Conformationally confined three-armed supramolecular folding for boosting near-infrared biological imaging.

Herein, a triphenylamine derivative (TP-3PY) possessing 4-(4-bromophenyl)pyridine (PY) as an electron-accepting group and tris[p-(4-pyridylvinyl)phenyl]amine (TPA) with large two-photon absorption cross-sections as an electron-donating group was obtained, and showed intense absorption in the visible light region (λmax = 509 nm) and weak near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence emission at 750 nm. After complexation with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), TP-3PY showed bright NIR fluorescence emission at 727 nm and phosphorescence emission at 800 nm. When the supramolecular assembly (TP-3PY⊂CB[8]) further interacted with dodecyl-modified sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4AD), the fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions were further enhanced at 710 and 734 nm, respectively. However, only the fluorescence emission of TP-3PY was enhanced in the presence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and SC4AD. More interestingly, the photoluminescence of TP-3PY⊂CB[8]@SC4AD and TP-3PY⊂CB[7]@SC4AD assemblies could be excited by both visible (510 nm) and NIR light (930 nm). Finally, these ternary supramolecular assemblies with bright NIR light emission were applied to lysosome imaging of tumor cells and real-time biological imaging of mice.

Shape-Persistent Oxa- and Aza-calix[4]arene Hybrid Molecular Cage and Naked Eye Sensing of Fluoride.

An oxa- and aza-calix[4]arene hybrid molecular cage with a large, shape-persistent cavity wrapped by aromatic rings was designed and synthesized via multifold efficient SNAr reactions. X-ray single-crystal analysis revealed that two THF molecules were encapsulated in the central cavity. Selective sensing of F- in apolar solvent leads to naked eye discriminable color change. Addition of CH3OH would recover the color of the molecular cage.

[Identification of elephantopi herba and its adulterants by LM/SEM observation and TLC scanning].

OBJECTIVE: To provide identification basis for distinguishing Elephantopi Herba and its adulterants. METHODS: Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thin layer chromatography scanning (TLCS) methods were used to identify Didancao (Elephantopus scaber) and its adulterants Baihuadidancao (Elephantopus mollis) and Jiadidancao (Pseudelephantopus spicatus). RESULTS: Based on the microscopic features and TLC profiles, the commercial Didancao samples retailed in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau markets were identified as Elephantopus scaber. CONCLUSION: These methods are accurate and reliable, which can be used for identification of Elephantopi Herba and its adulterants.

Applications of ultra-performance liquid chromatography to traditional Chinese medicines.

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), as a development of the chromatographic technique, was used in the quality control of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. In the study, the UPLC methods were transferred from conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods according to chromatographic equations. The results demonstrated that UPLC analysis methods could be transferred from HPLC without loss of efficiency. Compared with conventional HPLC, UPLC made a surprising 10-fold increase in speed and 20-fold decrease in solvent consumption. The study indicated UPLC as a suitable alternative to HPLC and can be reliably applied to quality control of traditional Chinese medicines.

[Study on fingerprint of Maodongqing injection by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the fingerprint of Maodongqing injection by HPLC. METHODS: The column of ODS-2 Hypersil C18 (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) was used. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid with gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, the column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was 325 nm. RESULTS: The fingerprint of Maodongqing injection was established, and 8 samples of different batches of Maodongqing injection were detected. Thirteen peaks in the chromatogram were marked by "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Version 2004 A)". There was a high similarity and each chromatographic peak was obtained with good separation and correlation according to the technical requirements of the fingerprints of Chinese traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: This method is accurate, reliable and provides a scientific basis for controlling the quality of Maodongqing injection.