Mechanism of famous classical formula Huaihua Powder in treatment of ulcerative colitis based on metabonomics / 中国中药杂志

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed in this study to observe the effect of Huaihua Powder on the serum metabolites of mice with ulcerative colitis and reveal the mechanism of Huaihua Powder in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The mouse model of ulcerative colitis was established by dextran sodium sulfate salt(DSS). The therapeutic effect of Huaihua Powder on ulcerative colitis was preliminarily evaluated based on the disease activity index(DAI), colon appearance, colon tissue morphology, and the content of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β). UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to profile the endogenous metabolites of serum samples in blank control group, model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Huaihua Powder groups. Multivariate analyses such as principal component analysis(PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were performed for pattern recognition. Potential biomarkers were screened by Mass Profiler Professional(MPP) B.14.00 with the thresholds of fold change≥2 and P<0.05. The metabolic pathways were enriched by MetaboAnalyst 5.0. The results showed that Huaihua Powder significantly improved the general state and colon tissue morphology of mice with ulcerative colitis, reduced DAI, and lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum. A total of 38 potential biomarkers were predicted to be related to the regulatory effect of Huaihua Powder, which were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, mutual transformation of glucuronic acid, and glutathione metabolism. This study employed metabolomics to analyze the mechanism of Huaihua Powder in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, laying a foundation for the further research.

Mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang against Vulnerable Plaque of Atherosclerosis： Based on Macrophage Pyroptosis Mediated by NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） on vulnerable plaque of atherosclerosis based on the macrophage pyroptosis mediated by nuclear factor （NF）-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteine-aspartic acid protease （Caspase）-1 pathway. MethodA total of 12 normal C57BL/6CNC mice were used as the control group， and 60 ApoE-/- mice of the same line were randomized into 5 groups： model group， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose GQL groups （GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G groups， respectively）， and western medicine group. The control group and model group were given （ig） equal volume sterile distilled， and GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G and western medicine groups received （ig） corresponding concentration of drugs for 8 weeks. Aortic plaques were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， protein levels of macrophage mannose receptor （CD206）/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） and CD206/NLRP3 by double-labeling immunofluorescence， and C-terminal gasdermin D （GSDMD）， N-terminal GSDMD， NLRP3， pro-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 （pro-Caspase-1） and NF-κB p65 by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， model group demonstrated serious pathological changes， rise of the levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18 and tissue ASC， NLRP3， C-terminal GSDMD， N-terminal GSDMD， pro-Caspase-1， and NF-κB p65， and decrease of CD206 level （P<0.05）. As compared with model group， the administration groups showed alleviation of the lesions in aortic wall， decrease in levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18 and tissue ASC， NLRP3， C-terminal GSDMD， N-terminal GSDMD， pro-Caspase-1， and NF-κB p65， and rise of CD206 level， with significant difference between some groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang alleviates vulnerable plaque of atherosclerosis by regulating NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and further relieving macrophage pyroptosis.

Gegen Qinliantang Regulates Polarization Tendency of Macrophages to Intervene in Vulnerable Plaque in AS of ApoE-/- Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism underlying the intervention of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） in vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis （AS） of ApoE-/- mice by regulating the polarization of macrophages. MethodTwelve normal C57BL/6CNC mice were used as the control group， and 60 ApoE-/- mice of the same line were randomized into 5 groups： model group， low-dose， middle-dose， and high-dose GQL groups （GQL-D， GQL-Z， and GQL-G groups， respectively）， and atorvastatin group （western medicine group）. High-fat diet was used for modeling. The control group and the model group were given （ig） equal volume of sterile distilled water， and GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G， and western medicine groups received （ig） corresponding concentration of drugs for 8 weeks. The levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were detected with biochemical methods. The distribution of plaques in the aortic region was observed based on oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of M1 pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and interleukin （IL）-6 and M2 anti-inflammatory factors IL-13 and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression of macrophage mannose receptor CD206/arginase-1 （Arg-1） and CD206/inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） was determined by double-labeling immunofluorescence， and mRNA expression of aortic Arg-1 and iNOS by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. ResultLevels of TG， TC， and LDL-C were significantly lower and HDL-C level was significantly higher in the GQL-Z， GQL-G， and western medicine groups than in the model group. As the concentration of GQL rose， the area with plaques gradually shrunk and the color became lighter. The staining areas of the GQL-G group and the western medicine group were the most scattered. The administration groups showed significant increase in the protein levels of Arg-1 and CD206， significant decrease in the protein level of iNOS， significant rise of Arg-1 mRNA level， and significant drop of iNOS mRNA level （P<0.05）. ConclusionGQL intervenes in the vulnerable plaques in AS by improving lipid metabolism， inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization， promoting macrophage M2 polarization， and further improving the inflammatory microenvironment.

Identification of Chemical Constituents in Bufei Jianpi Formula by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To identify and analyze the chemical constituents in Bufei Jianpi formula by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Method::An Agilent Poroshell SB-C18 column (4.6 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm) was used with a mobile phase system of 0.1% formic acid solution (A)-acetonitrile (B) for gradient elution (0-10 min, 3%B; 10-100 min, 3%-50%B; 100-120 min, 50%-100%B) under positive ion mode and water (A)-acetonitrile (B) for gradient elution (0-5 min, 3%B; 5-60 min, 3%-100%B) under negative ion mode, the flow rate was 0.6 mL·min-1, and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Mass spectrometric data were obtained under electrospray inoization (ESI) in positive and negative ion modes, the collection range was m/z 50-1 000.Agilent MassHunter Qualitative Analysis software was used to extract and match chromatographic peaks. Result::Combined with reference, related literature and database analysis, 95 compounds were identified by mass spectrometry information, including 41 flavonoids, 23 alkaloids, 12 lignans, 9 organic acids, and 10 other compounds. Conclusion::The chemical composition of Bufei Jianpi formula is complex, and the cracking rules of different components are different. Flavonoids are prone to deglycosylation, dehydration, Diels-Alder reaction (RDA) cleavage of the ring during lysis, and loss of some neutral molecules such as CO, CO2, CHO. Lignans has a substituent such as a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group or a methoxy group on the benzene ring, and it is easy to obtain a fragment ion which loses H2O or CO. The basic structure of organic acids is a phenolic hydroxyl group-substituted aromatic ring, acrylic acid, fatty acid or the like, this kind of compound is easy to lose H2O and COOH in negative ion mode, and it is easy to break at the carbonyl to form fragment ions. This established method is rapid, sensitive and accurate, which can quickly identify the chemical constituents in Bufei Jianpi formula and provide evidences for clarifying efficacy material base of this formula.

Discovery of quality markers of traditional Chinese medicine compounds and visualization technology of content-effect colour atla / 药学学报

The chemical composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds is complex, the treatment is broad, and the quality control indexes cannot accurately reflect the functional properties. According to the above problems, the authors take the research process of quality markers of Qizhiweitong granules as an example to innovate the research ideas and technical methods, and constructed five progressive steps of TCM compounds quality control and evaluation model: "based on function, to figure out the attending", "components and pharmacodynamics correlation, multiple components with multiple effects", "to analyze the components, and systematically integrate them", "spectrum and effect correlation, from a spectrum to see the efficiency", and "from the content-effect colour atla to see the quality". Based on the multiple effects of components, multiple components of multi-effect pharmacological efficacy evaluation system were established. All-time isobaric multiwavelength fusion fingerprint technology was improved and developed. "Spectrum-effect colour atla" software was research and developed for the first time, to realize the "visualization" of TCM efficacy. The aim of this work is to provide an exploratory solution for the integrated quality control of TCM compounds.

In Vitro Antitumor Bioactivity and GC-MS Analysis of Petroleum Ether Fraction of Boehmeria nivea Root / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To define the anti-gastric cancer activity in vitro of petroleum ether fraction of Boehmeria nivea root and reveal the material basis of its efficacy, so as to lay the foundation for the development and utilization of B. nivea root. Method:Methyl thiazolyl tetraolium(MTT) method was used to evaluate the inhibitory rate and time-dose relationship of petroleum ether fraction of B. nivea root with different doses and delivery times on human gastric cancer HGC-27 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the change of cell apoptosis and cell cycle after petroleum ether fraction of B. nivea root acted on human gastric cancer HGC-27 cells. GC-MS was used to detect the components of petroleum ether fraction of B. nivea root. Result:Experiment data showed significant cell proliferation inhibition in an obvious time-dose-effect manner, with statistically significant differences (PB. nivea root. The effect of petroleum ether fraction of B. nivea root on human gastric cancer HGC-27 cells could induce apoptosis,which affects the normal changes of cell cycle. The percentage of cells was decreased significantly in G0/G1 phase,and that in S phase was significantly increased. GC-MS was used to identify 26 chemical constituents in petroleum ether of B. nivea root,including sitosterol and stigmasterol. Conclusion:Petroleum ether fraction of B. nivea root is the active anti-gastric cancer part,and its main effective component is sterol compounds. This lays the foundation for the rational application of B. nivea root in clinic and the further research in tis anti-tumor effect.

Analysis of Pharmacological Effect of Total Tannins from Spatholobi Caulis on Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells by 3D Microfluidic Chip / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study on the chemical constituents of total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis,and to analyze the pharmacodynamics and mechanism of total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis on cervical cancer HeLa cells. Method:UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was used to qualitatively analyze the composition of total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis.The appropriate concentration and time of administration were screened by 3 dimensional(3D) microfluidic chip.Flow cytometry was used to determine the effect of total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis on the cell cycle and apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells and analyzed by FlowJo v10.0.7 and ModFit LT 3.2 software.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-A and Caspase-3 factors in cervical cancer HeLa cells supernatant treated with total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis. Result:Total of 15 components in total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis were identified or inferred.The low,medium and high dosages of total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis were 0.5,1.0, 2.0 g·L-1 and the best time of administration was 36 h.The proportions of early and late apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells increased significantly in the apoptosis analysis after being treated by total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis.The DNA synthesis early phase(G0/G1 phase) of cervical cancer HeLa cells significantly increased,and the DNA synthesis phase(S phase) and the DNA synthesis late phase(G2/M phase) reduced.After being treated with total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis,the expression of VEGF-A in cervical cancer HeLa cells supernatant was significantly decreased and the expression of Caspase-3 was significantly increased. Conclusion:Spatholobi Caulis is rich in tannins,which can significantly inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer HeLa cells and promote its apoptosis.This paper can provide the basis for further research of total tannins from Spatholobi Caulis.

Study of cancer cell apoptosis induced by Schizonepeta tenuifolia with microfluidic chip technology / 药学学报

This study was designed to elucidate the chemical composition and anti-cancer effects of Schizonepeta tenuifolia's ethanol extracts. Microfluidic technology was used in the study of Schizonepeta tenuifolia from 9 different geographic regions. The ethanol extracts were examined with HPLC to establish their Fingerprints in order to analyze the relationship between the spectrum and efficacy index through Grey Correlation software, and a rapid HPLC-Q-TOF/MS method was established. The result shows that chromatographic peaks of the 19, 6, 11, 16, 18th are the representative diosmetin, luteoloside, hesperidin, luteolin, and apigenin. The 10, 12, 20th peaks may be naringenin-7-O-glucuronide or quercitrin, rosmarinate or acetylcorynoline, and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,4-dimethoxy flavone. The major chemical composition of Schizonepeta tenuifolia was found to have the anti-lung-tumor effects. A new method was established for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on relationship between efficacy against lung cancer and different parts of Schizonepeta tenuifolia based on microfluidic chip technology / 中国中药杂志

In order to further clarify the rational use of different medicinal parts of Schizonepeta, microfluidic technology was used in this study to investigate the differences in drug efficacy against lung cancer in vitro. The ethanol extracts were examined with HPLC to establish their fingerprints in order to analyze the relationship between the spectrum and efficacy index through Grey Correlation software, and a rapid HPLC-Q-TOF/MS method was established. The result in vitro shows that the effect and components of different medicinal parts had a certain differences, and apoptosis and necrosis rate from big to small in turn is leaf, flower, root, stem. The chromatographic peaks of the 26, 12, 2, 6 and 15th are the luteolin, icynaroside, rosmarinic, caffeic acid, and hesperidin, while the 20 and 10th may be dan phenolic acid L and benzoic acid. On the one hand, preliminary study reflects that the root of Schizonepeta tenuifolia may be developed into the medicinal parts in future. On the other hand, the major chemical composition of S. tenuifolia was found to have the anti-lung-tumor effects. This new method was established for the quality control and the rational use of different parts of traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on chromatography-efficacy relationship of anti-inflammatory activity of qizhi weitong particle compound herbs with neural network and gray correlation method / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the chromatography-efficacy relation method for analyzing the anti-inflammatory activity of Qizhi Weitong particles, in order to lay a foundation for quality control and pharmacodynamic evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine compounds.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>On the basis of a full-time multi-wavelength fusion fingerprint of Qizhi Weitong particles, the latin hypercube sampling was used to divide six herbs in Qizhi Weitong particles into groups of different proportions to determine their inhibition ratios of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and NO released by LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. Pharmaeodynamic data and chemical information of HPLC fingerprints of each group were analyzed with the gray correlation method to get the anti-inflammatory effect of each chromatographic peak, and then fitted with BP neural network to establish the chromatography-efficacy relation.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There were 25 peaks closely related to the anti-inflammatory activity. With the 25 peaks as input items, the 3-BP network was adopted to establish the neural network model for anti-inflammatory effect of Qizhi Weitong particles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With an error of less than 7%, the model could better fit with the complicated non-linear relation of the compound, and applied in studying the chromatography-efficacy relation. In this study on the chromatography-efficacy relation, a new method is established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Qizhi Weitong particles. It is of practical significance as an effective approach for controlling quality and exploring the material basis for efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine compounds.</p>

Study on all-time multi-wavelength fusion fingerprint of Qizhiweitong granules and multi-component quantitative analysis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To control the quality of Qizhiweitong granules with the all-time multi-wavelength fusion fingerprint quantification as the major technique.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Agilent TC-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) chromatographic column was adopted, with 0.02% formic acid water-acetonitrile as the mobile phase for linear gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1), column temperature was 30 degrees C, and detector wavelength was 230, 254, 283 nm. Matlab was adopted for all-time multiple-wavelength fusion for data in dif format.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A good relationship was shown for albiflorin in 56.5-452 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), paeoniflorin in 107-856 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), licorice glycoside in 73.4-687 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), naringin in 109-872 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), neohesperidin in 48.0-384 mg L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), and glycyrrhizic acid in 38.6-308 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), with recoveries of 0.999 8.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is simple, accurate and highly reproducible, and can provide basis for quality control of Qizhiweitong granules.</p>