The Oleaceae family: A source of secoiridoids with multiple biological activities.

In the quest to search and discover bioactive compounds from nature, terpenoids have emerged as one of the most interesting and researched classes of compounds. Secoiridoid, a type of the terpenoid, has also been extensively studied, especially their chemical structures and pharmacological effects. Oleaceae is a family of woody dicotyledonous plants with broad economic and medicinal values.

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activities of a Triterpene β-Elemonic Acid in Frankincense In Vivo and In Vitro.

The purpose of this research was to extract and separate the compounds from frankincense, and then evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects. The isolated compound was a representative tetracyclic triterpenes of glycine structure according to ¹H-NMR and C-NMR spectra, which is β-elemonic acid (β-EA). We determined the content of six different localities of frankincense; the average content of β-EA was 41.

The influence of polysaccharides from Ophiopogon japonicus on 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside about biopharmaceutical properties in vitro and pharmacokinetics in vivo.

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (THSG) is a bioactive polyhydroxystilbene compound obtained from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Although it has broad therapeutic potential, the application of THSG is limited due to its poor stability in vitro, poor absorption in the intestine, and short-term storage in tissues. Polysaccharides from herbal medicines have been proven to be functional foods and potential natural plant derived drugs.

Comprehensive analysis of Polygoni Multiflori Radix of different geographical origins using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and multivariate chemometric methods.

Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is increasingly being used not just as a traditional herbal medicine but also as a popular functional food. In this study, multivariate chemometric methods and mass spectrometry were combined to analyze the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC) fingerprints of PMR from six different geographical origins. A chemometric strategy based on multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) and three classification methods is proposed to analyze the UPLC fingerprints obtained.

Phenolic compounds from Bletilla striata.

Two new malic acid derivatives, namely eucomic acid 1-methyl ester (2) and 6'''-acetylmilitaline (7), together with ten known compounds (1, 3-6, 8-12), were isolated from the dry tubers of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. F.

Sorafenib inhibits macrophage-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages, crucial components of the microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma, hamper anti-cancer immune responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sorafenib on the formation of the tumor microenvironment, especially the relationship between polarized macrophages and hepatocytes. Macrophage infiltration was reduced in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with sorafenib.

[Comparison of Six Flavonoid Components of Closely-Related Plants Agrimonia pilosa,Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor].

Objective: To establish an UHPLC method for simultaneous determination of six flavonoid components of three closelyrelated plants Agrimonia pilosa,Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor including rutin,hyperoside,cynaroside,quercetin,apigenin and kaempferol. Meanwhile three fresh and dry plants were evaluated to compare the contents of six flavonoid components.

Methods: The samples were pretreated with ultrasonic extraction with 70% ethanol for 0.

One-pot β-cyclodextrin-assisted extraction of active ingredients from Xue-Zhi-Ning basing its encapsulated ability.

Xue-Zhi-Ning (XZN) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, containing active ingredients with poor solubility in water, which has been demonstrated to be helpful for patients with hyperlipidemia. One-pot β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-assisted extraction of active ingredients from XZN has been carried out to develop an efficient and eco-friendly extraction process. Five active compounds--rubrofusarin gentiobioside, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside, emodin, nuciferine and quercetin--were identified by UPLC/DAD/MS and used as indexes to evaluate the process optimized by an orthogonal test.

[Identification of liposoluble constituents in Yushu tablets by UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS].

In order to identify the chemical constituents of Yushu tablets comprehensively, we studied the chemical constituents of CHCl3 extract from Yushu tablets by the ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS). It showed that there were more than 100 compounds separated, and forty-nine peaks among these were identified on the basis of high resolution mass spectrometry data and literature data reported. Determination of twelve peaks was further confirmed by standard substances.

[Simultaneous Determination of Five Astragalosides in Astragali Radix and Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet by HPLC-ELSD].

Objective: To develop an HPLC-ELSD method for simultaneous determination of Astragaloside IV Astragaloside I, Astragaloside II, Astragaloside III and Isostragaloside II in Astragali Radix and Jinqi Jiangtang tablet.

Methods: The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Grace Apollo C18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm, 5 µm), acetonitrile (A) and water(B) as mobile phases for gradient elution, and the flow rate being 1.

Overexpression of Mortalin in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with angiogenesis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Mortalin is highly expressed in a variety of human tumors and associated with tumor metastasis. However, the relationship among the overexpression of Mortalin, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and neovascularization is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of Mortalin in human HCC cell lines, clinical HCC specimens and its association with angiogenesis and EMT.

STAT3-mediated attenuation of CCl4-induced mouse liver fibrosis by the protein kinase inhibitor sorafenib.

There have been major advances in defining the immunological events associated with fibrosis in various chronic liver diseases. We have taken advantage of this data to focus on the mechanisms of action of a unique multi-kinase inhibitor, coined sorafenib, on CCl4-induced murine liver fibrosis, including the effects of this agent in models of both acute and chronic CCl4-mediated pathology. Importantly, sorafenib significantly attenuated chronic liver injury and fibrosis, including reduction in liver inflammation and histopathology as well as decreased expression of liver fibrosis-related genes, including α-smooth muscle actin, collagen, matrix metalloproteinases and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1.

Simultaneous determination of scopoletin, psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, columbianetin acetate, imperatorin, osthole and isoimperatorin in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS for pharmacokinetic studies following oral administration of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis extract.

A rapid and sensitive bioassay based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of eight coumarins in rat plasma. The liquid-liquid extraction method with ethyl acetate was used to prepare the plasma samples after addition of warfarin as an internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was performed on an Eclipse plus C18 column (100mm×4.

Traditional Chinese medicine and immune regulation.

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have a long history in Asian countries and are traditionally used to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. The rising interest in TCMs in recent years is reflected in both the increase in their market demand as well as scientific research. Previous studies show that TCMs perform dual roles on immunological regulation: immunological activation and immunological suppression.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Caragana spinifera].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the whole plant Caragana spinifera.

Method: The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified on silica gel column. The structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties.

[Studies on chemical constituents in herb of Lamium maculatum var. kansuense (II)].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Lamium maculatum var. kansuense.

Method: The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified on silica gel column and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties.

[Chemical components of essential oils from the herb of Ligularia virgaurea].

Objective: To provide the foundation for reasonable utilization by analyzing the essential oils of Ligularia virgaurea.

Method: The essential oils were extracted by using steam distillation and separated with GC capillary columns. The components were quantitatively determined with normalization method, and were identified with GC-MS.

[Studies on chemical constituents in herb of Lamium maculatum L. var Kansuense].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Lamium maculatum L. var Kansuense.

Method: The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by silica gel column chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties.