Traditional method of rhubarb processing optimized by combining flavor analysis with anthraquinone content determination.

Introduction: Rhubarb is a popular food that relieves constipation and aids with weight loss. The traditional method of preparation, includes steaming and sun-drying rhubarb nine times (SDR-9) to reduce its toxicity and increase efficacy. Methods: Flavor analysis includes odor analysis by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry and taste characterization using an electronic tongue. Results: Odor analysis of the samples prepared through SDR-9 identified 61 volatile compounds, including aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ketones, acids, alkenes, and furans. Of these, 13 volatile components were the key substances associated with odor. This enabled the process to be divided into two stages: 1-5 times of steaming and sun-drying and 6-9 times. In the second stage, SDR-6 and SDR-9 were grouped together in terms of odor. Analysis using electronic tongue revealed that the most prominent taste was bitterness. A radar map indicated that the bitterness response was the highest for raw rhubarb, whereas that for processed (steamed and sun-dried) rhubarb decreased. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) clustering results for SDR-6 and SDR-9 samples indicated that their tastes were similar. Anthraquinones were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography; moreover, analysis of the taste and components of the SDR samples revealed a significant correlation. Discussion: These results indicate that there are similarities between SDR-6 and SDR-9 in terms of smell, taste, and composition, indicating that the steaming and sun-drying cycles can be conducted six times instead of nine.

Rapid quality evaluation of four kinds of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata by electronic eye combined with chemometrics.

INTRODUCTION: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., a widely used herbal medicine, has trouble with the hepatic adverse effect. Processing is an effective method to increase potency and reduce the adverse effects of herbal medicines. Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP), the decoction pieces processed from raw material, is widely consumed in clinical practice in many countries. The quality control of PMRP has attracted more and more attention worldwide. OBJECTIVE: A simple and rapid quality evaluation method using an electronic eye (E-eye) combined with chemometrics was proposed for controlling the quality of PMRP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The semi-quantitative and quantitative data of 105 major components in 128 batches of PMRP samples obtained by three different analysis instruments were fused to investigate the correlation with the dynamic exterior colour determined by E-eye. The correlation between exterior colour and chemical fusion dataset was investigated by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). According to the results of correlation analysis, the color parameters of high-quality PMRP was set. RESULTS: Correlation studies by chemometrics revealed that the exterior colour depth was significantly correlated with 32 components [variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1.0, p < 0.05]. The colour parameter of E * ab located in the range of 46.69-51.66 can be used easily, rapidly, and in an environment-friendly way to determine whether the PMRP sample has reached sufficient processing time with good quality. CONCLUSION: This study adds some scientific information to our understanding of traditional medicine while contributing an alternative method for assessing the quality of other decoction pieces.

Metabolic profile and dynamic characteristic of rhubarb during the vitro biotransformation by human gut microbiota.

Rhubarb is a popular food in the world with laxative effects and steamed pieces of rhubarb (SP) have been widely applied to treatment of constipation in China due to its safety and effectiveness. In the study, metabolism in vitro was conducted to study influence of gut microbiota between raw pieces of rhubarb (RP) and SP. The results showed obvious classifications in metabolic profile between RP and SP were revealed by chemometric analysis, and prompted gut microbiota affected metabolism of rhubarb. Furthermore, 16 characteristic components were identified to distinguish the differences in metabolism. Finally, quantitative analysis of 14 components were verified the regulation of gut microbiota on rhubarb and discovered concentration of components affected the rate of metabolism. The study indicated regulation by gut microbiota could be probably responsible for differences of laxative effects between RP and SP, providing new perspective for exploring mechanisms of effectiveness in clinical application for SP.

Simultaneous quantification of anthraquinone glycosides, aglycones, and glucuronic acid metabolites in rat plasma and tissues after oral administration of raw and steamed rhubarb in blood stasis rats by UHPLC-MS/MS.

Rhubarb is a widely used herbal medicine. To achieve different effects, rhubarb is usually steamed with rice wine (steamed rhubarb). This steaming treatment increases the blood-activating and stasis-removing effects of rhubarb. A specific and accurate ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was established for simultaneous determination of anthraquinone glycosides, aglycones, and glucuronic acid metabolites in plasma and tissues after administration of raw rhubarb and steamed rhubarb in blood stasis rats. Chromatographic separation was performed on ACQUITY UPLC BEH Shield RP 18 column using the mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile both containing 0.1% formic acid. Satisfactory linearity, precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, and matrix effect have been achieved. From pharmacokinetic study, it showed that glucuronic acid metabolites were found abundantly in plasma as bioactive components. The lower area under concentration-time curve, maximum concentration, and higher apparent volume of distribution (P < 0.01), body clearance (P < 0.01) values in steamed rhubarb showed that most components of steamed rhubarb have lower bioavailability in plasma compared with raw rhubarb. But it found these components were mainly distributed in spleen and liver with large blood flow and perfusion rates. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution studies of anthraquinone components will provide helpful information for clinical application of steamed rhubarb and raw rhubarb.

[Similar change laws of content of nine components in four processing methods of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata].

To standardize the processing technology of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata and stabilize its quality, the similar change laws of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata with different processing methods and time were analyzed. The processing time of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata was studied at 24, 32, 40, 48 h, and 4 different processing methods were studied, namely stewed with black bean sauce, steamed, steamed with black bean sauce, and steamed with black bean sauce and rice wine. The content of stilbene glycosides and anthraquinones were determined by HPLC-DAD method. UV method was used to determine the content of polysaccharides, and HPLC-ELSD method was used to determine the monosaccharides and oligosaccharides. The comparative chart of content determination, cluster analysis and entropy weight TOPSIS model was used to find the similar change laws and time interval of different processing methods of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata. The results demonstrated that around 32 h, the content of nine components in Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata with different processing methods had similar change laws, and the decoction pieces had a high quality, indicating that the four processing methods of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata are likely to be used as one type of decoction piece with the same name.

[Flavorand taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix processed using ancient classical method:an exploration based on intelligent sensory analysis].

This study was designed to investigate the flavor and taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix processed using the ancient classical method documented in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun). The Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces and the corresponding test samples in each processing stage were first prepared based on the processing method for Sophora Flavescentis Radix recorded in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun). Then the flavors and tastes of Sophora Flavescentis Radix test samples undergoing the soaking in rice-washed water, washing with clean water, and steaming for different time were compared with the electronic nose and tongue. The results showed that in the preparation of Sophora Flavescentis Radix with the ancient method, such processes as soaking in rice-washed water and washing with clean water had no significant influences on the flavor, which, however, was weakened by steaming. In terms of the taste, soaking with rice-washed water enhanced the bitter taste of Sophora Flavescentis Radix, which remained unchanged after being washed with the clean water. The steaming would also diminish the bitter taste, making it taste similar to the original Sophora Flavescentis Radix medicinal materials. During the steaming for six to eight hours, the flavor did not vary significantly over time, while the bitter taste was first weakened and then intensified. The bitter taste of Sophora Flavescentis Radix steamed for six hours was similar to that steamed for eight hours. In addition, the differences in flavor and taste between Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces processed by the ancient method in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun)and those by the modern method in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia were analyzed. The findings demonstrated that the flavor of Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces prepared by the ancient method was weaker than that by the modern method, whereas the bitter taste showed the opposite trend. The exploration on the flavor and taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix in its preparation by the ancient classical method and the differences in flavor and taste between Sophora Flavescentis Radix decoction pieces prepared by ancient and modern methods will lay a foundation for further elucidation of the scientific connotation of the ancient processing method and the medication principles of Sophora Flavescentis Radix in both ancient and modern times.

Pharmacokinetic comparisons of major bioactive components after oral administration of raw and steamed rhubarb by UPLC-MS/MS.

A study was performed to compare the pharmacokinetics of major bioactive analytes in rhubarb plants to explore the pharmacological differences between raw pieces (RP) and steamed pieces (SP) of rhubarb. A rapid and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatographic coupled with mass/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was established to determine the concentrations of six analytes in rat plasma after oral administration of RP and SP. It was found that the AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve), Tmax (time to reach maximum plasma concentration) and Cmax (maximum plasma concentration) values were obviously increased in RP for rhein-8-O-ß-d-glucophyranoside, rhein and aloe-emodin. On the contrary, emodin, physcion and chrysophanol had higher bioavailability in SP. The significant differences indicated that steamed by wine may alter pharmacokinetic behaviors of analytes, providing theoretical basis of differences in pharmacological activity between SP and RP.

[Transformation of production mode and innovation of production technology of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs-feasibility study on intelligent production of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs].

With the publishment of the application guideline for the key project of "Research on Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine" by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2018, the problem of "intelligentization" in the production of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs has attracted more and more attention from the industry. Some suggestions on the intelligentization of the production of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs in the course of transformation of production mode and innovation of production technology of decoction pieces of Chinese crude drugs" were proposed in this paper, which in order to help the implementation of the project and the development of decoction pieces industry.

Global metabolite profiling and diagnostic ion filtering strategy by LC-QTOF MS for rapid identification of raw and processed pieces of Rheum palmatum L.

Due to its variety of functions, rhubarb has been used for thousands of years in many countries. It is commonly used after processing. Processing usually affect the chemical profile and the contents of active compounds in herbals, leading to changes of their bioactivities. Here, an approach of metabolite profiling and diagnostic ion filtering strategy with liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry was established for rapid identification of raw and processed pieces of Rheum palmatum L. (RPL). The comprehensive and unbiased information of 30 batches of RPL covering raw and two general processing methods were given by metabolomic profiles. Using molecular feature extraction algorithm, non-targeted compounds were analyzed in minutes. In total, 73 characteristic markers were extracted and identified by diagnostic ion filtering. They have been further analyzed by partial least squares-support vector machine-based pattern recognition. The comprehensive and rapid method for raw and processed pieces of RPL classification shows good sensitivity, specificity and prediction performance.

Rapid identification of the quality decoction pieces by partial least squares -based pattern recognition: grade classification of the decoction pieces of Saposhnikovia divaricata.

Herbal medicines are commonly used in many countries after they undergo processing. Quality decoction pieces are a guarantee of the efficacy and safety of the herbal medical products. Here, a strategy based on chemical analysis combined with chemometric techniques was proposed for the classification and prediction of the different grades of the decoction pieces. Considering the necessity for a shared and simple method for the grade classification for the public, in this paper, the characterization of the chemical constituents was determined by utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/diode array detection. HPLC was first established for the characterization of the chemical constituents of the different grade decoction pieces. Furthermore, a simultaneous quantification of several of the marker compounds in these decoction pieces was obtained. Finally, a partial least squares-based pattern recognition method was utilized to obtain a predictive model for the grade classification of the decoction pieces. Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk was used as a case study. The partial least squares -based pattern recognition for the grade classification of the decoction pieces of S. divaricata demonstrated good sensitivity, specificity and prediction performance, which may efficiently validate the identification results of appearance assessment. The proposed strategy is expected to provide a new insight for the grade classification and quality control of the decoction pieces. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Development and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine processing discipline and Chinese herbal pieces industry].

To elucidate the key issues in the development and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine processing discipline and Chinese herbal pieces industry Chinese herbal pieces industry. According to the author's accumulated experience over years and demand of the development of the Chinese herbal pieces industry, the key issues in the development and innovation on the Chinese herbal pieces industry were summarized. According to the author, the traditional Chinese medicine processing discipline shall focus on a application basis research. The development of this discipline should be closely related to the development of Chinese herbal pieces. The traditional Chinese medicine processing discipline can be improved and its results can be transformed only if this discipline were correlated with the Chinese herbal pieces industry, matched with the development of the Chinese herbal pieces industry, and solved the problems in the development on the Chinese herbal pieces industry. The development of traditional Chinese medicine processing discipline and the Chinese herbal pieces industry also requires scientific researchers to make constant innovations, realize the specialty of the researches, and innovate based on inheritance.

[To accelerate pace of studying standard pieces of Chinese medicine as standard material].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the necessary and research of accelerating basic research of Chinese standard pieces as standard materials. METHOD: According to over 10 years accumulated experience and be keenly aware of the author, the evaluation method of standardized processing technology and Chinese pieces quality, aimed at consummated the standard material of the quality evaluation of Chinese herbal pieces at the current situation, and inaccordance with the need of improving quality standard system of Chinese herbal pieces, illustrate the necessity of accelerating basic research of Chinese standard pieces as standard materials; from the technical specification for collecting and processing of raw materials, and the technical specification, homogenized sample, packaging, storage and etc., for processing of candidate standard pieces, determine the methods and steps of technical specifications for standard pieces as the standard substance, determine the methods and steps of technical specifications for standard pieces as the standard substance. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: To speed up the basic research of standard of Chinese medicine pieces as of standard material is very necessary. The research objective is to specificate the processing technical for a number of standard pieces, to identify technical specifications and to ascertain the guiding principle and technical specification of decoction pieces as standard substance. This research will provide basic scientific data relevant national departments to apply for the accreditation of the standard substance.

Pharmacokinetics and liver distribution study of unbound curdione and curcumol in rats by microdialysis coupled with rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) and tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive, specific, convenient and endogenous interference-free microdialysis sampling method coupled with RRLC-MS was successfully developed and applied to the determination of protein-unbound curdione and curcumol in biological samples. Microdialysis probes were simultaneously inserted into the jugular vein toward heart and the median lobe near the center of liver of rats under anesthesia. The separation was accomplished on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 µm) with a gradient elution and chromatography was conducted with RRLC system. Analytes were detected by positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and quantified on the basis of extracted ion chromatography (EIC) peak area signal. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 3.3-213.2 ng/mL for curdione and 8.1-519.2 ng/mL for curcumol. All the validation data, such as accuracy, precision, stability and matrix effect were satisfactory and within the required limits. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of curdione and curcumol in rat blood and liver after oral administration of Rhizoma Curcumae extracts. The results could provide a meaningful basis for better understanding of the intracorporal process of Rhizoma Curcumae, which would be helpful for further study both in clinic and laboratory.

[Content comparison of main chemical compositions in Gardenia jasminoids roasted with ginger juice].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the contents of the main chemical compositions in Gardenia jasminoids before and after being roasted with ginger juice. METHOD: Four diterpenoid pigments constituents (C-1, C-2, C-3, crocetin) were determined simultaneously by UPLC on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-0.5% formic acid anhydrous in gradient elution as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 440 nm and the flow rate was 0.4 mL x min(-1). Two iridoids constituents (G-1, G-2) were determined simultaneously by HPLC on an Agilent TC-C18(2) column at 35 degrees C with acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid anhydrous (18:82) as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 238 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). RESULT: After being processed with ginger juice, the contents of the diterpenoid pigments constituents decreased slightly and the contents of the iridoids constituents increased slightly. CONCLUSION: The contents of the main chemical compositions in G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice increased slightly with some regularity, but there were no significant differences.

The suppressive effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng) chromone extract on rheumatoid arthritis via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen activated proteinkinases activation on collagen-induced arthritis model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saposhnikovia divaricata (SD), called "Fangfeng" in China, is commonly used in clinical compound prescription for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its actions on RA have not been clarified. The present study aims to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of SD chromone extract (SCE), the major bioactive component of SD, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, and elucidate its underlying mechanisms with regards to its molecular basis of action on human fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from RA patients (HFLS-RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CIA model on rats was constructed by injection of bovine type II collagen. Rats were pre-treated with different dosages of SCE from 3 days before till 35 days after model building. The progression of CIA was evaluated by macroscopic scoring, X-ray observation and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of paws. HFLS-RA were pre-treated with different concentrations of SCE prior to stimulation with 10 ng/ml of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. By radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were quantified respectively. Nuclear factor (NF-κB) p65 expression and DNA-binding activity were tested by immunohistochemisty and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) respectively. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPKs were examined by immunohistochemisty staining and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Histological examination and radiological observation demonstrated that SCE significantly reduced the inflammatory responses in the joints of CIA rats. SCE inhibited the production of TNFα, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in the joint tissues and sera. The level of PGE2 in sera was also decreased by SCE. Moreover, SCE treatment in vivo was able to reduce protein level of NF-κB, the transcriptional factor closely related to the inflammatory process, in articular synovium and cartilage of CIA rats. In addition, SCE inhibited p-ERK, p-JNK and p-p38 expression, which were considered to be involved in the phosphorylation of transcription factor NF-κB and the transcription of pro-inflammatory factors. Further, SCE inhibited NF-κB DNA binding activity and attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPKs, in a concentration-dependent manner in cultured HFLS-RA. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the anti-arthritic potential of SCE, and provide further evidence of the involvement of the NF-κB and MARKs inhibition in the effects of SCE.

[Establishing quality assurance system of processed Chinese medicine to ensure clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine].

For the purpose of stabilizing and enhancing the clinical effect, the author suggested that it should develop the key technology of integrated innovation research such as origin producing area processing technology, medicinal parts and energy-saving rapid drying technology, process control technology, quality evaluation key technology, packaging and bar code identification technology to establish the quality assurance system of processed Chinese medicine, which is the key to ensure the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Regularity of changes in main active components of Schisandra chinensis before and after being processed with vinegar].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regularity of changes in the main active components of Schisandra chinensis preparations before and after being processed with vinegar. METHOD: High performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the changes in the content of lignans and organic acids in S. chinensis preparations before and after being processed with vinegar. RESULT: After being processed with vinegar, the content of lignans in S. chinensis preparations significantly reduced, while that of organic acids significantly increased. The ratio between them reduced from 1:16 (raw product) to 1:21 (vinegar products). CONCLUSION: The changes in the main pharmacological effects of S. chinensis are related to not only the changes in the contents of lignan and organic acids, but also the significant changes in the ratio relations between the two components. This is of great significance to the correlation among the principle of S. chinensis processed with vinegar and material basis and the changes in pharmacological effects.

[Chemical constituents from roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum (V)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum from Henan. METHOD: The constituents were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and ODS, and identified by NMR, MS spectroscopic methods. RESULT: Six compounds, Pd-I b(1), marmesinsin (2), rutarin (3), isorutarin (4), 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-7-O-alpha-D-glucuronyl methyl ester (5), 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-7-O-alpha-D-glucuronyl acid (6) were isolated and identified. CONCLUSION: Compound 5 was a new compound, compounds 5 and 6 were isolated from Peucedanum plant for the first time.

[Analysis of volatile oil in Gardenia jasminoids roasted with ginger juice by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the components and contents of volatile oil in Gardenia jasminoids, Zingiber officinale, G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice and to provide scientific basis for intrinsic material of G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice. METHOD: The volatile oil in the three herbal medicines was extracted by steam distillation, the components were analyzed by GC-MS and the contents of the components were calculated by area normalization method. RESULT: The contents of volatile oil in G. jasminoids, Z. officinale, G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice were 1.0, 2.0, 1.5 microL x g(-1), respectively. A total of 89 components were identified by GC-MS. Although 42, 75 and 77 peaks were separated, only 30, 58 and 67 components were identified accordingly, which accounted 94.1%, 90.52% and 94.38% of the whole volatile oil. CONCLUSION: After being processed with ginger juice, the components and contents of volatile oil in G. jasminoids has been changed obviously.

[Determination of three organic acids in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC method for determination of three organic acids in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. METHOD: The separation was performed on a C18 column with acetonitrile-15 mmol x L(-1) KH2 PO4 (1:99) and methanol-0.5% acetic glacial as the mobile phrase to determine the content of kinic acid, citric acid, and protocatechuic acid. RESULT: Three kinds of organic acid can be detective in different samples, and the average content of the three organic acids were about 18%, among which the citric acid was the highest (18%). CONCLUSION: Since organic acids is an important parts of the material basis in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, it is necessary to carry out the pharmacological research associated with the function of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Further, it will provide scientific basis for the drug relevance research between material basis and efficiency, as well as the foundation for the relevance research on the properties and Five Tastes of traditional Chinese medicine.