Fuzzy identification of bioactive components for different efficacies of rhubarb by the back propagation neural network association analysis of UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and integrated effects.

Background: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (rhubarb), as one of the typical representatives of multi-effect traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), has been utilized in the treatment of various diseases due to its multicomponent nature. However, there are few systematic investigations for the corresponding effect of individual components in rhubarb. Hence, we aimed to develop a novel strategy to fuzzily identify bioactive components for different efficacies of rhubarb by the back propagation (BP) neural network association analysis of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for every data (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and integrated effects.

Study on changes in pigment composition during the blooming period of safflower based on plant metabolomics and semi-quantitative analysis.

Red and yellow pigments are the major ingredients of safflower, often used to color food and cosmetics. Carthamin was the main component of red pigment and hydroxysafflor yellow A and anhydrosafflower yellow B were representative components of yellow pigment. Plant metabolomics and semi-quantitative analysis were used to analyze the changes of pigment composition during the blooming period, especially these characteristic components.

Studies on blood enrichment and anti-tumor effects of combined Danggui Buxue Decoction, Fe and rhEPO based on colon cancer-related anemia model and gut microbiota modulation.

Colon cancer-related anemia (CCRA) is mainly caused by systemic inflammation, intestinal bleeding, iron deficiency and chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in colon cancer. However, the best therapeutic schedule and related mechanism on CCRA were still uncertain. Studies on blood enrichment and anti-tumor effects of combined Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), Fe and rhEPO based on CCRA and gut microbiota modulation were conducted in this paper.

Comparatively Evaluating the Role of Herb Pairs Containing Angelicae Sinensis Radix in Xin-Sheng-Hua Granule by Withdrawal Analysis.

The present study aims to investigate the roles of herb pairs containing Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) in Xin-Sheng-Hua Granule (XSHG) on hemolytic and aplastic anemia (HAA) mice. HAA model mice were induced by acetyl phenylhydrazine and cyclophosphamide; then the samples of XSHG and its decomposed recipes (DY, DC, DT, DH, DJ, and DZ) were orally administrated to these mice. Indicators of peripheral blood routine, organ index, and ATPase activities were tested.

Integration of organ metabolomics and proteomics in exploring the blood enriching mechanism of Danggui Buxue Decoction in hemorrhagic anemia rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), as a classical Chinese medicine prescription, is composed of Danggui (DG) and Huangqi (HQ) at a ratio of 1:5, and it has been used clinically in treating anemia for hundreds of years.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to explore the treatment mechanisms of DBD in anemia rats from the perspective of thymus and spleen.

Materials And Methods: In this study, a successful hemorrhagic anemia model was established, and metabolomics (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) and proteomics (label-free approach) together with bioinformatics (Gene Ontology analysis and Reactome pathway enrichment), correlation analysis (pearson correlation matrix) and joint pathway analysis (MetaboAnalyst) were employed to discover the underlying mechanisms of DBD.

Analysis and evaluation of nucleosides, nucleobases, and amino acids in safflower from different regions based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry.

Safflower has both medicinal and edible values but research on its nutrient composition is still lacking. This study was established for the quantitative determination of 28 nucleosides, nucleobases, and amino acids based on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry. Analysis of 30 batches of safflower from different producing areas indicated that the contents of l-proline, l-asparagine, l(+)-arginine, l-serine, l-histidine, uracil, guanosine, and uridine was high in safflower.

Gut microbiota modulation with traditional Chinese medicine: A system biology-driven approach.

With the development of system biology, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is drawing more and more attention nowadays. However, there are still many enigmas behind this ancient medical system because of the arcane theory and complex mechanism of actions. In recent decades, advancements in genome sequencing technologies, bioinformatics and culturomics have led to the groundbreaking characterization of the gut microbiota, a 'forgotten organ', and its role in host health and disease.

Comparative analysis of the main active constituents from different parts of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. and from different regions in China by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid, sensitive and convenient analytical method of ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTRAP®/MS) was proposed for the simultaneous determination of characteristic alkaline and acidic components covering many structure types including alkaloids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids in Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJ). The proposed method was first reported and validated by assessing the matrix effects, linearity, limit of detections, limit of quantifications, precision, repeatability, stability and recovery of target components.

The Comprehensive Evaluation of Safflowers in Different Producing Areas by Combined Analysis of Color, Chemical Compounds, and Biological Activity.

In the present study, a new strategy including the combination of external appearance, chemical detection, and biological analysis was proposed for the comprehensive evaluation of safflowers in different producing areas. Firstly, 40 batches of safflower samples were classified into class I and II based on color measurements and K-means clustering analysis. Secondly, a rapid and sensitive analytical method was developed for simultaneous quantification of 16 chromaticity-related characteristic components (including characteristic components hydroxysafflor yellow A, anhydrosafflor yellow B, safflomin C, and another 13 flavonoid glycosides) in safflowers by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTRAP/MS).

An integrated metabolomics strategy to reveal dose-effect relationship and therapeutic mechanisms of different efficacy of rhubarb in constipation rats.

The ambiguity of dose-effect relationship of many traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) has always influenced their rational use in TCM clinic. Rhubarb, a preferred representative of cathartic TCM, is currently widely used that results in a diversity of its dosage. The aim of this study was to use an integrated metabolomics strategy to simultaneously reveal dose-effect relationship and therapeutic mechanisms of different efficacy of rhubarb in constipation rats.

A Ferulic Acid Derivative FXS-3 Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells via Positive JNK Signaling Pathway and Negative ERK/p38, AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK Signaling Pathways.

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies and is an increasing cause of cancer-related deaths. In our previous study, a series of ferulic acid (FA) derivatives were designed and synthesized; they exhibited positive anti-cancer activities, especially for a compound labelled FXS-3. In this study, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed, wherein it revealed the inhibitory effect of FXS-3 on the proliferation and metastasis of human lung cancer A549 cells.

Elucidating dosage-effect relationship of different efficacy of rhubarb in constipation model rats by factor analysis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (rhubarb), as the preferred representative of cathartic drugs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of medicinal use and multifarious functions that produce a wide range of dosage. In modern times, rhubarb and its prescriptions are not only used to treat common clinical diseases, but also achieve good results in the treatment of acute, dangerous, severe and difficult diseases. However, rhubarb also has an alias called "General", which means that its efficacy is relatively rapid.

Studies of the Anti-amnesic Effects and Mechanisms of Single and Combined Use of Donepezil and Ginkgo Ketoester Tablet on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice.

Ginkgo ketoester tablets (GT) and donepezil were a clinically used combination for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was undertaken to investigate the antiamnesic effects of the two drugs alone and in combination through models of the Morris water maze along with antioxidants, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The potential mechanisms were speculated by the activities of acetylcholine (ACh), AChE, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine protein kinase B (TrkB).

A network pharmacology approach to investigate the blood enriching mechanism of Danggui buxue Decoction.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Danggui buxue Decoction (DBD) has been frequently used to treat with blood deficiency, which consisted of Danggui (DG) and Huangqi (HQ) at a ratio of 1:5. Accumulating evidence showed that blood deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was similar to anemia in modern medicine.

Aim Of The Study: The purpose of this study was to explore its therapeutic mechanism of with network pharmacology approach.

Simultaneous optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of antioxidant and anticoagulation activities of compounds from Houtt. by response surface methodology.

Houtt. is a herbaceous annual of the Lamiaceae family with pantropical distribution; it is called motherwort in China. It plays important roles in anticoagulation and antioxidation.

Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Approach to Explain Possible Action Mechanisms of Xin-Sheng-Hua Granule for Treating Anemia.

As a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, Xin-Sheng-Hua Granule (XSHG) has been applied in China for more than 30 years to treat postpartum diseases, especially anemia. However, underlying therapeutic mechanisms of XSHG for anemia were still unclear. In this study, plasma metabolomics profiling with UHPLC-QTOF/MS and multivariate data method was firstly analyzed to discover the potential regulation mechanisms of XSHG on anemia rats induced by bleeding from the orbit.

[Comparative study on promoting blood effects of Danshen-Honghua herb pair with different preparations based on chemometrics and multi-attribute comprehensive index methods].

To evaluate the promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis effects of Danshen-Honghua(DH) herb pair with different preparations (alcohol, 50% alcohol and water) on blood rheology and coagulation functions in acute blood stasis rats, and optimize the best preparation method of DH based on principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster heatmap analysis and multi-attribute comprehensive index methods. Ice water bath and subcutaneous injection of adrenaline were both used to establish the acute blood stasis rat model. Then the blood stasis rats were administrated intragastrically with DH (alcohol, 50% alcohol and water) extracts.

Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Seven Major Bio-Active Components in Normal and Blood Stasis Rats after Oral Administration of Herb Pair Danggui-Honghua by UPLC-TQ/MS.

The compatibility between Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Honghua (Carthami Flos) is a known herb pair, which could activate blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis effects. In this paper, we quantified seven main bio-active components (hydroxysafflor yellow A, caffeic acid, -coumaric acid, kaempferol-3--rutinoside, ferulic acid, 3--butylphthalide, and ligustilide) in plasma samples in vivo by UPLC-TQ/MS method and investigatedwhether the pharmacokinetic (PK) behaviors of the seven components could be altered in blood stasis rats after oral administration of the Gui-Hong extracts. It was found that the and of these components in blood stasis rats had increasing tendency compared with normal rats.

Comparatively evaluating the pharmacokinetic of fifteen constituents in normal and blood deficiency rats after oral administration of Xin-Sheng-Hua Granule by UPLC-MS/MS.

Xin-Sheng-Hua Granule (XSHG), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription, are clinically applied for the treatment of postpartum disease through nourishing blood and promoting blood circulation. In this investigation, a multi-constituents (trigonelline, stachydrine hydrochloride, hydroxysafflor yellow A, chlorogenic acid, amygdalin, leonurine, liquiritin, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, glycyrrhizic acid, senkyunolide A, ligustilide, butylidenephthalide and glycyrrhetinic acid) pharmacokinetic study of XSHG was conducted for the first time. These fifteen constituents in both normal and blood deficiency rat plasma were monitored by using the established and validated ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-MS/MS) method.

Comparative analysis of main bio-active components in the herb pair Danshen-Honghua and its single herbs by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive, reliable, and powerful ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous quantification of the 15 main bio-active components including phenolic acids and flavonoids within 13 min for the first time. The proposed method was first reported and validated by good linearity (r  > 0.9975), limit of detection (1.

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A and Anhydrosafflor Yellow B in Safflower Series of Herb Pairs Using Prep-HPLC and a Selective Knock-Out Approach.

The flower of L. (Carthami Flos, safflower), important in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is known for treating blood stasis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease in clinical and experimental studies. It is widely accepted that hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) and anhydrosafflor yellow B (ASYB) are the major bioactive components of many formulae comprised of safflower.

[Research on Chinese medicine pairs (IV)--Their compatibility effects].

Chinese medicine pairs (CMP) are specific compatibility with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory as principle, which was formed on basis of effect and treatment theory of TCM. The compatibility of CMP can enhance the effect, or reduce the toxicity. So, compatibility effects of CMP were studied from different pharmacology levels including animals, tissues and organs, cell and molecular levels, their synergy and compatibility attenuation were also evaluated with monomer component-component (group) compatibility-single herb-CMP-formulae as the main line, and the action mechanisms were investigated, all of which can provide scientific basis for the clinical applications of CMP and creation of TCM new drugs.

[Study on evaluation system for gynecological disease model characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome with female SD rats].

Objective: To establish an evaluation system for animal model with gynecological disease characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, in order to disprove syndrome characteristics of the model by classic clinical prescriptions, and evaluate the specificity and reliability of the model with macroscopic biological signs and symptoms.

Method: The model characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome was established by injecting adrenaline into female SD rats and conducting unpredictable chronic stimulus such as reversal of day and night, swimming in cold water, thermal stimulation in oven, noise and tail suspension for two weeks. They were also orally administered with Xiangfu Siwu Tang, Shaofu Zhuyu Tang and positive control drug aspirin in groups.

[Research on nourishing and tonifying blood effects of the herb pair consisting of Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong on the basis of drug interaction].

Objective: To study the pharmacodynamic interaction of nourishing and tonifying blood effects of the herb pair consisting of Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong by response surface method.

Methods: The blood deficiency rat model was induced by injecting N-acetylphenylhydrazine and cyclophosphamide. The effects of Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong in different proportions (0:1, 1:5, 2:5, 2:3, 1:1, 3:2, 5:2, 5:1, and 1:0) and at different concentrations on the peripheral blood index and the organ indices were observed.

[Interaction of nourishing and tonifying blood effects of the combination of Angelicae sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix studied by response surface method].

The combination of Angelicae sinensis Radix (Danggui, DG) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi, HQ) is a popular herb pair commonly used in clinic for the treatment of blood deficiency syndrome in China. The aim of this paper is to study the interaction of DG and HQ nourishing and tonifying blood effects by response surface method. The blood deficiency mice were induced by injecting N-acetylphenylhydrazine (sc) and cyclophosphamide (ip).