Angelica sinensis in China-A review of botanical profile, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and chemical analysis

Comprehensive quality evaluation and comparison of Angelica sinensis radix and Angelica acutiloba radix by integrated metabolomics and glycomics

Angelica radix (Danggui in Chinese) used in China and Japan is derived from two species of Angelica, namely Angelica sinensis and Angelica acutiloba, respectively. The differences in quality between A. sinensis radix (ASR) and A. acutiloba radix (AAR) should be therefore investigated to guide the medicinal and dietary applications of these two species. Secondary metabolites and carbohydrates have been demonstrated to be the two major kinds of bioactive components of Danggui. However, previously, quality comparison between ASR and AAR intensively concerned secondary metabolites but largely overlooked carbohydrates, thus failing to include or take into consideration an important aspect of the holistic quality of Danggui. In this study, untargeted/targeted metabolomics and glycomics were integrated by multiple chromatography-based analytical techniques for qualitative and quantitative characterization of secondary metabolites and carbohydrates in Danggui so as to comprehensively evaluate and compare the quality of ASR and AAR. The results revealed that not only secondary metabolites but also carbohydrates in ASR and AAR were different in type and amount, which should collectively contribute to their quality difference. By providing more comprehensive chemical information, the research results highlighted the need to assess characteristics of both carbohydrates and secondary metabolites for overall quality evaluation and comparison of ASR and AAR.

A novel approach using metabolomics coupled with hematological and biochemical parameters to explain the enriching-blood effect and mechanism of unprocessed Angelica sinensis and its 4 kinds of processed products

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelica sinensis (AS), root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, an important kind of Chinese traditional herbal medicine, has been used for women to enrich the blood for thousands of years. It is mainly distributed in Gansu province of China. According to Traditional Chinese medicine usage, unprocessed AS (UAS) and its 4 kinds of processed products (ASs) are all used to treat different diseases or syndromes. The difference among the enriching-blood effects of ASs is unclear. And their exact mechanisms of enriching the blood are not fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, our aim is to compare the enriching-blood effect and explain the related mechanism of ASs, to lay the foundation for the blood deficiency diagnosis and the rational use of ASs in the clinic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ASs were used to intervene the blood deficiency syndrome model mice induced by acetyl phenylhydrazine (APH) and cyclophosphamide (CTX). A novel approach using metabolomics coupled with hematological and biochemical parameters to explain the enriching-blood effect and mechanism of ASs was established. The blood routine examination, ATPase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, methemoglobin, glutathion peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and erythropoietin were measured. Two biofluids (plasma and urine) obtained from mice were analyzed with GC-MS. Distinct changes in metabolite patterns of the two biofluids after mice were induced by APH and CTX, and mice were intervened with ASs were analyzed using partial least squares-discriminant analysis. Potential biomarkers were found using a novel method including variable importance in the projection (VIP) >1.0, volcano plot analysis, and significance analysis of microarray.

RESULTS

The results of hematological, biochemical parameters and the integrated metabolomics all showed the blood deficiency syndrome model was built successfully, ASs exhibited different degree of enriching-blood effect, and AS pached with alcohol (AAS) exhibited the best enriching-blood effect. 16 metabolites in the plasma and 8 metabolites in the urine were considered as the potential biomarkers. These metabolites were involved in 7 metabolic pathways which were concerned with the different enriching-blood effect mechanisms of ASs. The correlation analysis results confirmed L-Valine (plasma), Linoleic acid (urine), L-Aspartic acid (urine) and Cholesterol (urine) were strong positive or negative associated with biochemical indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

The enriching-blood effects of ASs are different. The pathological mechanisms of blood deficiency syndrome and the enriching-blood effect mechanism of ASs are involved in 7 metabolic pathways. L-Valine (plasma), Linoleic acid (urine), L-Aspartic acid (urine), Cholesterol (urine) are four important biomarkers being related to the enriching-blood effect of ASs. The combination of VIP, volcano plot analysis and significance analysis of microarray is suitable for screening biomarkers in metabolomics study. They can lay the foundation for clinical practice.

Development of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantification of coniferyl ferulate and its metabolite coniferyl alcohol in rat plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and simple LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of coniferyl ferulate (CF) and its metabolite coniferyl alcohol (CA) using bavachromene as an internal standard (IS). A TSQ Quantum Access mass spectrometer was operated under selected-reaction monitoring mode using negative electrospray ionization. Extraction with ether was used in sample preparation. The plasma samples were prepared and then chromatographed on a Phenomenex Luna C₁₈ column (2.1mm×50mm, 1.7μm; Torrance, USA) at 35°C, using acetonitrile: water (65:35, v/v) in an isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.3mL/min. Method validation was performed as per the FDA guidelines and calibration curves showed good linearity over the concentration range of 2.5-1000ng/mL for both CF and CA. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within the acceptable limits. The developed assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of CA in rats.

A Review of the Composition of the Essential Oils and Biological Activities of Angelica Species

A number of Angelica species have been used in traditional systems of medicine to treat many ailments. Especially, essential oils (EOs) from the Angelica species have been used for the treatment of various health problems, including malaria, gynecological diseases, fever, anemia, and arthritis. EOs are complex mixtures of low molecular weight compounds, especially terpenoids and their oxygenated compounds. These components deliver specific fragrance and biological properties to essential oils. In this review, we summarized the chemical composition and biological activities of EOs from different species of Angelica. For this purpose, a literature search was carried out to obtain information about the EOs of Angelica species and their bioactivities from electronic databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, ACS, Google, and other journal publications. There has been a lot of variation in the EO composition among different Angelica species. EOs from Angelica species were reported for different kinds of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunotoxic, and insecticidal activities. The present review is an attempt to consolidate the available data for different Angelica species on the basis of major constituents in the EOs and their biological activities.

Effect of Angelica sinensis Root Extract on Cancer Prevention in Different Stages of an AOM/DSS Mouse Model

Angelica sinensis root (ASR) extract was obtained to investigate its effects on colorectal carcinogenesis in different stages of an Azoxymethane/Dextran sodium sulphate (AOM/DSS) model. In this study, we showed that ASR extract administration in the initial stage of the AOM/DSS model had cancer preventive effects with decreasing tumor incidence and a high-grade of intraepithelial neoplasia incidence. With respect to DNA damage, the amounts of 8-oxoguanine and γ-H2AX were suppressed in colon tissue. The balance of apoptosis and proliferation was approaching the normal state. In contrast, ASR extract administration in the promotion stage of the AOM/DSS model accelerated the progression of carcinogenesis. The maximum tumor size reached 49.85 ± 25.04 mm³. High-grade pathological changes were significantly increased. Decreased DNA damage and P53 level reflected the disrupted reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration in colorectal tissue, which led to an imbalance of proliferative and apoptotic relationships. These findings suggested that the cancer-preventive effect of ASR extract may be stage-dependent in the process of carcinogenesis.

Analysis of chemical constituents in an herbal formula Jitong Ning Tablet

Jitong Ning Tablet (JTNT), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, consists of Eucommia ulmodies oliv, Angelicae pubescentis radix, Aconiti radix cocta, Corydalis yanhusuo w.t. wang, Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma, Paeoniae radix rubra and Radix puerariae. It has been demonstrated to show protective effects on ankylosing spondylitis and anti-inflammatory effects. The chemical compositions of JTNT, playing a key role in quality control, remain unknown. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) method in both positive and negative ion mode was established to investigate the chemical constituents of JTNT formula. In total, 162 compounds including flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, phenylpropionic acids, lignans, terpenoids, and organic acids were detected, 152 of which were unambiguously or tentatively identified by comparing their retention times and accurate mass measurement with reference compounds and data in literatures. Our results would benefit quality control and chemical basis for JTNT.

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels: Influence of Value Chain on Quality Criteria and Marker Compounds Ferulic Acid and Z-Ligustilide

Background:Dang gui (Apiaceae; Angelica sinensis radix) is among the most often used Chinese medicinal plants. However, hardly anything is known about its value chain and its influence on the main marker compounds of the drug. The aim of this study is to investigate the value chain of dang gui in Gansu and Yunnan, and the analysis of the marker compounds ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide concentration in relation to quality criteria such as the production area and size of the roots. Methods: During six months of field research in China, semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders of the value chain were undertaken and plant material was collected. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used for semi-quantitative analysis of ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide. Results: Small-scale household cultivation prevails and in Gansu-in contrast to Yunnan-the cultivation of dang gui is often the main income source of farmers. Farmers and dealers use size and odor of the root as main quality criteria. For Chinese medicine doctors, Gansu as the production area is the main criterion. Higher amounts of ferulic acid in plant material from Yunnan compared to Gansu were found. Additionally, a negative relation of root length with both ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide as well as head diameter with ferulic acid were found. Conclusions: HPTLC is a valid method for semi-quantitative analysis of the marker compounds of dang gui. However, the two main marker compounds cannot explain why size and smell of the root or production area are seen as quality criteria. This hints at the inherent difficulty to correlate quality notions of medicinal plants with specific chemical compounds. With respect to this, more attention should be paid to quality in terms of cultivation and processing techniques.

Traditional Mediterranean and European herbal medicines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Written history allows tracing back Mediterranean and European medical traditions to Greek antiquity. The epidemiological shift triggered by the rise of modern medicine and industrialization is reflected in contemporary reliance and preferences for certain herbal medicines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We sketch the development and transmission of written herbal medicine through Mediterranean and European history and point out the opportunity to connect with modern traditions.

RESULTS

An ethnopharmacological database linking past and modern medical traditions could serve as a tool for crosschecking contemporary ethnopharmacological field-data as well as a repository for data mining. Considering that the diachronic picture emerging from such a database has an epidemiological base this could lead to new hypotheses related to evolutionary medicine.

CONCLUSION

The advent of systems pharmacology and network pharmacology opens new perspectives for studying past and current herbal medicine. Since a large part of modern drugs has its roots in ancient traditions one may expect new leads for drug development from novel systemic studies, as well as evidence for the activity of certain herbal preparations.

Solving the puzzle: What is behind our forefathers' anti-inflammatory remedies?

Inflammation is a ubiquitous host response in charge of restoring normal tissue structure and function but is a double-edged sword, as the uncontrolled or excessive process can lead to the injury of host cells, chronic inflammation, chronic diseases, and also neoplastic transformation. Throughout history, a wide range of species has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects worldwide. Among them, Angelica sinensis, Tropaeolum majus, Castilleja tenuiflora, Biophytum umbraculum, to name just a few, have attracted the scientific and general public attention in the last years. Efforts have been made to assess their relevance through a scientific method. However, inflammation is a complex interdependent process, and phytomedicines are complex mixtures of compounds with multiple mechanisms of biological actions, which restricts systematic explanation. For this purpose, the omics techniques could prove extremely useful. They provide tools for interpreting and integrating results from both the classical medical tradition and modern science. As a result, the concept of network pharmacology applied to phytomedicines emerged. All of this is a step toward personalized therapy.

Polysaccharides from Traditional Chinese Medicines: Extraction, Purification, Modification, and Biological Activity

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to treat diseases in China for thousands of years. TCM compositions are complex, using as their various sources plants, animals, fungi, and minerals. Polysaccharides are one of the active and important ingredients of TCMs. Polysaccharides from TCMs exhibit a wide range of biological activities in terms of immunity- modifying, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor properties. With their widespread biological activities, polysaccharides consistently attract scientist's interests, and the studies often concentrate on the extraction, purification, and biological activity of TCM polysaccharides. Currently, numerous studies have shown that the modification of polysaccharides can heighten or change the biological activities, which is a new angle of polysaccharide research. This review highlights the current knowledge of TCM polysaccharides, including their extraction, purification, modification, and biological activity, which will hopefully provide profound insights facilitating further research and development.