Anti-dipsotropic isoflavones: the potential therapeutic agents for alcohol dependence

Computational Investigation of Structural Basis for Enhanced Binding of Isoflavone Analogues with Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

Isoflavone compounds are potent inhibitors against mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) for the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, and an in-depth understanding of the underlying structural basis helps design new inhibitors for enhanced binding. Here, we investigated the binding poses and strengths of eight isoflavone analogues (including CVT-10216 and daidzin) with ALDH2 via computational methods of molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA), steered MD, and umbrella sampling. Neither the Vina scoring of docked and MD-sampled complexes nor the nonbonded protein-inhibitor interaction energy from MD simulations is able to reproduce the relative binding strength of the inhibitors compared to experimental IC₅₀ values. Considering the solvation contribution, MM-PBSA and relatively expensive umbrella sampling yield good performance for the relative binding (free) energies. The isoflavone skeleton prefers to form π-π stacking, π-sulfur, and π-alkyl interactions with planar (Phe and Trp) or sulfur-containing (Cys and Met) residues. The enhanced inhibition of CVT-10216 originates from both end groups of the isoflavone skeleton offering strong van der Waals contacts and from the methylsulfonamide group at the 4' position by hydrogen bonding (HB) with neighboring receptor residues. These results indicate that the hydrophobic binding tunnel of ALDH2 is larger than the isoflavone skeleton in length and thus an extended hydrophobic core is likely a premise for potent inhibitors.

Proteomic Analysis of Protective Effects of Epimedium Flavonoids against Ethanol-Induced Toxicity in Retinoic Acid-Treated SH-SY5Y Cells

Alcohol (ethanol) is one of the most common addictive psychoactive substances in the world, and alcoholism may result in harmful effects on human health, especially on the nervous system. Flavonoids are regarded as the main active constituent in Epimedium, which has been used to cure some nervous system diseases such as amnesia for over 1000 years. Here, the protective effects of Epimedium flavonoids against ethanol-induced toxicity in retinoic acid (RA)-treated SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. Their mechanism was explored by a label-free proteomic approach combined with bioinformatic analysis for the first time. The results showed that ethanol treatment decreased cell viability by 18%, whereas the viability increased significantly after intervention with Epimedium flavonoids (p < 0.01). According to proteomic and bioinformatic analyses, hundreds of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified and classified as biological process (GO_BP), cellular component (GO_CC) and molecular function (GO_MF). Among them, GO_MF of DEPs, especially molecular function relevant to G proteins, greatly changed in SH-SY5Y cells pretreated by Epimedium flavonoids. In the alcoholism pathway, the expression of the Gi protein was up-regulated under the influence of ethanol, whereas Epimedium flavonoids could reverse the expression profile, both of which were validated by Western blot assay. In conclusion, Gi protein seemed to be an important factor in the alcoholism pathway to suppress the ethanol-induced toxicity of SH-SY5Y cells. These findings suggest a protective potential of Epimedium flavonoids against ethanol-induced toxicity to neurons via the regulation of Gi protein function.

Differential Influence of Pueraria lobata Root Extract and Its Main Isoflavones on Ghrelin Levels in Alcohol-Treated Rats

The study was carried out on alcohol-preferring male Wistar rats. The following drugs were repeatedly (28×) administered: acamprosate (500 mg/kg, p.o.), naltrexone (0.1 mg/kg, i.p), and Pueraria lobata (kudzu) root extract (KU) (500 mg/kg, p.o.) and its isoflavones: daidzin (40 mg/kg, p.o.) and puerarin (150 mg/kg, p.o.). Their effects on a voluntary alcohol intake were assessed. KU and alcohol were also given for 9 days in an experiment on alcohol tolerance development. Finally, total and active ghrelin levels in peripheral blood serum were measured by ELISA method. Acamprosate, naltrexone, daidzin, and puerarin, reducing the alcohol intake, caused an increase in both forms of ghrelin levels. On the contrary, though KU inhibited the alcohol intake and alcohol tolerance development, it reduced ghrelin levels in alcohol-preferring rats. The changes of ghrelin concentration could play a role as an indicator of the currently used drugs. The other effect on the KU-induced shift in ghrelin levels in the presence of alcohol requires further detailed study.

Puerariae Lobatae radix flavonoids and puerarin alleviate alcoholic liver injury in zebrafish by regulating alcohol and lipid metabolism

Exessive drinking is commonly associated with a wide spectrum of liver injuries. The term alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is generally used to refer to this spectrum of hepatic abnormalities, and the term hepatic steatosis denotes early lesions. Puerariae Lobatae Radix (PLR) is a common traditional Chinese medicine and has been widely used as an efficient treatment for alcohol-induced damage. Flavonoids are the principal components of PLR that could potentially be responsible for the activation of alcohol metabolism and lipid-lowering effects. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying their activity against alcoholic injury. In this study, PLR flavonoids (PLF) were obtained by microwave extraction. A 2% ethanol solution was used to establish a model of alcoholic fatty liver disease by exposure of zebrafish larvae for 32 h, and then the zebrafish were administered PLF and puerarin. The results showed that PLF and puerarin significantly decreased lipid accumulation and the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, PLF and puerarin downregulated the expression of genes related to alcohol and lipid metabolism (CYP2y3, CYP3a65, ADH8a, ADH8b, HMGCRB, and FASN), endoplasmic reticulum stress, and DNA damage (CHOP, EDEM1, GADD45αa, and ATF6) and reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α) in zebrafish larvae. PLF and puerarin increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase-α (AMPKα) and decreased the total protein level of ACC1. The findings suggested that PLF and puerarin alleviated alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis in zebrafish larvae by regulating alcohol and lipid metabolism, which was closely related to the regulation of the AMPKα-ACC signaling pathway. In conclusion, the study provided a possible therapeutic drug for ALD treatment.

Ethnopharmacological Applications Targeting Alcohol Abuse: Overview and Outlook

Excessive alcohol consumption is the cause of several diseases and thus is of a major concern for society. Worldwide alcohol consumption has increased by many folds over the past decades. This urgently calls for intervention and relapse counteract measures. Modern pharmacological solutions induce complete alcohol self-restraint and prevent relapse, but they have many side effects. Natural products are most promising as they cause fewer adverse effects. Here we discuss in detail the medicinal plants used in various traditional/folklore medicine systems for targeting alcohol abuse. We also comprehensively describe preclinical and clinical studies done on some of these plants along with the possible mechanisms of action.

Soy Isoflavone Extract Does Not Increase the Intoxicating Effects of Acute Alcohol Ingestion in Human Volunteers

Soy beans contain isoflavones, including daidzein and genistein, with biological activities related to therapeutic effects in reducing osteoporosis, decreasing adverse menopausal manifestations, providing protection from cardiovascular diseases, and reducing hormone-dependent cancers and age-related cognitive-decline. Daidzein has been described as inhibiting the aldehyde-dehydrogenase-2 enzyme (ALDH2), and reducing alcohol use in clinical pilot studies. Our aim was to evaluate the possible interactions between a soy extract product and alcohol in a crossover, single blind, randomized study. Ten healthy male volunteers participated in two experimental sessions: one with a single dose of alcohol (0.5 g/kg, Vodka Absolut, Sweden), and the other with four capsules of a soy extract product (Super-Absorbable Soy Isoflavones, Life-Extension, United States) and, 2 h later, the same dose of alcohol. Results showed no differences in vital signs except a slightly higher significative reduction in diastolic blood pressure at 2, 3, 4, and 8 h after administration with alcohol alone in comparison with soy extract+alcohol. Ethanol-induced subjective and adverse effects were similar for both conditions with the exception of headache (higher at 8 h after alcohol alone). Our results demonstrate that a single dose of a soy isoflavone extract did not influence alcohol pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects and did not induce any disulfiram-reaction symptoms. Soy extract and alcohol did not interact and can be administered safely.

Influence of salidroside, a neuroactive compound of Rhodiola rosea L., on alcohol tolerance development in rats

Introduction: In recent years, the search for potential neuroprotective properties of salidroside and its ability to influence the activity of nervous system become the subject of intense studies of many research groups. None of these studies, however, include an attempt to determine the effect of salidroside on the course of alcohol tolerance in vivo.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of salidroside to inhibit the development of alcohol tolerance in rats, determining whether the effect of its action may occur in a dose-dependent manner, reducing both metabolic and central tolerance without affecting body temperature in control rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were injected daily with ethanol at a dose of 3 g/kg for 9 consecutive days to produce ethanol tolerance. Salidroside in two doses (4.5 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg b.w.) or vehiculum was administered orally. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th day a hypothermic effect of ethanol was measured, while the loss of righting reflex procedure was performed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th day. On the 9th day rats were treated with salidroside, sacrificed 1 h after ethanol injections and blood was collected for blood-ethanol concentration measurement.

Results: Salidroside at a dose of 45 mg/kg inhibited the development of tolerance to hypothermic and sedative effects of ethanol, whereas insignificant elevation of blood-ethanol concentration was observed. The dose of 4.5 mg/kg b.w. had minimal effect, only small inhibition of tolerance to hypothermic action was observed. Salidroside affected neither body mass growth nor body temperature in non-alcoholic (control) rats.

Conclusions: Results of the study indicate that salidroside at a dose of 45 mg/kg inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic effect of ethanol. Observed inhibition of tolerance to the sedative effect of ethanol seems to be associated with salidroside influence on the central nervous system. A comprehensive explanation of the abovementioned observations requires further pharmacological and pharmacodynamic studies.

A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm

BACKGROUND

Overconsumption of alcohol has significant negative effects on an individual's health and contributes to an enormous economic impact on society as a whole. Pharmacotherapies to curb excessive drinking are important for treating alcohol use disorders.

METHODS

Twenty (20) men participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, between subjects design experiment (n=10/group) that tested the effects of kudzu extract (Alkontrol-Herbal™) for its ability to alter alcohol consumption in a natural settings laboratory. A single dose of kudzu extract (2g total with an active isoflavone content of 520mg) or placebo was administered 2.5h before the onset of a 90min afternoon drinking session during which participants had the opportunity to drink up to 6 beers ad libitum; water and juice were always available as alternative beverages.

RESULTS

During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed 2.7±0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4±1.1 beers after treatment. The kudzu group significantly reduced consumption from 3.0±1.7 at baseline to 1.9±1.3 beers after treatment. The placebo-treated group opened 33 beers during baseline conditions and 38 following treatment whereas the kudzu-treated group opened 32 beers during baseline conditions and only 21 following treatment. Additionally, kudzu-treated participants drank slower.

CONCLUSION

This is the first demonstration that a single dose of kudzu extract quickly reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm. These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence.

Pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder: current and emerging therapies

Alcohol use disorder is a heterogeneous illness with a complex biology that is controlled by many genes and gene-by-environment interactions. Several efficacious, evidence-based treatments currently exist for treating and managing alcohol use disorder, including a number of pharmacotherapies that target specific aspects of biology that initiate and maintain dangerous alcohol misuse. This article reviews the neurobiological and neurobehavioral foundation of alcohol use disorder, the mechanisms of action and evidence for the efficacy of currently approved medications for treatment, and the literature on other emerging pharmacotherapies.

Development and validation of a 96-well cellular assay for the discovery of ALDH1A1 inhibitors

Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of vitamin A, plays important roles in various physiological and pathological processes. The two-step production of retinoic acid from vitamin A (retinol) is catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenases and aldehyde dehydrogenases, which are potential therapeutic targets for numerous diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Currently, the lack of a suitable high-throughput cellular assay hinders efforts to identify therapeutic small molecular inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase, such as ALDH1A1. In this report, we utilized high-content imaging technology and a commercially available cell permeable ALDH substrate to develop a 96-well cellular ALDH1A1 assay. This assay has a robust and sensitive readout and is amenable to automation. With this cellular assay, we identified potent selective ALDH1A1 inhibitors to explore the role of retinoic acid production in various preclinical disease models.

A standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers

OBJECTIVE

We previously demonstrated that short-term treatment with a standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduced alcohol drinking by men and women in a natural setting. The present study was conducted in nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers to assess the safety and efficacy of 4 weeks of kudzu extract in an outpatient setting.

METHOD

This randomized between-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 2 weeks of baseline, 4 weeks of treatment, and 2 weeks of follow-up. Seventeen men (21-33 years) who reported drinking 27.6 ± 6.5 drinks/week with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse/dependence took either kudzu extract (250 mg isoflavones, t.i.d.) or matched placebo on a daily basis. They reported alcohol consumption and desire to use alcohol using a wrist actigraphy device; twice weekly laboratory visits were scheduled to monitor medication adherence and adverse events.

RESULTS

Medication adherence was excellent and there were no adverse events and changes in vital signs, blood chemistry, and renal or liver function. There was no effect on alcohol craving, but kudzu extract significantly reduced the number of drinks consumed each week by 34-57 %, reduced the number of heavy drinking days, and significantly increased the percent of days abstinent and the number of consecutive days of abstinence.

CONCLUSIONS

A standardized formulation of kudzu extract produced minimal side effects, was well-tolerated, and resulted in a modest reduction in alcohol consumption in young nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers. Additional studies using treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent persons will be necessary to determine the usefulness of this herbal preparation in reducing alcohol use in other populations.

The isoflavone puerarin reduces alcohol intake in heavy drinkers: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Isoflavone compounds naturally occurring in the root of the kudzu plant have been used historically to treat alcohol-related problems. A pilot study was conducted to assess the effects of one primary isoflavone--puerarin--for its ability to modify alcohol intake in humans.

METHODS

Ten (10) healthy adult volunteers were administered puerarin (1200 mg daily) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design experiment for one week prior to an afternoon drinking session lasting 1.5h. Participants had access to up to six bottles of their preferred brand of beer in addition to juice and water. A time course of drinking, sip volumes, and total amount consumed were recorded.

RESULTS

Participants consumed on average 3.5 (±0.55) beers when treated with placebo and 2.4 (±0.41) beers when treated with puerarin. In contrast to drinking following placebo treatment when 3 participants drank 5 beers and 1 participant drank all 6 beers, none drank 5 or 6 beers when treated with puerarin. Drinking topography also changed. When treated with puerarin, participants decreased sip size, took more sips to finish a beer, and took longer to consume each beer. Additionally, after finishing a beer, latency to opening the next beer was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first demonstration that a single isoflavone found in the kudzu root can alter alcohol drinking in humans. These results suggest that alcohol consumption patterns are influenced by puerarin administration and this botanical medication may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of excessive alcohol intake.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors: a comprehensive review of the pharmacology, mechanism of action, substrate specificity, and clinical application

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) belong to a superfamily of enzymes that play a key role in the metabolism of aldehydes of both endogenous and exogenous derivation. The human ALDH superfamily comprises 19 isozymes that possess important physiological and toxicological functions. The ALDH1A subfamily plays a pivotal role in embryogenesis and development by mediating retinoic acid signaling. ALDH2, as a key enzyme that oxidizes acetaldehyde, is crucial for alcohol metabolism. ALDH1A1 and ALDH3A1 are lens and corneal crystallins, which are essential elements of the cellular defense mechanism against ultraviolet radiation-induced damage in ocular tissues. Many ALDH isozymes are important in oxidizing reactive aldehydes derived from lipid peroxidation and thereby help maintain cellular homeostasis. Increased expression and activity of ALDH isozymes have been reported in various human cancers and are associated with cancer relapse. As a direct consequence of their significant physiological and toxicological roles, inhibitors of the ALDH enzymes have been developed to treat human diseases. This review summarizes known ALDH inhibitors, their mechanisms of action, isozyme selectivity, potency, and clinical uses. The purpose of this review is to 1) establish the current status of pharmacological inhibition of the ALDHs, 2) provide a rationale for the continued development of ALDH isozyme-selective inhibitors, and 3) identify the challenges and potential therapeutic rewards associated with the creation of such agents.

Phytotherapeutic approach to alcohol dependence: new old way?

Alcohol abuse and dependence represent a worldwide problem from both medical and social points of view. In Italy it is estimated that there are about one million alcohol-dependent subjects. The pharmacological treatment of patients with alcohol dependence plays a key role in order to achieve alcohol abstinence and prevent relapse. At present, the possible utility of the complementary medicines in the treatment of alcohol dependence is controversial. In the last years, pre-clinical and clinical data from traditional medicines suggest that novel pharmacological approaches for treatment of alcoholism and alcohol abuse may stem from natural substances. The present review summarizes the findings of the effects of phytotherapy in alcohol addiction.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of drug addiction

AIMS

To evaluate clinical trials and neurochemical mechanisms of the action of traditional herbal remedies and acupuncture for treating drug addiction.

METHODS

We used computerized literature searches in English and Chinese and examined texts written before these computerized databases existed. We used search terms of treatment and neurobiology of herbal medicines, and acupuncture for drug abuse and dependence.

RESULTS

Acupuncture showed evidence for clinical efficacy and relevant neurobiological mechanisms in opiate withdrawal, but it showed poor efficacy for alcohol and nicotine withdrawal or relapse prevention, and no large studies supported its efficacy for cocaine in well-designed clinical trials. Clinical trials were rare for herbal remedies. Radix Puerariae showed the most promising efficacy for alcoholism by acting through daidzin, which inhibits mitocochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 and leads to disulfiram-like alcohol reactions. Peyote also has some evidence for alcoholism treatment among Native Americans. Ginseng and Kava lack efficacy data in addictions, and Kava can be hepatotoxic. Thunbergia laurifolia can protect against alcoholic liver toxicity. Withania somnifera and Salvia miltiorrhiza have no efficacy data, but can reduce morphine tolerance and alcohol intake, respectively, in animal models.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional herbal treatments can compliment pharmacotherapies for drug withdrawal and possibly relapse prevention with less expense and perhaps fewer side effects with notable exceptions. Both acupuncture and herbal treatments need testing as adjuncts to reduce doses and durations of standard pharmacotherapies.

Daidzein as an antioxidant of lipid: effects of the microenvironment in relation to chemical structure

Isoflavone daidzein (D, pK a1 = 7.47 +/- 0.02 and pK a2 = 9.65 +/- 0.07) was, through a study of the parent compound and its three methyl anisol derivatives 7-methyldaidzein (7-Me-D, pK a = 9.89 +/- 0.05), 4'-methyldaidzein (4'-Me-D, pK a = 7.43 +/- 0.03), and 7,4'-dimethyldaidzein (7,4'-diMe-D), found to retard lipid oxidation in liposomal membranes through two mechanisms: (i) radical scavenging for which the 4'-OH was more effective than the 7-OH group in agreement with the oxidation potentials: 0.69 V for 4'-OH and 0.92 V for 7-OH versus Ag/AgCl in acidic solution and 0.44 V for 4'-O(-) and 0.49 V for 7-O(-) in alkaline solution and (ii) change in membrane fluidity through incorporation of the isoflavones, in effect hampering radical mobility. The radical scavenging efficiency measured by the rate of the reaction with the ABTS(*)(+) in aqueous solution followed the order D > 7-Me-D > 4'-Me-D > 7,4'-diMe-D, as also found for antioxidant efficiency in liposomes when oxidation was initiated with the water-soluble AAPH radical and monitored as the formation of conjugate dienes. For oxidation initiated by the lipid-soluble AMVN radical, the antioxidant efficiency was ranked as 4'-Me-D > D > 7,4'-diMe-D > 7-Me-D, and change in fluorescence anisotropy of fluorescent probes bound to the membrane surface or inside the lipid bilayer confirmed the effects of isoflavones on the membrane fluidity, especially for 7,4'-diMe-D.

Pharmacokinetic Profile of the Isoflavone Puerarin After Acute and Repeated Administration of a Novel Kudzu Extract to Human Volunteers

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of puerarin, the major isoflavone found in a kudzu (Pueraria lobata) extract after acute and repeated administration.

METHODS

Participants were given either single or repeated doses of kudzu extract, and blood samples were collected for either 8 or 72 hours for subsequent pharmacokinetic analyses of puerarin.

RESULTS

Using WinNonlin pharmacokinetic data analysis software, puerarin was found to be rapidly absorbed via the oral route, reach peak levels at 2 hours, and have a half-life of approximately 4.3 hours. The elimination half-life was not significantly altered after repeated administration.

CONCLUSIONS

A formulation of kudzu extract delivers a large amount of the principal isoflavone in a rapid manner. The elimination rate constants and the mono-exponential decline in blood levels suggest that a one compartment model adequately explains how puerarin is handled by the body. Three times a day dosing is recommended as accumulation will not occur, and plasma levels remain at levels that are biologically active, even 8 hours after the last steady-state dose.

Separation and simultaneous determination of rutin, puerarin, daidzein, esculin and esculetin in medicinal preparations by non-aqueous capillary

A simple method for the simultaneous determination of five bioactive components (rutin, puerarin, daidzein esculin and esculetin) in traditional medicinal preparations by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis with UV detection has been developed for the first time. A running buffer composed of 15% acetonitrile, 2.5% acetic acid and 90 mM sodium cholate in methanol was found to be the most suitable for this separation. The limits of detection for five analytes were over the range of 0.050-1.216 microg ml(-1). The relative standard deviations (R.S.Ds.) of the migration times and the peak areas of the analytes were in the range of 1.3-2.9% and 2.2-2.7% (intraday), 1.7-1.9% and 2.8-3.6% (interday), respectively. In the tested concentration range, linear relationships (correlation coefficients: 0.9974 for rutin, 0.9976 for puerarin, 0.9981 for daidzein, 0.9972 for esculin and 0.9929 for esculetin) between peak areas and concentrations of the analytes were obtained. This method has been successfully applied to simultaneous determination of the five bioactive components with recoveries over the range of 89.4-107.4%.

Natural and complementary therapies for substance use disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review recent studies that have examined the efficacy of natural and complementary therapies as treatments for substance use disorders and their complications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite increasing interest in natural and complementary therapies for substance use disorders, rigorous clinical studies in this area are few in number. Recent clinical studies, although preliminary, have reported potential therapeutic effects for hypericum in the treatment of smoking cessation, for prickly pear extract in the prevention of alcohol hangover and magnesium supplementation as an adjunct to methadone treatment. Other clinical studies have reported negative findings for ginkgo as an adjunctive treatment for cocaine dependence, for artichoke in prevention of alcohol hangover, and acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal. Relevant findings from animal studies are also discussed. Neither vitamin E nor Liv 52 had a useful effect in alcohol-related liver disease. A study of silymarin in baboons, which was undertaken in an attempt to untangle the conflicting findings of human studies, reported a potential for this compound to prevent liver injury. There is increasing awareness of safety issues associated with complementary therapies. Safety issues pertinent to substance use treatment are discussed in this review.

SUMMARY

Several pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for substance use disorders are solidly evidence-based and improve both individual and public health outcomes. At this stage, there remains insufficient evidence to support the use of natural and complementary therapies as a primary intervention for substance use disorders. Further clinical trials are required to clarify the potential role of particular agents.

Non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis for simultaneous separation and determination of three major active components in traditional medicinal preparations

A simple and sensitive non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis method has been developed for simultaneous assay of three bioactive components (puerarin, daidzein and wogonin) in three traditional medicinal preparations for the first time. Optimum separation of the analytes was obtained on a 47 cm x 75 microm i.d. capillary using a non-aqueous buffer system of 20% acetonitrile, 25 mm ammonium acetate and apparent pH 9.00, with applied voltage and capillary temperature of 20 kV and 16 degrees C, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the migration times and the peak areas of the three analytes were in the ranges 2.5--4.0% and 3.2--3.9%, respectively. Detection limits of puerarin, daidzein and wogonin were 0.090, 0.145 and 0.090 microg mL(-1), respectively. In the tested concentration range, good linear relationships (correlation coef fi cients: 0.9998 for puerarin, 0.9998 for daidzein and 0.9978 for wogonin) between peak areas and concentrations of the analytes were observed. This method has been successfully applied to simultaneous determination of the three bioactive components with recoveries from 91.0 to 114.0%.