Cimicifuga heracleifolia is therapeutically similar to black cohosh in relieving menopausal symptoms: evidence from pharmacological and metabolomics studies / 中国天然药物

In the market of botanical dietary supplements, Cimicifuga heracleifolia (CH) has always been considered as an adulterated species of Cimicifuga racemosa (CR), a conventional American herb with promising benefits to counteract troubles arising from the menopause. However, the detailed comparison of their therapeutic effects is lacking. In present study, the pharmacological and metabolomics studies were comparatively conducted between CH and CR in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Specifically, estrogen-like, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-osteoporosis effects were evaluated through measuring serum biochemical parameters, histopathological examination and micro computed tomography (Micro-CT) scanning. At the same time, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based serum metabolomics method was employed to profile the metabolite compositional changes. As a result, both CR and CH displayed anti-osteoporosis and anti-hyperlipemia on menopause syndrome. Meanwhile, their potentials in improving the OVX-induced metabolic disorders were discovered. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that CH is therapeutically similar to CR in relieving menopausal symptoms and CH could be considered as a promising alternative to CR instead of an adulterant in the market of botanical dietary supplements.

Effect of apoptosis on G361 cells by Cimicifuga rhizoma extract / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the cytotoxic effect of Cimicifuga rhizoma extract is associated with cell death in the human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human melanoma cell lines (G361). METHODS: Apoptosis induced by Cimicifuga rhizoma extract was confirmed by water-soluble tetrazolium salts-1 (WST-1) assay, immunocytochemistry, and western blot. Additionally, the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: The results showed that Cimicifuga rhizoma extract significantly reduced the viability of G361 cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 200 µg/ml, and the apoptotic process was found to occur via the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 pathways. Besides, the release of cytochrome c and AIF was also detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Cimicifuga rhizoma extract causes apoptosis of human melanoma cells through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Isolation and Identification of Chemical Constituents of Phenolic Acid from Cimicifuga dahurica / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: Cimicifuga dahurica (Ranunculaceae) has many bioactivities. Although there have been intensive studies for saponin constituents at present, only a few studies have focused on for chemical constituents of phenolic acid. To define the phenolic acid constituents,C. dahurica was separated, and the structures of the compounds were identified,in the expectation of providing a basis for its further development,utilization and quality control. Method: A total of 16 kg rhizome of C. dahurica was extracted with 70%ethanol for three times by heating reflux. These 3 extracts were decompressed and concentrated,and then dissolved in water. Then the solvent was successively extracted with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate(EtOAc) and n-butanol(BuOH). The components of EtOAc and water extract were isolated and purified by macroporous,silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography,preparative HPLC and recrystallization,and the structures were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and physicochemical analysis etc. Result: Fifteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate and water fractions,and identified as cimicifugic G (1),2-caffeoyl piscidic acid (2),cimicifugic A (3),cimicifugic B (4),caffeic acid 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5),cimicifugic E (6),cimicifugic F (7),trans-ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8),carboxymethyl isoferulate (9),3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid (10),ethyl ferulate (11),caffeic ester glucoside (12),shomaside A (13),isoferulic acid (14),caffeic acid (15). Conclusion: Compounds 1-7,9-10,13 were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Effects of estrogen and remifemin on neuronal nitric oxide synthase and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 in submandibular gland of ovariectomized rats / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of estrogen and remifemin on the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, member 1 and 3 (M1 and M3 receptor) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the submandibular gland of rats.@*Methods@#Forty SD female adult rats were divided into SHAM group (sham operation), OVX group (ovarian removal), OVX+E group (ovarian removal + estrogen treatment) and OVX+ICR group (ovarian removal + remifemin treatment), 10 per group. The rats were recovered for 2 weeks after operation. The SHAM group and the OVX group were treated with distilled water, the OVX+E group and the OVX+ICR group were treated with β-estradiol and remifemin respectively. After 4 weeks, the location and expression of nNOS, TRPV1, M1 and M3 receptors in the submandibular gland were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The changes of AChE expression in rat submandibular gland were observed by AChE staining.@*Results@#Compared with SHAM group (0.23±0.02, 0.28±0.01, 0.25±0.03, 0.19±0.03), the expression of nNOS, TRPV1, M1 and M3 receptors in OVX group (0.16±0.01, 0.21±0.01, 0.15±0.02, 0.09±0.02) were significantly lower (P<0.05); there were no significant difference between OVX+E group (0.23±0.01, 0.28±0.02, 0.23±0.03, 0.19±0.01) and SHAM group (P>0.05). But compared with OVX group, the expression of nNOS, TRPV1 and M3 receptors in OVX+ICR group were no significantly changed (P>0.05), and only M1 receptor expression (0.22±0.03) was significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of AChE in OVX group (0.14±0.01) was significantly higher than that in SHAM group (0.10±0.01) (P<0.05). The expression of AChE in OVX+E group (0.15±0.01) was significantly higher than that in SHAM group (P<0.05). The expression of AChE in OVX+ICR group (0.09±0.01) was not significantly different from that in SHAM group (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#Estrogen can significantly increase the expression of nNOS and TRPV1 in the submandibular gland of rats, suggesting that estrogen may regulate the salivary secretion function of the submandibular gland through nNOS and TRPV1. The mechanism of remifemin is different from that of estrogen, and remifemin does not play a regulatory role by nNOS and TRPV1.

Chemical constituents from rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica / 中草药

To isolate and identify the chemical constituents from the rhizome of Cimicifuga dahurica. Methods The isolation and purification of 60% EtOH extract of the rhizomes of C. dahurica were carried out through various modern chromatographic separation techniques: HP-20, silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column and semi-preparative HPLC. And the structures of the compounds were identified based on spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties. Results Twenty compounds were isolated and identified as cimicifugaside F (1), (+) (2S,3R)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-[(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy) methyl]-7-methoxybenzofuran-5-propenoic acid (2), 5-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzoic acid (3), benzoic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (4), isoferulic acid (5), ferulic acid (6), trans-ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-allopyranoside (7), trans-ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (8), (E)-sinapic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (9), 6,6’-di-O-sinapoylsurcose (10), piscidic acid (11), fukinolic acid (12), N-trans-feruloyltyramine 4-O-β-D-allopyranoside (13), N-trans-3’-methoxy-4’-feruloyltyramine-4-O-β-D-allopyranoside (14), N-trans-3’-methoxy-4’- feruloyltyramine-4-O-β-D-glucoside (15), grevilloside G (16), (-)-syringaresinol (17), (-)-syringaresinol 4,4’-di-O-β-D- allopyranoside (18), (+)-isolarisiresinol 3a-O-β-D-glucoside (19), (-)-5’-methoxyisolariciresinol 3a-O-β-D-glucoside (20). Conclusion Compound 1 was identified as a new lignan, and compounds 2-4, 8-10, 15-17 and 20 were isolated from Cimicifuga genus for the first time.

Estrategias no farmacológicas para el manejo de los síntomas vasomotores en la menopausia

Los síntomas vasomotores afectan a gran número de mujeres en la peri y posmenopausia, impactando notablemente en la calidad de vida; por otro lado, su duración en el tiempo es incierta y muchas veces prolongada. Si bien la terapia hormonal de la menopausia (THM) constituye el tratamiento más efectivo para los síntomas climatéricos en su conjunto, en algunos casos existen contraindicaciones para su uso. Por lo tanto, ofrecer estrategias de tratamiento en las mujeres con contraindicación al tratamiento hormonal resulta mandatorio. Contamos con una amplia gama de opciones no hormonales, tanto farmacológicas como no farmacológicas. Dentro de estas últimas se incluyen las terapias alternativas o naturales (isoflavonas y cimicifuga racemosa), las modificaciones sobre el estilo de vida y las terapias complementarias. Las terapias alternativas presentaron resultados controvertidos en cuanto a la efectividad sobre los síntomas climatéricos y, por otro lado, debido a que su mecanismo de acción involucra a los receptores estrogénicos, están contraindicadas en las pacientes con antecedentes personales de cánceres hormonodependientes. Las modificaciones del estilo de vida impactan positivamente la salud general de la mujer, más allá de los síntomas climatéricos. En cuanto a las terapias complementarias, las únicas recomendadas son la terapia cognitiva conductual y la hipnosis. Se debe individualizar en cada caso la mejor opción terapéutica, teniendo en cuenta los antecedentes, interacciones medicamentosas, estado cognitivo, entre otros, ya que el objetivo final es mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestras pacientes.

Vasomotor symptoms affect a large number of women in the peri and post menopause with significant impact on quality of life; the duration of these symptoms is uncertain and often prolonged. Although menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for climacteric symptoms, there are some contraindications for its use. Therefore, it is mandatory to offer other treatment strategies for women with contraindication to hormonal treatment. We have a wide range of non-hormonal options available, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Among the latter, we include alternative or natural therapies (isoflavones and cimicifuga racemosa), lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies. Alternative therapies show controversial results regarding effectiveness on climacteric symptoms, and their mechanism of action involves estrogen receptors; they are contraindicated in patients with a personal history of hormone-dependent cancers. Lifestyle modifications have a positive impact on women's general health, beyond the climacteric symptoms. The only complementary therapies recommended are cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis. In each case, the best therapeutic option should be individualized, taking into account the patient's clinical history, drug interactions and cognitive status, since the ultimate goal is to improve quality of life.

Chemicals from Cimicifuga dahurica and Their Inhibitory Effects on Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Production by LPS-stimulated Bone Marrow-derived Dendritic Cells

Inflammation is a biological response caused by overactivation of the immune system and is controlled by immune cells via a variety of cytokines. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines enhances abnormal host immunity, resulting in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α might be one way to treat these conditions. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., which is traditionally used as an antipyretic and analgesic in Korea. In primary cell culture assays, 12 compounds were found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-6, and TNF-α) in vitro in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated with LPS.

HPLC-UV fingerprint of Cimicifugae Rhizoma from different regions / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To detect the HPLC-UV fingerprints of Cimicifugae Rhizoma. Methods The column of Waters XBridge? Shield RP18 (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) and a mixture of 0.05% phosphoric acid water solution -acetonitrile as the mobile phase was at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, the column temperature was 30 and℃the ahsorhance was monitored at 320 nm, the injection volume was 20 μl. The fingerprints of Cimicifugae Rhizoma were analyzed, and the similarity analysis was used to evaluate the quality of Cimicifugae Rhizoma in different areas. Results To establish a method of HPLC-UV fingerprint of Cimicifugae Rhizoma, and eleven common peaks were identified of cimifugin, caffeic acid, isoferulic acid peaks. The similarity of the fingerprints of 12 batches of Cimicifugae Rhizoma in four producing areas was above 0.88. The precision, repeatability and stability of the method were good. Conclusions The method is simple, accurate and reproducible, which provides the basis for scientific evaluation of the quality control of Cimicifugae Rhizoma.

Chemical constituents from rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica. Methods The chemical constituents from the rhizomes of C. dahurica in ethyl acetate extraction phase and H2O fraction were isolated and purified by chromatographic methods, such as silica gel, opening ODS column, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. Which stucture were identified by NMR and physicochemical analysis. Results Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as 20(R),23 (R),24(R),25(S),26(S)-16β:23; 23:26; 24:25-triepoxy-12β-acetoxy-3β,26-dihydroxy-9,19-cyclolanost-7-ene-3-O-β- D-xylopyranoside (1), cimiaceroside B (2), 23-O-acetylshengmanol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (3), 7,8-didehydro-24-O-acetylhydroshengmanol-3-O-β-D- xylopyranoside (4), 24-epi-cimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (5), 24-O-acetyldahurinol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (6), 24-epi-24-O- acetylhydroshengmanol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (7), 12β-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (8), 23-O-acetyl-7,8- didehydroshengmanol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (9), 7,8-didehydro-25-dehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (10), 25-O- ethylcimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (11), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (12), 24-O-acetylisodahurinol-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (13), 2,3-dihydroxy-2-[(4-hydroxyphenyl) methyl]-1-ethyl ester (14), and 2,3-dihydroxy-2-[(4-hudroxyphenyl) methyl]-4-ethyl ester (15). Conclusion Compounds 6, 11-12, and 14-15 are isolated from Cimicifuga genus for the first time. Compounds 1, 4-5, 8-10, and 13 are isolated from C. dahurica for the first time.

The cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis effects of cycloartane triterpenoid on HCT116 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the antitumor effects of cimigenol ( KY17 ) , a novel cycloartane triterpenoid from Cimicifuga , in human colon cancer cells (HCT116).Methods MTT assay was used to deter-mine the effect of KY17 on the proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts ( MEF) and human colon cancer HCT116 cell line.Flow cytometry was employed to de-tect the effect of KY17 on HCT116 cell cycle.Fluores-cence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to ana-lyze the apoptosis .Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptotic protein (PARP).q-PCR ana-lyzed the expression of miRNA-34a.Results The IC50 of KY17 in MEF and HCT116 cells was 27.28 μmol· L-1 and 9.31μmol· L-1 , respectively.KY17 induced HCT116 cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and the apoptotic protein PARP cleavage . In addition, KY17 up-regulated the expression of p 53 protein and miRNA-34a.Conclusions KY17 inhibits the prolifera-tion and the cell cycle is arrested in G 2/M, inducing the apoptosis of HCT116 cells. The mechanism is probably related to miRNA-34a up-regulation and p53 activation .

Elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia comparative study on the clinical curative effect of Cimicifuga Biejia decoction, decitabine combined with Ara-c+ ACR+ G-CSF chemotherapy / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of shenmabiejia and decitabine combined with CAG chemotherapy regimens in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia, so as to provide suggestions for the treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia.Methods120 elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia were randomly divided into Chinese medicine group (40 cases) and Western medicine group (40 cases) and control group (40 cases).The traditional Chinese medicine group were treated with shenmabiejia combined with CAG chemotherapy regimens;the western medicine group with decitabine combined with CAG chemotherapy regimens;the control group received CAG therapy only.Clinical data, effect, ECOG score and adverse reactions were collected.ResultsCompared with control group, CR (χ2=10.131,8.020, P=0.001,0.005) and ORR (χ2=14.245,8.791, P=0.000,0.003) of Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group were higher, NR were lower than those in the control group(χ2=14.245,8.791, P=0.000,0.397).Compared with the control group, ECOG physical scores of Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group were lower (t=5.125,3.427, P=0.000,0.000).The incidence of group, pulmonary infection, fever, thrombocytopenia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, liver injury of traditional Chinese medicine was lower than in the control group (t=10.286,5.556,15.126,4.800,7.207,21.344, P=0.001,0.018,0.000,0.028,0.007,0.000).The incidence of pulmonary infection, fever and nausea and vomiting the probability in Western medicine group is higher than that of control group (t=11.782,8.456,4.036, P=0.000,0.004,0.045).The probability of adverse reaction of traditional Chinese medicine is lower than that of western medicine group.ConclusionShenmabiejia combined with CAG chemotherapy is superior to docetaxel combined with CAG chemotherapy for elderly patients with AML.

Advances in studies on chemical constituents in plants of cimicifuga l. and their bioactivities and clinical application / 中草药

Medicinal plants in Cimicifuga L. contain triterpenoid glycosides, phenolic acids, chromones and other ingredients, showed biological activities of antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-nucleoside transport, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidant, antidepression, etc, and have been used in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. This paper reviews the advances in studies on chemical constituents cimicifuga, focuses on the research progress of biological activities and clinical applications to provide a reference for further development of medicinal plants in Cimicifuga L.

Does Cimicifuga racemosa have the effects like estrogen on the sublingual gland in ovariectomized rats?

BACKGROUND: Cimicifuga racemosa is one of the herbs used for the treatment of climacteric syndrome, and it has been cited as an alternative therapy to estrogen. Apart from hectic fevers, dyspareunia and so on, dry mouth also increase significantly after menopause. It has not yet been reported whether C. racemosa has any impact on the sublingual gland, which may relate to dry mouth. In an attempt to determine this, we have compared the effects of estrogen and C. racemosa on the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats. RESULTS: HE staining showed that the acinar cell area had contracted and that the intercellular spaces were broadened in the OVX (ovariectomized rats) group, while treatment with estradiol (E2) and iCR (isopropanolic extract of C. racemosa) improved these lesions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that rough endoplasmic reticulum expansion in mucous and serous acinar epithelial cells and apoptotic cells was more commonly seen in the OVX group than in the SHAM (sham-operated rats) group. Mitochondria and plasma membrane infolding lesions in the striated ducts were also observed. These lesions were alleviated by both treatments. It is of note that, in the OVX + iCR group, the volume of mitochondria in the striated duct was larger than in other groups. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells was significantly increased in the acinar cells of the OVX group compared with the SHAM group (p < 0.05); and the MA (mean absorbance) of caspase-3 in the striated ducts also increased (p < 0.05). Estradiol decreased the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells and the MA of caspase-3 in striated ducts significantly (p < 0.05). ICR also reduced the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells and the MA in the striated ducts (p < 0.05), but the reduction of the MA in striated ducts was inferior to that of the OVX + E2 group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both estradiol and iCR can inhibit subcellular structural damage, and down-regulate the expression of caspase-3 caused by ovariectomy, but their effects were not identical, suggesting that both drugs confer a protective effect on the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats, but that the specific location and mechanism of action producing these effects were different.

Identification and differentiation of major components in three different "Sheng-ma" crude drug species by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS

Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Sheng ma) is a Ranunculaceae herb belonging to a composite family and well known in China. has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Thecontains three varieties ((Turcz.),L. andKom.) which have been used clinically as "Sheng-ma". However, the chemical constituents of three components of "Sheng-ma" have never been documented. In this study, a rapid method for the analysis of the main components of "Sheng-ma" was developed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). The present study reveals the major common and distinct chemical constituents of,andand also reports principal component and statistical analyses of these results. The components were identified by comparing the retention time, accurate mass, mass spectrometric fragmentation characteristic ions and matching empirical molecular formula with that of the published compounds. A total of 32 common components and 8 markers for different "Sheng-ma" components were identified. These findings provide an important basis for the further study and clinical utilities of the three "Sheng-ma" varieties.

Actaea racemosa (Cimicífuga), en las alteraciones del ciclo reproductivo femenino. Representación teatral / Actaea racemosa (Cimicífuga), in the alterations of the female reproductive cycle. Theatrical representation

La planta Actaea racemosa, también conocida como Cimicífuga racemosa o simplemente Cimicífuga, ha sido ampliamente usada la medicina autóctona tradicional de varios grupos indígenas norteamericanos, y como fitofármaco para el tratamiento de las dolencias presentes en las diversas etapas del ciclo reproductivo femenino: menarquia, menstruación, embarazo, parto, puerperio y menopausia. Si bien es cierto que estas etapas hacen parte de un ciclo natural y por lo tanto deberían estar libres de síntomas, algunas mujeres experimentan molestias de diverso grado de intensidad que se traducen al lenguaje médico como síntomas que pueden resultar incapacitantes. Estos síntomas se pueden expresar en las dimensiones física, mental y emocional produciendo cuadros característicos que son susceptibles de tratamiento con medicamentos homeopáticos siendo Actaea racemosa uno de los más útiles. Sin embargo, la materia médica homeopática ofrece otros medicamentos que también son de utilidad para el tratamiento de estos síntomas, motivo por el cual sería conveniente contar con métodos pedagógicos complementarios que permitan su fácil recordación. El presente trabajo tiene como propósito enriquecer el material didáctico disponible para la enseñanza de la homeopatía tomando como sujeto de estudio el medicamento Actaea racemosa para lo cual se elaboró una obra teatral utilizando los síntomas característicos del medicamento cubiertos por menos de 15 medicamentos en el repertorio Radar 10.5. Para el desarrollo de este trabajo se efectuó una revisión no sistemática en textos de materia médica de eminentes homeópatas como Nash, Kent, Farrington, Lathoud, y Vijnovsky, sobre el medicamento Actaea racemosa, así como de la fundamentación teórica para el diseño de la obra teatral.

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.

HPLC fingerprint of Yinqiao Qingre Tablet / 中草药

Objective: To establish HPLC fingerprint for Yinqiao Qingre Tablet (YQT), and analyze the chemical composition of YQT by ESI-Q-TOF MS. Methods: The Kromasil C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid in gradient elution, the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the column temperature was 25℃, and the detection wavelength was 230 nm. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used for qualitative analysis in the positive and negative ion modes. Results: The HPLC fingerprint for 11 batches of YQT and 28 common peaks were obtained, belonging to six medicinal herbs. Among them, seven common peaks came from Forsythiae Fructus, nine common peaks came from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, six common peaks came from Puerariae Lobatae Radix, three common peaks came from Arctii Fructus, one common peak (peak 2) came from Forsythiae Fructus and Cimicifuga Rhizoma, another two common peaks came from Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Cimicifuga Rhizoma, respectively. The similarity of 11 batches of YQT was over 0.95.Totally 42 chemical components were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, 16 of which were identified by references, such as puerarin, daidzin, daidzein, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenin acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C, secoxyloganin, rutin, phillyrin, forsythoside A, arctiin, mangiferin, and timosaponin B II, respectively. Conclusion: This study perfects the system of quality standard and provides the reference for the study of substance basis and quality control of the same type of compound preparations.

Cycloartenol triterpenoid saponins from Cimicifuga simplex (Ranunculaceae) and their biological effects / 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 are distributed widely in Cimicifuga plants, but not in other members of the Ranunculaceae family, and are considered to be characteristics of the Cimicifuga genus. This type of triterpenoid glycoside possesses several important biological activities. More than 120 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk. The aim of this review article is to summarize all the major findings based on the available scientific literatures on C. simplex, with a focus on the identified 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.

Effects of Different Processing Methods on Contents of Isoferulic Acid in Cimicifuga heracleifolia / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of different processing methods on contents of main chemical components isoferulic acid in Cimicifuga heracleifolia. Methods Cimicifuga heracleifolia from the same batch were prepared by processing method. HPLC were used to determine the contents of isoferulic acid in crudes samples, wine-prepared samples, vinegar-prepared samples, and carbonized samples. Results The contents of isoferulic acid of crudes samples and the three different processed products were in the order as follows:carbonized samples (0.404 7%)>vinegar-prepared samples (0.302 3%)>wine-prepared samples (0.262 4%)>crudes samples (0.231 3%). Conclusion Different processing methods had certain effects on the content of isoferulic acid in Cimicifuga heracleifolia.

PHYTOTHERAPY OF ANXIETY DISORDERS / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

The experiments on white Wistar rats have shown that Cimicifuga dahurica (TURCZ) Maxim. tincture and Schizonepeta multifi da (L.)Briq. extract have anxiolytic effect. Cimicifuga dahurica tincture stimulates exploratory activity of animals in the open fi eld test increasing the number of rearings and entries in the central area of the open fi eld and decreasing the number of boles and grooming acts. The Schizonepeta multifi da dry extract in the range of 50 to 300 mg/kg increases the number of water intake in the Vogel confl ict test. The effi cacy of the tested remedies – Cimicifuga dahurica tincture (at the doses of 0.5 and 1.0 ml/kg) and Schizonepeta multifi da extract (in the range of 100-300 mg/ kg) was higher on some parameters than that of valerian preparations. Key words: anxiolytic effect, Cimicifuga dahurica (TURCZ) Maxim. tincture, Schizonepetam multifi da (L.) Briq. extract. Introduction The development of medicinal remedies for the correction of functional impairments of the nervous system is important due to the prevalence of neuro-psychic diseases. At the same time, widely used anxiolytics negatively affect the human body causing hyper-sedation, myorelaxation, etc. [1, 3, 8]. Therefore, the plant remedies which have few side effects are prospective for pharmacological correction of the nervous system disturbances as alternative therapy or auxiliary remedy for increasing the effi cacy of receptor preparations [2, 5]. In this context the perennial plants Cimicifuga dahurica (TURCZ) Maxim. and Schizonepeta multifi da (L.) Briq. used in folk medicine as sedatives and for headaches are of great interest in the therapy of anxiety disorders [6, 7]. The aim of the study was to evaluate the infl uence of Cimicifuga dahurica tincture and Schizonepeta multifi da dry extract on the behavior of white rats in test systems characterizing anxiolytic effect of the medicinal remedy.