Dendrobium nobile protects against ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis by regulating intestinal flora and suppressing lung inflammation / 中国天然药物

Antibiotic exposure-induced dysbiosis of the intestinal flora increases the risk of developing allergic rhinitis. Hence, regulating the balance of intestinal flora may be useful for preventing and treating allergic rhinitis. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Dendrobium nobile (Shihu) exhibits anti-inflammatory and immune activities. Hence, in this study, we investigated the mechanism via which Shihu may improve allergic rhinitis. Mouse models of allergic rhinitis with intestinal flora dysbiosis (Model-D, antibiotics induce intestinal flora dysbiosis with ovalbumin-induced allergy) and normal intestinal flora with allergic rhinitis (Model-N, ovalbumin-induced allergy) were established. The effect of Shihu on intestinal flora and inflammation caused during allergic rhinitis were analyzed. Allergic symptoms, infiltration of hematoxylin and eosin in the lungs and nose, and the release of various factors [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17] in the lungs were evaluated. The results indicate that intestinal flora dysbiosis exacerbated lung and nose inflammation in allergic rhinitis. However, treatment with the Shihu extract effectively reversed these symptoms. Besides, the Shihu extract inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and increased the level of Forkhead box protein in the lungs. Additionally, the Shihu extract reversed intestinal flora dysbiosis at the phylum and genus levels and improved regulator T cell differentiation. Furthermore, in the Model-D group, the Shihu extract inhibited the decrease in the diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora. Screening was performed to determine which intestinal flora was positively correlated with Treg differentiation using Spearman's correlation analysis. In conclusion, we showed that Shihu extract restored the balance in intestinal flora and ameliorated inflammation in the lungs of allergic rhinitis mice and predicted a therapeutic new approach using Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve allergic rhinitis.

Studies on constituents of Polygonum multiflorum extract and based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS / 中国中药杂志

To explore the drug-induced constituents of Polygonum multiflorum extract (PM). This study was the first to study the drug-induced constituents in target organ liver. Agilent MassHunter qualitative analysis software and Metabolite ID software were applied for the analysis of retention time, exact relative molecular mass, primary and secondary mass spectrum information based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and targeted-MS/MS. By comparison with literature and standards, a total of 5 prototypes and 6 metabolites were identified or tentatively elucidated from the liver samples. In addition, the drug-induced constituents in plasma and PM were also analyzed in this study and 8 prototypes and 19 metabolites were detected from the plasma samples, while 30 compounds were detected from the extract of PM. Emodin oxidative acetylation metabolites, hydroxyl methylation metabolites, carboxylation glucuronidation metabolites and ketone glucuronidation metabolites in this study were first reported. Through the comparative analysis between the and constituents of PM, the study preliminarily revealed the drug-induced constituents (prototypes and metabolites) in liver and clarified the transfer process and transmutation rules of constituents in PM, blood and liver, which would further deepen our understanding on constituents of PM .

Absorption of euphobiasteroid across Caco-2 cell monolayer model / 中草药

Objective: To study the absorption and transportation of euphobiasteroid in Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Methods: Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to study the process of bi-direction transport of euphobiasteroid, and the effects of time, drug concentration, and inhibitors on the process were investigated. The concentration of euphobiasteroid was detected by UPLC-MS/MS, and the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) and apparent permeability (PDR) were calculated. Results: During the transport process of euphobiasteroid in Caco-2 cells, the Papp values of variety concentration were from 1 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-5. The cumulative transshipment volume was increased with time and concentration, which presented concentration-dependent manner. The PDR values of 10, 30, and 50 μmol/L euphobiasteroid were 1.35, 0.83, and 0.65, respectively. Verapamil hydrochloride could promote the transportation of euphobiasteroid from AP side to BL side. Conclusion: The absorption of euphobiasteroid in intestine is moderate and mainly through passive transport. There may be excretion mechanism of intestinal transport protein in the intestine absorption of euphobiasteroid.

Preparation of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion gel and transdermal characterization in vitro / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion and nanoemuls-ion gel, and investigate its content, physical and chemical properties. Their transdermal properties in vitro were studied as well.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>IPM acted as oil phase, EL35 as surfactant, EtOH as cosurfactant, Pheretima aqueous solution was added dropwise to the oil phase to prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion at room temperature using magnetic stirring. HPLC was used to determine the content of matrine and oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion. Transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer was used to determine the shape and size of the nanoemulsion. NP700 was used as substrate to prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion gel. Franz diffusion cell was used for the nanoemulsion and gel transdermal characteristics in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion was O/W nanoemulsion, its uniform particle size was 20.6 nm with roundness appearance and stable content. The steady-state permeation rate of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion, nanoemulsion gel, saturated aqueous solution, hydro gel were 0.1484, 0.1183, 0.0306, 0.0321 mg x cm(-2) x h(-1), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 24 h cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion and nanoemulsion gel were better than the saturated aqueous solution and hydro gel, which could provide a new dosage form for Kushen-Dilong transdermal drug delivery.</p>

Physicochemical properties and skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion / 中国中药杂志

The research aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties, stability and skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion. Prepare total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion and detect the determination of matrine and oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion using HPLC method. Transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer were utilized to detect the shape and size of the nanoemulsion respectively. And also the stability of nanoemulsion was studied under the conditions of low temperature (4 degrees C), normal temperature (25 degrees C) and high temperature (60 degrees C). Franz diffusion cell was used to research the transdermal absorption of nanoemulsion in vitro. The results found that the nanoemulsion we prepared presented appearance of rounded, uniform; its average diameter was (15.55 +/- 2.24) nm, and particle size distribution value was 0. 161; the appearance, diameter and percentage determination of total alkaloids of S. flavescens had no variations after 15 d under 4, 25, 60 degrees C respectively. The steady-state permeation rate was 4.564 1 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), 24 h cumulative amount of penetration was 110.7 microg x cm(-2), which was 1.86 fold of 24 h cumulative amount of aqueous solution (59.41 microg x cm(-2)). All the results demonstrated total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion had good permeability, and could provide a new preparation for its clinical application.