Macroscopic and Microscopic Identification Study for Cordyceps Feturae / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish the macroscopic and microscopic identification method for Cordyceps Feturae. METHODS: By using stereomicroscopy and optical microscopy, introducing the professional terms of entomology and mycology, and combining the macroscopic and microscopic fetures of caterpillar part and stroma part, the samples of Cordyceps Feturae were observed and recorded, and compared with wild Cordyceps sinensis products, and the counterfeits-Cordyceps hawksii and Cordyceps taii. RESULTS: There was a slight difference in the morphological characteristics between Cordyceps Feturae and wild Cordyceps sinensis, but there was a significant difference between Cordyceps Feturae and the counterfeits. CONCLUSION: The macroscopic and microscopic identification method can be used for identification of Cordyceps Feturae, wild Cordyceps sinensis and the counterfeits.

Pharmacological network-based study on quality control of Carthamus tinctorius L. for safflower injection / 药学学报

We determined a component-target-disease network for Carthamus tinctorius L. and the key compounds, identified by topological analysis, were related to vasculitis, coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease. Based on these compounds, the chromatographic fingerprint of Carthamus tinctorius L. was established. Firstly, 132 compounds were obtained from TCMID and TCMSP databases. Their targets were predicted in the PharmMapp and HemMapper databases. CardioGenBase, Therapeutic Target Database and DisGeNET databases were used to collect targets of vasculitis, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The corresponding relationships between component and target protein were established by mapping. Finally, the "component-target-disease" network was built with Cytoscape software. The core network and key nodes were analyzed with the Cytohubba plug-in. The results showed that the 24 key compounds were alpha-tocopherol, adenosine, quinone chalcone pigments such as hydroxysafflor yellow A, safflower yellow, quercetin, kaempferol and other flavonoids, organic acids such as stearic acid, linolenic acid, coumaric acid and cinnamic acid. This resulting chromatographic fingerprint of Carthamus tinctorius L. showed good consistency, and the core chemical compounds obtained by topological analysis of the network of "component-target-disease", could be used as quality control markers. Our research provides a new approach for the identification of quality control indicators in Chinese medicinal materials.

Feasibility exploration of discriminating red yeast rice for different applications by secondary metabolite fingerprints / 药学学报

Though red yeast rice (RYR) has been used as medicine for centuries, few study has been reported about its biological activities related to traditional medicinal application and marketed RYR showed poor consistency in quality. In this study, with comprehensive investigation of their production processes and field acquisition samples including those from genuine producing area, an ultra performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method was firstly established to discriminate RYR for different applications based on their secondary metabolites fingerprint. It was performed on a CAPCELL CORE AQ column (100 mm×4.6 mm, 2.7 μm), with PDA (range: 200-650 nm, extracted: 237 nm) and ELSD detection. The mobile phase used was water (A) and acetonitrile (B) both containing 0.1% formic acid at gradient elution (0-15 min, 50% B→85% B (linear); 15-16 min, 85 % B→50% B (linear) and maintained until 21 min), with a flow rate of 0.5 mL∙min-1. The method established was fully validated in agreement with guidelines of Chinese Pharmacopeia. Common metabolites were found in RYR for same application and the fingerprints of RYR for food coloring or brewing from various manufacturers had similarities above 0.90. Meanwhile, significant differences were observed among the fingerprints for various applications and discrimination could be achieved by principal component analysis (PCA). Lovastatin was absence in RYRs for food coloring or brewing, and the fingerprint of traditional medicinal RYR was similar to that of RYR for brewing. However, standardization was required for RYR containing lovastatin because of their significant differences from various manufacturers in fingerprints and lovastatin content. The results demonstrated the feasibility to discriminate RYR for different applications by the secondary metabolites fingerprint method established in this study, which provides a scientific basis to investigate the relationship between biological activities of medicinal RYR and their corresponding secondary metabolites, and further aid their quality standardization and improvement.

Study on Ranunculaceae herbal decoction pieces using X-ray diffraction / 中国中药杂志

The powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD) technique was used to investigate fourteen kinds of Ranunculaceae herbal decoction pieces(RHDP) recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and to explore a novel PXRD quality control method for RHDP. The results indicated that only three RHDP-Paeoniae Radix Alba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, and Moutan Cortex, contained calcium oxalate monodydrate(COM), whereas no COM existed in other eleven kinds of RHDP. The difference in PXRD for Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra from different growing areas were investigated. The quantitative analysis method for COM was discussed by considering the water-boiling manufacturing process of herbal decoction pieces. The water-boiling experiments revealed that the PXRD peaks from COM crystals in RHDP were enhanced significantly after boiling. Paeoniae Radix Alba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Moutan Cortex, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Aconiti Radix, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, and Anemone Raddeanae Rhizoma exhibited a similar series of broader peaks in the 2θ region of 15° to 35°, whose origins were discussed on the basis of chemical constituents RHDP reported by other researchers. These diffraction broader peaks most likely originated from periodic orientation of benzene ring in organic molecular crystals of aconitine-and paeonolum-based alkaloids and glycosides chemical constituents, subsequently, possibly from some other organic constituents. The PXRD technique can be used to rapidly identify Cimicifuga heracleifolia with an amorphous dispersion peak and C. dahurica with a sharp-peak feature. Climatidis Radix et Rhizoma exhibited a series of sharp PXRD peaks. The PXRD method can provide a valuable quality control method for RHDP.

Study on Fluorescence Identification of Microscopic Characteristics of Plantaginis Semen and Its Adulterants / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To establish a fluorescence identification method of the microscopic characteristics for Plantagin Semen and its adulterants， and to provide technical support for the market supervision and inspection of TCM decoction pieces. METHODS： Under visible and ultraviolet light， comparative study and identification of the Plantagin Semen （seeds of Platago asiatica L. and Platago depressa Willd.） and its adulterants as seeds of Platago major L.， fruits of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq.， seeds of Codonopsis pilosula （Franch.） Nannf， seeds （peeled） of Kochia scoparia （L.） Schrad.， fruits of Bupleurum chinense DC. were carried out by means of stereoscopic fluorescence microscopy from aspects of overall surface characteristics， umbilicus characteristics and section characteristics. RESULTS： Under visible light， the surface texture of Plantagin Semen was wavy stripe or fine wrinkle， while the adulterants were wavy stripe， longitudinal edge or texture was not obvious. The umbilicus of Plantagin Semen was located in the center of the ventral surface， while that of adulterants were located at one end except for P. major. In the section of Plantagin Semen， there were obvious direct embryos， in which the adulterants were small or circular embryos except for P. major. Under ultraviolet light， P. asiatica had obvious wavy stripes in surface， orange and light blue-green fluorescence； P. depressa had grid-shaped wrinkles and gray-blue and gray-brown fluorescence； the umbilical fluorescence of Plantagin Semen was strong， and the fluorescence of the adulterants was weak except for S. tenuifolia. There were obvious differences in fluorescence color， embryo size and distribution between the section of Plantagin Semen and adulterants. CONCLUSIONS： The stereoscopic fluorescence microscopy is effect and accurate for the identification of Plantagin Semen.

Study on original investigation, macroscopic and microscopic identification of pharmacopoeia contained species of Epmedii Folium / 中国中药杂志

Epimedii Folium is a commonly used traditional Chinese drug, and now still depends on the wild resource. In recent years, with the surge in consumption, the resources are declining, the use of market varieties are constantly changing. In this paper, Production and sales situation of the five species contained in pharmacopoeia(Epimedium brevicornu, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens, E. koreanum and E. wushanense) have been studied on the basis of the existing researches, in-depth investigation and collection of accurate plant specimens and samples. And the origins of Epimedii Folium regulated by the pharmacopoeia have been discussed. At the same time, more exclusive and practical features have been summarized on the basis of observation and comparison with the stereo, optical and stereo-fluorescence microscopy technologies, and refering the related literatures on leaf structure and anatomy.The results of this study will provide a useful reference for the clinical medication, supervision, inspection, and standard drafting and so on.

Comparison of Different Periodontal Healing of Critical Size Noncontained and Contained Intrabony Defects in Beagles / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Regenerative techniques help promote the formation of new attachment and bone filling in periodontal defects. However, the dimensions of intraosseous defects are a key determinant of periodontal regeneration outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of use of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) graft in combination with collagen membrane (CM), to facilitate healing of noncontained (1-wall) and contained (3-wall) critical size periodontal defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study began on March 2013, and was completed on May 2014. One-wall (7 mm × 4 mm) and 3-wall (5 mm × 4 mm) intrabony periodontal defects were surgically created bilaterally in the mandibular third premolars and first molars in eight beagles. The defects were treated with ABB in combination with CM (ABB + CM group) or open flap debridement (OFD group). The animals were euthanized at 8-week postsurgery for histological analysis. Two independent Student's t-tests (1-wall [ABB + CM] vs. 1-wall [OFD] and 3-wall [ABB + CM] vs. 3-wall [OFD]) were used to assess between-group differences.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean new bone height in both 1- and 3-wall intrabony defects in the ABB + CM group was significantly greater than that in the OFD group (1-wall: 4.99 ± 0.70 mm vs. 3.01 ± 0.37 mm, P < 0.05; 3-wall: 3.11 ± 0.59 mm vs. 2.08 ± 0.24 mm, P < 0.05). The mean new cementum in 1-wall intrabony defects in the ABB + CM group was significantly greater than that in their counterparts in the OFD group (5.08 ± 0.68 mm vs. 1.16 ± 0.38 mm; P < 0.05). Likewise, only the 1-wall intrabony defect model showed a significant difference with respect to junctional epithelium between ABB + CM and OFD groups (0.67 ± 0.23 mm vs. 1.12 ± 0.28 mm, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>One-wall intrabony defects treated with ABB and CM did not show less periodontal regeneration than that in 3-wall intrabony defect. The noncontained 1-wall intrabony defect might be a more discriminative defect model for further research into periodontal regeneration.</p>

Application of microscopic spectroscopy in quality control of Niuhuang Qingxin pills / 中国中药杂志

Application of microscopic spectroscopy in quality control of Niuhuang Qingxin pills was discussed. First, microscopic characteristics specified by the statutory standard of Niuhuang Qingxin pills were summarized. Then new identification method was established for Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Saigae Tataricae Cornu, Cinnamomi Cortex and Saposhnikoviae Radix. Finally, microscopic spectroscopy was used for test of Dioscoreae Rhizoma's adulterant Dioscoreae Fordii Rhizoma.It was the first time for this technology being applied in adulteration test of Chinese patent medicine.The results showed that Saigae Tataricae Cornu was not detected in 2 batches of Niuhuang Qingxin pills from 1 manufacturer while Dioscoreae Fordii Rhizoma was detected in 3 batches of samples from 2 manufacturers. The proposed methods were accurate, simple, rapid, objective and economic, which offered a more comprehensive approach for quality control of Niuhuang Qingxin pills. It was indicated that conventional technology such as microscopic spectroscopy could play an important role in identification of traditional Chinese medicine whose index ingredient was deficient or tiny.

Identification of Epmedii Folium and its counterfeit leaf of Quercus variabilis / 中国中药杂志

Epmedii Folium is a commonly used traditional Chinese drug, and is beneficial for the "liver" and "kidney" s function in Chinese medicine. Recently, the origin of this drug is more complex. Most of the identification studies are emphasized on the species certified by the pharmacopoeia and other related species from the same genus of Epimedium, but few was emphasized on the counterfeit. In this paper, one counterfeit of Epmedii Folium, identified as the dried leaf of Quercus variabilis (Fam. Fagaceae), has been reported based on field investigation, comparing specimen of Epmedii Folium and Q. variabilis,using the macroscopic, microscopic and TmC methods. It is resulted that they could be identified clearly not only by the macroscopic features, such as the vein character and the tooth apex, but also by the microscopic features, such as the vascular bundles of the midrib, the non-glandular hair, the anticlinal wall of the epidermis cell and the calcium oxalate crystal. Furthermore their TLC chromatograms showed also difference. This study will give reference for the identification of Epmedii Folium and the related supervision and inspection work.

Discussion on Habitat Processing Method ofIndigo Naturalis / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Recently, there are many prominent problems about the quality ofIndigo Naturalis. To explore the underlying reasons, both ancient and modern herbal literatures were reviewed. Through the organization of recordings onIndigo Naturalis, the traditional process method required soaking and fermentation, stiring and depositing, foaming and shade drying. The currently usedIndigo Naturalis was mostly isolated and purified from crude deposit -“Cu-Dian.” The modern process technique ofIndigo Naturalis was gradually deviated from the traditional processing method. This paper also discussed the quality standards ofIndigo Naturalis. The author considered that the current standard on descriptions ofIndigo Naturalis characteristics was deviated from the traditional morphological features ofIndigo Naturalis, which should be further researched and verified. Therefore, this study provided certain references for the quality control and market supervision ofIndigo Naturalis.

Pharmacognostical study of Atropa belladonna / 中国中药杂志

Based on the research of plant taxonomy and botanical investigation, microscopic characteristics of the root, stem, leaf transverse section and powder of Atropa belladonna were studied for identification of the herb. The research detailed and made clear to the description identification and microscopic characteristics of officinal parts of the herbs. The work provided reference for the identification of A. belladonna herbs and pieces of work in the future, as well as a theoretical basis for the further research, development, medicinal use and the upgrading of quality standards.

Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Chinese caterpillar fungus / 药学学报

Chinese Caterpillar Fungus (CCF) is one of the rare Chinese traditional drugs. As the resource is reducing sharply, the price is rising higher and higher, and there have been much more adulterants in the markets, but until now we don't have a scientific and accurate research on the identification study for this drug. On the basis of resource investigation, during the study of the samples collected by ourselves and the specimens stored in the museum, using the macroscopic and microscopic methods, referring to the literatures of entomology, emphasizing on the characteristics of polypide part, we have studied this species in detail of the macroscopic characters such as the insertion position of the stroma part, the annulations and segments of the caterpillar, the abdominal leg, the pinaculum, and the microscopic characters of the body wall; firstly added the microscopic character of the crotchets on the planta of abdominal leg. The result turned out that the characters which we have studied are regular and stable, and it have laid the foundation for the powder products and patent medicines which have used the crude drug of CCF.

Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Chinese caterpillar fungus / 药学学报

Chinese Caterpillar Fungus (CCF) is one of the rare Chinese traditional drugs. As the resource is reducing sharply, the price is rising higher and higher, and there have been much more adulterants in the markets, but until now we don't have a scientific and accurate research on the identification study for this drug. On the basis of resource investigation, during the study of the samples collected by ourselves and the specimens stored in the museum, using the macroscopic and microscopic methods, referring to the literatures of entomology, emphasizing on the characteristics of polypide part, we have studied this species in detail of the macroscopic characters such as the insertion position of the stroma part, the annulations and segments of the caterpillar, the abdominal leg, the pinaculum, and the microscopic characters of the body wall; firstly added the microscopic character of the crotchets on the planta of abdominal leg. The result turned out that the characters which we have studied are regular and stable, and it have laid the foundation for the powder products and patent medicines which have used the crude drug of CCF.