Establishment of HPLC fingerprint and determination of nine components in Wenjing Decoction / 中草药

Objective: To establish the HPLC fingerprint and simultaneously determinate nine components of the standard decoction of Wenjing Decoction, so as to provide reference for the quality control of Wenjing Decoction of classical prescriptions. Methods: Fingerprints of 15 batches of the standard decoction of Wenjing Decoction were determined by HPLC-PDA, and the control fingerprint was established. All samples were analyzed by Kromasil C18 chromatographic column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) maintained at 25 ℃, and eluted with acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid at the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, and the detection wavelength was 220, 280, 320 and 380 nm respectively. Combined with cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the quality of 15 batches of Wenjing Decoction was analyzed. At the same time, the contents of nine active components were determined. Results: The similarity of 15 batches of standard decoction of Wenjing Decoction was between 0.902 and 0.992, and a total of 18 common peaks were identified and nine of them (2-gallic acid, 5-paeoniflorin, 7-liquiritin, 8-ferulic acid, 9-isoliquiritin apioside, 11-isoliquiritin, 14-cinnamaldehyde, 15-ammonium glycyrrhetate, 16-paeonol) were quantitative analyzed. CA, PCA and PLS-DA were used to classify the 15 batches of samples into two groups. The results of quantitative analysis were good, and the recovery rate of nine components was 94.91%-108.16%. The content of gallic acid, paeoniflorin, iquiritin, ferulic acid, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, cinnamaldehyde, ammonium glycyrrhetate, paeonol in 15 batches of samples were in the range of 10.7-31.3, 95.8-228.4, 18.6-62.4, 3.3-8.3, 4.8-18.7, 2.8-10.6, 13.7-108.2, 83.9-292.3, and 31.1-125.5 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion: The HPLC fingerprint combined with the simultaneous determination of multicomponent analysis method eatablished in this experiment are stable and reliable, which can provide the theoretical guidance for the quality evaluation of Wenjing Decoction and its compound preparations.

Evaluation of relaxant responses properties of cinnamon essential oil and its major component, cinnamaldehyde on human and rat corpus cavernosum

ABSTRACT Cinnamomum cassia (Cinnamon) is a well-known traditional medicine with therapeutic benefits for centuries. We evaluated the effects of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and its main component cinnamaldehyde (CA) on human corpus cavernosum (HCC) and rat CC. The essential oil of cinnamon was analyzed for the confirmation of the oil profile. HCC specimens from patients undergoing penile prosthesis surgery (age 48-69 years) were utilized for functional studies. In addition, erectile responses in anesthetized control and diabetic rats were evaluated in vivo after intracavernosal injection of CEO and CA, and rat CC strips were placed in organ baths. After precontraction with phenylephrine (10µM), relaxant responses to CEO and CA were investigated. CA (96.9%) was found as the major component. The maximum relaxation responses to CEO and CA were 96.4±3.5% and 96.0±5.0% in HCC and 97.5±5.5% and 96.8±4.8% in rat CC, respectively. There was no difference between control and diabetic rats in relaxation responses to CEO and CA. The relaxant responses obtained with essential oil and CA were not attenuated in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (sGS) in CC. In vivo, erectile responses in diabetic rats were lower than in control rats, which was restored after intracavernosal injection of CEO and CA. CEO and CA improved erectile function and relaxation of isolated strips of rat CC and HCC by a NO/cGMP-independent mechanism. Further investigations are warranted to fully elucidate the restorative effects of CEO and CA on diabetic erectile dysfunction.

Quality Standard for Juebi Capsules / 中国药师

Objective:To establish the quality standard for Juebi capsules. Methods:TLC was adopted to identify Paeoniae Ra-dix Rubra, Cyperi Rhizom and Cinnamomi Cortex; the contents of paeoniflorin and cinnamic aldehyde in Juebi capsules were deter-mined by HPLC with Wondasil C18 (250 mm × 4. 6 mm,5 μm) as the analytical column, the mobile phase was composed of methanol-0. 2％ phosphoric acid solution with gradient elution, the flow rate was 1. 0 ml·min-1 ,the detection wavelengths were 230 nm and 290 nm, the column temperature was 40℃, and the volume injection was 10 μl. Results: The TLC spots were clear and well-separated without any negative interference;the calibration curves of paeoniflorin and Cinnamic aldehyde were in good linearity over the range of 0. 368-3. 680μg(r=0. 9999) and 0. 191-1. 914 μg(r=0. 9999), the average recovery was 101. 9 ％ and 99. 66％, and the RSD was 1. 90％ and 2. 77％ (n=6), respectively. Conclusion:The method is fast and accurate with good specificity, which can be used for the quality control of Juebi capsules.

Simultaneous determination of four constituents in Yangxin Dingji Capsules by HPLC / 中成药

AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of four constituents in Yangxin Dingji Capsules (a cardiac tonic for palpitation,containing Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle,Cinnamomi Ramulus,Rehmanniae Radix,etc.).METHODS The analysis of 50％ methanol extract of Yangxin Dingji Capsules was performed on a 40 ℃ thermostatic Diamonsil C1s column (250 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of 0.1％ formic acid-acetonitrile flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 265 nm.RESULTS Liquiritin,glycyrrhizic acid,cinnamic acid and cinnamic aldehyde showed good linear relationships within the ranges of 1.00-80.24 μg/mL (r=0.999 0),2.52-100.70 μg/mL (r--0.999 7),0.50-40.40 μg/mL (r =1.000 0) and 0.66-52.96 μg/mL (r =1.000 0),whose average recoveries were 97.74％,100.97％,101.48％ and 99.49％ with the RSDs of 0.45％,1.11％,1.27％ and 1.66％,respectively.CONCLUSION This simple,accurate and reproducible method can be used for the quality control of Yangxin Dingji Capsules.

Implications of the Origin of “Gui” in the “Bencaojingjizhu” / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Crude drugs that feature the name “gui” have appeared in classical medicinal textbooks with different names,and the correspondence between their names and origins remains the subject of research and discussion. In the present study, we investigated these correspondences using the descriptions in the annotations of the Bencaojingjizhu and through our previous study that revealed the standards of weights and measures in this book. Based on this investigation, we strongly speculate that “gui” in the Bencaojingjizhu was the branch skin of Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) (corresponding to cinnamon sticks in the market), which fits with the descriptions about the length and weight of “gui” -related crude drugs in this book. We measured the contents of cinnamic aldehyde and coumarin in the branch skin of C. cassia, and compared these to contents in other crude drugs related to “gui” that can be obtained on the market. The contents of these two compounds in the branch skin of C. cassia were similar to those in the bark of C. cassia from Vietnam that meets the standards for cinnamon bark in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and is regarded as high-grade in the market. These results support our speculation, and it might be possible that the branch skin of C. cassia can be used as medicine instead of cinnamon bark.

Protective effect of cinnamic aldehyde on hormone-induced osteoclasts differentiation and its molecular mechanisms / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the protective effect of cinnamic aldehyde ( CA ) on hormone-induced osteo-clasts proliferation and bone resorption in vitro and its molecular mechanisms. Methods RAW264. 7 cells induced into osteoclast were treated with RANKL and M-CSF and then were divided into control group, dexa-methasone ( DEX ) group and different doses of CA (11. 6, 23. 2, 46. 4 μg·L-1 ) groups. OCs were ob-served after tartrate resistant acid phosphatase( TRAP) staining. The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay at different time points. The expression levels of TRACP5 b in cell cultured supernatants were measured by ELISA. RT-PCR technique was applied to examine the transcriptional levels of RANK and NFATc1 . Re-sults In MTT assay, the proliferation of osteoclasts stimulated by dexamethasone was promoted seriously compared with negative control group ( P < 0. 05 ) . Meanwhile, DEX could strengthen the content of TRACP5 b and up-regulate the expressions of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA. After administration of CA, the proliferation was inhibited, while the enhanced expres-sion of TRAP5b was reversed,and the over-expressions of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA were obviously down-regulated in a time-and-dose-dependent manner ( P <0. 05 ) . Conclusion The results suggest that CA in-hibits proliferation and bone resorption of osteoclast in-duced by DEX, which may be mediated by down-regu-lation of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA.

Simultaneous determination of nine components in Zhenlong Xingnao Capsule by UPLC-DAD / 中草药

Objective: To develop an UPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of gallic acid, cinnamic acid, licorice glycosides, crocin I, crocin II, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, glycyrrhetinic acid, and muscone in Zhenlong Xingnao Capsule. Methods: Analysis was performed on a RP-UPLC method and an Agilent Zorbax C18 chromatographic column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) eluted with 0.1% formic acid (mobile phase A) and acetonitrile (mobile phase B), the flow rate was 0.3 mL/min, gradient elution and column temperature was 35℃, the injection volume was 1 uL. Respectively to measure their extraction solvent, linear range, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery rate. Results: The nine components were well separated and showed good linearity, such as gallic acid 0.2-20.0 mg/L (r = 0.999 0), crocin I 0.022-2.200 mg/L (r = 0.999 3), crocin II 0.02-2.00 mg/L (r = 0.999 6), licorice glycosides 0.093-1.860 mg/L (r = 0.999 4), cinnamic acid 0.020 4-2.040 0 mg/L (r = 0.999 9), cinnamic aldehyde 0.042-4.200 mg/L (r = 0.999 9), eugenol 0.95-95.00 mg/L (r = 0.999 9), glycyrrhetinic acid 0.012 9-1.290 0 mg/L (r = 0.998 9), and muscone 0.073 8-7.380 0 mg/L (r = 0.999 0). The precision was good, RSD was 1.02% or less, The repeatability is good in terms of RSD of 1.13% or less and the recovery rate was 93.8%-112.1% (RSD 1.28% or less). Test solution was stable at room temperature within 24 h. The contents of three batches of the gallic acid, crocin I, crocin II, licorice glycosides, cinnamic acid, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, glycyrrhetinic acid, and muscone were 0.422-0.448, 0.093-0.105, 0.096-0.112, 0.026 8-0.028 5, 0.142-0.153, 0.140-0.158, 1.519-1.547, 0.007 55-0.008 04, 0.117-0.121 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion: The method is rapid and has high sensitivity, high accuracy, and good specificity, It can be applied to the quality control of Zhenlong Xingnao Capsule.

Determination of Cinnamic Aldehyde Content in Xianggui Huazhuo Capsules by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / 医药导报

Objective To establish a method for determining cinnamic aldehyde content in Xianggui Huazhuo capsules by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Methods The content of cinnamic aldehyde was determined by GC-MS. Separation was performed on a capillary column (30 m×0. 25 mm, 0. 25 μm) with HP-5 as the stationary phase. A programmed temperature was employed. The flow rate was 1 mL·min-1 with He as carrier gas, and split ratio was 50∶1. The injection volume was 1. 0 μL. Results The cinnamic aldehyde was well isolated from the other ingredients. A good linear relationships of cin-namic aldehyde in range of 0. 02-4. 00 mg·mL-1 was observed. The correlation coefficient was 0. 999 4. The average recovery of cinnamic aldehyde was 96. 2% , and RSD was less than 2. 11% . Conclusion The method is simple, accurate and suitable for determination of cinnamic aldehyde content.

Study of Cinnamic aldehyde effects on expression of E-cadherin and MMP-9 through SHH signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate Cinnamic aldehyde effects on expression of E-cadherin and MMP-9 and proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells,and explore the possible mechanism of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling transduction.Methods:After co-cultured with Cinnamic aldehyde at the concentration of 0,10,20 and 40 μg/ml for 24 h,48 h and 72 h respectively,A549 cells were tested for their proliferation by MTT assay;E-cadherin and MMP-9 level in the supernatant by ELISA;expression of E-cadherin and MMP-9 mRNA by realtime-PCR with SYBR GreenⅠ;and protein expression by Western blot.Results: ①Cinnamic adehyde with concentration at 10 μg/ml would inhibited proliferation of A 549 cells after 24 hours′treatment;with concentration at 10, 20 and 40μg/ml can affect the proliferation significantly ( P<0.05 );with concentration of 40μg/ml cinnamic adehyde for 72 h,the re-markably inhibition of proliferation in A 549 cells was observed , the highest inhibitory rate was ( 93.782 ±5.036 )%.②Cinnamic aldehyde also increased migration rate of A 549 cells.③Expression of components on Hedgehog signaling pathway in A 549 was higher than that in human HBE cells.Cinnamic aldehyde could increase further upregulate of components expression in Hedgehog signaling pathway of A549 cells.④Secretion level of E-cadherin,mRNA and protein were decreased in A549 cells co-cultured with Cinnamic al-dehyde,while secretion level of MMP-9,mRNA and protein level in A549 cells co-cultured with cinnamic aldehyde were increased.Pre-treatment with 2 nmol/ml cyclopamine,an increasing of secretion level of E-cadherin ,mRNA and protein level in A549 cells was observed,decreasing of secretion level of E-cadhein,mRNA and protein level was also observed in A 549 cells.Conclusion:Cinnamic aldehyde inhibits the proliferation in a time-and dose-dependent manner and effected expression of E-cadherin and MMP-9 through sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma A 549 cells.

Study on chemical constituents of immunosuppressive parts from the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of immunosuppressive parts from the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa.

Common allergens in contact dermatitis as determined by patch testing: a 4-year experience at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) - preliminary report

Objective: This study sought to determine through patch testing the ten most common allergens among patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and thus, provide dermatologists with a useful guide in patient evaluation and counseling regarding the avoidance of triggering factors that perpetuate their allergic skin problemsDesign: An observational desriptive studySetting: Tertiary government hospitalPatients: A total of 119 patients who presented with skin lesions at the outpatient section of the JRRMMC Dermatology Department from July 1991-June 1995 were patch tested. From these, 80 patients diagnosed to have ACD were given emphasis in the final analysis and evaluationResults: Of the total 119 patients patch tested during this 4-year time period, 80 patients (67.22%) were clinically diagnosed to have allergic contact dermatitis. The sites of dermatitis commonly affected in this group were the feet, the hands and the arms. the ten most common skin sensitizers identified among these patients were as folows: fragrance mix, nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate and thiurum mix-both at third, p-phenylenediamine, cinnamic aldehyde, balsam of Peru, epoxy resin and paraben mix-both at seventh, carba rubber mix, bronopol and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole both at ninth, wool alcohol and mercapto-mix sharing the tenth place. It is interesting to note that the top five allergens in this group share similar ranking to that which figured prominently among patients who exhibited various kinds of dermatitidesConclusions: As the result of rapid industrialization, the incidence of ACD has risen to the leaping proportion in the last two decades. Definite cure is obtained primarily by avoidance of the specific allergen(s). These are best indentified through patch testing. By undertaking this study, the authors hope to provide some local statistics on the most common skin sensitizers causing the ACD and therefore, place physicians and dermatologists in particular, in a better position to give their patients sound advice regarding the avoidance of tigerring factors that can readily perpetuate their skin problems.(Author)

A Case of Pigmented Contact Dermatitis Caused by Cinnamic Aldehydes / 대한피부과학회지

Pigmented contact dermatitis denotes a kind of secondary hyperpigmentation resulting from recurrent contact dermatitis of low degree. Cinnamic aldehyde is a component of cinnamon,which is widely used in foods and fragrances. A 21 year-old girl presented with a well-defined dark brownish patch on right side of chest for 4 years. Histopathologic examination revealed epidermal spongiosis, hypermelanosis of basal layer, scattered melanophages and mild perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration in the upper dermis Patch test findings were positive to fragrance mix, cinnamic aldehyde and body shampoo which was used by the patient. Peroral challenge with cinnamon tea resulted in flare-up of the positive patch-test sites and the skin lesion.

Study on qualification standards of Jianweizhengchang Pills / 中成药

Objective: To establish the qualification stadards of Jianwei Zhengchang Pills.Methods:The microscopical identification and quality identification were studied by TLC. And the contents of cinnamic aldehyde and menthol were determined synchronously by GC. Results: The corresponding microscopical characteristics and thin layer spots from the samples can be obtained. Conclusion: The qualitative and quantitative methods estabished were simple, sensitive, quick accurate and specific and can control the quality of the preparation validly.