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.

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.

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.

Screening potential mitochondria-targeting compounds from traditional Chinese medicines using a mitochondria-based centrifugal ultrafiltration/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method

Mitochondria regulate numerous crucial cell processes, including energy production, apoptotic cell death, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Here, we applied an efficient mitochondria-based centrifugal ultrafiltration/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry（LC/MS） method,also known as screening method for mitochondria-targeted bioactive constituents（SM-MBC）. This method allowed searching natural mitochondria-targeting compounds from traditional Chinese medicines（TCMs）, including Puerariae Radix（PR） and Chuanxiong Radix（CR）. A total of 23 active compounds were successfully discovered from the two TCMs extracts. Among these 23 hit compounds, 17 were identified by LC/MS, 12 of which were novel mitochondria-targeting compounds. Among these, 6 active compounds were analyzed in vitro for pharmacological tests and found able to affect mitochondrial functions. We also investigated the effects of the hit compounds on Hep G2 cell proliferation and on loss of cardiomyocyte viability induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. The results obtained are useful for in-depth understanding of mechanisms underlying TCMs therapeutic effects at mitochondria level and for developing novel potential drugs using TCMs as lead compounds. Finally, we showed that SM-MBC was an efficient protocol for the rapid screening of mitochondria-targeting constituents from complex samples such as PR and CR extracts.

Advances in Pharmacological Research on Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-related Bowel Cancer

In recent years,with the modern development of traditional medicine,the research on the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer is increasingly deep.This paper reviews the pharmacological research progress of flavonoids,alkaloids,polyphenols,polysaccharides,steroids and saponins in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and canceration.

The traditional Chinese medicines treat chronic heart failure and their main bioactive constituents and mechanisms

Chronic heart failure(CHF)is a severe public health problem with increasing morbidity and mortality,any treatment targeting a single session is insufficient to tackle this.CHF is characterized by reduced cardiac output resulting from neurohumoral dysregulation and cardiac remodeling,which might be related to oxidative stress,inflammation,endoplasmic reticulum stress,apoptosis,autophagy,mitochondrial function,and angiogenesis.These molecular mechanisms interact with each other through crosstalk.Historically,Chinese medicinal herbs have been widely applied in the treatment of CHF,and therapeutic effects of Chinese medicinal herbs and their ingredients have been scientifically confirmed over the past decades.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)with multiple components can confront the different pathogenesis of CHF through multiple targets.This review analyzes commonly used TCM patent drugs and TCM decoctions that are applicable to different stages of CHF based on clinical trials.Diverse bioactive ingredients in Chinese medicinal herbs have been found to treat CHF via multiple molecular mechanisms.This review comprehensively covers the key works on the effects and underlying mechanisms of TCM,herbal ingredients and synergistic effects of constituent compatibility in treating CHF,providing additional ideas to address this threat.

Chemical Progress in Cyclopeptide-containing Traditional Medicines Cited in Chinese Pharmacopoeia

Plant cyclopeptides, cyclic compounds formed mainly by the peptidic bonds of 2--37 protein and non-protein amino acids （mainly L-amino acids） and found in higher plants, have been attractive for their extensive bioactivities and distinctive molecular architectures. During the last half century＇s study, about 500 cyclopeptides divided into eight types have been isolated from over 120 species, which belong to over 20 families and 60 genera. Some cyclopeptides showed potential anti-tumor, sedative, immunosuppressive, and uterotonic activities. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia （CP, 2010 Version）, 23 species （14 families, 18 genera） containing cyclopeptides have been re- corded in the origins of 24 traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs）. Heterophyllin B （64）, first reported by us from Pseudostellaria heterophylla in 1993 was cited for the first time in CP as the standard substance of cyclopeptides for quality control. In this review, we highlight the progress in the chemical studies of these cyclopeptide-containing TCMs, in particular recent results in our group＇s publications.

Dendrobium nobile Lindl:A Review on Its Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects

Dendrobium nobile Lindl (D. nobile), a well-known precious herb, has a long history of use as a medicine and health food in China. Phytochemically, D. nobile has been found to contain various bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, bibenzyl, phenanthrene, phenylpropanoids, and polysaccharides. Its medicinal applications are closely correlated to its diverse pharmacological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, nervous system protective, antifatigue, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic actions. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the main chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of D. nobile, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms for its bioactivities. It is expected that this review will provide a helpful scientific reference for the development and use of D. nobile.

Plant Tissue Culture and Biosynthesis Provide a Fast Way to Produce Active Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

The plant kingdom has provided literally thousands of natural products with widely diverse chemical structures and a vast array of biological activities.Many of them have seen subsequent application in discovery of new druids and the pharmaceutical industry and clinical therapeutic application.

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

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.

Pharmacokinetics Applications of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been widely used in many oriental countries for thousands of years and played an indispensable role in the prevention and treatment of diseases, especially the complicated and chronic ones. It is a very complex mixture containing hundreds or thousands of different components. Pharmacokinetic study on active constituents in TCM preparations is a good way for us to explain and predict a variety of events related to the efficacy and toxicity of TCM. In the drug discovery phases, pharmacokinetics is a key to guide medicinal chemists in the optimization process of a chemical series and to assist pharmacologists to design in vivo studies.To explore the potentially bioactive components in TCM, it is necessary to further study the in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics of multiple absorbed components and find out the optical time-course behavior to providing more substantial research for new leads in drug discovery. Pharmacokinetics screening method could provide a reliable means of prospecting natural products in the search for new leads in drug discovery. This review summarizes the research progress of PK on TCM in the search for suitable lead compounds in recent years.

从五体理论探讨慢性踝关节不稳

慢性踝关节不稳即陈旧性踝关节扭伤,属于“筋伤病”的范畴,多由急性踝关节扭伤疾病失治、误治所致,该病及其所致的并发症通常导致踝关节运动功能严重受限,生活质量大幅下降。五体层次结构是《内经》人体结构理论躯体部分的主体框架,与人体运动机能密切相关,踝关节不稳的发病过程和临床表现涉及中医五体病机的演变,故笔者试从五体理论出发,探讨和阐述慢性踝关节不稳的发病机制、治疗进展,发现在五体理论指导下,无论是传统中医疗法,或是将其与西医治疗手段相结合,均可对CAI产生良好疗效。

蛇葡萄属药用植物亲缘学研究

蛇葡萄属(Ampelopsis Michaux)植物为多年生木本藤蔓植物,全世界有30余种,中国有17种,大部分为中国特有,多具有传统药用价值,可作茶饮。基于系统进化关系和形态学相似性,近期蛇葡萄属中具羽状复叶的种从该属中分出,成立牛果藤属(Nekemias Raf),但这需要更多证据,特别是植物化学方面的证据支持。对蛇葡萄属植物亲缘关系、化学成分和药理活性进行归纳总结,并对其药用亲缘学进行探讨。蛇葡萄属中含有丰富的黄酮类化合物,但其主要种类存在差异,具羽状复叶的蛇葡萄种富含二氢杨梅素、杨梅素等类黄酮物质,而其余蛇葡萄属植物则检测到了白藜芦醇、儿茶素等酚酸类物质。这些化合物具有抗肿瘤、保肝、抗菌等活性,可与传统功效相关联。对蛇葡萄属植物的药用亲缘关系进行初步探讨,可为该属植物的资源保护和进一步开发提供参考。

中药辐照灭菌研究进展

灭菌是中药生产的关键环节之一,更是确保中药安全、有效、质量可控的重要因素。传统灭菌技术如湿热灭菌等在诸多情况下因自身固有的缺点而受到限制。相比之下,辐照灭菌法凭借其快捷、高效、杀菌力强以及成本低等优势,日益受到人们的关注。然而,由于辐照具有放射性及强穿透性,中药化学成分复杂,在经一定剂量辐射后,其化学成分与药理活性等可能会发生变化。但目前,对于中药辐照灭菌后化学成分变化、有效性和安全性尚缺乏系统研究。本文结合近年来60Co-γ射线和电子束辐照灭菌在中药灭菌研究的现状,综述辐照对中药有效性的影响、辐照的检测方法以及安全性评价等,以期为后续中药辐照灭菌的应用提供一定的参考。

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。

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。

生物活性测定法在中药质量控制应用中的研究进展

生物活性测定法可以有效保障中药的有效性和安全性,在中药质量检测中有良好的应用前景,同时可以和其他质量检测方法联合应用,建立多元化的中药质量控制模式。但生物活性测定法也存在一定的不足,面临许多的挑战,需要进一步的探索和发展。本文在介绍生物活性测定法基本内容的基础上,通过查找和阅读国内外相关文献,讨论生物活性测定法相较于化学分析方法和传统感官评价方法在中药质量检测中的优势及应用,以探讨生物活性测定法在中药质量控制中的应用及研究进展。

中药制剂化学稳定性及其调控策略

中药制剂具有毒性低、不良反应少、疗效可靠等优点,是我国医药产品的重要组成部分。然而中药制剂中的化学成分在制备、储存、运输和使用过程中易受自身和外界因素的影响而发生化学变化,出现中药制剂化学稳定性问题,从而影响其安全性和药理活性。如何通过有效措施提升中药制剂化学稳定性是一关键性问题。因此,本文在分析了中药制剂一般稳定性和化学稳定性研究现状、概述了中药制剂化学成分变化机制及影响因素的基础上,结合相关文献,提出了提高中药制剂化学稳定性的调控策略,以期为中药制剂的研究、开发与利用提供参考。

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。