Anti-inflammatory target prediction of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma based on network pharmacology and construction of a bioassay method for its quality control / 中国中药杂志

Based on the heat-clearing and detoxifying effects of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, the network pharmacology is mainly used to predict the potential targets of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma for anti-inflammatory activity and to perform the experimental verification. A method for detecting the biological potency of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma based on verifiable targets has been established to provide a reference for improving the quality evaluation and control standards of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma. High performance liquid chromatography can be used to construct chemical fingerprints of different batches of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma. Constructing a component-target-disease network of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma for its anti-inflammatory activity was applied to screen potential anti-inflammatory components and related targets of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, and to verify the target of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma by using biological evaluation methods. Detecting the biological potency of different batches of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma extracts was used to inhibit COX-2 enzyme activity based the verifiable target cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2). The results showed that different batches of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma accorded with the pharmacopoeia testing regulations, and the chemical fingerprints have a high similarity(similarity>0.93), suggesting that there is no significant difference in the characteristics of the chemical components. Based on network pharmacology predictions, 18 candidate targets were found to have potential direct interactions with the ingredients in Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma. Among them, the most important target is COX-2. Based on the experimental verification of recombinant human COX-2 protease activity inhibition, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma can inhibit the COX-2 enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. It can function with a low concentration(0.75 mg·mL~(-1)), which preliminarily confirmed the accuracy of network pharmacology prediction. The biological potency detection method of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma based on COX-2 inhibitory activity was optimized and established. The qualitative response parallel line method was used to calculate the biological potency of anti-inflammatory activity, which ranged from 23.04 to 46.60 U·mg~(-1). For network pharmacology prediction, it can screen and clarify the possible targets of traditional Chinese medicine rapidly, which can guide the establishment of a biological evaluation method for the quality of medicinal materials with related activities. Compared with chemical fingerprints, the biological potency testing can better detect quality fluctuations of traditional Chinese medicine.

Herbal Textual Analysis of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma has a long history of medication,and was recorded in Shennong Bencaojing. Through the study of herbal medicine of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma,we reviewed and analyzed previous herbal records,studied its basic,origin and processing methods, and provided the basis for further development and utilization of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma. Through the analysis of ancient herbal researches and drawings,we knew that the ancient resources of this medicine were basically consistent with Gentiana scabra and G. manshurica. The Latin name of the original plant of gentian medicinal herbs set forth in the modern literature was analyzed for the first time. The commodities of this medicine were divided into Guanlongdan and Dianlongdan. Guanlongdan was produced in Northeast China, and consisted of G. scabra,G. manshurica,and G. triflora. Dianlongdan was G. rigescens and grew in Yunnan province. Due to various reasons, such as historical changes, genuine producing areas of medicinal materials gradually changed from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to Northeast China. The processing methods of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma included preparing with wine, preparing with licorice juice and preparing with ginger juice. The purpose of these processing methods is to suppress its nature of bitter and cold. Among those processing methods,preparing with wine has the longest history, and can promote the dissolution of the active ingredients of gentian,thus is a better method of processing. This study provides the basis for radical reform, resource development, correct use, and determination of genuine producing area and processing methods for Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma.

Correlation Between Effective Components Content and Color Values of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma Based on Color Difference Principle / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To measure the color values of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma and the contents of gentiopicroside,the appearance index value of the representative color was correlated with the intrinsic index value representing the quality,in order to explore the correlation between the contents of active ingredients and the color values,and provide basis for the quality evaluation of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma. Method:The color difference values of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma powder was measured by colorimeter.The content determination method of gentiopicroside in the 2015 edition of China Pharmacopoeia was adopted. The content of gentiopicroside was determined by HPLC,and the correlation and regression analysis was carried out by SPSS 21.0 software. Result:There was a significantly positive correlation between the contents of gentiopicroside and L* (representing colorshade)and E* ab(representing total color difference)(Pa* (representing color red-green direction) and b* (representing color yellow-blue direction) had a significantly negative correlation (PConclusion:The color value of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma has a certain correlation with the content of gentiopicroside,and yellowish Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma contain more active ingredients, with a better quality.The contents of gentiopicroside active ingredients in Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma can be quickly predicted by determining the color difference values,which can provide a new idea for quality evaluation of this herb.

Historical Evolution and Modern Research of the Processing of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma / 中国中医药信息杂志

This article is based on the Li Dai Zhong Yao Pao Zhi Zi Liao Ji Yao as a clue to review the historical literature and modern data on processing Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma in China, and summarized the relevant contents. Processing methods of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma have history on the net system, cutting system, heating processing and various accessories processing records, but now the processing methods of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma are relatively simple, only the methods of net production, ultra-micro-decoction, charcoal, and wine frying are included in the historical "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China" and local processing specifications. In modern times, the processing methods of wine, licorice gentian, ginger, charcoal, vinegar, and salt for Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma have rationality and quality controllability. Through combing the historical evolution and research progress of processing of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, this article provided references for study on modern processing.

Evaluation of different types of bitterness masking on inhibition of bitterness efficiency and law of four Chinese materia medicine decoctions of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Andrographis Herba, and Nelumbinis Plumula / 中草药

Objective To investigate the effects and the law of anti bitterness efficiency of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and other different types bitterness masking at different concentrations on the bitterness decoction of Chinese materia medica (BDCMM) by using the traditional human taste panel method (THTPM) and Electronic tongue (E-tongue). Methods Based on THTPM, the bitterness reduction value (ΔI), the correction rate of bitterness suppression (CRBS), and the correction rate of bitterness suppression potency index (PI50) were used as indicators to evaluate the bitterness suppression effect of four bitterness masking at different concentrations on BDCMM such as Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (SFR), and the relationship model between the concentrations of ΔI and bitterness masking was established to explore the bitterness suppression rule of bitterness masking on different BDCMM. Based on the E-tongue method, the E-tongue taste response information values of HP-β-CD and Acesulfame K to BDCMM such as SFR were measured at different concentrations, and the electronic tongue bitterness reduction value (ΔIe) was used as an index to explore the change rule of ΔIe with bitterness masking concentration. THTPM and E-tongue was combined to establish a prediction model of the effect of bitterness suppression. Results The ΔI, CRBS, and PI50 of four kinds of BDCMM with different concentrations of bitterness masking were measured, which can be used to compare the bitterness suppression effect of bitterness masking; The relation between ΔI and bitterness masking concentration accorded with Weibull curve model; Based on E-tongue, ΔIe was obtained, and the model of the relationship between ΔIe and bitterness masking concentration was established. The relationship between ΔIe and ΔI was established. The model determination coefficients of HP-β-CD for the two types of ΔIe of the two BDCMM were 0.986 1, 0.977 9, 0.989 0, and 0.982 0 respectively (P < 0.01, n = 6). Acesulfame had no response to the sensor and did not establish a model of bitterness suppression law. Conclusion Based on THTPM and E-tongue, a method for evaluating the bitterness suppression effect of bitterness masking on BDCMM was established. The bitterness suppression effect of bitterness masking on BDCMM such as SFR was studied by molecular inclusion, high-efficiency sweetening, and other bitterness suppression mechanisms were inverstigated.