Chinese Herbal Medicines

Effects of Raphani Semen on anti-fatigue and pharmacokinetics of Panax ginseng Publication date: Available online 14 May 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Jian-bo Chen, Mei-jia Li, Li-xue Chen, Yin-shi Sun Abstract Objective To explain the phenomenon that Panax ginseng is not compatible with Raphani Semen based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Methods The forced swimming time and biochemical parameters such as blood lactate (BLA), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), and hepatic glycogen (GLU) were determined for anti-fatigue experiment. The UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the pharmacokinetics of Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd after orally administration of P. ginseng and P. ginseng combined with Raphani Semen to rats. Pharmacokinetic differences of four ginsenosides between single uses of P. ginseng and combined with Raphani Semen were investigated. Results The results showed that Raphani Semen tended to significantly reduce the anti-fatigue activity of P. ginseng. Co-administration of P. ginseng and Raphani Semen had significant effects on the pharmacokinetics of the four ginsenosides in rats compared to that observed with P. ginseng extract alone. The AUC0–12 h values of the four ginsenosides in PG group were higher than the corresponding values in the PR group. It can be inferred that Raphani Semen decreased the blood exposure of the four ginsenosides in rats when it combined with P. ginseng. Conclusion The anti-fatigue activity and pharmacokinetic results showed that Raphani Semen may reduce the pharmacological actions of P. ginseng.

Towards a scientific rationale for traditional properties of Chinese medicinal plants: "natures" and "flavors" Publication date: Available online 14 May 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Li-ping Li, Ben-gang Zhang, Zhao Zhang, Xiao-jin Li, Guo-ping Wang, Hai-long Song, Cong-zhao Fan, Yang-ming Jiang, Tuo Wang, Hui-hui Zhao, Wei-hong Cui, Jiang-shan Lai, Xiu-lian Chi, Xue-ping Wei, Chong-ming Wu, Yao-dong Qi, Hai-tao Liu, Pei-gen Xiao, Eimear Nic Lughadha, Christine J. Leon Abstract Objective According to theory of Chinese medicine property, the ecological environment shapes properties (natures and flavors) of Chinese materia medica (CMM) and there are close relationships between natures and flavors. However, to date these observations have not been validated scientifically in the context of the whole flora of a region. The present study aims to address this gap. Methods We collected geographical distributions of 3637 vascular plant species native to the Xinjiang region of northwest China, of which around 812 are medicinal plants. The CMM property characters of these medicinal plants were also collected. All medicinal plants were then analyzed in the occurrence of their natures (cold, cool, neutral, warm, and hot) and flavors (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and pungent). Possible correlations between these properties and environmental factors, notably climate, as well as correlations with plant species richness of the wider native flora of Xinjiang were then investigated using permutation test and regression. Results Cold species (38.5%) were more numerous than warm (21.0%) and neutral (22.3%), while bitter species (43.3%) were more numerous than pungent (25.6%), sweet (22.4%) and sour (6.7%) ones. Species with bitter flavor were most commonly also cold (48.6%) in nature, sour flavor usually coincided with cold (44.2%) or cool nature (26.0%), whereas pungent or sweet species tended to be warm (34.4%, 28.4%) or neutral (27.8%, 28.4%). The percentages of species of cold/cool nature, bitter flavor were higher in mountainous regions, and the percentages of warm/neutral and pungent/sweet/sour were higher in basins. The percentages of species of bitter, cold/cool were positively correlated with actual evapotranspiration (AET), plant species richness and had a bell-shaped relationship with potential evapotranspiration (PET), whereas the inverse situation was shown for warm/neutral and pungent/sweet/sour species. Conclusion Analysis of the data in Xinjiang region of China supports the qualitative observations concerning natures and flavors in traditional theory of Chinese medicine property. Specifically, (i) certain natures and flavors co-occur more frequently than if randomly distributed; (ii) correlations between proportions of natures and flavors and climatic variables suggest a role for the environment in shaping the properties of CMM.

Research and application of Alpinia officinarum in medicinal field Publication date: Available online 6 April 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Ping Ding, Li Yang, Chong Feng, Jian-chun Xian Abstract Alpinia officinarum is a medicinal plant and food. Its dried rhizome has been widely used for the relief of symptoms such as stomach aches, colds, ulcer and diarrhea for hundreds of years. Recent pharmacological studies showed it has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, anti-diarrhea, antiemetic, analgesia, anticoagulation, antitumor and antivitiligo effects. In this study, we summarized the current knowledge about its botanical resources, ethanopharmacological function, chemical constituents, pharmacologies and pharmacokinetics, safety and toxicity, and clinical application.

Non-Camellia Tea in China: Traditional usage, phytochemistry, and pharmacology Publication date: Available online 5 April 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Kai Ren, Bi-qun Han, Li-juan Lv, Guo-jun Zhang, Lu-jing Lei, Xiao-rong Bai, Pei-gen Xiao, Min-hui Li Abstract Non-Camellia Tea, as an integral part of Chinese tea culture for several centuries, is important to prevent chronic metabolic diseases. However, it was not systematically studied until academician Pei-gen Xiao defined it. Hereby, Non-Camellia Tea was reviewed systematically in definition, classification, traditional functions, chemical compositions, and pharmacology.

Applications of Pueraria lobata in treating diabetics and reducing alcohol drinking Publication date: Available online 5 April 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Jing Liu, Yeu-Ching Shi, David Yue-Wei Lee Abstract Pueraria lobata is one of the most important medicinal herbs used traditionally in China. According to Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Disease), it has been used traditionally to relieve body heat, eye soring, dry mouth, headache associated with high blood pressure, and stiff neck problems. Modern studies in the 1970s revealed that isoflavonoids extracted from P. lobata were the bioactive components of an herbal remedy namely Yufeng Ningxin Tablets for the treatment of patients after stroke. This article reviews recent application of P. lobota in the treatment of diabetics and in reducing alcohol drinking. In view of its low toxicity profile, P. lobota stands an excellent chance to be developed as a phytomedicine for treating human diseases.

Research and application of Portulaca oleracea in pharmaceutical area Publication date: Available online 5 April 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Di Chen, Jun-na Yao, Ting Liu, Hai-yan Zhang, Rao-rao Li, Zhi-jie Zhang, Xue-zhu Gu Abstract Portulaca oleracea, a plant species used as medicine and food, is widely spread in most areas of China. It is also a popular food in some Europe and Mediterranean countries. Purslane contains a variety of chemical constituents with pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory activities. It is also full of plenty of nutrients serving as a diet food or healthy food. Here we reviewed purslane in the following aspects: botanical resources, ethnopharmacological function, chemical constituents, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, safety evaluation and toxicity, and clinical applications.

Discrimination of toxic ingredient between raw and processed Pinellia ternata by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS with principal component analysis and T-test Publication date: Available online 21 March 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Xing-ying Zhai, Ling Zhang, Bing-tao Li, Yu-lin Feng, Guo-liang Xu, Hui Ouyang, Shi-lin Yang, Chen Jin Abstract Objective To investigate the toxicity difference between raw and processed Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia in Chinese, BX), the rhizoma of Pinellia ternata, from the view of chemical composition. Methods Sixteen samples of raw and processed BX were prepared and analyzed by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS. The discrimination (chemical marker) between the two group was investigated by principal component analysis (PCA) and T-test analysis. According to the accurate charge-to-mass ratio, MS/MS fragments, and comparison of corresponding data with the reference or database, the chemical markers were identified preliminarily. Results Liquiritin, liquiritigenin, and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were identified as the characteristic markers. The reducing of LPC in processed BX was one of the main reasons for detoxification because LPC could induce the inflammatory response; Liquiritin and liquiritigenin showed the anti-inflammatory effect and reduced liver injury, therefore the appearance of them in processed BX was an another reason for detoxification. Conclusion An approach to explain the mechanisms of reducing the toxicity in medicinal plants by processing was proposed. Moreover, the chemical markers of toxicity could be used to differentiate the raw material from processed herbs for the quality control and safety application in clinical practice.

Metabolic profiling of icaritin in rats using UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS Publication date: Available online 21 March 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Tong Wang, Xin-chi Feng, Li-qin Ding, Kun Wang, Xu-liu Shi, Li-wei Chai, Yang Li, Feng Qiu Abstract Objective To identify the in vivo metabolites of icaritin and speculate its metabolic profiling in rats. Methods The plasma, bile, urine, and feces of rats were collected after orally administration of icaritin at a dose of 100 mg/kg and detected by an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS) in both positive and negative modes. The data of treated and control groups were compared and analyzed with the aid of Metabolynx XS software. Results A total of 25 metabolites were identified in the biosamples, and 14 of them were reported for the first time to our knowledge. Conclusion The main metabolite types of icaritin in rats were glucuronide conjugation, methylation, hydroxylation, reduction, and acetylation.

Ginsenoside Rd improves behavioral impairment of rats with acute plateau status by modulating synaptic plasticity Publication date: Available online 11 March 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Yun Li, Hong-bo Luo, Xiang-qun Shi, Chun-sheng Xi, Jian-kui Guo, Li Cao, Zhao Liu Abstract Objective To investigate the protective effect of ginsenoside Rd on the improvement of the behavior and synaptic plasticity in rats with acute plateau status. Methods A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and the intervention group, with 20 rats in each group. The model was established in low-pressure oxygen chamber simulating the plateau, and the intervention group was administered with ginsenoside. Electron microscope was used to observe synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 area, and analyze the structural parameters on the Gray I synaptic interface. Morris water maze and Y electric maze experiment were used for behavioral detection. Results Compared with the control group, the number of electrical stimulation required for rat to avoid was increased in the model group, the latency in the Morris water maze was prolonged, the swimming distance was increased, and the frequency of crossing the platform was decreased. Under the electron microscope, the synaptic cleft was increased, the length of the synaptic active area was shorter, the postsynaptic density (PSD) was thinner, the flat synapse was increased, and the concave and perforated types were significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the number of electrical stimulation required for rat to avoid was decreased in the intervention group, the latency in the Morris water maze was shortened, the swimming distance was decreased, and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased. Under the electron microscope, the synaptic cleft was decreased, PSD was thicker, the flat synapse was decreased, and the concave and perforated types were increased. Conclusion Low pressure and low oxygen environment of plateau damages the plasticity changes of the synaptic structure and function. And to a certain extent, ginsenoside Rd reverses Gray I synaptic interface structure parameters, so as to improve the behavior performance of model rats at high altitude condition.

A guinea pig model of Ciwujia Injection-induced anaphylaxis for allergic substance screening Publication date: Available online 9 March 2019 Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines Author(s): Yu-fei Feng, Zhong-xu Jing, Yan-yan Zhang, Shao-wa Lv, Qing-xia Guan, Zhi-xin Yang, Rui Wang, Yan-hong Wang Abstract Objective Though especially efficient for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases treatment, many serious anaphylactic diseases could be induced by Ciwujia Injection (CWJI). However, study of the mechanism and detection of allergies have been investigated by the unknown sources of allergenic substances. In this study, a guinea pig model which could mimic the symptoms of anaphylactic reactions induced by Ciwujia Injection (CWJI) was modeled and used to screen the allergenic substance of CWJI. Methods Guinea pigs were sensitized three times every other day with CWJI and excitated 14 d after the last sensitization administration. Then, the histamine, trypsin, IL-4 and IFN-γ levels, and the Annexin V positive rate of peritoneal mast cells (PMC) were detected, the numbers of B lymphocyte and the pathological changes were also analyzed to verify the guinea pig allergy model, PCA test and IgE antibody levels were determined to study the mechanism. Results The levels of total IgE, histamine, and trypsin were significantly increased after CWJI sensitization, IL-4 level was elevated, Annexin V positive of PMC cell rate, local skin reactions, and declined IFN-γ were observed after excitation. Histological examination showed that mild pathological changes in lungs were found. Conclusion This guinea pig model may provide a powerful tool to study the mechanism in CWJI induced anaphylaxis and screen the allergic source of CWJI.

Alexandros Sfakianakis
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