Screening of Centella asiatica drying method based on comprehensive evaluation of quality / 中草药

Objective: To explore the effects of different drying methods on the quality of medicinal materials, and screen out the optimal drying process of Centella asiatica. Methods: The whole fresh grass of C. asiatica were dried by hot air, drying in the sun, drying in the sun and hot air combined, drying in the shade, microwave and vacuum respectively. Meanwhile, the drying time and rate were determined. The characters, identification, inspection, and leachable content of C. asiatica were analyzed by the method of pharmacopoeia. The content of asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, kaempferol-3-O-tutinoside, kaempferol, and quercetin were detected by HPLC analysis; The weighted scoring method was used to sort the comprehensive evaluation of multiple indexes. Results: Different drying methods consume different time, among which drying in the sun, shade and drying at 50 ℃ for more than 100 h, and the average drying rate was 24.83%. The effects of different drying methods on the properties of medicinal materials are mainly reflected in color and odor, among which 50-70 ℃ hot air drying had a better color, which was light green, and the odor of hot air drying and microwave drying at 80 ℃ and 85 ℃ also changed significantly. Although there were some differences in moisture and ash content, both of them met the pharmacopoeia standards. The drying method also had certain effects on the leachable, the maximum was 45.70%, and the minimum content of dry extract was 29.67%. The highest content of the total active ingredient was determined by HPLC using the method of drying in the shade, which was 83.032 mg/g, and the lowest was is 75 ℃ hot air drying, which was 40.982 mg/g. The highest total content of madecassoside and asiaticoside was 80 ℃ hot air drying, and the lowest was 75 ℃ hot air drying. Weighted score in the top three of line was 70 ℃, dried at 50 ℃ after drying in the sun, hot air drying at 50 ℃, and 85 ℃ hot air drying ranked the bottom. Conclusion: In summary, the suitable drying method for the production area of C. asiatica was 70 ℃ hot air drying.

Isolation and idetification of a new aglycone from acid hydrolysis products of saponin in Centella asiatica / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the acid hydrolysis products, in order to find some new aglycones from the hydrolysate of the saponin of Centella asiatica. Methods: The acid hydrolytic product was separated by repeated silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. The cytotoxic activities in vitro of some compounds isolated were evaluated. Their structures isolated were identified by analysis of their spectral data of NMR, MS, IR, and UV. Results: Four aglycones, 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-6,12-dien-28-oic acid (1), asiatic acid (2), 6β-hydroxy asiatic acid (3), terminolic acid (4), were isolated from the hydrolysis product. Conclusions: Compound 1, named centella-6-ene, was a new ursane-type aglycone and it showed no cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines.

Prophylactic effects of asiaticoside-based standardized extract of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban leaves on experimental migraine: Involvement of 5HT1A/1B receptors / 中国天然药物

The present study aimed at evaluation of prophylactic efficacy and possible mechanisms of asiaticoside (AS) based standardized extract of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban leaves (INDCA) in animal models of migraine. The effects of oral and intranasal (i.n.) pretreatment of INDCA (acute and 7-days subacute) were evaluated against nitroglycerine (NTG, 10 mg·kg(-1), i.p.) and bradykinin (BK, 10 μg, intra-arterial) induced hyperalgesia in rats. Tail flick latencies (from 0 to 240 min) post-NTG treatment and the number of vocalizations post-BK treatment were recorded as a measure of hyperalgesia. Separate groups of rats for negative (Normal) and positive (sumatriptan, 42 mg·kg(-1), s.c.) controls were included. The interaction of INDCA with selective 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D receptor antagonists (NAN-190, Isamoltane hemifumarate, and BRL-15572 respectively) against NTG-induced hyperalgesia was also evaluated. Acute and sub-acute pre-treatment of INDCA [10 and 30 mg·kg(-1) (oral) and 100 μg/rat (i.n.) showed significant anti-nociception activity, and reversal of the NTG-induced hyperalgesia and brain 5-HT concentration decline. Oral pre-treatment with INDCA (30 mg·kg(-1), 7 d) showed significant reduction in the number of vocalization. The anti-nociceptive effects of INDCA were blocked by 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B but not 5-HT1D receptor antagonists. In conclusion, INDCA demonstrated promising anti-nociceptive effects in animal models of migraine, probably through 5-HT1A/1B medicated action.

The effect of the extracts of Centella asiatica(L.) Urban (ECU) on the behavior of animal model of depression / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the extracts of Centella asiatica(L.) Urban (ECA) on the depressive-like behavior alteration in rats and mice. Method 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (10 rats each), the normal group, model group, Fluoxetine group, ECA high dose group (component 10.08 mg+component 24.48 mg/kg), ECA middle dose group (component 1 0.04 mg+component 2 2.24 mg/kg) and ECA low dose group component 1 0.02 mg+component 2 1.12 mg/kg. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced depression in rats and sugar consumption to detect the antidepressant effect of ECU. 60 Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups as above. Locomotor activity, forced swim, tail suspension test were used to detect the effect of ECA on the behavioral alteration in mice. Results Compared with model group, sugar consumption in ECA groups was significant increased (P<0.01). ECA treatments also decreased duration of immobility in the tail suspension test and forced swim. Conclusion ECA could improve the depressive-like behavior in rats and mice.

Preparing technology of asiaticosides with high-purity / 中草药

Objective: To study the preparing technology of asiaticosides with high purity. Methods: Macroreticular resin column chromatography and recrystallization were used to optimize the preparing technology of asiaticosides. HPLC method was established for the contcent determination of asiaticosides. Results: Centella asiatica was subjected to 75% ethanol distilment, water and acid precipitation, HPD100 macroreticular resin separation, and recrystallization in acetic ester. Then asiaticosides with high purity over 90% were obtained. Conclusion: The process is stable and feasible, and it could be used for the preparation of high-purity asiaticosides.