Total monitoring of the constituents of Danshen tablet using micellar electrokinetic chromatography fingerprinting for antioxidant activity profiling

Simultaneous separation and determination of three huperzine alkaloids in Huperzia serrata and its preparations by cyclodextrin-modified mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

In this study, a simple and sensitive cyclodextrin-modified mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (CD-MEKC) method has been developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of Huperzine A (HupA), Huperzine B (HupB) and Huperzine C (HupC) in Huperzia serrata (H. serrata). The optimal conditions (pH 9.3) were composed of 10 mM sodium tetraborate solution, 40 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 50 mM sodium cholate (SC) and 3.0 mM mono-(6-ethylenediamine-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (ED-β-CD). The separation and determination process were performed on a P/ACE MDQ capillary electrophoresis system, the separation voltage was 15 kV, the temperature was 25 °C and the detection wavelength was 308 nm. Under the optimum conditions, the migration time was less than 9 min. The LOD and LOQ were between 0.38 and 0.80 μg/mL and 1.2-2.3 μg/mL, respectively. The developed method, with excellent precision and accuracy, was applied for the determination of three alkaloids in H. serrata and its formulations.

Quality consistency evaluation of commercial transfer factor injections by chromatographic fingerprint combined with multivariate statistical analysis

The current quality control methods relying mainly on chromogenic reaction can hardly ensure the quality and safety of the biochemical drug with complex chemical composition. Therefore, a chromatographic fingerprint method was developed for the quality evaluation of a multicomponent biochemical drug, transfer factor injection. High-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint was measured by using a C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase composed of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid-water and 0.085% trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitrile under gradient elution. The developed method was validated and was subsequently applied to 57 batches of commercial products which were sampled by National Drug Assessment Program. High-resolution mass spectrometry analysis was performed on characteristic peaks of fingerprints, and a series of amino acids, nucleosides, and deoxynucleosides were identified. In the fingerprint assessments, principal component analysis and Hotelling T² analysis yielded the best results. The results generally indicated that there was a significant difference among products of batch-to-batch or from different manufacturers. Abnormal samples and its discriminatory components were also explored. In summary, the established fingerprinting method with multivariate statistical analysis could offer an efficient, reliable, and practical approach for quality consistency evaluation of transfer factor injection, providing a reference for the quality control of other multicomponent biochemical drugs.

Effects of Danshen tablets on pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in rats

CONTEXT

Danshen tablets (DST), an effective traditional Chinese multi-herbal formula, are often combined with amlodipine (ALDP) for treating coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of DST on the pharmacokinetics of ALDP and the potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pharmacokinetics of ALDP (1 mg/kg) in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6), with or without pretreatment of DST (100 mg/kg for 7 d), were investigated using LC-MS/MS. The effects of DST on the metabolic stability of ALDP were also investigated using rat liver microsomes (RLM).

RESULTS

The results indicated that C_max (16.25 ± 2.65 vs. 22.79 ± 2.35 ng/ml), AUC_(0-t) (222.87 ± 59.95 vs. 468.32 ± 69.87 n gh/ml), and t_1/2 (10.60 ± 1.05 vs. 14.15 ± 1.59 h) decreased significantly when DST and ALDP were co-administered, which suggested that DST might influence the pharmacokinetic behaviour of ALDP when they are co-administered. The metabolic stability of ALDP was also decreased (23.6 ± 4.7 vs. 38.9 ± 5.2) with the pretreatment of DST.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that DST could accelerate the metabolism of ALDP in RLM and change the pharmacokinetic behaviours of ALDP. Accordingly, these results showed that the herb-drug interaction between DST and ALDP might occur when they were co-administered. Therefore, the clinical dose of ALDP should be increased when DST and ALDP are co-administered.

Capillary electrophoresis fingerprints combined with Linear Quantitative Profiling Method to monitor the quality consistency and predict the antioxidant activity of Alkaloids of Sophora flavescens

Alkaloids of Sophora flavescens (ASF) has various pharmacological effects, and it is widely used in clinical practice. The aim of this research was to develop an environmentally friendly methodology that enables not only identification but also the quality consistency assessment of Alkaloids of Sophora flavescens. A background electrolyte composed of 50 mmol/L sodium tetraborate solution, 500 mmol/L boric acid and 1.2 mmol/L citric acid was used to conduct the fingerprint analysis coupled with quantitative determination of three components. Linear quantitative profiling method was used for comprehensive quality discrimination of the test samples from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives, and the 27 batches of samples were well differentiated. In addition, the fingerprint-efficacy relationship between chemical components and antioxidant activity in vitro was established using partial least squares regression model, which provided important medicinal efficacy information for quality control.

Preparation of Salvianolic Acid B Disodium Salt Considering the Water Extract Quality Standard

A preparation process of salvianolic acid B (SAB) disodium salt from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) is provided in this work. A water extract quality standard was also developed to estimate the influences of Danshen quality on SAB disodium salt quality at an early stage of the preparation process. Crude SAB solution was obtained after water extraction, concentration, acidification, 1-butanol extraction, water washing, basification, and water back extraction. Extraction temperature, extraction pH, and back-extraction pH were identified to be key parameters for the preparation of crude SAB solution. These parameters were optimized with Box⁻Behnken designed experiments. Crude SAB solution was further purified with a chromatography process. AMBERCHROW CG161M resin was selected as the best adsorbent. SAB disodium salt could be obtained by drying the eluate. Considering the quality of Danshen may affect the purity and yield of SAB disodium salt, different batches of Danshen were used to prepare SAB disodium salt with the optimized parameters. Water extract indices of phenolic compound purity and phenolic compound yield were measured. By developing models between SAB disodium salt purity and yield with water extract indices, the quality standard of Danshen water extract was obtained. The application of water extract quality standards can improve the quality consistency of SAB disodium salt. The effects of different batches of Danshen raw materials on the final product could be evaluated at the beginning of production stages. The present method could prepare about five grams of high-purity SAB disodium salt (>95%) in one preparation cycle. The method reported in this work can also be used to develop process intermediate quality standards for other natural products.

Effects of Danshen tablets on pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin calcium in rats and its potential mechanism

CONTEXT

Danshen tablets (DST), an effective traditional Chinese multi-herbal formula, are often combined with atorvastatin calcium (AC) for treating coronary heart disease in the clinic.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of DST on the pharmacokinetics of AC and the potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pharmacokinetics of AC (1 mg/kg) with or without pretreatment of DST (100 mg/kg) were investigated using LC-MS/MS. The effects of DST (50 μg/mL) on the metabolic stability of AC were also investigated using rat liver microsome incubation systems.

RESULTS

The results indicated that C_max (23.87 ± 4.27 vs. 38.94 ± 5.32 ng/mL), AUC_(0-t) (41.01 ± 11.32 vs. 77.28 ± 12.92 ng h/mL), and t_1/2 (1.91 ± 0.18 vs. 2.74 ± 0.23 h) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when DST and AC were co-administered, which suggested that DST might influence the pharmacokinetic behavior of AC when they are co-administered. The metabolic stability (t_1/2) of AC was also decreased (25.7 ± 5.2 vs. 42.5 ± 6.1) with the pretreatment of DST.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that the main components in DST could accelerate the metabolism of AC in rat liver microsomes and change the pharmacokinetic behaviors of AC. So these results showed that the herb-drug interaction between DST and AC might occur when they were co-administered. Therefore, the clinical dose of AC should be adjusted when DST and AC are co-administered.

Assessment of quality consistency in traditional Chinese medicine using multi-wavelength fusion profiling by integrated quantitative fingerprint method: Niuhuang Jiedu pill as an example

Under the wave of the revival of traditional Chinese medicine, there is a quite imperative duty to study an integrated and comprehensive method of fingerprint data processing and analysis on the quality consistency of traditional Chinese medicine. So, we proposed six parameters from two aspects (qualitative and quantitative), three levels (biased to strong peaks, biased to weak peaks, no obvious bias), to comprehensively evaluate the similarity of the two fingerprints. On this basis, another five parameters were proposed to evaluate the integrated effects (consistency, volatility, and similarity). This method was applied to 22 batches of Niuhuang Jiedu pill samples. Next, a practical and convenient multi-wavelength fusion method was designed to provide more information, and the generated fusion profilings were used for subsequent evaluation. The characteristics of the parameters were confirmed by correlation analysis. The results of both hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis for raw data and standardized data were consistent with integrated quantitative fingerprint method results. At the same time, this method gave a reasonable explanation for abnormal and dissimilar samples. This work illustrated that the proposed method was particularly suitable for similarity analysis of fingerprints and capable of ensuring the quality consistency in traditional Chinese medicine.

Simultaneous separation and determination of praeruptorin A, B and C by micellar electrokinetic chromatography using sodium dodecyl sulphate and sodium cholate as mixed micelles

INTRODUCTION

Praeruptorin A, B and C are major bioactive constituents in Peucedani Radix. They display anti-inflammatory effect, anti-hypertension effect, antiplatelet aggregation, potential anti-cancer activities and so on. They are worthy of investigation as potentially novel and versatile drugs.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) for the application in simultaneously separation and determination of praeruptorin A, B and C from Peucedani Radix and its medicinal preparations.

METHODS

Method optimisation was carried out by investigating influences of significant factors on the separation. The method was subjected to validation. The determination of praeruptorin A, B and C in Peucedani Radix and its drug formulations was accomplished by the developed method.

RESULTS

The optimal separation condition was 20 mM borate buffer containing 40 mM sodium cholate (SC), 22 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and 25% (v/v) acetonitrile (pH 10.00); 15 kV of voltage; 25°C of temperature; detection at 224 nm. Under this condition, three analytes were baseline separated within 16 min. A good linearity was obtained with correlation coefficients from 0.9988 to 0.9995. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) ranged from 0.50 to 0.80 μg/mL and from 1.50 to 2.50 μg/mL, respectively. The recoveries ranged between 95.3% and 103.4%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of praeruptorin A, B and C in Peucedani Radix and its pharmaceutical preparations. Additionally, it could be a potential alternative to the quality control of Peucedani Radix.

Graphene nanoplatelets based matrix solid-phase dispersion microextraction for phenolic acids by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A simple, rapid and eco-friendly approach based on matrix solid-phase dispersion microextraction (MSPDM) followed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (UHPLC-ECD) was presented for the microextraction and determination of six phenolic acids in a plant preparation (Danshen tablets). The parameters that influenced the extraction performance of phenolic acids were investigated and optimized. The optimal MSPDM conditions were determined as follows: sorbent, using graphene nanoplatelets with sample/sorbent ratio of 1:1, grinding time set at 60 s, and 0.2 mL of water as elution solvent. Under the optimum conditions, the validation experiments indicated that the proposed method exhibited good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9991), excellent precision (RSD ≤ 4.57%), and satisfactory recoveries (82.34–98.34%). The limits of detection were from 1.19 to 4.62 ng/mL for six phenolic acids. Compared with other reported methods, this proposal required less sample, solvent and extraction time. Consequently, the proposed method was successfully used to the extraction and determination of phenolic acids in Danshen tablets.

Integrated evaluation of HPLC and UV fingerprints for the quality control of Danshen tablet by systematic quantified fingerprint method combined with antioxidant activity

Danshen tablet, which consists of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Borneolum syntheticum, has been widely used in the therapy of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to develop comprehensive evaluation methods for the quality control of Danshen tablet. First, five-wavelength fusion fingerprint was established to avoid one-sidedness of a single wavelength. Then, the ultraviolet spectrum fingerprint was applied to reflect the information of unsaturated bond and conjugated system of chemical substances in Danshen tablet. The similarity analyses of these two fingerprints were performed by systematic quantified fingerprint method in terms of qualitative and quantitative aspects. After that, the evaluation results of high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet fingerprints were integrated by the mean algorithm, which could reduce the error caused by single method. The integrated evaluation results showed that 30 batches of samples were classified into seven grades. Finally, the fingerprint-efficacy relationship was established using an on-line antioxidant system and partial least-squares model to explore the connection between chemical components and antioxidant activities. The methods established in this paper were found suitable for the analysis of Danshen tablet.

Extraction and isolation of lithospermic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge using aqueous two-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid and effective method integrating separation and purification of lithospermic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge was developed by combining an aqueous two-phase system extraction with preparative chromatography. An aqueous two-phase system of n-butyl alcohol/KH2 PO4 was chosen from seven systems. The influence of parameters including concentration of KH2 PO4 , n-butyl alcohol concentration, pH, and the ratio of an aqueous two-phase system to crude extract were investigated using a single factor design. Response surface methodology was subsequently used to find the optimal compositions of an aqueous two-phase system. Keeping a solvent-to-solid ratio of 10, the final optimized composition of an aqueous two-phase system was 39.1% w/w n-butyl alcohol and 22.6% w/w KH2 PO4 . Under these conditions a recovery yield of 99.8% and a high partition coefficient of 310.4 were obtained. In a pilot-scale experiment using optimized conditions, 18.79 g of lithospermic acid B with a purity of 70.5% and in a yield of 99.8% was separated from 0.5 kg of crude extract. Subsequently, 9.94 g lithospermic acid B with a purity of 99.3% and recovery yield of 70.3% was obtained with a preparative chromatographic process, and the two-step total recovery was 70.1%.