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In this study, rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry(REIMS) fingerprints of 388 samples of roots of Pulsatilla chinensis(PC) and its common counterfeits, roots of P. cernua and roots of Anemone tomentosa were analyzed based on REIMS combined with machine learning. The samples were determined by REIMS through dry burning, and the REIMS data underwent cluster analysis, similarity analysis(SA), and principal component analysis(PCA). After dimensionality reduction by PCA, the data were analyzed by similarity analysis and self-organizating map(SOM), followed by modeling. The results indicated that the REIMS fingerprints of the samples showed the characteristics of variety differences and the SOM model could accurately distinguish PC, P. cernua, and A. tomentosa. REIMS combined with machine learning algorithm has a broad application prospect in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
Subject(s)
Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Algorithms , Anemone , Machine LearningABSTRACT
The cis-emodin-emodin dianthrone (compound 1) and trans-emodin-emodin dianthrone (compound 2) were extracted from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The protective effect and mechanism of compound 1 and compound 2 (emodin-emodin dianthrones) on acute liver injury induced by concanavalin A (ConA) in ICR mice was first investigated. The results indicated that emodin-emodin dianthrones at 1 mg·kg-1 significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level (P < 0.05). Emodin-emodin dianthrones also improved liver histopathological damage in liver-injured mice. The level of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) mRNA in liver was significantly reduced by 1 mg·kg-1 of emodin-emodin dianthrones, while the level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) mRNA expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The protective activity of compounds 1 and 2 against hepatocyte injury was further evaluated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced hepatocyte injury. Compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited H2O2-induced hepatocyte injury and reduced the levels of ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in cell culture. Compounds 1 and 2 also significantly improved the cell survival rate and decreased H2O2-induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes. Compound 1 (0.5 µmol·L-1) significantly increased the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hepatocytes (P < 0.01), and 0.5 µmol·L-1 of compound 2 significantly decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased SOD enzyme activity, and glutathione (GSH) content (P < 0.01). Compounds 1 and 2 at 0.5 µmol·L-1 also inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis by increasing the protein expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax (P < 0.05) and decreasing the protein expression ratio of cleaved caspase-3 and pro caspase-3 (P < 0.05). This study indicates that the emodin-emodin dianthrones from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. have liver-protective activity. Compounds 1 and 2 exerted hepatoprotective effects by inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress. The study provides an important material basis for the hepatoprotective effect of commonly used amounts of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.
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In this paper， a comparative analysis is carried out on the policy of listed drugs in Australia， the policy of over-the-counter drugs in Japan， the policy related to the conversion of Chinese patent medicines to over-the-counter drugs， and the policy related to health food. The focus is on one of the possible situations for the registration of over-the-counter traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs）， namely new prescription-composed over-the-counter TCMs. This paper discussed separately from the three parts of the scope of Chinese medicinal materials in the prescription medicines， the scope of indications， and the technical requirements， in order to provide references for the technical requirements related to the registration of over-the-counter TCMs. Recommendations on the marketing and registration of new prescription-composed over-the-counter TCMs：①It is recommended to formulate a list of medicinal materials for the use of Chinese herbal medicines， and consider including raw materials of health food. On this basis， a batch of safe Chinese medicinal materials/decoction pieces was added. And consider dynamic supervision， such as allowing the addition or recall of Chinese medicinal materials/decoction pieces in the list of medicinal materials. ②The scope of indications is recommended to consider the scope of indications for the conversion of Chinese patent medicines to over-the-counter TCMs in China， and the selection of medium-risk indications can reflect the characteristics and advantages of TCM treatment. ③Efficacy evaluation needs to provide high-quality scientific evidence， including clinical research data， and consider relaxing the requirements for non-clinical pharmacodynamic trials.
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With the publication of Registration and Classification of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） and Application Data Requirements， the related management and technical documents of TCM with the same name and prescription need to be further studied and formulated. In this paper， the management mode and technical evaluation of TCM with the same name and prescription are discussed to provide reference for the formulation of management and technical documents of TCM with the same name and prescription. The issues to be discussed include which management mode to adopt， how to select the control drugs with the same name and prescription， whether the indication risk level should be divided， whether the indication should be limited to medium and low risk， and how to carry out the technical evaluation of similarity/consistency. From the perspective of technical document research and formulation， this paper mainly focuses on the technical level. However， there are still other theoretical possibilities in the management mode and technical evaluation of TCM with the same name and prescription. Therefore， this paper， as a preliminary summary of the management and technical evaluation of TCM with the same name and prescription， needs more scholars and industry experts to pay attention to and participate in this work.
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Objective:To establish ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） for simultaneous determination of six hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Verbenae Herba， and to carry out preliminary risk assessment according to the research results. Method:An ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column （2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.8 μm） was used for analysis with 0.05% formic acid and 2.5 mmol·L<sup>-1</sup> ammonium formate in water （A）-0.05% formic acid and 2.5 mmol·L<sup>-1</sup> ammonium formate in acetonitrile （B） as mobile phase for gradient elution （0-12 min， 3%-8%B； 12-25 min， 8%-15%B； 25-26 min， 15%-3%B； 26-30 min， 3%B）， the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min<sup>-1</sup>， the column temperature was 40 ℃， and the injection volume was 1 μL. MS system was operated by electrospray ionization （ESI） in the positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring mode. MS parameters of triple quadrupole and six analytes were optimized for qualitative and quantitative analysis. According to the determination results， the risk assessment was carried out by using margin of exposure （MOE） combined with transfer rate of hot water extraction. Result:Based on the instrument precision， linear range， repeatability， stability， recovery and other methodological validations， the results were in conformity with relevant standards of quantitative analysis. The linear ranges of intermedine， lycopsamine， intermedine <italic>N</italic>-oxide， lycopsamine<italic> N</italic>-oxide， echimidine<italic> N</italic>-oxide and echimidine were good （<italic>r</italic>≥0.999 0） between peak area and mass concentration in the ranges of 0.984-49.20， 0.994-49.70， 1.012-50.60， 1.032-51.60， 1.004-50.20， 1.016-50.80 µg·L<sup>-1</sup>， respectively. The average recoveries of these six analytes were 87.2%-94.2% with relative standard deviation （RSD）<4.0%. Their MOE values were >10 000. Conclusion:The UPLC-MS/MS established in this study is stable and feasible， which can provide scientific basis for the quality control and safety evaluation of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Verbenae Herba.
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Objective:To conduct quality evaluation of Ginkgo Folium preparations by analyzing the national evaluation sampling test results， analyze the quality differences， and put forward suggestions for the improvement of quality standards and market supervision. Method:The contents of total flavonol glycosides and terpene lactones in Ginkgo Folium tablets and Ginkgo Folium capsules were determined according to the methods of determination in the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia （the first volume）， and the contents of free flavonoids （quercetin， kaempferide and isorhamnetin） and sophoricoside in Ginkgo Folium preparations were determined according to related supplementary testing method of Ginkgo Folium tablets and Ginkgo Folium capsules issued by National Medical Products Administration. The quality differences of Ginkgo Folium preparations from different batches and different manufacturers were compared according to the contents of total flavonol glycosides， terpene lactones， free flavonoids and sophoricoside in 328 batches of Ginkgo Folium tablets and Ginkgo Folium capsules manufactured by 48 enterprises. Result:Quality of 328 batches of Ginkgo Folium tablets and Ginkgo Folium capsules was in accordance with the standard， but the contents of terpene lactones and total flavonol glycosides were all distributed in a wide range， and the quality of samples varied greatly among different enterprises. Conclusion:It is recommended that each enterprise should optimize the production process and strictly control the raw materials to ensure the consistency between different batches of samples.
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In this study, data of amino acids of Cordyceps samples from Qinghai and Tibet was analyzed with self-organizing map neural network. A model of XY-Fused network was established with the content of 8 major amino acids and total amino acids for the identification of geographical origins of Cordyceps from Qinghai and Tibet. It had the prediction accuracy of 83.3% for the test set. In addition, data mining indicated that methionine was a special kind of amino acid in Cordyceps which could serve as a marker to identify its geographical origins. On this basis, the content ratio of methionine to total amino acids was proposed to be a quantifiable indicator to distinguish Cordyceps from Qinghai and Tibet.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids , Cordyceps/genetics , Geography , Neural Networks, Computer , TibetABSTRACT
This study aims to develop a UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of six pyrrolizidine alkaloids(PAs)--intermedine N-oxide(ImNO), lycopsamine N-oxide(LyNO), seneciphylline(Sp), seneciphylline N-oxide(SpNO), senecionine N-oxide(SnNO), and senkirkine(Sk) in different parts of Emilia sonchifolia. UPLC conditions are as follows: ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm), mobile phase consisting of 0.05% formic acid and 2.5 mmol·L~(-1) ammonium formate in water(A)-0.05% formic acid and 2.5 mmol·L~(-1) ammonium formate in acetonitrile(B) for gradient elution. MS conditions are as below: electrospray ionization(ESI) in the positive ion mode, multiple reaction monitoring(MRM), and the content of the six PAs was calculated with the external standard method. The results suggested the differences in the six PAs among different parts of E. sonchifolia. Sk was detected in all the four parts, with similar content. SnNO also existed in all the four parts, but the content in roots was significantly higher than that in other parts. Sp and SpNO were found in both roots and flowers, with the content higher in the former than in the later. ImNO and LyNO were only found in leaves, and the content was low. Among the six components detected, ImNO, LyNO, and SpNO were found and determined for the first time, which enriched the toxic components and laid a scientific basis for the quality and safety evaluation of E. sonchifolia.
Subject(s)
Asteraceae , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Chromatography, Liquid , Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids , Tandem Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
A determination method for bilirubin in cultured cow-bezoar was developed in this study, with which the bilirubin in 15 batches of samples was quantified. The samples were first processed with 10% oxalic acid solution for the conversion of bilirubin from conjugated to unconjugated, followed by the extraction with dichloromethane. Then the obtained sample solutions were analyzed at 450 nm by HPLC[chromatographic column: Agilent TC-C_(18)(4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm); mobile phase: acetonitrile and 1% glacial acetic acid aqueous solution(95∶5); flow rate: 1.0 mL·min~(-1)]. The bilirubin content in the 15 batches of cultured cow-bezoar was ranged from 21.9% to 41.7% with the average of 32.4%. The proposed method is accurate and reliable, thus making it suitable for the quantitation of bilirubin in cultured cow-bezoar and its quality assessment and control.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Female , Bezoars , Bilirubin , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drugs, Chinese HerbalABSTRACT
This study aimed to establish a method for positioning six chromatographic peaks occurred in HPLC profile of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. The "liner calibration with two reference substances" (LCTRS) method was used to calculate the retention time so as to assist in positioning of chromatographic peaks in terms of the prediction accuracy of retention time and the coincidence rate of chromatographic column. A total of 24 C18 chromatographic columns from different brands and types available were used to determine the retention times of six components in Gastrodiae Rhizoma, then the average retention time of each component was obtained as standard retention time (SRT). Parishin E (peak 3) and Parishin A (peak 6) were simultaneously taken as reference substance to forecast the retention time of the other four components by using the LCTRS method. Four different C18 columns were employed to verify the method. Meanwhile, for the purpose of comparison, the relative retention time (RRT) method was applied to forecast the retention time, by using Parishin E as the single reference substance. The comparison between LCTRS and RRT methods indicated that the former was more accurate in predicting the retention time and more applicable in utilization of chromatographic columns. This study demonstrated that the LCTRS method shows the superior performance in positioning of chromatographic peak, and therefore has a good prospect of application.
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This paper reviews modern science and technology with regard to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research methods, quality control, and discusses the establishment and improvement of the evaluation system for TCM, focusing on the following issues: 1) How to incorporate the efficacy of TCM in the overall evaluation of TCM quality; 2) how to quantify the efficacy and properties of TCM; 3) how to understand the correlation between the efficacy and properties of TCM and its application; 4) how to reflect the specificity of the effective components in the overall evaluation of TCM quality; and 5) how to reflect the quality value transfer of effective components in the whole process of production and metabolism in vivo to the overall evaluation of TCM quality. The overall quality evaluation of TCM needs to better reflect its clinically safety and effectiveness. It is suggested to establish a clinical quality assessment method based on the content of the chemical components of TCM to explore and establish an overall evaluation method of TCM quality that reflects the efficacy of TCM and conforms with clinical practice.
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To analyze quality standards of cattle bile and sheep bile, and to discuss the related problems in the standards. The results showed that physical forms of the related medicinal materials of cattle bile and sheep bile were chaotic, and the technical methods adopted in the quality standards were generally backward. In addition, there were still problems that some medicinal material standards lacked necessary test items, which were especially obvious in the relevant medicinal material standards of sheep bile and brought difficulties to quality evaluation and control. We suggest that physical forms of cattle bile and sheep bile in quality standards should be determined, and inspection items should be completed. Based on mainstream analytical technology, some technical methods of these standards should be improved.
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Animals , Cattle , Bile , Reference Standards , Sheep , SteroidsABSTRACT
Heavy metals and other harmful elements in traditional Chinese medicines inflict serious damage on public health. Therefore, risk assessment of Chinese raw materials has gained increasing attention. To date, few reports have been published on the health risk assessment of heavy metals and harmful elements in Chinese patent medicines. To gain a comprehensive understanding of heavy metals and other harmful elements in Chinese patent medicines and to establish proper limits, residual Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cu and Cr in 15 054 samples of 295 drugs was analyzed with regard to distribution and variation between elements and dosage forms. In addition, in accord with procedures including hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization, basic procedures and specific parameters for risk assessment of heavy metals and harmful elements in Chinese patent medicines were clarified based on the health risk assessment of 14 787 samples and 276 drugs. A method and equation for establishing residual limits is proposed. The results show that content and target hazard quotients (THQs) of the investigated elements in all samples showed a skewed distribution approaching 0. Content of Pb, As, Cu, Hg, Cd or Cr in the samples exceeded 100 mg·kg-1 and the content of Pb, As, or Cu in individual samples exceeded 1 000 mg·kg-1. THQs of 586 samples and four drugs were above 1. We believe that the health risk of Hg, Pb and As in Chinese patent medicines with dosage forms of pill, capsule, tablet and powder, especially those in raw powder preparations, warrant concern.
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In this study, we aimed to establish a rat liver micro-tissue evaluation system to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of the main monomers in Polygonum multiflorum. Rat primary hepatocytes were isolated and purified by two-step in situ perfusion method to prepare hepatic parenchymal cells. The ultra-low adsorption plate and the inverted model were used to establish an in vitro hepatotoxicity evaluation system. After the system was established, the main monomer components(monanthone with emodin type, rhein, emodin, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, physcion) of P. multiflorum were selected for in vitro hepatotoxicity evaluation. This study showed that the primary cells of the liver can form liver micro-tissues in the low adsorption plate method and the mold perfusion method, with good liver structure and function, which can be used to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of the drug to be tested after long-term administration. The five monomers to be tested in P. multiflorum can significantly affect the proliferation of primary liver micro-tissues in rats in a dose-and time-dependent manner. The hepatotoxic effects were as follows: monanthone with emodin type > rhein > emodin > emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside > physcion. The results suggested that the emodin-type monoterpene and rhein might be the potential hepatotoxic components, while the metabolites of emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside and emodin methyl ether showed more toxic risks. The rat primary hepatocyte micro-tissue model system established in this experiment could be used to achieve long-term drug administration in vitro, which was consistent with the clinical features of liver injury caused by long-term use of P. multiflorum. The experimental results provided important information and reference on the clinical application and toxic component of P. multiflorum.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Emodin , Fallopia multiflora , Glucosides , Plant Extracts , PolygonumABSTRACT
Objective::To establish the quality control method for multi-index content determination and fingerprint of salvianolic acids. Method::Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5μm) column was adopted, with 0.1%formic acid-water as mobile phase A and 0.1%formic acid-acetonitrile as mobile phase B for gradient elution (0-30 min, 20%-21.5%B; 30-35 min, 21.5%-25%B; 35-45 min, 25%-40%B; 45-50 min, 40%-95%B). The column temperature was set at 30 ℃, the flow rate was set at 1 mL·min-1, and the detection wavelength was set at 288 nm. Relative correction factors of caffeic acid, salvianolic acid E, rosmarinic acid, lithosperic acid, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid Y were determined by the concentration method. The content of each indicator component of the reference extract of salvianolic acid polyphenolic acid was determined and compared with the results of the monomer reference substance by the external standard method. At the same time, the fingerprint method was established. and the similarity evaluation was carried out on 10 batches of extracts. Result::Caffeic acid, salvianolic acid E, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid Y had a good linear relationship within the respective detection mass concentration ranges (r>0.999 9). The injection precision RSD was 0.1%-1.2%, the reproducible RSD was 1.2%-1.6%, and the recovery of the six components was 82.03%-98.68%. The stability of each component in the sample solution was good within 36 h. The relative correction factors for each indicator component were determined to be caffeic acid (2.92), salvianolic acid E (1.10), rosmarinic acid (1.61), lithosperic acid (1.07), salvianolic acid B (1.00), salvianolic acid Y (0.83). The effects of different methods, concentrations, instruments, columns, wavelengths were investigated, and the measured relative correction factors were found to be suitable. The results of the calibration factor method and the monomer standard reference substance method were less different. The HPLC fingerprints of the reference extract of salvianolic acids were established, and five common characteristic peaks were determined. The chromatographic peaks were confirmed according to the reference substance. The similarity of the fingerprints of the 10 batches of extracts was higher, and the quality difference was smaller. Conclusion::The multi-index content determination method and the fingerprint method established in this study are simple, rapid, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for quality control of Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma polyphenolic acid reference extract.
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Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the content of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in earthworms. A physiologically-based extraction test (PBET) digestion in vitro /MDCK cell model was established to investigate the bioaccessibility of Cd and As in earthworms. The hazard index (HI) method and the margin of exposure (MOE) method were used to assess the risks of the total content and the bioaccessible content of Cd and As. The results showed that the total content of Cd and As in six batches of earthworms ranged from 8.319 to 33.606 mg·kg-1 and from 0.532 to 16.412 mg·kg-1, respectively. After uptake by MDCK cells, the bioaccessibility of Cd in earthworms ranged from 10.13% to 64.16%, and the bioaccessibility of As was from 2.72% to 46.57%. The results of risk assessment showed that before uptake by MDCK cells, the MOE values of As and HI values of Cd for all batches of earthworms were greater than 1, which suggests that the risks of As are acceptable but the risks of Cd are unacceptable. After transportation by MDCK cells, except for one batch of earthworms, the HI values of Cd in the other five batches were less than 1, which suggests that the risks are at a safe level. This study provides important technical support for a more objective and scientific assessment of the health risks of heavy metals in traditional Chinese medicines, and for a more scientific and reasonable standard limit of heavy metals.
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Objective: To establish an high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of four constituents in Niuhuang Qingwei pill (narirutin,naringin,hesperidin,and neohesperidin), and identify the source of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. Method: The analysis was performed on a Waters CORTECS C18 column (4.6 mm×50 mm,2.7 μm), with acetonitrile-0.12% formic acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.5 mL·min-1, the detection wavelength was set at 283 nm, and the column temperature was 27℃. Result: 12 batches of Niuhuang Qingwei pills showed the different content of flavonoids as Citrus aurantium and C. sinensis. Narirutin,naringin,hesperidin and neohesperidin showed good linear relationships within the ranges of 5.47-2 735 ng (r=0.999 6),7.25-3 625 ng (r=0.999 5),8.41-4 205 ng (r=0.999 4) and 8.36-4 180 ng (r=0.999 5),and their average recoveries were 101.3% (n=6,RSD 2.9%),98.0% (n=6,RSD 1.8%),95.9% (n=6,RSD 0.8%) and 96.0% (n=6,RSD 1.1%), respectively. The contents of narirutin,naringin,hesperidin,neohesperidin and total flavonoids were 0.36-1.28,2.66-4.87,1.02-11.07,3.58-6.41,and 7.98-13.34 mg·g-1, respectively. Conclusion: The developed method was simple,accurate and reliable,which can be used to identify the source of Aurantii Immaturus Fructus and simultaneously determine the content of four flavonoids in Niuhuang Qingwei pills. It could provide basic research for quality control and composition comparison of 2 kinds of Niuhuang Qingwei pills, showing more comprehensive indicators and reference value for the quality standard improvement of Niuhuang Qingwei pill.
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The overall quality status of Chinese patent medicines is summarized by analysis of the evaluation results of Chinese patent medicines. The factors affecting the quality of Chinese patent medicines were summarized and analyzed. Rationalization suggestions were provided about herb planting, decoction pieces processing, market circulation, production control and standards control.
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Consistency in quality of traditional Chinese medicine granules is an important factor to ensure reproducible clinical efficacy. In this study rhubarb dispensing granules were utilized to construct an efficacious near-infrared spectroscopy (eNIRS) assay by combining NIRS and biopotency. A NIR method for assaying rhubarb dispensing particles was established, and information on different batches was collected. The diarrhea-inducing biopotency of rhubarb dispensing granules was determined based on a constipation model induced by diphenoxylate in mice. The animal protocol was approved by the Animal Ethic Committee of 302 Hospital of Chinese PLA People's Liberation Army (ID: IACUC-2019-0010). Ten anthraquinones were determined in rhubarb dispensing granules by UPLC. The correlation between NIR and biopotency was analyzed and five characteristic bands that correlated highly with bioactivity were identified, including 4 011-4 390, 4 859-5 461, 7 012-7 493, 10 992-11 312 and 11 871-12 489 cm-1. There were some differences in the main bands of different chemical constituents. In summary, five active bands based on NIRS were identified and found to be able to achieve rapid on-line detection of rhubarb dispensing granule quality. This research model may also provide reference for quality control of other Chinese medicine dispensing granules.
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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.