Crystallization transformation of amorphous extracts of traditional Chinese medicine and its effect on dissolution behavior — Taking total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata as an example / 中国药科大学学报

@#In order to guarantee the quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the crystallization transformation of complex extracts of TCMs and the influence of solid form on their physicochemical properties were studied.The extract of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata was taken as a model.Crystallization transformation happened when lofting under different conditions, and the intrinsic dissolution tests were carried out.It was found that humidity was the key factor to induce crystallization of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata.The greater the wettability was, the more the crystallization was.The dissolution rate of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata with the most crystallization amount significantly decreased by 96.51% compared to the sample without crystallization.After further simulating the preparation process of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata, it was found that the wet granulation process with introduced water would also lead to crystallization and reduced dissolution rate.As for all crystallization samples, there was an inversely proportional relationship between the dissolution rates and the amount of crystallization.The risk of crystallization existed both in the storage and preparation process of TCM extracts.Crystallization would significantly affect the dissolution rate, and thus the quality of TCM products.In this study, the crystallization transformation of amorphous complex TCM extracts was discovered, and the effect of the crystallization transformation on its dissolution behavior was systematically studied, which provides a new research idea for assuring the quality of TCM products and promoting the improvement of TCM preparation level.

Nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion loaded with active components of Tongmai prescription: preparation, characterization and evaluation by Caco-2 cell model / 药学学报

It is of great significance to apply the nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (NSSPE) to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds, and to study the effect of NSSPE on the oral absorption of various components with different solubility and permeability. In the study, NSSPE of Tongmai prescription was prepared by the high pressure homogenization method with nanocrystals of main active components (puerarin, ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA) of Tongmai prescription as solid particle stabilizers and a mixture of Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil and Labrafil M 1944 CS as oil phase. The NSSPE had better physical stability than nanocrystals suspension and blank emulsion. The adsorption of nanocrystals on the surface of oil droplets was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The surface adsorption rates of puerarin, ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B and tanshinone ⅡA in NSSPE were 15.40% ± 3.19%, 15.39% ± 5.07%, 10.97% ± 3.70% and 31.51% ± 1.60%, respectively. When solid active components were prepared into nanocrystals suspension, the cellular uptake and transport across Caco-2 cells were increased significantly for puerarin and tanshinone IIA. The uptake rates of ferulic acid, ligustilide and tanshinone IIA in NSSPE were further increased compared with the physical mixture of nanocrystals suspension and oil, and the transports of ligustilide and tanshinone IIA were also significantly improved. The main absorption mechanisms of NSSPE were passive diffusion and caveolin-mediated endocytosis, which were determined mainly by the microstructure of NSSPE. In conclusion, NSSPE could be applied to complicated TCM. The "micro" and "nano" synergistic microstructure with drug nanocrystals adsorbed on the surface of micron-sized oil droplets could not only improve the physical stability of NSSPE, but also promote the absorption of various components in NSSPE, which made NSSPE a promising oral drug delivery system for TCM.

Effects of pueraria lobata combined with high-intensity intermittent training on skeletal muscle quality and gene expression / Efeitos da pueraria lobata combinados com treino intermitente de alta intensidade na qualidade músculoesquelética e expressão genética / Efecto de pueraria lobata y entrenamiento intermitente de alta intensidad sobre la calidad del músculo esquelético y la expresión génica

ABSTRACT Extraction of effective components from Pueraria lobata has important value for skeletal muscle quality and gene expression. The improvement effect of traditional high-intensity intermittent training on skeletal muscle has not been obvious, and it is difficult to guarantee the properties of some volatiles. Based on this, this paper analyzes the effect of high-intensity intermittent training on skeletal muscle quality and gene expression in Pueraria lobata. Based on a brief summary of extraction of Pueraria lobata, status of research on the pharmaceutical components of Pueraria lobata was summarized. Different specimens of Pueraria lobata were selected as research objects, and the process of high-intensity intermittent training was designed. High-intensity intermittent training, solvent extraction and water solvent extraction were combined together to design the fixed-bed continuous extraction scheme. According to the influence of Pueraria lobata on skeletal muscle quality, the influence of intermittent training on skeletal muscle quality was analyzed. The extraction results showed that Pueraria lobata combined with high-intensity intermittent training can effectively improve the content of skeletal muscle and ensure the effective expression of skeletal muscle gene.

RESUMO A extração de componentes eficazes da Pueraria lobata tem importante valor para a qualidade músculoesquelética e para a expressão genética. O efeito da melhoria do tradicional treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade na estrutura músculoesquelética não tem sido óbvio, e é difícil garantir as propriedades de alguns voláteis. Com base nisso, este estudo analisa o efeito do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade na qualidade músculoesquelética e na expressão genética na Pueraria lobata. Com base num breve resumo da extração da Pueraria lobata, resumiu-se o andamento das pesquisas sobre os componentes farmacêuticos da Pueraria lobata. Diferentes amostras de Pueraria lobata foram selecionadas como objeto de pesquisa, e formulou-se o processo do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade. O treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade, a extração de solventes e a extração de solventes à base de água foram combinadas para conceber o sistema de extração contínua de leito fixo. De acordo com a influência da Pueraria lobata na qualidade músculoesquelética, analisou-se a influência do treino intervalado na qualidade músculoesquelética. Os resultados da extração mostraram que a Pueraria lobata, combinada com treino intervalado de alta intensidade, pode melhorar, de maneira eficaz, o teor músculoesquelético e garantir a expressão eficaz da expressão genética do músculoesquelético.

RESUMEN La extracción de componentes eficaces de la Pueraria lobata tiene un importante valor para la calidad músculoesquelética y para la expresión genética. El efecto de la mejora del tradicional entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad en la estructura músculoesquelética no ha sido obvio, y es difícil garantizar las propriedades de algunos volátiles. Basándose en eso, este estudio analiza el efecto del entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad en la calidad músculoesquelética y en la expresión genética en la Pueraria lobata. Basándose en un breve resumen de la extracción de la Pueraria lobata, se resumió el andamiento de las investigaciones sobre los componentes farmacéuticos de la Pueraria lobata. Diferentes muestras de Pueraria lobata fueron seleccionadas como objeto de investigación, y se formuló el proceso del entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad. El entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad, la extracción de solventes y la extracción de solventes a base de agua fueron combinadas para concebir el sistema de extracción continua de lecho fijo. De acuerdo con la influencia de la Pueraria lobata en la calidad músculoesquelética, se analizó la influencia del entrenamiento intercalado en la calidad músculoesquelética. Los resultados de la extracción mostraron que la Pueraria lobata, combinada con entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad, puede mejorar, de manera eficaz, el tenor músculoesquelético y garantizar la expresión eficaz de la expresión genética del músculoesquelético.

Effective Component Screening in Antioxidant Active Fraction of Pueraria lobata by Fingerprint Combined with Chemometrics / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To screen the effective compo nent in antioxi dant active fraction of Pueraria lobata . METHODS ：The antioxidant active fraction sample （S1-S20） of 20 batches of P. lobata were prepared. HPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on SepaxBio-C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of methanol-water （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 25 ℃，and detection wavelength was set at 250 nm. HPLC fingerprints of 20 batches of P. lobata were established by the Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprints （2012 edition），and common peaks were identified. Cluster analysis ，principal component analysis （PCA）and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）were used to screen the effective components in antioxidant active fraction of P. lobata . RESULTS：There were 18 common peaks in HPLC fingerprints of 20 batches of antioxidant active fraction in P. lobata ，and the similarity was more than 0.99. Eight common peaks were identified ，which were 3′-hydroxypuerarin（peak 2），puerarin（peak 3）， 3′-methoxypuerarin（peak 4），daidzein（peak 5），genistein（peak 7），formononetin（peak 11），daidzein（peak 13）and genistein （peak 16）. The results of cluster analysis and PCA analysis showed that samples S 1，S3，S4，S6，S8，S18 and S 19 were clustered into one category ，and samples S 2，S5，S7，S9-S17 and S 20 were clustered into one category ；peak 2，peak 3，peak 10，peak 11 and peak 13 had great influence on principal component 1；peak 8 and peak 9 had great influence on principal component 2. OPLS-DA analysis showed that peak 4，peak 3，peak 2，peak 16，peak 13 and peak 11 had great influence on the quality of antioxidant active fraction of P. lobata . CONCLUSIONS ： HPLC fingerprint for active fraction of P. lobata is established in the study and 8 components are identified ；among them ， com puerarin，3′-hydroxypuerarin，daidzein and formononetin maybe the material basis of antioxidant fraction of P. lobata .

Analysis of genomic SSRs in Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii and establishment of DNA identity card for different germplasms of P. thomsonii of Jiangxi province / 中国中药杂志

The type and frequency of simple sequence repeats( SSRs) in the genomes was investigated using the DNA sequence data of Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii. Based on these SSRs,20 pairs of SSR primers were designed and 5 high polymorphism primer pairs were selected to analyze genetic diversity of 9 cultivars of P. thomsonii in Jiangxi province. The results showed that the 5 pairs of primers could generate 16 polymorphic alleles bands. The average polymorphism information content( PIC) of each SSR primer pair was 0. 600 7.According to the genetic similarity coefficients,the 9 cultivars of P. thomsonii can be classified into 6 germplasms. This study established DNA identity cards with 5 pairs of SSR primers for different germplasm resources of P. thomsonii in Jiangxi province,which provided reference information for the selection of fine germplasms of P. thomsonii and the theoretical basis for the study of Dao-di herbs.

Applications of Pueraria lobata in treating diabetics and reducing alcohol drinking / 中草药·英文版

Pueraria lobata is one of the most important medicinal herbs used traditionally in China. According to Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Disease), it has been used traditionally to relieve body heat, eye soring, dry mouth, headache associated with high blood pressure, and stiff neck problems. Modern studies in the 1970s revealed that isoflavonoids extracted from P. lobata were the bioactive components of an herbal remedy namely Yufeng Ningxin Tablets for the treatment of patients after stroke. This article reviews recent application of P. lobota in the treatment of diabetics and in reducing alcohol drinking. In view of its low toxicity profile, P. lobota stands an excellent chance to be developed as a phytomedicine for treating human diseases.

Decoction of Isoflavone Content and Its Acid Hydrolysis Conversion Rate in the Flower of Pueraria lobata / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the decoction of isoflavone content and its acid hydrolysis conversion rate in the flower of Pueraria lobata. METHODS:Using the flowers of Pueraria lobata as raw material,the isoflavone with main com-ponent of tectoridin in the flower of P. lobata was prepared with ethanol,ethyl acetate extracted,ethanol recrystallized and puri-fied,and it was converted to tectorigenin with hydrolysis in hydrochloric acid. By screening the solvent and wavelength,UV spec-trophotometry was established to determine tectovidin and tectorigenin,and calculate the isoflavone content and acid hydrolysis con-version rate of tectoridin(expressed by the relative percentage of tectorigenin). It was compared with HPLC detection results,the accuracy of UV method was evaluated. RESULTS:The solvent was 70％ethanol solution containing 1％triethylamine,and the iso-flavone content was detected at wavelength of 339,274 nm. The linear range of tectoridin was 8.80-29.33 nmol/mL(r=0.9999). RSDs of precision(n=6),stability(n=5)and reproducibility(n=6)tests were lower than 1.94％;average recovery was 99.7％(RSD=1.77％,n=9). There were no statistical significances in the contents of total flavonoids (UV:17.64-25.55 nmol/mL vs. HPLC:17.39-24.40 nmol/mL) and the relative percentage of tectorigenin (UV:57.65％-87.59％ vs. HPLC:55.62％-91.14％). CONCLUSIONS:The established method is accurate,reliable,and can be used for the rapid determination of acid hydrolysis con-version rate of tectoridin.

Comparative molecular docking studies of lupeol and lupenone isolated from Pueraria lobata that inhibits BACE1: Probable remedies for Alzheimer's disease

Objective To discover lead lupane triterpenoid's potential isolated from Pueraria lobata roots against β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), which serve as a rate limiting step in amyloid beta (Aβ) production altering the course of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, enzyme kinetics study and molecular docking were conducted to establish the inhibition type and structure activity relationship. Methods A systematic study of 70% ethanolic P. lobata root extract was employed to identify its BACE1 inhibitory potential. Further, BACE1 inhibitory potential of two lupane terpenoids, yielded from ethanolic extract, was assessed. In order to determine their inhibition mode, Lineweaver–Burk plots and Michaelis–Menten model for BACE1 was performed. AutoDock 4.2 program in addition determined the molecular interaction of BACE1 with isolated terpenoids. Results Considering the inhibitory potential of 70% ethanolic extract of P. lobata against BACE1 (IC

Comparative molecular docking studies of lupeol and lupenone isolated from Pueraria lobata that inhibits BACE1: Probable remedies for Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE@#To discover lead lupane triterpenoid's potential isolated from Pueraria lobata roots against β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), which serve as a rate limiting step in amyloid beta (Aβ) production altering the course of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, enzyme kinetics study and molecular docking were conducted to establish the inhibition type and structure activity relationship.@*METHODS@#A systematic study of 70% ethanolic P. lobata root extract was employed to identify its BACE1 inhibitory potential. Further, BACE1 inhibitory potential of two lupane terpenoids, yielded from ethanolic extract, was assessed. In order to determine their inhibition mode, Lineweaver-Burk plots and Michaelis-Menten model for BACE1 was performed. AutoDock 4.2 program in addition determined the molecular interaction of BACE1 with isolated terpenoids.@*RESULTS@#Considering the inhibitory potential of 70% ethanolic extract of P. lobata against BACE1 (IC = 80.35 μg/mL), lupeol and lupenone were subsequently isolated and exhibited notable or moderate BACE1 inhibitory activity with IC values of 5.12 and 62.98 μmol/L, respectively, as compared to the positive control quercetin (IC = 21.28 μmol/L). The enzyme kinetics study enabled us to identify both compounds as competitive inhibitors, where lupeol displayed a very potent inhibition against BACE1 with low inhibition constant (K) value of 1.43 μmol/L, signifying greater binding affinity. In order to understand the binding mechanism and structure-activity relationship of two triterpene-based BACE1 inhibitors, we employed computer aided docking studies which evidently revealed that hydroxyl group of lupeol formed two hydrogen bonds with the ASP32 (catalytic aspartic residue) and SER35 residues of BACE1 with the binding energy of (-8.2 kcal/mol), while the ketone group of lupenone did not form any hydrogen bonds with BACE1 giving evidence for less binding affinity. These results in turn have predicted the dependence of the inhibitory activity in the presence of hydroxyl group which has provided a new basis for BACE1 blockade.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results have successfully explored the molecular mechanism of lupane triterpenoids via BACE1 inhibition, suggesting that lupeol in particular could be utilized as a useful therapeutic and preventive agent to mitigate Alzheimer's disease.

Chemical Components from the Stems of Pueraria lobata and Their Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity

Phytochemical investigation of the stems of Pueraria lobata (Wild) Ohwi (Leguminosae), led to the isolation of eighteen known compounds: β-amyrone (1), (+)-pinoresinol (2), (+)-syringaresinol (3) (+)-syringaresinol-O-β-D-glucoside (4), (+)-lariciresinol (5), (-)-tuberosin (6), naringenin (7), liquiritigenin (8), isoliquiritigenin (9) genistein (10), daidzein (11) daidzin (12) daidzein 4',7-diglucoside (13) 2,4,4'-trihydroxy deoxybenzoin (14), S-(+)-1-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-phenyl)propan-2-one (15), methyl 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosylbenzoate (16), pyromeconic acid 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside 6'-(O-4''-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate) (17), and allantion (18). The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated from spectroscopic data and by comparison of those data with previously published results. The effects of isolated compounds on mushroom tyrosinase enzymatic activity were screened. The results indicated that, chloroform extract of P. lobata stems turned out to be having tyrosinase inhibitory effect, and only compounds 5, 8, 9, and 11 showed enzyme inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 21.49 ± 4.44, 25.24 ± 6.79, 4.85 ± 2.29, and 17.50 ± 1.29 µM, respectively, in comparison with these of positive control, kojic acid (IC₅₀ 12.28 ± 2.72 µM). The results suggest that P. lobata stems extract as well as its chemical components may represent as potential candidates for tyrosinase inhibitors.

Fermented Pueraria Lobata extract ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and recovering intestinal barrier function / 한국실험동물학회지

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder occurring in the gastrointestinal track. However, the efficacy of current therapeutic strategies has been limited and accompanied by side effects. In order to eliminate the limitations, herbal medicines have recently been developed for treatment of IBD. Peuraria Lobata (Peuraria L.) is one of the traditional herbal medicines that have anti-inflammatory effects. Bioavailability of Peuraria L., which is rich in isoflavones, is lower than that of their fermented forms. In this study, we generated fermented Peuraria L. extracts (fPue) and investigated the role of fPue in inflammation and intestinal barrier function in vitro and in vivo. As the mice or intestinal epithelial cells were treated with DSS/fPue, mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was reduced and the architecture and expression of tight junction proteins were recovered, compared to the DSS-treated group. In summary, fPue treatment resulted in amelioration of DSS-induced inflammation in the colon, and the disrupted intestinal barrier was recovered as the expression and architecture of tight junction proteins were retrieved. These results suggest that use of fPue could be a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of IBD.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction techniques of isoflavones from Pueraria lobata(Wild) Ohwi in Dabie mountain by response surface methodology and reducing power measurement / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction process of isoflavones from Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi using response surface methodology and measure the reducing power. METHODS: On the basis of single factor experiments, a four factors and five levels Box-Behnken experiment was designed. Then the reducing power of isoflavones was measured. RESULTS: The optimum conditions for the ultrasonic-assisted extraction process of isoflavone from Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi at ultrasonic power of 300 W were as follows: ethanol concentration 75%, liquid-solid ratio 35 mL · g-1, extraction time 35 min, and treatment temperature 50℃. Under the optimum conditions, the yield of polysaccharide from Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi was 24.18%, and the relative error between experimental value and predicted value was only 3.02%; the EC50 of the reducing power of isoflavones reached 0.135 mg · mL-1. CONCLUSION: The response surface methodology is suitable for regression analysis and optimization of the ultrasonicassisted extraction of polysaccharide from Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi.

Effects of a Pueraria lobata-root based combination supplement containing Rehmannia glutinosa and aerobic exercise on improvement of metabolic dysfunctions in ovariectomized rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: There is a fair amount of evidence indicating that increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance is associated with postmenopausal state, but can be modulated by diet and exercise. In this study, we explored whether a Pueraria lobata root-based supplement containing Rehmannia glutinosa (PR) and/or aerobic treadmill exercise can modify the metabolic changes associated with estrogen deficiency. METHODS: Seventy rats were randomly assigned to the following groups for 8 weeks (n=10 per group): SHAM, sham-operated; PR0, ovariectomized (OVX) control; PR200, OVX with PR200 mg/kg B.W; PR400, OVX with PR400 mg/kg B.W; EPR0, OVX with exercise; EPR200, OVX with exercise and PR200 mg/kg B.W; EPR400, OVX with exercise and PR400 mg/kg B.W. RESULTS: OVX induced significant increases in body weight, food intake, fat mass, LDL-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose, confirming induction of menopausal symptoms. PR supplementation or exercise significantly suppressed the above mentioned changes through different regulatory elements in adipose tissue: PR supplement upregulated adiponectin gene expression and aerobic exercise upregulated adiponectin and insulin receptor gene expression and a combination of PR supplement and aerobic exercise showed an additive effect on adiponectin gene expression. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of this study suggest that PR supplement has a potential to provide health benefits in OVX rats through leptin and adiponectin secretion. In addition, the data suggest that combination of exercise and PR would have additive effects on metabolic dysfunction associated with estrogen deficiency.

The Effects of Pueraria lobata on Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption / 체질인류학회지

Previous researches have proved that Pueraria lobata up-regulates bone mineral contents and bone mineral density in bone-loss model, ovariectomized mice and orchidectomized rats. However, the precise effects and mechanisms of Pueraria lobata on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts still remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect and mechanism of Pueraria lobata on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulation factor (M-CSF)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macro-phages (BMMs). First of all, we treated BMMs derived from mice with various concentrations of Pueraria lobata in order to perform screening by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Also, we conducted western blotting and RT-PCR for the purpose of verifying the treatment mechanism of Pueraria lobata and lastly, we used hydroxyapatite-coated plate to evaluate the effects of Pueraria lobata on bone resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts. As a result, Pueraria lobata has inhibitory effect on phosphorylation of p38, Akt, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and IkappaB which are essential early signaling pathway of osteoclastogenesis. Also, the inactivation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1, and c-Fos which is caused by Pueraria lobata is followed by the suppression effects of Pueraria lobata on osteoclast-related various genes, osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), TRAP, Integrin beta3, osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP), and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP). Particularly, Pueraria lobata blocks the formation of pit area on hydroxyapatite-coated plate in a dose-dependent manner as well as the mRNA expression of Cathepsin K, which is associated with bone resorbing activity. These results demonstrate the molecular mechanism relating to anti-osteoclastogenesis effect of Pueraria lobata as well as the inhibitory effect of Pueraria lobata on mature osteoclast formation and bone resorbing activity.

Efficacy and Safety of Pueraria lobata Extract in Gray Hair Prevention: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Graying of hair-a sign of aging-raises cosmetic concerns. Individuals with gray hair often look older than others their age; therefore, some dye their hair for aesthetic purposes. However, hair colorants can induce many problems including skin irritation, allergic reaction and hair-breakage. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed in order to examine the effects of APHG-1001, a compound including an extract from Pueraria lobata, on graying hair. METHODS: A total of 44 female subjects were randomly treated with either APHG-1001 or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. Using the phototrichogram analysis, a count of newly developed gray hair was estimated. Investigator assessment and subject self-assessment were also performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of the compound. RESULTS: The mean number of newly developed gray hair at 24 weeks was 6.3/cm2 in the APHG-1001 group and 11.4/cm2 in the placebo group; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the investigator assessment and subject self-assessment did not show any significant change in the gross appearance of hair grayness by the end of the study. No severe adverse events in either group were observed. Moreover, the incidence of adverse events did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: This clinical trial revealed that APHG-1001, which contains an extract of P. lobata, could prevent the development of new gray hair without any remarkable adverse effects. Thus, it can be considered as a viable treatment option for the prevention of gray hair.

Chemical constituents in cane of Pueraria lobata / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the cane of Pueraria lobata. Methods: The compounds were isolated by column chromatography over silica gel and purified by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and preparative TLC. The structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analyses. Results: Eleven compounds were separated and identified as: dehydrovomifoliol (1), blumenol A (2), 3β-hydroxy-5α,6α- epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (3), liquiritigenin (4), garbanzol (5), ferulaldehyde (6), 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (7), 4-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzaldehyde (8), (-)-tuberosin (9), coumestrol (10), and β-sitosterol (11). Conclusion: Compounds 1-3 are sesquiterpenoids, which are firstly isolated from the plants of Pueraria DC., and compounds 4-8 are obtained from the plants of Pueraria DC. for the first time.

Preparation and assay of C-glucosyltransferase from roots of Pueraria lobata.

C-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.X) is one of the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of puerarin. This paper describes the methodology in purification and assay of the enzyme for the first time in Puerarin lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. C-glucosyltransferase from roots of P. lobata was extracted and partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 saturation. The effects of pH, temperature, and substrate concentration on the activity of the enzyme were investigated. The properties of the puerarin produced by C-glucosyltransferase were studied by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peak activity of C-glucosyltransferase was detected in fraction of by 80% saturation of (NH4)2SO4 and the optimal conditions for enzymatic reaction were 35.5 μmol l-1 of isoliquiritigenin and 560 μmol l-1 of UDP-G at pH 8.1, 28oC for 1 h. Mn2+ at 1 mmol l-1 and Al3+ at 1 mmol l-1 increased the enzyme activity, while Mg2+ inhibited its activity. The enzyme activity in Nicotiana tabacum and P. lobata were detected under the above assay conditions. Higher activity was found in roots than in leaves and stems of P. lobata, while no enzyme activity was detected in leaves of N. tabacum. It was the first time that activity of C-glucosyltransferase, which transforms isoliquiritigenin to puerarin, was detected in P. lobata.

The mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional phytoestrogen-rich herbs, Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata

Pueraria mirifica is a Thai phytoestrogen-rich herb traditionally used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Pueraria lobata is also a phytoestrogen-rich herb traditionally used in Japan, Korea and China for the treatment of hypertension and alcoholism. We evaluated the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of the two plant extracts using the Ames test preincubation method plus or minus the rat liver mixture S9 for metabolic activation using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 as indicator strains. The cytotoxicity of the two extracts to the two S. typhimurium indicators was evaluated before the mutagenic and antimutagenic tests. Both extracts at a final concentration of 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/plate exhibited only mild cytotoxic effects. The plant extracts at the concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/plate in the presence and absence of the S9 mixture were negative in the mutagenic Ames test. In contrast, both extracts were positive in the antimutagenic Ames test towards either one or both of the tested mutagens 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-acrylamide and benzo(a)pyrene. The absence of mutagenic and the presence of anti-mutagenic activities of the two plant extracts were confirmed in rec-assays and further supported by a micronucleus test where both plant extracts at doses up to 300 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to 16 g/kg body weight plant tuberous powder) failed to exhibit significant micronucleus formation in rats. The tests confirmed the non-mutagenic but reasonably antimutagenic activities of the two plant extracts, supporting their current use as safe dietary supplements and cosmetics.

Inhibition of Neuropeptide-Y-induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation with Pueraria Lobata Isoflavones / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the effect of Pueraria Lobata isoflavones (PLI) on neuropeptide-Y-induced (NPY) vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. [Methods] Experiment system for VSMC was set up as 4 groups: control group (with DME culture fluid, free of blood serum; group A), model group (with NPY culture fluid; group B), control + PLI group (with PLI culture fluid; group C) and model + PLI group (with NPY and PLI culture fluid; group E). Quantitative fluoroimmunohistochemistry techniques were applied to examine the mean fluorescent values of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and C-myc expression. [Results] The levels of PCNA, PDGF and C-myc expression in model group were higher than control group (P

Quality Standard of Tongtong Granule / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE: To establish the quality standard of Tongtong granule. METHODS: Panax notoginseng,Ginkgo biloba and Pueraria lobata were identified qualitatively by TLC and the content of total flavonol glyconsides in G. biloba was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The TLC spots were distinctive and specific. The linear range of quercetin, kaempferide, isorhamnetin were 5.24～83.84 ?g?mL-1(r=0.999 2), 4.56～72.96 ?g?mL-1(r=0.999 1) and 2.48～39.68 ?g?mL-1(r=0.999 4), respectively. The average recoveries were 96.21%(RSD=2.06%)、99.14%(RSD=1.19%)、95.00%(RSD=1.31%),respectively. CONCLUSION:The method is reliable, accurate, and reproducible for the quality control of Tongtong granule.