Ethnopharmacology of five flowers herbal tea, a popular traditional beverage in Hong Kong and South China.

Background: It has been a long-standing tradition of using herbal tea for preventive and therapeutic healthcare in Hong Kong and South China and Five Flowers Tea is one of the most popular herbal teas. Based on the principle of traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacological functions are to clear heat and dispel dampness in the body. Heat and dampness are thought to contribute to a range of health problems, especially during the hot and humid season in South China and Hong Kong.

Structures and Chemotaxonomic Significance of Stemona Alkaloids from Stemona japonica.

A pair of new alkaloid stereo-isomers, stemocochinin (1) and isostemocochinin (2), was obtained from the roots of Stemona japonica Miq., along with seven known alkaloids, stemonamine (3), isostemonamine (4), maistemonine (5), isomaistemonine (6), croomine (7), stemonine (8), and protostemonine (9). The complete structure and stereochemistry of the pair of isomers were established by extensive analysis of the spectral data.

Simultaneous quantification of six alkaloid components from commercial stemonae radix by solid phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector.

Background: Stemonae radix has been applied in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Alkaloids are the main active ingredient in stemonae radix, so their composition and concentration levels are directly linked to clinic effects.

Objective: The objective was to develop an analytical method with multiple markers for quality survey of commercial stemonae radix.

[Identification of elephantopi herba and its adulterants by LM/SEM observation and TLC scanning].

Objective: To provide identification basis for distinguishing Elephantopi Herba and its adulterants.

Methods: Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thin layer chromatography scanning (TLCS) methods were used to identify Didancao (Elephantopus scaber) and its adulterants Baihuadidancao (Elephantopus mollis) and Jiadidancao (Pseudelephantopus spicatus).

Results: Based on the microscopic features and TLC profiles, the commercial Didancao samples retailed in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau markets were identified as Elephantopus scaber.

Epibisde-hydro-neotuberostemonine J.

The title compound, C22H29NO4, a stemona alkaloid, is composed of two lactone rings (A and E), a six-membered ring (B), a pyrrole ring (C) and a seven-membered ring (D). The five-membered rings A and E exhibit envelope conformations (C atoms as flaps) while ring C is planar. Ring B exhibits a twist-chair conformation due to fusion with pyrrole ring C while ring D adopts a chair conformation.

Molecular identification and cytotoxicity study of herbal medicinal materials that are confused by Aristolochia herbs.

Herbal materials derived from Aristolochia species contain carcinogenic aristolochic acids (AAs) and have been used as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) or adulterants of other TCMs. The purpose of this study is to identify the TCMs Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Akebiae Caulis, Aucklandia Radix and Aristolochiae Fructus by sequencing the matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF DNA regions. The cytotoxicities of AAs and these TCMs were also studied in COS-7 and HEK-293 cells.

Evaluation of seven DNA barcodes for differentiating closely related medicinal Gentiana species and their adulterants.

Background: Species identification of living organisms by standard DNA sequences has been well-accepted. Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) recommends chloroplast regions rbcL and matK as the DNA barcodes for the land plants. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and limitations of rbcL, matK, and 5 other commonly used regions as the DNA barcodes for the medicinal Gentiana and their adulterants, Gentiana.

Phylogeny of the Asian Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Spermacoceae, Rubiaceae): evidence for high levels of polyphyly and the parallel evolution of diplophragmous capsules.

Generic delimitation in the Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex has a long taxonomically confused history because of the controversy of lumping or splitting these two taxa. Previous morphological and phylogenetic studies with a paucity of Asian taxa suggested that Hedyotis should include only Asian species characterized by diplophragmous capsules. In order to test the reliability of this conclusion, assess the phylogenetic value of capsular characters, and evaluate generic circumscriptions in this complex, a phylogenetic study based on expanded inclusion of 63 Asian species was performed using two nuclear regions and eight plastid regions with parsimony and likelihood analyses.

Edible bird's nests--how do the red ones get red?

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Red edible bird's nests are regarded as of higher beneficial value for health and hence fetch a higher price than the white ones. Their red colour remains a myth.

Aim Of The Study: To determine if white edible bird's nests can turn red by vapours generated from sodium nitrite in acidic conditions and by vapours from 'bird soil'.

Antiangiogenic effects and mechanisms of trans-ethyl p-methoxycinnamate from Kaempferia galanga L.

Kaempferia galanga L. (Zingiberaceae) is an aromatic herb and a popular spice used as a condiment in Asian cuisine. The ethanol extract of the dried plant and its successive four subfractions were investigated on zebrafish model by quantitative endogenous alkaline phosphatase assay.

Identification of Baiying (Herba Solani Lyrati) commodity and its toxic substitute Xungufeng (Herba Aristolochiae Mollissimae) using DNA barcoding and chemical profiling techniques.

Baiying derived from Solanum lyratum Hance is a commonly consumed natural product for ethnomedical treatment of cancer. One of the substitutes present in the market is a carcinogenic aristolochic acids-containing herb Xungufeng derived from Aristolochia mollissima Thunb. The purpose of this study is to establish DNA barcodes, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and cytotoxicity assay to differentiate Baiying from Xungufeng.

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Aconitum Alkaloids in Raw and Processed Chuanwu and Caowu by HPLC in Combination with Automated Analytical System and ESI/MS/MS.

HPLC in combination with automated analytical system and ESI/MS/MS was used to analyze aconitine (A), mesaconitine (MA), hypaconitine (HA), and their benzoyl analogs in the Chinese herbs Caowu and Chuanwu. First, an HPLC method was developed and validated to determine A, MA, and HA in raw and processed Caowu and Chuanwu. Then an automated analytical system and ESI/MS/MS were applied to analyze these alkaloids and their semihydrolyzed products.

Anti-angiogenic effects and mechanisms of zerumin A from Alpinia caerulea.

Alpinia caerulea (R.Br.) Bentham, a perennial herb growing in tropical and subtropical Australia, is used as a flavouring spice and a ginger substitute.

Tuberostemoamide hemihydrate.

In the crystal structure of the title compound {systematic name: (1'S,2R,2'R,3'S,6'R)-3'-ethyl-4-methyl-5H-5'-oxa-10'-aza-spiro-[furan-2,4'-tricyclo-[8.3.0.

Forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) for the authentication of Chinese medicinal materials.

Chinese medicinal materials may be authenticated by molecular identification. As a definitive approach to molecular identification of medicinal materials, forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) comprises four steps, namely (1) DNA extraction from biological samples, (2) selection and amplification of a specific DNA fragment, (3) determination of the sequence of the amplified DNA fragment and (4) cladistic analysis of the sample DNA sequence against a DNA database. Success of the FINS identification depends on the selection of DNA region and reference species.

Anti-angiogenic effect and mechanism of rhein from Rhizoma Rhei.

Purpose: Rhein is a major bioactive component in rhubarb (Dahuang), a famous traditional Chinese medicine derived from the rhizome of Rheum palmatum and related species. It was reported to have antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Our previous studies found rhein displaying potent anti-angiogenic activities in a zebrafish embryo model.

Molecular analyses of the Chinese herb Leigongteng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f.).

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f., known as Leigongteng (Thunder God Vine) in traditional Chinese medicine, has attracted much attention for its applications in relieving autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and for treating cancer.

Anti-angiogenic effects of the fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla.

Aim Of Study: The fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla, an herb commonly used in East Asian medicine, is variously used for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory conditions, which may possibly be mediated through anti-angiogenesis. This study aims to check for anti-angiogenic functions in the herb.

Materials And Methods: The 95% ethanol extract and four subsequent fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions) of the fruit of A.

Alcoholysis of naturally occurring imides: misleading interpretation of antifungal activities.

The frequent presence of the sulfur-containing amide penangin (10) in leaf extracts of Glycosmis species turned out to be the result of decomposition of imides generated by extraction and storage in MeOH. Reinvestigation of Glycosmis mauritiana and G. cf.

An integrated web medicinal materials DNA database: MMDBD (Medicinal Materials DNA Barcode Database).

Background: Thousands of plants and animals possess pharmacological properties and there is an increased interest in using these materials for therapy and health maintenance. Efficacies of the application is critically dependent on the use of genuine materials. For time to time, life-threatening poisoning is found because toxic adulterant or substitute is administered.

Cardiocrinum seeds as a replacement for Aristolochia fruits in treating cough.

Aim Of The Study: The antitussive Chinese herb Madouling derived from Aristolochia species is banned due to aristolochic acid-induced nephropathy. A substitute is found dispensed as Madouling in Taiwan. This study aims to determine the source plant and verify the antitussive properties of the Madouling substitute used in Taiwan.

Antitussive and central respiratory depressant effects of Stemona tuberosa.

Aims Of The Study: Stemona alkaloids with distinctly different chemical skeletons are recently reported as the active components in the antitussive herb Baibu derived from the root-tubers of Stemona tuberosa. This study aims to determine if alkaloids of this herb contribute equally to the antitussive functions, act on the same sites of cough reflex, and play any role in inducing central respiratory depressant effects.

Materials And Methods: Antitussive potency of four major alkaloids was evaluated on guinea pigs with citric acid aerosol to induce cough.

Patent applications for using DNA technologies to authenticate medicinal herbal material.

Herbal medicines are used in many countries for maintaining health and treating diseases. Their efficacy depends on the use of the correct materials, and life-threatening poisoning may occur if toxic adulterants or substitutes are administered instead. Identification of a medicinal material at the DNA level provides an objective and powerful tool for quality control.

Development and validation of a rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of aconite alkaloids in aconite roots.

Introduction: Aconites, with aconite alkaloids as the major therapeutic and toxic components, are used for the treatment of analgesic, antirheumatic and neurological symptoms. Quantification of the aconite alkaloids is important for the quality control of aconite-containing drugs.

Objective: To establish a validated capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for the simultaneous determination of six major alkaloids, namely aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine and benzoylhypaconine, in crude and processed aconite roots.

Fish-induced keriorrhea.

Many deep-sea fishes store large amounts of wax esters in their body for buoyancy control. Some of them are frequently caught as by-catch of tuna and other fishes. The most noteworthy ones include escolar and oilfish.