Species differences of Baishouwu based on characteristic chromatogram and content determination of acetophenones / 药学实践杂志

Objectives To provide scientific basis for the quality control of different species of Baishouwu by establishing the HPLC fingerprint of domestic of Baishouwu and determining the main active components of acetophenones. Methods HPLC-DAD method was used to determine the HPLC fingerprints of domestic of Baishouwu. Then, the content of 4 kinds of acetophenones in Baishouwu was determined. The column was Diamonsil C18（250mm×4.6mm, 5μm）with the mobile phase of methanol and 0.1% phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The detection wavelength of p-Hydroxyl acetophenone, baishouwu benzophenone, 2',4'-Dihydroxy acetophenone was set at 260 nm and 2',5'-Dihydroxy acetophenone at 280 nm respectively. Results The similarity and cluster analysis in HPLC fingerprint showed that the constituents were significantly different among C. bungei, C. auriculatum and C. wilfordii. The content of total acetophenones in C. wilfordii was significantly higher than that in other localities of C. auriculatum and C. bungei. Conclusions Acetophenone could be used as the evaluation index to evaluate the quality of Baishouwu in different origins. The content of total acetophenone in C. wilfordii is the highest, which could be used as the best quality resource of Baishouwu.

Effects of total C-21 steroidal glycosides from Baishouwu on proliferation invasion and apoptosis of human hepatic cancer HepG2 cells / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of total C-21 steroidal glycoside (TCSG) from Baishouwu on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and the relevant molecular mechanism. The experiment was divded into control group, TCSG groups (25, 60, 150 mg·L⁻¹) and positive control cisplatin group (1.33 mg·L⁻¹). Human hepatocyte L-02 cells and hepatoma HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of TCSG. Then, the inhibitory effect of TCSG on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was detected by CCK-8 method. Cell cycle, cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The apoptotic morphology was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Cell migration and invasion abilities were analyzed by Transwell chamber model. The protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3 and Cyt C (cytosolchondrial) were detected by Western blot. Compared with the control group, the proliferation of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited after treatment with different concentrations of TCSG for 48 h in a dose-dependent manner(<0.01), but no obvious effect was observed on the proliferation of L-02 cells. After treatment with TCSG for 48 h, apoptotic morphology such as nuclear shrinkage, fragmentation and semilunar or circular was observed; migration and invasion abilities of cells were significantly decreased, cell cycle was blocked in the G₀/G₁ phase(<0.01), mitochondrial membrane potential was remarkably decreased(<0.01), and so did the ratio of apoptosis(<0.01).Western blot results showed that the protein expressions of Bax, caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3, and Cyt C were significantly up-regulated(<0.05, <0.01), while the Bcl-2 protein was significantly down-regulated(<0.05, <0.01). Furthermore, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased (<0.01). The results suggested that TCSG could inhibit the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells, and induce the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. The potential mechanism may be related to the blocking of cell cycle and the regulation of the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins by activating mitochondrial pathway.

Bencao literature investigation of Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu) / 中国中药杂志

Heshouwu, derived from the root of Polygonum multiflorum (=Fallopia multiflora), is widely used in the Chinese medicine market as a traditional tonic. The emergence of heshouwu material with a human shape reflects a pursuit of its supplementing effects. However, reports of Heshouwu toxicity have repeatedly surfaced in recent years, attracting widespread concern. To clarify the situation surrounding the safety and efficacy of Heshouwu, this research utilizes a systematic review of the text and illustrations in historical bencao (materia medica) literature to investigate the origin, botanical characteristics, actions and processing of Heshouwu, as well as the origin and historical evolution of Baishouwu ("white Heshouwu").

Research Progress of Baishouwu in the Last Decade / 中国中医药信息杂志

Baishouwu is a traditional tonic Chinese medicinal herb which is rich in Shandong, Liaoning and Jiangsu Privences. Baishouwu mainly contains steroids, polysaccharose, acetophenone, and essential oil, with the efficacy of nourishing liver and kidney, tonifying essence and blood, blackening the beard and hair, and prolonging life. This article retrieved relevant literature in the last decade about biological study, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Baishouwu, with a purpose to provide a scientific basis for its rational researches and development.

A New Steroidal Glycoside from Roots of Cynanchum auriculatum / 中草药·英文版

Objective To study the chemical constituents of Cynanchum auriculatum. Methods Two steroidal glycosides were purified by column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Results and Conclusion Compound 1 is a new steroidal glycoside, named kidjoranin-3-O-β-D-cymaropyranoside. Compound 2 is isolated from this plant for the first time.