Vibrational Spectroscopy of Pain Relievers: Traditional and Remote Raman Techniques

The application of vibrational spectroscopy in the pharmaceutical industry is widely investigated, from the quality assurance of the product during the production process control to the final products’ quality control and the authentication of products on the markets. This study focuses on non-contact and noninvasive detection and identification of pain-relievers at 1-5 meters standoff distances. The specimens analyzed include standard laboratory-grade active ingredients and commercially available pain relievers in powder, solid and liquid forms. All the remote measurements captured revealed the Raman signatures of the specimens, with varying peak intensities. To correlate the band intensities captured with the standoff distances between the laser source and the specimens, the intensity ratios of the two prominent peaks of the laboratory grade reference active ingredient (1607 and 1319 cm-1) normalized with 1319 cm-1 are used. The results of the study suggest the viability of standoff Raman spectroscopy for routine monitoring and identification of pharma-ceuticals, including counterfeit pain relievers.

The Effect of Peony and Licorice Decoction on the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Subtype 1.4 Based on Standard Decoction

Objective:The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of peony and licorice decoction and its compatibility components on the Nav1.4 voltage-gated sodium channels(VGSCs).Materials and Methods:Writhing test was carried out with ICR mice.Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza uralensis group were administrated 0.2 ml of solution of freeze-dried powder dissolved in normal saline with the concentration of 2.94 mg/ml,1.47 mg/ml,and 0.74 mg/ml using intragastric administration,respectively.Peony and licorice decoction groups were administrated 0.2 ml of solution of freeze-dried powder dissolved in normal saline with the concentration of 5.89 mg/ml,2.94 mg/ml,and 1.47 mg/ml using intragastric administration,respectively.For electrophysiology studies,each freeze-dried powder was dissolved in DMSO to make 10 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml stock solutions.The electrophysiological recordings were obtained under visual control of a microscope.For UPLC analysis,the freeze-dried powder was dissolved in methanol and then determines the contents of the nine marker compounds.Results:The effect of G.uralensis on incubation period and writhing frequency was significantly better than that of peony and licorice decoction group and P.lactiflora group.The inhibition rate of 50 mg/ml water extracts of the three samples was significantly higher than that of the 10 mg/ml group.Moreover,the water extract of G.uralensis at 50 mg/ml had the strongest inhibitory effect on I_(Nav) 1.4 of the three.Conclusion:The possible mechanism of peony and licorice decoction in relieving spasm and pain is most likely by inhibiting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Subtype 1.4.