Tissue distribution of six major bio-active components after oral administration of Zhenqi Fuzheng capsules to rats using ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Radix Astragali (Huangqi in Chinese) and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nvzhenzi in Chinese) (2:1, w/w) are combined in an herbal formulation called Zhenqi Fuzheng capsules (ZFCs) for use in China to improve immunity, promote the recovery of normal functions after surgical operations, and as the most important adjuvant therapy in cancer. In this study, the tissue distribution profiles of the six major bio-active constituents (calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside, ononin, calycosin, formononetin, astragaloside IV and astragaloside II) were examined after oral administration of ZFCs to rats. All six constituents in each tissue were detected simultaneously using UPLC-ESI-MS, and the concentration of each constituent per gram of each tissue was determined. Quantification was performed using low-energy collision tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan mode for the following precursor ion→product ion transitions at m/z 447.21→285.30 for calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside, m/z 285.29→270.38 for calycosin, m/z 431→269 for ononin, m/z 269→237 for formononetin, m/z 807.40→627.50 for astragaloside IV, m/z 849.60→669.65 for astragaloside II and m/z 633.18→331.18 for the internal standard (hesperidin). The results showed that in general the tissue concentrations for all six constituents were in the following order: spleen>stomach>thymus>lung>liver>kidney>heart>testicle. The high levels in the spleen and thymus indicated that all six compounds accumulated in organs involved in the immune response, consistent with the immunity effects of ZFC. The high levels in the stomach were consistent with the oral administration of ZFC. This study was the first to compare the tissue distribution of calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside with that of calycosin or of ononin with that of formononetin in rats. It was also the first study to examine the tissue distribution of astragaloside II, calycosin and formononetin following oral administration of ZFC to rats.

Effect of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules on the Immune Function of Hypoimmune Mice / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Zhenqi fuzheng capsules(ZQFZ)on the immune function of hypoimmune mice.METHODS: The hypoimmune mice model was established using cyclophosphamid;the effects of ZQFZ on the nonspecific immunity,cell immunity and humoral immune function of mice were observed by determining the function of peritoneal macrophage,the delayed hypersensitivity and serum antibody of hemolysin etc.RESULTS:ZQFZ significantly promoted the function of peritoneal macrophages,improved the phagocytic rate and phagocytic index,markedly enhanced the dinitro-chlorobenzene-induced delayed hypersensitivity,and up-regulated the serum antibody level of hemolysin.CONCLUSION:ZQFZ have remarkable action in promoting the immune function of hypoimmune mice.

Determination of astragaloside Ⅳ and salidroside in Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsule / 中成药

AIM: To establish the method of determining astragaloside Ⅳ and salidroside in Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsule(Fructus Ligustri Lucidi,Radix Astragali,etc.). METHODS: Astragaloside Ⅳ was determined by HPLC-ELSD on Inertsil ODS-3 C_(18) column(250 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water(37∶63).The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and detector parameters were set as follows: drift tube temprature was at (106 ?C);carrier gas(air) flow rate was 2.7 L/min.Salidroside was determined by RP-HPLC on the same column using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-water with gradient elution.The detection wavelength was at 278 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min. RESULTS: Calibration curve of astragaloside Ⅳ was linear between 0.76 ?g and 3.8 ?g under the chromatographic condition,R=0.999 5.The average recovery of astragaloside Ⅳ was(98.4%).RSD was 0.9%(n=6).And the calibration curve of Salidroside was linear between 0.4 ?g and 4 ?g,R=0.999 9.The average recovery of salidroside was 100.7%.RSD was 2.1%(n=5). CONCLUSION: These methods were simple,accurate and sensitive,so it can be used for the quality control of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsule.