Establishment of quality evaluation model of material foundation-efficacy- bioactivity of Pinelliae Rhizoma / 中草药

Objective To establish the quality evaluation model of material foundation-efficacy-bioactivity of Pinelliae Rhizoma by investigating the relationships between the total organic acids of Pinelliae Rhizoma and the antitussive effect, the HPLC fingerprint of total organic acid and the antitussive effect, the total organic acids and the antitussive potency, respectively. Methods The content of total organic acids in Pinelliae Rhizoma was determined by potentiometric titration. The total organic acid fingerprints were established by HPLC. The cough relieving effect was studied by the concentrated ammonia water cough model, and the spectral-effect relationship between total organic acids and antitussive effect was established by the grey correlation analysis. Based on the mice concentrated ammonia water cough model, the determination method of the cough potency of Pinelliae Rhizoma was established. The correlation among the total organic acids, the antitussive effect and the antitussive potency was analyzed by SPSS 18.0 Software. Results The total organic acids of Pinelliae Rhizoma had a significant inhibitory effect on mice cough induced by concentrated ammonia. The antitussive effect was enhanced with the increase of the content of total organic acids. In the HPLC chromatogram, the chemical components represented by chromatographic peaks of 4, 6 (succinic acid), and 12 showed a strong correlation with the antitussive effect. The cough efficacy mean value of ten batches of Pinelliae Rhizoma was (753.72 ± 58.18) U/g. Combined with the quantitative analysis of total organic acids, there was a significant positive correlation between them, showing an increase in the antitussive efficacy with an increase of the content of total organic acids. Conclusion This study not only revealed the material foundation of the anti-tussive effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma, but also clarified the correlation among total organic acids, antitussive effect and bioactivity. Finally, it can improve the quality standards of Pinelliae Rhizoma and provide a scientific basis for the construction of a new model for quality control of Pinelliae Rhizoma.

Bioassay of antiplatelet aggregation bioactivity in Chuanxiong Rhizoma with related Chinese patent drugs / 中草药

Objective: To develop a bioassay method to quantify the antiplatelet aggregation bioactivity (AAB) of crude Chuanxiong Rhizoma, decotion pieces, and its Chinese patent medicine for quality assessment. Methods: Chuanxiong Rhizoma sample was extracted in water by reflux. The level of AAB in extract was quantified in vitro. The blood was taken from the heart of rabbit. The platelet aggregating in platelet-rich plasma was induced by adenosine-5'-diphosphate disodium salt. The ratio of platelet inhibition was chosen as AAB marker. Sodium ferulate was a reference. The amount of AAB in aqueous extract was quantified by the Amount reaction of parallel line analysis (2.2) method. The AAB data of herbal sample was calculated by combining the AAB of extract with its extraction rate. Moreover, AAB amounts were quantified in the eight samples including crude Chuanxiong Rhizoma, decoction pieces, and Chinese patent medicines to verify this developed method. Results: Both sodium ferulate and Chuanxiong extract showed significant AAB (P < 0.01). The reliability test for quantifying AAB in solidum ferulate and Chuanxiong Rhizoma extract was passed through, and the measured value was valid. The correlation coefficient was 0.993 4 (n = 4) between the amounts of solidum ferulate in the concentration range of 15-60 mg/mL and their ratios of platelet inhibition. The RSD for the amounts of AAB was 3.43% (n = 6) by six replicated tests with the confidence limit rate of 23.90% (n = 6). The AAB amounts were significantly different among tested samples, i.e. 3.183, 2.068, 1.957, and 1.931 U/g for four Chuanxiong Rhizoma crude samples, 1.304 and 1.021 U/g for Chuanxiong Rhizoma decotion pieces and processed slice with yellow wine, 0.506 and 0.919 U/g for Suxiao Jiuxin Pills and Lemai Granule. Conclusion: The developed method can accurately quantify the level of AAB in Chuanxiong Rhizoma crude, decoction pieces, and Chinese patent medicines, which can be used to assess the product quality of Chuanxiong Rhizoma.

Methodological study on quality evaluation of crude and processed Pinelliae Rhizoma based on antitussive bioassay / 中草药

Objective: To establish a method for determining the antitussive effects of Pinelliae Rhizoma (Pinelliae ternate), Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Alumine, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Zingibere et Alumine, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum and Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Glycyrrhizae et Alumine, and provide a scientific basis for constructing a new quality evaluation pattern of crude and processed P. ternate. Methods: Antitussive bioassay for crude and processed Pinelliae Rhizoma was established by taking parallel line quantitative analysis method, based on mouse cough model induced by strong aqua ammoniac. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the levels of different total organic acids and antitussive bioassay. Results: The results showed that antitussive bioassay increased after prepared. Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Glycyrrhizae et Alumine had the highest antitussive bioassay (2105.59 U/g), followed by Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Alumine and Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Zingibere et Alumine; Pinelliae Rhizoma demonstrated the lowest antitussive bioassay which was only 1/3 of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Glycyrrhizae et Alumine. The antitussive bioassay increased when the content of total organic acids was growing, presenting a significant positive correlation, R2 among them ranged from 0.6920 to 0.9178. Conclusion: The method is stable, precise, and good for determining the antitussive bioassay of crude and processed Pinelliae Rhizoma. It can be used in quality evaluation and quality standard and provide a scientific basis for the quality control of Chinese materia medica.

Iron bioavailability in Wistar rats fed with fortified rice by Ultra Rice® technology with or without addition of yacon flour (Smallanthus sonchifolius) / Biodisponibilidad de hierro en ratas Wistar alimentadas con arroz fortificado por medio de la tecnología Ultra Rice® con o sin adición de harina de yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius).

This study aimed to evaluate iron (Fe) bioavailability in Wistar rats fed with rice fortified with micronized ferric pyrophosphate (FP) by Ultra Rice® (UR) technology with or without addition of yacon flour as a source of 7.5% of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Diets were supplied with 12 mg iron/kg from the following sources: ferrous sulfate (FS - control diet), fortified rice with micronized ferric pyrophosphate (Ultra Rice®) (UR diet), ferrous sulfate + yacon flour (FS + Y diet) or Ultra Rice® + yacon flour (UR + Y diet). Blood samples were collected at the end of depletion and repletion stages for determination of hemoglobin concentration and calculation of the relative biological value (RBV). Also, the content of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (acetic, propionic and butyric acids) from animals’ stools and caecum weight were determined. The UR diet showed high iron bioavailability (RBV = 84.7%). However, the addition of yacon flour in the diet containing fortified rice (UR + Y diet) decreased RBV (63.1%) significantly below the other three groups (p<0.05). Groups that received yacon flour showed higher acetic acid values compared to those who did not. In conclusion, fortified UR® with micronized ferric pyrophosphate showed high iron bioavailability but the addition of yacon flour at 7.5% FOS reduced iron bioavailability despite increased caecum weight and SCFA concentration.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la biodisponibilidad de hierro (Fe) en ratas Wistar alimentadas con arroz fortificado con pirofosfato férrico micronizado por medio de la tecnología Ultra Rice® (UR®), con o sin adición de harina de yacón. Las dietas contenían 12 mg de hierro/kg a partir de las siguientes fuentes: sulfato ferroso (SF - dieta de control), Ultra Rice® (dieta UR®), sulfato ferroso + harina de yacón (dieta SF + Y) o Ultra Rice® + harina de yacón (dieta UR® + Y). Al final del estudio, se recogieron muestras de sangre para la determinación de la concentración de hemoglobina y el cálculo del valor biológico relativo (RBV). También se determinó el contenido de ácidos grasos de cadena corta (AGCC) (ácidos acético, propiónico y butírico) en las heces de los animales. La dieta UR® mostró alta biodisponibilidad de hierro (RBV = 84,7%). Sin embargo, la adición de harina de yacón en la dieta que contenía arroz fortificado (dieta UR® + Y) disminuyó el RBV (63,1%) (p <0,05). Los grupos que recibieron harina de yacón mostraron los valores más altos de ácido acético en comparación con aquellos que no recibieron. En conclusión, el arroz fortificado con pirofosfato férrico micronizado por medio de la tecnología UR® mostró alta biodisponibilidad de hierro. La adición de harina de yacón, con el fin de proporcionar 7,5% de fructooligosacáridos (FOS) en la dieta, causó aumento del peso del ciego y de la concentración de AGCC, aunque disminuyó la biodisponibilidad de hierro.

Distribución latitudinal y batimétrica de las especies más abundantes y frecuentes en la fauna acompañante del camarón del Golfo de California, México

Latitudinal and bathymetric distribution of the most abundant and frequent species in the shrimp bycatch from the Gulf of California, Mexico. The Gulf of California is one of the most mega-diverse regions in the world, for which few fishery information is available. We present here latitudinal and bathymetric distribution of the most abundant and frequent bycatch species from the Gulf of California. The samples were obtained from a total of 111 hauls taken during seven research cruises of the closed shrimp season (2002-2005-2007), and also, from research cruises made at depths up to 90m. Due to the high variety species in this experimental shrimp bycatch, only those with highest biological value index (BVI) were selected. A total of fifteen species had the highest BVI and represented about 60% of the total abundance. A total of 16 508 organisms were analyzed, representing 243 fish, crustacean, mollusk and echinoderm species. Fish were the most abundant, being the most frequent species: Urobatis halleri, Synodus scituliceps, Diplectrum pacificum, Haemulopsis nitidus and Eucinostomus argenteus. A wide latitudinal distribution of these species along the study area, as well as a bathymetric distribution from 9 to 67m depth, was observed. Two of these species were found at 325m depth. Due to the wide bathymetric distribution obtained, total abundances and sizes for each species by depth strata should be determined, and one can assume that deeper than 25m, the capture of these species decreases, and these areas can be used as natural repopulation areas, for depths where they are mainly captured by the commercial shrimp fishery. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 255- 267. Epub 2011 March 01.

El Golfo de California es una de las regiones más mega diversas en el mundo, del cual poca información pesquera está disponible. Aquí se presenta la distribución latitudinal y batimétrica de las especies más abundantes y frecuentes en la fauna acompañante del camarón del Golfo de California. Las muestras fueron obtenidas de un total de 111 lances provenientes de siete cruceros en época de veda del camarón (2002-2005- 2007) y prospecciones realizadas a profundidades mayores a los 90m. Debido al gran número de especies en esta fauna asociada al camarón, se eligieron las que presentaron el índice de valor biológico (IVB) más alto. Las 15 especies con IVB más alto representaron el 60% de la abundancia total. Un total de 16 508 organismos fueron analizados representando 243 especies entre peces, crustáceos, moluscos y equinodermos. El grupo de los peces fue el más abundante, siendo las más abundantes y frecuentes: Urobatis halleri, Synodus scituliceps, Diplectrum pacificum, Haemulopsis nitidus y Eucinostomus argenteus. Se observó una amplia distribución latitudinal de estas especies a lo largo del área de estudio y una distribución batimétrica desde los 9 hasta los 67m de profundidad. Dos de ellas se distribuyeron hasta los 325m. Debido a esta amplia distribución batimétrica, se hace necesario determinar las abundancias totales y tallas por estrato de profundidad para cada especie, ya que a profundidades mayores de 25m la captura de éstas puede ser más baja y pueden servir como áreas de repoblación natural para las profundidades donde son capturadas principalmente por la flota camaronera comercial.

Qualidade protéica da dieta consumida por pré-escolares de uma creche de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

The protein quality of a diet supplied to kindergarten students at one school in Manaus Amazonas, was evaluated experimentally using Wistar rats. The indexes used to evaluate it were: Chemical Computing, Protein Efficiency Ratio, Net Protein Ratio, Coefficient of Apparent Digestiblity and Protein Digestibility Corrected by Aminoacid Scores. From the chemical and biological point of view, the protein of the tested diet showed lower quality than standard (casein base). Is shows that it is necessary to change or to improve the diet provided to kindergarder to guarantee the essencial aminoacid requirements for their development.

A qualidade protéica da dieta consumida por pré-escolares de uma creche de Manaus (AM) foi avaliada por meio de ensaio experimental com ratos machos da linhagem Wistar, recém-desmamados, por um período de 14 dias. Os índices utilizados foram: Cômputo Químico (CQ), Coeficiente de Eficácia Protéica (CEP), Razão Protéica Líquida (RPL), Coeficiente de Digestibilidade Aparente (CDap) e Digestibilidade Protéica Corrigida pelo Escore Aminoacídico (PDCAAS). Do ponto de vista químico e biológico, a proteína da dieta testada apresentou qualidade inferior à ração padrão à base de caseína, mas ao compará-la com a ração aprotéica, apresentou melhor resultado. Isso indica a necessidade de melhoria na formulação dos cardápios fornecidos, objetivando garantir a oferta adequada de todos os aminoácidos essenciais ao crescimento e desenvolvimento das crianças.