A LC-MS/MS method for the determination of stachyose in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A sensitive, simple and rapid analytical method based on a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spetrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been established and validated for the determination of stachyose in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Separation of stachyose and nystose (internal standard, IS) was achieved using acetonitrile-water (55:45, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min for 6 min on an Asahipak NH2P-50 4E column with an Asahipak NH2P-50G 4A guard column.

Preparation of co-spray dried cushioning agent containing stearic acid for protecting pellet coatings when compressed.

This study investigated the applicability of stearic acid as a co-adjuvant in cushioning agent formulated to prevent coat damage when compressing coated pellets. The co-processed and physical blended fillers were prepared by spray drying and physically blending, respectively, with filler ingredients consisting of stearic acid, microcrystalline cellulose, fully gelatinized starch, and corn starch. Pellets containing drug were produced by coating onto non-pariels a drug layer of metformin followed by a sustained-release layer.

Increased cardiac distribution of mono-PEGylated Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide in both myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion rats.

Although PEGylation plays an important role in drug delivery, knowledge about the distribution behavior of PEGylated drugs in ischemic myocardia is rather limited compared to nanoparticles. This work therefore aims to characterize the targeting behavior of the anti-myocardial ischemic mono-PEGylated conjugates of Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP) in two clinically relevant animal models, ie, the myocardial infarction (MI) model and the ischemia/reperfusion (IR) model. To determine the effect of the molecular size of conjugates, two representative conjugates (20- and 40-kDa polyethylene glycol mono-modified ROPs), with hydrodynamic size being approximately and somewhat beyond 10 nm, respectively, were studied in parallel at three time points postdose after a method for determining them quantitatively in biosamples was established.

[Application of factor analysis to evaluate deformation behaviors of frequently-used tablet excipients].

The present work is to investigate the correlation between physical properties and deformation behaviors of tablet excipients, and rank them according to their plastic performances during compaction. The excipients selected were compacted using Korsch XP1 after measuring their physical properties where the compression parameters for evaluating deformation behaviors were Heckle equation, compression work and elastic stretch in die. The correlations between compaction descriptors and physical parameters were analyzed by canonical correlation analysis, and factor analysis was simultaneously employed to synthetically assess deformation behaviors for all our samples.

Mono-PEGylated radix ophiopogonis polysaccharide for the treatment of myocardial ischemia.

This work aimed to improve the clinical application of Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP), a natural anti-myocardial ischemic fructan with Mw of 4.80 kDa, by mono-PEGylation. Three mono-PEGylated ROPs were prepared by a moderate coupling reaction between amino-terminated methoxy-PEG (20-, 30-, or 40-kDa) and excessive hydroxyl-activated ROP.

[Discrimination of traditional Chinese medicinal materials with different tastes based on electronic tongue].

Objective: To investigate the use of the electronic tongue in the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicinal materials with sour, bitter, sweet or salty tastes, and assess the possible application of the sensor in the evaluation of different tastes of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

Method: Aqueous extracts of 22 traditional Chinese medicinal materials were measured by the electronic tongue. The data collected with the tongue was evaluated for discrimination of the samples with multivariate statistical methods: principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant factor analysis (DFA).

A review of experimental research on herbal compounds in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease worldwide, leading to progressive muscle atrophy and paralysis. The limited success of conventional treatment for ALS has prompted investigations into complementary and alternative therapies. Herbal remedies provide good prospects of ALS prevention and treatment, with advantages such as multiple targets, multiple links, and few side effects.

[Characterization of flowability of pharmaceutical powders based on multivariate analysis method].

The main methods of characterizing the flowability of pharmaceutical powders include repose angle method, HR method, Carr's index method, Jenike flow function method, fractal dimension method, and mass flow rate method, etc. Regarding powders with different flowabilities as the research subject, comprehensive features of pharmaceutical materials were investigated and characterized. The multivariate analysis method was employed to evaluate and analyze flowability values of the tested pharmaceutical materials.

Comparison of the effects of fungal endophyte Gilmaniella sp. and its elicitor on Atractylodes lancea plantlets.

The effects of the endophytic fungus Gilmaniella sp. and its elicitor on the defense and metabolic responses of host plants Atractylodes lancea were investigated, in order to understand how to utilize endophytic fungi and their elicitor resources better. The results showed that the promotion effect of the fungus on the growth of host plantlets was much better than that of its elicitor.

[Multivariate analysis of relationships between material properties and hygroscopicity of Chinese medicine raw materials].

Material properties and hygroscopicity were determined. Principal component analysis and partial least squares regression were applied to evaluate relationships between material properties and hygroscopicity of Chinese medicine raw materials. The results showed that hygroscopicity was correlated with water content, particle size distribution, water soluble characteristic and cohesion.

MDG-1, a polysaccharide from Ophiopogon japonicus exerts hypoglycemic effects through the PI3K/Akt pathway in a diabetic KKAy mouse model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ophiopogon japonicus is a traditional Chinese medicine that might be helpful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have confirmed its beneficial properties, but not the mechanism of action.

Aim Of Study: In this study, we examined the effects of a water-soluble β-d-fructan (MDG-1) from O.

Characterization using LC/MS of the absorption compounds and metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of a single or mixed decoction of Shaoyao and Gancao.

Shaoyao-Gancao decoction (SGD), a traditional Chinese formulation containing Paeoniae Radix (SY) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (GC), is commonly used to relieve abdominal pain. However, the absorption and metabolites of the characteristic constituents of the two herbs in vivo have been reported rarely. The purpose of this study was to investigate the compatibility rationality and the mechanism of the enhanced efficiency of SGD.

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and metabolism of senkyunolide I, a major bioactive component in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae) is widely prescribed for treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China for centuries. One of the major bioactive components in L.

PEGylation for drug delivery to ischemic myocardium: pharmacokinetics and cardiac distribution of poly(ethylene glycol)s in mice with normal and ischemic myocardium.

PEGylation now plays an important role in drug delivery and is considered as the method of choice for improving the pharmacokinetics and stability of parenteral agents. However, its application in treating cardiac diseases is still limited. To guide the design of PEGylation for drug delivery to ischemic myocardium, the effects of the molecular weight of PEG and the myocardial ischemic conditions on PEG levels in plasma and myocardium were studied in this work following intravenous administration of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled 20- and 40-kDa mPEGs to mice with normal and ischemic myocardium.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of senkyunolide I in a rat model of migraine versus normal controls.

Senkyunolide I is an active ingredient of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, a Chinese medicinal herb commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular ailments. In the present paper, we describe the isolation and elucidation of senkyunolide I from the ethanol extract of Rhizoma Chuanxiong and its pharmacokinetic behavior after intravenous and oral administration to normal and migrainous rats. After intravenous administration, senkyunolide I was rapidly distributed (V ( z )/F 2.

[Pharmacokinetics of a long-circulating PEGylated Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide].

The pharmacokinetics of a long-circulating PEGylated Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP) was investigated in rats following i.v. or s.

Pharmacokinetics of characteristic effective ingredients from individual and combination Shaoyao and Gancao treatment in rats using HPLC fingerprinting.

Shaoyao-Gancao decoction, a traditional Chinese formulation composed of Paeoniae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix, is commonly used to relieve abdominal pain. In this paper, the compatibility rationality of this decoction was investigated. Shaoyao-Gancao decoction, Shaoyao decoction and Gancao decoction were orally administered to rats, respectively.

Comparison of tissue distribution of a PEGylated Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide in mice with normal and ischemic myocardium.

PEGylation was found to be a promising approach to improve the anti-myocardial ischemic activity of Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP) by prolonging its retention in plasma. To fully evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this strategy, the tissue distribution of PEGylated ROP was investigated in this study. A long-circulating and bioactive PEGylated ROP with 1.

Hypoglycemic effects of MDG-1, a polysaccharide derived from Ophiopogon japonicas, in the ob/ob mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ophiopogon japonicus is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat diabetes mellitus. We investigate the anti-ischemic properties of a water-soluble β-D-fructan (MDG-1) from O. japonicus, and assess the antidiabetic effects of MDG-1.

Magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of treatment response of gamma knife for brain tumors.

Objective: To review the applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in assessing treatment response to gamma knife radiosurgery for brain tumors.

Data Sources: Published articles about assessing treatment response to gamma knife radiosurgery for brain tumors were selected using PubMed. The search terms were "MRI", "gamma knife" and "brain tumors".

[Pharmacokinetics study on characteristic ingredients of different-dose herbs of shaoyao-gancao decoction].

The paper is to report the observation of pharmacokinetic changes of the characteristic ingredients in the combinations of different-dose herbs of Shaoyao-Gancao decoction. After the establishment of HPLC analytical method of plasma effective constituents, rats were orally administered with different-dose herbs of Shaoyao-Gancao decoction. Blood samples at different times after administering these decoctions were collected, and then were analyzed by HPLC fingerprints technology.

Effect and mechanism of senkyunolide I as an anti-migraine compound from Ligusticum chuanxiong.

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic and anti-migraine activities of senkyunolide I from Ligusticum chuanxiong.

Methods: Mice were orally administered various doses of senkyunolide I, and their pain levels were assessed in a hot-plate test and by application of acetic acid. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in plasma and brain were assessed, and the monoamine turnover rates (5-HT/5-HTP, 5-HIAA/5-HT and NE/DA) were also calculated.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide conjugates: preparation, characterization, pharmacokinetics and in vitro bioactivity.

Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP), a natural graminan-type fructan with Mw of ∼5kDa, had been found to have an excellent anti-myocardial ischemic activity. However, its rapid renal excretion following administration remarkably limits its efficacy and clinical use, which makes necessary the development of an effective delivery system. In this article, the feasibility of PEGylation to solve this problem was examined.

[Study on the preparation of sustained-release pellets containing active components from Gastrodia elata by fluid-bed coating].

Objective: To study the formulation of sustained-release pellets containing active components from Gastrodia elata by coating in the fluid-bed.

Methods: The sustained-release pellets were prepared with Eudragit RS 100. The formulation was optimized by the direct comparison.