabecular bone mass, microarchitecture, and bone biomechanical strength were enhanced. The relative bioavailabilities of CIT-SO high dosage, CIT-SO medium dosage, and CIT-SO low dosage (area under concentration-time curve [AUC]0-∞) compared with that of raw CIT high dosage, CIT medium dosage, and CIT low dosage (AUC0-∞) were 127%, 121%, and 134%, respectively. The average particle size of CIT-DOC was significantly decreased after adding SO (P<0.01), and the intestinal permeability coefficients of CIT-SO-DOC nanomicelles in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon were all significantly improved (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The increased antiosteoporosis effects and bioavailability of CIT-SO-DOC self-assembled nanomicelles were due to an increase in absorption of CIT by reducing the particle sizes of CIT. SO may be a practical oral carrier for antiosteoporosis drugs with low bioavailability.

[Solidification of volatile oil with graphene oxide]

To evaluate the properties of solidifying volatile oil with graphene oxide, clove oil and zedoary turmeric oil were solidified by graphene oxide. The amount of graphene oxide was optimized with the eugenol yield and curcumol yield as criteria. Curing powder was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of graphene oxide on dissolution in vitro and thermal stability of active components were studied. The optimum solidification ratio of graphene oxide to volatile oil was 1:1. Dissolution rate of active components had rare influence while their thermal stability improved after volatile oil was solidified. Solidifying herbal volatile oil with graphene oxide deserves further study.

[Advance in studies on anti-cancer activity and mechanism of flavonoids]

Flavonoids are natural products that are ubiquitous in the natural world, with wide physiological activities and low toxic and side effects. In recent years, their anti-tumor effect has caused widespread concern and studies. According to the findings, flavonoids have prominent effects in preventing and treating lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer and so on. Their anti-tumor mechanisms mainly include anti-oxidation, anti-free radical, induction of apoptosis of cancer cells, impact on cell cycle, immune regulation, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, inhibition of COX-2, inhibition of telomerase activity and so on. This article focuses on the advance in domestic and foreign studies on anti-cancer activity and mechanism of flavonoids, in order to provide theoretical basis and research ideas for the further development and clinical application of flavonoids.

[Study on absorbing volatile oil with mesoporous carbon]

Clove oil and turmeric oil were absorbed by mesoporous carbon. The absorption ratio of mesoporous carbon to volatile oil was optimized with the eugenol yield and curcumol yield as criteria Curing powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorietry (DSC). The effects of mesoporous carbon on dissolution in vitro and thermal stability of active components were studied. They reached high adsorption rate when the absorption ratio of mesoporous carbon to volatile oil was 1:1. When volatile oil was absorbed, dissolution rate of active components had a little improvement and their thermal stability improved after volatile oil was absorbed by the loss rate decreasing more than 50%. Absorbing herbal volatile oil with mesoporous carbon deserves further studying.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Danmu injection using LC-ESI-MS(n) and LC-DAD

Background:

Danmu injection, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation made from Nauclea officinalis, has been commonly used for the treatment of cold, fever, swelling of throat in China. However, the chemical constituents in Danmu injection have not been clarified yet.

Objective:

a HPLC/DAD/ESI-MSⁿ method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the components in Danmu injection.

Materials and Methods:

The chromatographic separation was performed on a Welch Material XB-C18 (4.6mm × 250mm, 5μm) using gradient elution with acetonitrile (A) and water containing 0.1% formic acid (B) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min.

Results:

Twenty-five compounds, including phenolic acid and phenol glycoside, iridous glycoside and glycoalkaloid were identified or tentatively deduced on the base of their retention behaviors, UV absorption, MS and MSⁿ data with those elucidated references or literature. In addition, eleven compounds were simultaneously determined by HPLC–DAD, which was validated and successfully applied for determination of major components in Danmu injection.

Conclusion:

The results suggested that the established qualitative and quantitative method would be a powerful and reliable analytical tool for the characterization of multi-constituent in complex chemical system and quality control of Danmu injection.

[Effect of suet oil on formation of self-assembled micelles of flavonoids in Epimedium]

In this paper, the action of suet oil in the preparation of self-assembled micelles of the active flavonoids in Epimedium in the simulated human environment was researched. Twelve suet oil samples were collected from different growing areas and different positions of sheep or goat to simulate the formation of micelles. Then the effects of the fatty acids in suet oil on the preparation of self-assembled micelles were studied furthermore. The results showed that the micelles had a dispersed state and spherical smooth surface. To compare the diameter, potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of the 12 batches micelles, the micelles prepared by the suet oil from Qinghai were more stable and had a higher encapsulation efficiency. The fatty acids in suet oil could promote the formation of self-assembled micelles, but the whole suet oil had a better effect. Above all the study, we confirmed that the suet oil promoted the formation of self-assembled micelles of the flavonoids in Epimedium, it laid foundation for further research about increasing the efficacy of Epimedium and improved the absorption of the active flavonoids in Epimedium.

An attempt to stabilize tanshinone IIA solid dispersion by the use of ternary systems with nano-CaCO3 and poloxamer 188

Background:

Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) on solid dispersions (SDs) has thermodynamical instability of amorphous drug. Ternary solid dispersions (tSDs) can extend the stability of the amorphous form of drug. Poloxamer 188 was used as a SD carrier. Nano-CaCO₃ played an important role in adsorption of biomolecules and is being developed for a host of biotechnological applications.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the dissolution behavior and accelerated stability of TSIIA on solid dispersions (SDs) by the use of ternary systems with nano-CaCO₃ and poloxamer 188.

Materials and Methods:

The TSIIA tSDs were prepared by a spray-drying method. First, the effect of combination of poloxamer 188 and nano-CaCO₃ on TSIIA dissolution was studied. Subsequently, a set of complementary techniques (DSC, XRPD, SEM and FTIR) was used to monitor the physical changes of TSIIA in the SDs. Finally, stability test was carried out under the conditions 40°C/75% RH for 6 months.

Results:

The characterization of tSDs by differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) showed that TSIIA was present in its amorphous form. Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested the presence of interactions between TSIIA and carriers in tSDs. Improvement in the dissolution rate was observed for all SDs. The stability study conducted on SDs with nano-CaCO₃ showed stable drug content and dissolution behavior, over the period of 6 months as compared with freshly prepared SDs.

Conclusion:

SDs preparation with nano-CaCO₃ and poloxamer 188 may be a promising approach to enhance the dissolution and stability of TSIIA.

A novel self-cleavage system for production of soluble recombinant protein in Escherichia coli

Many approaches for generating large quantities of recombinant protein in Escherichia coli fuse the protein of interest to a protein tag to enhance solubility and improve recovery. However, the fusion tags can confound downstream applications, as the fusion partner can alter the structure and biological activity of the recombinant protein and proteolytic removal of the fusion tags can be expensive. Here we describe a new system for production of native proteins in E. coli that allows for removal of the fusion tag via intracellular self-cleavage by the human rhinovirus 3C (HRV3C) protease. This system allows for parallel cloning of target protein coding sequences into six different expression vectors, each with a different fusion partner tag to enhance solubility during induction. Temperature-regulated expression of the HRV3C protease allows for intracellular removal of the fusion tag following induction, and the liberated recombinant protein can be purified by affinity chromatography by virtue of a short six-histidine tag. This system will be an attractive approach for the expression and purification of recombinant proteins free of solubility-enhancing fusion tags, and should be amenable to high-throughput applications.

[Compared with colloidal silica and porous silica as baicalin solid dispersion carrier]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the dissolution characteristics of colloidal silica and porous silica as the solid dispersion carrier, with baicalin as the model drug.

METHOD

The baicalin solid dispersion was prepared by the solvent method, with colloidal silica and porous silica as the carriers. In the in vitro dissolution experiment, the solid dispersion was identified by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning and X-ray diffraction.

RESULT

The solid dispersion carriers prepared with both colloidal silica and porous silica could achieve the purpose of rapid release. Along with the increase in the proportion of the carriers, the dissolution rate is accelerated to more than 80% within 60 min. Baicalin existed in the solid dispersion carriers in the non-crystalline form.

CONCLUSION

The release behaviors of the baicalin solid dispersion prepared with two types of carrier were different. Among the two solid dispersion carriers, porous silica dissolved slowly than colloidal silica within 60 min, and they showed similar dissolutions after 60 min.

Metabolic profiling of isomeric aglycones central-icaritin (c-IT) and icaritin (IT) in osteoporotic rats by UPLC-QTOF-MS

The isomers, although of similarly chemical structures, have different pharmacological activities due to their metabolic processes in vivo. Central-icaritin (c-IT) and icaritin (IT) are isomers and major bioactive aglycones of the Herba Epimedii. In this study, we found that the anti-osteoporotic effect of c-IT was stronger than IT on bone structural changes in osteoporotic rats evaluated by Micro-μCT with the parameters of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), tissue mineral content (TMC), and tissue mineral density (TMD). c-IT treatment significantly increased the bone microarchitecture, compared with IT (p < 0.05). In order to explain their differences in anti-osteoporosis, the metabolic profiling and pathways of c-IT and IT in the plasma, bile, urine, and faeces of ovariectomized (OVX) rats were investigated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) after oral administration of c-IT or IT (80 mg/kg). Finally, 59 metabolites of c-IT and 43 metabolites of IT were identified by elucidating their corresponding quasimolecular ions and fragment ions. IT could be quickly absorbed into blood and reached a maximum plasma concentration, and then be rapidly conversed to its glucuronidation metabolites, most of which were excreted out by urine. Interestingly, the absorbed and conjugated speeds of c-IT were slower than IT. The metabolic processes of c-IT existed enterohepatic circulation, which decreased the metabolism and excretion rate of c-IT, and prolonged the anti-osteoporosis effect. Our findings provided evidence on the difference on metabolic profiles of c-IT and IT in osteoporotic rats, which might shed new lights on improving anti-osteoporotic effects of IT and c-IT.

[Two-dimensional zebrafish model combined with hyphenated chromatographic techniques for evaluation anti-osteoporosis activity of epimendin A and its metabolite baohuoside I]

This article firstly established a new efficient method for screening anti-osteoporosis ingredients, which used two-dimensional zebrafish model combined with hyphenated chromatographic techniques to evaluate anti-osteoporosis activities of epimedin A and its metabolite baohuoside I. Adult zebrafish was used for metabolism of epimedin A in 0.5% DMSO, and LC-MS was used for analysis of the metabolite, which was captured by HPLC, and prednisolone-induced osteoporosis model of zebrafish was used to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activities of trace amounts of epimedin A and baohuoside I. The results indicated that epimedin A and baohuoside I can prevent prednisolone-induced osteoporosis in zebrafish. The developed method in this paper enables the separation, enrichment and analysis of micro-amount metabolite of epimedin A, and anti-osteoporosis activities in vivo of epimedin A and baohuoside I was simple and efficient screening resorting to zebrafish osteoporosis mode. This paper would provide new ideas and methods for a rapid and early discovery of anti-osteoporosis activities of micro-ingredients and its metabolite of traditional Chinese medicine.

Metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-TOF-MS

Epimedin C is one of the major bioactive constituents of Herba Epimedii. In this study, the metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile were qualitatively investigated, and the possible metabolic pathways of epimedin C were subsequently proposed. After oral administration of epimedin C at a single dose of 80 mg/kg, rat biological samples were collected and pretreated by protein precipitation. Then these pretreated samples were injected into an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column and detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In all, 12 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, eight, two from plasma and six from bile, are, to our knowledge, reported here for the first time. The results indicated that epimedin C was metabolized via desugarization, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, dehydroxylation, hydroxylation, demethylation and glucuronidation pathways in vivo. Thus, this study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile.

[Ideas and methods of two-dimensional zebrafish model combined with chromatographic techniques in high-throughput screening of active anti-osteoporosis components of traditional Chinese medicines]

OBJECTIVE

To break through the restrictions of the evaluation model and the quantity of compounds by using the two-dimensional zebrafish model combined with chromatographic techniques, and establish a new method for the high-throughput screening of active anti-osteoporosis components.

METHOD

According to the research group-related studies and relevant foreign literatures, on the basis of the fact that the zebrafish osteoporosis model could efficiently evaluate the activity, the zebrafish metabolism model could efficiently enrich metabolites and the chromatographic techniques could efficiently separate and analyze components of traditional Chinese medicines, we proposed that the inherent combination of the three methods is expected to efficiently decode in vivo and in vitro efficacious anti-osteoporosis materials of traditional Chinese medicines.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

The method makes it simple and efficient in the enrichment, separation and analysis on components of traditional Chinese medicines, particularly micro-components and metabolites and the screening anti-osteoporosis activity, fully reflects that efficacious materials of traditional Chinese medicines contain original components and metabolites, with characteristic of "multi-components, multi-targets and integral effect", which provides new ideas and methods for the early and rapid discovery of active anti-osteoporosis components of traditional Chinese medicines.

Combined treatment with Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract and gefitinib overcomes drug resistance caused by T790M mutation in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Although the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib, have shown promising therapeutic efficacy in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR activating mutation, development of acquired resistance is almost inevitable. We investigated whether the addition of Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract (EEF) to gefitinib could overcome the resistance of NSCLC cells to gefitinib. In our study, the growth inhibitory effects of cotreatment differed between mutant EGFR and wild type EGFR. A synergistic antiproliferative effect was observed in the combined treatments in H1975 and PC-9GR cells carrying T790M EGFR. In addition, the cotreatment exhibited a much greater inhibition than either agent alone on the following metastatic processes: (a) invasion, (b) wound healing, and (c) tubule formation by endothelial cells. The phosphorylations of EGFR family (EGFR, HER-2, and HER-3) and EGFR downstream PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in H1975 and PC-9/GR cells were also attanuated, whereas EEF or gefitinib alone had no obvious effects. Similarly, the combination effectively suppressed tumor growth and increased mice survival in PC-9GR xenografts. The results indicate that the addition of EEF to gefitinib is a promising strategy to overcome T790M-mediated drug resistance.

Multielemental composition of suet oil based on quantification by ultrawave/ICP-MS coupled with chemometric analysis

Suet oil (SO) has been used commonly for food and medicine preparation. The determination of its elemental composition has became an important challenge for human safety and health owing to its possible contents of heavy metals or other elements. In this study, ultrawave single reaction chamber microwave digestion (Ultrawave) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was performed to determine 14 elements (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ti, Ni, V, Sr, Na, Ka and Ca) in SO samples. Furthermore, the multielemental content of 18 SO samples, which represented three different sources in China: Qinghai, Anhui and Jiangsu, were evaluated and compared. The optimal ultrawave digestion conditions, namely, the optimal time (35 min), temperature (210 °C) and pressure (90 bar), were screened by Box-Behnken design (BBD). Eighteen samples were successfully classified into three groups by principal component analysis (PCA) according to the contents of 14 elements. The results showed that all SO samples were rich in elements, but with significant differences corresponding to different origins. The outliers and majority of SO could be discriminated by PCA according to the multielemental content profile. The results highlighted that the element distribution was associated with the origins of SO samples. The proposed ultrawave digestion system was quite efficient and convenient, which could be mainly attributed to its high pressure and special high-throughput for the sample digestion procedure. Our established method could be useful for the quality control and standardization of elements in SO samples and products.

Protective effect of luteolin on cigarette smoke extract-induced cellular toxicity and apoptosis in normal human bronchial epithelial cells via the Nrf2 pathway

Luteolin, one of the most common abundant flavonoids in vegetables and herbs, has antitumor effects on various tumors by inducing apoptosis, antioxidant effects and inhibition of angiogenesis. However, the potential chemoprevention of luteolin on lung cell damage and its related mechanism(s) are not fully known. The present study evaluated the protective effects of luteolin on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced toxicity and apoptosis in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and explored its underlying mechanism(s). MTT assay showed that pretreatment with luteolin increased CSE-decreased cell viability (p<0.05). Luteolin increased cellular glutathione (GSH) levels but decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (p<0.05). Cytometry assay and western blot analysis showed that luteolin attenuated CSE-induced apoptosis and apoptosis‑related protein activation, including caspase‑3, -8 and -9 (p<0.05). The expression of CSE-induced

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were decreased significantly by luteolin (p<0.05). Furthermore, luteolin attenuated CSE-induced apoptosis, noticeably reduced CSE-induced expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NQO1 and HO-1 using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection assay. The data demonstrated that CSE-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis through the Nrf2 pathway was inhibited by luteolin and it may serve as a chemopreventive agent for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

[Study on oral absorption enhancers of astragalus polysaccharides]

Astragalus polysaccharides was lounded to 4-(2-aminoethylphenol), followed by labeling the APS-Tyr with fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC) at the secondary amino group. The absorption enhancement effects of low molecular weight chitosan and protamine on astragalus polysaccharides were evaluated via Caco-2 cell culture model. The results show that the fluorecent labeling compound has good stability and high sensitivity. On the other hand low molecular weight chitosan and protamine also can promoted absorption of the astragalus polysaccharides without any cytotoxity, and the absorption increase was more significant with increasing the amount of low molecular weight chitosan and protamine. At the same time, the low molecular weight chitosan has slightly better effect. The transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) of Caco-2 cells show that absorption enhancers could improve its membrane transport permeability by opening tight junctions between cells and increasing the cell membrane fluidity.

[Studies on hydroxyapatite applicatied in coprecipitate of total salvianolic acids phospholipid complex]

The purpose of this research was to prepare total salvianolic acids-phytosome-HA coprecipitate to improve drug dissolution and its micromeritic properties. Firstly, the coprecipitate was prepared by solvent method and in vitro dissolution of tripterine was performed with the salvianolic acid B and danshensu as criteria. At the same time, the micromeritic properties was characterizated, the structure of samples was characterized by TEM, DSC, XRD and FTIR. Results showed that when the ratio of drug to HA was 1:2, it had a better dissolution, the accumulative drug-release percent in vitro at 60 min was over 90%. At the same time, it has good liquidity and low moisture absorption. Its micromeritic properties have improved. It is proved that the drug still existed amorphously by microstructure analysis. The preparation process is simple and feasible, it has practical value.

[Effect of spray drying process on physical properties and dissolution of tanshinone]

In order to improve the dissolution in vitro of components by processing tanshinone with the pray drying method, the physical properties of tanshinone power was analyzed by BET, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction, and its dissolution in vitro was also investigated. The results of characterization showed decreased power size and increased specific surface area of tanshinone powder, and its existence in an amorphous state. Within 4 h, the accumulated dissolutions of tanshinone I and tanshinone II(A) in components of tanshinone reached 78.3%, 81.9%, respectively. Therefore, the spray-drying method was conducive to enhance the dissolution of components of tanshinone.

[Processing mechanism of Epimedium fried with suet oil based on absorption and metabolism of flavonoids]

As beneficial traditional Chinese medicine, Epimedium fried with suet oil can enhance the effect of warming kidney yang. Previous literature studies about processing of Epimedium mainly focused on changes in chemical composition and pharmacological effect. From the angle of flavonoids absorption and metabolism, our group innovatively study the processing mechanism of Epimedium based on active component transformation combined with intestinal absorption barrier. The processing effect of fried Epimedium can be divided into two key aspects of " heat" during processing and processing accessories "suet oil". Through continuous three National Natural Science Foundation items, the research group has clarified the scientific connotation of "heat" during processing with ADME, and explains the synergistic mechanism of processing accessories "suet oil" based on self-assembled micelles formation in vivo for the first time. This paper summarizes the research ideas and results of Epimedium processing mechanism of the project team for many years, and discusses the future research direction and content, in order to provide new ideas and new methods for modern Chinese medicine processing mechanism.

[Discussion about research progress and ideas on processing mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine]

Study on the processing mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine is the key to science of processing Chinese materia medica and modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. At present, chemical and pharmacology methods are mainly used to discuss the processing principle of efficiency, attenuated, delayed or cooked with different treatment. So that the processing mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine has made breakthrough progress. With the introduction of modern science and technology, biotransformation, intestinal absorption, pharmacokinetics and metabolomics methods have been gradually applied in traditional Chinese medicine processing mechanism. This article summarizes the achievements in the processing mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in recent years, analyses and discusses some main problems, and points out to in-depth study on absorption and metabolism, strengthening excipient processing mechanism, paying attention to the integration of multiple disciplines and data statistical analysis. Combined with years of exploration and practice, the project group proposes a new idea "traditional Chinese medicine processing mechanism based on coupled effect of chemical composition transformation and intestinal absorption barrier" , which provides reference for the study of the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine processing.

[Construction of research system for processing mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine based on chemical composition transformation combined with intestinal absorption barrier]

Based on practice of Epimedium processing mechanism for many years and integrated multidisciplinary theory and technology, this paper initially constructs the research system for processing mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine based on chemical composition transformation combined with intestinal absorption barrier, which to form an innovative research mode of the " chemical composition changes-biological transformation-metabolism in vitro and in vivo-intestinal absorption-pharmacokinetic combined pharmacodynamic-pharmacodynamic mechanism". Combined with specific examples of Epimedium and other Chinese herbal medicine processing mechanism, this paper also discusses the academic thoughts, research methods and key technologies of this research system, which will be conducive to systematically reveal the modem scientific connotation of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and enrich the theory of Chinese herbal medicine processing.

[Effects of micronization on micromeritics properties of baicalin]

Baicalin extremely fine powder was made by using ball-mill and the effect of micronization on the micromeritics properties of baicalin was studied and analyzed. The microstructures of baicalin ordinary and extremely fine powder were compared by scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffraction and the powder characteristic of them was investigated. The hygroscopicity was studied. The effect of micronization on the dissolution of baicalin was investigated. The results showed that the chemical constituents of baicalin were not changed after micronization with better compressibility. It was confirmed that micronization technology had a certain application value in promoting the insoluble component of baicalin absorption with higher dissolution.

[Discussion on research ideas of synergistic mechanism of Epimedium fried with suet oil based on self-assembled micelles formation in vivo]

Accessories processing is a major feature of traditional pharmaceutical technology in China How to use modem science and technology to reveal the scientific connotation of accessories processing, is the core of traditional Chinese medicine processing research. As traditional beneficial Chinese medicine, Epimedium can enhance the effect of warming kidney yang after processing with suet oil However, the current literature research from two aspects of chemical constituents and pharmacological action cannot fully explain the processing mechanism of accessories suet oil. According to the characteristics of fatty acids in suet oil with long chain fatty and surface activity, and based on the theoretical basis of self-assembled drug delivery system, as well as the experimental basis of Epimedium flavonoids self-assembled micelles simulated formation and promoting absorption, this paper puts forward the research hypothesis on synergistic mechanism of Epimedium fried with suet oil based on self-assembled micelles formation in vivo. This paper also describes in detail the research ideas and methods of self-assembled micelles enhancing absorption and synergistic mechanism of Epimedium flavonoids, which has the important theory significance and application value to reveal the scientific connotation of Chinese medicine fried with oil.

[Preparation of baicalin colon-specific solid dispersion and evaluation on its in vitro release]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare pH-dependent baicalin colon-specific solid dispersion, with the aim of colon-specific delivery and rapid drug release.

METHOD

Baicalin-eudragit S100 solid dispersion was prepared by using the solvent method. The microscopic structure and physicochemical properties were analyzed by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). And its in vitro release was also investigated.

RESULT

The results of DSC and XRD analysis suggested that baicalin may be dispersed in solid dispersion in the amorphous state. IR results indicated a non-covalent bond effect may exist between baicalin and eudragit S100. The results of in vitro release determination showed that very few baicalins in pH 1.2 diluted hydrochloric acid solution for 2 h at the baicalin-eudragit S100 ratio of 1 : 6. The accumulated dissolution rate was less than 15% in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution for 4 h, but exceeding 90% in pH 7.6 phosphate buffer solution for 1 h.

CONCLUSION

The prepared baicalin-eudragit S100 solid dispersion could achieve the objective of colon-specific delivery and rapid drug release, and helps increase the concentration of baicalin in colons.

[Study on preparation of sagittatoside B with epimedin B converted from cellulase]

To prepare sagittatoside B with epimedin B Hydrolyzed from cellulase. With the conversion ratio as the index, the effects of pH value, temperature, reaction time, dosage of enzyme and concentration of substrates on the conversion ratio were detected. L9 (3(4)) orthogonal design was adopted to optimize the preparation process. Hydrolyzed products were identified by MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR. The results showed that the optimum reaction conditions for the enzymatic hydrolysis were that the temperature was 50 degrees C, the reaction medium was pH 5.6 acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer solution, the concentration of substrates was 20 g x L(-1), the mass ratio between enzyme and substrate was 3: 5, and the relative molecular mass of the reaction product was 646.23. NMR data proved that the product was sagittatoside B. The process is simple and reliable under mild reaction conditions, thus suitable for industrial production.

[Study on preparation of salvianolic acid phospholipid compound]

To prepare salvianolic acid phospholipid compound. With the compound of salvianolic acids and soybean phospholipid as the index, mono-factor experiment and orthogonal design experiment were conducted to screen its technical parameters. According to the results, the optimal preparation conditions of salvianolic acid phospholipid compound were that THF were taken as the reaction solvent, the concentration time was 3 h, the reactant concentration was 5 g x L(-1), the mass ratio of salvianolic acids and phospholipid was 1: 1.5, and the reaction temperature was 40 degrees C. The oil/water partition coefficient of the prepared salvianolic acid phospholipid compound significant increased in water and buffers with different pH values. The results of phase analysis such as DSC, XRD and FTIR indicated that salvianolic acids existed in phospholipid in an amorphous state.

β-cyclodextrin assistant flavonoid glycosides enzymatic hydrolysis

BACKGROUND

The content of icaritin and genistein in herba is very low, preparation with relatively large quantities is an important issue for extensive pharmacological studies.

OBJECTIVE

This study focuses on preparing and enzymic hydrolysis of flavonoid glycosides /β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex to increase the hydrolysis rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The physical property of newly prepared inclusion complex was tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis were optimized for the bioconversion of flavonoid glycosides /β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex by mono-factor experimental design. The experiments are using the icariin and genistein as the model drugs.

RESULTS

The solubility of icariin and genistein were increased almost 17 times from 29.2 μg/ml to 513.5 μg/ml at 60°C and 28 times from 7.78 μg/ml to 221.46 μg/ml at 50°C, respectively, demonstrating that the inclusion complex could significantly increase the solubility of flavonoid glycosides. Under the optimal conditions, the reaction time of icariin and genistin decreased by 68% and 145%, when compared with that without β-CD inclusion. By using this enzymatic condition, 473 mg icaritin (with the purity of 99.34%) and 567 mg genistein(with the purity of 99.46%), which was finally determined by melt point, ESI-MS, UV, IR, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR, was obtained eventually by transforming the inclusion complex(contains 1.0 g substrates).

CONCLUSION

This study can clearly indicate a new attempt to improve the speed of enzyme-hydrolysis of poorly water-soluble flavonoid glycosides and find a more superior condition which is used to prepare icaritin and genistein.

[Simultaneous content determination of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and dracorhodin in ZJHX rubber paste by double wavelength HPLC]

Notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb, and dracorhodin from ZJHX rubber paste were analyzed simultaneously by HPLC, with acetonitrile-water as the mobile phase for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 35 degrees C and the sample size was 10 microL. The detection wavelength was set at 203 nm for ginsenoside and 440 nm for dracorhodin, respectively. The results showed that all of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and dracorhodin could be were separated well by baseline, with the linear ranges of 0.251-5.020 microg (R2 = 0.999 8), 0.520-10.400 microg (R2 = 0.999 9), 0.251-5.010 microg (R2 = 0.999 7), 0.505-10.100 microg (R2 = 0.999 8) and 0.160-3.270 microg (R2 = 0.999 9), respectively. Each component showed a good linear relationship, with the average recoveries ranging from 99.39% to 100.5%. The established method was so simple, accurate and highly reproducible that it could be used for quality control of ZJHX rubber paste.

[Study on porous maize starch preparation and powdering coix seed oil]

To optimize the preparation conditions of porous starch The porous starch was used to powder coix seed oil. Porous starch was made of maize starch by using compound enzymes of glucoamylase and alpha-amylase. The preparation process was optimized through orthogonal test design with oil absorption rate to salad oil as indexes. The effect of different dosages of porous starch on yield of triglyceride by powdering coix seed oil was studied. The triglyceride release behaviors and fluidity of powdered coix seed oil were also studied. The results showed that the optimum conditions for preparation of porous maize starch were as follows, the mass radio of glucoamylase to a-amylase was 3:1, the temperatures was 55 degrees C, pH was 5.0, and hydrolysis time was 12 h. Under these conditions, the oil absorption rate to salad oil was 98.5% for porous maize starch. Porous starch was used to power coix seed oil. When porous starch to coix seed oil was 4:1, the triglyceride yield of powering coix seed oil was up to 97.02%. The fluidity of powdered coix seed oil was favorable and control released. The preparation of powdered liquid oil with porous starch had many advantages such as simple production technology, convenient operation, low cost and was worth generalizing.

Effect of β-cyclodextrin complexation on solubility and enzymatic hydrolysis rate of icariin

Objective:

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of β-cyclodextrin complexation on the solubility and hydrolysis rate of icariin.

Material and Methods:

The inclusion complex of icariin at the molar ratio of 1:1 was obtained by the dropping method and was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The solubility of icariin complex in water at 37°C was 36 times greater than that of free icariin. Enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were tested for the bioconversion of icariin by mono-factor experimental design.

Methods:

The inclusion complex of icariin at the molar ratio of 1:1 was obtained by the dropping method and was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The solubility of icariin complex in water at 37°C was 36 times greater than that of free icariin. Enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were tested for the bioconversion of icariin by mono-factor experimental design.

Results:

The enzymatic hydrolysis experiment showed that icariin can be transformed into baohuoside I. The optimum conditions determined were as follows: pH 5.0, 50°C, the ratio of cellulase/substrate (0.6), the concentration of icariin 20 mg/ml, and reaction time 12 h. Under these enzymatic conditions, 98.2% transforming rate of baohuoside I from icariin in inclusion complexes was obtained.

Conclusion

The aqueous solubility and enzymatic hydrolysis rate of icariin were improved owing to the inclusion complexation.

[Comparative study on effect of crude and different processed products of epimedium on pharmacokinetics characteristics in mice]

To study different impacts of crude epimedium and extracts from different processed epimedium on pharmacokinetic characteristic parameters in mice. To explore the rationality of its processed products, mice were orally administered with crude epimedium and extracting solutions from heated epimedium and processed epimedium. With increased SOD value as an indicator, the relationship between time and equivalent body dose was obtained by using the pharmacological effect method. DAS 2.0 software was adopted to compare their pharmacokinetic parameters. The results showed significant differences in such pharmacokinetic parameters as Cmax and AUC of processed epimedium, heated epimedium and crude epimedium, namely processed epimedium > heated epimedium > crude epimedium. We could come to the conclusion that heated epimedium showed increased bioavailability, while epimedium processed with sheep oil could further promote in vivo absorption.

Metabolite profiles of epimedin B in rats by ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In this work, the metabolite profiles of epimedin B in rat feces, bile, urine, and plasma were qualitatively investigated, and the possible metabolic pathways of epimedin B were subsequently proposed. After oral administration of epimedin B at a single dose of 80 mg/kg, rat biological samples were collected and pretreated by protein precipitation. Then, these pretreated samples were injected into an Acquity ultraperformance liquid chromatography BEH C₁₈ column with mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid-water and 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile and detected by ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In all, 43 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, 13, including F5, F7, F16-F18, D5-D7, D9, N5, N7, M1, and M3, were to our knowledge reported for the first time. The results indicated that epimedin B was metabolized via desugarization, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, demethylation, glucuronidation, and glycosylation pathways in vivo. Specific hydrolysis of 7-O-glucosides in the gut lumen and glucuronic acid conjugation in the liver were considered as the main physiologic processes of epimedin B. This study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of epimedin B in rats.

Characterization of metabolites of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol in rats using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) was applied to the rapid analysis of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) metabolites in rats after oral administration, enabling the structural characterization of 23 metabolites in plasma, bile, urine, and feces. 16 of these, including M1-M5, M9, and M11-M15, have not been previously reported. The results also indicated that demethylation, dehydration, dehydrogenation, oxidation, deoxidation, and glucuronidation were the major metabolic reactions of PPD in vivo. This study provides important information about the metabolism of PPD which will be helpful for fully understanding its mechanism of action. Furthermore, structural modification of PPD in vivo may aid in obtaining new chemical derivatives for pharmacological screening.

[Polybasic research on the biopharmaceutical characteristics of 20 (S)-protopanaxadiol]

In this study, the biopharmaceutical properties of 20 (S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) were studied. Firstly, the equilibrium solubility and apparent oil/water partition coefficient of PPD were used to predict the absorption in vivo. Meanwhile the membrane permeability and absorption window were studied by Caco-2 cell model and single-pass intestinal perfusion model. Furthermore, the bioavailability and metabolism were combined to study the absorption properties and metabolic properties in vivo. All of them were used to provide theoretical and practical foundation for designing PPD preparation. The results showed that PPD is poorly water-soluble, and the equilibrium solubility in water is only 35.24 mg x L(-1). The oil-water partition coefficient is 46.21 (logP = 1.66). By Caco-2 cell model, the results showed PPD uptake in general, and it also has efflux. By in situ intestinal perfusion model, the results showed that the absorption of PPD in the intestine is good, and the effective permeability coefficient were duodenum > jejunum > ileum > colon. The oral bioavailability of PPD was 29.39%. It was not well. Metabolic studies showed PPD in vivo presented a wide spread metabolism. So the main factors that restricted oral bioavailability of PPD were the poor solubility and first-pass effect.