The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of a methanolic extract of Satureja khuzistanica

Abstract In the present study, the metabolite profiling of methanolic extract from aerial parts of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad, as an endemic medicinal plant from Iran, was evaluated using HPLC-PDA-ESI. Then, the main compound from the extract was isolated and purified by using extensive chromatographic techniques. In addition, the structure of the isolated compounds was elucidated using 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectrometry, upon which 22 compounds were identified. The antibacterial activity of diosmetin 7-rutinoside (6) and linarin (13) in combination with carvacrol as a major compound of the essential oil was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus through disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The results indicated that the linarin, when mixed with carvacrol as the main compounds in the essential oil of the plant, has a satisfactory activity against both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 0.16 and 0.18 µg/mL, respectively. Further, the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index indicated that this compound had synergism with carvacrol.

Simultaneous Determination of 7 Phenolic Acids in Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus Rhizome by HPLC-PDA / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:A high performance liquid chromatography-photo-diode array（HPLC-PDA） method for the simultaneous determination of the 7 phenolic acids including danshensu，protocatechuic acid，protocatechuic aldehyde，chlorogenic acid，caffeic acid，ferulic acid and rosemary acid in Lycopus lucidus var.hirtus rhizome，analyzing and evaluating the phenolic acids in L.lucidus var.hirtus rhizome collected from different habitats，is reported here. Method:The sample was extracted by ultrasonic with 80% methanol solution，7 kinds of phenolic acids were separated on a CAPCELL PAK C18 column （4.6 mm×250 mm，5 μm） with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-0.02% formic acid aqueous （pH 3.10）by gradient elution，The detection wavelength was at 279，324 nm， the column temperature was 30 ℃ with 20 μL injection volume and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1. Result:The 7 Phenolic acids had a good linear relationship （r≥0.999 9） within their respective mass concentration ranges，the average recovery was 96.49%-103.45% and the RSD was 0.5%-2.8%，the limit of determination was 0.008-0.046 mg·L-1 and the limit of quantification was 0.027-0.154 mg·L-1.The 7 kinds of phenolic acids were all detected in L.lucidus var.hirtus rhizome and the total amount was between 5 811.01 and 11 747.23 µg·g-1 ， the average amount was 7 421.05 µg·g-1.The content of 7 phenolic acids was different and the rosemary acid was the highest in all the samples with an average of 7 111.19 µg·g-1 the ratio to the total phenolic acids was 95.8%.The results of principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that the quality of L.lucidus var.hirtus rhizome from Heze city in Shandong province was better，followed by Wanzhou district in Chongqing. Conclusion:The method was simple，sensitive，accurate，practical and reliable，and is suitable for the content determination of phenolic acid in L. lucidus var. hirtus rhizome.It is expected to provide a reference for the improvement of quality standard and a new idea for the development and utilization of L.lucidus var.hirtus rhizome.

Characterization of hepatoprotective metabolites from Artemisia annua and Cleome droserifolia using HPLC/PDA/ESI/MS-MS

ABSTRACT The hepatoprotective activities of two traditionally used plants, Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Delile, Cleomaceae, and Artemisia annua L., Asteraceae, were recently reported. However, the biologically active metabolites responsible for this activity were not identified. The aqueous extract of C. droserifolia aerial parts, and the polar fraction of A. annua leaves were screened for their antioxidant activities using the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay. The in vitro viability of HepG-2 cells treated with CCl4 and the extracts were assessed by MTT assay. The effects of the extracts on the liver enzymes and the total soluble protein in CCl4-intoxicated HepG-2 cells were investigated. An HPLC/PDA/ESI/MS-MS based analysis was carried out for extract of C. droserifolia and polar fraction of A. annua. Both exhibited pronounced free radical scavenging activities (86 and 83%, respectively). Both showed a significant increase in cell viability: 86.43% for the extract of C. droserifolia and 79.32% for polar fraction of A. annua. Only the extract of C. droserifolia (39.6 ± 5.41 and 20.4 ± 6.91 IU/dl, respectively) and polar fraction of A. annua (40.8 ± 2.14 and 24.5 ± 3.11 IU/dl, respectively) restored the levels of liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, respectively) compared to the CCl4 intoxicated group (87.5 ± 4.34 and 34.1 ± 8.12 IU/dl, respectively) and other herbal extracts. More than fifty phenolic secondary metabolites were identified in the extracts under investigation. The significant hepatoprotective activities of both extracts seemed to be strongly connected to their content of hydroxycinnamoyl quinic acids and flavonoids.

Quantification of the Bioactive Components of the Rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin and Assessment of Its Anti-inflammatory Effect in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-1 Cells

In this study, the marker compounds of Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) were simultaneously quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector and the anti-inflammatory effects of CR extract and marker compounds in human benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 (BPH-1) cell lines were investigated. The marker components (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, furanodienone, and germacrone, were separated on Gemini C₁₈ columns (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 40 ℃ by using a gradient of two mobile phases eluting at 1.0 mL/min. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels in Human BPH-1 cells were determined with an ELISA kit. The coefficients of determination in a calibration curve of each analyte were all 0.9997. The limits of detection and quantification of the three compounds were 0.10 – 0.32 µg/mL and 0.30 – 0.98 µg/mL, respectively. The content of three compounds, (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, furanodienone, and germacrone, in the CR sample were found to be 5.79 – 5.92 mg/g, 4.72 – 4.86 mg/g, and 1.06 – 1.09 mg/g, respectively. Regarding pharmacological activity against benign prostatic hyperplasia, CR and its components significantly suppressed PGE₂ levels of BPH-1 cells. The established analysis method will help to improve quality assessment of CR samples and related products. In addition, CR and its components exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in BPH-1 cells, suggesting the inhibitory efficacy of these compounds against the pathogenesis of BPH.

Development of Analytical Method and Validation using HPLC/PDA for Discrimination between Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba

In this study, we described the new developed method to simultaneously discriminate two herbal drugs of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba using eight marker compounds (1 – 8) on an HPLC-PDA system. The developed method was applied to quantify the major components of two herbal drugs. The pattern analysis successfully discriminated and evaluated different components between Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba. Results were used for classification of different species from collected samples.

Quantitation and Radical Scavenging Activity Evaluation of Iridoids and Phenylethanoids from the Roots of Phlomis umbrosa (Turcz.) using DPPH Free Radical and DPPH-HPLC Methods, and their Cytotoxicity

The roots of Phlomis umbrosa (Turcz.) (Phlomidis Radix) have been traditionally used to treat cold, reduce swelling and staunch bleeding. Four iridoids (1 – 3 and 5) and six phenylethanoid derivatives (4, and 6 – 10) were isolated from the roots of P. umbrosa. A simple, sensitive, and reliable analytical HPLC/PDA method was developed, validated, and applied to determine 10 marker compounds in Phlomidis Radix. Furthermore, the isolates were evaluated for cytotoxic and anti-oxidant activities as well as DPPH-HPLC method. Among them, compounds 4 and 6 – 9 displayed potent anti-oxidant capacities using DPPH assay with IC50 values of 27.7 ± 2.4, 10.2 ± 1.1, 18.0 ± 0.8, 19.1 ± 0.3, and 19.9 ± 0.6 µM, and compounds 6, 8, and 9 displayed significant cytotoxic activity against HL-60 with IC50 values of 35.4 ± 3.1, 18.6 ± 2.0, and 42.9 ± 3.0 µM, respectively.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupling with Photo-diode Array Detector Method for Monitoring Voriconazole and Its Main Metabolite N-oxidized Voriconazole and Its Application to Medication Guidance for Childhood Leukemia / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for simultaneous determination of voriconazole and its main metabolite N-oxidized voriconazole in blood, and monitor the levels of voriconazole and N-oxidized voriconazole in leukemia children aged 2-12 years. METHODS: Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used, and the mobile phase was acetonitrile, methanol and ammonium acetate buffer (10 mmol•L-1, pH adjusted with acetic acid to 3.0)=27∶23∶50, the flow rate was 1 mL•min-1, and the wavelength was set at 262 nm. The sample was extracted with ethyl acetate.Carbamazepine was used as the internal standard. RESULTS: The calibration curves of voriconazole and N-oxidized voriconazole were linear in the range of 0.1-8.0 μg•mL-1, the lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 μg•mL-1, and the intra-assay and inter-assay precision RSDs were between 2% and 10%. The accuracy, method recovery and stability all met the requirements.Twenty-nine patients were monitored with a total of 100 blood samples.The medians (IQRs) of voriconazole concentration, N-oxidized voriconazole concentration, and ratio of N-oxidized voriconazole to voriconazole were 0.87 μg•mL-1 (0.32-1.65 μg•mL-1) and 1.15 μg•mL-1 (0.55-1.67 μg•mL-1) and 1.10(0.66-1.22), respectively. There was a correlation relationship between the concentrations of voriconazole and N-oxidized voriconazole (r=0.603 1, P<0.000 1). CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate, highly specific, and can simultaneously monitor the concentrations of voriconazole and N-oxidized voriconazole, thus can be used for the pharmacokinetic research of voriconazole and clinical drug monitoring.

Development and Validation of HPLC-PDA Method and Pattern Recognition Analyses Using Eight Marker Compounds for the Quality Control Between the Seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and Cuscuta japonica Choisy

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and Cuscuta japonica Choisy are parasitic plants. C. chinensis seeds were traditionally used for treatment of kidney and liver deficiencies. C. japonica seeds were used as tonic medicine to improve liver function and strengthen kidneys, treatment of high blood pressure, chronic diarrhea, and sore eyes. Cuscutae Semen are seeds of only C. chinensis in Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (K.H.P.). The developed HPLC-PDA method easily, accurately, and sensitively quantified using eight marker compounds [hyperoside (1), astragalin, (2), quercetin (3), kaempferol (4), chlorogenic acid (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (7), and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8)]. In addition, the method may be used to distinguish seeds between C. chinensis Lam. and C. japonica Choisy. Furthermore, the result from the current study was applied to clarify samples between steam processed and unprocessed samples of C. chinensis by pattern analysis.

Study on the Marker Steroids of New Zealand Deer (Cervus elaphus var. scoticus) Velvet Antler by UPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-PDA Methods

Eleven steroid hormones (SHs: androstene-3,17-dione, estrone, β-estradiol, α-estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17á-hydroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol acetate, progesterone, and androsterone) were detected from New Zealand deer (Cervus elaphus var. scoticus) velvet antler (NZA, 鹿茸). A method for the quantification of eleven SHs was established by using ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-MS/MS. The linearities (R² > 0.991), limits of quantification (LOQ values, 0.3 ng/mL to 23.1 ng/mL), intraday and interday precisions (relative standard deviation: RSD 0.999), LOQ values (30 ng/mL to 350 ng/mL), intraday and interday precisions (RSD < 1.93%), and recovery rates (97.2% to 103.5%) for the three 7-O-CSs were determined. These quantitative methods are accurate, precise, and reproducible. As a result, it is suggested that the five steroid compounds of androstene-3,17-dione, androsterone, 7-ketocholesterol, 7α-hydroxycholesterol, and 7β-hydroxycholesterol could be marker steroids of NZA. These methods can be applied to quantify or standardize the marker steroids present in NZA.

Validation of a photostability indicating method for quantification of furanocoumarins from Brosimum gaudichaudii soft extract

ABSTRACT A validation study of a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the quantification of two furanocoumarins (psoralen and bergapten) in soft extract obtained from Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul, Moraceae, roots was conducted. The developed method was sensitive, rapid, reproducible, easy and precise, and showed linearity (r > 0.99) in the range of 10-64 µg/ml for psoralen, and 9-56 µg/ml for bergapten. It also showed a good efficiency for the photodegradation analysis of psoralen and bergapten in the soft extract. The photostability results showed that the Higuchi model presented the best fitting to the obtained data. Both chemical markers showed stability over 2.6 days, suggesting potential applications of the extract in obtaining intermediate products from this plant material. Furanocoumarins take around 30 min to be activated by UV light, reaching the maximum biological potential. Thus, the results obtained to the Higuchi model, corresponding to 2.6 days of stability, shows feasibility with future applications of these chemical markers.

Nutritional component analysis and resource value evaluation of flowers of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus / 中草药

Objective To analyze and evaluate the chemical components from flowers of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, and to investigate the potential value of the medicinal plant resources. Methods UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used to determine the total contents of polysaccharides and water-soluble protein. HPLC-PDA/ELSD method was used to determine monosaccharides and oligosaccharides and GC-MS method was used to determine volatile components and the fatty acids in the flowers of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. UPLC-TQ-MS method was used to analyze the nucleosides and amino acids. Results The flowers of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus contain abundant polysaccharides (47.02 mg/g), water-soluble protein (470.66 mg/g), fructose (45.46 mg/g), glucose (8.71 mg/g), and sucrose (1.05 mg/g). There were 32 kinds of volatile components detected in the flowers of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, in which oxy-derivatives were the main components. In addition, six nucleosides and 15 amino acids were detected in the flowers of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, and their total contents were 2.77 mg/g and 6.52 mg/g, respectively. Eight fatty acids in the flowers of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus were also detected, in which myristic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid were the main components. Conclusion This study investigated the composition and content of various nutritional components of the flower of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, which provides a scientific basis for its utilization and development.

Simultaneous Determination of the Seven Phenylpropanoids in Xanthii Fructus Using a HPLC-PDA and LC-MS

Xanthii Fructus has been traditionally used for the treatment of rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) method was developed and then used for the simultaneous analysis of eight phenylpropanoids in Xanthii Fructus. The analytical column used for this separation was a SunFire™ C₁₈ column, maintained at 40℃. The mobile phase used was 1.0% acetic acid in distilled water and 1.0% acetic acid in acetonitrile with gradient elution. For identify of each component, the mass spectrometer (MS) was used a Waters triple quadrupole mass spectrometer requipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The HPLC-PDA method showed good linearity: correlation coefficients were ≥ 0.9996. The limits of detection and quantification of the eight compounds were 0.02 – 0.04 and 0.06 – 0.14 µg/mL, respectively. The extraction recoveries ranged from 97.51 to 108.67%. The relative standard deviation values of intra- and inter-day precision were 0.06 – 1.55 and 0.09 – 1.68%, respectively. The validated HPLC-PDA method was applied to simultaneously analyse the amounts of eight phenlypropanoids in Xanthii Fructus.

Quantification of catechin in the spray-dried extract of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus

Abstract This paper describes the quantification of catechin in the spray-dried extract of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum, Myrtaceae, citral chemotype using a validated HPLC-PDA method. The method employs a RP-18 column with acetonitrile:water-orthophosphoric acid 0.05% (gradient system) and UV detection at 210 nm. The method was demonstrated to be simple, sensitive, specific, linear, precise, accurate and robust. The response was linear over a range of 5-200 µg/ml (r > 0.999). The range of recoveries was 92.27-102.54%. The relative standard deviation values for intra- and inter-day precision studies were 4.30 and 3.78%, respectively. This assay can be readily utilized as quality control method for catechin in the dried extract of P. pseudocaryophyllus.

Chemical interaction analysis on compatibility of Danshen-Honghua pair by using HPLC-PDA / 中草药

Objective: A novel and generally applicable approach was established for the interaction analysis on compatibility of Danshen-Honghua (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix and Carthami Flos) pair with different preparations and proportions when decocting together by using HPLC-PDA and fuzzy chemical identification strategy with poly-proportion design. Methods: A simple project was initially developed for the rapid identification and classification of four types of components in Danshen-Honghua based on the establishment of relevant component data base, recognition of the reference compound peaks, selection of the characteristics of ultraviolet spectrum, and formation of group networks. In this study, the accurate structures of the chemical components did not need to be determined, and only the constituents attributed to different groups were further considered for quantitative analysis. Results: A total of 47, 57, and 43 constituents from different preparations of Danshen-Honghua were classified into four kinds of chemical groups, and they were quantitatively analyzed furtherly according to semi-symmetric proportion design. The results showed that the preparation of methanol-water could significantly promote the dissolution of most salvianolic acids, chalcones, and flavonoids, while the contents of tanshinones in methanol were higher than others. The relative dissolution rate range of total optimization for the four types of components were from 5:1 to 5:2, and the highest proportion of the total relative dissolution were all 5:2. Conclusion: The most reasonable range may appear 5:1-5:2 for water preparation and be consistent with clinical ratio, which provides the reference for clinical application of Danshen-Honghua pair, and for modern research approach of herb pairs.

Qualitative evaluation of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma from different habitats by HPLC-PDA fingerprint combined with UFLC-Q-TOF/MS qualitative identification / 中草药

Objective: To establish and identify the HPLC-PDA fingerprint of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (AMR) and provide a reference for the comprehensive control of the quality of AMR. Methods: AMR was extracted with 70% methanol by sonicating for 60 min. The analysis of AMR extract was performed on Inertsil® ODS-SP column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), column temperature was maintained at 40 ℃, flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and detector was Waters 2998 UV detector with detection wavelength 235 nm. Mobile phase was acetonitrile (B)-water (A) with the elution gradient 0 -10 min, 30%-45% B, 10-25 min, 45% B, 25-50 min, 45%-70% B, 50-55 min, 70% B, 55-62 min, 70%-30% B, 62-75 min, 30% B. Time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF/MS) and electro-spray ion (ESI) source were used for the qualitative analysis in a positive ion mode, and mass scan range was m/z 50-1 500. Results: Comparing and fitting the peaks of AMR from different habitats (Zhejiang, Anhui, and Hunan Provinces), the HPLC-PDA fingerprint was set up with six common peaks, and they were identified by UFLC-Q-TOF/MS as 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde, atractylenolide III, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide VI, and biatractylenolide. System suitability, extraction, and chromatographic conditions of AMR were optimized. RSD of accuracy, stability and repeatability was all less than 2%. Measuring ten batches and fitting fingerprint similarity, the values were all greater than 0.95. Conclusion: The HPLC fingerprint can be used as standard uniformity and stability of quality control methods for AMR slice.

Isolation And Development Of Quantification Method For Cyanidin-3-glucoside And Cyanidin-3-rutinoside In Mulberry Fruit By High-performance Countercurrent Chromatography And High-performance Liquid Chromatography

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R) were isolated by high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) using a two-phase solvent system composed of tert-butyl methyl ether/n-butanol/acetonitrile/water/trifluoroacetic acid (1 : 3 : 1 : 5 : 0.01, v/v) to give pure C3G (34.1 mg) and C3R (14.3 mg) from 1.5 g crude mulberry fruit extract. Using the pure C3G and C3R, a reliable high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated to determine the C3G and C3R contents in mulberry fruit. C3G and C3R were separated simultaneously using an Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 x 250 mm I.D., 5 microm) coupled with a photodiode array detector (PDA). The gradient elution of the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (0.5% formic acid) and water (0.5% formic acid) was applied (1.0 mL/min), and the detection wavelength was 520 nm. The calibration curves of C3G and C3R showed good linearity (both with r2 = 0.9996) in the concentration range 15.625 - 500 microg/mL, and the relative standard deviations (RSD%) of intra- and interday variability were in the ranges 2.1 - 8.2% and 4.1 - 17.1%, respectively. The accuracies were ranged 96.5 - 102.6% for C3G and C3R, respectively. The developed HPLC method was used to determine the contents of C3G and C3R in newly harvested mulberry from eight different provinces of Korea.

A common HPLC-PDA method for amino acid analysis in insects and plants.

A common method for analysis of 17 amino acids from various insect species and plant parts was standardized using HPLC-PDA. Prior to hydrolysis, lyophilization of test samples was found indispensible to remove excess moisture, which interferes in hydrolysis and separation of amino acids. After the hydrolysis of plant and insect samples, 500 and 100 µL of boiling HCl, respectively for reconstitution, and 20 µL of hydrolyzed samples used for derivatization, provided best results. Gradient profile of mobile phase and run time up to 65 min were standardized to (i) overcome the problems related to eluting underivatized sample part, (ii) optimize the use of mobile phase and run time, and (iii) get better separation of different amino acids. Analysis of Chilo partellus larvae reared on sorghum seedling powder based artificial diet indicated that arginine and histidine quantities were on par in both samples. However, methionine was higher, and leucine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine and valine were lower in sorghum seedlings than in C. partellus larvae, suggesting compensation of these amino acids by the insect through voracious feeding, as is being expected from artificial diet. This method was found highly sensitive, reproducible and useful for the analysis of amino acids for better understanding of insect-plant interactions.

Justicia pectoralis Jacq: , Acanthaceae: preparation and characterisation of the plant drug including chromatographic analysis by HPLC-PDA

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, é uma erva conhecida popularmente no Nordeste como chambá e, utilizada tradicionalmente no tratamento de doenças do trato respiratório, como a asma, tosse e bronquite. Essa espécie encontra-se na Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse para o SUS. O objetivo do presente estudo foi elaborar protocolo para a preparação da droga vegetal a partir de J. pectoralis e realizar a sua caracterização visando seu emprego como matéria-prima farmacêutica. A parte aérea de J. pectoralis, após secagem em estufa com circulação e renovação de ar (35 °C) durante diferentes períodos de tempo (1-5 dias) mostrou a partir de 24 h de secagem um teor de umidade abaixo do valor máximo permitido para drogas vegetais. O pó da droga vegetal foi classificado como pó moderadamente grosso e, caracterizado quanto aos teores de cinzas totais, extrativos solúveis em água e etanol. Análise do extrato hidroalcoólico (etanol 20 por cento) de J. pectoralis por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE-DAD) determinou um teor de cumarina e umbeliferona de 16,2 e 0,81 mg/g da droga vegetal, respectivamente. As condições de preparação da droga vegetal e os parâmetros de controle de qualidade determinados para J. pectoralis no presente estudo são de interesse no desenvolvimento de fitoterápicos que empreguem esse matéria-prima ativa.

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, is a herb popularly known in Brazilian northeast as "chambá" and used in folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory tract conditions such as asthma, cough and bronchitis. This species is included in the National Register of Plants of Interest to the National Health System. The aim of the present study was to develop a protocol for the preparation of the plant drug from J. pectoralis and to characterise the plant drug for its use as a pharmaceutical raw material. The aerial parts of J. pectoralis, after drying chamber with forced air circulation (35 °C) for different periods of time (1-5 days), presented after one day a moisture content below the maximum allowed for plant drugs. The powder of the plant drug was classified as moderately coarse, and the total ashes content and the water- or ethanol-soluble extractives were determined. Analysis of hydroalcoholic (ethanol 20 percent) extract of J. pectoralis by high performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) determined the content of coumarin and umbelliferone (16.2 and 0.81 mg/g plant drug, respectively). The preparation conditions of the plant drug and the quality control parameters established for J. pectoralis in this study are of interest for the development of phytomedicines which use this active raw material.

Evaluation of the Antioxidative Capacity of Different Parts of Forsythia Suspensa by DPPH Free Radical Elimination Method / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the antioxidant activities of different parts of Forsythia suspensa and two components isolated from it. Methods The antioxidant activities were assayed through scavenging effects to DPPH radical. The content of forsythiaside and forsythin of Forsythia suspensa was determined by HPLC- PDA. Results Both different parts of Forsythia suspensa and two components isolated from it had antioxidant activity. Conclution Forsythiaside showed much higher antioxidant activity than forsythin. It is an effective natural free radical scavenger.

Analysis of Dual-wavelength Fingerprint Chromatogram of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To establish the fingerprint chromatogram of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) by multiple wavelength method,and to analyze the substance of formulas as a whole.Methods HPLC-PDA method was adopted.The chromatographic conditions were as follows:Hypersil ODS2 analytical column,the mobile phase consisting of 0.05 %phosphate acid and acetonitrile with gradient elution,detecting wavelength at 254 and 280 nm,the flow rate being 1.0 mL/min and the temperature of the column at 30 ℃.Results The methodological results were good.The results of dual-wavelength fingerprint chromatogram showed the all-around information of the fingerprints at 254 and 280 nm.The similarity of 10 batches of BuzhongYiqi Decoction was over 0.98.Conclusion Dual-wavelength fingerprint chromatogram can realize the analysis of a formulas as a whole,which supplies references for improving the quality control of BuzhongYiqi Decoction.