Extraction, purification, structural characteristic, health benefit, and product application of the polysaccharides from bamboo shoot: A review.

Bamboo shoot is a kind of widely distributed natural green vegetable, which has a long history of consumption and cultivation, and has edible, nutritional and economic value. Bamboo shoot is nutrient-rich food with carbohydrates, fats, proteins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids and other chemical components, can meet the body's needs. Notably, bamboo shoot polysaccharides are the most attractive saccharides, most of which are water-soluble polysaccharides, and their various biological activities have been paid more attention by researchers. With the deepening of research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, they have been found to have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-complement activities, immunomodulatory, etc. Further research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, their sources, molecular weights, chemical structures, monosaccharide compositions and structural characteristics are constantly explored. In order to better research and development of bamboo shoot polysaccharides, it is necessary to carry on a comprehensive arrangement. Here, the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, health benefits, structure-activity relationships and product applications of bamboo shoot polysaccharides were systematically reviewed. This article will deepen the understanding of bamboo shoot polysaccharides, provide knowledge base for further research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, and expand the vision for developing related products.

Newly Generated Atractylon Derivatives in Processed Rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.

Thermally processed rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala (RAM) have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating various disorders, and have been an integral part of various traditional drugs and healthcare products. In TCM, herbal medicines are, in most cases, uniquely processed. Although it is thought that processing can alter the properties of herbal medicines so as to achieve desired functions, increase potency, and/or reduce side effects, the underlying chemical changes remain unclear for most thermally processed Chinese herbal medicines. In an attempt to shed some light on the scientific rationale behind the processes involved in traditional medicine, the RAM processed by stir-frying with wheat bran was investigated for the change of chemical composition. As a result, for the first time, five new chemical entities, along with ten known compounds, were isolated. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. The possible synthetic pathway for the generation of such thermally-induced chemical entities was also proposed. Furthermore, biological activity evaluation showed that none of the compounds possessed cytotoxic effects against the tested mammalian cancer and noncancer cell lines. In addition, all compounds were ineffective at inhibiting the growth of the pathogenic microorganisms.

Treatment Effects of Jinlingzi Powder and Its Extractive Components on Gastric Ulcer Induced by Acetic Acid in Rats.

Jinlingzi powder comprises Melia toosendan Sieb. et Zucc. and Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H. Chou & Chun C.Hsu) W.T. Wang ex Z.Y. Su & C.Y. Wu and is usually applied in clinic as traditional Chinese medicine for pain. The present study aims to investigate the therapeutic actions of Jinlingzi powder and its extracted components and theirs treatment mechanism on the acetic acid induced-gastric ulcer in rats. The gastric ulcer model was induced by the administration of acetic acid in rats (84 male). Jinlingzi powder water decoction, its polysaccharide, and nonalkaloid and alkaloid components were used to investigate the therapeutic actions on the acetic acid induced-gastric ulcer by measuring the related pharmacy and pharmacodynamic factors, including ulcer index, ulcer area, ulcer healing rate, interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), neurotensin (NT), platelet activating factor (PAF), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat serum, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in brain tissue, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in gastric tissue. Among the various groups, Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components caused significant changes in IL-8, TNF-α, NT, PAF TXB2, and VEGF values in the serum. The AChE content in the rats' brain tissue was also reduced after using Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components. Additionally, Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components considerably affect the amount of PGE2 and bFGF in a rat's stomach tissue. Therefore, Jinlingzi powder and the nonalkaloid components can effectively inhibit neutral neutrophil activation, prevent capillaries thrombosis, and protect gastric mucosa. Thus, the nonalkaloid components of the Jinlingzi powder play a key role in the treatment of gastric ulcer.

The Chemical Characterization of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Ci-wu-jia Tea using UHPLC-UV-QTOF/MS.

Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. belongs to the Araliaceae family. Phytochemical studies reveal that E. senticosus leaves contain triterpene glycosides along with organic acid derivatives and flavonoid compounds. It is believed that E. senticosus is similar to ginseng because they come from same family and both contain triterpene saponins. E. senticosus leaves have been developed as a functional beverage called ci-wu-jia tea in recent years. Triterpene glycosides are difficult to identify by ultraviolet (UV) detection and contents of these compounds are low in E. senticosus leaves. In this study, a sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) method combining UV and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed to characterize the triterpene glycosides from E. senticosus leaves and related commercial products. Fragmentation patterns of three sub-groups of triterpene glycosides in E. senticosus leaves were investigated. Additionally, fragmentation pathways and UV characteristics of organic acid derivatives and flavonoids were also characterized. A compound screening library, including 241 compounds reported in the literature, was created and used to confirm the compounds in the samples. In this study, a total of 24 samples, including 13 plant samples of E. senticosus and 11 ci-wu-jia tea products, were analyzed. Out of the 11 commercial products, three products were discovered to contain green tea (Camellia sinensis) that was considered to be an adulterant since it was not an ingredient on the labels. The developed UHPLC-UV-MS/MS analytical method combined with the UNIFI processing method can simultaneously characterize organic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and triterpene saponins from E. senticosus. It provides a simple and sensitive way to perform quality control of E. senticosus and related ci-wu-jia tea products.

[Proteomics and its application to determine mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine].

There is no doubt that the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is effective, practical and scientific after it was used for thousands of years. However, the mechanisms of action of many TCM are still unclear because of their multi-component, multi-target and multi-level features, which hinder the modernization and internationalization of the TCM. Proteomics is to analyze the composition and activity of intracellular proteins which are changing dynamically from a holistic perspective. It is consistent with the holistic and dynamic views of the TCM and brings about the hope of clarifying the mechanism of action of the TCM. In recent years, great progress has been made in the application of proteomics to determine the mechanism of the TCM. This article introduced the core technologies of proteomics and systematically summarized the applications of proteomics in the study of the mechanism of the Chinese medicinal formulae, single Chinese medicine and monomeric compounds from the TCM to provide innovative ideas and methods for reference.

The Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine Underlying the Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized with bradykinesia, static tremor, rigidity and disturbances in balance, is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Along with the largely aging population in the world, the incidence is increasing year by year, which imposes the negative impacts on patients, their families and the whole society. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a positive prospect for the prevention and cure of PD due to its advantages of less side effects and multi-target effects. At present, the pathogenesis of PD is not yet fully discovered. This paper elaborates the mechanisms of TCM underlying the prevention and treatment of PD with regards to the inhibition of oxidative stress, the regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction, the reduction of toxic excitatory amino acids (EAA), the inhibition of neuroinflammation, the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, and the inhibition of abnormal protein aggregation.

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae) Leaf Morpho-Anatomy, Essential Oil Composition, and Its Biological Activity Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

The roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., a well-known medicinal plant from Eastern Asia, are used worldwide for their known beneficial medicinal properties. Recently, the leaves have been used as an alternative to the roots. The present study was aimed at exploring the leaf essential oil as a potential source of compounds for mosquito management. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the leaf essential oil revealed 87 compounds, constituting 95.2% of the oil. α-Bisabolol (26.46%), ß-caryophyllene (7.45%), germacrene D (6.87%), ß-bisabolene (4.95%), and α-humulene (3.50%) were five of the major constituents. The essential oil was subjected to biting deterrence and repellent activity against mosquito Aedes aegypti. The biting deterrence of the oil produced a proportion not biting (PNB) value of 0.62 at 10 µg/cm2 as compared with 0.86 of control DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) at a standard dose of 25 nmol/cm2. Among individually selected compounds present in the oil (α-bisabolol, ß-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and caryophyllene oxide), only α-bisabolol produced a PNB value of 0.80, equivalent to DEET at 25 nmol/cm2, whereas the others were not repellent. The artificial mixture (AMES-1) of these four selected compounds produced a relatively high PNB value of 0.80. The repellent activity measured by minimum effective dosage (MED) for α-bisabolol and α-humulene produced MED values of 0.094 and 0.104 mg/cm2, respectively, as compared with 0.023 mg/cm2 of DEET. The leaf essential oil, the artificial mixture (AMES-1), and other binary and tertiary combinations of major compounds showed no repellent activity. In addition, morpho-anatomical features of the leaf are provided for correct identification of the species.

UHPLC-MS/MS Determination, Pharmacokinetic, and Bioavailability Study of Taxifolin in Rat Plasma after Oral Administration of its Nanodispersion.

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method based on the Triple Quad system has been developed and validated for the determination and pharmacokinetics of taxifolin and its nanodispersion in rat plasma. Taxifolin plasma samples along with butylparaben (internal standard) were pre-treated by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, and then separated on a SB-C18 RRHD column (150 mm × 2.1 mm × 1.8 µm) using isocratic elution with a run time of 3.0 min. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water (90:10, v/v) containing 5 mM ammonium acetate at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Quantification of taxifolin was performed by the electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with negative atmospheric ionization at m/z 303.0→285.0 for taxifolin and 193.1→92.0 for I.S., respectively. The calibration curve of taxifolin showed good linearity over a concentration range of 5.0-4280 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5.0 ng/mL. Intra-day, inter-day precision and accuracy (percent relative to standard deviation) were all within 8% at three concentration levels. A total recovery of taxifolin and I.S. was beyond 75%. The present LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of taxifolin after intravenous administration of taxifolin, oral administration of its physical mixture and nanodispersion. The absolute bioavailability of taxifolin was calculated as 0.75% for taxifolin nanodispersion and 0.49% for taxifolin, respectively.

[Nrf2-NF-κB pathway axes, epigenetic regulation and traditional Chinese medicine (natural medicine) to treat type 2 diabetes].

Diabetes mellitus is a characterized by high blood sugar metabolic disease, is a lifelong disease with a high incidence of major hazards. Prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications has become a serious challenge and arduous task facing the world pharmaceutical researchers. Oxidative stress, Nfr2-NF-κB signaling axis related epigenomic genes have the apparent close relationship with type 2 diabetes,those have become one of the key focus and effective way to explore its pathogenesis, mechanism and drug screening. This paper systematically summarizes the current stage research regulating the key proteins, mRNA about Nrf2-NF-κB axis pathway and epigenomics for treatment of type 2 diabetes and the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine (component) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, hoping to provide some innovative research ideas for finding new drugs of the treatment of diabetes from traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine.

Determination and pharmacokinetic study of two triterpenoid saponins in rat plasma after oral administration of the extract of Aralia elata leaves by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

Aralia elata (Miq.) Seems (A. elata) grow in Northeast China and the total saponins of A. elata is used to auxiliary treatment for the acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and the transaminase on the high side. Aralia-saponinV and Aralia-saponinVI are the major bioactive saponins in A. elata leaves. A selective and sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination and pharmacokinetic study of Aralia-saponinV and Aralia-saponinVI indwelling the extract in rat plasma in this article. The sample pretreatment involved a one-step extraction of 0.2mL plasma with methanol. Shengmaxinside C was used as internal standard (I.S.). The separation was carried out on an Agilent SB-C18 column (1.8µm, 50mm×2.1mm) at 30°C with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-5mM ammonium acetate (90:10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source operating in the negative ionization mode. The optimized mass transition ion-pairs (m/z) monitored for Aralia-saponinV, Aralia-saponinVI and I.S. were 1103.2/941.2, 1119.2/957.0 and 707.0/647.1, respectively. The current UHPLC-MS/MS assay method was validated for linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, accuracy, extraction recovery and stability, and it was suitable for the pharmacokinetic studies of the two saponins after oral administration of extract of A. elata leaves. The lower limits of quantification were 5.70ng/mL for Aralia-saponinV and 6.15ng/mL for Aralia-saponinVI. Intra-day and inter-day precisions were less than 7.4% and the accuracy range was from 1.19% to 8.60%. The mean extraction recoveries of analytes and I.S. from rat plasma were all more than 89.5%. This paper described a simple, sensitive and validated UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of Aralia-saponinV and Aralia-saponinVI in rat plasma after oral administration of the extract of A. elata leaves, and investigated on their pharmacokinetic studies as well.

GC-MS method for determination and pharmacokinetic study of four phenylpropanoids in rat plasma after oral administration of the essential oil of Acorus tatarinowii Schott rhizomes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acorus tatarinowii Schott (AT), belong to the family Araceae, is perennial herbaceous plant mainly present in China, Japan and India. The rhizomes of AT have been used as a famous traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of central nervous system related diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: A selective, accurate and sensitive method using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) for the simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of ß-asarone, α-asarone, elemicin and cis-methyl isoeugenol in rat plasma was developed and validated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The GC-MS system was operated under selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile after being spiked with an internal standard (1-naphthol). The GC separation was achieved on a DB-1701 column (60 m × 0.25 mm ID, and 0.25 µm film thickness). RESULTS: The current GC/MS assay was validated for linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, accuracy, extraction recovery and stability. The analyte calibration curves were linear over a wide concentration range and the lowest limit of quantifications (LLOQ) were 5.53 ng/mL (ß-asarone), 6.50 ng/mL (α-asarone), 3.10 ng/mL (elemicin) and 7.60 ng/mL (cis-methyl isoeugenol). After oral administration 0.9 g /Kg of AT rhizomes, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 2508.6±498.7 ng/mL for ß-asarone, 257.5±37.1 ng/mL for α -asarone, 345.5±33.4 ng/mL for elemicin and 452.7±59.1 ng/mL for cis-methyl isoeugenol, respectively. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was 1.42±0.18 h for ß-asarone, 1.58±0.19 h for α -asarone, 1.67±0.24 h for elemicin and 1.75±0.38 h for cis-methyl isoeugenol, respectively. CONCLUSION: This paper described a simple, sensitive and validated GC-MS method for simultaneous determination of four phenylpropanoids in rat plasma after oral administration of the essential oil of AT rhizomes and investigated on their pharmacokinetics studies as well.

[Study on drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus based on rat stress gastric ulcer model with cold syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus. METHOD: The rat cold syndrome model was induced by cold water stress method. The content of neurotransmitters sand hormones such as DA, 5-HT, NE, AChE and 17-OHCS in serum of model rats were taken as the indexes to evaluate drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus. RESULT: Euodiae Fructus and its components could correct or relief the content of energy metabolism and substance metabolism-related neurotransmitters sand hormones in serum of model rats with water-stressed cold syndrome. CONCLUSION: Euodiae Fructus and its components are proved to show hot property.

A HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of six alkaloids of Rhizoma Corydalis Decumbentis in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A specific and reliable HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of six alkaloids in rat plasma, jatrorrhizine, berberine, tetrahydropalmatine, protopine, bicuculline and palmatine. The analytes were separated on a C18 column (50mm×2.1mm, 1.8µm) and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source was used for detection. The plasma sample was prepared by the simple protein precipitation and the recovery for the six analytes was over 80%. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.38-1900.0ng/mL for jatrorrhizine, 0.57-2850.0ng/mL for berberine, 0.32-1600.0ng/mL for tetrahydropalmatine, 0.21-1050.0ng/mL for protopine, 0.34-1700.0ng/mL for bicuculline and 0.22-1100ng/mL for palmatine. The intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 15% and the relative error (RE) was all within ±15%. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study in rats after oral administration of the extracts of Rhizoma Corydalis Decumbentis (a famous Chinese herb).

A new megastigmane glycoside from the aerial parts of Cirsium setosum.

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB.. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were determined on the basis of physical properties and spectroscopic data. RESULTS: A new megastigmane glycoside and six known compounds were obtained and identified as (7E, 9R)-9-hydroxy-5, 7-megastigmadien-4-one-9-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D-glucopyanoside (1), (6R, 7E, 9R)-9-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-3-one-9-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), urolignoside (3), 4, 9, 9'-trihydroxy-3, 3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4$\prime $-neolignan-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4), citroside A (5), salidrosidin (6), and adenosine (7). CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is a new megastigmane glycoside, named as Xiaojiglycoside A.

[Chemical constituents from Hydrangea macrophylla].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chemical constituents from Chinese herbal medicine Hydrangea macrophylla. METHOD: The compounds were separated and purified by column chromatography over silica gel, ODS, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectral methods including 1H, 13C-NMR and MS. RESULT: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as zeorin, hopane-6, 22-diol (1), botulin (2), betulinic acid (3), 2-ethyl-3-methyl-maleimide-N-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), uridine (5), thymidine (6), adenosine (7), nicotinamide (8), methyl pyroglutamate (9), hydrangenol (10) and hydrangenol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 14 and 7-9 were obtained from the genus Hydrangea for the first time.

Monoterpenoids from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits.

Three new acyclic monoterpenoids named (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienoate-6-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), (3Z,6E)-3,7-dimethyl-3,6-octadiene-1,2,8-triol (2) and (6E)-7-methyl-3-methylene-6-octene-1,2,8-triol (3) were isolated from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits, along with three known monoterpenoid compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS) and chemical methods.

[Study on chemical constituents of Herba Cirsii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the aerial part of Herba Cirsii. METHODS: Compounds were isolated by various chromatographic techniques and identified by spectral data. RESULTS: Eight compounds were obtained. Their structures were characterized as (7R,8S)-dehydroconiferyl alcohol-8,5'-dehydroconiferyl aldehyde-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(I),(7S,8R)-dihydro-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(II), Isokaempferide-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(III), Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-gluco-pyranoside (IV), Pectolinarin (V), Rutin(VI), Sucrose(VII), beta-sitosterol(VIII). CONCLUSION: Among these compounds, compounds I-IV are isolated from Herba Cirsii for the first time, Compounds first time. I and II as lignan compounds from this genus, are reported for the first time.