A feasible, economical, and accurate analytical method for simultaneous determination of six alkaloid markers in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata from different manufacturing sources and processing ways.

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in clinic for its potency in restoring yang and rescuing from collapse. Aconiti alkaloids, mainly including monoester-diterpenoidaconitines (MDAs) and diester-diterpenoidaconitines (DDAs), are considered to act as both bioactive and toxic constituents. In the present study, a feasible, economical, and accurate HPLC method for simultaneous determination of six alkaloid markers using the Single Standard for Determination of Multi-Components (SSDMC) method was developed and fully validated. Benzoylmesaconine was used as the unique reference standard. This method was proven as accurate (recovery varying between 97.5%-101.8%, RSD < 3%), precise (RSD 0.63%-2.05%), and linear (R > 0.999 9) over the concentration ranges, and subsequently applied to quantitative evaluation of 62 batches of samples, among which 45 batches were from good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities and 17 batches from the drug market. The contents were then analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and homogeneity test. The present study provided valuable information for improving the quality standard of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. The developed method also has the potential in analysis of other Aconitum species, such as Aconitum carmichaelii (prepared parent root) and Aconitum kusnezoffii (prepared root).

New monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloid derivatives from the stems of Uncaria hirsuta Havil. and their cytotoxicity and tandem mass spectrometric fragmentation.

Four new alkaloids, comprising three 3-oxo-3,7-seco-oxindole alkaloids (hirsutanine D-F, 1-3) and one oxindole alkaloid N-oxide (uncarine B N-oxide, 4), together with four known heteroyohimbine-type oxindole alkaloids, were isolated from the stems of Uncaria hirsuta Havil. Structures of 1-4 were elucidated by extensive NMR and HR-ESIMS data analyses. Compound 3 is the first 3-oxo-3,7-seco-oxindole alkaloid with ring B opened and degraded isolated from the Uncaria genus. Compounds 1-3 exhibited slight inhibition effect on the proliferation of the breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231. The positive mode collision-induced dissociation of the 3-oxo-3,7-seco-oxindole alkaloids (1-3) was featured by the ß-cleavage and α-cleavage of the amido bond, while the N-oxide (4) showed characteristic neutral eliminations of ·OH and H2O.

An efficient and target-oriented sample enrichment method for preparative separation of minor alkaloids by pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography.

An efficient and target-oriented sample enrichment method was established to increase the content of the minor alkaloids in crude extract by using the corresponding two-phase solvent system applied in pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography. The enrichment and separation of seven minor indole alkaloids from Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil(UR) were selected as an example to show the advantage of this method. An optimized two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (3:7:1:9, v/v) was used in this study, where triethylamine (TEA) as the retainer and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the eluter were added at the equimolar of 10mM. Crude alkaloids of UR dissolved in the corresponding upper phase (containing 10mM TEA) were extracted twice with lower phase (containing 10mM TEA) and lower phase (containing 10mM HCl), respectively, the second lower phase extract was subjected to pH-zone-refining CCC separation after alkalization and desalination. Finally, from 10g of crude alkaloids, 4g of refined alkaloids was obtained and the total content of seven target indole alkaloids was increased from 4.64% to 15.78%. Seven indole alkaloids, including 54mg isocorynoxeine, 21mg corynoxeine, 46mg isorhynchophylline, 35mg rhynchophylline, 65mg hirsutine, 51mg hirsuteine and 27mg geissoschizine methylether were all simultaneously separated from 2.5g of refined alkaloids, with the purity of 86.4%, 97.5%, 90.3%, 92.1%, 98.5%, 92.3%, and 92.8%, respectively. The total content and purities of the seven minor indole alkaloids were tested by HPLC and their chemical structures were elucidated by ESI-HRMS and (1)H NMR.

Anti-inflammatory diterpenoids from the root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus.

Five new ent-pimarane (1-3, 7, and 8) and three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids (4-6) and a new oleanane triterpene acid (9), together with 22 known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of the medicinal herb Acanthopanax gracilistylus. The structures of 1-9 were established based on the interpretation of high-resolution MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR data. The absolute configurations of 7 and 11 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism analysis. Compounds 7 and 8 represent rare naturally occurring structures based on the devinyl ent-pimarane skeleton. Compounds 3, 10, 14, 16, and 17 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the release of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

New triterpenic acids from Uncaria rhynchophylla: chemistry, NO-inhibitory activity, and tandem mass spectrometric analysis.

Five new oleanane and ursane type triterpenes, namely uncarinic acids F-J (1-5), together with six known triterpenic acids (6-11) were isolated from the stems and hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla. Structure elucidation of 1-5 was based on the integrated analyses of high-resolution MS data, 1D ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, DEPT) and 2D (HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) NMR spectra. Compounds 4, 10, and 11 exhibited weak inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells (with IC50 1.48, 7.01, and 1.89 µM, respectively) with dexamethasone (IC50 0.04 µM) and quercetin (IC50 0.86 µM) as the positive controls. 19-OH substituted oleanane triterpenic acids (1, 2, 5, 8) were prone to eliminate CH2O3, whereas those ursane-type encompassing 19-OH (3, 6, 7, 9, 4) were featured by preferred cleavage of H2O while performing the negative collision-induced MS/MS fragmentation on an LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Phenanthrenes, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes, bibenzyls with their derivatives, and malate or tartrate benzyl ester glucosides from tubers of Cremastra appendiculata.

Eleven previously unknown compounds and 23 known compounds, including 20 phenanthrene or 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, five bibenzyls, seven malate or tartrate benzyl ester glucosides, adenosine and gastrodin were isolated from tubers of Cremastra appendiculata. Among the obtained compounds, two are the first isolated dimers with one phenanthrene or bibenzyl unit connected to C-3 of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-phenanthro[2,1-b]furan moiety. In addition, 33 of these compounds were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against two cancer cell lines. Among the compounds examined, one compound showed moderate cytotoxic activity, while five showed weak cytotoxic activity against the A549 cell line.

Simultaneous determination of 24 constituents in Cortex Lycii using high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

A fast high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to determine 24 components including 11 phenolic compounds, 9 phenolic amides, and 4 cyclic peptides in Cortex Lycii. The analytes were quantified by a triple quadrupole instrument in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The fragmentation patterns of phenolic amides and cyclic peptides using ESI and collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques are reported. This assay method was validated with respect to linearity (r(2)>0.9920), precision, repeatability, and accuracy (recovery rate between 93.0 and 105.9% with RSD<4.4%). The analytical results of 28 batches of Cortex Lycii indicated that cyclic peptides and phenolic amides were not only the abundant constituents, but also the characteristic components for Cortex Lycii to distinguish from the adulterants. Principle component analysis (PCA) was used to discriminate samples from different geographical regions of China, and cyclic peptides were considered to be the chemical markers responsible for the classification. The systematic and integrated assessment of Cortex Lycii provides sufficient evidence for the establishment of the quality standard.

Neolignanamides, lignanamides, and other phenolic compounds from the root bark of Lycium chinense.

Seven new neolignanamides (1-7), including two pairs of cis- and trans-isomers, and a new lignanamide (8) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of an EtOH extract of the root bark of Lycium chinense, together with 22 known phenolic compounds (9-30), four of which were obtained from the genus Lycium for the first time. Compounds 5, 6, and 7 are unusual dimers having a rare connection mode between the two cinnamic acid amide units, while compounds 6, 7, and 8 are the first naturally occurring dimers derived from two dissimilar cinnamic acid amides. The cinnamic acid amides, neolignanamides, and lignanamides possess moderate radical-scavenging activity against the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and superoxide radicals.

[Effects of PTHrP and Notch signaling on the proliferation of epiphysis stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulation of the proliferation of epiphysis stem cells by the PTHrP (parathyroid hormone related peptide) and Notch signaling systems. METHODS: An organ culture system of femurs of SD rat in 24 h after birth was employed. PTHrP (1 - 34) was used as the activator of the PTHrP signaling pathway and PTHrP (7 - 34) as the antagonist of PTH (parathyroid hormone)-receptor. For Notch signaling system, Jagged1/Fc was used as the activator and DAPT as its inhibitor. The femurs were cultured in DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium)/F12 medium while phosphate buffered saline was used for the control groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and bromodeoxyuridine analysis were used to analyze the length of the epiphysis stem cells zone and the proliferation of epiphysis stem cells. The expression of NICD (Notch intra-cellular domain) and Jagged1 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The epiphysis stem cells were transfected with the lentiviral vectors with rat PTHrP gene overexpression or inhibition properties, the cells transfected with the PGC-GFP-lentivirus or NC-GFP-lentivirus were used as control. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of NICD and Jagged1 genes. RESULTS: PTHrP (1 - 34) and Jagged1/Fc could dramatically elevate the rate of epiphysis stem cells zone by the whole growth plate length measurement while PTHrP (7 - 34) and DAPT could decrease the rate. Brdu analysis also showed that the number of proliferative epiphysis stem cells could be up-regulated by the PTHrP (1 - 34) or Jagged1/Fc signaling. By contrast, the treatment with PTHrP (7 - 34) or DAPT reduced the number of proliferative epiphysis stem cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed a significantly elevated expression of NICD and Jagged1 when PTHrP signaling was activated while a reductive expression of NICD and Jagged1 when PTHrP signaling was inactivated. CONCLUSION: Both of PTHrP and Notch signaling system could promote the proliferation of epiphysis stem cells. And the PTHrP signaling can stimulate Notch signaling to promote the proliferation of epiphysis stem cells.

[Regulation of differentiation and proliferation of epiphysis stem cells by Notch1 signaling system].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulation of differentiation and proliferation of epiphysis stem cells by Notch1 signaling system. METHODS: Costocostal cartilage was taken from a SD rat. Epiphysis stem cells were isolated and cultured. Recombinant human nuclear factor-kappaB (rhNF-kappaB), an activator of the Notch signaling system, and gamma-secretase inhibitor (MW167), an inhibitor of the Notch signaling system, were added into the culture medium respectively. The cells cultured in the medium added with phosphate-buffered saline were used as control group. Then the cultured cells were collected. The expression of the homologous Notch receptors and homologous Notch ligands was detected by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the levels of collagen II, collagen X, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). MTT method was used to calculate the growth curve. The cell phase was examined by flow cytometry. The level of alkaline phosphatase (AP) was measured. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of collagen II, collagen X, and stathmin, a signaling protein of proliferation. RESULTS: Only 2 the expression of the receptor Notch1 and the ligand Jagged1 was found. The expression of PCNA was stronger in the rhNF-kappaB group than in the other 2 groups. rhNF-kappaB remarkably promoted the expression of collagen II and inhibited the expression of collagen X and MW167 remarkably promoted the expression of collagen X and did not remarkably influence the expression of collagen II. MTT method showed that rhNF-kappaB significantly promote the proliferation of the cells (P = 0.027), and MW167 did not significantly promote the cell proliferation (P > 0.05). The percentage of cells at S phase of the rhNF-kappaB group was 26.54%, significantly higher than those of the MW167 group and control group (8.22% and 6.15%). AP was significantly expressed in the MW167 group, and less expressed in the other groups. Western blotting showed a significantly increased expression of collagen X protein and decreased expression of collagen II protein and stathmin. CONCLUSION: When the Notch signaling system is activated the epiphysis stem cells proliferate, and when the Notch signaling system is suppressed the epiphysis stem cells differentiate.