Studies on the Components of Crude and Processed Fructus Corni by ESI-MS^n

The components of crude and processed Fructus Corni were investigated by means of electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry（ESI-MSn） technique in the negative ion mode. Compared with those of crude Fructus Corni, the chemical components of the processed Fructus Corni were changed both in quality and in quantity. From the ESI-MS spectra of the crude and processed Fructus Corni, six peaks were selected to establish the characte-ristic ESI-MS peaks. Several factors in the processing procedure were examined. The experimental results demonstrate that the chemical reactions that occurred in the processing procedure can be used for the elucidation of the processed mechanism of Fructus Corni, which is regularly affected by the processing conditions. The present article provides both the chemistry evidence for the understanding of the processing procedure of Fructus Corni and the specific methodology for the research of the processing procedure and quality identification of traditional Chinese medicine.

A network pharmacology approach to investigate the mechanism of“Huangqi-Shanzhuyu”in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Background:To explore the action mechanism of Huangqi(Radix Astragali)and Shanzhuyu(Fructus Corni)in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy based on network pharmacology,aiming to provide a basis for clinical application.Methods:The main active components of Huangqi and Shanzhuyu were discerned through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database(TCMID).The targets related to diabetic nephropathy(DN)were obtained using Genecards,Therapeutic Target Database(TTD),and National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)Gene.Subsequently,protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were constructed with Cytoscape 3.7.2 and the STRING database.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses were performed to analyze the intersection of targets via Database for Annotation,Visualization,and Integrated Discovery(DAVID)6.8.Built on the above analysis,we made a“Chinese medicine-chemical composition-target gene-disease”network.Results:Twenty-one active components were predicted from the Huangqi and Shanzhuyu herb pair,such as jaranol,mandenol and sitosterol.These components were applied to 41 targets mainly involved in many biological processes such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)signaling pathway,regulation of sodium ion transport and steroid-binding.Conclusion:This study proposes the network pharmacology method and identifies the potent combination therapeutic mechanism of Huangqi and Shanzhuyu for diabetic nephropathy(DN)through multiple targets and routes,this strategy will lay a good foundation for further in-depth study of the mechanism of action.

Identification of Active Component of Hachimi-jio-gan Ameliorating Diabetic Nephropathy

Conventional medicine-based Chinese herbal prescriptions,have fascinated much attention due to their extensive and unique diversity of biological effects without toxicity and/or adverse effects.Treatment with Hachimi-jio-gan(Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan in Chinese)improved the dysregulated levels of hyperglycemic condition-related oxidative stress generation,advanced glycation endproduct generation,and renal function parameters.These results indicate that Hachimi-jio-gan is a prospective therapeutic agent against the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.Cornel iridoid glycosides and polyphenol are the active compounds of Corni Fructus,the active component of Hachimi-jio-gan,against kidney damage caused by diabetes.Additionally,major components of the Corni Fructus,morroniside and 7-O-Galloyl-D-sedoheptulose(GS)are considered to be important contributors to prevent and/or delay the onset of kidney damage caused by diabetes.Chief of all,GS is expected to be developed as a novel therapeutic drug for the diabetes-accelerated kidney damage.