A HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous determination of five marker components in the traditional herbal medicine Bangpungtongsung-san

Green extraction and characterization of leaves phenolic compounds: a comprehensive review

Although containing significant levels of phenolic compounds (PCs), leaves biomass coming from either forest, agriculture, or the processing industry are considered as waste, which upon disposal, brings in environmental issues. As the demand for PCs in functional food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic sector is escalating day by day, recovering PCs from leaves biomass would solve both the waste disposal problem while ensuring a valuable "societal health" ingredient thus highly contributing to a sustainable food chain from both economic and environmental perspectives. In our search for environmentally benign, efficient, and cost-cutting techniques for the extraction of PCs, green extraction (GE) is presenting itself as the best option in modern industrial processing. This current review aims to highlight the recent progress, constraints, legislative framework, and future directions in GE and characterization of PCs from leaves, concentrating particularly on five plant species (tea, moringa, stevia, sea buckthorn, and pistacia) based on the screened journals that precisely showed improvements in extraction efficiency along with maintaining extract quality. This overview will serve researchers and relevant industries engaged in the development of suitable techniques for the extraction of PCs with increasing yield.

Simultaneous Determination of 6 Antiallergic Components in Asarum sieboldii Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Owing to the side effects of current drugs for treating atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic disease in the skin, traditional herbal medicine is receiving much attention as an alternative treatment. Asarum sieboldii has traditionally been used to treat colds, fevers, headaches, coughs, neuralgia, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergies. In this study, 6 compounds (echinacoside, vanillic acid, kakuol, methyl eugenol, sesamin, and asarinin) in A. sieboldii were analyzed simultaneously using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the proposed analytical method was validated. In addition, the inhibitory effects of the A. sieboldii extract and the 6 analyzed compounds on the expression of chemokine were evaluated in HaCaT cells. The HPLC method showed high linearity, with a correlation coefficient of ≥0.9999. The limits of detection for the 6 compounds ranged from 0.00 to 0.02 µg/mL, and the limits of quantification ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 µg/mL. The intraday and interday precisions were 0.15%-1.90%; the accuracy was 97.36%-103.23%, and the recoveries of the 6 compounds were 97.45%-103.93%. The content of each compound in A. sieboldii, as determined using the corresponding calibration curve, was in the range of 0.380-12.062 mg/g. This optimized simultaneous quantification method will be suitable for improving the quality control of A. sieboldii. Moreover, the 6 compounds in A. sieboldii showed an inhibitory effect on the production of chemokines, which suggests that A. sieboldii has an antiallergic effect.

Influence of Decoction Duration of FDY2004 on Its Physicochemical Components and Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities

FDY2004 (Medicinal herbs: Rheum palmatum, Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, and Prunus davidiana), an herbal drug composition with an antiproliferative effect, is prepared by boiling, which is the most common herbal extraction method in traditional Korean medicine. Several parameters are considered in the process, including herb-to-solvent ratio, extraction temperature and pressure, and total decoction time. The aim of this study was to examine the physicochemical changes, index compound analysis results, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity of FDY2004 according to the decoction duration to establish the conditions that ensure efficacy while minimizing side effects. Different samples of FDY2004 were obtained by decocting for 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. Each sample was evaluated for hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total soluble solid content (TSSC), index compound profiles, and antioxidative and antiproliferative activity. pH was found to decrease, while TSSC increased with an increase in decoction duration. Index compound contents for FDY2004 (aloe emodin, emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, physcion, and sennoside A for R. palmatum, paeonol for P. suffruticosa Andrews, and amygdalin for P. davidiana) increased when the decoction duration was 120 minutes or more, while the content of sennoside A did not increase. The total d-glucose amount increased with an increase in boiling duration. Antioxidant activity of FDY2004 increased when the decoction duration was 120 minutes or more, and the antiproliferative activity of FDY2004 was concentration dependent. The decoction duration for FDY2004 needs to be carefully determined so as to maintain efficacy while reducing side effects related to digestive absorption.

Natural Korean Medicine Dang-Gui: Biosynthesis, Effective Extraction and Formulations of Major Active Pyranocoumarins, Their Molecular Action Mechanism in Cancer, and Other Biological Activities

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a crucial oriental medicinal herb that grows especially in Korea and the Far-East countries. It contains chemically active compounds like pyranocoumarins, polyacetylenes and essential oils, which might be useful for treatment of several chronic diseases. It has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asia, but in Western countries is used as a functional food and a major ingredient of several herbal products. The genus Angelica is also known as ‘female ginseng’ due to its critical therapeutic role in female afflictions, such as gynecological problems. However, it is well-documented that the AGN pyranocoumarins may play vital beneficial roles against cancer, neurodisorders, inflammation, osteoporosis, amnesia, allergies, depression, fungi, diabetes, ischemia, dermatitis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and androgen. Though numerous studies revealed the role of AGN pyranocoumarins as therapeutic agents, none of the reviews have published their molecular mechanism of action. To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first review that aims to appraise the biosynthesis of AGN’s major active pyranocoumarins, discuss effective extraction and formulation methods, and detail the molecular action mechanism of decursin (D), decursinol angelate (DA) and decursinol (DOH) in chronic diseases, which would further help extension of research in this area.

Influence of Boiling Duration of GCSB-5 on Index Compound Content and Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Activity

Background:

GCSB-5, an herbal drug composition with an anti-inflammatory effect, is prepared by boiling, which is the most common herbal extraction method in traditional Korean medicine. Several parameters are involved in the process, i.e., extractant type, herb-to-extractant ratio, extraction temperature and pressure, and total boiling time.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of boiling time on index compound amount and the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of GCSB-5.

Materials and Methods:

Different samples of GCSB-5 were obtained by decocting for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 240 min. Each sample was tested for hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total soluble solid content (TSSC), marker compound profiles, and antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity.

Results:

pH was found to decrease while TSSC increased with extended decoction. Marker compound contents for GCSB-5 (acanthoside D for Acanthopanax sessiliflorus Seem, 20-hydroxyecdysone for Achyranthes japonica Nakai, and pinoresinol diglucoside for Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) remained relatively constant regardless of the length of boiling. Total D-glucose amount increased with longer boiling. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potentials of GCSB-5 were not substantially affected by decoction duration.

Conclusion:

Biological characteristics and marker compound content of GCSB-5 were not altered significantly in prolonged boiling.

SUMMARY

Longer boiling duration of GCSB-5 did not increase yield in a time-dependent manner, but yields of 210 and 240 min samples were significantly higher

Hydrogen ion concentration of GCSB-5 samples decreased while total soluble solid content and D-glucose concentration levels increased with boiling duration

Although concentrations of some index compounds increased with extended boiling duration of GCSB-5, increase was small and not in a direct proportional relationship

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of GCSB-5 were not substantially affected by decoction duration.

Abbreviations used: CAM: Complementary and alternative medicine; KIOM: Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine; KMD: Korean medicine doctor; TSSC: Total soluble solid content; pH: Hydrogen ion concentration; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; NO: Nitric oxide; NO₂: Nitric dioxide; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide.

Simultaneous quantification of nine major active components in traditional Chinese prescription Mahuang decoction and the influence of herbal compatibility on their contents

Background:

Mahuang decoction (MHD), a famous classic traditional Chinese formula, has been extensively applied for treating cold, influenza, asthma, acute bronchitis, and other pulmonary diseases. However, the interaction among four drugs of MHD has not been clearly deciphered from the aspect of molecular composition.

Objective:

To assess the quality of MHD and explore the interplay among different prescription drugs.

Materials and Methods:

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD) method for the simultaneous separation and determination of nine bioactive components was developed. A somatomedin A (SMA)-phenyl column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was eluted by a gradient mobile phase contained acetonitrile and 0.05% formic acid-0.05% triethylamine aqueous solution. Four detection wavelengths (210, 252, 278, and 291 nm) were utilized for the quantitative analysis due to the different ultraviolet (UV) spectra of these compounds.

Results:

Satisfactory separation was obtained for all the components, and the assay was fully validated in respects of linearity, precision, stability, and accuracy. It was found that the calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (R²≥ 0.9991) within the test ranges. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra- and interday repeatability were not more than 1.70 and 2.66%, respectively. The spike recoveries of nine components varied from 97.50 ± 1.69 to 99.27 ± 1.37%.

Conclusion:

The established method was successfully applied to analyze nine active compounds in decoction samples of various drug compatibilities of MHD. The variations of contents were obvious for different combinations, which hinted the mutual promotion or inhibition of componential dissolution among four herbs of MHD.

Simultaneous Determination of 13 Chemical Marker Compounds in Gwakhyangjeonggi-san, a Herbal Formula, with Validated Analytical Methods

This study was designed for simultaneous determination of 13 chemical marker compounds, namely, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, liquiritin, hesperidin, apigetrin, rosmarinic acid, oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicin, apigenin, glycyrrhizin, nobiletin, and 6-gingerol in Gwakhyangjeonggi-san (GJS: Huoxiang-zhengqi-san in Chinese). A quantitative analytical method was developed based on HPLC-PDA with validation in terms of precision, accuracy, and repeatability, and successfully employed for quality evaluation of GJS samples with the help of chemometric techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). The correlation coefficient for the linear regression was > 0.9994. The intra-day and inter-day precision was < 3.0% of the relative standard deviation (RSD) value, and the recovery was in the range 92.5–107.0%, with RSD values < 4.0%, and the repeatability was < 3.0% of RSD. Variations in the quantity were observed in GJS products from different origins, which were classified by PCA and HCA. The quantitative and chemometric analyses indicate the necessity for consistency in GJS production for the purpose of quality control.

Simultaneous determination of five marker compounds in Xuanfu Daizhe Tang by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection for quality control

BACKGROUND

Xuanfu Daizhe Tang (XDT) is a classical traditional Chinese medicinal prescription that has been widely used for treating digestive system illnesses for hundreds of years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, a simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was established for the simultaneous determination of five marker compounds in XDT including chlorogenic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Re, for quality control of this well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

RESULTS

These compounds were separated in less than 130 min using a YMC C18 column with a gradient elution system of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid water solution at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. All calibration curves of standard components showed good linearity with R(2) >0.9991. Limit of detection and limit of quantification varied from 0.11 to 4.3 μg/ml and 0.20 to 11.6 μg/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the intra-day and inter-day experiments were less than 4.72 and 5.48%, respectively. The accuracy of recovery test ranged from 95.0 to 105.0% with RSD values 1.28- 4.32%.

CONCLUSION

The validated method is simple, reliable, and successfully applied to determine the contents of the selected compounds in XDT for quality control.

Anti-inflammatory effects of bangpungtongsung-san, a traditional herbal prescription

Bangpungtongsung-san (BPTS), a traditional oriental herbal prescription, is widely used for expelling wind, draining heat, and providing general improvement to the immune system. In this study, we investigated the effects of BPTS on induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS- ) stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, and on paw edema in rats. At concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/mL, treatment with BPTS inhibited levels of expression of LPS-induced NF-κB and MAPKs (ERK, JNK, and p38) as well as production of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by LPS. These results suggest that BPTS may exert anti-inflammatory effects via reduction of proinflammatory mediators, including NO, PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-6 through suppression of the signaling pathways of NF-κB and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophages. In addition, using the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, an antiedema effect of BPTS was observed in rats. These findings may provide scientific evidence validating the use of BPTS in treatment of patients with heat syndrome in Korean oriental medicine.

Simultaneous determination of six active components in traditional herbal medicine 'Oyaksungisan' by HPLC-DAD

In this study, an effective high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was established for simultaneous determination of six marker compounds, ephedrine hydrochloride, 6-gingerol, glycyrrhizin, hesperidin, imperatorin and ferulic acid, in a Korean traditional prescription, Oyaksungisan, which is used for hemiplegia, arthralgia and paralysis. The six marker compounds of Oyaksungisan were separated on a LUNA C18 column (S-5 μm, 4.6 mm I.D. × 250 mm) at a column temperature of 35°C. The gradient elution was composed of water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and methanol. The detection UV wavelengths were set at 207, 250, 280 and 320 nm. Calibration curves for the six compounds showed good linear regressions (R (2) > 0.9999). The limits of detection and limits of quantification were within the ranges 0.003-0.01 and 0.01-0.04 μg/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values of intra- and inter-day testing were within the ranges 0.10-1.82 and 0.04-1.59%, respectively. The results of the recovery test were 95.05-104.27% with a RSD value of 0.11-1.85%. In conclusion, the simultaneous determination method developed was useful in the quality evaluation of Oyaksungisan.

The alteration of components in the fermented Hwangryunhaedok-tang and its neuroprotective activity

BACKGROUND

Hwangryunhaedok-tang is a traditional herbal prescription that has sedative activity, hypotensive and anti-bacterial effects.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the alteration of contents of components in Hwangryunhaedok-tang, antioxidant activity and neuroprotective activity by fermentation with Lactobacillus acidophilus KFRI 128.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Contents of three marker compounds (geniposide, berberine and palmatine) and unknown compounds in the Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HR) and the fermented Hwangryunhaedok-tang (FHR) were measured and compared using the established high-performance liqued chromatograph coupled with a photodiode (HPLC-DAD) method. The antioxidant activity of HR and FHR were determined by DPPH free radical and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) scavenging assay. Also, the neuroprotective activities of HR and FHR against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in a mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22) were evaluated by MTT assay.

RESULTS

The contents of geniposide and palmatine were decreased but the content of berberine was increased in the FHR. And the contents of unknown compounds (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) in the HR were altered by fermentation. Electron donating activity (EDA, %) value of FHR was higher than HR for DPPH radical scavenging activity and H2O2 scavenging activity, respectively. In the MTT assay, FHR showed more potent neuroprotective activity than HR by 513.90%.

CONCLUSION

The FHR using microorganism could convert compounds in HR and enhance the antioxidant and neuroprotective activity.