Quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker-a rational method for the internal quality of Chinese herbal medicine

Rapid identification and quantification of Pseudostellaria heterophylla with its adulterants by HPLC-CAD fingerprint combined with improved quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS)

The P. heterophylla and its adulterants were identified by HPLC-CAD fingerprint of sucrose and oligosaccharides in P. heterophylla. The improved quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single marker (iQAMS) was further established for simultaneous determinations of sucrose and oligosaccharides in P. heterophylla. The HPLC-CAD fingerprint and similarity coefficients between P. heterophylla and its adulterants showed significant differences. The relative errors (REs) between iQAMS method and external standard method (ESM) were below 3.00%, but significant difference was shown between iQAMS (different marker for whole program with gradient elution) and QAMS (one marker for whole program with gradient elution), indicating that QAMS method should be improved, especially for gradient elution which influence the response of analytes. The accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and stability of this method were validated which exhibited satisfactory results, indicating that iQAMS method could be used for quantitative analysis of sucrose and oligosaccharides in P. heterophylla instead of ESM. The iQAMS combined with HPLC-CAD fingerprint could be used to determine the content of each oligosaccharide, and it can be used for quality control of P. heterophylla.

Experimental design approach for the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker and HPLC fingerprinting of Thunbergia laurifolia aqueous extract

INTRODUCTION

Thunbergia laurifolia is used in traditional Thai medicine to reduce fever and treat mouth ulcers. However, the quantitative analysis of chemical markers has not yet been officially defined.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using a design of experiment (DoE) for the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS) and fingerprinting of the T. laurifolia aqueous extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Critical variables were screened using a two-level fractional factorial design, followed by the optimization of the selected variables using a central composite design. The validated method was applied for quality assessment based on QAMS and fingerprinting of the extract.

RESULTS

Optimum conditions of DoE for the analysis of caffeic acid, vicenin-2, and rosmarinic acid were determined. The relative correction factors for caffeic acid and vicenin-2 were calculated using rosmarinic acid as an internal reference standard, and their contents in 30 samples were determined. The differences between the external standard method (ESM) and QAMS were compared. No significant difference was observed in the quantitative determination, proving the consistency QAMS and ESM. HPLC fingerprints of T. laurifolia were established with 8 of 12 characteristic peaks that were structurally characterized using HPLC-diode array detection-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry. The similarity of the fingerprints in all samples was ≥0.74, and the pattern recognition of the characteristic peaks was satisfied.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method efficiently detected multiple components of the T. laurifolia extract. Thus, the method is beneficial in providing references for enhancing the quality control of other herbal medicines.

Magnetic materials as adsorbents for the pre-concentration and separation of active ingredients from herbal medicine

Herbal medicine (HM) is crucial in disease management and contains complex compounds with few active pharmacological ingredients, presenting challenges in quality control of raw materials and formulations. Effective separation, identification, and analysis of active components are vital for HM efficacy. Traditional methods like liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction are time-consuming and environmentally concerning, with limitations such as sorbent issues, pressure, and clogging. Magnetic solid-phase extraction uses magnetic sorbents for targeted analyte separation and enrichment, offering rapid, pressure-free separation. However, inorganic magnetic particles' aggregation and oxidation, as well as lack of selectivity, have led to the use of various coatings and modifications to enhance specificity and selectivity for complex herbal samples. This review delves into magnetic composites in HM pretreatment, specifically focusing on encapsulated or modified magnetic nanoparticles and materials like silica, ionic liquids, graphene family derivatives, carbon nanotubes, metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and molecularly imprinted polymers.

Lab-on-a-chip: an advanced technology for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine

Benefiting from the complex system composed of various constituents, medicament portions, species, and places of origin, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses numerous customizable and adaptable efficacies in clinical practice guided by its theories. However, these unique features are also present challenges in areas such as quality control, screening active ingredients, studying cell and organ pharmacology, and characterizing the compatibility between different Chinese medicines. Drawing inspiration from the holistic concept, an integrated strategy and pattern more aligned with TCM research emerges, necessitating the integration of novel technology into TCM modernization. The microfluidic chip serves as a powerful platform for integrating technologies in chemistry, biology, and biophysics. Microfluidics has given rise to innovative patterns like lab-on-a-chip and organoids-on-a-chip, effectively challenging the conventional research paradigms of TCM. This review provides a systematic summary of the nature and advanced utilization of microfluidic chips in TCM, focusing on quality control, active ingredient screening/separation, pharmaceutical analysis, and pharmacological/toxicological assays. Drawing on these remarkable references, the challenges, opportunities, and future trends of microfluidic chips in TCM are also comprehensively discussed, providing valuable insights into the development of TCM.

Rapid and green quantification of phloridzin and trilobatin in Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun (sweet tea) using an online pressurized liquid extraction high-performance liquid chromatography at equal absorption wavelength method

Sweet tea is a functional herbal tea with anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and other effects, in which phloridzin and trilobatin are two functional compounds. However, the current methods for their quantification are time-consuming, costly, and environmentally unfriendly. In this paper, we propose a rapid method that integrates online pressurized liquid extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography featuring a superficially porous column for fast separation. Moreover, we employ an equal absorption wavelength method to eliminate using multiple standard solutions and relative calibration factors. Our verification process corroborated the technique's selectivity, accuracy, precision, linearity, and detection limitations. Separately, our methodology demonstrated excellent analytical efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Practical application using six distinct batches of sweet tea samples yielded results in congruence with the external standard method. The analytical rate of this technique is up to over 18 times faster than traditional methods, and organic solvent consumption has been reduced to less than 1.5 mL. Therefore, this method provides a valuable way to achieve quality control and green analysis of sweet tea and other herbal teas.

New Quality Evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills Based on Fingerprint with Chemometric Analysis and Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single Marker

Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QZXFPs) is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, but the existing quality evaluation standards have certain shortcomings and deficiencies. An effective and scientific quality evaluation method plays a vital role in medication safety. In this study, fingerprint combined with chemometric analysis and quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method was used to comprehensively evaluate the quality of QZXFPs. The fingerprints of 28 batches samples were established and 23 common peaks were distinguished, of which 7 peaks were identified as albiflorin, paeoniflorin, baicalin, ligustilide, cyperotundone, nootkatone and α-cyperone. The content of these seven active ingredients was determined simultaneously by the QAMS method and there was no significantly different between QAMS and the external standard method. Additionally, similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis were applied for classifying the 28 batches of samples, and to find the main components causing the quality differences between different batches. In conclusion, the established method can comprehensively evaluate the consistency of quality between different batches and provide a reference for formulation quality evaluation to ensure safe and effective application of QZXFPs.

A quality evaluation method of lotus leaf based on its lipid lowering components using QAMS and chemometrics

Introduction

Lotus leaf has long been used as food and medicine in China and is well-known for its lipid-lowering effects. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive quality evaluation for lotus leaf due to the absence of consideration of the correlation between various components and their efficacy.

Objectives

This study aims to find out the key bioactive components that can be used for quality evaluation of lotus leaf on lipid-lowering effect.

Methods

Thirteen compounds were characterized in the lotus leaf using ultra-high- performance liquid chromatography-time-of-fight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Five alkaloids and four flavonoids were identified according to their lipid-lowering activities reported in literatures. Then, the contents of these nine components were analyzed in 39 batches of lotus leaves growing in different locations using high performance liquid chromatography diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD), and further evaluated by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) and chemometrics. The anti-adipogenic activity of lotus leaves were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the PPARγ expression by luciferase assay.

Results

The 39 batches were clustered into two regions, the north and the south, based on the contents of these components. Three alkaloids, nuciferine, N-nornuciferine, and asimilobine, and three flavonoids, astragalin, hyperoside, and trifolioside, were found to serve as the key factors behind the region differences. Their contents were higher in Guangchang County of Jiangxi Province than other habitat locations. Moreover, the luciferase assay combined with chemometrics showed that these components were positively correlated with lipid-lowering activity of lotus leaf.

Conclusions

Three alkaloids and three flavonoids were screened out and could be used as key compounds for quality evaluation of lotus leaf on lipid-lowering effect.

Towards the development of analytical monograph specifications for the quality assessment of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus urinaria

Many people in developing countries rely on herbal remedies for their primary healthcare needs. The challenge however is that several of these products lack proper documentation of quality and safety. To ensure consistent quality, validated methods are needed to establish and control quality attributes associated with identity, purity, and levels of bioactive constituents of the respective herbal materials. The present study focused on Phyllanthus urinaria (PU), a widely used medicinal plant in Ghana and West Africa that lacks the necessary quality control standards. The study aimed to develop an HPTLC identification method, which together with UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis established the identity of PU samples and differentiated PU from other closely related Phyllanthus species. Quantitative UPLC and HPTLC methods were developed to assess the contents of selected active markers in the PU samples, which invariably led to the proposal of acceptance criteria for the active markers. Prior to the content analyses, the sample extraction procedure was optimized through the use of Design of Experiment method. The effects of harvest time and geographic origin on the content of active compounds were demonstrated in the investigations. PU samples were also found to be contaminated with higher levels of pesticides like chlorpyrifos and folpet. Essentially, this study provides analytical protocols, insights into the quality status of PU samples in Ghana, and analytical specifications contained in a drafted monograph for future consideration in regional and subregional African pharmacopoeias.

Quality evaluation of Hawk tea from different months and regions based on quantitative analysis of multiple components with a single marker (QAMS) combined with HPLC fingerprint

BACKGROUND

Hawk tea, a medicinal and edible plant, has been consumed for thousands of years in Southwest China. To date, no unified food safety standard for Hawk tea has been established, and systematic research on the quality of Hawk tea is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive evaluation method for the quality of Hawk tea based on inclusions content, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting combined with the quantitative analysis of multiple components with a single marker (QAMS) method.

METHODS

The contents of total flavonoids, total phenols, total polysaccharides, and total protein were determined using the colorimetric method. An effective comprehensive evaluation method was established to classify the 16 batches of samples based on HPLC fingerprint analysis combined with similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), partial least-squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), and the QAMS method.

RESULTS

Flavonoids were the main chemical components of Hawk tea. The accuracy of the QAMS method was verified by comparing the calculated results with those of the external standard method (ESM). No significant differences were found between the two methods. Additionally, the fingerprint of Hawk tea was also established.

CONCLUSION

The method established in this study can be used for the comprehensive quality evaluation of Hawk tea and can also provide a reference for the quality evaluation of other herbal medicines.

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills Based on Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by a Single Marker Combined with GC Fingerprints and Chemometrics

BACKGROUND

Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QXPs) are a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used clinically for qi stagnation and blood stasis. The current quality control of QXPs in the ministry standards and the reported literature is minimal, and requires improvement.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze and determine the active ingredients in QXPs for its overall evaluation.

METHODS

In this study, a quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method was established to simultaneously determine caryophyllene oxide, cyperotundone, ligustilide, and α-cyperone in QXPs by GC. Moreover, the GC fingerprints of 22 batches of samples were also established, and the common peaks were initially identified by GC-MS, then classified in various dimensions using chemometric methods, and the main markers causing the discrepancies between groups were analyzed by orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA).

RESULTS

Compared with an internal standard method (ISM), the determination results obtained by QAMS had no significant difference. Twenty-two common peaks were distinguished in the fingerprint of 22 batches of QXPs, 17 of which were identified, and the similarity of the fingerprints was greater than 0.898. The 22 batches of QXPs were roughly divided into 3 categories, and 12 main markers causing the discrepancies were discovered.

CONCLUSION

The established QAMS method combined with the GC fingerprint and chemometrics is convenient and feasible, which helps to improve the quality evaluation of QXPs and provides a demonstration for the related study of compound preparations and single herbs.

HIGHLIGHTS

QAMS combined with a GC fingerprint and chemometrics method was established to evaluate the quality of QXPs for the first time.

Development of an Analytical Workflow to Support the Establishment of Monographs in African Pharmacopoeias - Combretum mucronatum Leaves as Example

Herbal medicines are invaluable in African medicine, but quality and safety are not documented in many cases. Besides controlled farming, validated quality control methods are needed to ensure identity, purity, and content. Analytical specifications within modern monographs are needed for consistent batch quality. Combretum mucronatum leaves are widely used in West Africa, but state-of-the-art quality control methods and specifications are non-existent. The aim of the following study was the development of ICH-validated chromatographic protocols for identity, purity, content assay, and analytical specifications for consideration into pharmacopoeial monographs. UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used for untargeted phytochemical information on composition. Optimisation of extraction was based on phytochemical profiling. HPTLC was used for differentiation of C. mucronatum from other Combretum species and UPLC for simultaneous determination of 7 marker compounds. C. mucronatum batch analyses (n = 49) investigated the influence of harvest time and geographical origin. Pesticides screening from a 349-compound panel were carried out. 30 compounds, identified by LC-MS, were used for characterization of the plant material. Orietin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin were used as specific marker compounds for qualitative and quantitative HPTLC purposes, while UPLC quantified additionally epicatechin, procyanidins B2 and C1. Influence of harvest time and geographic origin on the content of marker compounds was observed. Differences in the metabolite profiles of C. mucronatum compared to related Combretum species were established for quality control purposes. Contamination with high amoounts of chlorpyrifos, and folpet (sum of folpet and phtalimide, expressed as folpet) were also observed.The study provides analytical protocols, analytical specifications and a drafted monograph for consideration for African pharmacopoeias, and reveals potential challenges in the quality of C. mucronatum.

A biophoton method for identifying the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs

Introduction: The quality of Chinese herbs is the basis for ensuring their safety and efficacy. However, the quality evaluation system is imperfect. In particular, there is a lack of quality evaluation methods for fresh Chinese herbs during growth. The biophoton is a common phenomenon and provides complete information about the interior of the living system, which is consistent with the holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, we aim to correlate the biophoton characteristics with the quality states to find the biophoton parameters that can characterize the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs. Methods: The biophoton characteristics of motherwort and safflower were measured and characterized by the counts per second (CPS) in the steady state and the initial intensity (I₀) and coherent time (T) of delayed luminescence. The active ingredient content was measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The pigment content of motherwort leaves was measured by UV spectrophotometry. The t-test and correlation analysis were performed on the experimental results. Results: The CPS and I₀ of motherwort and I₀ of safflower showed a significant downward trend during the growth process, and their active ingredient content showed a trend that increased and then decreased. The CPS, I₀, and the content of active ingredients and pigments in a healthy state were significantly higher than those in a poor state, while T showed the opposite results. The CPS and I₀ were all significantly and positively correlated with the content of active ingredients and pigments, while the T of motherwort showed the opposite results. Conclusion: It is feasible to identify the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs by using their biophoton characteristics. Both CPS and I₀ have better correlations with the quality states and can be considered characteristic parameters of the quality of fresh Chinese herbs.

Comparative Analysis of the Phenolic Profile of Lycium barbarum L. Fruits from Different Regions in China

Lycium barbarum L. (LB) fruits have high nutritive values and therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the differences in phenolic composition of LB fruits from different geographical regions. Different methods of characterization and statistical analysis of data showed that different geographic sources of China could be significantly separated from each other. The highest total phenolic compound (TPC) content was observed in LB fruits from Ningxia (LBN), followed by those from Gansu (LBG) and Qinghai (LBQ). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of LB fruits revealed that LBQ had a peak at 2972 cm⁻¹ whereas there was no similar peak in LBG and LBQ. A new HPLC method was established for the simultaneous determination of 8 phenolic compounds by quantitative analysis of multiple components by a single marker (QAMS), including 4 phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, and ferulic acid), 1 coumarin (scopoletin), and 3 flavonoids (kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rutin, and narcissoside). It was showed that rutin was the most dominant phenolic compound in LBQ, although the average content of 4 phenolic acids was also high in LBQ, and scopoletin was the richest in LBG. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to qualitatively analyze the phenolics, which showed LBN was abundant in phenolic acids, LBQ was rich in flavonoids, and coumarins were the most plentiful in LBG. In conclusion, this study can provide references for the quality control and evaluation of phenolics in LB fruits and their by-products.

An application of the standardised reference extract quantification strategy in the quality control of ginseng infusions by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection

INTRODUCTION

Limited availability of individual standards is a bottleneck for quality control of functional foods and natural medicines. The use of standard mixtures or secondary standards is a possible alternative in this case. Earlier, an approach known as standardised reference extract (RE) strategy was introduced for HPLC-UV analysis of different plant materials; however, its application in HPLC-MS analysis has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To establish an HPLC-MS-based RE method for determination of ginsenoside content in ginseng infusions using commercially available extract reference material of Panax quinquefolius L.

RESULTS

The developed HPLC-MS method was validated as precise (1.1%-9.4% intra-day variation; 1.6%-12.8% inter-day variation) and highly sensitive [limit of detection (LOD): 1-40 ng/mL; limit of quantification (LOQ): 4-120 ng/mL]. The stability of samples was satisfactory (5.7%-16.3%). The RE quantification method was compared with the external standard method, and the obtained difference was not significant, mostly in the range of 5%-10%. Matrix effects for the diluted samples of RE and ginseng infusions, determined via the standard addition method, were in the range of 85%-115% and 80%-126%, respectively, and were also positively correlated with the ginsenoside concentration. Eleven batches of ginseng infusions from different manufacturers were analysed using the established method.

CONCLUSION

The method for HPLC-MS-based ginsenoside quantification using RE as a secondary standard was established for the first time. The results of this study demonstrate that the application of the standardised RE strategy in HPLC-MS can minimise the matrix effect-related error in addition to the cost-effective quality control of herbal products, foods, and traditional medicines.

Quantitative Analysis of Anthocyanins in Grapes by UPLC-Q-TOF MS Combined with QAMS

A method for quantifying the anthocyanins in grapes was firstly developed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOFMS) combined with quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS). A total of 10 main anthocyanins were analyzed by using peonidin 3-O-glucoside as the reference standard. The accuracy of this method was evaluated by an established and validated external standard quantification method with 10 reference compounds. The standard method difference (SMDs) of the quantification results between QAMS and the external standard methodwasless than 15%. Furthermore, the QAMS method was used to analyzefour batches of grapes and the data was compared with those obtained using the external standard method. No significant difference wasobtained in the results obtained by both methods. These results indicated that the QAMS method could accurately determine the anthocyanins in grapes. This method can provide a basis to address the absence of reference standards for analyzing anthocyanins in other foods.

Combining network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multi-component quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of Astragali Radix

Nowadays, the cultivated variant and adulterant of Astragali Radix (AR) have flooded the market, causing the quality of AR to be challenging to distinguish. To address this issue, we combined network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multi-component quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of AR. Specifically, through network pharmacology, a complete understanding of the active components and pharmacological activities of AR was established. In addition, the establishment of the fingerprint profiles and multi-component quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is convenient and comprehensive, which can more fully reflect the overall situation of the distribution of various chemical components. To evaluate and differentiate AR from different origins, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. The result showed that AR acts synergistically through multiple targets and pathways. And the content of chemical components in AR from different origins varied significantly. Combining network pharmacology and multi-component quantification results, astragaloside II, astragaloside IV and formononetin can be used as quality markers for quality control of AR. This study provides a comprehensive and reliable strategy for the quality evaluation of AR and identifies its quality markers to ensure the quality of the herb.

High-performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedrae Herba on a perfluorooctyl stationary phase

Ephedrae Herba is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines, and it has been shown that most of the clinical efficacy for cold and asthma is exerted by its alkaloidal components. A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed using a perfluorooctyl column for the simultaneous determination of five alkaloids (norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and methylephedrine) in Ephedrae Herba. The mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and 15 mM ammonium trifluoroacetate was used to elute the targets in isocratic elution mode. The method was validated for linearity (R²  > 0.999), repeatability, intraday and interday precision, recoveries with trueness (93.87-110.99%), limits of detection (5.35-5.76 µg/mL), and limits of quantification (20 µg/mL). The quantitative results revealed that the developed method was precise and accurate. Then it was successfully applied to determine the difference in the contents of three batches of Ephedrae Herba from three pharmaceutical companies.

Unsaturated fatty-acid based HPLC fingerprints in combination with quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker for the classification of Rana chensinensis ovum

Comprehensive quality evaluation strategy was established for Rana chensinensis ovum based on analytical chemistry and chemometrics.

Systematic Study on a Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by Single Marker (QAMS) Method for Simultaneous Determination of Eight Constituents in Pneumonia Mixture by UPLC-MS/MS

Pneumonia mixture was formulated and is available to treat children acute pneumonia and acute bronchitis in our hospital for nearly forty years, but there are few studies of its quality evaluation or control. In this paper, a new strategy for quality evaluation of pneumonia mixture was explored and verified through qualitative and quantitative analyses of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS) by UPLC-MS/MS. Baicalein was selected as an internal reference, and the relative correction factors (RCFs) and the relative retention time (RRT) of (R, S)-goitrin, amygdalin, chlorogenic acid, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, ephedrine hydrochloride, ammonium glycyrrhizinate, and baicalin were established. The robustness and durability of the QAMS method were investigated. RCF values calculated by the average (AVG) method and linear regression (LRG) method had good repeatability and were acceptable for quantitative analysis, and the RTT combined with the exact masses of precursor and fragment ions and their abundance could be adopted for accurately positioning the chromatographic peak of the eight constituents. The consistency and feasibility of the QAMS method were verified by comparing the contents of the seven components calculated by a classic and validated external standard method (ESM) with those of the QAMS method, which reduces analytical cost and time of detection and avoids the problem of the diversity and large quantity of reference standards. The results demonstrated that the QAMS method developed in this paper could provide a new, alternative, and promising method to comprehensively and effectively determine multicomponents and control the quality of pneumonia mixture or even a group of similar medicines.

Establishment and validation of the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker for the quality control of Qishen Yiqi dripping pills by high-performance liquid chromatography with charged aerosol detection

INTRODUCTION

Charged aerosol detection (CAD) has the merits of high sensitivity, high universality and response uniformity. The strategy that combines the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) with CAD has certain advantages for the quantification of multi-components. However, relevant research was limited.

OBJECTIVES

To comprehensively investigate the crucial factors that affect the performance of the HPLC-CAD-QAMS approach and validate the credibility and feasibility of the method.

METHODOLOGY

Multiple components of Qishen Yiqi dripping pills (QSYQ) were assayed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-CAD-QAMS approach. Some factors that affect the sensitivity and accuracy of the approach were sufficiently studied. After the method verification, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to evaluate the quality consistency of three types of samples: normal samples, expired samples and negative samples.

RESULTS

A HPLC-CAD-QAMS method was successfully developed for the multi-component determination of QSYQ. First, chromatographic conditions were optimised by a definitive screening design, and the optimised ranges of operating parameters were obtained with a Monte Carlo simulation method. Next, a new method to select the internal reference standards was successfully introduced based on the heatmap of Pearson correlation coefficients of the response factors. Then, the multi-point method was selected to calculate the relative correction factors, and a robustness test was conducted with Plackett-Burman design. Finally, the PCA was proved to be effective for the quality consistency evaluation of different samples.

CONCLUSION

The developed HPLC-CAD-QAMS method can be a reliable and superior means for the multi-component quantitative analysis of QSYQ.

Simultaneous analysis of 20 free amino acids by a single marker combined with an HPLC fingerprint evaluation of Dendrobium huoshanense

A phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PITC) precolumn derivatization quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single marker (QAMS) strategy for the simultaneous analysis of 20 free amino acids (FAA) in Dendrobium huoshanense is proposed. The method was validated by the linearity, limit of detection (LDO), and limit of quantitation (LOQ), recovery, precision, and stability. The results showed that when applying the established method, the LOQ of the FFAs was lower than 1 ng/ml except threonine (1.32 ng) and cysteine (1.16 ng). The QAMS investigation revealed that, using any one of the 20 FAAs as the reference internal standard, no significant differences were observed between the external standard method and the QAMS method for the quantification of FAAs in D. huoshanense by PITC precolumn derivatization [The relative standard deviation (RSD, %) by QAMS and ESM were all below 5%]. HPLC fingerprint investigation combined with similar analysis (the similarity values for S1-S25 were >0.875) and quality fluctuation analysis showed that the cultivation environment might have a great effect on the accumulation of FAAs in D. huoshanense. Overall, our study showed that we might increase the accuracy and scope of the simultaneous quantification of multicomponents using the QAMS technique by being derivatized with a strong UV absorbing group, and QAMS combined with chromatographic fingerprinting can be considered good quality criteria for the quality control of D. huoshanense and may provide analytical technical support for research on Maillard Reaction during the further processing of D. huoshanense.

A Fast and Validated HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Five 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists via the Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by a Single Marker

In this study, a new strategy for the simultaneous quantization of five serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists—ondansetron, azasetron, ramosetron, granisetron, and tropisetron—either in infusion samples or in injection dosage form was first established based on high-performance liquid chromatography combined with a quantitative analysis of multiple components by a single marker. The quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single marker method was conducted with ondansetron as an internal reference substance and performed using relative retention time and ultraviolet spectral similarity as the double indicator. The quantitative analysis of the 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists was calculated and investigated based on the relative correction factors. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C₁₈ column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm), and the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-0.05 mol·L⁻¹ potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 4.0) (25 : 75) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min⁻¹ and detection wavelengths of 307 nm (ondansetron, azasetron, ramosetron), 302 nm (granisetron), and 285 nm (tropisetron). In addition, the accuracy of the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single marker method was compared with an external standard method, and no significant difference was observed between the two methods. The established method is rapid, is easy, and does not require many reference substances, and it can been successfully applied as part of the quality control of the five 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists in their injection dosage form and infusion sample drugs in hospitals.

Simultaneous determination of five diuretic drugs using quantitative analysis of multiple components by a single marker

BACKGROUND

Loop diuretics are commonly used in clinical practice to manage high fluid loads and to control fluid balance. In this paper, a novel quantitative analysis method for multiple components with a single marker (QAMS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 5 diuretic drugs furosemide, torasemide, azosemide, etacrynic acid, and bumetanide, by HPLC. Qualitative analysis was performed using relative retention time and ultraviolet (UV) spectral similarity as the double indicator. The QAMS method was conducted with etacrynic acid as an internal reference substance. The quantities of the other four diuretics were calculated by using the relative correction factors for etacrynic acid. The quantities of the 5 diuretic drugs were also determined by the external standard method (ESM). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Shimadzu HC-C₁₈ column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) using 50 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH adjusted to 4.0 with phosphoric acid) with acetonitrile (64:36, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a column temperature of 30 ℃.

RESULTS

Under these conditions, the 5 diuretic drugs were well separated, showing linear relationships within certain ranges. The quantitative results showed that there was no significant difference between the QAMS and ESM methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the HPLC-QAMS analytical scheme established in this study is a simple, efficient, economical, and accurate method for the quantitative evaluation of 5 diuretic drugs.

Simultaneous determination of both kavalactone and flavokawain constituents by different single-marker methods in kava

Kava, the rhizomes and roots of Piper methysticum Forst, is a popular edible medicinal herb traditionally used to prepare beverages for anxiety reduction. Since the German kava ban has been lifted by the court, the quality evaluation is particularly important for its application, especially the flavokawains which were believed to be responsible for hepatotoxicity. Now, by employing two different standard references and four different methods to calculate the relative correction factors, eight different quantitative analyses of multicomponents by single-marker methods have been developed for the simultaneous determination of eight major kavalactones and flavokawains in kava. The low standard method difference on quantitative measurement of the compounds among the external standard method and ours confirmed the reliability of the mentioned methods. A radar plot clearly illustrated that the contents of dihydrokavain and kavain were higher, whereas flavokawains A and B were lower in different kava samples. Only one of eight samples did not detect flavokawains that may be related to hepatotoxicity. In summary, by using different agents as an internal standard reference, the developed methods were believed as a powerful analytical tool not only for the qualitative and quantitative of kava constituents but also for the other multicomponents when authentic standard substances were unavailable.

Simultaneous Determination of Five Coumarins in Peucedanum Decursivum Radix by UPLC

OBJECTIVE

To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method for simultaneous determination of umbelliferonel, nodakenin, psoralen, xanthotoxin and bergapten contents in Peucedanum decursivum Radix.

METHODS

The analysis was achieved on a Symmetry®C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm), with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase in gradient elution mode. The column temperature was maintained at 30°C, with flow rate 1.0 mL·min-1. The injection volume of sample was 10 μL. The ultraviolet detection wavelength was set at the maximum absorption wavelength 325 nm for umbelliferonel and nodakenin, 259 nm for psoralen, xanthotoxin and bergapten, respectively.

RESULTS

The five kinds of coumarins in Peucedanum decursivum Radix were separated well and the linear relation was obtained (R2 ≥ 0.9998). The average recoveries were 101.31, 105.27, 90.85, 106.42 and 90.19%, respectively, with Relative standard deviation (RSD) 3.07, 3.17, 1.62, 2.53 and 4.54%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The established method was accurate and feasible, which could be used as the basis of quality control of Peucedanum decursivum Radix.

A multi-strategy platform for quality control and Q-markers screen of Chaiqin chengqi decoction

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Chaiqin chengqi decoction (CQCQD) has been proven clinically to be an effective treatment for AP for decades in West China Hospital. Quality control for CQCQD containing many hundreds of characteristic phytochemicals poses a challenge for developing robust quality assessment metrics.

PURPOSE

To evaluate quality consistency of CQCQD with a multi-strategy based analytical method, identify potential quality-markers (Q-markers) based on drug properties and effect characteristics, and endeavor to establish CQCQD as a globally-accepted medicine.

METHODS

A typical analysis of constitutive medicinal plant materials was performed following the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The extraction process was optimized through an orthogonal array (L₉(3⁴)) to evaluate three levels of liquid to solid ratio, soaking time, duration of extraction, and the number of extractions. An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) fingerprinting combined with absolute quantitation of multi chemical marker compounds, coupled with similarity, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal component analyses (PCA) were performed to evaluate 10 batches of CQCQD. On the basis of systematic analysis of fundamental features of CQCQD in treating AP, the potential Q-marker screen was proposed through detection of quality transfer and efficacy for chemical markers. UHPLC coupled with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry were used to determine compounds in medicinal materials, decoctions and plasma. Network pharmacology and taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate induced pancreatic acinar cell death were used to evaluate the correlation between chemical markers and anti-pancreatitis activity. A cerulein induced AP murine model was used to validate quality assessed CQCQD batches at clinically-equivalent dose. The effective content of chemical markers was predicted using linear regression analysis on quantitative information between validated batches and the other batches.

RESULTS

The chemical markers and other physical and chemical indices in the original materials met Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards. A total of 22 co-existing fingerprint peaks were selected and the similarity varied between 0.946 and 0.990. Batch D10 possessed the highest similarity index. HCA classified the 10 batches into 2 main groups: 7 batches represented by D10 and 3 batches represented by D1. During the initial Q-marker screen stage, 22 compounds were detected in both plant materials and decoctions, while 13 compounds were identified in plasma. Network pharmacology predicted the potential targets and pathway of AP related to the 22 compounds. All 10 batches showed reduced necrosis below 60% with the best effect achieved by D10 (~40%). The spectrum-efficacy relationship analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis indicated that emodin, rhein, aloe emodin, geniposide, hesperridin, chrysin, syringin, synephrine, geniposidic acid, magnolol, physcion, sinensetin, and baicalein showed positive correlation with pancreatic acinar cell death protection. Similar to the in vitro evaluation, batch D10 significantly reduced total histopathological scores and biochemical severity indices at a clinically-equivalent dose but batch D1 did not. The content of naringin, narirutin and baicalin in batches D1, D5 and D9 consistently exceeds the upper limit of the predicted value. Eight markers whose lower limit is predicted to be close to 0 contributed less to the material basis for AP protection.

CONCLUSION

Despite qualified materials used for CQCQD preparation, the clinical effect depends on appropriate content range of Q-markers. Emodin, rhein, aloe emodin, magnolol, hesperidin, synephrine, baicalein, and geniposide are considered as vital Q-markers in the primary screen. This study proposed a feasible platform for producing highly consistent batches of CQCQD in future study.

Quality evaluation of rhubarb based on qualitative analysis of the HPLC fingerprint and UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with quantitative analysis of eight anthraquinone glycosides by QAMS

Rhubarb is one of the most ancient and important herbal medicines, but its current quality evaluation (QE) methods have some limitations. In this study, a new method was developed for the comprehensive QE of rhubarb. First, fingerprints of 28 batches of three species of rhubarb samples were determined by HPLC, the reference fingerprint was established and the common peaks were assigned. Second, the components of common peaks in the fingerprints were identified by ultrafast liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Finally, a method for the simultaneous determination of the contents of eight anthraquinone glycosides in rhubarb using quantitative analysis of multiple components by a single marker (QAMS) was established, and the contents of these eight components in 28 batches of rhubarb determined by QAMS and the external standard method were compared. The results showed that there were 31 common peaks in the rhubarb fingerprint. The components of these 31 common peaks were identified, and 20 of them were unambiguously confirmed by reference substances, including eight anthraquinone glycosides. The contents of eight anthraquinone glycosides in the 28 batches of rhubarb determined by QAMS and the external standard method were not significantly different. In conclusion, the method established in this study can be used for the comprehensive QE of rhubarb and can also provide a reference for the QE of other herbal medicines.

Simultaneous Quantitative Analysis of Six Proton-Pump Inhibitors with a Single Marker and Evaluation of Stability of Investigated Drugs in Polypropylene Syringes for Continuous Infusion Use

Objective

We developed and validated a simple, convenient and reproducible method for simultaneous estimation of six proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), omeprazole (OPZ), esomeprazole (EOPZ), lansoprazole (LPZ), pantoprazole (PPZ), rabeprazole (RPZ) and ilaprazole (IPZ) in pharmaceutical dosage forms by a single marker. Meanwhile, the stability of the cited PPIs in 0.9% sodium chloride injection stored in polypropylene syringes up to 48 hours for continuous infusion use was investigated.

Materials and Methods

The chromatographic separation was achieved on an InterSustain^® C₁₈ column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The isocratic mobile phase made up of 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 4.0): acetonitrile (65:35, v/v) was pumped through the column at a temperature maintained at 30°C and a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The relative retention time, UV spectral similarity and relative correction factors between OPZ and the other five PPIs were calculated and investigated using the quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS) method. The stability study examined physical parameters, pH values and drug concentrations of the PPIs mixtures.

Results

Under these conditions, all cited PPIs were separated simultaneously at a retention time of 6.0, 7.3, 7.3, 9.9, 12.5 and 13.9 min for RPZ, OPZ, EOPZ, IPZ, PPZ and LPZ, respectively, with a total run time less than 20.0 min. Comparative analysis results indicated that there were no significant differences observed between the QAMS method and the external standard method. The percentage of initial concentration of each PPI gradually decreased during the storage time.

Conclusion

The proposed method, which is selective, economical and accurate, was applied successfully for determination of the cited PPIs in their respective pharmaceutical dosage forms. Admixtures of OPZ, EOPZ, PPZ, IPZ in 0.9% sodium chloride injection were stable for 24 hours and LPZ, RPZ in 0.9% sodium chloride injection were stable for 8 hours in polypropylene syringes.

Assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients in drug products based on relative response factors: Instrumentation insights and practical considerations

Relative Response Factors (RRFs) can be used for quantitation of one compound against another and it is widely used for Impurity analysis of pharmaceutical products; however, the application in potency assay is limited. Through an extensive study shown in this paper, it can be concluded that using the "RRF methodology" for potency assay is much more challenging compared to impurity analysis, due to the much tighter criteria required for potency analysis. The effects of instrument settings, which are rarely discussed or recognized in current HPLC analytical method development and quality release testing, are discussed. These factors impact the RRF just as much as other commonly recognized HPLC parameters. The effects of UV detector settings, i.e. Slit Width, Step Width, Band Width, and Data Collection Module, have been explored. This phenomenon has been demonstrated using three compounds to observe the impact of their quantitation due to the significant RRF variations. Finally, principles to reduce RRF variations have been discussed, and practical considerations of RRF application to method development and method transfer are provided.

Recent advances of novel technologies for quality consistency assessment of natural herbal medicines and preparations

Quality consistency is one of the basic attributes of medicines, but it is also a difficult problem that natural medicines and their preparations must face. The complex chemical composition and comprehensive pharmacological action of natural medicines make it difficult to simply apply the commonly used evaluation methods in chemical drugs. It is thus urgent to explore the novel evaluation methods suitable for the characteristics of natural medicines. With the rapid development of analytical techniques and the deepening understanding of the quality of natural herbs, increasing numbers of researchers have proposed many new ideas and technologies. This review mainly focuses on the basic principles, technical characteristics and application examples of the chemical evaluation, biological evaluation methods and their combination in quality consistency evaluation of natural herbs. On the bases of chemical evaluation and clinical efficacy, new methods reflecting their pharmacodynamic mechanism and safety characteristics will be developed, and gradually towards accurate quality control, to achieve the goal of quality consistency. We hope that this manuscript can provide new ideas and technical references for the quality consistency of natural drugs and their preparations, thus better guarantee their clinical efficacy and safety, and better promote industrial development.

Quantitative and Chemical Fingerprint Analysis of Desmodium styracifolium by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Combined with Chemometrics

In this study, a valid and comprehensive evaluation method for assessing the quality of Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr has been established, based on analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint combined with the similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis (DA) and the quantitative analysis multi-components by single marker (QAMS) method. Eleven peaks of the common model were obtained and analyzed using SA, HCA, PCA and DA analysis. These methods indicated a similar conclusion that 31 batches of D. styracifolium samples were categorized into two clusters basically coincident with their geographical regions of origin. Four peaks were identified as schaftoside, isoorientin, isoschaftoside and isovitexin. Schaftoside was selected as the internal standard, and the relative correction factors between schaftoside and the other three flavonoids were calculated using the QAMS method. The accuracy of the QAMS method was verified by comparing with the results calculated by the external standard method. No significant difference between the two methods was found. In conclusion, the established methods were scientifically applied in the quality evaluation of D. styracifolium.

Determination of berberine in Rhizoma coptidis using a β-cyclodextrin-sensitized fluorescence method

In this work, a method for the determination of berberine in Rhizoma coptidis using β-cyclodextrin-sensitized fluorescence technology is established. Berberine is the main extract of Rhizoma coptidis, a medicinal material, which causes an envelope reaction with β-cyclodextrin to generate fluorescence sensitization. In the environment of its own aqueous extract, with 0.0065 mol L⁻¹ of β-cyclodextrin, a fluorescence excitation wavelength (λ_ex) of 345 nm and an emission wavelength (λ_em) of 540 nm were selected to avoid interference from other distractors. The fluorescent sensor for the detection of berberine exhibits a low limit of detection (3.59 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹) and a wide linear range from 2.7 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ to 2.7 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. Our sensor can be also used to detect berberine in real medicinal materials. The content of berberine in Rhizoma coptidis medicinal material was found to be 7.60% using this method with an average recovery rate of 99.5%. The result obtained by thin-layer chromatography with fluorescence detection was 7.61%, which is consistent with the result from the β-cyclodextrin sensitized fluorescence method. This method is simple and environmentally friendly with high sensitivity and good selectivity and gives reliable results, which is promising for practical application.

In this work, a method for the determination of berberine in Rhizoma coptidis using β-cyclodextrin-sensitized fluorescence technology is established.

A classification of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry techniques for evaluation of chemical composition and quality control of traditional medicines

Natural products (NPs) and traditional medicines (TMs) are used for treatment of various diseases and also to develop new drugs. However, identification of drug leads within the immense biodiversity of living organisms is a challenging task that requires considerable time, labor, and computational resources as well as the application of modern analytical instruments. LC-MS platforms are widely used for both drug discovery and quality control of TMs and food supplements. Moreover, a large dataset generated during LC-MS analysis contains valuable information that could be extracted and handled by means of various data mining and statistical tools. Novel sophisticated LC-MS based approaches are being introduced every year. Therefore, this review is prepared for the scientists specialized in pharmacognosy and analytical chemistry of NPs as well as working in related areas, in order to navigate them in the world of diverse LC-MS based techniques and strategies currently employed for NP discovery and dereplication, quality control, pattern recognition and sample comparison, and also in targeted and untargeted metabolomic studies. The suggested classification system includes the following LC-MS based procedures: elemental composition determination, isotopic fine structure analysis, mass defect filtering, de novo identification, clustering of the compounds in Molecular Networking (MN), diagnostic fragment ion (or neutral loss) filtering, manual dereplication using MS/MS data, database-assisted peak annotation, annotation of spectral trees, MS fingerprinting, feature extraction, bucketing of LC-MS data, peak profiling, predicted metabolite screening, targeted quantification of biomarkers, quantitative analysis of multi-component system, construction of chemical fingerprints, multi-targeted and untargeted metabolite profiling.

Comparison of Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium by simultaneous determination of multi-components with single reference standard method and chemometric analysis

INTRODUCTION

Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium, two morphologically similar herbal medicines derived from Artemisia genus. Although the two Artemisia herbs have been used as medicines for a long time in China, the study of their phytochemical and bioactive composition is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively compare and evaluate the composition of Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium, and find the chemical makers for quality evaluation of the two Artemisia herbal medicines.

METHODOLOGY

Eight compounds including six phenolic acids and two flavonoids were assayed by a single reference standard for simultaneous determination of multi-components method using 3-caffeoylquinic acid as the reference standard. The quantitative data were further analysed by chemometric approaches to compare and distinguish the two herbal medicines.

RESULTS

The credibility and feasibility of the single reference standard for simultaneous determination of the multi-components method were carefully validated. The validated method was applied to analyse 16 batches of Artemisiae argyi Folium and 10 batches of Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium samples. The quantitative results showed that 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundant constituent, and the contents of flavonoids were notably different between the two herbal medicines. The chemometric analysis results indicated the two flavonoids, jaceosidin and eupatilin could be used as chemical markers for quality evaluation of the two herbal medicines.

CONCLUSION

The single reference standard for simultaneous determination of the multi-components method coupled with chemometrics analysis could be a well-acceptable strategy to compare and evaluate the quality of Artemisiae argyi Folium and Artemisiae lavandulaefoliae Folium.

Recent Development of Quality Control Methods for Herbal Derived Drug Preparations

Pharmaceutical industries should apply rigorous QC (quality control) to ensure the consistency, safety, and efficacy of their herbal derived drug-preparations. QC must be performed at every stage of the production line i.e. incoming raw materials, extractions, in-process control, finished products and keeping samples. Due to the complex nature of the chemical content of herbal drugs, two approaches to QC should be taken, that is quantitative determination of the selected marker(s) compound(s), and metabolite profiling. Contamination of herbal medicines by heavy metals, pesticides, toxic metabolites, microbial toxins, pathogenic microorganisms and other foreign matter should also be evaluated. A combination of chemical profiling and multivariate analysis (MVA) is recommended as the QC tool for the botanical identification method (BIM) of herbs, extracts, herb materials, and herbal drug preparations. Microscopic methods, DNA profiling or chemical marker(s) are not recommended for use as the sole BIM due to the lack of specificity. Only markers that meet certain criteria i.e. quality active (QA) markers can be utilized as a QC tool. The limit specification range of markers used as QC tools should be described in the analytical target profile (ATP). To gain reliable results of any analysis that has been performed at any QC laboratory, the analysis method must be validated according to the newest guidance. Sample detection limit of any toxic compound(s) should be lower than its cut-off value and MPL. The reliability of any results of analysis of a QC laboratory must be evaluated by using QC-samples for each series of measurements.

Large-scale analysis of small RNAs derived from traditional Chinese herbs in human tissues

Plant-derived microRNAs have recently been reported to function in human blood and tissues. Controversy was immediately raised due to possible contamination and the lack of large sample sizes. Here, we report thousands of unique small RNAs derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs found in human blood cells and mouse lung tissues using a large-scale analysis. We extracted small RNAs from decoctions of 10 TCM plants (Ban Zhi Lian, Chai Hu, Chuan Xin Lian, Di Ding Zi Jin, Huang Qin, Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Pu Gong Ying, Xia Ku Cao, and Yu Xing Cao) and obtained millions of RNA sequences from each herb. We also obtained RNA-Seq data from the blood cells of humans who consumed herbal decoctions and from the lung tissues of mice administered RNAs from herbal decoctions via oral gavage. We identified thousands of unique small RNA sequences in human blood cells and mouse lung tissues. Some of these identified small RNAs from Chuan Xin Lian and Hong Jing Tian could be mapped to the genomes of the herbs, confirming their TCM plant origin. Small RNAs derived from herbs regulate mammalian gene expression in a sequence-specific manner, and thus are a superior novel class of herbal drug components that hold great potential as oral gene-targeted therapeutics, highlighting the important role of herbgenomics in their development.

A Novel Strategy for Quantitative Analysis of Major Ginsenosides in Panacis Japonici Rhizoma with a Standardized Reference Fraction

Panacis Japonici Rhizoma (Zhu-Jie-Shen in Chinese), the root of P. japonicus C.A. Mey., is commonly used in traditional Chinese Medicine. Saponins are the major bioactive compounds in this herb. The similarity of polarity and structure of the natural products in herb caused the difficulty of purification and resulted in the shortage and high cost of the reference compounds, which has greatly hindered efforts toward quantification in quality control. A novel strategy using a standardized reference fraction for qualification of the major saponins in Panacis Japonici Rhizoma was proposed to easily and effectively control the quality of PJR. The strategy is feasible and reliable, and the methodology of the developed approach is also validated. The standardized reference fraction was used for quantification, which might solve the shortage of the pure reference compounds in the quality control of herbal medicines.

Simultaneous Determination of Six Active Components in Oviductus Ranae via Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by Single Marker

A method, quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS), was established in this article to investigate the quality control of a traditional Chinese medicine, Oviductus Ranae. 7-Hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, 4-cholesten-3-one, stigmasterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, and cholesterol were selected as the indexes of quality evaluation of Oviductus Rana. The determination was achieved on an Agilent HC-C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) using methanol with water (87 : 13 v/v) as mobile phase at the flow rate of 2.0 mL/min. Cholesterol was used as an internal standard to determine the relative correction factors between cholesterol and other steroidal constituents in Oviductus Ranae. The contents of those steroidal constituents were calculated at the same time. To evaluate the QAMS method, an external standard method was used to determine the contents of six steroidal constituents. No significant difference was observed when comparing the quantitative results of QAMS with the results of external standard method. The proposed QAMS method was proved to be accurate and feasible based on methodological experiments. QAMS provided a simple, efficient, economical, and accurate way to control the quality of Oviductus Ranae.