Systematic analysis of post-administrative saiboku-to urine by liquid chromatography to determine pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine

Hesperetin attenuates LPS-induced the inflammatory response and apoptosis of H9c2 by activating the AMPK/P53 signaling pathway

INTRODUCTION

Hesperetin (HES), whose main pharmacological effects are anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. In our study, we investigated the role of HES in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and apoptosis in H9c2 cells.

METHODS

Cell viability was assessed through MTT assay. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-β expression were quantified through RT-qPCR assay. Secondly, the apoptosis rate was assessed by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. Finally, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)- associated X protein (Bax), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and P53 expression were quantified through western blot assay.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that LPS stimulation decreased the cell viability, increased IL-1β and TNF-α expression in H9c2 cells. However, HES treatment significantly increased the cell viability, decreased IL-1β and TNF-α expression in LPS-induced H9c2 cells. In addition, HES significantly increased the phosphorylation level of AMPK. Meanwhile, HES prevented against LPS-mediated the P53 and Bax protein upregulation, and Bcl-2 protein downregulation in H9c2 cells. More interestingly, compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) treatment eliminated the protective effects of HES.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that HES attenuated the LPS-mediated inflammation and apoptosis of H9c2 cells by activating the AMPK/P53 signaling pathway, suggesting that HES may be a potential cardioprotective agent.

Ancient Chinese Herbal Recipe Huanglian Jie Du Decoction for Ischemic Stroke: An Overview of Current Evidence

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and neurological morbidity worldwide. The underlying pathophysiology of ischemic stroke is highly complicated and correlates with various pathological processes, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress injury, altered cell apoptosis and autophagy, excitotoxicity, and acidosis. The current treatment for ischemic stroke is limited to thrombolytic therapy such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. However, tissue plasminogen activator is limited by a very narrow therapeutic time window (<4.5 hours), selective efficacy, and hemorrhagic complication. Hence, the development of novel therapies to prevent ischemic damage to the brain is urgent. Chinese herbal medicine has a long history in treating stroke and its sequela. In the past decades, extensive studies have focused on the neuroprotective effects of Huanglian Jie Du decoction (HLJDD), an ancient and classical Chinese herbal formula that can treat a wide spectrum of disorders including ischemic stroke. In this review, the current evidence of HLJDD and its bioactive components for ischemic stroke is comprehensively reviewed, and their potential application directions in ischemic stroke management are discussed.

Pharmacokinetics of B-Ring Unsubstituted Flavones

B-ring unsubstituted flavones (of which the most widely known are chrysin, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A) are 2-phenylchromen-4-one molecules of which the B-ring is devoid of any hydroxy, methoxy, or other substituent. They may be found naturally in a number of herbal products used for therapeutic purposes, and several have been designed by researchers and obtained in the laboratory. They have generated interest in the scientific community for their potential use in a variety of pathologies, and understanding their pharmacokinetics is important for a grasp of their optimal use. Based on a comprehensive survey of the relevant literature, this paper examines their absorption (with deglycosylation as a preliminary step) and their fate in the body, from metabolism to excretion. Differences among species (inter-individual) and within the same species (intra-individual) variability have been examined based on the available data, and finally, knowledge gaps and directions of future research are discussed.

Hesperetin, a Citrus Flavonoid, Attenuates LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation, Apoptosis and Memory Impairments by Modulating TLR4/NF-κB Signaling

Glial activation and neuroinflammation play significant roles in apoptosis as well as in the development of cognitive and memory deficits. Neuroinflammation is also a critical feature in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases. Previously, hesperetin has been shown to be an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, in vivo and in vitro analyses were performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of hesperetin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis and memory impairments. Based on our findings, LPS treatment resulted in microglial activation and astrocytosis and elevated the expression of inflammatory mediators such as phosphorylated-Nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the cortical and hippocampal regions and in BV2 cells. However, hesperetin cotreatment markedly reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines by ameliorating Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-mediated ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1/glial fibrillary acidic protein (Iba-1/GFAP) expression. Similarly, hesperetin attenuated LPS-induced generation of reactive oxygen species/lipid per oxidation (ROS/LPO) and improved the antioxidant protein level such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Haem-oxygenase (HO-1) in the mouse brain. Additionally, hesperetin ameliorated cytotoxicity and ROS/LPO induced by LPS in HT-22 cells. Moreover, hesperetin rescued LPS-induced neuronal apoptosis by reducing the expression of phosphorylated-c-Jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), and Caspase-3 protein and promoting the Bcl-2 protein level. Furthermore, hesperetin enhanced synaptic integrity, cognition, and memory processes by enhancing the phosphorylated-cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and Syntaxin. Overall, our preclinical study suggests that hesperetin conferred neuroprotection by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway against the detrimental effects of LPS.

Metabolite identification and pharmacokinetic study of Lamiophlomis rotata in rats

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique and a subsequent LC-MS/MS method were developed for metabolite profile study of Lamiophlomis rotata extract after its oral administration.

Rapid Identification of the Multiple Absorbed Bioactive Components and Metabolites in Rat Serum after Oral Administration of Wu-Jia Sheng-Hua Capsule by UPLC-ESI-MS

To identify the compounds absorbed in rat serum after the oral administration of Wu-Jia Sheng-Hua (WJSH) capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound prescription, an ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS) method, was established. The chromatographic separation of the absorbed compounds and metabolites was achieved with an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) under a gradient elution. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and water buffered with ammonium acetate (10 mM) and formic acid (0.1%, V/V). Twelve absorbed compounds and four metabolites were found. Seven of the absorbed compounds were identified by ESI-MS. The identification of absorbed compounds might be helpful for the better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effects of WJSH capsule.

Cardiovascular protection of magnolol: cell-type specificity and dose-related effects

Magnolia officinalis has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Magnolol, an active component isolated from Magnolia officinalis, is known to be a cardiovascular protector since 1994. The multiplex mechanisms of magnolol on cardiovascular protection depends on cell types and dosages, and will be reviewed and discussed in this article. Magnolol under low and moderate dosage possesses the ability to protect heart from ischemic/reperfusion injury, reduces atherosclerotic change, protects endothelial cell against apoptosis and inhibits neutrophil-endothelial adhesion. The moderate to high concentration of magnolol mainly acts on smooth muscle cells and platelets. Magnolol induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells at moderate concentration and inhibits proliferation at moderate and high concentration. High concentration of magnolol also abrogates platelet activation, aggregation and thrombus formation. Magnolol also serves as an smooth muscle relaxant only upon the high concentration. Oral intake of magnolol to reach the therapeutic level for cardiovascular protection is applicable, thus makes magnolol an agent of great potential for preventing cardiovascular diseases in high-risk patients.

Plasma pharmacochemistry based approach to screening potential bioactive components in Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), a classic prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used in clinical over 1700 years for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer disease. But the active components of HLJDT were ambiguous, which seriously restricted its clinical application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methodology of plasma pharmacochemistry was applied to screen the bioactive components in HLJDT. A reliable LC/MS system was established for detecting the prototype compounds and metabolites in dosed plasma after oral administration of HLJDT. By comparative analysis of the chemical profiles of HLJDT extracts, blank plasma and dosed plasma, potential bioactive compounds in HLJDT may be discovered.

RESULTS

By comparing the retention time, MS and MS/MS spectra with those of reference standard and literature data, 30 components including 22 prototype compounds and 8 metabolites from HLJDT were discovered as potential bioactive components in rat plasma.

CONCLUSIONS

A reliable and effective method was established to screen the potential bioactive components in the formula of HLJDT, which provided useful information for the further study of action mechanism of HLJDT.

Effects of cinnamon granules on pharmacokinetics of berberine in Rhizoma Coptidis granules in healthy male volunteers

The effects of Cinnamon granules on pharmacokinetics of berberine in Rhizoma Coptidis granules in healthy male volunteers, and the compatibility mechanism of Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW) composed of Rhizoma Coptidis granules and Cinnamon granules were investigated. The concentration of berberine in plasma of healthy male volunteers was determined directly by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after an oral administration of Rhizoma Coptidis granules alone or combined with Cinnamon granules (JTW). The plasma concentration-time curves of berberine were plotted. The data were analyzed with Drug and Statistics (DAS) 2.0 pharmacokinetic program (Chinese Pharmacology Society) to obtain the main pharmacokinetic parameters. The results showed that the plasma concentration-time curve of berberine was described by a two-compartment model. The C(max), T(max), t(1/2) and CLz/F of berberine in Rhizoma Coptidis granules were 360.883 μg/L, 2.0 h, 3.882 h, 119.320 L·h(-1)·kg(-1) respectively, and those of berberine in JTW were 396.124 μg/L, 1.5 h, 4.727 h, 57.709 L·h(-1)·kg(-1) respectively. It was suggested that Rhizoma Coptidis granules combined with Cinnamon granules could increase the plasma concentration of berberine, promote berberine absorption and lengthen the detention time of berberine in healthy male volunteers.

Antispasmodic and antioxidant activities of fractions and bioactive constituent davidigenin isolated from Mascarenhasia arborescens

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mascarenhasia arborescens A. DC. (Apocynaceae) is used in traditional medicine in the North of Madagascar to treat intestinal disorders, intestinal spasms and diarrhoea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the antispasmodic activity of the crude methanolic extract of Mascarenhasia arborescens and of its four partitions and to identify the effective compound responsible for this effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolation and structure elucidation techniques were performed in order to identify the bioactive constituent of Mascarenhasia arborescens and HPLC analysis was used for its quantification. Total phenolic content (TPC) of crude extracts and partitions were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Crude methanolic extract, partitions and the bioactive compound were investigated for their spasmolytic activity on several isolated organs. Their antiradical activity was also investigated by the DPPH test.

RESULTS

Bioassay-guided fractionation using isolated guinea pig ileum pre-contracted with histamine 3x10(-6) M led to the isolation of davidigenin (DG), a dihydrochalcone, as the main active constituent from the most promising methylene chloride partition (McP). This partition was effective on isolated guinea pig ileum pre-contracted with 3x10(-6) M histamine, with a median effective concentration (EC(50)) of 41.19+/-3.74 microg/ml. The DG content of this partition was shown to be 26.5% by HPLC. DG induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the histamine pre-contracted guinea pig ileum with an EC(50) of 8.04+/-0.81 microg/ml and a concentration-dependent relaxation of the acetylcholine pre-contracted rat duodenum with an EC(50) of 9.35+/-0.30 microg/ml. It inhibited in a non-competitive manner histamine-induced isolated ileum contraction and the acetylcholine-induced isolated duodenum contraction. Moreover, DG does not have any antiradical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated for the first time antispasmodic and antioxidant effects of Mascarenhasia arborescens. This study supports its use in traditional medicine. Furthermore, we highlighted the crucial role of davidigenin in the antispasmodic activity of this plant.

Chemical markers' fishing and knockout for holistic activity and interaction evaluation of the components in herbal medicines

A strategy based on chemical markers' fishing and knockout has been proposed for holistic activity and interaction evaluation of the bioactive components in herbal medicines (HMs). It was devised to screen bioactive-compound group that represents the efficacy of HM, estimate the bioactivity contribution of each component and elucidate the interactions of multi-components. This strategy was accomplished through the following steps: (1) screen out the chemical markers (target peaks) in a HM fingerprint using online two-dimensional turbulent flow chromatography/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique, (2) fish target peaks and knockout any interested peak, and (3) evaluate the bioactivities of fishing and knockout portions. After comparison of the bioactivities of samples containing different target peaks, the efficacy of target-peak group, bioactivity contribution of each compound, and the interactions of multi-components are elucidated. Using Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Bulbs of Lycoris radiata (L. Herit.) Herb. (BLR) as the experimental materials, four target peaks were screened out as the AChE binders. By target peaks' fishing and knockout, combined with activity evaluation, we observed that the bioactivity of the four-peak mixture is similar with the global bioactivity of BLR extract, and there are significant suppressive actions among these four target peaks. These results indicate that this proposed strategy is a useful approach for holistic screening of bioactive-compound group and elucidation of the multi-component interactions in HM.

Screening and analysis of the multiple absorbed bioactive components and metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of Jitai tablets by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode-array detection coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Based on the serum pharmacochemistry technique and high-performance liquid chromatography/diode-array detection (HPLC/DAD) coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS), a method for screening and analysis of the multiple absorbed bioactive components and metabolites of Jitai tablets (JTT) in orally dosed rat plasma was developed. Plasma was treated by methanol precipitation prior to liquid chromatography, and the separation was carried out on a Symmetry C(18) column, with a linear gradient (0.1% formic acid/water/acetonitrile). Mass spectra were acquired in negative and positive ion modes, respectively. As a result, 26 bioactive components originated from JTT and 5 metabolites were tentatively identified in orally dosed rat plasma by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of authentic standards and literature data. It is concluded that an effective and reliable analytical method was set up for screening the bioactive components of Chinese herbal medicine, which provided a meaningful basis for further pharmacology and active mechanism research of JTT.

Screening and identification of permeable components in a combined prescription of Danggui Buxue decoction using a liposome equilibrium dialysis system followed by HPLC and LC-MS

A new method, i.e., liposome equilibrium dialysis followed by HPLC and LC-MS analysis, has been developed for the screening of permeable components in combined prescriptions of Danggui Buxue decoction (CPDBD). Multiple permeable components were simultaneously predicted by comparison of chromatograms of CPDBD extract before and after interaction with liposome membranes. A diode-array detector (DAD) and an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) were used, and the permeable compounds were identified by comparison with the available reference compounds and confirmed by on-line LC-MS. About fifteen compounds in a CPDBD extract were found to interact with liposome membranes. They were identified as calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), senkyunolide I or H (2), ononin (3), (6alphaR,11alphaR)-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (4), (3R)-2'-hydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (5), calycosin (6), astragaloside IV (7), isoastragaloside II (8), formononetin (9), (6alphaR, 11alphaR),-3-hydroxy-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan (10), (3R)-7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan (11), astragaloside I (12), isoastragaloside I (13), E-ligustilide (14), and Z-ligustilide (15), respectively. Among all permeable components, 1, 3, 6, and 9 (flavonoids), 2, 14, and 15 (phthalides), and 7 (saponins) have been considered as major bioactive components in CPDBD. Therefore, this new method appears useful as a first step in the screening of bioactive components in natural products including Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs).

Simultaneous quantification of multiple licorice flavonoids in rat plasma

Flavonoids are important naturally occurring polyphenols with antioxidant properties. In this study, we report the development of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based method capable of simultaneously quantifying multiple active licorice flavonoids (including liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, and isoliquiritigenin) in plasma. Electrospray ionization was used to efficiently generate precursor deprotonated molecules of all the analytes and the [M-H]- ions were used to produce characteristic product ions for MS/MS analysis. We found that inclusion of a very low concentration of HCOONH4 (0.01 per thousand) in the LC mobile phase dramatically improved the detection limit for the tested flavonoids and decreased the interference by matrix effects, which have been referred to as "LC-electrolyte effects." Liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was effective for isolation of all the analytes and resulted in the lowest matrix effects of several tested sample cleanup methods. This bioanalytical method showed good linearity between 0.32 ng/mL and 1 microg/mL analyte in 50-microL plasma samples. The accuracy and precision at different analyte concentrations varied from 85 to 110% and from 0.8 to 8.8%, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated the applicability of this method in a pilot pharmacokinetic study of rats receiving an oral dose of Xiaochaihu-tang, an important Chinese herbal remedy for chronic hepatitis. The use of a low concentration of HCOONH4 in the LC mobile phase could be used to improve LC-mass spectroscopy- or LC-MS/MS-based methods.

Pharmacokinetics of baicalein, baicalin and wogonin after oral administration of a standardized extract ofScutellaria baicalensis, PF-2405 in rats

The pharmacokinetics of active components such as baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A were evaluated after oral administration of a purified extract of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI (PF-2405) containing the high contents of baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A to rats. Following oral administration of PF-2405 at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg dose (equivalent to 4.5, 9.0 and 18 mg/kg baicalein), a major constituent baicalein and its active metabolite baicalin showed dose-linear pharmacokinetics as evidenced by unaltered dose-normalized AUC, dose-normalized Cmax, Ae(0-30h) and GI(30h) values. Following oral administration of PF-2405 at three doses (equivalent to 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg wogonin), dose-normalized Cmax and dose-normalized AUC were comparable between the 20 and 40 mg/kg PF2405 doses, but plasma concentrations of wogonin at 10 mg/kg of PF-2405 were not measurable as they were below limit of quantitation (LOQ; 18 pmol/mL). Following oral administration of PF-2405 at the three doses (equivalent to 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg oroxylin A), the concentrations of oroxylin A in plasma, urine and gastrointestine samples were below the assay LOQ (18 pmol/mL). Significant differences in AUCs, Ae(0-30h) and GI(30h) values for baicalein and baicalin were observed after oral administration of pure baicalein (18 mg/kg) and PF-2405 (40 mg/kg). The increases in AUCs of baicalein and baicalin after oral administration of PF-2405 may have been due to the significant decrease in GO(30h) values for baicalein.

Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of baicalein, baicalin, oroxylin A and wogonin in rat plasma

A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of baicalein, baicalin, oroxylin A and wogonin, Scutellaria baicalensis active components in rat plasma was developed. After liquid-liquid extraction with 2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-chromen-4-one as internal standard, baicalein, baicalin, oroxylin A and wogonin were eluted from an Atlantis C(18) column within 7 min with isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% formic acid (60:40, v/v). The analytes were detected using an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The standard curves were linear (r=1.000) over the concentration ranges of 5-500 ng/ml for baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A and 5-5000 ng/ml for baicalin. The coefficients of variation and relative errors of baicalein, wogonin, oroxylin A and baicalin for intra- and inter-assay at three or four quality control (QC) levels were 0.8-6.1% and -4.0 to 5.8%, respectively. The lower limits of quantification for baicalein, wogonin, oroxylin A and baicalin were 5ng/ml using 50 microl of plasma sample. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of baicalein, baicalin, wogonin and oroxylin A after an intravenous administration of Scutellariae radix extract to male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Screening and analysis of bioactive compounds with biofingerprinting chromatogram analysis of traditional Chinese medicines targeting DNA by microdialysis/HPLC

Biofingerprinting chromatogram analysis, which is defined as the comparison of fingerprinting chromatograms of the extract of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) before and after the interaction with biological systems (DNA, protein, cell, etc.), was proposed for screening and analysis of the multiple bioactive compounds in TCMs. A method of microdialysis sampling combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to the study of DNA-binding property for the extracts of TCMs. Seven compounds were found to bind to calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) from the TCMs of Coptis chinensis Franch (Coptis), but only three ones from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. (Phellodendron) and none from Sophoraflavescens Ait. (Sophora) to bind to ct-DNA, respectively. Three of them were identified as berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine and their association constants (K) to ct-DNA were determined by microdialysis/HPLC. Competitive binding behaviors of them to ct-DNA were also investigated.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the antitussive principles of Glycyrrhizae radix (licorice), a main component of the Kampo preparation Bakumondo-to (Mai-men-dong-tang)

We examined the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of liquiritin apioside, a main antitussive component of Glycyrrhizae radix (licorice), with regard to its antitussive effect in guinea pigs. The peak plasma concentration of the unchanged compound was observed 15 min after the administration of liquiritin apiosaide. The plasma concentration then gradually decreased and was almost undetectable 4 h after administration. Liquiritigenin, a des-glycoside of liquiritin apioside, appeared in the plasma 2 h after the administration of liquiritin apioside and remained for more than 6 h after administration. The plasma concentration of unchanged liquiritigenin was observed 15 min after administration and then gradually increased for more than 6 h after administration. When the antitussive effects of liquiritin apioside, liquiritin and liquiritigenin, at respective doses of 30 mg/kg, p.o., were examined 1 h after administration, liquiritin apioside and liquiritigenin caused a significant reduction in the number of capsaicin-induced coughs. However, at the same dose, liquiritin had no significant effect on the number of capsaicin-induced coughs. On the other hand, when the antitussive effects of liquiritin apioside, liquiritin and liquiritigenin, at doses of 30 mg/kg, p.o., were examined 4 h after administration, each caused a more than 40% reduction in the number of capsaicin-induced coughs. The present results suggest that G. radix (licorice) may produce a persistent antitussive effect, and that liquiritin apioside plays an important role in the earlier phase, while liquiritigenin, which is a metabolite of liquiritin apioside and liquiritin, plays an important role in the late phase.

LC–MS/MS determination of naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin in rat serum after orally administrating the decoction of Bulpleurum falcatum L. and Fractus aurantii

To identify and quantify biologically active components in rat serum after orally administrating the decoction of Bulpleurum falcatum L. and Fractus aurantii, one of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated. The HPLC separation was carried out on a Waters Nova Pak C(18) column using acetonitrile and water as mobile phase after the sample of rat serum was cleaned up with solid-phase extraction. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the negative ion mode and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method was developed to determine the active components. Three flavonoids of hesperidin, neohesperidin and naringin were identified in the serum by comparing their retention times and three independent SRM precursor/product ion transitions with those of corresponding reference standards. The concentrations of naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin in rat serum determined by SRM measurement were 16.3, 11.9 and 14.3 ng/ml, respectively, after orally administrating the decoction of B. falcatum L. and F. aurantii. This method was validated in terms of recovery, linearity, accuracy and precision (intra- and interday variation). The recoveries from spiked control samples were 93.0, 89.3 and 91.2% for hesperidin, neohesperidin and naringin, respectively. Linearity in rat serum was observed over the range of 2.0-50.0 ng/ml. Percent bias (accuracy) and precision were well within the acceptable range and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of the measured rat serum samples was less than 10% (n=5).

Permeability of the flavonoids liquiritigenin and its glycosides in licorice roots and davidigenin, a hydrogenated metabolite of liquiritigenin, using human intestinal cell line Caco-2

The present investigation focused on the transepithelial flux of liquiritigenin (LG), davidigenin (DG), liquiritin (LQ), and liquiritin apioside (LA) using the human colonic cell line Caco-2 as a model of human intestinal absorption. Apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) for the apical to basolateral flux of LG and DG were (16.0 +/- 0.727) x 10(-6) cm/s and (18.2 +/- 1.67) x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. These Papp were higher than that of the transcellular transport marker propranolol (13.5 +/- 0.34) x 10(-6) cm/s (P < 0.01). Papp for the apical to basolateral flux of LQ and LA were (0.26 +/- 0.12) x 10(-6) cm/s and (0.075 +/- 0.005) x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. These Papp were lower than that of the paracellular transport marker mannitol (0.64 +/- 0.04) x 10(-6) cm/s (LG, P < 0.01; LA, P < 0.001). These data suggested excellent absorption of LG and DG through the human intestinal epithelial cell line. On the contrary, poor absorption of LQ and LA was expected due to the little transepithelial flux of these compounds in the human colonic cell line Caco-2.

Induction of apoptosis in human lung fibroblasts and peripheral lymphocytes in vitro by Shosaiko-to derived phenolic metabolites

Shosaiko-to is a Kampo medicine used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis in Japan. Lately, over 200 cases of interstitial pneumonia have been reported resulting from Shosaiko-to therapy, and the number of cases increased when patients were administrated interferon (IFN)-alpha at the same time. However, the mechanisms of this Shosaiko-to implicated interstitial pneumonia are not fully understood. In this study, we examined by flow cytometry analysis the in vitro effects of 7 phenolic compounds (lignans and flavonoids), which were detected from human urine after administration of Shosaiko-to, and IFN-alpha on inducing apoptosis in human lung fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Among the 7 compounds, baicalein and medicarpin (10 microg/ml) showed significant apoptosis-inducing effects on human PBMCs. In human lung fibroblasts, medicarpin exhibited a significantly higher activity to induce apoptosis compared to the control, and the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis showed time- and dose-dependent increases. Baicalein (0.1 and 1 microg/ml), liquiritigenin (10 microg/ml) and davidigenin (10 microg/ml) also showed significant effects after 96 h treatment. Whereas, baicalin, oroxylin A and wogonin did not show any effect on inducing apoptosis in PBMCs and fibroblasts. Baicalein and medicarpin significantly inhibited the growth and reduced the viability of lung fibroblasts. IFN-alpha had no apoptosis-inducing effect, and it did not show synergistic interaction with any of the compounds derived from Shosaiko-to on inducing apoptosis in both human lung fibroblasts and PBMCs. These results suggested that phenolic compounds found in human post-administrative urine of Shosaiko-to, especially baicalein and medicarpin, exhibited a direct effect on human lung fibroblasts and immune cells to induce apoptosis.

Analysis of bioactive components in traditional Chinese medicines by molecular biochromatography with alpha1-acid glycoprotein stationary phase

Molecular biochromatography with alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) stationary phase was proposed to screen and analyse the biologically active components in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with extracts from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae as a tested sample. More than ten peaks were resolved based on their affinity to AGP. The effects of concentrations of acetonitrile, pH, concentration of inorganic salt and temperature on the retention behaviors of several major active components were also investigated, and it was found that the hydrophobic effect is the major contributor to retention. Tanshinone IIA was identified as one of the principal bioactive components, which is the marker for the quality control of Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and a complicated remedy named YiXiTongMai. The amount of tanshinone IIA in Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and YiXiTongMai determined by this method was 2.9 mg/g (net weight, RSD 4.9%, n=5) and 0.078 mg/g (net weight, RSD 2.5%, n=3), respectively. The possibility for fast differentiation of the TCM sources was also studied by the comparison of the fingerprint of chromatograms for eight typical TCMs on the AGP column. It was observed that different TCMs showed different fingerprint characteristics. Even for the same plant, Rhizoma cimicifugae from three different geographical sources, although there were common characteristics, distinct differences in types and concentrations of biologically active components were clearly observed. It was shown that molecular biochromatography was an effective and fast way for the analysis and screening of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicines.

Pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese syndrome and recipe: a hypothesis and its verification (I)

AIM:To propose a hypothesis defining the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of traditional Chinese recipe (TCR)component in blood of healthy subjects and patients, and estimate its correctness.METHODS:The pharmacokinetics (PK) of same dose of drug was studied in the animal model of traditional Chinese syndrome (S)and healthy animals. The classification, termi-nology, concept and significance of the hypothesis were set forth with evidence provided in the present study. The hypotheses consisted of traditional Chinese syndrome PK (S-PK) and traditional Chinese recipe PK (R-PK). Firstly, the observed tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) PK in healthy, chronically reserpinized rats (rat model of spleen deficiency syndrome, RMSDS) and RMSDS treated with Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) for confirmation were used to verify S-PK; secondly, the ferulic acid (FA) PK in healthy and high molecular weight dextran (HMWD)-induced rabbit model with blood stasis syndrome (RDBSS) was also used to verify S-PK; and lastly, TMP PK parameters in serum of healthy rats after orally taken Ligusticum wallichii (LW), LW and Salvia miltiorrhiza (LW&SM) decoctions were compared to verify R-PK.RESULTS:The apparent first-order absorption Ka,(13.61 plus minus 2.56)h(-1) ,area under the blood drug concentration-time curve AUC, (24.88 plus minus 9.76)&mgr;gcenter doth(-1)mL(-1) , maximum drug concentration C(max), (4.82 plus minus 1.23)&mgr;gcenter dotmL(-1) of serum TMP in RMSDS were increased markedly(P< 0.05) compared with those Ka = (5.41 plus minus1.91)h(-1), AUC = (5.20 plus minus 2.57)&mgr;gcenter doth(-1)center dotmL(-1), C(max) = (2.33 plus minus 1.77)&mgr;gcenter dotmL(-1) of healthy rats (HR). The apparent first-order rate constant for alpha and beta distribution phase alpha = (0.38 plus minus 0.09)h(-1), beta = (0.06 plus minus 0.03)h(-1) , the apparent first-order intercompartmental transfer rate constants K10 = (0.24 plus minus 0.07)h(-1), K(12) = (0.11 plus minus 0.02)h(-1), K(21) = (0.11 plus minus 0.02)h(-1) of serum TMP in RMSDS were decreased significantly (P <0.01) compared with those K(10) = (0.88 plus minus 0.20)h(-1), K(12) = (1.45 plus minus 0.47)h(-1), K(21) = (0.72 plus minus 0.22)h(-1) of HR. However, no apparent differences occurred between HR and RMSDS treated with SJZD. The serum FA concentration and its AUC (5.6690 plus minus 2.3541)&mgr;gcenter doth(-1)center dotmL(-1) in RMBSS were also higher than those AUC =(2.7566 plus minus0.8232)&mgr;gcenter doth(-1)center dotmL(-1) of healthy rabbits (P <0.05). The Ka (11.51 plus minus 2.82)h(-1), AUC (0.84 plus minus0.17)&mgr;gcenter doth(-1)center dotmL(-1) of LW & SM-derived TMP in serum were much lower (P <0.05) than those Ka = (19.58 plus minus 4.14)h(-1),AUC = (1.27 plus minus 0.26)&mgr;gcenter doth(-1)center dotmL(-1) of LW-derived TMP in serum after oral decoctions.CONCLUSION:The SDS and blood stasis syndrome state could affect significantly the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs and the abnormal SDS pharmacokinetic parameters could be normalized by SJZD. The combination of Chinese medicine in TCR could reciprocally affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of other components absorbed into the systemic circulation. These results support the S and R-PK hypothesis.

Fractionation and analysis of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. by affinity chromatography with human serum albumin as stationary phase

A method for the screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine is proposed. Affinity chromatography using a human serum albumin (HSA) stationary phase was applied to separate and analyze the bioactive compounds from Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Five major peaks and several minor peaks were resolved based on their affinity to HSA, two of them were identified as scoparone (SCO, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and capillarisin (CAP). CAP shows a much higher affinity to HSA than SCO. The effects of acetonitrile concentration, eluent pH, phosphate concentration and temperature on the retention behaviors of several major active components were also investigated, and it was found that hydrophobicity and eluent pH play major roles in changing retention values. The results demonstrate that the affinity chromatography with a HSA stationary phase is an effective way for analyzing and screening biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.