Spectrum-effect relationship of total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds against fluorouracil-induced liver injury in mice / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the spectrum-effect relationship between the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds and fluorouracil (5-Fu)-induced liver injury in mice and identify the effective components in the extract.@*METHODS@#A mouse model of liver injury was established by intraperitoneal injection of 5-Fu, with bifendate as the positive control. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver tissue were detected to investigate the effect of the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg) on liver injury induced by 5-Fu. HPLC fingerprints of 10 batches of the total anthraquinone extracts were established to analyze the spectrum- effectiveness of the extract against 5- Fu- induced liver injury in mice and screen the effective components using the grey correlation method.@*RESULTS@#The 5- Fu- treated mice showed significant differences in liver function parameters from the normal control mice (P < 0.05), suggesting successful modelling. Compared with those in the model group, serum ALT and AST activities were decreased, SOD and T- AOC activities significantly increased, and MPO level was significantly lowered in the mice treated with the total anthraquinone extract (all P < 0.05). HPLC fingerprints of the 31 components in the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds showed good correlations with the potency index of 5-Fu-induced liver injury but with varying correlation strengths. The top 15 components with known correlations included aurantio-obtusina (peak 6), rhein (peak 11), emodin (peak 22), chrysophanol (peak 29) and physcion (peak 30).@*CONCLUSION@#The effective components in the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds, including aurantio-obtusina, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, are coordinated to produce protective effects against 5-Fu-induced liver injury in mice.

Cassiae Semen improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through autophagy-related pathway / 中草药·英文版

OBJECTIVE@#Cassiae Semen (CS, Juemingzi in Chinese) has been used for thousands of years in ancient Chinese history for relieving constipation, improving liver function as well as preventing myopia. Here we aimed to elucidate the anti-steatosis effect and underlying mechanism of CS against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).@*METHODS@#High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the major components of CS water extract. Mice were fed with a high-fat and sugar-water (HFSW) diet to induce hepatic steatosis and then treated with CS. The anti-NAFLD effect was determined by measuring serum biomarkers and histopathology staining. Additionally, the effects of CS on cell viability and lipid metabolism in oleic acid and palmitic acid (OAPA)-treated HepG2 cells were measured. The expression of essential genes and proteins involved in lipid metabolism and autophagy signalings were measured to uncover the underlying mechanism.@*RESULTS@#Five compounds, including aurantio-obtusin, rubrofusarin gentiobioside, cassiaside C, emodin and rhein were simultaneously identified in CS extract. CS not only improved the diet-induced hepatic steatosis in vivo, as indicated by decreased number and size of lipid droplets, hepatic and serum triglycerides (TG) levels, but also markedly attenuated the OAPA-induced lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. These lipid-lowering effects induced by CS were largely dependent on the inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and the activation of autophagy-related signaling, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), light chain 3-II (LC3-II)/ LC3-1 and autophagy-related gene5 (ATG5).@*CONCLUSION@#Our study suggested that CS effectively protected liver steatosis via decreasing FASN-related fatty acid synthesis and activating AMPK-mediated autophagy, which might become a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving NAFLD.

De novo transcriptome assembly and metabolomic analysis of three tissue types in Cinnamomum cassia / 中草药·英文版

OBJECTIVE@#The barks, leaves, and branches of Cinnamomum cassia have been historically used as a traditional Chinese medicine, spice, and food preservative, in which phenylpropanoids are responsible compounds. However phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways are not clear in C. cassia. We elucidated the pathways by descriptive analyses of differentially expressed genes related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis as well as to identify various phenylpropanoid metabolites.@*METHODS@#Chemical analysis, metabolome sequencing, and transcriptome sequencing were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the difference of active components content in the barks, branches and leaves of C. cassia.@*RESULTS@#Metabolomic analysis revealed that small amounts of flavonoids, coumarine, and cinnamaldehyde accumulated in both leaves and branches. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes associated with phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis were downregulated in the leaves and branches relative to the barks. The observed differences in essential oil content among the three tissues may be attributable to the differential expression of genes involved in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolic pathways.@*CONCLUSION@#This study identified the key genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway controling the flavonoid, coumarine, and cinnamaldehyde contents in the barks, branches and leaves by comparing the transcriptome and metabolome. These findings may be valuable in assessing phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolites and identifying specific candidate genes that are related to the synthesis of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids in C. cassia.

Effects of drought stress on physiological and biochemical and chemical components of Cinnamomum cassia seedlings / 中国中药杂志

Six month old Cinnamomum cassia seedlings were used to simulate drought stress with polyethylene glycol(PEG 6000). The physiological indicators(osmotic substances, antioxidant enzymes, etc.) and chemical components of seedlings under different drought levels and the correlation between the two were studied. The results showed that the chlorophyll content and relative water content decreased gradually with the increase of PGE 6000(0, 5%, 10%, 15%) concentration and time(3, 5, 7 d), while the soluble protein content, soluble sugar content and catalase(CAT) activity increased, but the rising rate slowed down with the time. The activities of peroxidase(POD), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA) and proline content increased at first and then decreased. The content of coumarin, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and dimethoxycinnamaldehyde decreased, while the content of cinnamyl alcohol continued to increase.Under drought stress, the fluorescence signals of reactive oxygen species and no contents in roots of C. cassia seedlings were significantly stronger than those of the control.Further correlation analysis showed that coumarin content, di-methoxycinnamaldehyde content and osmoregulation substance content were significantly negatively correlated(P<0.05), cinnamic acid content was significantly negatively correlated with POD and SOD activities(P<0.01).It was found that C. cassia seedlings showed a certain degree of drought tolerance under short-term or mild drought stress, but if the drought exceeded a certain degree, the physiological metabolism of the seedlings would be unbalanced.

Effect of cassia seed aqueous extract on blood pressure level in n-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester induced hypertensive rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The concept of modern diagnosis and treatment of hypertension is to protect target organs, improve clinical symptoms and minimize clinical events through antihypertensive treatment. Cassia seed has an antihypertensive effect that has been confirmed in animal experiment and clinical practice, but whether it can improve the vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress and end organ damage of hypertension remains to be further studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antihypertensive effect of cassia seed water extract on hypertensive rats induced by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. METHODS: A rat model of hypertension was established by intragastric administration of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester to observe the changes of blood pressure and heart rate after the intervention of cassia seed aqueous extract (500 mg/kg per day), once a day, for 4 continuous weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured once a week. At 24 hours after the final administration, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea and serum creatinine, and lipid mass spectrometry were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione levels and angiotensin converting enzyme activity in rat liver and kidney were determined by corresponding assay kits. The expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein and gene in rat kidney tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry as well as real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model group, cassia seed aqueous extract treatment significantly reduced mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure and systolic pressure (P < 0.05) in hypertensive rats, and improved liver and renal markers, lipid distribution and oxidative status. In addition, cassia seed aqueous extract significantly reduced the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the liver and kidney of hypertensive rats (P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the kidney of rats treated with cassia seed aqueous extract were significantly higher than those of the model group. In conclusion, cassia seed water extract has shown considerable potential for antihypertension, and its anti-hypertension mechanism includes up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, antioxidants and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes.

Selection and Validation of Appropriate Reference Genes of Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum cassia var. macrophyllum / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To screen out stable internal reference genes suitable for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） analysis of different parts of<italic> Cinnamomum cassia</italic> and <italic>C. cassia</italic> var. <italic>macrophyllum</italic>，in order to provide stable internal reference genes for gene expression analysis of three different parts of and <italic>C. cassia</italic> var.<italic> macrophyllum</italic> branches and leaves. Method:With 6 different tissues and organs， such as bark，branches and leaves of two plants of <italic>C. cassia</italic> and <italic>C. cassia</italic> var. <italic>macrophyllum</italic> as experimental materials，Real-time PCR technology was used to detect the five internal reference genes， namely glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase（GAPDH），actin，ubiquitin-ligase enzymes（UBE），histone and tubin（TUB）. The analysis of the expression of the data. Furthermore， three commonly used internal reference gene analysis software，namely geNorm，NormFinder and BestKeeper，was used to analyze and evaluate the stability of the candidate internal reference gene. Result:The internal five reference genes were expressed in the bark，branches and leaves of the two plants，but with differences in stability. Comprehensive analysis showed that the expression stability of candidate internal reference genes was in the order of GAPDH>actin>UBE>histone>TUB. The internal reference genes of the two plants were analyzed separately，and the optimal internal reference gene was still GAPDH，indicating that GAPDH was the most suitable internal reference gene. TUB and histone ranked low in the three software，and should be eliminated in the screening of reference genes. They were not suitable for gene expression analysis of <italic>C. cassia </italic>and <italic>C. cassia</italic> var. <italic>macrophyllum</italic>. Conclusion:The most suitable internal reference gene for different parts of cinnamon，branches，and leaves of <italic>C. cassia</italic> and <italic>C. cassia</italic> var. <italic>macrophyllum</italic> was GAPDH. In this study，a screening system for internal reference genes of Real-time PCR of <italic>C. cassia</italic> and <italic>C. cassia</italic> var. <italic>macrophyllum</italic> was established to provide theoretical basis for studying functional regulation and expression of genes during the accumulation of effective components in different parts.

Chemical constituents of Cassia occidentalis / 中国中药杂志

Compounds(1-6) were isolated and identified from 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of Cassia occidentalis through column chromatography with silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. These compounds were identified as 7-hydroxy-5-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopropyl)-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one(1), saccharonol A(2), S-6-hydroxymullein(3), 2-methyl-5-acetonyl-7-hydroxy-chromone(4), 2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone(5) and 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone(6) based on their physicochemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 1 was a new compound, and all the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. DPPH method was employed to determine the antioxidant activities of these compounds in vitro. Six compounds exhibited weak antioxidant activities.

Targeting the Secreted Aspartic Proteinase (SAP-1) Associated with Virulence in C. albicans by C. cassia Bio-compounds: A Computational Approach

Evaluation of the drug ligand interactions between the C. cassia bio-compounds with the SAP-1 in C. albicans to explore the inhibitory medicinal potential of C. cassia bio-compounds by a computational approach is performed in the present investigation. Antimicrobial assay was done using agar well diffusion method with the crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the dried barks of C. cassia against C. albicans. 2D & 3D structures of the active bio-compounds of C. cassia were optimized and the 3D structure of SAP-1 was retrieved from the PDB data bank. In-silico inhibitory potential of the selected C. cassia biocompounds against SAP-1 was done by Auto Dock 2.0 and was visualized with Accelrys discovery studio visualizing tool with the assessment of the molecular properties of the ligands against SAP-1 by molinspiration calculations and further assessment for their drug likeliness. In-vitro analysis showed a promising anti-fungal activity of C. cassia extracts against C. albicans. Cinnamoyl E-acetate and Eugenyl acetate seem to possess promising inhibitory effect to target SAP-1 with a least binding energy of –5.33 and -5.21 Kcal/mol with four hydrogen bonds respectively. Molinspiration assessments showed zero violations for all the C. cassia compounds with the TPSA scores of <140 Å towards the best oral bioavailability. The findings of the study emphasize that cinnamaldehyde, cinnamoyal acetate and eugenol from C. cassia seem to possess a promising inhibitory effect against SAP-1 of C. albicans suggesting the medicinal value of the spice against SAP-1

Cassia oleoresin Mediated Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles and Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay

Cassia oleoresin is an extract isolated from dried barks of Cinnamomum cassia Blume (family Lauracea). The plant has been reported to have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-hypertriglyceridemic effect, mainly due to its phytochemical constituents such as phenolic and volatile compounds. Cinnamon also helps in arthritis, fibromyalgia and psoriasis. The aim of this study was to prepare magnesium oxide nanoparticles using Cassia oleoresin and to evaluate the cytotoxic effect on Brine shrimp. The magnesium oxide nanoparticle was prepared from magnesium chloride and Cassia oleoresin and was confirmed by UV- Visible Spectroscopy and morphology was confirmed by TEM. Brine shrimps lethality bioassay was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity of Cassia oleoresin mediated magnesium oxide nanoparticles. Ten brine shrimp nauplii were placed in each well of the Eliza plate and filled with 5 μL ,10 μL ,15 μL ,20 μL ,25 μL of Cassia oleoresin mediated magnesium oxide nanoparticles After 24 hours of incubation, the wells were observed and the number of surviving brine shrimp nauplii were counted to assess the cytotoxicity. The UV -Visible spectroscopy showed a peak at 400 peak and TEM analysis showed a particle size of 70 nm. After 24 hours incubation of the brine shrimps in the nanoparticle solution, all 10 brine shrimps survived in 5μL and 10 μL concentrations. 3 brine shrimps nauplii survived in 15μL conc. 1 brine shrimp nauplii survived in 20μL and 25μL concentrations each. Within the limits of this study it can be concluded that at low concentrations the prepared nanoparticle was safe and may be used for biomedical application.

Estimation of Flavonoids and Screening of In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Various Extracts of Aerial Parts of Cassia absus (Linn).

Free radicals are generated by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions. The main source of free radicals in enzymatic reactions include those involved in phagocytosis, respiratory chain, in prostaglandin synthesis, and in cytochrome p450 system. Current investigation was to examine invitro antioxidant potential of Cassia absus (Linn). MethodsThe aerial parts of Cassia absus (Linn) were powdered and the dry powder was subjected to extraction with various solvents (PE, EA and methanol) through Soxhlet extractor. The aerial parts of different concentrates (pet. ether, ethyl acetate and methanol) of Cassia absus was evaluated for its in-vitro antioxidant potential by hydroxyl radical, FRAP activity taking ascorbate used as standard for the both methods and total flavonoids content was estimated as equivalent to rutin. ResultsThe methanolic concentrates of Cassia absus & standard exhibited antioxidant potential possessing IC50 196 µg/mL & 65 µg/mL (hydroxyl radical) 216 µg/mL & 50 µg/mL (FRAP activity) respectively. Methanolic concentrates of Cassia absus were more efficient in hydroxyl radical, FRAP activity compared EA & PE concentrates. The methanolic and EA concentrates of Cassia absus showed the total flavonoids content (10.22 ± 0.40, 4.03 ± 0.47 respectively). The difference in scavenging potential of the extracts can be due to variation in the percentage of bioactive compound flavonoids present in methanolic extracts. Invitro antioxidant studies show that methanolic concentrates of Cassia absus have better antioxidant activity due to the presence of total flavonoids content. ConclusionsThis result indicates that methanolic concentrates of aerial parts of Cassia absus could serve as natural antioxidant, which may be useful in preventing free radical induced diseases.

A new diphenylpropanoid from Cassia floribunda / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical composition of the stems and leaves of Cassiafloribunda. Methods: The chemical constituents from stems and leaves of C. floribunda were isolated by silica gel MCI, RP-18, TLC, and HPLC methods. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and physicochemical properties. Results: Eighteen compounds were isolated from the 90% EtOH extract of C. floribunda and their structures were established ascassia cis-transdiphenylpropanoid(1), ethyl p-hydroxycinnamate (2), shonanin(3), dibutyl phthalate(4), 1,6,8-trihydroxyl-3-methyl-anthraquinone (5), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxyl-chromogen, (6), 2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxytryptophan(7), 4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy flavone(8), chrysoeriol(9), kaempferol(10), apigenin(11), 3-methoxy quercetin(12), 6-demethoxycapillarisin(13), 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone(14), luteolin(15), butin(16), liquiritigenin(17) anderiodictyol(18). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound, and 2-18 are isolated from this plant for the first time.At the moment,2-4, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16-18 are isolated from Cassia for the first time.

Study on effect of compatibility on pharmacokinetics of Guizhi Zhumian prescription in cynomolgus monkeys based on Q-marker / 中草药

Objective: To study the effect of compatibility on pharmacokinetics of the main components of Guizhi Zhumian prescription (GZP) based on the concept of Q-marker and to provide evidences for the determination of the Q-markers of this prescription. Methods: UPLC-MS/MS method was established for the study of the pharmacokinetics behaviors of seven main components, including cinnamic acid, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, coumarin, gardenoside, genipin, geniposidic acid, and chlorogenic acid, before and after the compatibility of GZP in plasma of cynomolgus monkeys. Results: Compared with the pharmacokinetics parameters of Cinnamomum cassia and Gardenia jasminoides, the AUC and Cmax of cinnamic acid, coumarin, geniposidic acid, and chlorogenic acid in GZP were increased obviously; The t1/2 of cinnamic acid, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, and coumarin were decreased; And the tmax of 4-methoxycinnamic acid, and geniposide were prolonged. Conclusion: Compatibility of GZP could significantly change the in vivo exposure status of the main components, and the seven main compounds were determined to be the Q-markers of GZP.

Senna alata (akapulko) extract versus topical antifungals for treatment of superficial fungal skin infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>OBJECTIVE:</b> The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Senna alata (akapulko) plant extracts compared with topical antifungals in the treatment of superficial fungal skin infections.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>METHODS:</b> A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that studied patients with diagnosed cutaneous tinea or dermatophytosis (excluding hair and nail), tinea versicolor, or cutaneous candidiasis, via microscopy or culture, and compared the efficacy and safety of S. alata (akapulko) extract versus topical antifungals. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts of merged search results from electronic databases (The Cochrane Skin Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE (January 1990 to December 2011), Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), and reference lists of articles), assessed eligibility, assessed the risk of bias using the domains in the Cochrane Risk Bias tool and collected data using a pretested Data extraction form (DEF). Meta-analyses were performed when feasible.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>RESULTS:</b> We included seven RCTs in the review. There is low certainty of evidence that S. alata 50% lotion is as efficacious as sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion (RR 0.91, 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.04; 4 RCTs, n=216; p=0.15; I2=52%) and high quality evidence that S. alata cream is as efficacious as ketoconazole (RR 0.95, 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.09; 1 RCT, n=40; p=0.44) and terbinafine cream (RR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.01; 1 RCT, n=150; p=0.09) in mycologic cure. For adverse effects, there is very low certainty of evidence of increased harm with S. alata 50% lotion compared to sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion (RR 1.26, 95% CI, 0.46, 3.44; 2 RCTs, n=120; p=0.65; I2=19%). Adverse effects were few and mild.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>CONCLUSION:</b> S. Alata 50% lotion may be as efficacious as sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion and is as efficacious as ketoconazole 2% and terbinafine 1% creams. There is insufficient evidence to compare the safety of S. alata 50% lotion with sodium thiosulfate 25% lotion.</p>

A new antimicrobial isobenzoisofuran compound from Cassia pumila / 中国中药杂志

A new isobenzoisofuran(1) has been isolated from the whole plant of Cassia pumila using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex, MCI-gel resin, and RP-HPLC, and its structure was determined as 9-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-furo[3,4-g]chromen-6(8H)-one. This compound was also evaluated for its antibacterial activity. The results showed that it had prominent antibacterial activity with MIC_(90) value of(45.2±4.2) μg·mL~(-1) for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strain. This value was closed to that of levofloxacin [with MIC_(90) value(48.5±4.3) μg·mL~(-1)].

Comparative study of the toxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of the root and stem barks of Cassia sieberiana D.C. on Wistar rats

This study was aimed to evaluate and to compare the acute and subchronic toxicities of the hydroethanolic extracts of theroot (HECRB) and stem bark (HECSB) of Cassia sieberiana in rats. In acute toxicity study, animals were divided into 2groups (n = 3). Rats received the single dose of 5000 mg/kg of HECRB and HECSB extracts of C. sieberiana orally. Forthe subchronic toxicity, 4 groups (n = 6) were given daily 500 and 1000 mg/kg of extracts for 28 days. Animal behaviorswere observed after each treatment. Results showed that HECRB and HECSB were not toxic at 5000 mg/kg. The LD50was >5000mg/kg for both extracts. After repeated doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg, both extracts did not significantly affectthe relative organs weight of treated rats. HECSB did not affect biochemical and hematological parameters. However,HECRB significantly increased parameters such as red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, volume globulaire moyen,teneur corpusculaire moyenne en hemoglobine, and triglycerides. This study showed that HECRB and HECSB are nottoxic. It contributes to a better knowledge of the toxicity of C. sieberiana used for the treatment of several diseases in Togo.

Invitro antibacterial activity of Cassia fistula Linn methanolic leaf extracts

Background: Cassia fistula Linn is a plant which is widely grown in India and is used for medicinal purposes. The study was carried out with an objective to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of leaves of Cassia fistula Linn. The aim of the study is to assess antibacterial and antifungal activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cassia fistula Linn against selected clinical isolates.Methods: The antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula was evaluated using agar well diffusion method and to zone of inhibition of extract was determined. Clinical isolates of Staphyloccocus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and Proteus were screened.Results: The methanolic extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The extract was not active against E. coli, Proteus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract also failed to demonstrate antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.Conclusions: The global emergence of multidrug resistant bacterial strains is increasing, limiting the effectiveness of current drugs and treatment failure of infections. A novel approach to the prevention of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic species is the use of new compounds that are not based on existing synthetic antimicrobial agents.

Prediction of Cinnamomum cassia grade based on binary Logistic regression analysis / 中草药

Objective: In this study, a two-classification model based on the idea of “ingredient-efficacy” was established for the quality classification of Cinnamomum cassia with considerations to quality control components and biological activities. Methods: A method to determine quality control components was proposed by UPLC. The in vitro anti-oxidant activity of C. cassia was reflected by DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging experiment. The quality control index and anti-oxidant index were correlated by a Logistic algorithm. Finally, a binary logistic regression model for classification of C. cassia was established. Results: UPLC fingerprints of 20 samples of C. cassia were established, and their anti-oxidant activities were determined. Four quality control components (coumarin, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde) were screened out by principal component analysis, and their methodological validation was carried out. According to the regression equation, 20 batches of C. cassia were divided into four grades: excellent, good, medium, and poor. Conclusion: The binary logistic regression model can describe the mapping relationship between the grade of C. cassia. It can better express the classification standard for the prepared C. cassia. This study provides a new idea for quality evaluation of C. cassia.

In vivo antiplasmodial potential of three herbal methanolic extracts in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65 / 中草药·英文版

Objective: The present study deals with the investigation of antiplasmodial potential of leaf methanolic extract of Aegle marmelos, Aristolochia indica and Cassia auriculata against Plasmodium berghei (NK65) infected mice. Methods: The chloroquine-sensitive parasites P. berghei (1 × 106) were inoculated into Swiss albino mice intraperitoneally. The methanol extracts of three herbal plants were orally administered in P. berghei infected mice which were further assessed using the four-day suppressive test at different doses of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg per day. Chloroquine (CQ) was used as the standard drug with of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg concentrations and was orally administered. Results: The leaves of A. marmelos, A. indica, and C. auriculata were found to suppress P. berghei parasitaemia in Swiss albino mice by (67.0 ± 4.02)%, (72.0 ± 8.44)% and (52.7 ± 2.06)% at 600 mg/kg/d with ED50 values of 284.73, 233.77 and 562.48 mg/kg, respectively. These herbal plants increased the mean survival time of infected mice and prevented body weight loss. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of hentriacontan-16-one (C31H62O) in A. indica extract. The histopathology study showed non-toxic to kidney and liver at 600 mg/kg/body weight. Conclusions: Overall results revealed that herbal plants may be active in the development of novel and cheap antimalarial compounds.

Aphrodisiac Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Pausinystalia yohimbe, Cassia sieberiana and Cissus populnea Roots In Paroxetine-Induced Sexual Dysfunction Male Rats: A Comparative Study:

@#There is a folkloric claim that Pausinystalia yohimbe,Cassia sieberiana and Cissus populnearoots can be used to enhance sexual behaviour in male rats. However, there is still dearth of scientific evidence that substantiated the acclaimed efficacy of separate and combined use of the plant as sex enhancer. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare the separate and combined effects of aqueous extracts of Pausinystalia yohimbe, Cassia sieberiena and Cissus populnearoots in paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats.Thirty five male rats were assigned into seven groups (A-G) such that rats in group A received orally 1.0 ml of distilled water for 7 days, while those in groups B -G which were induced into sexual dysfunction (administration of 10 mg/kg of paroxetine) also received equal volume of distilled water, 7.14 mg/kg body weight of PowmaxM (a reference drug), 50 mg/kg body weight of P. yohimbe, 50 mg/kg body weight of C. sieberiana, 50 mg/kg body weight of C. populneaand 50 mg/kg body weight of 1:1:1 mixture of the three extracts, once daily for seven days respectively. The sexual behavior indices of the male rats and the levels of their reproductive hormones were evaluated by standard procedures. The paroxetine-treatment related reductions (P<0.05) in the sexual behaviour indices of Mount Frequency, Intromission Frequency and Ejaculatory Frequency, levels of serum reproductive hormones of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were progressively attenuated by the separate administration of the plant extracts. Furthermore, the increases in the Mount Latency, Intromission Latency, Ejaculatory Latency and Post-ejaculatory Interval were also gradually reduced, following the administration of the plant extracts. The male rat sexual behaviour indices and the levels of the male reproductive hormones following the administration of the 1:1:1 mixture of the extracts were not significantly different (P>0.05) from the effects of the separate extracts. All these changes compared favourably (P>0.05) well with those of the sexual dysfunction rats that received PowmaxM (Group G). The results obtained in the present study indicate that the extracts of these plants may have the potentialfor the management of sexual dysfunction in male rats. The combined use of the plants was not significantly better than the individual use of the plants thereby, each and any of the three plants readily available might be used for this purpose.

Determination of four essential oils in cinnamomum cassia by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) for determining four essential oils (cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde) in Cinnamomum cassia, and provide the experimental base for establishing the quality standard of Cinnamomum cassia. METHODS: Cinnamaldehyde was used as the internal reference standard, and the relative correction factors (RCF) of cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomum cassia were calculated. The contents of the four components were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The validity of the QAMS method was evaluated by comparison of the quantitative results of both methods. RESULTS: The RCFs had good reproducibility, relative correction factor 0.673, 0.605 and 1.943, with RSDs of 0.529%, 0.373%, and 0.759%, respectively. No significant differences were found in the quantitative analysis results of cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde by using RCF and ESM. CONCLUSION: In the absence of reference substance, the content determination of the four essential oils in Cinnamomum cassia can be realized by QAMS, and this method can be used in the multi-index evaluation of Cinnamomum cassia essential oil constituents. It is suggested that the standard for cinnamaldehyde content be increased to 2.5%, and the contents of total cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde be not less than 0.2%.