Formulation and technology of oxymatrine-astragaloside IV coloaded liposomes based on quality by design / 药学学报

To optimize the formulation and technology of oxymatrine-astragaloside IV coloaded liposomes (Om-As-Lip) based on quality by design (QbD) principles, and further to verify the feasibility of its amplification process, Om-As-Lip was prepared by ethanol injection combined with pH gradient method. The critical material attributions of Om-As-Lip were evaluated by dual-risk analysis tools and Plackett-Burman design (PBD). The formulation of Om-As-Lip was further optimized with the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The design space was also established based on the contour plots of BBD. In order to further investigate the amplification process of Om-As-Lip, the critical process parameters of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) were optimized by single-factor test, and the quality of the final product was also evaluated. The results of risk analysis and PBD confirmed that the astragaloside concentration, cholesterol concentration, and phospholipid ratio (HSPC∶SPC) were the ctitical material attributes. The model established by BBD had a good predictability, and the optimized mass ratio of As to phospholipids was 1∶40, cholesterol to phospholipids was 1∶10, HSPC to SPC was 51∶9. The design space of Om-As-Lip was as follows: the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids was 1∶12-1∶5 and HSPC to SPC was 1∶7-17∶3. The optimized high-pressure homogenization pressure was 600 bar, temperature was 4 ℃, and cycle times was 6 times for HPH-Om-As-Lip. The quality of Om-As-Lip prepared based on the QbD concept can meet the expected CQAs, and the formulation and technology established can provide a reliable experimental basis for its future development and applications.

Mechanism of oxymatrine promoting the apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG63 cell line through mitophagy mediated by COX-2/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of oxymatrine inducing apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG63 cell line based on mitophagy mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）/PTEN-induced putative kinase-1 （PINK1）/Parkinson disease protein-2 （Parkin） signaling pathway. METHODS MG63 cells were treated with 2.0， 4.0， 8.0 mg/mL oxymatrine and 6 μmol/L 5-fluorouracil， then the apoptotic rate， the expression of apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax）]， the proportion of decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential， the level of mitophagy as well as the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3Ⅱ （LC3-Ⅱ） were detected. PINK1 small interfering RNA （siRNA） was adopted to intervene in the expression of PINK1， the cells were divided into control group， PINK1 siRNA group， oxymatrine group， and PINK1 siRNA+oxymatrine group； the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3-Ⅱ， the proportion of decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） as well as apoptotic rate were detected. The lentivirus infection technique was used to overexpress COX-2， the cells were divided into control group， oxymatrine group， COX-2 group， and COX-2+oxymatrine group. The protein expressions of COX-2， PINK1， and Parkin， as well as the proportion of decrease in MMP were detected. RESULTS After being treated with oxymatrine， the apoptotic rate， the protein expressions of Bax， PINK1， Parkin， and LC3-Ⅱ， the level of mitophagy as well as the proportion of decrease in MMP were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the oxymatrine group， the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3-Ⅱ， apoptotic rate and the proportion of decrease in MMP were significantly decreased in PINK1 siRNA+oxymatrine group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the oxymatrine group， the protein expression of COX-2 in the COX-2+oxymatrine group was increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the protein expressions of PINK1 and Parkin as well as the proportion of 526087266@qq.com decrease in MMP were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Oxymatrine can mediate the overactivity of mitophagy based on the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway by inhibiting COX-2 expression， thus promoting the apoptosis of the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line.

Effect of apigenin in combination with oxymatrine on non-small cell lung cancer and mechanism / 中国中药杂志

This study explores the effect of apigenin(APG), oxymatrine(OMT), and APG+OMT on the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and the underlying mechanisms. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was used to detect the vitality of A549 and NCI-H1975 cells, and colony formation assay to evaluate the colony formation ability of the cells. EdU assay was employed to examine the proliferation of NCI-H1975 cells. RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PLOD2. Molecular docking was carried out to explore the direct action ability and action sites between APG/OMT and PLOD2/EGFR. Western blot was used to study the expression of related proteins in EGFR pathway. The viability of A549 and NCI-H1975 cells was inhibited by APG and APG+OMT at 20, 40, and 80 μmol·L~(-1) in a dose-dependent manner. The colony formation ability of NCI-H1975 cells was significantly suppressed by APG and APG+OMT. The mRNA and protein expression of PLOD2 was significantly inhibited by APG and APG+OMT. In addition, APG and OMT had strong binding activity with PLOD2 and EGFR. In APG and APG+OMT groups, the expression of EGFR and proteins in its downstream signaling pathways was significantly down-regulated. It is concluded that APG in combination with OMT could inhibit non-small lung cancer, and the mechanism may be related to EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways. This study lays a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with APG in combination with OMT and provides a reference for further research on the anti-tumor mechanism of APG in combination with OMT.

Analysis of Mechanism of Antidepressant Effect of Sophora flavescens Seed Extract / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the antidepressant effect of Sophora flavescens seed extract and its molecular mechanism. MethodA mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide（LPS）， and normal group， model group， fluoxetine group（2.5 mg·kg-1）， and S. flavescens seed low， medium and high dose groups（200， 400， 800 mg·kg-1） were set up for 7 d of consecutive gavage. Then the antidepressant effect of S. flavescens seed extract was evaluated by using open field test， elevated plus maze test and forced swimming test. Pathological morphological changes in the hippocampal tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining. Protein expression levels of G1/S-specific cyclin D1（Cyclin D1）， Wnt1， β-catenin and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β（p-GSK-3β） in mouse brain tissues were detected by Western blot. Hippocampal cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate（dUTP） nick end labeling（TUNEL）. ResultThe results of mouse behavioral experiments showed that compared with the normal group， the speed of movement in the open field and the distance of movement in the central area of the open field， and the time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze were significantly reduced in the model group（P<0.01）， while immobility time in the forced swimming test was significantly increased（P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the S. flavescens seed medium and high dose groups had increased speed of movement in the open field test and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze test（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test（P<0.05）， the distance of movement in the central area of the open field test increased in the high dose group（P<0.05）. HE staining results showed that compared with the normal group， the hippocampal neuron structure of mice in the model group was damaged. Compared with the model group， after treatment of S. flavescens seed extract， the pathological state of the mouse hippocampal neuron structure was alleviated， and the neurons increased， were neatly arranged， and the cytoplasm was clear. Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in mouse brain tissue were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased（P<0.01） after LPS injection. Compared with the model group， protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in brain tissue of S. flavescens seed medium and high dose groups were significantly increased（P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 and p-GSK-3β were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. TUNEL staining results showed that the hippocampal cell apoptosis rate in the model group was significantly increased compared with that of the normal group（P<0.01）， while the hippocampal cell apoptosis rate in the S. flavescens seed medium and high dose groups was significantly decreased compared with that of the model group（P<0.01）. ConclusionS. flavescens seed extract can effectively improve the severity of depression in LPS-induced depressed mice， and its molecular mechanism is related to the regulation of neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis mediated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Blockage of TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to- mesenchymal transition by oxymatrine prevents renal interstitial fibrosis

Abstract Most chronic kidney disease inevitably progress to renal fibrosis. Tubular epithelial- to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is recognized to play major roles in renal fibrosis. Oxymatrine (OM) is a major alkaloid component found in a Chinese herb Sophora roots and has many effects. The aim is to investigate the effect of OM on renal tubular EMT and elucidate its mechanism. Mice underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) followed by intraperitoneal injection of OM (120 mg/kg) or control vehicle. Human kidney proximal tubular cell line (HK-2) was used and EMT was induced with 5 ng/mL of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). In vivo, renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis was induced and E-cadherin was down-regulated, while the expressions of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), TGF-β1 and its type I receptor (TGF-βRI) were up-regulated in UUO mice. In contrast, OM significantly ameliorated renal fibrotic lesions and attenuated the expressions of FN, α-SMA, TGF-β1 and TGF-βRI, but increased E-cadherin in the obstructed kidneys. In vitro, OM abolished TGF-β1-mediated E-cadherin suppression and FN, α-SMA and TGF-βRI induction in HK-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These observations strongly suggest that the renal protective effects of OM could be mediated by prevention of EMT and manifested as suppression of TGF-β1 and TGF-βRI expressions.

Oxymatrine inhibits cell migration and invasion in non-small-cell lung cancer by down-regulating Toll-like receptor 4 / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effect of oxymatrine on non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) A549 cells and a xenograft mouse model,and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS:The effect of oxymatrine on the A549 cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. After the A549 cells were treated with Toll-like re?ceptor 4(TLR4)stimulator lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and oxymatrine(5,10 and 15 mmol/L),the mRNA and protein ex?pression levels of TLR4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot,re?spectively. The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were measured by Transwell assay,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2(MMP-2),MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)were also determined. A xenograft model in nude mice was utilized to evaluate the effect of oxymatrine on tumor growth. RE?SULTS:Oxymatrine inhibited the viability of A549 cells,decreased LPS-induced expression of TLR4,MyD88,MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in A549 cells,and suppressed LPS-increased migration and invasion abilities of A549 cells. In the xe?nograft model,oxymatrine both reduced tumor growth and inhibited TLR4 expression in the tumor. CONCLUSION:Oxy?matrine exerts anti-tumor properties in NSCLC in vitro and in vivo by down-regulating the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway, suggesting that oxymatrine can be a potential therapeutic agent for NSCLC.

High performance liquid chromatograohy method for determination of alkaloid, method validation in Norbu-7 granule / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction @#The roots of Sophora Flavescentis is one of the key ingredient in Norbu 7 traditional medicine, the bioactive compound being quinolizidine alkaloids, matrine and oxymatrine. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine matrine, oxymatrine simultaneously in the traditional medicine. The HPLC method was tested and validated for selective determination of matrine and oxymatrine in the Norbu 7 granule. The proposed method was validated for linearity, precision (system precision, method precision, intermediate or inter- day precision) and accuracy, stability in analytical solution, system suitability and ruggedness.@*Goal@#The goal of this study was to develop validated determination method of alkaloid in Norbu 7 granule for quality control.@*Material and Method@#HPLC analysis was performed on Chromecore amino bonded silica gel as the stationary phase (250 mm : 4.6 mm i.d., 5µm) using mixture of acetonitrile, dehydrated ethanol and 3% phosphoric acid (80:10:10) as the mobile phase, 220 nm as the UV light detection. </br> The research methodology was approved by Research Ethic Review Committee of Mongolian University of Pharmaceutical Science on 16th of November, 2020. @*Results@#The calibration curve of oxymatrine showed good linearity (R2=0.9955) within the established range of 8 – 64 µg/ml. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 10.13 µg/ml and 30.71 µg/ ml respectively. Good results were achieved with repeatability (%RSD < 2.0) and recovery (93.08 – 104.32%).@*Conclusion@#The method was found to be selective, accurate, reproducible and the other components did not interfere with determinations. It was successfully used to analyze the granule traditional medicine with 7 different plant formulation and additives. The HPLC method can be used to evaluate and control quality, stability of Norbu 7 granules.

Mechanism of oxymatrine in treatment of collagen-induced arthritis in mice / 中国中药杂志

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, the root of Sophora flavescens Ait., has been widely applied in the medical field due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bacteriostatic, antiviral, antitumor, and other pharmacological effects. The present study investigated the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of oxymatrine(OMT), the active component of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix by observing its effect on the function of B lymphocytes in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mice through the Toll-like receptor 9(TLR9)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) pathway. The CIA model in DBA/1 J mice was induced by bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA). Fifteen days after the primary immunization, mice were treated with OMT for 30 days by intraperitoneal injection. Paw swelling and arthritis index(AI) score were evaluated every 3 days. Joint histopathologic changes were observed by HE staining. Magnetic-activated cell sorting(MACS) was used to isolate B lymphocytes from the spleen of CIA mice spleen. The serum expression level of interleukin(IL)-21 was examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of TLR9, STAT3, p-STAT3, and IL-21 in B lymphocytes was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression of TLR9, STAT3, and IL-21 in B lymphocytes was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR). The results showed that OMT could significantly alleviate the paw swelling, decrease the AI score, relieve synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia, reduce the level of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibit the expression of TLR9, STAT3, p-STAT3, and IL-21 of B lymphocytes in CIA mice. Therefore, OMT may alleviate rheumatoid arthritis by regulating TLR9/MyD88/STAT3 pathway in B lymphocytes, providing a valuable reference for the application of OMT in the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-tumor Effect of Oxymatrine on Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines and Its Mechanism / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of oxymatrine（OM） on proliferation，migration， and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） A549 and H1299 cells and to explore the possible mechanism. Method:A549 and H1299 cells were treated by OM of different concentrations（0， 1.0，2.0，4.0，8.0，16.0， 32.0， and 64.0 mmol·L^-1） and the cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Transwell invasion and wound healing assays were applied to determine the effect of OM of different concentrations （8.0，16.0， and 32.0 mmol·L^-1） on the invasion and migration of A549 and H1299 cells. Western blot was adopted to detect the changes in the expression of proteins related to the Notch signaling pathway after the treatment by OM of different concentrations （8.0，16.0， and 32.0 mmol·L^-1）. Result:Compared with the control，OM could inhibit the proliferation （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01） and hinder the cell invasion and migration of A549 and H1299 cells （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. The results of Western blot showed that OM（32.0 mmol·L^-1） could effectively counteract the expression levels of Notch1 intracellular domain（NICD），transcriptional complex proteins ［TNF-alpha converting enzyme（TACE） and recombining binding protein suppressor of hairless（RBPSUH）］， and Hes family hairy and enhancer of split 1（Hes1） in A549 and H1299 cells. Conclusion:OM was capable of inhibiting the proliferation，migration， and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells and also hindering the expression of proteins related to Notch signaling pathway.

Anti-breast Cancer Activities in Vitro of Oxymatrine Combined with Bevacizumab： An Exploration Focusing on EMT Regulation Through Wnt/β-catenin / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of oxymatrine （OM） combined with bevacizumab （ BV ） on the proliferation， invasion， and migration of breast cancer MCF-7 cells and explore the mechanism of OM in regulating BV-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） based on the Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin signaling pathway. Method:The effect of different concentrations of OM（0， 0.5， 1.0， 2.0， 4.0， 8.0， 16.0 mmol·L^-1）and BV（0， 0.25×10^-4， 0.50×10^-4， 1.00×10^-4， 2.00×10^-4， 4.00×10^-4， and 8.00×10^-4 mmol·L^-1）on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells were detected by cell counting kit-8（CCK-8）assay. The effect of OM（4.0 mmol·L^-1） combined with BV（2.00×10^-4 mmol·L^-1）on the invasion and migration of MCF-7 cells were observed in transwell and scratch repair tests. Western blot was conducted to investigate the effect of OM（4.0 mmol·L^-1）combined with BV （2.00×10^-4 mmol·L^-1） on proliferation-related proteins in MCF-7 cells， followed by the detection of the expression levels of Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin signaling pathway- and EMT-related proteins. Result:Compared with the blank group， OM （2.0，4.0，8.0，16.0 mmol·L^-1） inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while BV did not show the inhibitory effect against the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The inhibitory effect of the combination of the two drugs on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells was not significantly different from that of OM. Compared with the blank group， OM significantly reduced the migration distance of MCF-7 cells and the number of invaded cells（<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while BV increased the migration distance of MCF-7 cells and the number of invaded cells （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with BV， its combination with OM significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of MCF-7 cells induced by BV （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the blank group， both OM and the combined medication obviously inhibited the phosphorylation of proliferation-related protein kinase B（Akt） and extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）in MCF-7 cells （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and down-regulated the protein expression levels of <italic>β</italic>-catenin， proto-oncogene （c-Myc）， CD44， and G₁/S-specific cyclin D₁ in Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin signaling pathway （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Besides， OM and the combination of two drugs both significantly reduced the protein expression levels of calcium-dependent cell adhesion protein <italic>N</italic>-cadherin and Vimentin in EMT， whereas increased the expression of calcium-dependent cell adhesion protein E-cadherin（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. However， the expression of the above-mentioned proteins in the BV group was reversed （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:After the combination with BV， OM plays an anti-breast cancer role by effectively inhibiting the activation of Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin pathway induced by BV and reversing EMT.

Effects of oxymatrine on the expression and release of high mobility group box 1 in pancreatic acinar cells stimulated by hydrogen peroxide / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective@#To observe the effects of oxymatrine(OM) on the expression and release of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) in rat pancreatic acinar cell line AR42J stimulated by hydrogen peroxide.@*Methods@#MTT method was used to detect the effects of H2O2 in different concentrations on the survival of AR42J cells. AR42J cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group, H2O2 group and H2O2+ OM group. An equal volume of H2O2(final concentration 0.16 mmol/L) was added in H2O2 group and H2O2+ OM group, respectively, while an equal volume of triple distilled water was added in control group. In H2O2+ OM group, OM(final concentration 0.5 g/L)was added 0.5 h before the addition of H2O2, and cell samples and supernatant were collected after 24 h culture. The expression of HMGB1 protein was detected by Western blotting, the level of HMGB1 protein in cell supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the intracellular distribution of HMGB1 protein was detected by immunofluorescence.@*Results@#In the H2O2 group, the expression of HMGB1, the secretion of HMGB1 in the supernatant and the proportion of cytoplasmic HMGB1 in the total HMGB1 were significantly higher than those in the control group[1.04±0.04 vs 0.69±0.02, (4.84±0.13)μg/L vs (2.68±0.07)μg/L, (35.7±2.5)% vs (10.7±1.9)%], and all the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After OM intervention, HMGB1 protein expression, secretion and cytoplasmic proportion were [0.82±0.02, (3.97±0.10)μg/L and (27.3±1.7)%], respectively, which were obviously lower than those in the H2O2 group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#H2O2 can induce the expression and release of HMGB1 in rat pancreatic acinar cells; OM treatment could alleviate the severity of oxidative stress injuries induced by H2O2 in AR42J cells.

Effect of Oxymatrine on Oxidative Stress Injury of H9C2 Cells Induced by High Glucose / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the protective mechanism of oxymatrine on oxidative stress induced by high glucose in H9C2 cells. Method:H9C2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in groups and divided into normal group, high glucose (HG) group, low-dose oxymatrine (OMT) group (50 mg·L-1), high-dose OMT group (100 mg·L-1), positive drug vitamin E (VE) group (1×10-4 mol·L-1) and mannitol (M) wasotonic control group. Cell damage was detected by lactate dehydrogenase leakage, changes in cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were detected, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and cellular mitochondria and functional integrity were detected by fluorescent probes, and Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Bcl family proteins. Result:Compared with the normal group, the content of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species and the expression level of pro-apoptotic protein in the high glucose group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the activity of superoxide dismutase and the expression levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and anti-apoptotic protein were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the high glucose group, oxymatrine significantly reduced the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, significantly inhibited the production of intracellular ROS (P<0.01), reduced the amount of malondialdehyde and down-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein (P<0.05), increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, regulated MMP and improved the expression of anti-apoptotic protein (P<0.01). Conclusion:Oxymatrine can regulate oxidative stress by improving mitochondrial function, so as to inhibit the apoptosis of H9C2 cardiomyocytes induced by high glucose.

Optimization of Extraction Process for Active Ingredients in Seeds of Sophora alopecuroides by Plackett-Burman Design and Response Surface Analysis / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To optimize extraction process for active ingredients in seeds of Sophora alopecuroides, to provide a reference for scale production. METHODS: Active ingredients from Sophora alopecuroides were extracted by ethanol, with average yield of oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine as index, some factors affecting index were firstly evaluated by Plackett-Burman design, then taking oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine as indexes respectively, extraction conditions were optimized by Box-Behnken design, experimental data was fitted by multiple linear regression and binomial formula fitting, extraction process was optimized by response surface method, and prediction was carried out through comparing the observed and predicted value. RESULTS: Extracting times, crushing degree and solvent times had significant effects on yields of oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine; binomial equation fitted well with good predictability. optimum extraction technology of Sophora alopecuroides was as following:crushed through 65 mesh sieve, extracted 4 times with 12-fold the amount of 60% ethanol for 2 h each time; yield of oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine was 92.3%, 78.6% respectively, both deviations were small by comparing with the predicted value. CONCLUSION: This extraction process is reasonable and feasible by Plackett-Burman design and response surface analysis with good predictability. This study can provide experimental basis for further scale production of Sophora alopecuroides.

Research progress and prospect on antitumor mechanism of matrine and oxymatrine / 中草药

Sophora flavescens is a traditional herb medicine in China. Matrine and oxymatrine are the primary components in S. flavescens with an outstanding anti-cancer potentials. This review aims to summarize the mechanism of tumor-inhibition of matrine and oxymatrine by screening and analyzing the recent literatures. It was found that the molecular mechanisms of tumor-inhibition of matrine and oxymatrine include the regulation of cell cycle progression, induction of cell apoptosis, anti-metastatic and anti-invasion activities, induction of autophagy of tumor cells, reversion of the multidrug resistance in cancer cells, and regulation of metabolic level in cancer cells. Further research on the molecular mechanisms of matrine and oxymatrine could reveal their cellular signaling network and gene regulation mechanism in the anticancer behaviors, so as to find more accurate tumor therapeutic targets, which have important implications not only for new drugs development in clinical application of cancers, but also for the modernizations and internationalization of Chinese medicine.

Effect of Au(III) complex with oxymatrine and matrine on proliferation of tumor cells in vitro and its mechanisms / 中草药

Objective: To synthesize metal complexes of Au(III) with matrine (MT-Au) and oxymatrine (OMT-Au), compare their inhibitory effect on the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro, and discuss the mechanism and structure-activity relationship. Methods: The metal complexes were synthesized by solvothermal method and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The in vitro cytotoxicity of complexes with different doses towards 10 selected tumor cell lines was evaluated by MTT method. The effects of complex on cell apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated by flow cytometer. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to study the effects of complex on topoisomerase I (TOPO I) activity. Results: Complex OMT-Au obviously inhibited the proliferation of MGC803 tumor cells, blocked cell cycle of MGC803 in G2/M phase, and suppressed TOPO I mediated untwisting of pUC19 DNA plasmid with a dose-dependence manner. And the inhibited effects of complex OMT-Au were all stronger than MT-Au complex. Conclusion: The antitumor activity of complex OMT-Au is stronger than that of MT-Au, which could be attributed to the variation in the molecular conformation of ligand.

Qualitative and quantitative determination of Sophora flavescens seeds and analysis of its blood components based on UHPLC-MS/MS / 中草药

Objective Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry, qualitative analysis of Sophora flavescens seeds and its blood components were analyzed, and UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis of six alkaloids in Sophora flavescens seeds were performed. Methods The separation was performed on the Waters HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), with mobile phase 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile (10 mmol/L ammonium acetate) solution (A) and 0.1% formic acid water (10 mmol/L ammonium acetate) solution (B) for gradient elution. Electrospray (ESI) fog ion source was used in mass spectrometry; Data were collected in positive ion mode for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results A total of 34 chromatographic peaks were identified in the samples of Sophora flavescens seeds. Most of them were 26 alkaloids. A total of 18 alkaloids were identified in the plasma samples. The content of six alkaloids in Sophora flavescens seeds was up to 18.5%, and the content of oxymatrine was the highest. Conclusion The acute toxity of Sophora flavescens seeds may be due to the alkaloids entering into blood directly. This study provides a reference for the development and utilization of Sophora flavescens seeds.

“Spectral toxicity” relationship of acute toxicity of Sophora alopecuroides extracted by different extraction methods to mice / 中草药

Objective: To establish the chemical fingerprint of Sophora alopecuroides extracts based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and determine the LD50 of different extracts of S. alopecuroides to analyze its “spectrum toxicity” relationship. Methods: A series of extracts were prepared by 75% ethanol reflux (ER), water decoction (WD), 75% ethanol ultrasound (EU) and water ultrasound (WU), and their fingerprints were established to determine the acute toxicity LD50 of different extracts. The relationship between chemical composition and acute toxicity LD50 of S. alopecuroides extracts were studied by means of fingerprint similarity evaluation system. Results: The LD50 of ER, WD, EU, and WU extracts were 38.397, 24.994, 18.536, and 19.957 g/kg, respectively. The ocular lesions of mice viscera were mainly manifested in liver and kidney, and the toxicity of ER extracts was the greatest. The 10 common peaks of S. alopecuroides extracts can be divided into two categories; Peaks 4 and 10, oxymatrine and sophocarpidine were negatively correlated with acute toxicity LD50. Conclusion: The spectral toxicity relationship analysis method of S. alopecuroides was constructed. The unidentified peaks 4, 10 and oxymatrine and sophocarpidine were the main chemical components of the toxicity reaction, which laid a good foundation for clinical application and scientific and rational development of S. alopecuroides.

Preparation of Oxymatrine Phospholipid Complex Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Lyophilized Powder and Evaluation of Its Quality / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To prepare oxymatrine phospholipid complex solid lipid nanoparticles(OMT-PC-SLN) lyophilized powder and evaluate its pharmaceutical properties. Method: Pseudo-ternary phase diagram was employed to optimize the formula of microemulsion;single factor experiments were adopted to optimize the formulation process of OMT-PC-SLN lyophilized powder with encapsulation efficiency as index;the morphology of this preparation was observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).The particle size was measured by particle size analyzer and the in vitro release performance of OMT-PC-SLN lyophilized powder was examined. Result: Optimal formulation process was as following:taking soybean phospholipid and polyethylene glycol 15-hydroxystearate(Kolliphor HS 15) as the emulsifier,ethanol as co-emulsifier,ratio of emulsifier to co-emulsifier(Km)=3:2,oil phase:(emulsifier+co-emulsifier)=1:9,oxymatrine phospholipid complex-stearic acid-soybean phospholipid-Kolliphor HS 15-ethanol(30:100:180:360:360);taking 50 mL of 4%mannitol solution as the external aqueous phase,ice bath stirring at 1 000 r·min-1 and solidifying for 1 h,precooled at -20℃ for 24 h,took out and dried for 24 h.OMT-PC-SLN lyophilized powder was spherical in appearance with encapsulation efficiency of (38.09±1.24)%,average particle size of 785.5 nm,polydispersity coefficient(PDI) of 0.456 and the Zeta potential of -24.82 mV.The cumulative release rates of OMT-PC-SLN lyophilized powder were 72.63%at 2 h and 98.42%at 12 h;the cumulative release rate of oxymatrine(crude drug) was 98.60%at 2 h. Conclusion: This optimized formulation process of OMT-PC-SLN lyophilized powder is stable with good repeatability;compared with oxymatrine,OMT-PC-SLN lyophilized powder has a certain sustained-release effect.

Effect of Oxymatrine Mediated by RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway on Expression of E-cadherin and TGF-β in Ulcerative Colitis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Oxymatrine on epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediated by RhoA/Rho-associated kinase(ROCK) signaling pathway to prevent and treat ulcerative colitis(UC) and its related canceration by detecting the changes of ROCK, E-cadherin and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)in colon tissues of mice. Method:Totally 48 male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, low, medium and high-dose Oxymatrine groups (25,50,100 mg·kg-1)and Y-27632 group(10 mg·kg-1), with 8 mice in each group. Mice in control group received distilled water, while all the other mice were treated with 3% dextra sulfate sodium for 7 days to induce the ulcerative colitis model. Since the first day of modeling,Y-27632(10 mg·kg-1)and different doses of Oxymatrine(25, 50, 100 mg·kg-1) were intraperitoneally injectedfor 7 days, and equal volume of PBS was intraperitoneally injected in normal group and model group. Body weight loss, stool consistency and fecal blood loss were observed on a daily basis. On the 8thday, mice were put to death,colon was collected and its length was measured; the scores of disease activity index (DAI) were evaluated; part of the colons were fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for a histopathological analysis; the ultrastructural changes of mucosa tissue in ulcerative colitis were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of TGF-β in tissue mucosa were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA). The expression levels of Rho-associated kinase-1, Rho-associated kinase-2, E-cadherin and TGF-β in colon were measured by Western blot and Real-time PCR. Result:Compared with normal group, model group showed the infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa, disordered gland arrangement, varying degrees of intestinal mucosal defect and even ulcer formation. Under electron microscopy, microvilli were sparse on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells, the gap between cell junctions was widened, goblet cells were reduced and organelles were swollen. The disease activity index,and the expression levels of ROCK-1 and ROCK-2 proteins in the colonic mucosa of model group were increased(Pβ were decreased(PPPβ were increased(PPPβ and E-cadherin protein and mRNA levels were significantly decreased(PConclusion:Oxymatrine may alleviate ulcerative colitis by down-regulating the expression of Rho kinase,up-regulating the expressions of E-cadherin and TGF-β, inducing the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, and mediating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Effect of Oxymatrine in Inhibiting Proliferation and Migration of HT-29 Cells Induced by Insulin / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on the proliferation and migration of human colon cancer cell line HT-29 under Type Ⅱ diabetes environment by co-culturing HT-29 with insulin to simulate hyperinsulinemia. Method:The effect of OMT (2, 4, 8 mmol·L-1) on insulin-induced proliferation of HT-29 was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and cloning assay. The morphology change and cell migration were evaluated under microscope and by wound healing assay. The Annexin V/propidium iodide(PI) assay was used to detect the change of insulin-induced HT-29 cell cycle and apoptosis. Western blot was performed to validate the expression of cell cycle-related protein and cell migration protein. Result:Insulin significantly increased growth of HT-29 (P-1 showed a significant inhibitory effect in this model (P0/G1 phase (P1, CDK4 and the up-regulation of p27 by OMT might involve the growth inhibition mechanism. Furthermore, OMT reduced the migration of insulin-induced HT-29 according to wound healing assay(PPPConclusion:OMT can inhibit the proliferation and migration of insulin-induced HT-29 cells. The changes of cell cycle and migration related proteins may be correlated with the mechanism.