Construction and evaluation of novel self-assembled nanoparticles of Herpetospermum caudigerum Wall / 药学学报

It has become an industry consensus that self-assembled nanoparticles (SAN) are formed by molecular recognition of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine during the decoction process. The insoluble components in the decoction are mostly in the form of nanoparticles, which can improve the problem of poor water solubility. However, the transfer rate of these insoluble components in the decoction is still very low, which limits the efficacy of the drug. This study aimed to refine the traditional decoction self-assembly phenomenon. The self-assembled nanoparticles were constructed by micro-precipitation method (MP-SAN), and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, stability index and morphology. The formation of MP-SAN and alterations in related physicochemical properties were evaluated using modern spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques. The quality value transmitting pattern of lignan components within the MP-SAN was assessed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The MP-SAN showed sphere-like structure with uniform morphology, particle size of (245.3 ± 3.2) nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of (0.13 ± 0.03), zeta potential of (-48.9 ± 5.9) mV and stability index (SI) of (86.05% ± 2.27%). Comprehensive analyses using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and other techniques confirmed molecular recognition between the decoction and ethanol extraction, leading to electron rearrangement under the influence of non-covalent bonding. This resulted in the formation of nanoparticles possessing superior thermal stability. As determined by HPLC, the encapsulation rates of the index components in the MP-SAN were all greater than 75% (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: 77.00%; herpetolide A: 78.57%; herpetrione: 94.53%), and the transfer rates were all higher than 65% (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: 96.01%; herpetolide A: 67.86%; herpetrione: 65.55%), which were 1.34, 1.38 and 4.81 times compared with those of the traditional decoction. In summary, this study successfully constructed the MP-SAN based on micro-precipitation method to achieve high transfer rate and high encapsulation rate of insoluble components in docoction, which provides a pharmaceutics idea for the efficient utilization of pharmacodynamic substance basis of traditional Chinese medicine.

Separation, characterization and anti-psoriasis effect of self-assembled nanoparticles from Shaoyao Gancao Decoction / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to separate and characterize self-assembled nanoparticles(SAN) from Shaoyao Gancao Decoction(SGD) and determine the content of active compounds. Further, we aimed to observe the therapeutic effect of SGD-SAN on imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice. The separation of SGD was performed by dialysis, and the separation process was optimized by single factor experiment. The SGD-SAN isolated under the optimal process was characterized, and the content of gallic acid, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid in each part of SGD was determined by HPLC. In the animal experiment, mice were assigned into a normal group, a model group, a methotrexate group(0.001 g·kg~(-1)), and SGD, SGD sediment, SGD dialysate, and SGD-SAN groups of different doses(1, 2, and 4 g·kg~(-1)) respectively. The psoriasis grade of mice was evaluated based on the pathological changes of skin lesions, the content of inflammatory cytokines, organ index and other indicators. The results showed that SAN obtained by centrifugation at 13 000 r·min~(-1) for 30 min was stable after dialysis for 4 times, which were uniform spherical nanoparticles with the particle size of(164.43±1.34) nm, the polydispersity index of(0.28±0.05), and the Zeta potential of(-12.35±0.80) mV. The active compound content accounted for more than 70% of SGD. Compared with the model group, SAN and SGD decreased the skin lesion score, spleen index, and inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01) and alleviated the skin thickening and infiltration of inflammatory cells. However, the sediment group and the dialysate group had no obvious effect. SGD showed a good therapeutic effect on imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice, and SAN demonstrated the effect equivalent to SGD in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we conclude that the SAN formed during decocting is the main active form of SGD, which can lower the levels of inflammatory cytokines, promote the normal differentiation of keratinocytes, and reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the treatment of psoriasis lesions in mice.

Advances in modern research on anti-liver disease of Tibetan medicine Semen Hertospermi / 中草药

Semen Hertospermi (Bolengguazi in Chinese, BL), as well-known Tibetan medicine, is one of commonly used drugs by Tibetan healers for the treatment of liver diseases and cholic diseases. Modern research indicated that BL had multiple pharmacological effects including hepatoprotection, anti-hepatitis B virus and anti-liver fibrosis, etc. And the lignans are the major pharmacodynamic substances. The fatty acid, polysaccharides and other ingredients also have hepatoprotective effects. This article mainly reviews the pharmacodynamic substances, pharmacological effects, preparation research and development related to anti-liver disease, so as to provide reference and thinking for the research and application of BL and preparations development in the prevention of liver disease and promote the modern research and development of ethnic medicine.