Analysis of Chemical Variability on Different Processed Products of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Dry Roots and Rhizomes Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE and Plant Metabolomics / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To identify the quality differential markers of different processed products of Glycyrrhiza uralensis dry roots and rhizomes. Method:Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE) was used to collect high-precision mass-charge ratio and ion response strength information of the components in G. uralensis dry roots and rhizomes before and after processing by negative ion mode. The data set collected after pretreatment was analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to quickly search the differential components in different processed products of G. uralensis dry roots and rhizomes. Differential components were identified according to the relative molecular weight, fragment ion, mass spectrum database and related literature information, then the migration of components before and after processing was studied. Result:A total of 10 quality differential markers were searched from raw products, roasted products and honey-roasted products of G. uralensis dry roots and rhizomes, mainly derivatives of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid. Among them, the contents of 6''-O-acetylliquiritin apioside, 6''-O-acetylliquiritin apioside isomer, 6''-O-acetylliquiritin, formononetin and 11-deoxo-18β-glycyrrhetic acid were the highest in the raw products, the contents of 6''-O-acetylisoliquiritin apioside, 6''-O-acetylisoliquiritin, isoliquiritin and glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-glucuronide were the highest in the roasted products, the content of liquiritin was the lowest in the honey-roasted products. Conclusion:There are some chemical differences among the three products. This study can provide material basis for the quality control and pharmacodynamic research of processed products of G. uralensis dry roots and rhizomes.

Discussion on Research and Development of Following Original Methods of Famous Classical Formulas——Taking Xiebaisan as an Example / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The National Medical Products Administration intends to simplify the registration and approval process of the classic Chinese herbal compound preparations that meet the requirements, but it is a prerequisite for obtaining preferential policies that the preparation method and the route of administration are consistent with the records of ancient medical books. As most of the famous classical formulas are recorded in the medical books of the Qing dynasty and before the Qing dynasty, during the use of medicinal materials in various dynasties, the processing of herbs, dose of medicinal herbs, and the method of decocting may have changed. If researchers simply adopt modern methods to study the formula, it is easy to deviate from policy requirements. The strengthening of preliminary data survey and definition of prescription component and the medication situation of the dynasties can provide strong theoretical support for the study of famous classical formulas. Based on this, the authors take Xiebaisan as an example, which being collected in the First Batch of Catalogue of Ancient Classical Formulas. By following the principles of ancient methods, the research and development ideas of the classic Chinese herbal compound preparations were expounded from the aspects of origin of medicinal materials, processing of medicinal materials, preparation of standard decoction and quality standard of Xiebaisan granules, so as to provide a referential method for the development and research of the famous classical formulas.

Influence of ultrafiltration membrane on ophiopogonins and homoisoflavonoids in Ophiopogon japonicus as measured by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry / 中国天然药物

Ultrafiltration is one of the most fascinating technologies, which makes it possible to improve the quality of traditional medicines for application in the pharmaceutical industry. However, researchers have paid little attention to the effect of ultrafiltration membrane on traditional medicines chemical constituents. In this work, Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f) Ker-Gawl. was used as an example to illuminate the influence of ultrafiltration with different material and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) membrane on natural chemical constituents as measured by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UFLC-IT-TOF/MS). Our results indicated that ultrafiltration membrane significantly impacted homoisoflavonoids, especially homoisoflavonoids that were almost completely retained on the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. We also found that the larger number of aglycone hydroxy and sugar moiety in steroid saponins, the higher the transmittance. Furthermore, the passage rate (%) of ophiogenin type saponins was higher than that of others. The possible adsorptive mechanisms were hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and benzene ring interaction by π-π stacking. In conclusion, it is crucial to choose appropriate ultrafiltration membrane based on the characteristics of produce products for application of ultrafiltration technique.

Application of metabolomics approach to study of different parts of Mountain Cultivated Ginseng using UHPLC-QTOF/MS / 药学学报

In present study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS)-based plant metabolomics approach was established to investigate the metabolic profiles of the leaves, main root, branch root, and rhizome of Mountain Cultivated Ginseng (MCG). The UHPLC-QTOF/MS data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squared discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) to find the potential characteristic components of the four parts of MCG in a quick way. The four different parts could be separated into four different groups of phytochemicals according to the PCA scores. The chemical constituents in four parts of MCG were obviously different. The identities of 81 major peaks that were detected in the four parts of MCG and the potential markers were identified by comparison with the reference compounds or were tentatively assigned by matching the retention time,empirical molecular formula and fragment ions with those of the published compounds of the Panax species. This proposed analytical method is fast, accurate, and reliable for differentiating the different parts of MCG. Moreover, this study supplied a new method for the quality evaluation of other Chinese medicinal materials.

Plant metabolomics approach for age discrimination of mountain cultivated ginseng using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS / 中国中药杂志

Growth year is one of the important factors for the quality of mountain cultivated ginseng (MCG). For age differentiation of MCG, rhizome extracts of ginseng aged from 11 to 15 years were analyzed using a non-targeted approach with ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)-based on plant metabolomics technique. Multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squared discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to compare the derived patterns among the samples. The results showed that the chemical constituents of MCG rhizome extracts of ginseng aged from 11 to 15 years were different. The data set was subsequently applied to metabolite selection by variable importance in the projection (VIP) for sophisticated classification with the optimal number of metabolites. The OPLS-DA model of MCG has a high interpretability and predictive capability, which established by selecting metabolites of MCG aged from 11 to 15 years. By this approach, MCG samples aged from 11 to 15 years, which are the most in demand in the Chinese ginseng market, can be precisely differentiated on the basis of selected metabolites. This proposed analytical method is fast, accurate, and reliable for discriminating the growth year of MCG. Moreover, this study supplies a new method for the age discrimination of other Chinese medicinal materials.

Study on hydrolysis kinetics of ginsenoside-Ro in alkaline medium and structural analysis of its hydrolyzate / 中国中药杂志

The ginsenoside-Ro is sensitive to be hydrolyzed in an alkaline medium. This paper investigated the hydrolysis kinetics of ginsenoside-Ro under different pH and temperature values. The results showed ginsenoside-Ro in alkaline solution followed pseudo-first-order reaction. Hydrolysis kinetics of ginsenoside-Ro has not been reported previously. The hydrolysis rate was independent of initial concentration. On the basis of UFLC-MS/MS, NMR, as well as chemical evidence,the structure of hydrolyzate was assigned as 3-O- [beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl- (1 --> 2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl] -oleanolic acid.

Influlance of different drying methods on quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of different drying methods on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and thus provide useful reference for its proper drying methods.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus was processed by eight drying methods including vacuum freeze drying, natural drying in the shade, drying in the sun, oven drying and vacuum drying under different temperature. The contents of the functional ingredients includes chisandrin, gomisin D, gomisin J, schisandrol B, angeloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin Q, gomisin G, schisantherin A, deoxyschisandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrin C, 5-HMF, total aids and total sugars. The main components change after drying were analyzed by HPLC, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and potentiometric titration. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by SPSS software to evaluate the quality of different processed products from Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All these results are in accordance with the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia published in 2010, the contents of schisandrin and total eleven lignans were the highest using vacuum drying, and 5-HMF were the lower, oven drying made little difference but with lower schisandrin and higher 5-HMF as the heat increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Different drying methods have significant influence on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Oven drying under 5°C should be adopted to substitute drying in the sun according to the China Pharmacopoeia published in 2010 for Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus by comprehensive analysis of the cost, content and practicality.</p>

The lignins from Torreya grandis cv. Merrilli / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To separate and identify the chemical constituents of the aril of Torreya grandis cv. Merrilli.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three lignins were isolated by chromatography and their chemical structures were elucidated by IR, EI-MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, DEPT and 2D-NMR spectral methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three lignins were identified as pinonesinol, dihydrodehydrodiconiferylalcohol and (7,8-cis-8,8'-trans)-2',4'dihydroxyl-3, 5-dimethoxy-lariciresinol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compound III is a new compound.</p>

Identification of four new ceramides from Anthopleura pacifica / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the bioactive constituents from Anthopleura pacifica.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Compounds were separated by Pyricularia oryzae bioassay-guided fractionation method with a combination of multi-chromatography. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A portion showing activity against P. oryzae was obtained and from the portion four compounds were identified as N-hydroxyethyl-N-tetradecanoyl-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4(E), 8(E)-dienine (a), N-hydroxyethyl-N-(9Z-hexadecenoyl)-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4 (E), 8 (E)-dienine (b), N-hydroxyethyl-N-hexadecanoyl-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4(E), 8 (E)-dienine (c) and N-hydroxyethyl-N-(13Z-docosenoyl-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4(E), 8(E)-dienine(d).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All the four compounds are new ceramides.</p>