Analysis of chemical constituents of Sabia parviflora by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry.

Effective and targeted identification of chemical components of the Chinese herbal medicine Sabia parviflora remains a major challenge. Herein, we used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of S.parviflora. Its chemical components were rapidly identified using the characteristic ion filtration method, which involves these steps: (1) summarize the characteristic ions based on similar skeletons and compounds with substitution patterns, and establish a database; (2) screen and classify different types of compounds in S. parviflora based on the characteristic ions; and (3) identify the compounds based on molecular weight, secondary fragments, and the database. In the present study, the characteristic ions in S. parviflora were grouped into five major classes. A total of 104 components were identified, including 12 potentially novel compounds. This rapid and accurate method provides an important basis for basic chemical research in S. parviflora.

Effects of scrocaffeside A from Picrorhiza Scrophulariiflora on immunocyte function in vitro.

Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora is a traditionally used herb for the treatment of various diseases, including tumors and liver infections. In the present report, one glycoside from the methanol extract of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora, scrocaffeside A, shows immunomodulatory properties by structure. So we measured various indicators of mammalian immune cells to test its immunostimulation potential. The scrocaffeside A enhanced proliferation of splenocytes and their response to polyclonal T cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). There was also a significant increase in the activity of peritoneal macrophages and natural killer cell when treated with doses of scrocaffeside A between 5 microg/ml and 125 microg/ml. A dose-dependent increase was also observed in the populations of mature T cell subsets. The production of cytokines and the CD4/CD8 population of splenocytes were also elevated. The levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-12, and (IFN)-gamma expressed by cultured splenocytes were significantly increased when the cells were exposed to scrocaffeside A. These results indicate that scrocaffeside A may exert immunoenhancement effects on immune system. In addition to its traditional use in some diseases, it may become a new immunostimulating agent in the future.

The effects of telocinobufagin isolated from Chan Su on the activation and cytokine secretion of immunocytes in vitro.

Many traditional Chinese medicines have been used as immunomodulators that act as either immunosuppressants or immunostimulators. Recently, our lab successfully isolated a monomer telocinobufagin (TCB) from the chloroform extract of Chan Su (Venenum Bufonis). In the present paper, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of this compound in vitro. We found that TCB significantly stimulates splenocyte proliferation when administered alone or in combination with polyclonal T-cell mitogens concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide. Telocinobufagin markedly enhances natural killer cell and peritoneal macrophage activation. Telocinobufagin increases the percentage of CD4, CD8 positive cells within a population of splenocytes. Moreover, we found that the level of several Th1 cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are significantly increased after TCB treatment, while the level of the Th2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) is significantly decreased. As a result, the ratio of Th1/Th2 is significantly increased. Taken together, these results indicate that TCB has potential immune system regulatory effects and suggest that this compound could be developed as a novel immunotherapeutic agent to treat cancer and other immune-mediated diseases, and it may become a new immunomodulatory agent in many regions.

New secoiridoid glycosides from the roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora.

Three new secoiridoid glycosides, named picrogentiosides A (1), B (2) and C (3), have been isolated from the underground parts of Picrorhiza Scrophulariiflora, together with the two known compounds plantamajoside (4) and plantainoside D (5). Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses and comparisons with data from related compounds. A pilot pharmacological study showed that picrogentiosides A (1) and B (2) have an immunomodulatory effect in vitro.