Research progress in tigliane-type macrocyclic diterpenoids / 中国中药杂志

Tigliane type macrocyclic diterpenoids with special structures and diverse bioactivities are mainly extracted from plants of Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae. According to the different functional groups, they can be classified into types of phorbol esters, C-4 deoxyphorbol esters, C-12 deoxyphorbol esters, C-16 or C-17 substituted phorbol esters and others. Most of them present promising antiviral activities and cytotoxic activities and are expected to be developed as candidates for anti-AIDS, anti-tuberculosis, and anti-tumor clinical trials, demonstrating great potential for the application in healthcare. This paper reviews 115 novel tigliane-type diterpenoids discovered since 2013 and summarize their chemical structures and bioactivities, aiming to lay a foundation for further development and utilization of these compounds and provide new ideas for the development of clinical drugs.

Structural characterization of PCP-Ⅰ from Poria as vaccine adjuvant and its hydrolytic oligosaccharide / 中国中药杂志

Poria is an important medical herb in clinic. The authors isolated a polysaccharide(PCP-Ⅰ) from Poria in previous studies, which is composed of galactose, mannose, fucose and glucose. PCP-Ⅰ exhibited significant adjuvant effects on H1N1 influenza vaccine, hepatitis B surface antigen and anthrax protective antigen, and its adjuvant activity was stronger than aluminium adjuvant. However, little is known about the chemical structure of PCP-Ⅰ at present. In this study, weak acid hydrolysis was used to obtain the backbone oligosaccharide of PCP-Ⅰ. Then periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were performed to investigate the chemical structural features of PCP-Ⅰ and its hydrolytic oligosaccharide(PCP-Ⅰ-hy-1). These results suggested that the backbone of PCP-Ⅰ was composed of galactose with α anomeric carbon and β anomeric carbon. The linking residues of galactan are(1→),(l→6) and(1→2,6).

New dibenzoxocin derivatives from Caesalpinia decapetala / 中国中药杂志

The present study investigated the chemical constituents of Caesalpinia decapetala in the Fabaceae family. The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by chromatographies with silica gel, RP-C_(18), Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC, and their structures were determined based on the spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties, as well as relevant references. Three pairs of new dibenzoxocin derivatives were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of C. decapetala and identified as protosappanoside A(1 a), isoprotosappanoside A(1 b), protosappanoside B(2 a), isoprotosappanoside B(2 b), protosappanoside C(3 a), and isoprotosappanoside C(3 b), respectively.

Research progress on sesquiterpenes and its pharmacological activities in genus Carpesium / 中国中药杂志

The genus Carpesium plants contain many kinds of sesquiterpenes. Up to now, more than 201 sesquiterpene compounds have been isolated and identified, including 86 germacranolides, 30 eudesmanolides, 29 guaianolides, 23 sesquiterpene dimers, 9 pseudoguaianes, 9 carabranolides, 7 xanthanolides, 6 sesquiterpenes without lactone, 1 eremophilane and 1 tricyclo dodecane sesquiterpene. The reported sesquiterpenes possess a series of pharmacological properties, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and antiviral activities. This paper summarizes the 201 chemical structures and biological activities of sesquiterpenes in genus Carpesium, and provides the scientific basis for the further development and utilization.

Advances in studies on structure and pharmacological activities of natural tirucallane-type triterpenoids / 中国中药杂志

The tirucallane-type triterpenoids, composed of six isoprene units, belong to a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids. Although the naturally-derived tirucallane-type triterpenoids were found in a small amount, the kind of compounds showed various structures, which consist of apo-type, linear said-chain-type and cyclolike said-chain-type and broad bioactivities, such as cytotoxicity, anti-inflammation, antioxidation and anti-plasmin, etc. This paper summarized origins, structures and bioactivities of tirucallane-type triterpenoids in recent ten years. The future research and exploration of tirucallane-type triterpenoids were discussed and prospected.

Research progress on cycloartane triterpenoids of Actaea / 中国中药杂志

The genus Actaea plants are widely distributed in China, and the cycloartane triterpenoids are the characteristic constituents of this genus. They are divided into types of cimigenol, hydroshengmanol, shengmanol, cimiacerogenin, acteol, 16, 23-diketo, foetidonol, dahurinol, etc. Cycloartane triterpenoids show many biological activities, such as cytotoxicity, anti-osteoporosis, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-nucleoside transport, neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, antibacterial activities. The present paper reviewed the distribution of the plant resources of Actaea, chemical structures and biological activities of cycloartane triterpenoids, aiming to provide a reference for the further research in the future.

Recent advances in orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia / 药学学报

The orexin system was discovered in 1998 with two G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs):orexin-1 (OX1R) and orexin-2 (OX2R) receptors that bind the neuropeptides orexin-A (OX-A) and orexin-B (OX-B). The causal link between the orexin system and obesity, anxiety, and sleep/wake disorders as a potential therapeutic target has drawn much attention in the field of pharmaceuticals. The developments of dual antagonism of the receptors by small molecules are clinically efficacious in the treatment of insomnia, where the most advanced molecule suvorexant has been approved by FDA in August, 2014. The small molecule orexin receptor antagonists (ORA) between January 2010 and August 2017 are summarized in this review and we focus on their chemical structures, mechanism and human clinical trials.

Structure and Gene Polymorphism Affect the Metabolism of Statins / 中国药学杂志

Statins are the main drugs for high cholesterol. The different chemical structures affect the metabolize way of statins. Different chemical structures of statins lead to differences in hydrophobicity and affect the degree of membrane transport and tissue affinity. The differences in hydrophobicity may influence the absorption of statins and the distribution in important organs. The metabolism of statins in vivo is mainly related to drug metabolizing enzymes. Gene polymorphism affects the activity and capacity of enzymes and may influence the lipid-lowering effect of statins. This paper reviews the transshipment and metabolic characteristics of statins. We summarize the gene polymorphism on the effect of drug metabolism and conduct the clinical prescription.

Research advances on chemical constituents from Calycanthaceae plants and their pharmacological activities / 中国中药杂志

Calycanthaceae family comprises of four genera including Chimonanthus, Sinocalycanthus, Calycanthus, and Idiospermum. The plants of Calycanthaceae are popular ornamental shrubs and used as foods and medicines, which are mainly distributed in China, North America, and Australia. The plants of Calycanthaceae are rich in volatile components, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes and coumarins. Dimeric piperidinoquinoline and dimeric pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids, dimeric and/or trimeric coumarins are characteristic compositions in these plants. In order to provide timely reference for further investigation and development of Calycanthaceae plants, we made a systemic review on chemical constituents, i.e. alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, and steroids, from Calycanthaceae plants, focusing on their chemical structures and pharmacological activities.

Overviews and analysis of the U.S. FDA′s new approvals in the 2016 second half year / 国际药学研究杂志

In the second half of 2016,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved 7 new molecular entities and 3 new Biologic License Application(BLA), the lowest number in recent years. According to the prescription information for profes-sionals,this article introduced the description,mechanism of action and clinical studies and briefly describes the boxed warning,indi-cations and usage,dosage and administration,dosage form and strength,contraindications,warning and precautions,adverse reac-tions,drug interaction and the use in the special population. In addition,the first and critical events in the history of new drug develop-ment and reaserch were emphasized.

Research Progress of Anti-allergy Natural Products / 中国药学杂志

Based on overseas and domestic data bank mainly as Scifinder, ACS publication, CNKI, and CQVIP. The relationships between the types of natural products and their anti-allergic activities have been summarized. The advances of anti-allergic natural products over the past ten years have been reviewed. The pathogenesis of allergic diseases and the diversity of anti-allergy components and natural products were summarized, together with their origins and mechanisms of anti-allergy activities. Many natural products show multiple anti-allergy targets and few side effects, while the research is still far from enough. Several suggestions were proposed for further research on anti-allergy natural medicines on the basis of our review.

Degradation rates and products of fluticasone propionate in alkaline solutions / 药物分析学报

The apparent degradation rate constant of fluticasone propionate (FLT) in 0.1 M NaOH:methanol=1:1 at 37 ℃ was previously reported to be 0.169 ± 0.003 h?1, and four degradation products (products 1–4) were observed in the solution. The aims of the present study were to assess the degradation rates of FLT in other alkaline solutions and clarify the chemical structures of the four degradation products in order to obtain basic data for designing an enema for inflammatory bowel disease. The apparent degradation rate constants in 0.05 M NaOH and 0.1 M NaOH:CH3CN=1:1 were 0.472 ± 0.013 h?1 and 0.154 ± 0.000 h?1 (n=3), respectively. The chemical structures of products 1–4 in 0.1 M NaOH:methanol=1:1 were revealed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry data. The chemical structure of products 2 was that the 17-position of the thioester moiety of FLT was substituted by a carboxylic acid. The degradation product in 0.1 M NaOH:CH3CN=1:1 was found to be product 2 based on 1H NMR data. The degradation product in 0.05 M NaOH was considered to be product 2 based on the retention time of HPLC. These results are useful for detecting the degradation products of FLT by enzymes of the intestinal bacterial flora in the large intestine after dosing FLT as an enema.

Degradation rates and products of fluticasone propionate in alkaline solutions / 药物分析学报

The apparent degradation rate constant of fluticasone propionate (FLT) in 0.1 M NaOH:methanol=1:1 at 37 ℃ was previously reported to be 0.169 ± 0.003 h?1, and four degradation products (products 1–4) were observed in the solution. The aims of the present study were to assess the degradation rates of FLT in other alkaline solutions and clarify the chemical structures of the four degradation products in order to obtain basic data for designing an enema for inflammatory bowel disease. The apparent degradation rate constants in 0.05 M NaOH and 0.1 M NaOH:CH3CN=1:1 were 0.472 ± 0.013 h?1 and 0.154 ± 0.000 h?1 (n=3), respectively. The chemical structures of products 1–4 in 0.1 M NaOH:methanol=1:1 were revealed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry data. The chemical structure of products 2 was that the 17-position of the thioester moiety of FLT was substituted by a carboxylic acid. The degradation product in 0.1 M NaOH:CH3CN=1:1 was found to be product 2 based on 1H NMR data. The degradation product in 0.05 M NaOH was considered to be product 2 based on the retention time of HPLC. These results are useful for detecting the degradation products of FLT by enzymes of the intestinal bacterial flora in the large intestine after dosing FLT as an enema.

New drugs approved by the U.S. FDA(2007-2016):a review / 国际药学研究杂志

The introductions of the new drugs approved by the U.S. FDA have been published in the“Journal of International Pharmaceutical Research”for ten years. However,new problems might emerge with the increasing clinical practice and the cumulative number of patients being treated,such as the indications and purposes change,supplement of the modified efficacy,clinical data and the important new indications,constant improvement of the dosage,form and mode of administration,and the emergence of new,seri?ous and even fatal adverse reactions urge the supplements of contraindications,warnings and precautions,or even the black box warn?ings. In brief,6 entries of the introductions all may be modified,supplemented or canceled. More importantly,ten years of general analyses also find some prominent events,such as the amount of new molecular entity(NME)and new biological products come to an obvious peak in 2015. With regard to this,this paper reviewed the prominent historical events happened in the ten years in order to provide guidance and reference for new drug research and development.

Overviews and analysis of the U.S. FDA′s new approvals in the 2015 second half year / 国际药学研究杂志

In the second half year of 2015,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved 20 new molecular enti?ties single or compounds and 15 biologics license applications,a total of 35 which record number of approved innovative drugs. Ac?cording to the prescription information for professionals,this article briefly describes the description,mechanism of action and clinical studies,the box warning,indications and usage,dosage and administration,dosage form and strength,contraindications,warning and precautions,adverse reactions,drug interaction and use in special population of these new drugs. In addition,the first and criti?cal events in the history of new drug development and reaserch are emphasized.

Antimalarial qinghaosu/artemisinin:The therapy worthy of a Nobel Prize

Malaria is a major cause of human morbidity and mortality in the tropical endemic countries worldwide. This is largely due to the emergence and spread of resistance to most antimalarial drugs currently available. Based on the World Health Organization recommendation, artemisinin-based combination therapies are now used as first-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Artemisinin or qinghaosu (Chinese name) and its derivatives are highly potent, rapidly acting antimalarial drugs. Artemisinin was discovered in 1971 by a Chinese medical scientist Youyou Tu, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015 on her discovering the antimalarial properties of qinghaosu from the traditional Chinese qinghao plant. Nevertheless, artemisinin resistance in falciparum malaria patients has first emerged on the Thai-Cambodian border in 2009, which is now prevalent across mainland Southeast Asia from Vietnam to Myanmar. Here, we reviewed malaria disease severity, history of artemisinin discovery, chemical structure, mechanism of drug action, artemisinin-based combination therapies, emergence and spread of drug resistance, including the recent findings on mechanism of resistance in the falciparum malaria parasite. This poses a serious threat to global malaria control and prompts renewed efforts for the urgent development of new antimalarial drugs.

Overviews and analysis of the U.S. FDA′s new approvals in the first half year of 2016 / 国际药学研究杂志

In the first half year of 2016,the U.S. food and drug administration(FDA)approved 9 new molecular entities and 8 new biologic license applications. According to the prescription information for professionals,this article introduces the description, mechanism of action and clinical studies;briefly describes the box warning,indications and usage,dosage and administration,dos?age form and strength,contraindications,warning and precautions,adverse reactions,drug interaction and use in special population of these new drugs. In addition,the first and critical events in the history of new drug development and reaserch are emphasized.

Photochemistry and pharmacology of 9, 19-cyclolanostane glycosides isolated from genus Cimicifuga / 中国天然药物

The constituents of Cimicifuga plants have been extensively investigated, and the principal metabolites are 9, 19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides, which often exhibit extensive pharmacological activities. 9, 19-Cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides are distributed widely in genus Cimicifuga rather than in other members of the Ranunculaceae family. So far, more than 140 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga spp.. The aim of this review was to summarize all 9, 19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides based on the available relevant scientific literatures from 2000 to 2014. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.

Overviews and analysis of the U.S. FDA′s new approvals in the 2015 second half year / 国际药学研究杂志

In the second half year of 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved 20 new molecular enti-ties single or compounds and 15 biologics license applications, a total of 35 which record number of approved innovative drugs. Ac-cording to the prescription information for professionals, this article briefly describes the description, mechanism of action and clinical studies, the box warning, indications and usage, dosage and administration, dosage form and strength, contraindications, warning and precautions, adverse reactions, drug interaction and use in special population of these new drugs. In addition, the first and criti-cal events in the history of new drug development and reaserch are emphasized.

Overviews and analysis of the U.S. FDA’ s new approvals in the first half year of 2016 / 国际药学研究杂志

In the first half year of 2016, the U.S. food and drug administration (FDA) approved 9 new molecular entities and 8 new biologic license applications. According to the prescription information for professionals, this article introduces the description, mechanism of action and clinical studies; briefly describes the box warning, indications and usage, dosage and administration, dosage form and strength, contraindications, warning and precautions, adverse reactions, drug interaction and use in special population of these new drugs. In addition, the first and critical events in the history of new drug development and reaserch are emphasized.