[Analysis of commercial specifications and grades of wild and cultivated Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix based on multi-indicative constituents].

The study is aimed to analyze the commercial specifications and grades of wild and cultivated Gentianae Macrophllae Radix based on multi-indicative constituents. The seven kinds of main chemical components containing in Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix were determined by UPLC, and then the quality levels of chemical component of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix were clustered and classified by modern statistical methods (canonical correspondence analysis, Fisher discriminant analysis and so on). The quality indices were selected and their correlations were analyzed. Lastly, comprehensively quantitative grade division for quality under different commodity-specifications and different grades of same commodity-specifications of wild and planting were divided. The results provide a basis for a reasonable division of specification and grade of the commodity of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix. The range of quality evaluation of main index components (gentiopicrin, loganin acid and swertiamarin) was proposed, and the Herbal Quality Index (HQI) was introduced. The rank discriminant function was established based on the quality by Fisher discriminant analysis. According to the analysis, the quality of wild and cultivated Luobojiao, one of the commercial specification of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix was the best, Mahuajiao, the other commercial specification, was average , Xiaoqinjiao was inferior. Among grades, the quality of first-class cultivated Luobojiao was the worst, of second class secondary, and the third class the best; The quality of the first-class of wild Luobojiao was secondary, and the second-class the best; The quality of the second-class of Mahuajiao was secondary, and the first-class was the best; the quality of first-class Xiaoqinjiao was secondary, and the second-class was the better one between the two grades, but not obvious significantly. The method provides a new idea and method for evaluation of comprehensively quantitative on the quality of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix.

Tipranavir: the first nonpeptidic protease inhibitor for the treatment of protease resistance.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of a growing number of potent antiretroviral agents, efforts to completely suppress viral replication in patients with HIV-1 infection are limited because of the increasing risk of resistance. Tipranavir (TPV) is the first in a class of antiretroviral agents known as nonpeptidic protease inhibitors (PIs). TPV exhibits a resistance profile distinct from that of other currently available PIs, making it a potential option for treatment experienced patients with resistance to multiple Pls. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the clinical pharmacology and efficacy of TPV in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients who are highly treatment experienced or harbor PI-resistant virus. METHODS: A search was conducted of English language, peer-reviewed articles and abstracts indexed on the MEDLINE and Current Contents databases (1966-May 2007) using the terms tipranavir, Aptivus, nonpeptidic protease inhibitor, human immunodeficiency virus, and protease resistance. Product information and abstracts from national and international AIDS and retrovirus meetings (2005-2006) were also reviewed. RESULTS: Use of TPV in combination with ritonavir (TPV/r) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration based on 2 Phase III studies. In these studies, HIV-infected patients with extensive treatment experience with antiretroviral agents, including PIs, nucleoside analogues, and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, were randomized to receive TPV/r or a ritonavir-boosted comparator PI. All patients had evidence of resistance to multiple PIs. The specific comparator (amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, or saquinavir) was selected for each patient with the aid of resistance testing. Each patient also received an optimized background regimen of antiretroviral agents, which could include enfuvirtide. At 24, 48, and 96 weeks, the TPV/r group had higher rates of virologic response (defined as > or =1 log10 decrease in HIV RNA) and viral suppression (to <400 and <50 copies/mL) than did the comparator group. CONCLUSIONS: Although TPV has a mechanism of action similar to that of earlier-generation PIs, it has activity against HIV-1 strains with resistance to multiple PIs. Currently, TPV/r is indicated for use in highly treatment experienced patients with multiple PI resistance.

Tipranavir: a protease inhibitor for HIV salvage therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy, safety, pharmacology, virology, pharmacokinetics, and resistance of the nonpeptidic protease inhibitor (PI) tipranavir. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: A PubMed search (1966-February 2006) was conducted using the key words tipranavir or PNU-140690, with the limitation of English-language reports. Pharmacokinetic and randomized clinical trials originating from major HIV conferences, such as the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, International AIDS Society, European AIDS Conference, and Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, published only in abstract form, from 2000 to February 2006, were reviewed for relevance and included in this review. DATA SYNTHESIS: Phase III studies have shown that tipranavir is effective in the treatment of PI-resistant HIV compared with other PI-containing regimens. Adverse effects associated with tipranavir/ritonavir therapy include gastrointestinal reactions, hepatotoxicity, and elevations in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Resistance data suggest that tipranavir/ritonavir should be reserved for salvage therapy in antiretroviral-experienced patients who have previously failed standard PI therapies. The potential for hepatotoxicity and drug interactions and the expense of tipranavir due to required ritonavir boosting may limit its widespread use. CONCLUSIONS: Tipranavir/ritonavir is an essential addition to the antiretroviral armamentarium for HIV-infected patients with limited treatment options.