Anti-inflammatory activity in skin by biomimetic of Evodia rutaecarpa extract from traditional Chinese medicine

Anti-inflammatory and uric acid lowering effects of Euodiae fructus on hyperuricemia and gout mice

The metabolic disease hyperuricemia (HUA) is caused by presence of excessive serum uric acid (UA), which leads to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and gout. As a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, Euodiae fructus (ER) has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, however, its therapeutic effects on HUA and gout have not been investigated. To investigate the potential effects and underlying mechanisms, the effect of ER on proinflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome activation was studied in mouse bone marrow macrophages. Moreover, a mouse model of HUA and gouty arthritis was established by coadministration of potassium oxonate (PO) and monosodium urate crystals to mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 37 consecutive days. Oral administration of ER aqueous extract was given 1 hour later after the injection of PO for 10 days. Our study showed that ER is a powerful NLRP3 inhibitor in mouse macrophages. Most importantly, ER (0.75 g/kg) treatment substantially decreased the ankle joint thickness ratio, serum UA, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, ER (0.75 g/kg) dramatically reversed the increases in renal urate transporter 1 (URAT1) and glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) as well as the decreases in organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, ER (0.75 g/kg) markedly ameliorated the production of the serum inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α (p < 0.01), and improved the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in the kidneys. Taken together, these data indicate that ER, a powerful and specific NLRP3 inhibitor, has multiple anti-HUA, anti-gout and anti-inflammatory effects. Our investigation is designed to experimentally support the conventional use of ER-containing classical herbal formulas in the treatment of HUA-related disorders and may add a new dimension to the clinical application of ER.

Evodiae Fructus extract suppresses inflammatory response in HaCaT cells and improves house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Evodiae Fructus 70% ethanol extract (EFE) on the pathology of atopic dermatitis using in vitro and in vivo models. The major compounds in EFE were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry as rutaecarpine, evodiamine, evodol, dehydroevodiamine, limonin, synephrine, evocarpine, dihydroevocarpine, and hydroxyevodiamine. EFE significantly decreased chemokine levels in tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. In house dust mite-treated NC/Nga mice, topical application of EFE significantly decreased the dermatitis score, epidermal hyperplasia and thickening, mast cell infiltration, and plasma levels of histamine and corticosterone. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, CD4+ T cells, interleukin-4, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in the lesioned skin was reduced in the treated mice. The mechanism of EFE was elucidated using transcriptome analysis, followed by experimental validation using Western blotting in HaCaT cells. EFE down-regulated the activation of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways in HaCaT cells. EFE improves atopic dermatitis-like symptoms by suppressing inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and chemokines by regulating the JAK-STAT and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting its use as a potential agent for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Nano-CuFe2O3-catalyzed green synthesis of novel quinazolinone-tetrazole hybrids as anti-cancer agents

A novel green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of quinazolinone-tetrazole conjugates (7a-g, 8a-g and 9a-g) using recyclable nano-CuFe₂O₃ catalyst in water. Initially, 2-mercapto-3-substituted phenethylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (5a-c) was prepared by using nano-CuFe₂O₃ catalyst in water. Then, compounds (5a-c) were reacted with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane under nano-CuFe₂O₃ catalyst in water solvent to give S-alkylated quinazolinone core intermediate (6a-c), which was subsequently reacted with 1-substituted-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (2a-g) by employing the similar reaction conditions to afford the final target compounds. The regioselective formation of C-S bond was unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-cancer activity of the derivatives on various cancer cell lines such as SIHA, MD-AMB-231 and HepG2 was evaluated. Remarkably, compounds, 7f, 8f, 9a, 9d and 9f, showed potent activity in MD-AMB-231 cancer cell line (IC₅₀: 9.13-10.3 µM), while the same derivatives showed significant potent activity in SiHa and HepG2 cancer cell lines (IC₅₀: 17.46-27.0 µM). Most significantly, compound 7o (IC₅₀: 8.15 µM) showed potent activity, compared to the drug etoposide (IC₅₀: 18.11 µM) against MD-AMB-231 cell line. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that compounds 7f, 8f, 9a, 9d and 9f arrested the cell growth in the G1 phase in MD-AMB-231 cell line.

Separation and Enrichment of Alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus by Macroporous Resin and Evaluation of the Effect on Bile Reflux Gastritis Rats

The Zuojin Pill consists of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Euodiae Fructus (EF). It has been a classic prescription for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in China since ancient times. Alkaloids are considered to be its main pharmacologically active substances. The authors of the present study investigated the feasibility of preparing high purity total alkaloids (TAs) from CR and EF extracts separately and evaluated the effect for the treatment of bile reflux gastritis (BRG). Coptis chinensis Franch. and Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. were used in the study. An optimized method for the enrichment and purification of TAs with macroporous resin was established. Furthermore, qualitative analysis by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–ESI–QTOF-MS) was explored to identify the components of purified TAs. Thirty-one compounds, thirty alkaloids and one phenolic compound, were identified or tentatively assigned by comparison with reference standards or literature data. A method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (UHPLC–DAD) for quantitative analysis was also developed. The contents of nine alkaloids were determined. Moreover, a rat model of BRG was used to investigate the therapeutic effect of the combination of purified TAs from CR and EF. Gastric pathologic examination suggested that the alkaloids’ combination could markedly attenuate the pathological changes of gastric mucosa.

A two-step strategy for quality control of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian, an ointment patch

Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian, an ointment patch which is composed of Tetradium ruticarpum and Asarum sieboldii Miquel, can be used for curing recurrent oral ulcers owing to its good bioactivities. Currently, the lack of a method for its quality evaluation hinders the development and clinical application of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian. Thus, it is necessary to perform research on quality control. The chromatographic fingerprint, as an identification method, and the simultaneous determination method for two bioactive constituents, evodiamine and rutecarpine, can be used to evaluate the quality of traditional medicine. In this study, a two-step strategy including fingerprint analysis for identification and a simultaneous determination method for two bioactive constituents was performed for Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian quality control. The fingerprint analysis was validated by stability, precision and repeatability tests and a similarity evaluation was performed with 10 selected characteristic fingerprint peaks of 10 batches of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian patch. Meanwhile, the simultaneous determination method was evaluated by methodological experiments, including linearity, accuracy, repeatability, stability and feasibility. Finally, the results indicate that this two-step strategy, including HPLC fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination method, can be successfully applied for the assessment of the quality and quantity of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of the fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (FTR) known as Tetradii fructus or Evodiae fructus (Wu-Zhu-Yu in Chinese) is a versatile herbal medicine which has been prescribed in Chinese herbal formulas and recognized in Japanese Kampo. FTR has been clinically used to treat various diseases such as headache, vomit, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea and pelvic inflammation for thousands of years.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present paper aimed to provide comprehensive information on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug interaction and toxicology of FTR in order to build up a foundation on the mechanism of ethnopharmacological uses as well as to explore the trends and perspectives for further studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review collected the literatures published prior to July 2020 on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of FTR. All relevant information on FTR was gathered from worldwide accepted scientific search engines and databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, ACS, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Information was also obtained from local books, PhD. and MSc. Dissertations as well as from Pharmacopeias.

RESULTS

FTR has been used as an herbal medicine for centuries in East Asia. A total of 165 chemical compounds have been isolated so far and the main chemical compounds of FTR include alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, steroids, and phenylpropanoids. Crude extracts, processed products (medicinal slices) and pure components of FTR exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-obesity, antioxidant, insecticide, regulating central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, cardiovascular protection. Furthermore, bioactive components isolated from FTR can induce drug interaction and hepatic injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic potential of FTR has been demonstrated with the pharmacological effects on cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, CNS, bacterial infection and obesity. Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies of FTR mostly focus on its main active alkaloids. Further in-depth studies on combined medication and processing approaches mechanisms, pharmacological and toxic effects not limited to the alkaloids, and toxic components of FTR should be designed.

Evodiamine reduced peripheral hypersensitivity on the mouse with nerve injury or inflammation

Management of chronic pain is still hard, and new analgesic drugs are needed. Evodiamine (Evo) and rutaecarpine (Rut) are two major active components of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese traditional medicine that has been used as an analgesic for a long time. However, their effects on peripheral hypersensitivity remain unknown. Similar to capsaicin, the Evo and Rut were docked to the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) in molecular simulation experiments. Moreover, Evo (10 µM) and Rut (50 µM) activated TRPV1 on human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells in electrophysiological recording experiments. Behaviorally, the application of Evo and Rut reduced peripheral hypersensitivity in a dose-dependent manner, which was blocked by capsazepine (a selective inhibitor of TRPV1). Furthermore, both Evo and Rut increased time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze on mice with nerve injury. These observations suggested that Evo and Rut reduced peripheral hypersensitivity and anxiety in mice with nerve injury or inflammation via TRPV1.

Simultaneous Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of the Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus Herbal Pair by Using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and UHPLC-DAD

The herbal pair of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Euodiae Fructus (EF) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula used for treating gastro-intestinal disorders. In this study, we established a systematic method for chemical profiling and quantification analysis of the major constituents in the CR-EF herbal pair. A method of ultra high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) for qualitative analysis was developed. Sixty-five compounds, including alkaloids, phenolics, and limonoids, were identified or tentatively assigned by comparison with reference standards or literature data. The UHPLC fingerprints of 19 batches of the CR-EF herbal pair samples were obtained and the reference fingerprint chromatograms were established. Furthermore, nine compounds among 24 common peaks of fingerprints were considered as marker components, which either had high contents or significant bioactivities, were applied to quality control of the CR-EF herbal pair by quantitative analysis. This UHPLC-DAD analysis method was validated by precision, linearity, repeatability, stability, recovery, and so on. The method was simple and sensitive, and thus reliable for quantitative and chemical fingerprint analysis for the quality evaluation and control of the CR-EF herbal pair and related traditional Chinese medicines.

Role of Chinese Herbal Medicines in Regulation of Energy Metabolism in Treating Cardiovascular Diseases

Recently, studying myocardial energy metabolism pathways or improving myocardial metabolism through drugs is another effective strategy for treating ischemic heart disease. Many active components of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been found to modulate energy metabolism in myocardial cells, cerebral vascular cells, endothelial cells and tumour cells. This paper reviews the advances in studies on the active components of CHMs that modulating energy metabolism in treating cardiovascular diseases over the past five years.

Discovery of Quinazolin-4(3 H)-ones as NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitors: Computational Design, Metal-Free Synthesis, and in Vitro Biological Evaluation

NLRP3 inflammasome is an important therapeutic target for a number of human diseases. Herein, computationally designed series of quinazolin-4(3 H)-ones were synthesized using iodine-catalyzed coupling of arylalkynes (or styrenes) with O-aminobenzamides. The key event in this transformation involves the oxidative cleavage of the C-C triple/double bond and the release of formaldehyde. The reaction relies on the C-N bond formation along with the C-C bond cleavage under metal-free conditions. The nitro-substituted quinazolin-4(3 H)-one 2k inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome (IC₅₀ 5 μM) via the suppression of IL-1β release from ATP-stimulated J774A.1 cells.

Genus Tetradium L.: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum is frequently utilized as a common traditional medicine in China, Japan and Korea. It has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases such as headache, menorrhalgia, dermatophytosis, celialgia, emesis and aphtha and so on.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

Despite the wide biological activities of Tetradium plants, there is no current review summarizing medicinal properties of the genus of plants; thus, this review aims to systematically summarize studies on botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical ingredients, quality control, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activities and toxicity of Tetradium species to demonstrate their therapeutic capacity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information and materials related to Tetradium species were obtained from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Wikipedia, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ACS Publications, SciFinder. Information was also gathered from International Plant Names Index, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Chinese Medicine classics, etc. All studies of this genus were included in this review until July 2018.

RESULTS

Tetradium is widely assessed regarding its phytochemistry and biological activities. Approximately 131 chemical compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, phenols and other compounds, have been isolated from Tetradium plants. Among these components, alkaloid evodiamine is the most representative active ingredients of Tetradium plants. These compounds isolated from Tetradium plants exhibit a wide range of biological activities in vitro and in vivo including antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticide, cardioprotective and lipid-lowering, treating CNS disorders, digestive system regulation and endocrine system improving activities. Furthermore, alkaloids could be used as markers for quality identification and evaluation of medicinal materials and their preparations. Information on evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of Tetradium often focuses on the alkaloids, thus further study and clinical data are required to enable the drug safety of the utilization of Tetradium plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Tetradium plants have proved Tetradium plants are important medicinal herb resource. However, well-designed randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm the therapeutic benefits of this genus in clinical settings.

Rutaecarpine inhibited imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis via inhibiting the NF-κB and TLR7 pathways in mice

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. As psoriasis rarely occurs in nonhuman animals, the lack of an ideal animal model reflecting the histopathological and molecular immunological characteristics of psoriasis remains an urgent issue. In the present study, an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis mouse model was constructed under natural immune conditions and verified by evaluations of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and Baker score, H&E staining, immunohistochemical examination of the CD3 and Gr1 levels, measurement of plasmacytoid dendritic cell- (pDC) and Th17-associated cytokine levels, and evaluation of p65 phosphorylation and TLR7 expression. Moreover, rutaecarpine (RUT), the main active ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine Wu-Zhu-Yu, could improve psoriasis-like dermatitis through effects on pDC- and Th17-associated cytokines through NF-κB and toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) signaling. Taken together, the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis mouse model can be regarded as an ideal model for evaluating psoriasis pathogenesis and antipsoriatic drugs. We provided theoretical and experimental evidence for the clinical application of RUT in psoriasis.

BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS OF GYNURA DIVARICATA AND ITS POTENTIAL USE IN HEALTH, FOOD AND MEDICINE: A MINI-REVIEW

Background:

G. divaricata (L.) DC belongs to genus the Gynura Cass which is a kind of perennial herb that has good health protection efficacy and is especially used widely in medicine and functional food. It is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and is usually used to cure bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, kink cough, rheumatism, diabetes, and so on. It has a long history for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the folk medicine. This review is aimed at gathering all information relating to G. divaricata and obtaining new insights for further studies on G. divaricata

Materials and Methods:

PubMed, Springer Link, Web of Science, Science Direct and Research Gate were used for the literature search. The key search terms included G. divaricata isolation and identification, flavonoids and their combinations without language restriction. The period for the search is from year 1979 to 2016.

Results:

The main chemical components were listed, and the folk application, the extraction and separation methods of main chemical components, pharmacological effects of G. divaricata were discussed, which further demonstrated the plant’s value as health food and medicine.

Conclusion:

The present review is of great significance to the development of new medicinal resources and health food of G. divaricata

Moisturizing and Antiinflammatory Properties of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Centella asiatica Extract

Centella asiatica extract is a rich source of natural bioactive substances, triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenic steroids, amino acids and sugars. Thus, many scavenging free radicals, exhibit antiinflammatory activity and affect on the stratum corneum hydration and epidermal barrier function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vivo moisturizing and antiinflammatory properties of cosmetic formulations (oil-in-water emulsion cream and hydrogel) containing different concentrations of Centella asiatica extract. The study was conducted over four weeks on a group of 25 volunteers after twice a day application of cosmetic formulations with Centella asiatica extract (2.5 and 5%, w/w) on their forearms. The measurement of basic skin parameters (stratum corneum hydration and epidermal barrier function) was performed once a week. The in vivo antiinflammatory activity based on the methyl nicotinate model of microinflammation in human skin was evaluated after four weeks application of tested formulations. In vivo tests formulations containing 5% of Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture by increase of skin surface hydration state and decrease in transepidermal water loss as well as exhibited antiinflammatory properties based on the methyl nicotinate model of microinflammation in human skin. Comparative tests conducted by corneometer, tewameter and chromameter showed that cosmetic formulations containing Centella asiatica extract have the moisturizing and antiinflammatory properties.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of 2-Arylquinazolinones from 2-Arylindoles with Amines or Ammoniums

A novel copper-catalyzed synthesis of quinazolinones from easily available 2-arylindoles and amines or ammoniums has been developed, which provided various quinazolinones in up to 99% yields for 43 examples. This strategy features tolerance of a wide range of functional groups, easily available starting materials, simple operation, mild reaction conditions, and environmental friendliness.

Qian Yang Yu Yin Granule-containing serum inhibits angiotensin II-induced proliferation, reactive oxygen species production, and inflammation in human mesangial cells via an NADPH oxidase 4-dependent pathway

Background

Qian Yang Yu Yin Granule (QYYYG), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been indicated for renal damage in hypertension for decades in China, but little remains known regarding its underlying molecular mechanism. Therefore, we performed the current study in order to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of QYYYG in the treatment of hypertensive renal damage.

Methods

We hypothesize that QYYYG relieves hypertensive renal injury through an angiotensin II (Ang II)-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH)-oxidase (NOX)-reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway. In this study, we investigated the effects of QYYYG-containing serum (QYGS) in human mesangial cells (HMCs) against Ang II-induced cell proliferation, ROS production, and inflammation through the seropharmacological method.

Results

We found that QYGS could inhibit cell proliferation in Ang II-treated HMCs. In addition, QYGS considerably suppressed production of ROS, decreased mRNA and protein expression of NAPDH-oxidase 4 (NOX4), p22^phox, and activated Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (GTP-Rac1); as well as counteracted the up-regulation of inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, and interleukin 6 (IL-6). These effects were further confirmed in HMCs transfected with specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NOX4.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that a NOX4-dependent pathway plays an important role in regulating the inhibitory effect of QYGS. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of QYYYG and their role in the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.

A study of the geo-herbalism of evodiae fructus based on a flow-injection mass spectrometric fingerprinting method combined with chemometrics

A flow-injection mass spectrometric (FIMS) fingerprinting method in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) was used to study the geo-herbalism of Evodiae Fructus (EF) samples. Twenty four EF samples from different regions in China were collected and analyzed. The PCA scores plot showed that the samples from Guizhou Province were scattered in different groups, however, most of the samples from other provinces were basically scattered in the same group. Nine characteristic compounds responsible for the classification of the samples were tentatively characterized. These nine compounds might help differentiating EF samples from different regions.

In vivo and ex vivo evaluation of cosmetic properties of seedcakes

The seedcakes are a potential source of natural bioactive substances: antioxidants, protein, and carbohydrates. Thus, they may scavenge free radicals and have an effect on the stratum corneum hydration and epidermal barrier function. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vivo and ex vivo properties of emulsions with the seedcake extracts using the pH meter, corneometer, tewameter, methyl nicotinate model of micro-inflammation in human skin, and tape stripping of the stratum corneum. The in vivo and ex vivo studies showed that the emulsions with Oenothera biennis, Borago officinalis, and Nigella sativa seedcake extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The 6-week topical application of the emulsions with the B. officinalis and N. sativa seedcakes significantly reduced skin irritation and influenced the improvement of the skin hydration and epidermal barrier function compared with placebo. The seedcakes due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have potential application in anti-aging, moisturizing, mitigating, and protective cosmetics.

Development and validation of an UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for determination of dehydroevodiamine, limonin, evodiamine, and rutaecarpine in Evodiae Fructus

Objective:

Evodiae Fructus (EF), one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines, mainly consists of alkaloids, is widely used for the treatments of headache and gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, a sensitive and reliable UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed for qualitative determination of dehydroevodiamine, limonin, evodiamine, and rutaecarpine.

Materials and Methods:

Chromatographic separations were accomplished on a Phenomenex Kinetex XB-C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 1.7 μm) by using a gradient elution profile with a mobile phase consisting of 0.5% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B). Detection was performed using multiple reactions monitoring mode under ESI in the positive ion mode.

Results:

The results showed good linearity over the investigated concentration ranges (R²>0.9900) for the analytes. The limit of quantitations (LOQs) were 6.88 ng/mL for dehydroevodiamine, 18.6 ng/mL for limonin, 6.24 ng/mL for evodiamine, and 2.56 ng/mL for rutaecarpine, respectively. Intraday and interday precisions (relative standard deviations, %) were <5% and accuracies ranged from 92% to 106%.

Conclusion:

The validated method was successfully applied to assay the contents of the four compounds in EF samples from different regions, with which just 10 min was needed to analyze each sample.

Synthesis, anti-microbial and molecular docking studies of quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives

In this work, synthesis, antimicrobial activities and molecular docking studies of some new series of substituted quinazolinone 2a-h and 3a-d were described. Starting form 2-aminobenzamide derivatives 1, a new series of quinazolinone derivatives has been synthesized, in high yields, assisted by microwave and classical methods. Some of these substituted quinazolinones were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Esherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), and anti-fungal activity against (Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cervevisiae, and Candida albicans) using agar well diffusion method. Among the prepared products, 3-benzyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (3a) was found to exhibits the most potent in vitro anti-microbial activity with MICs of 25.6±0.5, 24.3±0.4, 30.1±0.6, and 25.1±0.5 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Esherichia coli, respectively. Compound 3a was found to exhibits the most potent in vitro anti-fungal activity with MICs of 18.3±0.6, 23.1±0.4, and 26.1±0.5 µg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cervevisiae, and Candidaal bicans, respectively.

Anti-inflammatory activity of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs

Accumulating epidemiological and clinical evidence shows that inflammation is an important risk factor for various human diseases. Thus, suppressing chronic inflammation has the potential to delay, prevent, and control various chronic diseases, including cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, joint, skin, pulmonary, blood, lymph, liver, pancreatic, and intestinal diseases. Various natural products from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been shown to safely suppress proinflammatory pathways and control inflammation-associated disease. In vivo and/or in vitro studies have demonstrated that anti-inflammatory effects of TCM occur by inhibition of the expression of master transcription factors (for example, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)), pro-inflammatory cytokines (for example, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokines (for example, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)-24), intercellular adhesion molecule expression and pro-inflammatory mediators (for example, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)). However, a handful of review articles have focused on the anti-inflammatory activities of TCM and explore their possible mechanisms of action. In this review, we summarize recent research attempting to identify the anti-inflammatory constituents of TCM and their molecular targets that may create new opportunities for innovation in modern pharmacology.

Evaluation of Coptidis Rhizoma-Euodiae Fructus couple and Zuojin products based on HPLC fingerprint chromatogram and simultaneous determination of main bioactive constituents

CONTEXT

Coptidis Rhizoma-Euodiae Fructus couple (CEC) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine preparation consisting of Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus at the ratio of 6:1, and used to treat gastro-intestinal disorders. Alkaloids are the main bioactive component. This research provides comprehensive analysis information for the quality control of CEC.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection fingerprint for chemical composition characteristics of CEC and its products.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The samples were separated with a Gemini C18 column by using gradient elution with water-formic acid (100:0.03) and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength was 250 nm. Similarity analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to evaluate quality consistencies of analytes. Mean chromatograms and correlation coefficients of analytes were calculated by the software "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine".

RESULTS

Fingerprint chromatogram comparison determined 20 representative general fingerprint peaks, and the fingerprint chromatogram resemblances are all better than 0.988. Consistent results were obtained to show that CEC and its related samples could be successfully divided into three groups. Contribution plots generated by PCA were performed to interpret differences among the sample groups while peaks which significantly contributed to classification were identified. Seven bioactive constituents in the samples were verified by quantitative analysis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The chromatographic fingerprint with similarity evaluation and PCA assay combined with quantification of seven compounds could be utilized as a quality control method for the herbal couple.

Simultaneous determination of evodiamine and evodine in Beagle dog plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, rapid, and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay has been established and validated for the quantitation of evodiamine and evodine in Beagle dog plasma. Plasma samples of 0.2 ml were processed by liquid-liquid extraction with n-hexane/ethyl acetate (2:1, v/v). Chromatographic separations were done on a Symmetry C18 column (100 mm × 4.6 mm, ID, 5 μm) at 35°C with a linear gradient of methanol and 20 mM ammonium formate containing 0.2% formic acid. Evodiamine, evodine, and glibenclamide [internal standard (IS)] were ionized with an electrospray ionization source operated in positive ion mode. The MS/MS transitions were m/z 304.1 → 161.1 for evodiamine, m/z 471.2 → 425.1 for evodine, and m/z 494.1 → 369.1 for IS. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.1-100 ng/ml for evodiamine and 0.5-500 ng/ml for evodine. The mean extraction recoveries were 88.10 ± 3.21% for evodiamine and 81.24 ± 4.07% for evodine. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 11.10% and 12.81%, and the accuracy was within ± 11.76% for both analytes. Evodiamine and evodine were stable during storage and analytical periods. The validated method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of evodiamine and evodine in beagle dogs after oral administration.

Biological activities of dermatological interest by the water extract of the microalga Botryococcus braunii

The use of microalgae in the skin care market is already established although the scientific rationale for their benefit was not clearly defined. In this work, the biological activities of dermatologic interest of the water extract from the microalga Botryococcus braunii (BBWE) were evaluated by a battery of in vitro assays. At concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.001 % (w/v) BBWE promoted adipocytes differentiation by inhibiting hormone-sensitive lipase, thus promoting triglyceride accumulation in the cells. BBWE also induced gene expression of proteins involved in the maintenance of skin cells water balance such as aquaporin-3 (AQP3), filaggrin (FLG) and involucrin (INV). 0.1 % BBWE increased the gene expression of AQP3 of 2.6-folds, that of FLG and INV of 1.5- and 1.9-folds, respectively. Moreover, it induced the biosynthesis of collagen I and collagen III by 80 and 40 %, respectively, compared to the untreated control. BBWE antioxidant activity, evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, was of 43.5 μmol Trolox per gram of extract: a quite high value among those found for other microalgae extracts. BBWE inhibited the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and the consequent nitrite oxide (NO) production under oxidative stress. At a concentration of 0.02 % BBWE reduced by 50 % the expression of iNOS and by about 75 % the NO production. Taken together, the results demonstrated that B. braunii water extract exerted an array of biological activities concurring with the skin health maintenance; therefore, it is a potential bioactive ingredient to be included in cosmetic products.

Ethanol extract from a Chinese herbal formula, "Zuojin Pill", inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zuojin Pill (ZJP), a traditional Chinese medicinal decoction that has been used in treating gastritis, gastric ulcer since 15th century, contains two herbs: Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Evodiae in the ratio of 6:1 (w/w). Alkaloids are the main active principles contributing to ZJP's efficacy, but anti-inflammatory mechanism has not been fully clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study is to reveal anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of ethanol extract from ZJP, which would form an additional proof to the traditional experience of ZJP in clinical administration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven alkaloids were determined from the ethanol extract of ZJP using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the gradient mobile phase. The ethanol extract from ZJP were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action in murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) were measured by the Griess colorimetric method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Proteome profiler array was analyzed to evaluate 40 cytokines at protein level. In addition, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) synthesis were analyzed using ELISA to confirm the result of the Proteome profiler array. The gene expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α, IL-6, and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p50 and p65 subunits was detected with ELISA.

RESULTS

The secretions of NO, PGE(2) and the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2 were significantly inhibited, moreover, the protein and mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α were inhibited by preventing the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p50 and p65 subunits. The proteome profiler array showed that 15 cytokines and chemokines involved in the inflammatory process were down-regulated by ZJP.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of ethanol extract from ZJP might be the results from the inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression through preventing the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p50 and p65 subunits in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, these results provided evidence to understand the therapeutic effects of ZJP on gastritis, gastric ulcer, and other inflammatory diseases in clinic.

Enhanced transdermal delivery of evodiamine and rutaecarpine using microemulsion

Objective

The purpose of this study was to improve skin permeation of evodiamine and rutaecarpine for transdermal delivery with microemulsion as vehicle and investigate real-time cutaneous absorption of the drugs via in vivo microdialysis.

Methods

Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to evaluate microemulsion regions with various surfactants and cosurfactants. Nine formulations of oil in water microemulsions were selected as vehicles for assessing skin permeation of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in ex vivo transdermal experiments. With a microdialysis hollow fiber membrane implanted in the skin beneath the site of topical drug administration, dialysis sampling was maintained for 10 hours and the samples were detected directly by high performance liquid chromatography. Real-time concentrations of the drugs in rat skin were investigated and compared with those of conventional formulations, such as ointment and tincture. Furthermore, the drugs were applied to various regions of the skin using microemulsion as vehicle.

Results

In ex vivo transdermal experiments, cutaneous fluxes of evodiamine and rutaecarpine microemulsions were 2.55-fold to 11.36-fold and 1.17-fold to 6.33-fold higher, respectively, than those of aqueous suspensions. Different drug loadings, microemulsion water content, and transdermal enhancers markedly influenced the permeation of evodiamine and rutaecarpine. In microemulsion application with in vivo microdialysis, the maximum concentration of the drugs (evodiamine: 18.23 ± 1.54 ng/mL; rutaecarpine: 16.04 ± 0.69 ng/mL) were the highest, and the area under the curve_0–t of evodiamine and rutaecarpine was 1.52-fold and 2.27-fold higher than ointment and 3.06-fold and 4.23-fold higher than tincture, respectively. A greater amount of drugs penetrated through and was absorbed by rat abdominal skin than shoulder and chest, and a reservoir in the skin was found to supply drugs even after the microemulsion was withdrawn.

Conclusion

Compared to conventional formulations, higher cutaneous fluxes of evodiamine and rutaecarpine were achieved with microemulsion. Based on this novel transdermal delivery, the transdermal route was effective for the administration of the two active alkaloids.

Evodia rutaecarpa and Three Major Alkaloids Abrogate Influenza A Virus (H1N1)-Induced Chemokines Production and Cell Migration

Evodia rutaecarpa is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa (ER) and three major quinazoline alkaloids dehydroevodiamine (DeHE), evodiamine (Evo) and rutaecarpine (Rut), isolated from ER were employed to study their inhibitory effects against influenza A virus (H1N1)-induced chemokines production in A549 lung epithelial cells as well as on chemokines-evoked cell recruitment in HL-60-differentiated macrophages. The results showed that ER was a potent inhibitor of RANTES secretion by H1N1-inoculated A549 cells (IC(50): 1.9 ± 0.4 μg ml(-1)). Three alkaloids, although to differing extents, all concentration dependent, inhibited H1N1-induced RANTES production with Evo consistently being the most potent among these active components. ER also moderately and significantly inhibited H1N1-stimulated MCP-1 production in A549 cells. This was mimicked by Evo and Rut, but not DeHE. In the macrophage recruitment assay, both RANTES and MCP-1 markedly evoked cell migration and this phenomenon was significantly suppressed by ER. Evo and Rut, but not DeHE, also had the ability to inhibit cell migration toward RANTES and MCP-1, respectively. In summary, three major alkaloids displayed different potentials for inhibiting chemokines secretion and subsequently cell migration, which could partially explain the activity of ER. As an effective agent to suppress H1N1-induced chemokines production and block chemokine-attracted leukocytes recruitment, E. rutaecarpa and its active components may be useful in influenza virus infection-related inflammatory disorders.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects of Evodia rutaecarpa (Wuzhuyu) and its major bioactive components

This article reviews the anti-inflammatory relative and anti-infectious effects of Evodia rutaecarpa and its major bioactive components and the involvement of the nitric oxide synthases, cyclooxygenase, NADPH oxidase, nuclear factor kappa B, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, reactive oxygen species, prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor, LIGHT, amyloid protein and orexigenic neuropeptides. Their potential applications for the treatment of endotoxaemia, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and their uses as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal protective agents, analgesics, anti-oxidant, anti-atherosclerosis agents, dermatological agents and anti-infectious agents are highlighted. Stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide release may partially explain the analgesic, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal protective, anti-obese activities of Evodia rutaecarpa and its major bioactive components.

Chromatographic fingerprint study on Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth by HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS(n) technique

The LC-ESI-MS(n) method was developed for the analysis and characterization of alkaloids in the extract of E. rutaecarpa (called Wuzhuyu in Chinese). Thirty-six batches of Wuzhuyu from different locations of China were investigated and the common fingerprinting profile was established with a professional analytical software recommended by the State Food and Drug Administration. Fifteen chemical components of the common peaks were identified by multi-stage MS. The effects on the chromatographic profile resulting from different collecting locations, harvesting times or storage times were studied. Hierarchical clustering analysis and principal components analysis were also performed to classify and differentiate the 36 batches of the samples. As a result, those which had same chemical properties were sorted into one cluster, which was very useful in evaluating and controlling the quality of Wuzhuyu.