Computational investigation on the molecular structure and chemical reactivity of a traditional Chinese medicine extract MK-1 molecule

MK-1 molecule(C_(16)H_(16)O_(2)),the simplest structure of vitamin K(VK)compound family,is an extract from traditional Chinese medicine Cymbopogon distans(Nees ex Steud.)Wats(Chinese name YunXiangCao),which has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to its antiasthmatic,antitussives and expectorant effects.To investigate the molecular structure and chemical reactivity of MK-1 molecule,computational investigations on six conformational minima structures were carried out at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p)level of theory.Several local reactivity descriptors including condensed Fukui function,average local ionization energy,and molecular electrostatic potential on each individual atom were determined to predict the intrinsic reactivity of MK-1 molecule.

An ultra-robust fingerprinting method for quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine using multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry

Chromatographic fingerprinting has been perceived as an essential tool for assessing quality and chemical equivalence of traditional Chinese medicine.However,this pattern-oriented approach still has some weak points in terms of chemical coverage and robustness.In this work,we proposed a multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)-based fingerprinting method in which approximately 100 constituents were simultaneously detected for quality assessment.The derivative MRM approach was employed to rapidly design MRM transitions independent of chemical standards,based on which the large-scale fingerprinting method was efficiently established.This approach was exemplified on QiShenYiQi Pill(QSYQ),a traditional Chinese medicine-derived drug product,and its robustness was systematically evaluated by four indices:clustering analysis by principal component analysis,similarity analysis by the congruence coefficient,the number of separated peaks,and the peak area proportion of separated peaks.Compared with conventional ultraviolet-based fingerprints,the MRM fingerprints provided not only better discriminatory capacity for the tested normal/abnormal QSYQ samples,but also higher robustness under different chromatographic conditions(i.e.,flow rate,apparent pH,column temperature,and column).The result also showed for such large-scale fingerprints including a large number of peaks,the angle cosine measure after min-max normalization was more suitable for setting a decision criterion than the unnormalized algorithm.This proof-of-concept application gives evidence that combining MRM technique with proper similarity analysis metrices can provide a highly sensitive,robust and comprehensive analytical approach for quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine.

Quantitative similarity assessment of non-linear chemical fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine by similarity system theory

The similarities of the non-linear chemical (NLC) fingerprints of Radix Glycyrrhizaes from four producing areas and eight other traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) were calculated,using a systemic similarity calculation method proposed and three other main calculation ones (Euclidean distance,correlation coefficient and included angle cosine). All of the correlation coefficient similarities of different TCMs are higher than 0.952,and the included angle cosines are all higher than 0.962. So,both the correlation coefficient and included angle cosine similarities are unable to be used as the criteria for quantitatively evaluating the similarities of NLC fingerprints of TCMs. Although all of the Euclidean distance similarities of Berry Liquorices from four producing areas are less than 73,those of the other eight TCMs are all more than 180. The Euclidean distance cannot reflect the relative magnitudes of the feature differences in the NLC fingerprints very correctly. The systemic similarity method is the best among the four ones. All of the systemic similarities of Berry Liquorices from the four producing areas are higher than 0.962,while those of the other eight TCMs are all lower than 0.805,and the systemic similarity can reflect the differences between samples most faithfully,and can be used as a quantitative one evaluating the similarities of NLC fingerprints of TCMs,by which TCM could be distinguished and evaluated quickly,simply and exactly.

Computer Handling of Chemical and Biological Data of Traditional Chinese Medicines

A specialty database has been established at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to handle the chemical and biological data of medicinal plants and other natural products from scientific literatures. Designed as a relational system capable of analyzing, comparing, and correlating data, the system can retrieve information in assimilated tabular formats. The database can provide information supports to researchers in the fields of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, botany and other disciplines of natural products research.

A Systematic Review on Chemical Constituents of Suanzaoren Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription

Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription Suanzaoren decoction (SZRD) is composed of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae rhizoma, Poria and Licorice. It was used to treat central nervous system diseases such as insomnia and anxiety for thousands of years. This paper aims to systematically understand varieties and quantities of compounds and clarify chemical components of SZRD, subsequently to further provide the reference for phytochemistry and pharmacology researches of SZRD. Our results showed that SZRD contained 145 components, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, coumarins, phthalides, and volatile oils, etc., while five-single herbs contain 1104 components. Only in terms of compound number, there were 80 common components in SZRD and its five herbs, which accounted for 6.8% of total compounds in all 5 herbs and 55.2% of compounds in SZRD. The components of SZRD were not simply the sum of one in every single herb. It is necessary to perform parallel studies among SZRD and its herbs. This review discussed the problems that existed in the chemical research of SZRD and pointed out the direction for its further research.

Inorganic Elemental Determinations of Marine Traditional Chinese Medicine Meretricis concha from Jiaozhou Bay:The construction of Inorganic Elemental Fingerprint Based on Chemometric Analysis

The goal of this paper is to explore the relationship between the inorganic elemental fingerprint and the geographical origin identification of Meretricis concha,which is a commonly used marine traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for the treatment of asthma and scald burns.For that,the inorganic elemental contents of Meretricis concha from five sampling points in Jiaozhou Bay have been determined by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry,and the comparative investigations based on the contents of 14 inorganic elements(Al,As,Cd,Co,Cr,Cu,Fe,Hg,Mn,Mo,Ni,Pb,Se and Zn) of the samples from Jiaozhou Bay and the previous reported Rushan Bay were performed.It has been found that the samples from the two bays are approximately classified into two kinds using hierarchical cluster analysis,and a four-factor model based on principle component analysis could explain approximately 75% of the detection data,also linear discriminant analysis can be used to develop a prediction model to distinguish the samples from Jiaozhou Bay and Rushan Bay with accuracy of about 93%.The results of the present investigation suggested that the inorganic elemental fingerprint based on the combination of the measured elemental content and chemometric analysis is a promising approach for verifying the geographical origin of Meretricis concha,and this strategy should be valuable for the authenticity discrimination of some marine TCM.

Construction of Inorganic Elemental Fingerprint and Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Marine Traditional Chinese Medicine Meretricis concha from Rushan Bay

Meretricis concha is a kind of marine traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and has been commonly used for the treatment of asthma and scald burns. In order to investigate the relationship between the inorganic elemental fingerprint and the geographical origin identification of Meretricis concha, the elemental contents of M. concha from five sampling points in Rushan Bay have been determined by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES). Based on the contents of 14 inorganic elements(Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn), the inorganic elemental fingerprint which well reflects the elemental characteristics was constructed. All the data from the five sampling points were discriminated with accuracy through hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principle component analysis(PCA), indicating that a four-factor model which could explain approximately 80% of the detection data was established, and the elements Al, As, Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb could be viewed as the characteristic elements. This investigation suggests that the inorganic elemental fingerprint combined with multivariate statistical analysis is a promising method for verifying the geographical origin of M. concha, and this strategy should be valuable for the authenticity discrimination of some marine TCM.

Study on Elemental Fingerprint of Traditional Marine Chinese Medicine Oysters from Jiaozhou Bay,China

In order to investigate the relationship between the trace elements and the characteristics of the oysters, we analyzed the trace elements present in the germplasm of oysters from different producing areas in the Jiaozhou Bay. The element fingerprints were established to reflect the elemental characteristics of the oysters. Concentration patterns of the elements were deciphered by principle component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The six regions were discriminated with accuracy using HCA and PCA based on the concentration of 16 trace elements. The elements were viewed as characteristic elements of the oysters and the fingerprints of these elements could be used to distinguish the quality of the oysters.

Establish a Three-dimensional Fluorescent Fingerprint Database of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Objective:To set up a database of three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of traditional Chinese medicines,Screening of medicinal materials by three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy,Methods:The paper Summarizes the three-dimensional fluorescence fingerprints,screens medicinal materials on basis of verifying the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of the reference crude herbs of the national standard Chinese medicines,and combines with visual basic6.0 and microsoft access 2003 technology system to construct a three-dimensional fluorescence fingerprint database of TCMs.Results:the identification and quality control of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)was accuately and swiftly achieved.Conclusion:The relevant analysis on the operating system of database and the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum database of TCMs indicates that this operating system can provide convenient channels for the inspection,verification and quality control of TCMs.

基于UPLC-Q-TOF-MS的参芪扶正注射液主要成分鉴定及其治疗三阴性乳腺癌的网络药理学研究

目的 应用超高效液相色谱串联四极杆飞行时间质谱联用(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)技术和网络药理学方法,鉴定参芪扶正注射液的主要成分,探究其治疗三阴性乳腺癌(TNBC)的作用机制,为其药效物质基础研究提供依据。方法 (1)参芪扶正注射液主要成分鉴定:采用UPLC-Q-TOF-MS技术,结合天然产物高分辨质谱数据库及相关文献,明确参芪扶正注射液的主要成分。(2)网络药理学研究:基于中药系统药理学数据库与分析平台(TCMSP)、中草药化合物蛋白质靶标数据库(HIT)、有机小分子生物活性数据库(PubChem)、化合物靶点预测平台(Swiss Target Prediction)、本草组鉴数据库(HERB)获取参芪扶正注射液主要成分的潜在靶点,利用人类基因综合数据库(GeneCards)、在线人类孟德尔遗传数据库(OMIM)、治疗靶点数据库(TTD)获得TNBC疾病潜在靶点,二者相结合得到参芪扶正注射液治疗TNBC的潜在靶点;运用蛋白互作关系数据库(STRING)平台、Cytoscape 3.9.1软件构建蛋白互作网络图并进行网络拓扑分析,获得参芪扶正注射液治疗TNBC的关键靶点;运用R语言进行京都基因与基因组百科全书(KEGG)通路富集分析。(3)动物实验验证:制备异种移植瘤乳腺癌小鼠模型,分为模型组与参芪扶正注射液低、中、高剂量(20、40、60 mL/kg)组,干预4周后取肿瘤组织,运用Western blot方法检测肿瘤组织中磷酸化磷脂肌醇3激酶(p-PI3K)、磷脂肌醇3激酶(PI3K)、P-糖蛋白(P-gp)、乳腺癌耐药蛋白(ABCG2)表达情况,并对预测潜在靶点进行实验验证。结果 (1)参芪扶正注射液的主要成分为党参炔苷、鸟苷、毛蕊异黄酮苷、壬二酸、黄芪甲苷、美迪紫檀苷等。(2)网络药理学研究结果显示,参芪扶正注射液的主要成分主要作用于肿瘤蛋白p53(TP53)、白介素-2(IL-2)、白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、己糖激酶2(HK2)、缺氧诱导因子1亚基α(HIF1A)、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶9(CASP9)、ABCG2、ATP结合盒转运体B1(ABCB1)、原癌基因(MYC)等关键靶点,调控磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)、缺氧诱导因子-1(HIF-1)、T细胞受体等信号通路。(3)动物实验验证结果显示,参芪扶正注射液降低了实验动物肿瘤组织中p-PI3K水平,抑制了P-gp和ABCG2的表达。结论 参芪扶正注射液中的主要成分为党参炔苷、鸟苷、毛蕊异黄酮苷、壬二酸、黄芪甲苷、美迪紫檀苷等,其抗TNBC的作用机制与其通过调控PI3K信号通路和调节耐药相关蛋白表达有关。

Characterization of multiple chemical components of GuiLingJi by UHPLC-MS and ^(1)H NMR analysis

GuiLingJi(GLJ),a classic traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formula,is composed of over 20 herbs,according to the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China.Owing to its various activities,GLJ has been used in clinical settings for more than 400 years in China.However,the ambiguous chemical material basis limits the development of studies on the quality control and pharmacological mechanisms of GLJ.Therefore,comprehensive characterization of the multiple chemical components of GLJ is of great significance for the modernization of this formula.Given the great variety of herbs in GLJ,both UHPLCMS and ^(1)H NMR techniques were employed in this study.In addition,solvent extraction with different polarities was used to eliminate signal interference and the concentration of trace components.A variety of MS analytic methods were also used,including implementation of a self-built compound database,diagnostic ion filtering,mass defect filtering,and Compound Discoverer 3.0 analysis software.Based on the above strategies,a total of 150 compounds were identified,including 5 amino acids,13 phenolic acids and glycosides,11 coumarins,72 flavones,20 triterpenoid and triterpenoid saponins,23 fatty acids,and 6 other compounds.Moreover,13 compounds were identified by ^(1)H NMR spectroscopy.The UHPLC-MS and ^(1)H NMR results supported and complemented each other.This strategy provides a rapid approach to analyzing and identifying the chemical composition of Chinese herbal prescriptions.The current study provides basis for further research on the quality control and pharmacological mechanism of GLJ.

Brain organoids are new tool for drug screening of neurological diseases

At the level of in vitro drug screening,the development of a phenotypic analysis system with highcontent screening at the core provides a strong platform to support high-throughput drug screening.There are few systematic reports on brain organoids,as a new three-dimensional in vitro model,in terms of model stability,key phenotypic fingerprint,and drug screening schemes,and particula rly rega rding the development of screening strategies for massive numbers of traditional Chinese medicine monomers.This paper reviews the development of brain organoids and the advantages of brain organoids over induced neurons or cells in simulated diseases.The paper also highlights the prospects from model stability,induction criteria of brain organoids,and the screening schemes of brain organoids based on the characteristics of brain organoids and the application and development of a high-content screening system.

Integrated Systems Biology and Chemical Biology Approach to Exploring Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicines

After thousands of years of development, traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） have evolved into a complete scientific system characterized by multiple components, targets, and pathways, which mediates numerous pharmacological activities and efficacies. The development of ＂-omics＂ technology, including systems biology and network pharmacology, has enabled the illustration of TCMs from a more systematic view. Although the network adequately reflects the overall philosophy of TCMs, its complexity hinders the relevant research to a hover. In addition, the strategies involved appear to be in contrast to the original concise and efficacious disease therapy oriented focus on classic Chinese material medica （CMM）. Based on the established holistic view and reductionism, in this review, we discuss an integrated systems biology and chemical biology research approach that will facilitate and accelerate the understanding of the mechanisms of TCMs. Furthermore, we are optimistic that it will elucidate the associated interactions between active natural products and their targets, and ultimately improve the strategies for complex disease therapies.

Determining method and conditional factors of electrochemical fingerprint of Chinese traditional medicine

The thermodynamic systems and kinetic model suitable for the electrochemical token of the compo-nent throng in Chinese traditional medicines have been analyzed. It has been indicated that the damp oscillatory reactions in the non-equilibrium close system and open system without the supplement of dissipative substance have important significance for the throng token and analysis of chemical com-ponents in Chinese traditional medicines. Various factors influencing the electrochemical fingerprint,such as reactant species and their concentrations,electrode types,temperature,stir rate,the kind,dosage and granularity of Chinese traditional medicines,have amply been researched by the B-Z os-cillatory reaction which used malonic acid as a main dissipative substance. In addition,the quantitative information about the chemical components in Chinese traditional medicines has been discussed in detail. The method and its conditions for determining the electrochemical fingerprint used in scientifi-cally distinguishing and evaluating Chinese traditional medicines have successfully been put forward.

Principle, traits and functions of electrochemical fingerprint of Chinese traditional medicine

In regard to such challenging analysis problems as scientific identification and quality evaluation of Chinese traditional medicine, the electrochemical fingerprint technique of Chinese traditional medi- cine has been researched. The principle, traits, functions, etc., of the electrochemical fingerprint have detailedly been analyzed and discussed by the B-Z oscillatory system using malonic acid as main dissipation substance, characterized by the fact that different influences of different Chinese traditional medicines on the mechanism of the oscillatory reaction cause different changes of the shape of the potential-time curve of the oscillatory system under the conditions of constant tem- perature and pressure. An economical, simple and convenient, easy pushing and effective scientific method for distinguishing and evaluating multifarious Chinese traditional medicines has success- fully been put forward.

QUALITY CONTROL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES: INVESTIGATION ON CHEMICAL MARKERS

Traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)have played an important role in the treatment of diseases for thousands of years.With the rise of the combination therapy for multi-gene diseases,TCMs attracted more attentions gradually.However,TCMs is a complex system which could contain tens,or even hundreds of compounds.Selection of chemical markers is thus a key to the

真菌发酵对中药化学成分的转化及应用研究进展

真菌发酵可以使中药化学成分发生糖基化、羟基化、甲基化等多种化学反应,并产生丰富的次生代谢产物,具有效率高、条件温和、选择性强、不污染环境、反应类型多等优势,但发酵过程的稳定性和可控性一直是个难题。该文概括了中药发酵技术及常用于发酵中药的真菌,综述了中药化学成分(黄酮、生物碱、甾体、萜类、醌类、苯丙素)的转化机制,并总结了真菌发酵中药常见菌种在中药成分转化中的应用,为后续合理利用真菌进行中药成分研究与开发提供参考依据。

HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS法检测降压类中成药中非法添加的24种化学物质

目的：建立检测降压类中成药中非法添加的24种化学物质的方法。方法：采用高效液相色谱-飞行时间串联质谱法。色谱条件：色谱柱为Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18,流动相为0.05%甲酸溶液-甲醇（梯度洗脱）,流速为0.3 ml/min,柱温为30℃,进样量为5μl。质谱条件：离子源为电喷雾电离源,毛细管电压为4.0 k V,毛细管出口电压为135 V,锥孔电压为65 V,脱溶剂温度为350℃,干燥气流速为10 L/min,雾化器压力为40 psi,碰撞能量为8-45 V,扫描范围为m/z 100-1 700,检测方式为正离子模式（ESI＋）。结果：卡托普利、硝苯地平、氢氯噻嗪、盐酸可乐定、利血平检测质量浓度线性范围为2.0-32μg/L,苯磺酸氨氯地平、非洛地平、缬沙坦、拉西地平、坎地沙坦酯检测质量浓度线性范围为3.0-48μg/L,其余14种化学物质检测质量浓度线性范围为2.5-40μg/L（r≥0.995 9）;定量限≤2.944 1 ng,检测限≤0.988 5 ng;精密度、稳定性、重复性试验的RSD≤5.1%;回收率为81.5%-115.5%（RSD=1.81%-4.86%,n=9）。结论：该方法专属性强、灵敏度高、简便快捷,适用于降压类中成药中非法添加化学物质的检测。

2D-LC/MS技术在中药分析中的应用

2D-LC/MS技术具有强大的分离能力和分辨率,且分析速度快、灵敏度高,能够提供化合物的精确质量数及碎片结构信息,可有效解决中药复杂体系中共洗脱及微量成分无法表征鉴定的问题,在中药分析领域具有良好的应用前景。本文简要综述了2D-LC/MS技术的特点及其在中药化学成分分析和鉴定中的应用,为今后2D-LC/MS技术在中药研究中发挥更大的作用提供参考。

中药甘松化学成分药理作用及临床应用研究进展

甘松是中国常见的药用植物,历史悠久,其主要化学成分为萜类、黄酮类、挥发油等,对人体心血管、神经、消化及内分泌系统的疾病有显著作用。随着现代药理学的发展,甘松中更多的化学成分被发现,药理作用也不断被开发,临床应用范围也逐步扩大。文章对近年来甘松的化学成分、药理作用及临床应用相关研究作出综述,为甘松的开发应用提供参考依据。