Carbohydrate-based quality consistency evaluation of Saposhnikoviae Radix / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to evaluate the quality consistency of Saposhnikoviae Radix based on carbohydrates, and explore the potential of carbohydrates as the internal quality control indicators of Saposhnikoviae Radix. The total polysaccharides were quantified by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the molecular weight range of the polysaccharides was determined by high performance gel-permeation chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPGPC-ELSD). The monosaccharides in polysaccharides and the free monosaccharides were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography-UV detection(HPLC-UV), and the oligosaccharides and fructose were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD). The carbohydrate-based quality of Saposhnikoviae Radix was compared among 45 batches of commercial samples and 13 batches of self-collected samples. The results showed that the molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, oligosaccharide, and free monosaccharide composition were similar in the 58 batches of samples. The average content of total polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and total free monosaccharides in commercial samples were 39.66, 148.79, and 68.62 mg·g~(-1), respectively. The content showed significant differences among batches, with the highest differences of 3.51, 1.75, and 2.58 times, respectively. The RSD of the relative ratios of monosaccharides in the polysaccharides in commercial samples reached 28%-45%. The average content of total polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and total free monosaccharides in self-collected samples were 68.07, 145.76, and 42.04 mg·g~(-1), respectively, with the inter-region differences of 2.88, 1.88, and 1.07 times, respectively. The RSD of the relative ratios of monosaccharides in polysaccharides in self-collected samples ranged from 8.2% to 59%. The total polysaccharides and total free monosaccharides in self-collected samples were 1.72 times higher and 1.63 times lower, respectively, than those in commercial samples. The content of oligosaccharides was similar between self-collected samples and commercial samples. To sum up, carbohydrates are one of the material bases for the internal quality consistency of Saposhnikoviae Radix. The qualitative characteristics of polysaccharides and the quantitative characteristics of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are related to the origin of medicinal materials. Moreover, the quantitative characteristics of polysaccharides and free monosaccharides may be related to the storage conditions. Carbohydrates are potential indicators for the quality control of Saposhnikoviae Radix and deserve attention.

Immune regulation mechanism of Saposhnikoviae Radix polysaccharide based on zebrafish model / 中国中药杂志

The immunomodulatory effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix polysaccharide(SRP) was evaluated based on the zebrafish mo-del, and its mechanism was explored by transcriptome sequencing and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). The immune-compromised model was induced by navelbine in the immunofluorescence-labeled transgenic zebrafish Tg(lyz: DsRed), and the effect of SRP on the density and distribution of macrophages in zebrafish was evaluated. The effect of SRP on the numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in wild-type AB zebrafish was detected by neutral red and Sudan black B staining. The content of NO in zebrafish was detected by DAF-FM DA fluorescence probe. The content of IL-1β and IL-6 in zebrafish was detected by ELISA. The differentially expressed genes(DEGs) of zebrafish in the blank control group, the model group, and the SRP treatment group were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. The immune regulation mechanism was analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment, and the expression levels of key genes were verified by RT-qPCR. The results showed that SRP could significantly increase the density of immune cells in zebrafish, increase the number of macrophages and neutrophils, and reduce the content of NO, IL-1β, and IL-6 in immune-compromised zebrafish. The results of transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that SRP could affect the expression level of immune-related genes on Toll-like receptor pathway and herpes simplex infection pathway to affect the release of downstream cytokines and interferon, thereby completing the activation process of T cells and playing a role in regulating the immune activity of the body.

Specification and grade of Saposhnikoviae Radix (Saposhnikovia divaricata) / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng in Chinese), the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata, lacks commodity specification and grade standardization in the current market. This study investigated the existing specifications and grades of Saposhnikoviae Radix to provide a standardized scientific reference for its market use. Methods: Based on a textual research of Chinese herbal medicine from the Han Dynasty to the present, medicinal materials of different specifications and grades obtained from Saposhnikoviae Radix in the main producing areas of China were collected and the markets for these materials were investigated. Field investigations were performed in the major producing areas such as Northeast China, Hebei Province, and Inner Mongolia. Four major Chinese herbal medicine markets in China were investigated. Sensory indices were used to categorize the two specifications (wild and cultivated) according to the shape, color, texture, and cross-section. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to determine the active components. Vernier calipers and measuring tape were used to measure the diameter and length, respectively, of 41 samples. Using Excel and the R Language software, cluster analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were performed to assist in the application of new specifications and grades based on physical characteristics, pharmacological activity, and chemical composition. Results: The two specifications (wild and cultivated) of Saposhnikoviae Radix were divided into three grades each based on the length and diameter. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, 5-O-methylvisamminoside, and the length of Saposhnikoviae Radix can be used as a basis for classifying the commodity specifications and grades. The specifications and grade standards of Saposhnikoviae Radix were established based on the following eight aspects: shape, surface characteristics, texture, cross section, taste, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin content, 5-O-methylvisamminoside content and length. Conclusion: The formulation of this standard stipulates the commodity specification level of Saposhnikoviae Radix. It is also suitable for the evaluation of commodity specifications in the process of production, circulation and use of Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix in LPS-induced inflammation mouse model / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix in a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation mouse model and its regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. The ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix was separated and purified on the macroporous adsorption resin and its main chemical components were identified by UPLC-QE/MS. The identification results showed that the top ten components of ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix were mainly chromones and coumarins. A mouse model of inflammation induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix after intragastric administration for seven successive days. Mice in all groups except for the control group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of LPS(0.015 g·kg~(-1)) one hour after the last administration, and twelve hours later, the blood was sampled and separated and the broncoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was collected. The levels of nitric oxide(NO), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in mouse serum and BALF were detected by ELISA. The harvested lung tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE) for observing the pathological changes, followed by the detection of protein expression levels of related molecules in TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway by Western blotting. The results showed that the ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix significantly ameliorated the pathological conditions in lung tissue of model mice, reversed the increase in NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels of mouse serum and BALF, down-regulated the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor(MyD88), and phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor κB-p65/nuclear transcription factor κB-p65(P-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65), and up-regulated the NF-κB inhibitory protein α(IκBα). The ethanol extract from Saposhnikoviae Radix exhibited a good anti-inflammatory effect in the LPS-induced acute inflammation muse model, which might be related to the inhibition of the activation of TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. Chromones and coumarins have been proved to be the active components for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Calibration on chromone reference extract and application on quality control of Saposhnikoviae Radix / 中国中药杂志

The calibration of chromone reference extract(CRE) was conducted and a quality control method of Saposhnikoviae Radix(SR) was established based on CRE. Meanwhile, the quality control system of SR was improved and the feasibility of using reference extract as a substitute for single reference substance in quality control of Chinese medicine was discussed. In this study, the content of the prepared CRE was calibrated with prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, and secO-glucosylhamaudol as indicators. Subsequently, an HPLC analytical method was developed to determine the content of four chromones in 20 batches of SR samples based on the CRE with known content as the standard substance. T-test was used for the comparison of the determination results of the two methods(single chemical component and CRE as reference substances, respectively), and the P values of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, and sec-O-glucosylhamaudol were 0. 16,0. 39, 0. 14, and 0. 42. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the two methods. This study initially verified the feasibility that the CRE could be used as a substitute for single reference substance in quality control of SR. In conclusion,this study is expected to provide a scientific basis and a new research model for the application of reference extract in the quality control of Chinese medicine.

Quality evaluation of Saposhnikoviae Radix based on QAMS combined with information entropy-response surface method / 中国中药杂志

This research was used with high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), combined with information entropy-response surface method(RSM) to investigate the ethanol concentration, extraction time, liquid-to-material ratio. Taking the content of four chromogens as evaluation indexes, the weight coefficients of each index were given, and the comprehensive score was calculated to optimize the extraction process. Then, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin was used as the reference, the relative calibration factors(RCFs) of cimifugin, 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol and sec-O-glucosylhamaudo to prim-O-glucosylcimifugin were calculated respectively. The contents of four components in Saposhnikoviae Radix were determined by both external standard method(ESM)and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) method, and the results were compared. At last, combined with principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to evaluate the quality of the Saposhnikoviae Radix in different production areas. The optimal extraction process parameter of the Saposhnikoviae Radix was as follows: liquid-to-material ratio is 60∶1(mL·g~(-1)), extraction time is 35 min, and ethanol concentration is 70%. The repeatability of the RCFs was perfect, and the results calculated by the QAMS were consistent with the results from the ESM. The stoichiometric results indicate that there are obvious differences in the distribution of Saposhnikoviae Radix in different production areas, and cimifugin and prim-O-glucosylcimifugin are the characteristic compounds that cause this difference. In this study, the optimal extraction process is stable and feasible, and the method of QAMS is accurate and reliable. From the perspective of four chromogens, there are differences in the quality of the Saposhnikoviae Radix in different production areas. Therefore, the established extraction process combined with the method of QAMS can be used to evaluate the quality of Saposhnikoviae Radix and provide a scientific basis for the quality control of Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Effect of Schizonepetae Herba and Saposhnikoviae Radix on expression of AQP4 and AQP8 in colonic mucosa of rats with ulcerative colitis / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Schizonepetae Herba and Saposhnikoviae Radix(wind medicine) on the expression of AQP4 and AQP8 in colonic mucosa in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC). A total of 35 healthy SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group(gavaged with normal saline), DSS model group, as well as low, middle, and high dose wind medicine groups(Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia 1∶1, gavaged at dosages of 6, 12, and 24 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 7 in each group. UC rat model was established by free drinking of 3% dextran sulphate sodium(DSS) solution for 10 days. At the end of the 10 th day after the treatment, mice were put to death to collect colonic mucosa. The length of colon was measured; the colonic mucosal injury index(CMDI) and pathological changes of colon were observed. ELISA method was used for measuring the content of serum IL-1, IL-8, and immunohistochemical method was used to measure AQP4, AQP8 protein expressions in colon mucosa. The expressions of AQP4, AQP8 mRNA were measured by Real-time PCR. As compared with the normal group, the length of colon tissue was significantly reduced(P<0.01), CMDI scores and pathological scores were significantly increased(P<0.01), the levels of serum IL-1 and IL-8 were significantly increased(P<0.05) in model group; the immunohistochemical results showed that the protein expressions of AQP4, AQP8 were lower; the color was light yellow or brown; AQP4, AQP8 mRNA expressions in colon mucosa were significantly decreased in model group(P<0.01). CMDI scores, pathological scores, and the levels of serum IL-1, IL-8 in high, middle, low dose wind medicine groups were obvious lower than those in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05); the protein expressions of AQP4, AQP8 were higher; the color was chocolate brown or dark brown; the length of colon tissue, and the expressions of AQP4, AQP8 mRNA were obvious higher in wind medicine groups(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Schizonepetae Herba and Saposhnikoviae Radix could significantly improve the symptoms and histopathology of UC model rats and accelerate the intestinal mucosal healing. The mechanism may be related with up-regulating the expression level of AQP4 and AQP8 in colonic mucosa.

Effect of Tongxie Yaofang with or Without Saposhnikoviae Radix on Water Metabolism and 5-HT Pathway in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix on Tongxie Yaofang in regulating water metabolism and 5-serotonin（5-HT） signal system in diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome（IBS-D）rats. Method:The 40 IBS-D SD rats were randomly divided into model group, Tongxie Yaofang wituout Saposhnikoviae Radix group (26 g·kg-1), Tongxie Yaofang decoction group (30 g·kg-1), Tongxie Yaofang with double Saposhnikoviae Radix group (34 g·kg-1),another 10 normal SD rats were selected as the normal group.Except for normal group, the rats in other groups were separated from their mothers and induced by acetic acid to establish D-IBS model. These rats in the each group were administered with corresponding drugs for 14 days. The diarrhea indexs and the water contents of the feces were observed and calculated. The Na+-K+-ATPase activities in the intestinal mucosa were detected by micro method. The contents of 5-HT were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The activities of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) were detected by chemiluminescence method. The expressions of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in colon were detected by immunohistochemistry. Protein expression levels of HT receptor 3 (5-HT3R), HT receptor 4 (5-HT4R) and serotonin transporter (SERT) in hypothalamus and colon were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with normal group, the fecal water contents, contents of 5-HT in hypothalamus and colon, activities of MAO-A, expressions of 5-HT3R were significantly increased in model group (P<0.01), and the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, expressions of AQP4, 5-HT4R and SERT were reduced significantly (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the diarrhea indexs and fecal water contents, contents of 5-HT in hypothalamus and colon, activities of MAO-A, expressions of 5-HT3R were significantly decreased in each experimental group, and the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, expressions of AQP4,5-HT4R and SERT were significantly increased(P<0.05，P<0.01),however, there was no significant difference in the expression of 5-HT3R protein in Tongxie Yaofang wituout Saposhnikoviae Radix group.Compared with Tongxie Yaofang wituout Saposhnikoviae Radix group,the diarrhea index, fecal water content, 5-HT content, MAO-A enzyme activity, and protein expression of 5-HT3R were significantly decreased in Tongxie Yaofang group and Tongxie Yaofang with double Saposhnikoviae Radix group(P<0.05，P<0.01), and the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase and protein expression of SERT were significantly increased(P<0.05，P<0.01). Conclusion:Saposhnikoviae Radix can enhance the effects of Tongxie Yaofang on improving the water metabolism of rats with IBS-D and regulating the multi-target of 5-HT signaling system, further confirming the synergistic effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Comparison of Chromone Components and Their Contents between Bolting and Non-bolting Saposhnikoviae Radix / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method for determining chromone components in Saposhnikoviae Radix, and compare the similarities and differences between bolting and non-bolting samples. METHODS: Agilent Ecilpse Plus C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used for chromatographic analysis, water and methanol were used as mobile phase for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL•min-1. Detection was conducted at 254 nm. The column temperature was maitained at 35 ℃ and the injection volume was 10 μL. RESULTS: There were 10 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprints of 8 batches of Saposhnikoviae Radix,with similarity above 0.94 in six batches of bolting and non-bolting samples and below 0.90 in two batches of second-stubble samples.The HPLC assay had good linearity for the four chromone components. The average recoveries for prim-O-glucosylcimifugin,cimicifugin, 5-O-methylvisamidol glycoside and sec-O-glu cosylhamaudol were 95.05%, 98.62%, 98.3% and 99.02%,and the RSDs of repeatability test were 1.60%, 1.77%, 1.24% and 3.09%, respectively. When comparing the bolting and non-bolting Saposhnikoviae Radix, the content of cimicifugin increased after bolting, the other three components and the total amount of the four chromone components did not have significant variation. CONCLUSION: The establishment of HPLC fingerprint combined with simultaneous determination of four chromone components provides a more comprehensive reference for the quality control and quality evaluation of Saposhnikoviae Radix. There are no obvious differences in chromone components between bolting and non-bolting Saposhnikoviae Radix, but there is significant difference between second-stubble and first-stubble Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Standard Decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix Pieces / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To prepare standard decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces,and conduct a study on the quality standards, in order to provide the scientific reference for the study of clinical application and other decoction standard decoctions. Method:By the traditional water decocting method,11 batches of standard decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces were prepared to determine pH,prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol content,calculate the paste rate and transfer rate,and investigate the feasibility of the measurement method. An analytical method for HPLC fingerprint was established. Hypersil ODS2 column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was adopted and eluted with methanol-water as the mobile phase in a gradient mode. The detection wavelength was 254 nm,the flow rate was 1 mL·min-1,and the column temperature was 25℃. The fingerprint analysis method was used to evaluate the similarity of the 11 batches of standard decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces. Result:Through the determination of 11 batches of standard decoctions of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces,the average pH value was 5.5,the paste-out rates were between 34.3% and 46.3%,and the average paste-out rate was 41.4%,the standard deviation was 3.7%, the transfer rate of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin was 66.8%-93.5%,the average metastasis rate was 79.4%,the standard deviation was 12.1%, the transfer rate of 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol was 70.4%-98.2%,the average transfer rate was 83.40%,the standard deviation of 10.8%. The results of various methodological studies were consistent with the requirements of RSD. The fingerprinting analysis was performed using similarity evaluation software for traditional Chinese medicine fingerprints,and 9 principal common peaks were identified. The similarity was higher than 0.9. Conclusion:The quality evaluation method established in this study has a good stability,precision and repeatability. The fingerprints have a high similarity,which is suitable for the quality evaluation of standard decoctions of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces, and can provide the scientific basis for the quality evaluation of other related preparations.

Effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus Drug-containing Serum in Regulating Phenotypic Transformation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus containing-serum in regulating the phenotypic transformation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) proliferation model, in order to explore the mechanism of combined administration of "Saposhnikoviae Radix, Mume Fructus" in inhibiting airway remodeling, and reveal the compatibility mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine. Method:The proliferation model of ASMCs was established by platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) induction. The rats were given normal saline, Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus, Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus(15.425, 15.425, 30.85 g·kg-1·d-1) to prepare drug serum respectively. Four generations of logarithmic phase human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMC) were collected and divided into blank control group, cell model group, normal rat serum group and normal rat serum cell model group, hormone intervention group, Saposhnikoviae Radix serum group, Mume Fructus serum group, Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus serum group. The cells were given corresponding treatment. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were adopted to detect ASMCs deflating marks protein α-actin and osteopontin (OPN) expressions, and phenotypic transformation was observed; the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) secreted by ASMCs were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result:Compared with blank group and normal rat serum group, the fluorescence intensity and protein expression of α-actin in model group and normal rat serum cell model group were low, whereas the fluorescence intensity and protein expression of OPN were high, and the concentrations of VEGF, TGF-β and IL-6 increased significantly (Pβ and IL-6 (PConclusion:The combined administration of "Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus" has an inhibitory effect on airway remodeling, which may be related to the inhibition of the transformation of ASMCs from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype, so as to reduce the release of active substances, such as VEGF, TGF-β and IL-6.

Study on Extraction and Inclusion Processes of Mixed Volatile Oils from Forsythiae Fructus, Saposhnikoviae Radix and Magnoliae Flos / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To optimize the extraction process of mixed volatile oil from Forsythiae Fructus, Saposhnikoviae Radix and Magnoliae Flos and inclusion process of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Methods With yield ratio of volatile oil as evaluation index, single factor experiments were used to study the extraction process of volatile oil;saturated aqueous solution was used, with inclusion rate of volatile oil as index, and orthogonal design was adopted to examine effects of charge ratio of volatile oil and β-CD, inclusion temperature and inclusion time on the inclusion process; X-ray scattering technique, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the inclusion compound. Results The optimum extraction process of volatile oil was soaking fine powder extracted 5 hours with 10 folds the amount of water. The optimum conditions of inclusion process were as follows:mixed ratio of volatile oil (mL) and β-CD (g) was 1:10; inclusion temperature was 50 ℃; the inclusion time was 2 h. X-ray scattering technique, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy proved the inclusion compound had been formed. Conclusion Optimum extraction and inclusion processes are stable and feasible, and can provide research foundation for further research and development of preparation.

Effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix on pharmacokinetics and tissue distributions of active components in Tongxie Yaofang in rats / 中国中药杂志

Tongxie Yaofang (TXYF) is a famous formula that has been used for treating gastrointestinal diseases in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Saposhnikoviae Radix is considered as a meridian guiding drug in TXYF and could enhance the effectiveness of prescription. However, the scientific evidence for this effect is still not clear. To reveal the interactions of Saposhnikoviae Radix with other herbs, we conducted this study on the pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution of active ingredients of TXYF in rats. The concentrations of four components in blood and tissues were determined by UPLC-MS/MS after oral administration with TXYF. The detection was carried out by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The positive and negative ion switching technique was performed in the same analysis. The results revealed that Saposhnikoviae Radix could enhance Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ of paeoniflorin and hesperidin, and increase the distribution of atractylenolide-I, paeoniflorin and hesperidin in liver, spleen, brain and small intestine. Saposhnikoviae Radix increased the ratio of brain to blood concentrations of atractylenolide-I, paeoniflorin and hesperidin. Meanwhile, it reduced the ratio of lung to blood concentrations of atractylenolide-I and paeoniflorin. Saposhnikoviae Radix, and may enhance the effectiveness of prescriptions by promoting distribution of other herbs in brain.

Optimization of Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Rapid Resolution LC-MS/ESI Identification of Chromones from Saposhnikoviae Radix through Orthogonal Array Design / 中草药·英文版

Objective To establish a rapid and effective supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and rapid resolution liquid chromatography method coupled with diode-array detector (RRLC-DAD) to quantify the chromones in a species. Methods The effects of four parameters including ethanol concentration (50%–90%), pressure (25–45 MPa), temperature (40–60 oC), and time (30–90 min) on the chromones yields, namely prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 5-O-methylvisammioside, and sec-O-gluco-sylhamaudol, were investigated using SFE system with orthogonal array design (OAD). Furthermore, the extracts were analyzed using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector (RRLC-DAD) system to confirm the results. Results Under the optimized conditions, i. e., 35 MPa of pressure, 60 °C of temperature, 70% ethanol, and 60 min of time, the yields of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 5-O-methylvisammioside, sec-O-glucosylhamaudol, and total chromones were 3.514, 0.132, 6.242, 0.342, and 10.231 mg/g, respectively. In comparison with ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), SFE was able to yield a 20.7% increase in the total chromones from Saposhnikoviae Radix. Conclusion SFE is an alternative and promising method to extract chromones from this species, and the established RRLC-DAD method could serve as a rapid and effective method for the identification of chromones from Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Optimization of extraction technology for Xiaochuan Decoction based on information entropy theory / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the extraction technology of Saposhnikoviae Radix, Perillae Folium, Magnoliae Flos, Armeniacae Amarum Semen, and honey-fried Ephedrae Herba in Xiaochuan Decoction by information entropy theory. Methods: With the contents of prem-O-glucosylcimifugin, 4'-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, amygdalin, and the yield of extract as comprehensive evaluation indexes in order to optimize the extraction process parameters of orthogonal test, the weight coefficient of each index was determined by the information entropy weight method. Results: Optimum extraction technology was as follows: reflux extraction for 3 times with 10 fold water, for 1.5 h each time. Conclusion: The optimized method is stable and reliable, and can provide the reference for further development and utilization of the formula.