Chemo-typing of Three Egyptian Rosemary Oil for Their Chemical Composition and Anti-oxidant Activity

Aims:To study the chemical composition of volatile oil samples from different place in Egypt (Mansoura, Gamsa and Assuit) and study their antioxidant activity determined by DPPH assay.Study Design: Hydro distillation of volatile oil samples and theirGC/MS analysis and determination of their antioxidant activity by DPPH assay.Place and Duration of Study:Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of pharmacy, Mansoura university, Egypt, between June 2015 and November 2017.Methodology:The essential oil was isolated by hydro-distillation for 5 h using a Clevenger-type all-glass apparatus according to the standard procedure of the European pharmacopeia and volatile oils analysis was performed by GC and GC-MS. GC analysis was carried out using Focus-DSQ-ӀI GC/MS instrument (Thermo Scientific, MA, USA) equipped with TR-5 fused silica column (30 m × 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 μm).Results: The yield of the essential oils of three rosemary plants growing in Mansoura (RM), Gamsa (RG) and Assiut (RA) were 0.20% v/w, 0.32% v/w and 0.24% v/w, respectively. Their chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS, RM and RG were found to be α-pinene dominated chemotypes, 32.4% and 29.6%, respectively, meanwhile RA was camphor dominated chemotype (17.2%). Furthermore, their antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay. Their IC50 values of essential oils of RM, RG and RA were 8.66 ± 0.7, 8.18 ± 0.5 and 9.74 ± 0.2, respectively.Conclusion:The GC/MS spectral data revealed the considerable difference between the chemical composition of essential oil constituents of RM, RG and RA which lead to different chemotypes. The present results also demonstrate that REO obtained from different areas inEgypt exhibited free radical scavenging activity determined by DPPH assay due to the synergistic effect between their constituents.

Research on grade prediction of Spatholobi Caulis via components-anti-oxidant activity correlations / 中草药

Objective: The model for grade evaluation of Spatholobi Caulis medicinal slices was constructed based on the quality control idea of traditional Chinese medicines that “components reflect activity and activity points to efficacy”. Methods: A method to determinate catechin and epicatechin content by using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was proposed. ABTS•+ clearance rate, hydroxyl radical clearance rate and DPPH• clearance rate were used as evaluation indexes of biological activity. Correlations between content and anti-oxidant activity were analyzed by the logistic algorithm. Finally, a “principal component analysis-logistic regression” model for grade prediction of Spatholobi Caulis was constructed. Results: Catechin and epicatechin content in Spatholobi Caulis medicinal slices from different origins was between 0.40-1.26 mg/g and 0.57-2.02 mg/g, respectively. The anti-oxidant indexes ABTS•+, hydroxyl radical and DPPH• clearance rate were between 12.96%-51.76%, 30.65%-66.65%, and 37.65%-60.33%, respectively. The binary logistic regression analysis results showed that five batches were evaluated as excellent, average and poor rank, and four batches were considered as good rank (P > 94%) among 17 batches of Spatholobi Caulis herbal pieces and its two kinds of counterfeit (Sargentodoxa cuneata and Mucuna sempervirens). Conclusion: Binary logistic regression model for grade evaluation of Spatholobi Caulis medicinal slices was constructed preliminarily. It is applicable to assess quality of Spatholobi Caulis herbal pieces. The grading evaluation model of Spatholobi Caulis via logistic regression analysis can be used to classification of Spatholobi Caulis from different sources.

Establishment of antioxidative activity determination for Achnatherum inebrians by graphene nanoenzyme / 中草药

Objective: To develop a new method for the determination of anti-oxidant activity of drugs by using the peroxidase activity of graphene nanoenzyme, and apply it for the determination of the anti-oxidant activity of the national medicine Achnatherum inebrians. Methods: The anti-oxidant activity of 18 batches of samples was measured after optimizing H2O2 concentration and reaction time. At the same time, the anti-oxidative activity was measured again using the DPPH method. The Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok regression methods were used to compare the detection data of the two methods. Results: Using the nanoenzyme method, the inhibition rates of 18 batches of A. inebrians were between 37.28% and 71.58%, with an average of 50.87% and a median of 47.09%. Free radical scavenging rates of 18 batches of A. inebrians measured by the DPPH method were between 36.06% and 83.11%, with an average of 54.89% and a median of 50.83%. The statistical results showed that the measured values of nanoenzyme method and DPPH method were similar; There was a linear relationship between the two methods, and different methods can be transformed by Passing-Bablok regression method. Conclusion: The graphene nanoenzyme was successfully applied to the detection of anti-oxidant activity, and the anti-oxidant activity of A. inebrians was also found. The nanoenzyme method can avoid the problem of light sensitivity of the reagent, shorten the reaction time, reduce the amount of medicinal solution, and the results are consistent with the DPPH method, which is suitable for the determination of antioxidant activity.

A Review of Quercus infectoria (Olivier) Galls as a Resource for Anti-parasitic Agents: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

@#Parasitic diseases represent one of the causes for significant global economic, environmental and public health impacts. The efficacy of currently available anti-parasitic drugs has been threatened by the emergence of single drug- or multidrug-resistant parasite populations, vector threats and high cost of drug development. Therefore, the discovery of more potent anti-parasitic drugs coming from medicinal plants such as Quercus infectoria is seen as a major approach to tackle the problem. A systematic review was conducted to assess the efficacy of Q. infectoria in treating parasitic diseases both in vitro and in vivo due to the lack of such reviews on the anti-parasitic activities of this plant. This review consisted of intensive searches from three databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. Articles were selected throughout the years, limited to English language and fully documented. A total of 454 potential articles were identified, but only four articles were accepted to be evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Although there were insufficient pieces of evidence to account for the efficacy of Q. infectoria against the parasites, this plant appears to have anti-leishmanial, anti-blastocystis and anti-amoebic activities. More studies in vitro and in vivo are warranted to further validate the anti-parasitic efficacy of Q. infectoria.

Efficacy and local irritation evaluation of Eriobotrya japonica leaf ethanol extract / 한국실험동물학회지

BACKGROUND: Although Eriobotrya japonica leaves have been studied as a raw material for various cosmetic products, little is known about the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activities of Eriobotrya japonica leaf ethanol extract (EJEE). METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activities of EJEE using different in vitro models. In addition, we investigated the potential irritation of EJEE to skin and eye using animal alternative tests. RESULTS: The total content of polyphenols, one of the active constituents of EJEE, was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and found to contain 88.68 mg tannic acid equivalent/g. EJEE showed a concentration-dependent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, and a superoxide dismutase-like activity. The anti-inflammatory effect of 0.5% (w/v) EJEE was demonstrated by a reduction in lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in RAW 264.7 cells. EJEE also significantly inhibited melanogenesis in melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced B16F1 cells. EJEE did not show any irritation in skin and eye in animal alternative test. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the EJEE possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activities, while it did not induce toxicity or irritation in neither skin nor eye. Therefore, EJEE can be used as a cosmetic ingredient for skin improvement.

Determination of chlorogenic acid, total flavones, and anti-oxidant activity of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae and Flos Lonicerae / 中草药

Objective To determine the content of chlorogenic acid, total flavones, and anti-oxidant activity in Flos Lonicerae japonicae and Flos Lonicerae obtained from three different origins and compare their differences. Methods The optimized extraction conditions of chlorogenic acid were ultrasonic extraction 30 min in 65 ℃ with ethanol: water (60︰40) and solid-liquid ratio (1︰20). The optimized extraction conditions of total flavonoids were ultrasonic extraction 30 min at 65 ℃ with 60% methanol solution, solid-liquid ratio (1︰10). HPLC and UV spectrophotometry were used to determine the content of chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids in the samples, and then estimation of anti-oxidative activity of Flos Lonicerae japonicae and Flos Lonicerae by DPPH radical scavenging capacity method. Results A method for the analysis of chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids was established, which have a good linear relationship of chlorogenic acid in 0.119-1.190 mg/mL and R2 was 0.999 2 (n = 6); A good linear relationship between 0.008 and 0.050 mg/mL and r2 was 0.999 5 (n = 6) for analysis of the total flavonoids. The average content of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, and free radical scavenging rate of Flos Lonicerae from Hunan Province was 3.99%, 13.43%, and 62.41%, respectively. The average content of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids and free radical scavenging rate of Flos Lonicerae from Chongqing were 3.29%, 10.08%, and 51.48% respectively. The average content of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, and free radical scavenging rate of Flos Lonicerae japonicae from Guangxi Province were 2.55%, 7.10%, and 39.51%, respectively. Conclusion This study proposed an analytical method combining the chemical composition analysis and anti-oxidant activity to compare the differences between the different producing areas of Flos Lonicerae japonicae and Flos Lonicerae. Combining the “spectrum-effect”, it provides a new model for the quality control and identification of two plants.

Comparative analysis of Maillard reaction products and anti-oxidant activity of dichloromethane extraction from Polygonati Rhizoma after processing / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the Maillard reaction products and anti-oxidant activity of dichloromethane extraction from Polygonati Rhizoma (PR) after processing. Methods: Three species of PR were prepared by different processing time according to the preparation process of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The colour changes of Maillard reaction characteristics during the processing of PR were detected by UV-Vis; The pH changes were detected by pH detector; GC-MS was used to analyze the change of Maillard reaction products (MRPs); DPPH radical scavenging activity was used as the evaluation index of anti-oxidant activity. Results: With the increase of processing time, the MRPs and Browning degree increased, the pH value decreased, and the anti-oxidant activity increased. After processing for 16 h, three species of PR had the same change, showing the characteristics of Maillard reaction. GC-MS analysis detected multiple characteristic MRPs, including 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran- 4-one and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of three species of PR were significantly increased after processing for 16 h. Conclusion: During the processing, PR have the characteristic products in Maillard reaction, and with the extension of processing time, the anti-oxidant activity increases regularly. These provide a basis for the material basic research of PR.

Research progress on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis based on aging hypotheses / 中草药

Baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, and wogonin are major flavonoids of Scutellaria baicalensis, which have been reported to possess various pharmacological effects such as anti-oxidation, immunomodulation, mitochondrial protection, telomerase inhibition, and anti-inflammatory activities. Recently, researches on their anti-aging activity have also gradually increased. Therefore, combining with kinds of aging hypotheses, e.g. the free radical aging hypothesis, immunosenescence aging hypothesis, spleen-kidney aging hypothesis of Chinese medicine, the mitochondrial aging hypothesis, the telomere hypothesis of cellular aging, inflamm-aging, we focus on the related pharmacological properties and mechanisms of these four flavonoids and make a review, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the anti-aging research of flavonoids in S. baicalensis.

Anticomplementary and anti-oxidant activities of constituents from Juniperus convallium / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents from Juniperus convallium, as well as their anticomplementary and antioxidant activities. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS-C18, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectra analysis. The cell hemolysis assay was used to evaluate the anticomplementary activities and the targets through classical and alternative pathways. Also the anti-oxidant activities were tested by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. Results: A total of 17 compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of J. convallium and identified as amentoflavone (1), cupressuflavone (2), cupressuflavone-4″’-O-β-D-glucosides (3), naringenin-7-O- glycoside (4), apigenin (5), tiliroside (6), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside (7), quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (8), hypolaetin-7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (9), isomassonianoside B (10), (+)-isolariciresinol 2a-O-β-D-glucoside (11), (+)-isolarisiresinol 3a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12), cryptomeridiol (13), 3β-hydroxysandaracopimeric acid (14), (1R,3R,4aR,4bS,7R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1,2,3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,9,10,10a- dodecahydro-3-hydroxy-1,4a,7-trimethyl-1-phenanthrene methanol (15), 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-coumarin (16) and β-sitosterol (17). Compounds 1-15 and 17 showed anticomplementary activities in different degrees (CH50: 0.05-3.99 mmol/L, AP50: 0.58 -19.13 mmol/L). The flavonoids, especially the biflavonoids, are the important anticomplementary constituents in J. convallium. Further analysis of structure-activity relationship showed that phenolic hydroxyl and glycosidic groups influenced their anticomplementary activity. Only the flavonoids (1-3, 5-9) and lignans (10-12) showed different degrees of antioxidant activities due to their hydroxyl groups. Conclusion: All the 17 compounds are isolated from J. convallium for the first time. The flavonoids and lignans are the important anticomplementary and antioxidant constituents in J. convallium with a certain structure-acticity relationship. This study provides a good reference for further research on the pharmacological substance and quality control of J. convallium.

Anti-oxidant chemical constituents from Patrinia villosa / 中草药

Objective: To study the antioxidant chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Patrinia villosa. Methods: The 70% ethanol-water extract of the herb was separated by silica gel column chromatography, ODS column chromatography and sephadex column chromatography. Then, the compound were further purified and extracted by semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by physiochemical property and spectral analysis. DPPH and ABTS methods were used to determine the antioxidant bioactivities of the isolated compounds. Results: A total of ten compounds were isolated and synthesized, including chlorogenic acid butyl ester (1), 3,4-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester (2), luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (3), 1β-O-β-D-glucopyranosy- 15-O-(p-hydroxylphenylacetate)-5α,6βH-eudesma-3,11(13)-dien-12,6α-olide (4), 3,4-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid ethyl ester (5), 4,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester (6), 4,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid n-butyl ester (7), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide methyl ester (8), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide ethyl ester (9), and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide methyl ester (10). The DPPH radical scavenging IC50 of compounds 3, 8, and 9 were (23.95 ± 0.71), (73.09 ± 0.33), and (25.06 ± 0.65) μmol/L, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging IC50 was (7.13 ± 0.07), (11.48 ± 0.21), (5.15 ± 0.08) mol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Eight compounds except compounds 3 and 8 are obtained from this species for the first time. Compounds 3, 8, and 9 had significant antioxidant activity.

Research advances on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of various parts of Nelumbo nucifera / 中草药

As a common medicine and homologous plant, Nelumbo nucifera mainly contains alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes, steroids, fatty acids, proteins, minerals, vitamins and other chemical constituents, with lipid-lowering, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hemostasis and other pharmacological activities. After reviewing the literatures at home and abroad for nearly 40 years, 385 compounds have been reported from different parts of N. nucifera including lotus leaves, plumula nelumbinis, lotus, lotus seeds, lotus root, lotus seedpod, nelumbinis rhizome node, lotus stem, N. nucifera stamens and lotus seed skins. There are 86 alkaloids, 133 flavonoids, and 166 other compounds. In this review, we summarized the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects reported in N. nucifera, and it provides a reference for further study on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activity and development and utilization of N. nucifera.

Study on Content Determination of Ellagic Acid in Different Medicinal Parts of Rosa roxburghii and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of Its Ethanol Extract / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： Compare the contents of free ellagic acid and total ellagic acid in fruits， roots and levels of Rosa roxburghii， and to evaluate the in vitro anti-oxidant activity of ethanol extract of three medicinal parts of R. roxburghii. METHODS： Free ellagic acid and total ellagic acid were obtained from different medicinal parts of R. roxburghii by ultrasonic extraction and acid hydrolysis， respectively. The contents of them were determined by UPLC. Using half-clearance value （IC50） as anti-oxidant evaluation index， free radical scavenging test of 1，1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine （DPPH） and 2，2′ -binitro-bis（3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid） （ABTS） were conducted for ethanol extract of different medicinal part， using vitamin C （VC） as positive control. RESULTS： There were significant differences in the content of free ellagic acid and total ellagic acid in different medicinal parts of R. roxburghii. The content level of free ellagic acid was in descending order： R. roxburghii leaves （38.49 mg/g）＞R. roxburghii fruits （20.59 mg/g）＞R. roxburghii roots （11.35 mg/g）； the content level of total ellagic acid was in descending order： R. roxburghii leaves （197.08 mg/g） ＞ R. roxburghii fruits （49.36 mg/g） ＞ R. roxburghii roots （21.86 mg/g）. The contents of total ellagic acid in the fruits and roots of R. roxburghii were twice as much as that of free ellagic acid in corresponding parts； the contnets of total ellagic acid in the leaves of R. roxburghii were five times higher than that of free ellagic acid in corresponding parts. In the DPPH free radical scavenging test and ABTS free radical scavenging test， the order of antioxidant activity was VC ＞ R. roxburghii leaves＞R. roxburghii fruits＞R. roxburghii roots. There was no statistical significance in the effects of R. roxburghii leaves [IC50 to DPPH free radical and ABTS free radical were （4.57±0.70）、（115.99±2.21） μg/mL] and R. roxburghii fruits [IC50 to DPPH free radical and ABTS free radical were （5.12±0.24）、（127.61±3.31）    μg/mL]， compared with the effects of VC [IC50 to DPPH free radical and ABTS free radical were （4.47±0.38）、（121.42±2.65）      μg/mL] （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： Among fruits， roots and leaves of R. roxburghii， the content of free （total） ellagic acid is the highest in the R. roxburghii leaves and in vitro anti-oxidant activity of its ethanol extract is the strongest.

Study of anti-oxidants of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmannia Radix Praeparata by HPLC-UV-DPPH method / 中草药

Objective To develop an HPLC-UV-DPPH method to compare anti-oxidants of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata sample from different manufactories and to provide an effective method for the processing and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods HPLC in HPLC-UV-DPPH system was performed on Aglient Extend C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column with gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.1% acetic acid at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and the detection wavelength was at 334 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃. Flow rate of DPPH solution is 0.5 mL/min, and detection wavelength was set at 517 nm. The total activities of the samples and the contribution rate of each component to the total activity were evaluated by the “quantity-effect” research idea, and verbascoside was regarded as a positive reference. The main anti-oxidants in original and processed herbs were identified by HPLC-FT-MS and were compared. Results The detection of HPLC-UV-DPPH method showed that there were nine anti-oxidants in Rehmanniae Radix extract, while 13 anti-oxidants were found in Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata. There were eight common anti-oxidants in the two herbs. The anti-oxidants were obviously different before and after Rehmanniae Radix processed. The activities of the antioxidants in different samples were markedly different. Anti-oxidants with higher contributions were mussaenosidic acid, echinacoside, jionoside A1/A2, verbascoside, and isoverbascoside, respectively. Conclusion The HPLC-UV-DPPH method is stable, sensitive, reproducible, and suitable for rapid screening of anti-oxidants and quality evaluation of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmannia Radix Praeparata.

Research progress on chemical constituents of marine medicine Ipomoea pes-caprae and their pharmacological activities / 中草药

Ipomoea pes-caprae, the plant of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae), is the marine medicine growing in the intertidal zone of coasts. It is not only the Jing nationality medicine in the southern coastal areas of China, but also the folk medicine in the tropical and subtropical countries such as Australia, Mexico, Thailand, Brazil, and Pakistan. It is resource-rich and widely used. The main compounds contain resin glycosides, terpenoids, phenolic acid, flavonoids, volatile oils, and steroids. Pharmacological studies have been reported that I. pes-caprae has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, antibiosis, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anticollagenase, anti-oxidation, immun regulation, and other activities. The recent study on chemical composition and pharmacological activities of I. pes-caprae are summarized in this paper to provide reference for the clinical application, quality control and product development of the marine medicine.

Quality evaluation study of Pueraria Radix and Pueraria thomsonii by component contents and anti-oxidant activity / 中草药

Objective: To determine the components of 3'-hydroxy puerarin, puerarin, daidzin, daidzein, genistein glycosides, and genistein from Pueraria Radix and to study the quality of medicinal materials combining with anti-oxidant activity. Methods: The contents of six main components from Pueraria Radix samples were determined by using UPLC-DAD method, which performed on AgiLent Zorbax SB-C18 (5 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm), acetonitrile and 0.1% acetic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase, column temperature 30 ℃, and the flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The anti-oxidant activity evaluation of DPPH was accomplished by using UV spectrophotometry. Comprehensive weighted evaluation was based on seven indicators, combined six kinds of ingredients with the IC50 of medicine, and made cluster analysis. Results: Studies had shown that the quality of No. 8, 9, 50, and 51 samples of Pueraria thomsonii was better than others, which collected from Jianyang and Jiangyou. And the quality of No. 19, 20, 29, 30, and 31 samples of cultivated-planting Pueraria omeiensis was poor. The quality of No. 33 ~ 37, 65 ~ 69 samples of Pueraria Radix was better than other places in Sichuan Province, which collected from Pingwu, Beichuan, and Qingchuan. Conclusion: The UPLC wavelength switching technology multicomponent simultaneous determination method is simple and convenient, which has good reproducibility, strong specificity. Comprehensive weighted evaluation method can analyze the quality of medicinal materials better, which provides references for comprehensive evaluation on the main varieties of Pueraria.

Advances in chemical compounds and pharmacological effects of Dendrobii Caulis / 中草药

Dendrobium represents one of the most important orchid genera with ornamental and medicinal values. The stems of Dendrobium species have been used as Dendrobii Caulis in traditional Chinese medicine for a thousand years, which manifest a diversity of medicinal effects including tonic, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory. In recent decades, about 100 compounds have been found and identified from the medicinal parts of more than 40 Dendrobium species, which include polysaccharide, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, amino acids, trace elements, coumarin, tanning, sterols, etc. This review focus on main research conducted during the last decade on Dendrobii Caulis and their constituents, which have been studied on their pharmacological effects involving immunomodulatory activities, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, enterogastric strengthening, anti-angiogenesis, allergic dermatitis symptoms improving, antifatigue, antiplatelet aggregation, etc. Simultaneously, the key research problems and the future development on Dendrobium are prospected.

Research progress on flavonoids and coumarins from Chimonanthus plants and its pharmacological activities / 中草药

Chimonanthus plants are endemic in China, which was rich and widely distributed; And its roots, stems, leaves, buds, and fruit can be used as medicine. It is a traditional garden flower and folk medicine, which has a great prospect for development. In this paper, the constituents flavonoids and coumarins from the genus Chimonanthus plants and its pharmacological activities were systematically reviewed, and their research status and development prospects were prospected to provide reference for the further research and development of Chimonanthus plants.

Research progress on pharmacological effects of p-coumaric acid / 中草药

p-coumaric acid is mainly found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and fungi, and is also abundant in Chinese herbal medicines. The pharmacological effects of p-coumaric acid has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor effects, antiplatelet aggregation, cardiovascular protection, prevention and improvement of diabetes, and neuroprotection, while the anti-oxidant activities of p-coumaric acid is the important basis of other pharmacological effects. In addition, p-coumaric acid has a certain inhibitory effect on bacteria, and also can inhibit melanin formation and delay skin aging. This paper reviews the main pharmacological effects of p-coumaric acid and provides reference for the development of both medicinal and food resources.

Research progress on pharmacological effects of Polygonati Rhizoma / 中草药

As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Polygonati Rhizoma widely distributed in most areas south of the Yangtze River. It has the function of nourishing liver and kidney, prolonging life and so on. Importantly, it is a Taoist Holy medicine since ancient times. Polygonati Rhizoma has high medicinal value and nutritional value because it contains polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, lignin, amino acids, quinones, vitamins, alkaloids and a variety of trace elements and so on. The domestic research institutions have carried out a deeper exploration, while its research is still at an early stage for foreign countries. At present, the experimental studies are mainly concentrated on the polysaccharides, ethanol, the extracts of saponins or the aqueous extracts of Polygonati Rhizoma. The experimental type is mainly based on the animal experiments and the clinical researches of Polygonati Rhizoma or its compound preparations. Various Polygonati Rhizoma preparations have been widely used in clinic, such as Polygonati Rhizoma Oral Liquid, Polygonati Rhizoma Tea, Cistanche and Polygonati Rhizoma Granules, Polygonati Rhizoma Zanyu Capsules, Polygonati Rhizoma essence oil patch and so on, which play different roles in individual products. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis was carried out on the basis of the latest experimental research on Polygonati Rhizoma, and its utility value was summed up from various angles, which provides a reference for the deep development and application of the Polygonati Rhizoma.

Advances in metabolomics research of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma / 中草药

As a famous medicinal material, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma not only has good medicinal value, but also has been widely used in food and cosmetic industries. Therefore, a lot of research on Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma have been conducted. In recent years, metabolomics has been used more widely in traditional Chinese medicine research. This paper summarizes the identification of origin, processing, pharmacological effects, and ecological factors of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma by the metabolomics. This review will benefit the further systematic study of licorice and reveal the mechanism of it’s pharmacological action.