Application of ultra-performance LC-TOF MS metabolite profiling techniques to the analysis of medicinal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax</Emphasis> herbs

The morphological appearance and some ingredients of Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng and Panax japonicus of the Panax genus are similar. However, their pharmacological activities are obviously different due to the significant differences in the types and quantity of saponins in each herb. In the present study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOFMS) was used to profile the abundances of metabolites in the three medicinal Panax herbs. Multivariate statistical analysis technique, that is, principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to discriminate between the Panax samples. PCA of the analytical data showed a clear separation of compositions among the three medicinal herbs. The critical markers such as chikusetsusaponin IVa, ginsenoside R0, ginsenoside Rc, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rb2 and ginsenoside Rg2 accountable for such variations were identified through the corresponding loading weights, and the tentative identification of biomarkers is completed by the accurate mass of TOFMS and high resolution and high retention time reproducibility performed by UPLC. The proposed analytical method coupled with multivariate statistical analysis is reliable to analyze a group of metabolites present in the herbal extracts and other natural products. This method can be further utilized to evaluate chemical components obtained from different plants and/or the plants of different geographical locations, thereby classifying the medicinal plant resources and potentially elucidating the mechanism of inherent phytochemical diversity.     

金丝桃属植物研究进展

金丝桃属植物中许多种是传统草药．二总酮类、类黄酮类及间苯三酚类等次生代谢产物具有许多药理作用。因此近年来对该属植物的分泌结构、具药理作川的化学成分、快速繁殖以及分子水平的研究越来越多。本文就以上各方面的研究进展作一综述。     

Isoliquiritigenin is a Novel NMDA Receptor Antagonist in Kampo Medicine Yokukansan

Effects of a traditional Japanese medicine, yokukansan, which is composed of seven medicinal herbs, on glutamate-induced cell death were examined using primary cultured rat cortical neurons. Yokukansan (10–300 μg/ml) inhibited the 100 μM glutamate-induced neuronal death in a concentration-dependent manner. Among seven constituent herbs, higher potency of protection was found in Uncaria thorn (UT) and Glycyrrhiza root (GR). A similar neuroprotective effect was found in four components (geissoschizine methyl ether, hirsuteine, hirsutine, and rhynchophylline) in UT and four components (glycycoumarin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin, and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid) in GR. In the NMDA receptor binding and receptor-linked Ca²⁺ influx assays, only isoliquiritigenin bound to NMDA receptors and inhibited the glutamate-induced increase in Ca²⁺ influx. Glycycoumarin and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid bound to NMDA receptors, but did not inhibit the Ca²⁺ influx. The four UT-derived components did not bind to NMDA receptors. The present results suggest that neuroprotective components (isoliquiritigenin, glycycoumarin, liquiritin, and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid in GR and geissoschizine methyl ether, hirsuteine, hirsutine, and rhynchophylline in UT) are contained in yokukansan, and isoliquiritigenin, which is one of them, is a novel NMDA receptor antagonist.     

福建省福州市马尾区药用植物资源研究

依托第四次全国中药资源普查工作,摸清马尾区药用植物资源种类、分布、重点中药材品种以及药材栽培等情况。根据第四次全国中药资源普查要求,通过实地调查、走访以及栽培基地调查等方法对马尾区药用植物资源进行调查,查阅相关资料确定野生药用植物的药用部位、生活型等。马尾区野生药用植物种类共计506种,隶属于132科360属,含2～5种的寡种科占绝对优势地位;草本为主要生活型,药用部位集中在根类和全草类;有福建省重点药材50种、特色药材22种。由于长期受人为干扰,马尾区原生植被破坏严重,药用植物种类较为贫乏。因此,可考虑林下种植中药改善土壤环境,实现中药资源可持续发展。     

Roles and mechanisms of ginsenoside in cardiovascular diseases: progress and perspectives

Ginseng is among the oldest traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and is widely used in China and Southeast Asia. Over the past 50 years, considerable research has focused on the chemical constituents, pharmacological action, and clinical applications of ginseng. In this review, we examine the current state of research on ginseng, including the main active ingredient ginsenoside, its pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular system, and mechanisms of action. We focus on what is known of the effects of ginseng against atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, and its inhibition of ventricular remodeling, providing a basis for expanding the clinical applications of ginseng.     

Repurposing of phytomedicine-derived bioactive compounds with promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential: Molecular docking,MD simulation and drug-likeness/ADMET studies

In view of the potential of traditional plant-based remedies (or phytomedicines) in the management of COVID-19, the present investigation was aimed at finding novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 molecules by in silico screening of bioactive phytochemicals (database) using computational methods and drug repurposing approach. A total of 160 compounds belonging to various phytochemical classes (flavonoids, limonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, steroids etc.) were selected (as initial hits) and screened against three specific therapeutic targets (Mpro/3CLpro, PLpro and RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2 by docking, molecular dynamics simulation and drug-likeness/ADMET studies. From our studies, six phytochemicals were identified as notable ant-SARS-CoV-2 agents (best hit molecules) with promising inhibitory effects effective against protease (Mpro and PLpro) and polymerase (RdRp) enzymes. These compounds are namely, ginsenoside Rg2, saikosaponin A, somniferine, betulinic acid, soyasapogenol C and azadirachtin A. On the basis of binding modes and dynamics studies of protein–ligand intercations, ginsenoside Rg2, saikosaponin A, somniferine were found to be the most potent (in silico) inhibitors potentially active against Mpro, PLpro and RdRp, respectively. The present investigation can be directed towards further experimental studies in order to confirm the anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy along with toxicities of identified phytomolecules.     

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Current methods in DNA nano-architecture have successfully engineered a variety of 2D and 3D structures using principles of self-assembly. In this article, we describe detailed protocols on how to fabricate sophisticated 2D shapes through the self-assembly of uniquely addressable single-stranded DNA tiles which act as molecular pixels on a molecular canvas. Each single-stranded tile (SST) is a 42-nucleotide DNA strand composed of four concatenated modular domains which bind to four neighbors during self-assembly. The molecular canvas is a rectangle structure self-assembled from SSTs. A prescribed complex 2D shape is formed by selecting the constituent molecular pixels (SSTs) from a 310-pixel molecular canvas and then subjecting the corresponding strands to one-pot annealing. Due to the modular nature of the SST approach we demonstrate the scalability, versatility and robustness of this method. Compared with alternative methods, the SST method enables a wider selection of information polymers and sequences through the use of de novo designed and synthesized short DNA strands.     

Correlation between the different therapeutic properties of Chinese medicinal herbs and delayed luminescence

In the practice and principle of Chinese medicine, herbal materials are classified according to their therapeutic properties. ‘Cold’ and ‘heat’ are the most important classes of Chinese medicinal herbs according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this work, delayed luminescence (DL) was measured for different samples of Chinese medicinal herbs using a sensitive photon multiplier detection system. A comparison of DL parameters, including mean intensity and statistic entropy, was undertaken to discriminate between the ‘cold’ and ‘heat’ properties of Chinese medicinal herbs. The results suggest that there are significant differences in mean intensity and statistic entropy and using this method combined with statistical analysis may provide novel parameters for the characterization of Chinese medicinal herbs in relation to their energetic properties. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the biosynthetic potential of endophytes in traditional Chinese anticancer herbs

Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses a rich empirical knowledge of the use of plants for the treatment of disease. In addition, the microorganisms associated with medicinal plants are also of interest as the producers of the compounds responsible for the observed plant bioactivity. The present study has pioneered the use of genetic screening to assess the potential of endophytes to synthesize bioactive compounds, as indicated by the presence of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) genes. The total DNA extracts of 30 traditional Chinese herbs, were screened for functional genes involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. The four PCR screens were successful in targeting four bacterial PKS, six bacterial NRPS, ten fungal PKS and three fungal NRPS gene fragments. Analysis of the detected endophyte gene fragments afforded consideration of the possible bioactivity of the natural products produced by endophytes in medicinal herbs. This investigation describes a rapid method for the initial screening of medicinal herbs and has highlighted a subset of those plants that host endophytes with biosynthetic potential. These selected plants can be the focus of more comprehensive endophyte isolation and natural product studies.     

Biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1, crocin, amygdalin, geniposide, puerarin, ginsenoside Re, hesperidin, poncirin, glycyrrhizin, and baicalin by human fecal microflora and its relation to cytotoxicity against tumor cells

To understand the role of intestinal microflora in the biological effect of functional herbs, which have been used in Korea, Japan, and China as traditional medicines, and suggest new bioactive compounds transformed from herbal constituents, the metabolic activities of the functional herb components (ginsenoside Rb1, crocin, amygdalin, geniposide, puerarin, ginsenoside Re, poncirin, hesperidin, glycyrrhizin, and baicalin) toward their bioactive compounds (compound K, crocetin, benzaldehyde, genipin, daidzein, ginsenoside Rh1, ponciretin, hesperetin, 18b-glycyrrhetic acid, and baicalein) were measured in fecal specimens. The metabolic activities of these components were 882.7 +/- 814.5, 3,938.1+/- 2,700.8, 2,375.5 +/- 913.7, 1,179.4 +/- 795.7, 24.6 +/- 10.5, 11.4 +/- 10.8, 578.8+/- 206.1, 1,150.0+/- 266.1, 47.3 +/- 58.6, and 12,253.0 +/- 6,527.6 mmol/h/g, respectively. No differences were found in the metabolic activities of the tested components between males and females, although these metabolic activities between individuals are extensively different. The metabolites of functional herb components showed more potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells than nonmetabolites. These findings suggest that intestinal microflora may activate the pharmacological effect of herbal food and medicines and must be the biocatalytic converter for the transformation of herbal components to bioactive compounds.     

柴胡属植物中柴胡皂甙的资源利用

本文用高效液相色谱法(HPLC),分析了国产19种柴胡及市售商品柴胡中柴胡皂甙a、c、d(Saikosaponin a、c、d)的含量。结果表明19种柴胡根中均含上述三种成分,但44个样品的含量不同,其中北柴胡以河南信阳的含量较高,南柴胡以陕西延安的为好,多种柴胡的茎叶含有上述三种成分。但含量较根部低,少数种未检出。     

Enhanced antioxidant bioactivity of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) products prepared using nanotechnology.

The traditional Chinese medicine, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), promotes blood circulation and relieves blood stasis, also demonstrating good antioxidant activity. In the present study, therefore, the antioxidant activities of medicinal plant materials prepared using nanotechnology or traditional grinding methods were compared using three biological assays. It was found that the nanotechnology preparation had stronger antioxidant bioactivities. Complementary quantitative analysis of four active constituents, salvianolic acid B, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA, by HPLC revealed only marked differences for salvianolic acid B. The results indicate that the polar active constituent in the nanotechnology samples was released faster compared to the traditionally powdered samples.     

十六种晋产北柴胡柴胡皂苷含量分析

本实验分别以高效液相色谱法和分光光度法测定了山西省十三个产地的16种北柴胡中柴胡皂苷a、d及柴胡总皂苷的含量.结果表明,在16种晋产北柴胡中,柴胡皂苷a的质量分数为0.038％～0.369％,柴胡皂苷d的质量分数为0.036％～0.681％,柴胡总皂苷的质量分数为0.354％～3.949％;12种晋产北柴胡中的柴胡皂苷a、10种中的柴胡皂苷d和13种中的柴胡总皂苷含量分别超过了0.1％、0.2％和1.0％.     

The Chinese medicine Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang inhibited proliferation of hepatoma cell lines by inducing apoptosis via G0/G1 arrest

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a Chinese herbal medicine, inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T) dose-dependently. The IC50s of BZYQT on the proliferation of Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T were 432.5+/-31.8 microg/ml, 455.4+/-24.2 microg/ml, and 2284.3+/-77.2 microg/ml respectively on day 3. However, BZYQT did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of normal human hepatocytes (Chang liver, CCL-13) at the concentration under 5,000 microg/ml. Major compounds of BZYQT, including astragaloside IV, ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, saikosaponin a and c, and glycyrrhizin, have been identified. To investigate the key inhibitors of BZYQT. Hep3B cells were treated with BZYQT, individual major compounds of BZYQT, and mixture of major compounds in the same ratio as present in BZYQT. Significant inhibition of proliferation was detected in BZYQT and its major compounds mixture in a comparable level. Not any individual major compound examined could suppress the proliferation of Hep3B cells. This data indicated that there could be synergistic or additive effects of the ingredients in BZYQT. BrdU incorporation, cell cycle analysis and DNA fragmentation assay revealed that BZYQT suppressed the proliferation of hepatoma cells via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of DNA synthesis followed by apoptosis.     

江苏宝华山区药用维管植物资源组成分析

为全面了解江苏宝华山区药用维管植物资源现状,依据“第四次全国中药资源普查”项目的要求,采用线路调查和样方调查相结合的方法,对该区域药用维管植物的种类组成、科属构成、生活型、濒危现状和中药学特征以及重点药用维管植物的资源状况进行了调查和分析。结果显示：宝华山区共有药用维管植物164科620属1089种(含种下等级),分别占江苏省药用维管植物科、属、种数的88.2%、87.3%、81.0%,其中,蕨类植物25科33属50种、裸子植物7科13属16种、被子植物132科574属1023种;在科属构成上均以包含单种和寡种的小科、小属为主。从该区域药用维管植物的生活型看,以草本最为丰富,有734种;乔木和灌木(含木质藤本)较少,分别有125和230种。从所在的植被类型看,阔叶林数量最多,其后依次为针阔混交林、灌草丛、人工植被,针叶林数量最少。从地理分布看,与同区域种子植物的地理分布特征基本吻合,具有亚热带向温带过渡的特点。从珍稀濒危状况看,该区域现存中国特有属14属、国家级珍稀濒危药用维管植物18种、江苏省省级保护药用维管植物32种。从中药材上看,有道地药材17种和重点药用维管植物130种,但各种类的数量总体上较少。从该区域药用维管植物的中药学特征看,在药用部位上以全草(株)类、根和根茎类较多,分别占总种数的44.2%和24.0%;在药性上以平性最多,占30.9%;在药味上以苦味最多,占40.0%;有毒的药用植物占12.9%,其中小毒种类最多。综合分析结果显示：宝华山区药用维管植物种类丰富,其中,道地药材占有一定比例,但重点药用维管植物数量有限且分布频度总体较低。根据上述调查结果,对宝华山区药用维管植物资源的保护和利用提出了一些建议。     

Analysis of low molecular weight compounds by MALDI-FTICR-MS

This review focuses on recent applications of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTICR-MS) in qualitative and quantitative analysis of low molecular weight compounds. The scope of the work includes amino acids, small peptides, mono and oligosaccharides, lipids, metabolic compounds, small molecule phytochemicals from medicinal herbs and even the volatile organic compounds from tobacco. We discuss both direct analysis and analysis following derivatization. In addition we review sample preparation strategies to reduce interferences in the low m/z range and to improve sensitivities by derivatization with charge tags. We also present coupling of head space techniques with MALDI-FTICR-MS. Furthermore, omics analyses based on MALDI-FTICR-MS were also discussed, including proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics, as well as the relative MS imaging for bio-active low molecular weight compounds. Finally, we discussed the investigations on dissociation/rearrangement processes of low molecular weight compounds by MALDI-FTICR-MS.     

西洋参与人参中人参皂甙含量的比较

采用ＴＬＣ和ＨＰＬＣ方法分析比较西洋参（Ｐａｎａｘ ｑｕｉｎｑｕｅｆｏｌｉｕｍ Ｌ．）、人参（Ｐ．ｇｉｎｓｅｎｇ Ｃ．Ａ．Ｍｅｙ．）及其加工品红参（ｒｅｄ ｇｉｎｓｅｎｇ）,以及不同规格的西洋参中人参皂甙的含量。结果表明,西洋参中人参皂甙总量及人参二醇型皂甙的含量明显高于人参及红参,且含有１种人参及红参中未发现的未知人参皂甙Ｒｘ,但不含人参及红参中含有的Ｒｆ;人参中人参二醇型皂甙的含量高于人参三醇     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of 112 traditional Chinese medicinal plants associated with anticancer

Cancer prevention and treatment using traditional Chinese medicines have attracted increasing interest. This study characterizes antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of traditional Chinese medicinal plants associated with anticancer, comprising 112 species from 50 plant families. The improved ABTS(*+) method was used to systematically assess the total antioxidant capacity (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, TEAC) of the medicinal extracts. The TEAC values and total phenolic content for methanolic extracts of herbs ranged from 46.7 to 17,323 micromol Trolox equivalent/100 g dry weight (DW), and from 0.22 to 50.3 g of gallic acid equivalent/100 g DW, respectively. A positive, significant linear relationship between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (all R(2) values>/=0.95) showed that phenolic compounds were the dominant antioxidant components in the tested medicinal herbs. Major types of phenolic compounds from most of the tested herbs were preliminarily identified and analyzed, and mainly included phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, lignans, quinones, stilbenes, and curcuminoids. These medicinal herbs exhibited far stronger antioxidant activity and contained significantly higher levels of phenolics than common vegetables and fruits. Traditional Chinese medicinal plants associated with anticancer might be potential sources of potent natural antioxidants and beneficial chemopreventive agents.