Development of liquiritigenin-phospholipid complex with the enhanced oral bioavailability / 中国天然药物

In the present study, liquiritigenin-phospholipid complex (LPC) was developed and evaluated to increase the oral bioavailability of liquiritigenin. A single-factor test methodology was applied to optimize the formulation and process for preparing LPC. The effects of solvent, drug concentration, reaction time, temperature and drug-to-phospholipid ratio on encapsulation efficiency were investigated. LPCs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD). The apparent solubility and n-octanol/water partition coefficient were tested. The pharmacokinetic characteristics and bioavailability of the LPC were investigated after oral administration in rats in comparison with liquiritigenin alone. An LPC was successfully prepared. The optimum level of various parameters for liquiritigenin-phospholipid complex was obtained at the drug concentration of 8 mg·mL

Fingerprint analysis and Q-marker prediction of processed liquorice products / 中国中药杂志

Licorice has long been regarded as one of the most popular herbs, with a very wide clinical application range. Whether being used alone or as an ingredient in prescription, it has an important role which cannot be ignored. However, the efficacy and chemical constituents of licorice will change after honey-processing. Therefore, it is necessary to find quality markers before and after honey-processing to lay the foundation for a comprehensive evaluation of the differences between raw and processed licorice pieces. HPLC-DAD was employed to establish fingerprints of raw and processed licorice. Multivariate statistical analysis methods including principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis(OPLS-DA) were applied to screen out the differential components before and after processing of licorice. Based on network pharmacology, the targets and pathways corresponding to the differential components were analyzed with databases such as Swiss Target Prediction and Metascape, and the "component-target-pathway" diagram was constructed with Cytoscape 3.6.0 software to predict the potential quality markers. A total of 17 common peaks were successfully identified in the established fingerprint, and seven differential components were selected as potential quality markers(licoricesaponin G2, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritigenin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritin apioside and isoliquiritigenin). The HPLC fingerprint method proposed in this study was efficient and feasible. The above seven differential chemical components screened out as potential quality markers of licorice can help to improve and promote the overall quality. These researches offer more sufficient theoretical basis for scientific application of licorice and its corresponding products.

Present situation and countermeasure of comprehensive exploitation and utilization of marine traditional Chinese medicine resources / 中草药

Marine traditional Chinese medicine (MCM) is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has a long history of clinical application and shows its unique advantages. The basic and industrial research represented by MCM seaweed has produced remarkable economic and social benefits, which provides a model for the comprehensive development and utilization of MCM resources. The current situation of exploitation and utilization of MCM resources is systematically discussed, and the strategies and methods of comprehensive exploitation and utilization of MCM resources are put forward. By constructing a full-value industrial chain of MCM resources, applying new technologies and new methods, and combining production, teaching and research with collaborative innovation, the utilization rate of MCM resources can be significantly improved, and the innovation level of marine biomedical industry can be raised. The implementation of the strategy of strengthening the country will promote the development of China's marine economy.

Application status and thinking of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker in quality control of multi-components traditional Chinese medicine / 中草药

Quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) can be used to achieve the simultaneous determination of multiple components through a reference substance, which is considered suitable for the characteristics of Chinese materia medica (CMM). QAMS has been used for quality control of Chinese herbal medicines, Chinese herbal pieces, and CMM preparations. This paper briefly introduces the principle of QAMS method, and systematically summarizes the application of QAMS method in quality control of Chinese crude drugs, Chinese herbal pieces, and CMM preparation. Finally, it is proposed that active ingredients as an indicator component in QAMS is consistent with the multi-components characteristics of CMM, and it can be effectively used for quality control of CMM and has a good application prospect.

Research on Current Situation and Development Strategies of TCM Cultural Tourism in Jiangsu Province / 中国中医药信息杂志

At present, the tourism industry has risen into a national strategic pillar industry. The development of the TCM industry has been included in the national strategy. The integration of the two major industries, TCM culture and tourism, is of great significance in promoting the development of the tourism industry and structural transformation. Jiangsu Province has a wealth of TCM cultural tourism resources, with unique industrial development advantages. Based on the analysis of the advantages and current situation of TCM cultural tourism in Jiangsu Province, this article put forward some suggestions for the development of TCM cultural tourism in order to provide a reference for promoting the integration and development of TCM culture and tourism industry.

Problems and solutions in modern research of traditional Chinese herbal pieces processing technology / 中国中药杂志

Chinese medicine processing is the main feature that distinguishes traditional Chinese medicine from natural medicine and plant medicine, and is the main feature in clinical medication of traditional Chinese medicine. The research of Chinese medicine processing technology is an important link to realize standardization and standardization of Chinese herbal pieces, with urgent need to attract high attention. At present, there are still many problems in the research of processing technology of Chinese herbal pieces, mainly including inconsistent processing technology, large differences in process technology parameters, and unstable production technology of Chinese herbal pieces, resulting in uncontrollable quality of Chinese herbal pieces and affecting the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine. This paper focused on the establishment of a unified standard processing technology, and put forward the countermeasures for the processing technology of Chinese medicine based on a comprehensive analysis of the current situations of the processing technology of Chinese herbal pieces, with significance for guiding the establishment of a standardized processing technology of Chinese medicine.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of major constituents of raw and processed Arctii Fructus by UHPLC-UV-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 药学学报

In this study, we developed a qualitative analytical method based on liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) for identification of multi-constituents of raw Fructus Arctii (RFA) and processed Fructus Arctii (PFA). We established a UHPLC-UV analytical method for simultaneously determining 6 major compounds in Fructus Arctii. UHPLC- Q-TOF-MS/MS qualitative analysis was performed under negative and positive ion modes and a total of 23 chemical compounds were identified. The analysis data were subjected to a principle component analysis with a t-test. Ten peaks were found to be the main difference (P<0.05) between RFA and PFA. HPLC-UV quantitative method result showed the contents of 6 constituents were different between RFA and PFA. The results indicated that there was less arctiin, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A in PFA than in RFA. However, there were higher levels of arctigenin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C in the PFA than RFA, which may be the main reason for different clinical efficacy of RFA and PFA.

Chemical profiling of Qixue Shuangbu Tincture by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole-time-of-flight high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to develop and validate a sensitive and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method to separate and identify the chemical constituents of Qixue Shuangbu Tincture (QXSBT), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription. Under the optimized UPLC and QTOF/MS conditions, 56 components in QXSBT, including chalcones, triterpenoids, protopanaxatriol, flavones and flavanones were identified and tentatively characterized within a running time of 42 min. The components were identified by comparing the retention times, accurate mass, and mass spectrometric fragmentation characteristic ions, and matching empirical molecular formula with that of the published compounds. In conclusion, the established UPLC-QTOF/MS method was reliable for a rapid identification of complicated components in the TCM prescriptions.

Research status and prospect of primary processing of traditional Chinese medicinal materials / 中国中药杂志

The primary processing is important links and closely related to the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, and is not only cleaning of remove the non-officinal parts, drying for termination the physiological status of organisms, but also retaining the most active substances, decreasing the toxic components, and promoting the transformation among chemical ingredients through primary processing. So the traditional primary processing endows with characters, quality, specifications and properties of traditional Chinese medicine, and embodies some important science truth. The traditional primary processing method and technology systems are derived from the long-term practices and experiences, which are distinctive, colorful, diverse, and scientific, which are helpful to development and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine resources. This paper systemically expounds the research status of the Chinese medicine processing method, summarizes the problems in the primary processing of traditional Chinese medicinal materials research, and prospects its bright future.

Optimization of the processing technology of Fructus Arctii by response surface methodology / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to optimize the processing of Fructus Arctii by response surface methodology (RSM). Based on single factor studies, a three-variable, three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to monitor the effects of independent variables, including processing temperature and time, on the dependent variables. Response surfaces and contour plots of the contents of total lignans, chlorogenic acid, arctiin, and arctigenin were obtained through ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) monitoring and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fructus Arctii should be processed under heating in a pot at 311 °C, medicine at 119 °C for 123s with flipping frequently. The experimental values under the optimized processing technology were consistent with the predicted values. In conclusion, RSM is an effective method to optimize the processing of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Research on chemical reactions during ginseng processing / 中国中药杂志

As a kind of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng has a high reputation at home and abroad. The research of ginseng has been expanded to medicine, pharmacy, biology, food science and other fields, with great achievements in recent years. Ginseng contains ginsenosides, volatile oil, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, inorganic elements and othser chemical constituents. Each component has extensive physiological activity, and is the base of ginseng's effect. After processing, the complicated changes are taken place in the constituents of ginseng, and some new substances produced. This paper aims to review the studies on chemical constituents and their mechanisms during ginseng processing, and the ideas, methods and the direction of the development of traditional Chinese medicine processing in the future.

Perspective and application of metabonomics in modern study of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Metabonomics is a new method to study on the metabolic network and the relationship between body and environment, which conforms to the way of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In the study process of modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, effectively conjunction with metabonomics method will facilitate the integration of TCM with modern biological science and technology, and promote the modernization of TCM. This paper introduce the application of metabonomics in the research of toxicity mechanism of TCM, compatibility mechanism of TCM formula, pharmacology effect of TCM and processing mechanism of TCM. This paper summarize the problems in the TCM metabonomics research and prospect its bright future.

Sulfur-fumigation, maintenance method of Chinese herbal medicine-discard or inheritance / 中国中药杂志

Sulfur-fumigation processing technology is an ancient maintenance method, which plays a certain role in storage and preservation for Chinese herbal medicine. But in recent years, with the further explanation of sulfur-fumigation processing mechanism and more attention to the safety of drugs, such traditional maintenance method of Chinese herbal medicine is now being questioned by more and more people. The authors think we should have selective inheritance rather than abslute discard to this ancient processing technology after reviewing the literatures published in recent 20 years, and some suggestions are also put forward, which can supply some references for related drug supervision departments.

Application of spectrum-effect relationship in Chinese medicine research and related thinking / 中国中药杂志

Fingerprint technology is the key technology in modern Chinese medicine research, while spectrum-effect relationship research is the advanced stage of fingerprint research. Spectrum-effect relationship research can reveal the relationship between fingerprint and pharmacological effect through multiple statistical analyses, which can be used in Chinese medicine research. Spectrum-effect relationship has been used in many areas of Chinese medicine research, such as effective basis of single and compound Chinese medicine research, component compatibility research, processing mechanism research, pharmacological effect forecast research, technology optimization research, and so on. This paper systematically reviewed the application of spectrum-effect relationship in Chinese medicine research, and indicated some problems in spectrum-effect relationship research. At last, the authors give an outlook of the future of spectrum-effect relationship research.

Study on quality evaluation of cimicifugae rhizoma from different producing areas by HPLC fingerprint / 中国中药杂志

To establish a fingerprint for Cimicifugae Rhizoma from different producing areas. Column kromasil (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was employed with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), the detection wavelength was 254 nm. Twenty chromatographic peaks were extracted as the common peaks of fingerprint, and 21 batches of samples were compared and classified with such methods as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis and principle component analysis. The results showed 12 common peaks and three categories of samples. The method was so highly reproducible, simple and reliable that it could provide basis for quality control and evaluation of Cimicifugae Rhizoma from different producing areas.

Optimization of extraction process for Baizhu Shaoyao San by multi-index orthogonal experiment / 中国中药杂志

Baizhu Shaoyao San is a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula, which is efficient to diarrhea clinically. However, there are very few reports for extraction process of Baizhu Shaoyao San at present. In this article, an orthogonal test was conducted, with 10 major components and extractum of Baizhu Shaoyao San as indexes, and data was processed by the compound weight method, in order to detect four factors, including the concentration of ethanol, the dosage of ethanol, the soaking and extracting times, and optimize the extraction process of Baizhu Shaoyao San. The results showed that the optimal extraction process was adding 12-fold ethanol of 70% concentration, soaking for 1 hours, and extracting for twice, 2 hours each time. Among the indexes, the extracting time made significant impact. The optimized method is stable and reliable, and can provide reference for further development and utilization of the formula.

Thoughts and methods of Chinese materia medica processing - Taking research on Rehmanniae Radix processing as an example / 中草药

Chinese materia medica (CMM) processing is one of the characteristics and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is also an important discipline with our independent intellectual property rights. The mechanism of CMM processing is the key point of CMM research, which is also the key node of CMM modernization. Most mechanisms of CMM processing are unclear until now, which request the systematical and deep research. Raw and processed Rehmanniae Radix have the different pharmacological effects in clinical application, because there are lots of chemical reactions occurred during the steaming process. In the recent years, scientists all over the world have done lots of research on the changes and mechanisms of Rehmanniae Radix by steaming process under high temperature, and series of research achievements were obtained with the application of many new methods and technologies. These achievements provide not only many new ideas and methods for the mechanism exploration of CMM processing, but also the demonstration for researching and clarifying the mechanisms of CMM processing.

Optimization of extraction process of Chrysanthemi Flos by multi-index orthogonal experiment / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore quantitative assessment indicators of Chrysanthemi Flos, and optimize the extraction process of Chrysanthemi Flos through orthogonal experimental design.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The concentration of ethanol, amount of ethanol, extraction time and extraction frequency were selected as factors in the L9 (3(4)) orthogonal experiment. A comprehensive assessment was conducted with the peak area of the eight major common peaks in the fingerprint of Chrysanthemi Flos as the indicators.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The optimum extraction process was selected as follows: using ultrasonic extraction method, adding 30-fold ethanol with 80% concentration, extracting for 2 times for extraction, 40 min for each time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The optimized extraction process is reliable, with controllable assessment indicators, which is significant to the standardization of the extraction process and quality control of Chrysanthemi Flos preparations.</p>