Two new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids from Valeriana hardwickii and their cytotoxicity.

Two new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids, named 4α,5α-epoxy-8ß-hydroxy-1α-hydro-α-guaiene (1) and 4α,5α-epoxy-1-hydroxy-α-guaiene (2), were isolated from the whole plants of Valeriana hardwickii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak cytotoxicity against the lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and hepatoma (Bel7402) cell lines with IC50 values of 9.2 and 8.5 µM, respectively.

Determination of astragaloside III in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a rat pharmacokinetic study.

Astragaloside III (AST III), a naturally occurring saponin compound isolated from Radix Astragali, has been demonstrated to have anti-gastric ulcer, immunomodulatory and antitumor effects. To evaluate its pharmacokinetics in rats, a rapid, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantification of astragaloside III in rat plasma. Samples were pretreated using a simple protein precipitation with methanol-acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) and the chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column by a gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid. Astragaloside III and the internal standard (buspirone) were detected using a tandem mass spectrometer in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. Method validation revealed excellent linearity over the range of 5.00-5000 ng/mL together with satisfactory intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy and recovery. Stability testing showed that astragaloside III spiked into rat plasma was stable for 24 h at 20°C temperature, for up to 30 days at -80°C, and during three freeze-thaw cycles. The method was successfully used to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of AST III after oral (10 mg/kg) and intravenous (1.0 mg/kg) administration in rats. The oral absolute bioavailability of AST III was calculated to be 4.15 ± 0.67% with an elimination half-life value of 2.13 ± 0.11 h, suggesting its poor absorption and/or strong metabolism in vivo.

[Discussion about risk and management of Chinese patent medicine with double identity].

Chinese patent medicine with double identity was a special phenomenon, and many preparations not only were prescription drugs but also over the counter ( OTC) drugs, which brought a lot of trouble. Based on statistics of list of OTC medicines of CFDA, related varieties, route of administration and functions of these drugs were searched. The causes of insufficient were analyzed and the potential risk was investigated. To ensure the safety of drug usage for the patient, risk management system should be set up by improving the technical requirements for registration, improving the drug labels and manuals, playing the role of pharmacists in pharmacy services and raising awareness of doctor and patient for these drugs.

Identification of active ingredients in Wuzhuyu decoction improving migraine in mice by spectral efficiency association.

Wuzhuyu decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the effective treatment of migraines, termed 'Jueyin headache', in China. However, there have been few investigations to clarify the composition of Wuzhuyu decoction for the treatment of migraines. In the present study, 10 types of Wuzhuyu decoction were analyzed by chromatograms. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-depletion mouse models of migraine were prepared by subcutaneous injection of reserpine and placement of autologous blood clots in the cerebral cortex. The levels of 5-HT, noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the brain tissues and sera of the mice were determined. The ingredients and pharmacodynamic indices of the Wuzhuyu decoctions were analyzed using spectral efficiency association by partial least squares regression. The levels of 5-HT, NE and DA in the mouse brain tissues were reduced to 337.785 ± 84.504, 171.173 ± 65.172 and 242.075 ± 158.621 mg/g brain tissue, respectively. The level of NO in the brain tissues increased to 0.425 ± 0.184 µmol/g protein and the activities of NOS in the brain tissues and sera increased to 0.719 ± 0.477 U/mg and 50.688 ± 8.132 U/ml, respectively. Regarding the ingredients of the Wuzhuyu decoction, those with significant regression coefficients were ginsenoside-Rg1, Re, Rb1, rutaevine (Rv), limonin (Li), evodiamine (Ev), rutaecarpine (Ru) and substance X (awaiting identification). Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rv, Li, Ev, Ru and X in the Wuzhuyu decoction were observed to yield the pharmacological effects, whereas Rb1, Rv and Ev were important in index improvement.

[Chemical constituents from whole plants of Valeriana hardwickii].

Chemical investigation of the whole plants of Valeriana hardwickii has led to the isolation of 11 flavones and 2 monoterpe- noids by using various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, preparative TLC, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis as syzalterin (1), 6-methylapigenin (2), 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone (3), genkwanin (4), acacetin (5), apigenin (6), quercetin (7), tricin (8), (-)-farrerol (9), sosakuranetin (10), 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (11), (-)-bornyl ferulate ( 12) , and (-)-bornyl caffeate ( 13). All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, while compounds 1, 9-13 were obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Study on intestinal absorption of ingredients from different compatibilities of Shaoyao Gancao decoction].

To study the compatible mechanisms and compatible proportion of Shaoyao Gancao decoction, the intestinal absorption of main ingredients in Shaoyao Gancao decoction SG11 (Baishao-Zhigancao 1: 1) , SG31 (Baishao-Zhigancao 3: 1), Baishao water decoction S and Zhigancao (G) were investigated and compared using in vitro everted intestinal sac model and in situ single pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model. The concentration of paeoniflorin (PF), liquiritin (LQ) and mono-ammonium glycyrrhizinate (GL) in test samples and samples of intestinal sac and intestinal perfusion was determined by HPLC. The intestinal absorptive amount and absorption parameters were calculated. Results showed that in the everted intestinal sac model, three ingredients could be absorbed by duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and the absorption in the jejunum was best for all 3 ingredients. The absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 was significantly higher than that in single decoction (P < 0.05), but had no significant difference compared with SG31. In SPIP model, the absorption rate constant K(a), the apparent absorption coefficient P(app) and the absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 were significantly higher than those in single decoction. Parameters of PF and GL in SG11 were significantly higher than those in SG31, but had no differences of LQ. It proved that the compatibility of Baishao and Zhigancao could improve the intestinal absorption of PF, LQ and GL. The absorption of each ingredient in SG11 was better than that in SG31.

[Study on sustainable development of industy of ethnic medicine in minority area].

Ethnic medicine industry is facing many problems such as narrow market, exhaustion of resource, decline of ethnic medicine and no qualified successors. Sustainable development theory was utilized to analyse the elements and problems of ethnic medicine industry, and the counter measures were put forward to get rid of the predicament and to realize the sustainable development which depends on the ethnic medicine resources, national medicine, industrial policy, personnel training and modern technology. The development issues of ethnic medicine industry can be solved by the coordination of enterprise, government and public. Finally the ethnic medicine can provide better services for society.

[Study on pharmacokinetics of borneol in rats injected with novel-xingnaojing by GC-FID].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a GC-FID method for the determination of borneol concentration in rat plasma and to investigate the pharmacokinetics after injection of novel-Xingnaojing. METHOD: Novel-Xingnaojing was injected via by caudal vein injection. The blood samples were collected by posterior orbital venous plexus approach at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 20, 30, 45 min. The drug in plasma was extracted with ethyl acetate and then detected by GC-FID, octadecane was used as the internal standard. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by the software of Kinetica. RESULT: The calibration curve was good linear in the range of 1.67-16.67 mg x L(-1). The extraction recoveries of low, medium and high concentration were (92.81 +/- 1.11)%, (85.38 +/- 0.86)% and (84.58 +/- 0.58)%, respectivley. And the RSDs of within-day and between-day were below 3.00%. Plasma concentration of borneol was consistent with the two-compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic parameters were that the t1/2alpha was (1.18 +/- 0.20) min, the t1/2beta was (22.27 +/- 6.85) min, the C(max)(Calc) was (18.76 +/- 2.10) mg x L(-1), the MRT was (23.84 +/- 7.67) min(-1), and the AUC was (100.00 +/- 15.85) mg x min x L(-1). CONCLUSION: The GC-FID method developed can be applied to determination and pharmacokinetics. The borneol in novel-Xingnaojing is distributed and metabolized fast after being administrated.

[Study on methodology of determination of Yizhi osmotic pump tablets active ingredient in Beagle dog plasma by LC-MS/MS].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for determination of Yizhi osmotic pump tablets active ingredient in Beagle dog plasma. METHOD: Beagle dog plasma pre-treatment methods were established. Geniposide, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 notoginsenoside molecular ions and fragment ions peaks were separated well and detected synchronously by LC-MS/MS with digoxin as internal standard. RESULT: Under the selected LC-MS/MS conditions, the characteristic fragment ions of the four components could be well separated and quantified, and the calibration curves showed good linearity within a certain concentration range of each component; extraction recoveries of those four compounds in plasma were higher than 75%, method recoveries were higher than 90%; day precision (RSD <10%) and inter-day precision (RSD <15%) were generally fine; freeze-thaw and room temperature experiments showed good stability (RSD <15%). CONCLUSION: The method is proved to be suitable for pharmacokinetic studies of Yizhi active ingredients in Beagle dog plasma.

Enhancing effect of natural borneol on the absorption of geniposide in rat via intranasal administration.

Both geniposide (Ge) and natural borneol (NB) are bioactive substances derived from traditional Chinese herbs. The effect of NB on the pharmacokinetics of Ge in rat via intranasal administration was investigated. The concentrations of Ge in plasma were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after intranasal administration of Ge (4 mg/kg) alone and combined with different doses (0.08, 0.8, and 8 mg/kg) of NB. The intravenous administration was given as a reference (4 mg/kg of Ge and 8 mg/kg of NB). Compared with the intravenous administration, the absolute bioavailability of Ge was 76.14% through intranasal administration combined with NB. Compared with the intranasal administration of Ge alone, Ge could be absorbed rapidly in the nasal cavity combined with NB; the peak time of Ge in the plasma became shorter (3-5 min vs. 40 min); the peak concentration became higher (1.32-4.25 µg/ml vs. 0.67 µg/ml); and, the relative bioavailability of Ge combined with NB was 90.3%-237.8%. The enhancing effect was attenuated as the dose of NB decreased. The results indicated that NB can accelerate the absorption of Ge dose-dependently in the nasal cavity.

[O/W partition coefficient of PNS and absorption kinetics of it in rat intestine].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the O/W partition coefficient of panax pseudo-ginseng saponin (PNS) and investigate the absortion kinetics of it in whole small intestine and different intestinal segments of rats. METHOD: The shake-flask method was employed to determine the O/W partition co-efficient of geniposide, and an in situ intestinal perfusion model was employed to investigate the absorptive kinetics of geniposide. RESULT: The partition coefficient (P) of R1, Rg1 and Rb, of PNS were 1.0814, 6.3104 and 0.2743, respectively, and their logP were 0.0340, 0.8001, -0.5618, the absorptive rate constants (Ka) of R1, Rg1 and Rb1 of PNS at the concentration of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 g x L(-1) were (0.135 +/- 0.006), (0.110 +/- 0.002), (0.095 +/- 0.016), (0.144 +/- 0.015), (0.110 +/- 0.006), (0.099 +/- 0.011), (0.238 +/- 0.013), (0.140 +/- 0.008), (0.137 +/- 0.012)h(-1), respectively. The Kb of R1, Rg1 and Rb1 of PNS were (0.030 +/- 0.006), (0.033 +/- 0.004), (0.033 +/- 0.007), (0.032 +/- 0.006), (0.044 +/- 0.012), (0.044 +/- 0.011), (0.042 +/- 0.007), (0.065 +/- 0.007), (0.044 +/- 0.014)h(-1) at duodenum, jejunum, ileum, respectively. The absorption rate of Rb1 was higher than R1 and Rg1. CONCLUSION: According to the P and the logP, it can be conjectured that the absorption of R1 and Rg1 are better than Rb1. The absorption rate is decreased with the increase of the PNS concentration. Their absorption is the passive diffusion mechanism and other transport may also take part in the transport process. PNS is absorbed at all small-intestinal segments of rats, there are no significant differences between the three sections.

The in situ and in vivo study on enhancing effect of borneol in nasal absorption of Geniposide in rats.

The objective of this research was to study the in situ and in vivo nasal absorption of Geniposide (Ge) co-administered with borneol. A rat in situ nasal perfusion technique with a novel volumeadjusted calculation was used to examine the absorption rate and extent of Ge. The influence of different experimental conditions such as purity of extract, drug concentration, co-administration with synthetic borneol or natural borneol were also investigated. Results indicated nasal absorption of Ge was primarily by passive diffusion that resembled first order kinetics. Following co-administration with borenol, the drug absorption was increased by 1.4 and 1.7 folds for natural borneol and synthetic borneol, respectively. However, the effect of other factors on drug absorption was not significant. In addition, it was also observed that there is a positive correlation between the absorption of water and Ge by the nasal route. In vivo studies carried out in rats where Ge was co-administered with NB and the pharmacokinetic profile obtained following intranasal administration were compared with those after intravenous administration. The bioavailability of Ge by intranasal was 101.5% and T(max) was 2.04 +/- 0.64 min. MRT was 218.7 +/- 74.1 min and 44.4 +/- 8.9 min for intranasal and intravenous, respectively. Combined with the borneol, Ge can be promptly and thoroughly absorbed intranasally in rats.

[Study of components in xingnaojing affecting intestine absorption of gardenia extract].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of ingredients in Xingnaojing,such as moschus, borneol and radix curcumae on intestine absorption kinetics of gardenia extract. METHOD: An in situ intestinal perfusion model of rats was employed to investigate the absorption of geniposide in gardenia extract. RESULT: While gardenia extract was administered solely, the absorptive rate constant (K) of geniposide was (0.055 +/- 0.006) h(-1); But while the extract was co-administered with radix curcumae,moschus and borneol, the K were (0.060 +/- 0.001), (0.066 +/- 0.008), (0.072 +/- 0.010) h(-1), respectively. The K was (0.076 +/- 0.011) h(-1) while the extract in total formulation for Xingnaojing. CONCLUSION: The K, while the extract is co-administered with borneol or total formulation is significantly higher than solely used. Borneol and complex prescription can significantly increase the intestinal absorption of geniposide in gardenia extract.

In situ and in vivo study of nasal absorption of paeonol in rats.

The objective of this work was to study the in situ and in vivo nasal absorption of paeonol. A novel single pass in situ nasal perfusion technique was applied to examine the rate and extent of nasal absorption of paeonol by rats. Various experimental conditions, such as perfusion rate, pH, osmotic pressure and drug concentration, were investigated. The in situ experiments showed that the nasal absorption of paeonol was not dependent on drug concentration, and fitted a first order process. The absorption rate constant, Ka, increased with an increase in perfusion speed. Paeonol was better absorbed in acidic solutions than in neutral or alkaline solutions. The value of Ka was higher in a hypertonic environment than under isotonic or hypotonic conditions. In vivo studies of paeonol absorption were carried out in rats and the pharmacokinetics parameters of intranasal (i.n.) and intragastric (i.g.) administration were compared with intravenous (i.v.) administration. The bioavailabilities of paeonol were 52.37% and 15.81% for i.n. and i.g, respectively, while T(max) values were 3.05 ± 1.46 min and 6.30 ± 0.70 min. MRT (Mean Residence Time) were 23.19 ± 6.46 min, 41.49 ± 2.96 min and 23.09 ± 5.88 min for i.n., i.g. and i.v. methods, respectively. The results demonstrate that paeonol could be absorbed promptly and thoroughly by i.n. administration in rats.

[Study on natural borneol and synthetic borneol affecting mucosal permeability of gardenia extract].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of natural borneol and synthetic borneol on mucosal permeability of Gardenia extract. METHOD: Taken frog skin as a vitro model to study the vitro mucosal permeation the impacts of the natural borneols and synthetic borneols on the P(app) of the Jasminoidin were studied, and the effect of different borneols on the stability of Jasminoidin were investigated. Compared the 10 h accumulated infiltration rate of each group the effects of influence factors,such as C(Ge), C(B) and rotation speed on P(app) were investigated by using response surface method. RESULT: The P(app) of Jasminoidin of natural borneol and synthetic borneol group were 1.44 fold and 1.77 fold of control group (P < 0.01). For two borneol groups, the results also showed a significant difference too (P < 0.05). Jasminoidin began to degrade about 8 h after the effect of frog skin for control group and synthetic borneol group, but was stable within 12 h for natural borneol group. The accumulated permeation rate of 10 h was same for different borneol groups. It was about 1.3 fold of control group. The C(Ge) had a salinence influence on the P(app) (P < 0.01) and C(B) had a salience influence on time-lag (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both the natural borneol and synthetic borneol can accelerate the permeation of Jasminoidin and the synthetic borneol has stronger effect on the P(app). Both two different borneol can reduce the degradation effect of frog skin to Jasminoidin, but the natural borneol has a better protect effect on it. By using more natural borneol, the mucosal permeability of Gardenia extract can be increased, the time-lag can be reduced, and Jasminoidin has better stability.

[Study on factors affecting mucosal permeability of gardenia extract].

OBJECTIVE: To study the factors that affect mucosal absorption of gardenia extract. METHOD: Take vitro frog skin as a model to study the vitro mucosal permeation. The impacts of the osmotic pressure and the pH value of permeation medium on the Papp of the Jasminoidin were studied, and the effect of frog skin on the stability of Jasminoidin was investigated also. RESULT: The Papp of Jasminoidin were (0.53 +/- 0.01), (0.21 +/- 0.05), (0.44 +/- 0.12), (0.42 +/- 0.13), (0.26 +/- 0.03) cm x min(-1) by using the normal saline (pH 6.88), pure water, 1.8 % NaCl solution, normal saline (pH 4.05) and normal saline (pH 10.05) as permeation medium for each. The accumulated permeation rate was (55.69 +/- 9.81)% by 12 h, using normal saline as permeation medium respectively, and there was no obvious time lag. Jasminoidin began to degrade around 8 h by affectedof frog skin, the constant of degradation rate (K) was 1.999, and the t1/2 was 0.347 h. CONCLUSION: The mucosal permeability of gardenia extract by using the vitro model of frog skin is good, and consistent with zero level absorption process. The osmotic pressure and pH value significantly affected the permeation and the isotonic and partial neutral permeation medium are more conducive to the permeation and absorption of Jasminoidin. The degradation effect of frog skin to the Jasminoidin will not affect mucosal permeation research. In vitro model of frog skin is a suitable way to simulate mucosal permeation process of the gardenia extract.