Effect of vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma on bile metabolism in rats / 中国中药杂志

To explore the effect of vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma on endogenous metabolites in bile by investigating the endogenous metabolites difference in bile before and after Curcumae Rhizoma was processed with vinegar. Alcohol extracts of crude and vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma, as well as normal saline were prepared respectively, which were then given to the rats by intragastric administration for 0.5 h. Then common bile duct intubation drainage was conducted to collect 12 h bile of the rats. UPLC-TOF-MS analysis of bile samples was applied after 1∶3 acetonitrile protein precipitation; unidimensional statistics were combined with multivariate statistics and PeakView software was compared with network database to identify the potential biomarkers. Vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma extracts had significant effects on metabolites spectrum in bile of the rats. With the boundaries of P<0.05, 13 metabolites with significant differences were found in bile of crude and vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma groups, and 8 of them were identified when considering the network database. T-test unidimensional statistical analysis was applied between administration groups and blank group to obtain 7 metabolites with significant differences and identify them as potential biomarkers. 6 of the potential biomarkers were up-regulated in vinegar-processed group, which were related to the metabolism regulation of phospholipid metabolism, fat metabolism, bile acid metabolism, and N-acylethanolamine hydrolysis reaction balance, indicating the mechanism of vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma on endogenous metabolites in bile of the rats.

Application of traditional Chinese medicine reference standards in quality control of Chinese herbal pieces / 中国中药杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) reference standards plays an important role in the quality control of Chinese herbal pieces. This paper overviewed the development of TCM reference standards. By analyzing the 2010 edition of Chinese pharmacopoeia, the application of TCM reference standards in the quality control of Chinese herbal pieces was summarized, and the problems exiting in the system were put forward. In the process of improving the quality control level of Chinese herbal pieces, various kinds of advanced methods and technology should be used to research the characteristic reference standards of Chinese herbal pieces, more and more reasonable reference standards should be introduced in the quality control system of Chinese herbal pieces. This article discussed the solutions in the aspect of TCM reference standards, and future development of quality control on Chinese herbal pieces is prospected.

Comparison on effect of Curcuma Rhizoma before and after processed with vinegar on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 composited factors / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effects of Curcuma Rhizoma before and after being processed with vinegar on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 composited factors and to discuss their mechanism. Methods: Rat models of hepatic fibrosis were established by sc injection of 40% CCl4 olive solution and ig administration with alcohol and high fat food for seven weeks. The rats were randomly divided into control, model, colchicin (0.2 mg/kg, positive), raw Curcuma Rhizoma (RCR, 0.95 and 1.90 g/kg), and Curcuma Rhizoma after being processed with vinegar (CRV, 0.95 and 1.90 g/kg) groups. The rats in each group were administered with the corresponding drugs once daily for eight weeks. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBiL), hyaluronic acid (HA), and laminin (LN) in serum, liver index, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver tissue were determined. Liver pathology and fibrosis were observed by HE staining and Masson staining. Results: Compared with the control group, there were classic liver cirrhosis pathological changes in model groups, and the levels of serum ALT, AST, TBiL, HA, and LN and the contents of Hyp and MDA were significantly increased. The activity of SOD was significantly decreased. In comparison with the model group, both RCR and CRV could improve the liver function parameters in different degrees. But the effect of CRV was superior to that of RCR, and the high-dose group of CRV had obvious advantages. Conclusion: CRV shows the better prevention and treatment on hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 composited factor in rats.