Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of psoriasis with depression:A review

Psoriasis is a kind of immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory skin disease, which is often associated with different degrees of psychological disorders. Specifically, there is a significant correlation between psoriasis and depression, and they show the relationships of reciprocal causation and mutual promotion. Psoriasis with depression is more harmful than simple psoriasis, and its prognosis is worse, which brings a huge burden to the family and society and is worthy of clinical attention. Based on the pathogenic factors of western medicine and pathogenesis of traditional Chinese medicine in psoriasis with depression, the paper summarized and elaborated the research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of psoriasis with depression, in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment.

Analysis on the formation principle and present situation of nano phase state of multi-component self-assembly of traditional Chinese compound medicine decoction

Traditional Chinese medicine decoction is a complex polydispersed phase system containing real solution,colloid solution,emulsion and suspension.The compound decoction of traditional Chinese medicine has complex components,including saponins,alkaloids,polysaccharides,flavonoids,amino acids and so on,which can be self-assembled to form gels,fibers,micelles,vesicles and so on.The self-assembled nano-phase not only neutralizes the single drug and reduces the toxicity and side effects,but also has its own pharmacological effects,which complement each other to achieve synergistic effect,so as to achieve the role of drug supplement,which is of research significance.The formation principle,solubilization and synergism principle and characterization method of multi-component self-assembly of traditional Chinese medicine compound decoction are discussed in this paper.

Antiviral Effects of Compound Traditional Chinese Medicine on Newcastle Disease Virus

[Objective] To investigate the mechanism of compound traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） on Newcastle disease virus （NDV） and to provide a scientific basis for the reasonable usage of antiviral drugs in clinic. [Method] The compound TCM was composed of Hedyotis diffusa, Lonicera japonica Thunb, Radix astragali and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Different dilutions of fluid extract were prepared. Its antiviral effects on NDV were observed through three inoculation ways, first, inoculation with the medicine and NDV mixture which had been incubated at 37 ℃; second, incubating chicken embryo fibroblasts （CEF） with the medicine followed by inoculation with NDV; third, inoculation with N DV followed by incubating CEF with the medicine. The A,= was determined by M]-r [ 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide） ~ method. Therapeutic indexes were used to evaluate the antiviral effects. [ Result] The minimum effective concentration of the compound TCM which acted through the three ways was 1.0 × 2^-10 1.0 × 2^-8 and 1.0 × 2^-7 g/ml, respectively. The antiviral effects of the compound TCM were the best through inoculation with the incubated medicine and NDV mixture, followed by the second method and the third method. [ Conclusion] The compound TCM can not only kill NDV directly in vitro but also inhibit viral propagation.

Discussion on the Quality Evaluation Method of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Preparations

As an important representative of the modernization of the Chinese medicine industry,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compound preparations are an indispensable part of the development of TCM.The complex ingredients and unclear action mechanism of TCM compound preparations restrict the development of TCM.In line with this problem,the modern TCM research has made extensive remarkable achievements.From the single indicator in the past to multiple indicator,the research on the combination of TCM fingerprints and pharmacodynamics also has made great progress.The introduction of quality evaluation methods such as the"quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker","dose-effect"indicator,"Bioactive Equivalent Combinatorial Components"(BECCs)and TCM quality markers have brought new ideas for quality control of TCM compound preparations.

Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Prescription and Traditional Chinese Medicine Products on COVID-19

This paper mainly analyzes the traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription and traditional Chinese medicine products with remarkable epidemic prevention effect since the outbreak of COVID-19,and discusses their potential prevention and treatment effects,so as to provide a basis for the further development and application of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription and traditional Chinese medicine products against COVID-19.

Research Progress in the Application of Network Pharmacology in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Compound Prescriptions

Network pharmacology is a new discipline based on the theory of systems biology,mainly for network analysis of biological systems.It selects specific signal nodes for multi-target drug molecular design.This article summarizes the application of network pharmacology in traditional Chinese medicine and compound prescriptions in recent years from the research progress of network pharmacology,the current research status of single herbs,and the research and application of compound prescriptions.

Therapeutic potential of natural compounds from Chinese medicine in acute and subacute phases of ischemic stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in adults worldwide,resulting in huge social and financial burdens.Extracts from herbs,especially those used in Chinese medicine,have emerged as new pharmaceuticals for stroke treatment.Here we review the evidence from preclinical studies investigating neuroprotective properties of Chinese medicinal compounds through their application in acute and subacute phases of ischemic stroke,and highlight potential mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects.It is noteworthy that many herbal compounds have been shown to target multiple mechanisms and in combinations may exert synergistic effects on signaling pathways,thereby attenuating multiple aspects of ischemic pathology.We conclude the paper with a general discussion of the prospects for novel natural compound-based regimens against stroke.

Epigastric pain syndrome: What can traditional Chinese medicine do? A randomized controlled trial of Biling Weitong Granules

BACKGROUND Recent research suggests that although prokinetic agents,acid suppressors,and radical treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection may be effective in patients with functional dyspepsia(FD),a large proportion of patients still fail to respond to these treatments or may suffer from severe adverse reactions.Many traditional Chinese medicinal herbs can regulate the status of the entire body and have special advantages in the treatment of functional diseases.The present study was designed to verify the efficacy of Biling Weitong Granules(BLWTG),a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal compound formula,in alleviating epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)in FD patients,in an attempt to provide an effective prescription for the clinical treatment of this disease.AIM To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of BLWTG in treating EPS in patients with FD.METHODS In this multicenter,stratified,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,parallel group clinical trial,eligible patients were randomized into the BLWTG and placebo groups who were treated for 6 wk.Efficacy indicators including the severity and frequency of EPS and the time to pain resolution and safety indicators including adverse events were observed and compared.RESULTS The baseline demographic data and clinical characteristics,such as epigastric pain symptoms,pain intensity,and frequency of attacks,were matched between the two groups before randomization.After 6 wk of treatment and after the center effect was eliminated,the epigastric pain was significantly improved in 28.33%and 85.59%of the patients in the placebo and BLWTG groups,respectively(P<0.05).At 6 wk,the resolution rate of epigastric pain was 15%and 69.49%in the placebo and BLWTG groups,respectively(P<0.05).The differences of total FD clinical score between these two groups were significant(P<0.05)at 2,4,and 6 wk(P<0.05).The scores of each item and the total score in the Functional Digestive Disorders Quality of Life Questionnaire showed significant differences between the two groups at 6 wk after both the center and interaction effects were eliminated(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups,and no serious adverse event was noted during the observation.CONCLUSION Compared with placebo,BLWTG markedly improved EPS in FD patients without causing serious adverse reactions.

Research Status of Serum Pharmacology and Serum Pharmacochemistry of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Serum pharmacochemistry of traditional Chinese medicine has become a more accurate and rapidly developing reasonable way to analyze the effective material basis of traditional Chinese medicine in recent years. Through this method, we can select very complex Chinese medicine components and clarify the effective substances consistent with the main functions, and then separate and purify effective ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, so as to explain the material basis of the drug effect and prove the rationality and principle of action of Chinese medicine compounds. It can show the multi-component and multi-target characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine, and after analyzing the migrating components of serum, we can explore the direct effective substances that act on the patient’s body, so as to accelerate and accurately complete the in-depth study of the effective substances of Chinese medicine.

Herb-herb interaction in traditional Chinese medicine：a review of pharmacokinetics-based interaction in Herb-Pairs

"Herb-Pairs",also known as pair drugs,refers to a prescription consisted of two relatively fixed traditional Chinese medicine,is the most basic,most simple and most common form of medication prescription in traditional Chinese medicine compound compatibility.It is not a random combination of two herbs,nor is the simple accumulation of efficacy,but the simple and delicate experience of ancient Chinese medicine practitioners.As a bridge between single drug and prescriptions,it is the embodiment of the regular and dialectical connotation.Therefore,research on Herb-Pairs has always been the most basic and most important entry point for compound compatibility studies.However,the interaction between herbs and herbs is an effect with a downside as well as benefits.The beneficial herb-herb interaction in Herb-Pairs include mutual promotion,mutual enhancement,mutual restraint between two drugs and counteract toxicity of another drug.And the harmful herb-herb interaction in Herb-Pairs includes mutual inhibition and antagonism.Al of these interactions areby means of affecting the metabolism of components to play a therapeutic effect.Using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic(PK-PD)binding model,the combination of drug metabolism and pharmacodynamics can further elucidate the influence on effect caused by drug concentration and metabolism,which can help elucidate the mechanism of drug action.Consequently,in this review,the herb-herb interactions in terms of pharmacokinetic were summarized to elucidate rule of TCM compatibility.

Based on the national patent database to explore the rule of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of hyperlipidemia

Objective:To explore the medication law of traditional Chinese medicine compound patent for hyperlipidemia,and to provide reference for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine new drugs for clinical treatment of hyperlipidemia.Methods:All compound TCM patents related to the treatment of hyperlipidemia were searched and extracted from the national patent database(http://epub.sipo.gov.cn)from the establishment of the database to 10st,March 2021.The data was established by the TCM Inheritance Support System(V2.5)and Microsoft Excel 2010 Softwore,and used to conduct TCM syndromes,frequency statistics,four nature and five flavors of traditional Chinese medicine,meridian attribution statistics.IBM SPSS statistics 20 software was used for drug clustering analysis,IBM SPSS modeler 18.2.2 software was used for association rules and web visualization analysis.Results:Totally 284 compound TCM patents were included,involving 577 kinds of Chinese medicine,and the most common syndrome was Yin deficiency of liver and kidney syndrome(74 times,accounting for 26.06%).The most ten common Chinese materiamedica was Hawthorn,Salvia miltiorrhiza,Alismaorientalis,Cassia seed,Polygonummultiflorum,Licorice,Poriacocos,chinese rhubarb,dried tangerine peel,Radix Paeoniae Alba.The top three appeared frequently in drug categories were tonifying deficiency medicine,activating blood-circulation and dissipating blood-stasis medicine,and heat-clearing medicine,respectively.The top two of its drug properties were warm and cold;the top three drug tastes were sweet,bitterness and pungent;the top two meridians were liver and spleen meridian,respectively.Seven drug groups were obtained by cluster analysis,and 16 were obtained by association rule analysis,including 5 drug pairs and 11 three drug groups.Conclusion:Through the data mining of the patent of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription for regulating and treating hyperlipidemia,it is concluded that the fundamental pathogenesis of the disease is deficiency of viscera function and obstruction of phlegm and blood stasis.The clinical methods are tonifying the liver and kidney,activating blood circulation and removing stasis,resolving phlegm and removing dampness.Traditional Chinese medicine is mostly used for tonifying deficiency,activating blood circulation,removing stasis,resolving phlegm and removing dampness.This paper provides a reference for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine for hyperlipidemia.

Rapid characterization of non-volatile phenolic compounds reveals the reliable chemical markers for authentication of traditional Chinese medicine Xiang-ru among confusing Elsholtzia species

The aerial parts of Mosla chinensis Maxim.and Mosla chinensis cv.'Jiangxiangru'(MCJ)are widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),known collectively as Xiang-ru.However,due to clinical effectiveness concerns and frequent misidentification,the original plants have increasingly been substituted by various species within the genera Elsholtzia and Mosla.The challenge in distinguishing between these genera arises from their similar morphological and metabolic profiles.To address this issue,our study introduced a rapid method for metabolic characterization,employing high-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics.Through detailed biosynthetic and chemometric analyses,we pinpointed five phenolic compounds—salviaflaside,cynaroside,scutellarein-7-O-D-glucoside,rutin,and vicenin-2—among 203 identified compounds,as reliable chemical markers for distinguishing Xiang-ru from closely related Elsholtzia species.This methodology holds promise for broad application in the analysis of plant aerial parts,especially in verifying the authenticity of aromatic traditional medicinal plants.Our findings underscore the importance of non-volatile compounds as dependable chemical markers in the authentication process of aromatic traditional medicinal plants.

Long-term efficacy and safety of Huangqi(Radix Astragali Mongolici)-based Traditional Chinese Medicine in diabetic peripheral neuropathy:a Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE:To assess the long-term effectiveness of Huangqi(Radix Astragali Mongolici,HQ)-based Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN).METHODS:Nine databases were searched to retrieve available randomized controlled trials that compared HQbased TCM and Western Medicines in the treatment of DPN.The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane bias risk tool,and RevMan 5.4 was used for data analysis.The effect estimates of interest were risk ratio(RR),mean difference(MD)or standardized mean difference(SMD)with 95%confidence interval(CI).RESULTS:The results from 48 available studies assessing 3759 patients demonstrated that cases administered HQ-based TCM[RR=1.30,95%CI(1.21,1.40),P<0.00001]or HQ-based TCM combined with Western Medicines[RR=1.25,95%CI(1.19,1.31),P<0.00001]exhibited higher total efficacy rates than individuals who received Western Medicine alone.The results showed that the HQ-based TCM group had decreased Toronto Clinical Scoring System scores[MD=-1.50,95%CI(-1.83,-1.17),P<0.00001],and reduced serum interleukin 6[SMD=-0.57,95%CI(-0.87,-0.27),P=0.0002]and tumor necrosis factors-αlevels[SMD=-0.60,95%CI(-0.95,-0.25),P=0.0009].In addition,both HQ-based TCM and HQbased TCM combined with Western Medicine increased nerve conduction velocity and decreased glycaemia compared with Western Medicine alone.In terms of blood lipids,oxidative stress and adverse drug reactions,there were no significant differences between the HQ-based TCM groups and the Western Medicine control group.CONCLUSION:The current Meta-analysis revealed that HQ-based TCM yields higher efficacy and safety than Western Medicine alone for the treatment of DPN,although further well-designed RCTs are required to validate these findings.

Perspectives in application of biosensors for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine

生物传感器是一种对生物材料敏感并将其浓度转换成电信号的仪器.酶,抗体,组织,细胞等有机体可以选择性地识别特定的物质.这些分子识别功能可以与靶标结合,如抗体和抗原的结合,以及通过识别过程将酶与底物结合.生物传感器具有特异性高,灵敏度高,反应速度快,成本低,操作简单等优点.在食品,制药,化工,临床检验,生物医药,环境监测等领域具有广泛的应用前景,特别是作为一种新的技术手段,在现代中草药研究领域的影响力.研究表明,生物传感技术已经应用于中药靶标,中药分离纯化,中药机理,中药质量控制,中药活性成分检测等基础研究.生物传感器技术为现代中草药的研究做出了重要贡献,已成为未来研究的热点.

Network pharmacology and verification experiment-based prediction of active components and potential targets of Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus-Saposhnikoviae Radix(Yizhiren-Fangfeng)for treatment of diabetic kidney disease

Background:In this study,we analyzed the potential active components,related crucial targets and possible signaling pathway mechanisms of Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus and Saposhnikoviae Radix(AOF-SR)herb pairs in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease(DKD)using network pharmacology and verification experiments.Methods:The active compounds and potential targets of AOF-SR were derived from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and PubChem databases,and the potential therapeutic targets of DKD were derived from the OMIM,Drugbank,and DisGeNET databases.The“compounds-diseases-targets”network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.6.0.ClusterMaker functionality in Cytoscape is being used to screen important targets for AOF-SR treatment of DKD.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of important targets were performed using DAVID database.In addition,according to the predicted results of network pharmacology,HK-2 cells were used to construct DKD model for verification experiment.HK-2 cells were divided into control group,high glucose(HG)group and AOF-SR(HG+AOF-SR)group to detect survival rate and expression of key proteins in NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.Results:A total of 38 compounds were selected from AOF-SR,of which 23 were Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus and 15 were Saposhnikoviae Radix.Through enrichment analysis of 82 important targets,88 signaling pathways were identified;some of these pathways,such as the NF-κB,PI3K-Akt,IL-17,and JAK/STAT signaling pathways,regulate the pathological process of DKD.In verification experiment,the HK-2 cells survival rate was higher in the HG+AOF-SR group than in the HG group(P<0.05).Moreover,western blotting results showed that the expression levels of NF-κB,p-PI3K,and p-Akt in HG+AOF-SR group were significantly lower than those in HG group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Overall,this study revealed the active compounds,important targets and possible mechanisms of AOF-SR treatment for DKD,and conducted preliminary verification experiments on its correctness,provided novel insights into the treatment of DKD by AOF-SR.

Analysis of novel coronavirus pneumonia treatment with Chinese herbal compound

Objective: To analyze the prescription law of TCM compound in the treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia, and provides reference for the clinical treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia. Methods: Collected Collected 24 novel coronavirus pneumonia related diagnostic and therapeutic plans issued by the National Health Council and the Chinese medicine authority from January 26, 2020 to March 8th ,the filtered solution involved in the formula, establishing database of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription for the treatment of new crown pneumonia, the frequency of using frequency analysis methods of analysis and clustering analysis and association rules analysis to sort out data mining analysis of traditional Chinese medicine compound. Results: In this study, a total of 159 TCM compounds were included in the treatment of new crown pneumonia from the country and 23 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, involving 189 TCM compounds. A total of 62 high-frequency traditional Chinese medicines (frequency ≥ 11) were obtained, mainly including licorice, almond, ephedra, gypsum, Poria cocos, Huoxiang, etc The drug types are mainly heat-clearing drugs, vacuous drugs, moisture-curing drugs, and surfactant drugs. The main effect of the medicine was warm, cold, lukewarm and flat, the main effect of the medicine was bitter and bitter, and the main effect of the medicine was the lung, stomach and spleen. Cluster analysis results according to the performance of traditional Chinese medicine treatment of new crown pneumonia high frequency drugs into 7 classes;Association rule analysis results in 29 common drug pairs. Conclusion: In the treatment of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus infection with traditional Chinese medicine, the following characteristics are presented: the number of times of supplementing qi and Yin is more than that of attacking evil and maintaining health;The method of dispersing and solving the attack of wet, beneficial, wet, permeable and wet medicine fully embodies a variety of ways to drive away evil;In terms of drugs, heat-clearing drugs, deficiency drugs, dampness drugs and surface drugs are the main ones, highlighting that the basic treatment method is to dissolve dampness and detoxify, and replenish qi and Yin. In summary, this study can provide reference for guiding clinical drug use and developing new drugs.

Biomechanical analysis of optic nerve injury treated by compound light granules and ciliary neurotrophic factor

In this study, rabbit models of optic nerve injury were reproduced by the clamp method. After modeling, rabbit models were given one injection of 50 ng recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor into the vitreous body and/or intragastric injection of 4 g/kg compound light granules containing Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Raidix Paeoniae Alba at 4 days after modeling, once per day for 30 consecutive days. After administration, the animals were sacrificed and the intraorbital optic nerve was harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that the injured optic nerve was thinner and optic nerve fibers were irregular. After treatment with recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor, the arrangement of optic nerve fibers was disordered but they were not markedly thinner. After treatment with compound light granules, the arrangement of optic nerve fibers was slightly disordered and their structure was intact. After combined treatment with recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor and compound light granules, the arrangement of optic nerve fibers was slightly disordered and the degree of injury was less than after either treatment alone. Results of tensile mechanical testing of the optic nerve showed that the tensile elastic limit strain, elastic limit stress, maximum stress and maximum strain of the injured optic nerve were significantly lower than the normal optic nerve. After treatment with recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor and/or compound light granules, the tensile elastic limit strain, elastic limit stress, maximum stress and maximum strain of the injured optic nerve were significantly increased, especially after the combined treatment. These experimental findings indicate that compound light granules and ciliary neurotrophic factor can alleviate optic nerve injury at the histological and biochemical levels, and the combined treatment is more effective than either treatment alone.

The dynamic changes and mechanisms of Rehmanniae radix processing based on Maillard reaction

Background:Traditional Chinese medicines are usually processed before they are used for clinical treatment.This is done in a way associated with the Maillard reaction.Methods:Based on the Maillard reaction,this paper analyzed the degree of processing of rehmannia root(Rehmanniae radix)relative to the dynamic variation rules of Maillard reaction index parameters,including pH,A420,amino acids,and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.Furthermore,this study introduced thermal analysis techniques and pyrolysis kinetics to assess the influence of the correlation between processing raw rehmannia root and the Maillard reaction during carbonization.It then went through the whole process of transforming the raw material to end-product in order to explain the scientific connotation of processing it.Results:The results showed that each time rehmannia root was processed,its pH value and amino acid content decreased,while the A420 value and 5-HMF increased.Processing with wine shows a significant difference in these experimental indexes.The position and intensity of the maximum thermal weight loss rate peak of processed rehmannia root at different degrees of processing are different.Comprehensive quantitative 221±0.2°C for processed rehmannia root carbonization was the processing temperature limit.Moreover,the kinetic solution verified that the activation energy corresponding to the carbonization temperature was close to the maximum value of the activation energy of the whole carbonization process,and the optimal mechanism function was g(α)=((1−α)−1/3−1)2.Conclusion:The Maillard reaction occurred during the processing of rehmannia root mixed with carbonization.With each increase of the number of steaming and drying cycles involved in the processing,the level of Maillard reaction increased significantly.The wine-steaming method had a significant effect on the quality of the processed product.

Effect of Scutellariae Radix extract on experimental dextran-sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats

AIM:To investigate the effect of Scutellariae Radix extract(SRE)on ulcerative colitis(UC)in rats induced by dextran-sulfate sodium(DSS).METHODS:Colitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats(170-180 g)by 4% dextran sulfate sodium(DSS,wt/v;MW 54 000)in drinking water for 8 d.The treated rats received 4% DSS and SRE orally(100 mg/kg per day).Control rats received either tap water or SRE only.Macroscopic assessment which included body weight changes,fecal occult blood and stool consistency were determined daily.At the appointed time,the rats were sacrificed and the entire colons were removed.The colon length and the myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity were measured.The severity of colitis was graded by morphological and histological assessments.The ion transport activity of the colonic mucosa was assessed by electrophysiological technique.RESULTS:Rats treated with oral administration of 4% DSS regularly developed clinical and macroscopic signs of colitis.Treatment with SRE relieved the symptoms,including the reduction in body weight,shortening and ulceration of the colon.Administration of SRE also significantly reduced the histological damage induced by DSS.Moreover,the ISC responses of the colonic mucosato forskolin were suppressed after the induction of colitis.The stimulated ion transport activity of DSS-rats treated with SRE displayed significant improvement in the secretory responsiveness.CONCLUSION:SRE was effective in treating acute DSS-induced ulcerative colitis,as gauged by reduced clinical disease,improved macroscopic and histological damage scores,and enhanced recovery of normal colonic secretory function.

Screening and Identifying of Nephrotoxic Compounds in Lithospermum erythrorhizon Using Live-cell Fluorescence Imaging and Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

In order to identify the potential nephrotoxic compounds in traditional Chinese medicine Lithospermum erythrorhizon,it was separated into serial fractions according to their polarities.An in vitro method was utilized to determine the nephrotoxicity of these fractions with the help of fluorescence image analysis.As a result,the primary fraction A05 and its secondary fractions C06 ＂C09 and C12 ＂C14 were found to have significant toxicity to LLC-PK1 cell line,as determined by the survive rate less than 20% after they were treated with these fractions.These potential nephrotoxic fractions were further analyzed by multistage and high resolution mass spectrometry.The main compounds in these fractions were tentatively identified to be acetylshikonin,isobutyrylshikonin,β,β＇-dimethyla-cryloylshikonin,and isovalerylshikonin,which may bring nephrotoxicity.