UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomic study on improvement of acute myocardial ischemia in rats by Dalbergia cochinchinensis heartwood / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to study the effect of Dalbergia cochinchinensis heartwood on plasma endogenous metabolites in rats with ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and to analyze the mechanism of D. cochinchinensis heartwood in improving acute myocardial ischemic injury. The stability and consistency of the components in the D. cochinchinensis heartwood were verified by the establishment of fingerprint, and 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, and a D. cochinchinensis heartwood(6 g·kg~(-1)) group, with 10 rats in each group. The sham group only opened the chest without ligation, while the other groups established the model of ligation. Ten days after administration, the hearts were taken for hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the content of heart injury indexes in the plasma creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), energy metabolism-related index glucose(Glu) content, and vascular endothelial function index nitric oxide(NO) was determined. The endogenous metabolites were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The results showed that the D. cochinchinensis heartwood reduced the content of CK-MB and LDH in the plasma of rats to relieve myocardial injury, reduced the content of Glu in the plasma, improved myocardial energy metabolism, increased the content of NO, cured the vascular endothelial injury, and promoted vasodilation. D. cochinchinensis heartwood improved the increase of intercellular space, myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration, and myofilament rupture caused by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The metabolomic study showed that the content of 26 metabolites in the plasma of rats in the model group increased significantly, while the content of 27 metabolites decreased significantly. Twenty metabolites were significantly adjusted after the administration of D. cochinchinensis heartwood. D. cochinchinensis heartwood can significantly adjust the metabolic abnormality in rats with ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of cardiac energy metabolism, NO production, and inflammation. The results provide a corresponding basis for further explaining the effect of D. cochinchinensis on the acute myocardial injury.

Quality evaluation of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum by HPLC fingerprint and multi-component quantitative analysis / 中国中药杂志

The present study detected the component content in Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum by HPLC fingerprint and the multi-component determination method. HPLC analysis was performed on the Agilent ZORBAX SB-C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm). Acetonitrile-0.5% phosphoric acid aqueous solution with gradient elution was employed as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min~(-1) and the column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. The detection wavelength was 210 nm and the sample volume was 10 μL. The similarity of 18 batches of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum was 0.343-0.779, indicating that there were great differences between different batches of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum. Eighteen common peaks were identified, including eight flavonoids such as liquiritigenin and latifolin. The mass fractions of liquiritigenin, luteolin, naringenin, isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, dalbergin, latifolin, and pinocembrin were in the ranges of 0.134 1%-0.495 2%, 0.028 2%-0.167 0%, 0.016 3%-0.591 3%, 0.053 5%-0.188 0%, 0.142 4%-0.640 1%, 0.068 0%-0.590 7%, 0.003 2%-1.980 7%, and 0.009 6%-0.740 2%, respectively. Eighteen batches of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum were divided into three categories by cluster analysis and eight differential components in Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum were marked by partial least-squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA). The cumulative variance contribution rate was 90.5%. The HPLC fingerprint combined with the multi-component determination method for Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum is easy in operation and accurate in results, with good repeatability and reliability. The quality of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum can be evaluated and analyzed by the PLS-DA model. This study is expected to provide a reference for the quality control and clinical application of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum.

Comparative study of rat serum pharmacochemistry between Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS / 中国中药杂志

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and serum pharmacochemistry were employed to study the migrating components in rat sera after intragastric administration of the water extracts of Puerariae Lobatae Radix(PLR) and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix(PTR). After the respective intragastric administration of PLR and PTR extracts, blood samples were collected from the orbital vein. The serum samples were treated by protein precipitation method with methanol and acetonitrile at a ratio of 1∶1 and then passed through Agilent ZORBAX RRHD SB-C_(18) column(3 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) and Agilent SB-C_(18) pre-column(3 mm×5 mm, 1.8 μm) with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(A)-acetonitrile(B) as the mobile phase. The elution was performed at the flow rate of 0.25 mL·min~(-1), the column temperature of 40 ℃, and the injection volume of 2 μL. By comparison of the total ion chromatogram and secondary fragment ion information of PLR and PTR water extracts, PLR-and PTR-containing sera, and blank serum, we found 42 migrating components(including 17 prototype components and 25 metabolites) in the sera of rats treated with PLR and 35 migrating components(including 15 prototype components and 20 metabolites) in the sera of rats treated with PTR. Thirty-three common components were shared by the two treatments, including 13 prototype components and 20 metabolites. The differences of migrating components in the PLR-and PTR-treated rat sera provide a scientific basis for further study of the active components and quality markers of PLR and PTR.

Research advances in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Pueraria genus / 中国中药杂志

Kudzu plants in the subfamily sphenoideae of Leguminosae are commonly used herbs in China, Japan, Korea, India and Thailand, with a long history of medicinal use. They are recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopeia, Korea Pharmacopeia, Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia of India and Flora of Thailand. There are 15-20 species of Pueraria in the world, including 7 species and 2 varieties in China. At present, there are 6 species with medicinal value, such as Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii. The main chemical components of the genus are isoflavones, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, coumarins, puerarin glycosides and benzopyrans. A total of 240 compounds have been isolated and identified from this genus, and their pharmacological effects mainly include improvement of the cardiovascular system, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-alcoholic and estrogen-like effects. In this study, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Pueraria at home and abroad were systematically summarized, in order to provide references for the material basis, quality control and further development of Pueraria genus.

Research Progress on Screening Active Components from Medicinal Plants Based on Affinity Ultrafiltration Coupled with LC-MS Technology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Medicinal plants have a long history and play an important role in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. However， the interaction between bioactive components and specific biological targets in many medicinal plants is still unclear. Conventional separation and activity evaluation model of chemical constituents from natural products was time-consuming and laborious， and cannot truly reflect the interaction between the natural conformation of compounds and receptors， so these methods could not meet the urgent needs of modern drug development. Affinity ultrafiltration coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （AUF-LC/MS） is a rapid， efficient and precise method focused on identification of bio-components from natural products， it can make up for many shortcomings found in conventional discovery of bio-constituents. However， AUF-LC/MS technology also has some drawbacks in experiments. In this paper， the principle， characteristics and application of AUF-LC/MS in the screening of active ingredients from medicinal plants are systematically reviewed， and its development prospect is prospected， so as to provide scientific basis for rapid and targeted screening of active components from medicinal plants.

Research advances in the effect and utilization of protein corona on the circulation of nanoparticles in vivo / 药学学报

Nanoparticles have better applicability in the detection, treatment of cancer and various difficult diseases, but mononuclear phagocytosis system can seriously shorten the time of nanoparticles in vivo circulation, reduce the drug efficacy. The protein crown formed on the surface of the nanoparticle after entering the body can change its surface properties, interfere with the recognition of phagocytes, and thus affect its circulation time in vivo. This article outlines the general composition and formation process of protein crowns. It also summarizes the influence of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles, such as particle size, surface charge, hydrophilicity and surface materials on the formation of protein crowns. The protein crown affects the circulation of nanoparticles in vivo, mainly because the adsorbed opsonic protein promotes cell phagocytosis. Therefore, we also introduce the method of using protein crowns to promote the long circulation of nanoparticles in vivo. By designing appropriate physical and chemical properties, surface modification, and directed design of protein crowns, the adsorption of proteins on the surface of nanoparticles can be reduced. Therefore, it can reduce the clearance of nanoparticles in the mononuclear phagocytic system (mainly the phagocytes of the liver and spleen), and achieve the goal of long circulation of nanoparticles in the body.

Recent advances in G protein coupled receptor 119 agonists / 药学学报

G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) has been a promising target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It can not only directly promote insulin secretion, but also indirectly increase insulin secretion by stimulating the release of glucose-dependent GIP/CLP-1 without causing hypoglycemia. The remarkable advantages of small molecule GPR119 agonists make it one of the research hotspots for the development of type 2 diabetes drugs. This article reviews the anti-diabetic small molecules based on the GPR119 target in the past five years.

Rapid Identification and Analysis of Chemical Components in Heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To rapidly identify and analysis the chemical constituents in the methanol extract of heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Method::UPLC RRHD SB-C18 column (3.0 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) was used for chromatographic separation with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution (0-0.01 min, 5%B; 0.01-2 min, 5%-22%B; 2-28 min, 22%-35%B; 28-45 min, 35%-44%B; 45-55 min, 44%-100%B; 55-57 min, 100%B; 57-57.10 min, 100%~5%B) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1. The analytes were determined in negative ion mode with electrospray ionization (ESI) and data collection range of m/z 100-1 500. Result::A total of 101 chemical constituents were identified, including 22 flavonoids, 34 isoflavones, 15 neoflavonoids, 18 other flavonoids and 12 other components. Conclusion::UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique can quickly, accurately and comprehensively identify the chemical constituents in the heartwood of D. cochinchinensis. Isoflavones, flavonoids and neoflavonoids are the main chemical constituents in the heartwood of D. cochinchinensis, which is of great significance to reveal its internal material basis and provides experimental basis for this plant to be developed as a potential new resource of traditional Chinese medicine.

Rapid Identification on Chemical Components in Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum is a rare traditional Chinese medicine material in China. However, there are many varieties of various sources and different qualities in the market at present. In order to further define the pharmacodynamic substance basis, electrospray time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to rapidly analyze chemical constituents of methanol extract of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum. Method::Chromatographic separation was performed on an UPLC RRHD SB-C18(3.0 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm)for gradient elution, with mixtures of acetonitrile and 0.1%formic acid-water as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1. The column temperature was maintained at 40 ℃. The data was collected in a negative ion mode with electro-spray ionization source(ESI). Result::According to molecular ion peaks and MS2 mass spectrometry characteristic fragment ions, Mass Bank databases, as well as the mass spectrometry information of reference substances and relevant literatures, a total of 83 constituents were identified, including 18 flavones, 31 isoflavones, 10 neoflavonoids, 9 isoflavanones, 7 other flavonoids and 8 other components. Conclusion::UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS can quickly, accurately and comprehensively identify chemical constituents in methanol extract of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum, and isoflavones, flavones, neoflavonoids and isoflavanones are the main chemical constituents, which laid a foundation for the basic research of medicinal substances of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum, and provided theoretical basis and technical support for the improvement of quality standards of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum.

Effect of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on Expression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Related Proteins GRP78 and ATF6 in T2DM Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats and related mechanism. Method:Ninety SD rats were divided into normal group, model group, metformin group, Puerariae Lobatae Radix high dose group, Puerariae Lobatae Radix medium dose group and Puerariae Lobatae Radix low dose group, 15 rats in each group. The rats in abnormal group were fed with high-fat and high sugar diet for 4 weeks, and then T2DM model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg·kg-1 streptozotocin (STZ). Puerariae Lobatae Radix high-dose group was intragastrically administered with 2.1 g·kg-1 of Puerariae Lobatae Radix extract powder, Puerariae Lobatae Radix medium-dose group was intragastrically administered with 1.4 g·kg-1 of Puerariae Lobatae Radix extract powder, Puerariae Lobatae Radix low-dose group was intragastrically administered with 0.7 g·kg-1 of Puerariae Lobatae Radix extract powder, 0.2 g·kg-1 of metformin hydrochloride in metformin group, distilled water once a day in normal group and model group. After 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC) were measured, and insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated. The expression of tumor necrosis factor -α(TNF-α) was observed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of glucose regulatory protein 78 （GRP78）, activated transcription factor 6 （ATF6） in pancreatic tissue. Result:Compared with normal group, the contents of FBG, GSP, TG, TC, FINS, TNF-α in model group were significantly increased (P<0.05), the HOMA-IR was significantly increased (P<0.05), the protein expressions of GRP78 and ATF6 in pancreatic tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the contents of FBG, GSP, TG, TC, FINS and TNF-α in the metformin group and Puerariae Lobatae Radix high, medium and low dose groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05), HOMA-IR decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression of GRP78 and ATF6 protein in pancreatic tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion:Puerariae Lobatae Radix can significantly improve insulin resistance in T2DM rats, inhibit the expression of inflammatory factor TNF-α in pancreatic tissue, reduce the protein expression of GRP78 and ATF6 in pancreatic tissue.

Effect of Euphorbia helioscopia Alcohol Extract on MAPK/NF-κB Inflammation Pathway on Mice with Acute Lung Injury Induced by LPS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the protective effect of Euphorbia helioscopia alcohol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced acute lung injury in mice and explore its possible mechanism. Method:The 50 Balb/c male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, including normal group, model group, dexamethasone group (1.5 mg·kg-1), E. helioscopia alcohol extracts group (7.5，3.75 g·kg-1). Except for the normal group, the other groups used intranasal instillation of LPS to establish a model of acute lung injury in mice. The type and number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by automatic blood analyzer and Wright-Giemsa composite staining. The lung tissue damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The contents of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in BALF were detected by flow cytometry. The protein expressions of nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65), phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), inhibitor of NF-κBα (IκBα), phospho-IκBα (p-IκBα) in NF-κB pathway and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phospho-JNK (p-JNK), p38 protein (p38), phospho-p38 (p-p38), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2), phospho-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were determined by Western blot. Result:Compared with normal control group, the lung tissue of the model group showed obvious damage, in which a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated, and the integrity of the alveoli was destroyed. Inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 in BALF and p-NF-κB p65, p-JNK, p-p38, p-ERK protein expression levels in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the pathological damage of lung tissue in mice with high dose of E. helioscopia alcohol extract and dexamethasone positive group was significantly alleviated. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in BALF and the expression levels of p-NF-κB p65, p-JNK, p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 protein in lung tissue were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Conclusion:The E. helioscopia alcohol extract has a protective effect on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway.

Study on neoflavonoids from heartwood of Dalbergia latifolia / 中国中药杂志

Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum is derived from heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera,which is national Ⅱ level of rare and endangered protective plants in China. Its resources are scarce and its price is high. In order to find substitutes of D. odorifera,the chemical constituents of 70% ethanol extract of heartwood of D. catifolia were systematically studied by using silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography,and semi-preparative HPLC. Sixteen neoflavanoids were isolated and identified as eight dalbergiphenols( 1-8),three dalbergiones( 9-11),two dalbergins( 12,13),two benzophenones( 14,15) and one other type neoflavanoids( 16) based on spectroscopic data analyses and/or comparing the spectroscopic data with those in literature. Among them,compounds 3,7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Dalbergia for the first time,and compounds 2,4-6,8,14 and 15 were isolated from the D. latifolia for the first time. Ten neoflavonoids were both discovered from D. latifolia and D. odorifera.

Network pharmacology-based study on mechanisms of antipyretic action of Pueraria radix / 药学学报

This study was designed to explore the antipyretic mechanism of Pueraria radix. The method of network pharmacology was used to determine the known ingredients corresponding to Pueraria radix, predict the drug-related gene /protein targets, and analyze the interplay between key ingredients and targets. Biological Information Annotation Databases (DAVID) was used to enrich the biological processes and pathways. The result of network analysis was validated by molecular docking. It was found that 49 active ingredients of Pueraria radix not only regulate 21 targets (e.g. PTGS2, EGFR), but also affect 11 biological processes (e.g. oxidation-reduction process, prostaglandin synthesis, positive regulation of fever generation and inflammatory response) and 7 metabolic pathways (arachidonic acid metabolism, serotonergic synapse and HIF-1, et al). Molecular docking results showed that more than 65% of the active ingredients could be well docked with key targets, and the relevant literatures indicated that the active components could inhibit the expression of PTGS2, which means the result has a high reliability. These results indicated that Pueraria radix may carry its pyretic action via a "multi-ingredients-multi-targets-multi-pathways" mode, which provides a scientific basis for further research and drug development.

Establishment of Determination of Fractal Dimension of Ethanol-precipitated Flocs of Two Root Medicinal Herbs / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of fractal dimension of ethanol precipitation flocs in two kinds of root medicinal herbs (Astragali Radix and Isatidis Radix). Method: The ethanol-precipitated flocs of Astragali Radix and Isatidis Radix were taken as the research objects. Firstly, the original microscopic images of the ethanol precipitation flocs were binarized by Ostu algorithm. Secondly, the influence of sampling volume, dilution multiple, image magnification ratio and number of image acquisition sites on fractal dimension was investigated using perimeter-area method. Result: The ethanol precipitation flocs of Astragali Radix and Isatidis Radix had fractal characteristics. At the same time, the stable and reliable fractal dimension of the flocs could be obtained when the sampling volume was 600-800 μL, the sample was diluted to 5-20 times, the microscopic image was enlarged to 200 times or 400 times, and four different image acquisition sites were selected. Conclusion: The established method is stable and feasible, which can provide reference for the fractal theory of ethanol precipitation flocs of root medicinal herbs.

Two new compounds from Smilax glaucochina / 中国中药杂志

A new sesquiterpenes named glaucochinarol A (1) and a new phenylpropane glycoside named glcacochinaside A (2), together with six known ones, including trichothecolone (3), β-D-(6-O-trans-feruloyl)fructofuranosyl-α-D-O-glucopyranoisde (4), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), (4R)-p-menth-1-ene-7,8-diol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), naringenin (7), and emodin-8-O-β-glucoside (8) were isolated from smilax glaucochina warb. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR, MS and published data. Compounds 3-8 were isolated from the species for this first time.

Effect of neoflavonoid latifolin isolated from Dalbergia odorifera on acute myocardial ischemia in rats and its mechanism of Nrf2 signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of latifolin on pituitrin(Pit) or isoproterenol(ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rats, and further investigate its underlying mechanisms. Rats were administrated sublingually with pituitrin or subcutaneously with isoproterenol to induce acute myocardial ischemia in rats, and lead II electrocardiograph was recorded. In rats with isoproterenol, ELISA assay or colorimetric method was used to detect the content or activity of myocardial injury markers in serum, and the SOD activity and MDA content in myocardium were detected by colorimetric assay; histopathological examination was conducted by HE staining; the frozen section of myocardial tissues was used for DCFH-DA fluorescent staining to detect the content of ROS in myocardium; Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1 and NQO1 in myocardium. Results showed that latifolin significantly inhibited ST-segment changes induced by pituitrin or isoproterenol, and increased heart rate. Further mechanism study showed that latifolin reduced cardiac troponin I(cTnI) level, aspartate transaminase(AST) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activities in serum, increased myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and reduced myocardial malondialdehyde(MDA) level, and protected myocardium with less necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells and fracture of myocardial fibers. Furthermore, latifolin obviously reduced ROS level in myocardium, inhibited the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1(Keap1), increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2), and promoted the expression of Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in myocardial tissues. Our data suggest that latifolin has a potent protective effect against pituitrin or isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury, which may be related to inhibition of oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Neoflavonoids and their pharmacological activities in Dalbergia genus / 中国中药杂志

Neoflavonoids are a kind of characteristic components in the Dalbergia genus. Based on the previous researches, 59 neoflavonoids have been obtained from the Dalbergia genus. According to their molecular skeleton, the neoflavonoids can be divided intodalbergiphenols, dalbergiones, dalbergins, benzophenones and other types. Modern research shows that neoflavonoids displayed a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-androgen, anti-allergic, antioxidation etc. This paper reviewed neoflavonoids and their pharmacological functions, which could provide the valuable reference for comprehensive utilization and new drug development in the Dalbergia genus.

Inheritance and innovation of traditional processing technology of Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

To discuss the inheritance and innovation study of Chinese medicine processing technology from three aspects： inheritance, standardization and industrial innovation development, propose "three lacks" in inheritance, "six lacks of standardization, and one lack of unity" in standardization, and "three emphasizing and three despising aspects" in industrial innovation, and propose feasible solutions for the above mentioned problems, providing a good foundation for inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine processing.

Flavonoids from Heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To study the flavonoids from the heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by combination of silica gel, macroporous resin, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS column chromatography. Their structures were identified by means of spectral analysis. Results: Fifteen flavonoids were isolated and identified as pinocembrin (1), liquiritigenin (2), galangin (3), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (4), naringenin (5), alpinetin (6), 2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (7), 6,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavan (8), mucronulatol (9), 7,8-dihydroxyflavanone (10), 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (11), 4,2',5'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (12), isoliquiritigenin (13), butein (14), and 3',5',5,7-tetrahydroxy-6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-flavanone (15), respectively. Conclusion: Compounds 7, 8, 10, and 15 are isolated from the plants of Dalbergia L. f. for the first time, and compounds 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, and 14 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Protective effect of Danxuetong injection against testicular injury after testis torsion/detorsion in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of Danxuetong injection (DXT, a combination of Danshen and Xueshuantong injections) against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two 4-week-old healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number: sham operation, normal saline, single DXT injection, and successive DXT injection. The rat models of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury were established by 2-hour 720-degree torsion/detorsion of the unilateral testis. At 6 weeks after modeling, the rats were killed and their testes were harvested for measure- ment of testicular coefficients, sperm counts, sperm motility, and the levels of total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC) , superoxide dismutase (SOD) , nitric oxide synthase (NOS) , and malondialdehyde ( MDA) in the testis tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the rats of the normal saline group, those of the single DXT injection and successive DXT injection groups showed significant increases in the testicular coefficient (0.11 ± 0.03 vs 0.35 ± 0.04 and 0.40 ± 0.06, P < 0.05), sperm count ([0.46 ± 0.10] vs [1.44 ± 0.50] and [3.00 ± 1.28] x10(9)/ml, P < 0.05), sperm motility ([13.63 ± 14.04] vs [39.63 ± 5.04] and [76.31 ± 3.67]%, P < 0.05), the activity of SOD (72.76 ± 5.58 vs 116.25 ± 8.83 and 133.20 ± 13.84, P < 0.05), and the level of T-AOC (5.58 ± 1.07 vs 13.34 ± 5.81 and 19.21 ± 5.69, P < 0.05), but a remarkable decrease in the content of MDA (42.38 ± 8.94 vs 20.94 ± 5.65 and 15.02 ± 1.03, P < 0. 05) in the injured testes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DXT can effectively rid the testis tissue of oxygen free radicals, improve sperm count and motility by antioxidation, and protect the testis tissue of prepubertal rats against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury after testis torsion/detorsion. It also has a protective effect on the contralateral testis, and successive injection has a better effect than single injection of DXT.</p>