Quality control of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae standard decoction based on determination of multi-components using TOF-MS/MS and UPLC-PDA technology / 药物分析学报

A sensitive, fast and comprehensive method for the quality assessment of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) standard decoction with characterization of its chemical components was developed and validated. UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS system was used to identify thirty-six chemical components of SZS standard de-coction which included nucleosides, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Furthermore, a UPLC-PDA method was validated to simultaneously determine adenosine, protocatechuic acid, magnoflorine, ca-techin, protocatechin, vicenin II, spinosin, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, and 6'''-feruloylspinosin which re-present four species of characteristic compounds. The qualitative method had been validated according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition) in terms of lineary, repeatability, recovery and stability for all analytes, with the results showing good precision, accuracy and stability. In conclusion, the method using UPLC combined with MS and PDA provided a novel way for the standardization and identification of SZS standard decoction, and also offered a basis for qualitative analysis and quality assessment of the pre-parations for SZS standard decoction.

Neuroprotective Effects of Spinosin on Recovery of Learning and Memory in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Previous studies have shown that spinosin was implicated in the modulation of sedation and hypnosis, while its effects on learning and memory deficits were rarely reported. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of spinosin on the improvement of cognitive impairment in model mice with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) induced by Aβ1–42 and determine the underlying mechanism. Spontaneous locomotion assessment and Morris water maze test were performed to investigate the impact of spinosin on behavioral activities, and the pathological changes were assayed by biochemical analyses and histological assay. After 7 days of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of spinosin (100 µg/kg/day), the cognitive impairment of mice induced by Aβ1–42 was significantly attenuated. Moreover, spinosin treatment effectively decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Aβ1–42 accumulation in hippocampus. Aβ1–42 induced alterations in the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), as well as inflammatory response in brain were also reversed by spinosin treatment. These results indicated that the ameliorating effect of spinosin on cognitive impairment might be mediated through the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory process, apoptotic program and neurotrophic factor expression, suggesting that spinosin might be beneficial to treat learning and memory deficits in patients with AD via multi-targets.

Research Progress in the Pharmacological Mechanism of Active Ingredients in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae / 中国药师

Semen Ziziphi spinosae ( SZS) , as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in clinic for insomnia therapy, is rich in pharmacological active ingredients such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, oil and the other chemical compounds. The recent stud-ies indicated that some active ingredients in SZS exhibited a variety of activities including sedative hypnotics, antianxiety and anti-de-pression by regulating particular neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), norepi-nephrine, dopamine and glutamate. In accordance with the previous studies on pharmacological activities of SZS, this paper summa-rized and reviewed the applications of SZS in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, myocardial diseases and hepatic disea-ses, which might provide solid evidence for the application development of SZS.

Investigation of the potentially effective components of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae based on “in vitro to in vivo” translation approach / 药学学报

The study aims to investigate the effective components of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZR) in nourishing the heart and tranquilizing the mind. A method of ultra high liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with Q Exactive high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) was developed. Based on the UV spectra, retention time and MS spectra, 25 compounds of SZR extract were identified or tentatively characterized, including 12 flavonoids, 8 triterpenoids saponins, 2 fatty acid and 3 alakoids. The study illuminated the major chemical components. Twenty bioactive components were determined in rat urine after oral administration of SZR extract by "in vitro to in vivo" translation approach, including 16 prototype compounds and 4 metabolites. Spinosin, swertisin, jujuboside A and B were considered as the effective and active constituents in SZR of the sedative and hypnotic effects, which emodies characteristics of multiple components. It was beneficial exploration for searching the effective and active constituents of SZR in nourishing the heart and tranquilizing the mind.

Effective components of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae for sedative-hypnotic based on receptor ligand binding assay / 中国药理学通报

Aim To determine the effective compo-nents of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae for sedative-hypnotic and its mechanism. Methods The extraction of Se-men Ziziphi Spinosae and the rat brain homogenates were prepared. High concentrations of Diazepam com-petitively replaced the ligand compounds of Semen Ziz-iphi Spinosae combining BDZ receptor in brain tissue, and all the compounds with sedative and hypnotic effects were collected and identified by HPLC and LC-MS technique, as the compounds extracted from the brain tissue were administered with Semen Ziziphi Spi-nosae. The brain tissue was administered with Diaze-pam, and with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Diazepam. Results The HPLC chromatograms show that the peak time of BDZ receptor ligand compounds was 2. 71 min and 46. 87min, when compared with Diazepam. And the LC-MS chromatograms display the relative molecu-lar weight of the ligand compounds was 274. 28 m/z, 453. 34 m/z,496. 34 m/z and 608. 38 m/z respective-ly. According to the fingerprint of Semen Ziziphi Spi-nosae, these compounds may be fatty acid substances and lupine pill triterpene compounds. Conclusions On the basis of the principle of receptor ligand bind-ing, we established a way to quickly analyze and iden-tify the role of natural products in the same drug target compounds. The method not only can clearly define the effective components of natural products, but also clar-ify the mechanism of action of the compounds. The ac-tive ingredient of calm hypnosis in Semen Ziziphi Spi-nosae may be fatty acid substances Palmitic acid ( C16 H32 O2 ) and lupine pill triterpene compounds Alphitolic acid( C30 H48 O4 ) and Spinosin( C28 H32 O15 ) . They exert their sedative and hypnotic effects by combining with BDZ receptor, and the research has laid a theoretical foundation for the further study about mechanism of Se-men Ziziphi Spinosae.

Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Four Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines by LC-MS-MS / 中国药师

Objective:To develop a method for determining deoxynivalenol in four kinds of traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Methods:After being extracted by water, purified by an immunoaffinity column, deoxynivalenol was analyzed by LC-MS-MS. Results:The calibration curve was linear within the range of 2-50 ng·ml-1 for deoxynivalenol. The recovery was 68. 7%-88. 3%. Conclusion:The method is simple, sensitive and accurate in the determination of deoxynivalenol in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Semen Sojae Praepara-tum, Semen Coicis and Fructus Psoraleae.

Effects of Herbal Pair of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Albizia Julibrissin Flower on Quality of Life among Elderly Patients with Depression / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to observe the effects of herbal pair of Semen ziziphi spinosae (SZS) and A lbizia julibrissin flower (AJF) on the quality of life (QOL) among elderly patients with depression. A total of 70 elderly patients with depression were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The Chinese medicine group (with 35 cases) was given SZS-AJF decoction, and the western medicine group (with 35 cases) was given venlafaxine hydrochloride sustained-release tablets. The HAMD scale score, QOL Assessment Questionnaire (GQOLI-74), and the Side-Effects Scale Score (TESS) were detected 8 weeks before and after the treatment. The results showed that there was no significant difference on the clinical efficacy between two groups. On the comprehensive assessment of QOL, the physical function dimension, mental function dimension and QOL total score of Chinese medicine group were higher than the western medicine group with significant difference (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences on the material function dimension or social function dimensions between two groups. The HAMD score, physical function dimension, mental function dimension, social function dimension and score of QOL were all higher than the pretreatment score with significant differences in both groups (P < 0.05). The TESS score in Chinese medicine group was lower than the western medicine group. And the main adverse reactions in the Chinese medicines group were nausea and vomiting. It was concluded that the herbal pair of SZS and AJF had antidepressant efficacy. It can improve the QOL among elderly patients with depression.

Effects of Herbal Pair of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Albizia Julibrissin Flower on Cognitive Function and Serum BDNF among Depression Patients / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to observe effects of herbal pair of semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) and A lbizia Julib-rissin flower (AJF) on cognitive function and serum BDNF among depression patients. A total of 60 depression pa-tients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. In the SZS-AJF group, 30 patients were administered with SZS-AJF decoction. In the control group, 30 patients were administered with venlafaxine hydrochloride sus-tained-release tablets. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and the serum-brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected before treatment and after six weeks of treatment. The results showed that there were no significant differences on the HAMD score, WCST (Response Administered (Ra), Categories Completed (Cc), Correct Responses (Cr), Perseverative Errors (Pe), Non-perseverative Errors (Npe)), serum BDNF before and after treatment between two groups. Compared with pretreatment, HAMD score, Ra, Cc, Cr, serum BDNF were increased after treatment in both groups. The Pe and Npe were decreased after treatment. There was sta-tistical significance between pretreatment and posttreatment (P< 0.05, or P< 0.01). It was concluded that the herbal pair of SZS-AJF has anti-depressant effect. It can improve cognitive function of depression patients. The anti-de-pressant mechanism of herbal pair of SZS-AJF may be related to the increasing of serum BDNF level.

Optimization of Ethanol-Extracting Process of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae in Suanzaoren Granules / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the optimum process for Suanzaoren granules,and to optimize the ethanol-extracting process for jujuboside A in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae.Methods With the extracting rate of jujuboside A as the index,HPLC was used to determine the content of jujuboside A in extracted solution and the extracting conditions were optimized by orthogonal design.Results The optimum extracting condition was adding 8 times amount of 70% ethanol and refluxing for 60 min,then adding 6 times amount of 70% ethanol,refluxing and extracting for 40 min(two times).Conclusion The optimized process is stable and highly efficient.

Study on Jujubaside A and Tranquilizing Effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae before and after Crush / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the dissolving difference of jujubaside A and tranquilizing effect crushed Semen Ziziphi Spinosae in water extraction. Methods Crushed Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Semen Ziziphi Spinosae were decocted and the content of jujubaside A in different samples was inspected by HPLC. The experiment was carried out on Agilent C18 column (250 mm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m), using methanol-water (65∶35) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detector was ELSD. The temperature of drift tube for ELSD was 110 ℃ and the flux of N2 was 2.4 L/min. The mice given two different samples were observed of assisting sleeping and voluntary action. Results Jujubaside A was not found in sample of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, and the content of jujubaside A in sample of crushed Semen Ziziphi Spinosae was 0.009 0%. The sample of crushed Semen Ziziphi Spinosae could assist sleeping well. Conclusion Semen Ziziphi Spinosae should be crushed for clinical use.