Chemical profiling of Fritillariae thunbergii Miq prepared by different processing methods reveals two new quality markers: Zhebeininoside and imperialine-3-β-D-glucoside

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fritillariae thunbergii Miq (FTM)exhibit versatile biological activities including the significant antitussive and expectorant activities. As a herbal medicine, the therapeutic effects of FTM may be expressed by multi-components which have complicated integration effects on multi-targets. With the time going, the different processing methods of FTM has been changed a lot. Thus，the study described the effect of processing methods to FTM and its quality.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Studies were undertaken by using UHPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS and pharmacodynamic models. All reagents were involved of analytical grade. While a HPLC-ELSD's method has been developed and validated, a certified Quality System is conformed to ICH requirements. The experimental animals followed the animal welfare guidelines.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to found the differences after the different processing methods of FTM, and to demonstrate the changes could be selected as quality control indicators, and established a method for simultaneous determination of these for quality control.

RESULTS

we have previously found two new steroidal alkaloids: zhebeininoside and imperialine-3-β-D-glucoside from the different processing methods of FTM, which is the difference between the different processing methods of FTM, mainly on the steroidal alkaloids. The activity analysis of zhebeininoside, imperialine-3-β-D-glucoside, verticine and verticinone showed that the mouse model of cough expectorant has antitussive effect. The positive drug selected was dextromethorphan syrup. The positive group showed biological activity, but the blank group showed nothing. The model group showed illness which means that the model was effective. There are two ways of the mechanism of action of the expectorant action which can make sputum thin, reduce its viscosity, and be easy to cough up, or can accelerate the movement of mucous cilia in the respiratory tract and promote the discharge of sputum. In our study, the content of phenol red was significantly reduced in the administration group.

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, our results suggest that zhebeininoside and other three components cloud be selected as quality control indicators, and a method for simultaneous determination of zhebeininoside and other three components was established for quality control.

Codeine and cough: an ineffective gold standard

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cough is one of the most common reasons why patients visit physicians. The opioid codeine has been a mainstay in the treatment of cough for decades and this drug is widely regarded as the 'gold standard' cough suppressant.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent placebo-controlled studies have shown that codeine is no more effective than placebo in suppressing cough caused by either upper respiratory disorders or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These recent reports are not consistent with several older placebo-controlled studies that demonstrated the efficacy of codeine. The reasons for this difference are not fully understood.

SUMMARY

We propose that these differences, as well as results from animal models, can be explained by the existence of a complex hierarchical control system that regulates the expression of coughing. This system, known as a holarchy, is composed of regulatory elements known as 'holons' that interact with one another to regulate cough. Based on work in animal models, codeine is proposed to act on an intermediate order holon that may not be critical for coughing under some situations in humans. Testing of this hypothesis and further elucidation of the control system for cough will represent an important direction for future research in this area.

Genetic distinction of radix adenophorae from its adulterants by the DNA sequence of 5S-rRNA spacer domains

Radix Adenophorae (Shashen), a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as an antitussive and expectorant, is derived from roots of Adenophora stricta Miq. and Adenophora tetraphylla (Thunb.) Fisch. Twelve species and varieties of Adenophora and Glehnia, however, could act as substitutes or adulterants of Radix Adenophorae on the commercial markets in South East Asia, and roots of Adenophora hunanensis Nannf. and Glihnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq. are the most common examples. The authentic identification of dried roots of A. stricta and A. tetraphylla, however, is difficult on the basis of appearance and morphology. A molecular genetic approach was developed here to identify the species of Radix Adenophorae. The 5S-rRNA spacer domains (approximately 250 bp) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNAs isolated from A. stricta, A. tetraphylla, A. hunanensis and G. littoralis, and subsequently, the nucleotide sequences were determined. Diversity in DNA sequence and restriction enzyme mapping among various species were found in their 5S-rRNA spacer domains, which could serve as markers for authentic identification of Radix Adenophorae.

[Quality standard of tanre kesou granules]

A TLC method was used in the identification of the following chemical consitituents of medicinal herbs in Tanre Kesou Granules: Radix Scutellariae, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. The sample was purified through acidification with hydrochloric acid and extraction with ethyl acetatethe. The contents of baicalin in the preparation and Radix Scutellariae were determined by means of HPLC and TLC-densitometry. These methods fit for quality control of the preparation containing baicalin.

Codeine and its alternates for pain and cough relief. 3. The antitussive action of codeine--mechanism, methodology and evaluation

This report-the third of a series on codeine and its alternates for pain and cough relief-presents a detailed review of the physiology and pathophysiology of cough, the methods for the experimental and clinical measurement of the antitussive action of drugs, possible mechanisms of action of antitussive agents, and includes a compilation of experimental results and clinical experience with codeine as an antitussive.