Association of Cytokines with Clinical Indicators in Patients with Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Objective To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators.Method The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests(RUCAM)scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI.Based on Chinese herbal medicine,cardiovascular drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),antiinfective drugs,and other drugs,patients were divided into five groups.Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology.Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed.Results 73 patients were enrolled.Age among five groups was statistically different(P=0.032).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P=0.033)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(P=0.007)in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in patients with Chinese herbal medicine(IL-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P<0.001)and cardiovascular medicine(IL-6:P=0.020;TNF-α:P=0.001)were lower than those in NSAIDs group.There was a positive correlation between ALT(r=0.697,P=0.025),AST(r=0.721,P=0.019),and IL-6 in NSAIDs group.Conclusion Older age may be more prone to DILI.Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI,TNF-αand IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.

Bioactive constituents and action mechanism of Xiaoyao San for treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Xiaoyao San(XYS)is a classic Chinese medicine prescription.It is traditionally used to relieve syndrome of“liver stagnation and spleen deficiency”,a common syndrome type in traditional Chinese medicine,through soothing liver,tonifying spleen,and nourishing blood.Correspondingly,XYS has long application in the treatment of depression,dyspepsia and liver diseases.Given the rising of cutting-edge researches on XYS,there’s a significant need to diligently uncover the bioactive constituents and action mechanisms of XYS for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease accordingly.

Effects of Yigan Capsule on the expression of HMGB1,RAGE and NF-κB protein in rats with drug-induced liver injury

Objective:To study the effect of Yigan capsule on the expression of high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1),nuclear factor-B(NF-κB)and receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)in anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury(ATB-DILI),and to explore its protective effect and mechanism on ATB-DILI,so as to provide experimental basis for the clinical application of Yigan capsule.Methods:Twenty-four rats were divided into two groups.Except for the blank group(n=6),the other 18 rats were given isoniazid(INH)+rifampicin(RFP)(50 mg/kg.d)for 4 weeks.Then 18 rats were randomly divided into three groups(model group,low dose group of Yigan capsule and high dose group of Yigan capsule)according to 6 rats in each group.The blank group and the model group were given 0.9%sodium chloride solution by intragastric administration.The low dose group of Yigan capsule was 0.468 g/kg,and the high dose group of Yigan capsule was 1.872 g/kg[1].After 4 weeks,the pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.The contents of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT and TBIL were detected.The expression of HMGB1,NF-κBp65 and RAGE protein was detected by IHC.The expression levels of HMGB1,NF-κBp65,RAGE,TNF-αand IL-1βwere detected by WB.Result:HE staining showed that the structure of the liver in the model group was disordered,the liver cells showed swelling and fusion,the number of inflammatory cells increased and accompanied by punctate necrosis,while the above pathological changes in each treatment group of Yigan capsule were significantly improved.The contents of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT and TBIL in the model group were higher than those in the blank group(P<0.05).The contents of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT and TBIL in each treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,the expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the model group were increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of HMGB1,NF-κBp65 and RAGE were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin each treatment group of Yigan capsule decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of HMGB1,NF-κBp65 and RAGE decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yigan capsule may inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors through HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κBp65 signaling pathway,thus protecting ATB-DILI.

Chemical Constituents from Roots of Semiaquilegia adoxoides

Semiaquilegia adoxoides ( DC. ) Makino ( Chinese name ''Tian-Kui-Zi'' ) , theonly species of genus Semiaquilegia, belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. As a perennial herbaceousplant, both the aerial parts and the roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine for differentmedications. The roots are often used to treat inflammation, snake bite, bruises and injuries,tonsillitis, mastitis, scrofula, and cancer for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, andantineoplastic activities. The aerial parts are used for the treatment of mastitis, bruises, andheart diseases, such as endomyocarditis. The medicinal usage of this plant prompted us toinvestigate its chemical constituents. As a result, nine compounds 1-9 ( see Figure 1) were isolatedfrom the roots of S. adoxoides. Among them, compounds 1-7 and 9 were isolated from the genusSemiaquilegia for the first time.

The Chemical Constituents from the Bulbs of Ornithogalum caudatum

A new natural product (1) together with 26 know compounds were isolated from the Bulbs of Ornithogalum caudatum. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analyses as n-butyl pyroglutamate (1), nonadecyl alcohol(2), eicosanol(3), behenic acid(4), b-sitosterol(5), stigmasterol(6), glycerol 1-monocerotate(7), pyrocatechol(8), p-ethoxybenzoic acid(9), p-coumarinic acid(10), protocatechuric acid(11), ursolic acid(12), betulinic acid(13), fumaric acid(14), succinic acid(15), uracil(16), xanthine(17), quercetin(18), kaempferol (19), isorham-netin(20), adenosine(21), daucosterol(22), stigmasterol 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside(23), quercetin 3-O-b-D-glucopyra-noside(24), kaempferol 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside(25), rutin(26), and kaempferol 3-O-b-rutinoside(27). All of them, except compound 5, were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Chemical constituents from Sappan Lignum

To study the chemical constituents of Sappan Lignum. Chemical constituents were isolated by method of solvent extraction, repeated chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS. The structures were elucidated based on spectro- scopic data. Fourteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as brazilin （1）, sappanone B （2）, （E）-3-（3,4- dihydroxybenzylidene）-7-hydroxychroman-4-one （3）, 3-deoxysappanone B （4）, brazilide A （5）, euxanthone （6）, quercetin （7）, rhamnetin （8）, sappanchalcone （9）, 3-deoxysappanchalcone （10）, butein （11）, 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde （12）, 3,8,9-trihydroxy- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one （13） and 13-sitosterol （14）. Compounds 12 and 13 were two new natural compounds, and the ^13C NMR data of compound 13 were reported for the first time. Compound 6 was the first xanthone isolated from the genus Caesalpinia.

Analysis of Volatile Constituents in Lonicera japonica Thunb. from Different Origins by GC-MS

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the volatile constituents in Lonicera japonica Thunb. from different origins. [Method] HP-5MS capillary columns were used and column temperature was controlled by a program. MS analysis was performed with EI and quadruple mass analyzer. The volatile constituents in L. japonica Thunb. were identified by NIST02 and Wiley275 libraries, and their relative contents were determined with chromatographic peak area normalization method. [Result] According to GC-MS total ion-current chromatograms, 35 volatile constituents were identified in L. japonica Thunb. from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, mainly including methyl linolenate, n-hexadecanoic acid and ζ-muurolene; 18 volatile constituents were identified in L. japonica Thunb. from Hunan Province, mainly including n-hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid and α-curcumene. [Conclusion] Main volatile constituents in L. japonica Thunb. from two different origins varied significantly.

Chemical Constituents of Hedysarum gmelinii

To study the chemical constituents of Hedysarum gmelinii. Methods Theconstituents were separated and purified by different methods of chromatography, and theirstructures were elucidated by DR, MS and NMR. Results Eight compounds were isolated from Hedysarumgmelinii, including three triteipenoids, two flavonoids and two other compounds. Their structureswere identified as squasapogenol (1), soyasapogenol (2), lupeol (3), 3, 9-dihydroxy coumestan (4),3-hydroxy-9-me-thoxy pterocarpan (5), β-sitosterol (6), palmatic acid (7), and hexadecanoic acid 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (8). Conclusion All the compounds have been isolated from this plant forthe first time. Compounds 1 — 4 and 8 were obtained from this genus for the first time. The NMRdata of 1 are reported for the first time.

Advances in the Research of Chemical Constituents in Thalictrum Plants

Thalictrum plants are perennial herbs in the family Ranuneulaceae, many of which are of important medicinal values. Alkaloids are major active constituents in Thalictrum plants in addition to a small amount of triterpene and flavonoids. The major pharmacological functions of the active constituents include： anti-tumor, anti- virus, antibiosis, antiphlogosis, hypotensive action, and etc. This paper summarizes the methods for determining the contents of chemical constituents in Thalictrum plants and new chemical constituents discovered in this genus in recent ten years.

Chemical constituents from Xylosma controversum

Aim To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Xylosma controversum Clos. Methods The constituents were isolated by solvent extraction, repeated chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and RP-18 columns. The structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. Results Thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as （-）-syringaresinol （1）, syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside （2）, syringaresinol-4,4′-bis-O-β-D-glucopyranoside （3）, （±）-catechin （4）, catechin-3-O- β-D-glucopyranoside （5）, catechin-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside （6）, 1,3-bis-（4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl）-1,3-propanediol （7）, （R）-（＋）-chaulmoogric acid （8）, friedelin （9）, uracile （10）, benzoic acid （11）, vaniUic acid （12）, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid （13）. Conclusion All the compounds described above were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Chemical constituents of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara

Aim To study the chemical constituents of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara L. in the China National GAP Base of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica and provide scientific basis for quality control. Methods The constituents were separated and purified by different chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by IR, MS and NMR techniques. Results Twenty eight compounds were isolated from the flower buds of T. farfara. Their structures were identified as n- heptacosane （1）, bis（2-ethylhexyl）phthalate （2）, 7β-[3＇-ethylcrotonoyloxy]-1α-[2＇-methylbutyryloxy]-3,14-dehydro-Z-notonipetranone （3）, 7β-[3＇-ethylcrotonoyloxy]-1α-[2＇-methylbutyryloxy]-3,14-dehydro-E-notonipetranone （4）, tussilagone （5）, dibutyl phthalate （6）, bauer-7-ene-3β,16α-diol （7）, isobauerenol （8）, stigmasterol （9）, β-sitosterol （10）, 2,2-dimethyl-6-acetylchromanone （11）, n- hexadecanoic acid （12）, 7β-hydroxysitosterol （13）, 7α-hydroxysitosterol （14）, 7,14-bisdesacylnotonipetrone （15）, 2,3- dihydroxypropylpalmitate （16）, daucosterol （17）, 6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-one （18）, ferulic acid （19）, isoferulic acid （20）, caffeic acid （21）, α-D-glucose （22）, sucrose （23）, phthalic acid （24）, p-hydroxybenzoic acid （25）, gallic acid （26）, uridine （27）, and adenosine （28）. Conclusion Compounds 1, 12-16, 18 and 20 were obtained from the genus Tussilago for the first time.

Isolation and Identification of Chemical Constituents of Selaginella tamariscina

[Objective] This study aimed to isolate and identify the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina. [Method] The chemical compounds isolated from the whole plant of traditional Chinese herb S. tamariscina were purified through column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography, and then chemical structures of the compounds were determined by NMR and mass spectrometry. Finally, the anticancer activity of the compounds 5, 6 and 7 was measured by MTT assay. [Result] Seven compounds, containing carnaubic acid (1), glucose (2), β-sitosterol (3), amentoflavone (4), selaginellin (5), selaginellin M (6) and selaginellin A (7), were isolated from methanol extracts of S. tamariscina. Among the three tested compounds, compound 7 exhibited the most effective activity to inhibit the HeLa cell growth. [Conclusion] This study will provide a basis for better development and utilization of Selaginella plant resources.

Chemical Constituents from Potentilla multifida L.

Aim To investigate the chemical constituents from Potentilla multifida L..Methods Chromatographic technique was employed for the isolation and purification of theconstituents, and the structures were identified by spectral evidence. Results Four compounds wereisolated involving ade-nosine (1), apigenin-6-C-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-glucopyranoside (2),apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (3) and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (4). Conclusion The fourcompounds were obtained from the genus Potentilla for the first time.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Polygala sibirica L.

To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots ofPolygala sibirica L. The separation and purification were performed by solvent extraction and repeated chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS columns, and semiprep. HPLC. The structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. Twelve known compounds were isolated and identified as tenuifoliside A （1）, tenuifoliside B （2）, glomeratose A （3）, 3＇,6-disinapoyl sucrose （4）, sibiricose A5 （5）, sibiricose A6 （6）, sibiricose A1 （7）, sibiricose A2 （8）, polygalatenoside E （9）, 1-O-L-arabinopyranosyl-O-（6→1）-β-D-glucopyranosyl-salicylate （10）, canthoside A （11）, and methyl- 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate （12）. Compound 11 was obtained from genus Polygala for the first time, and compounds 2, 9, 10 and 12 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Chemical Constituents from Fruits of Rosa davidii

From the fruit of Rosa davidii Crep., eleven compounds were isolated and identified by spectral evidence, viz. 2 alpha, 3 beta, 19 beta -trihydroxyl-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 2 alpha, 3 beta -dihydroxyl-urs-28 (13)-lactone (2), arjunic acid (3), euscaphic acid (4), 2 alpha, 3 beta -dihydroxyl-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (5), oleanolic acid (6), kaempferol (7), tiliroside (8), quercetin (9), daucosterol (10) and beta -sitosterol (11). Among them, 1 and 2 were new compounds.

Chemical Constituents of One Species of Endophytic Fungus in Taxus chinensis

Three compounds were obtained from the mycelia of an endophytic fungus Gliocladium sp. (designated as strain F) of Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehd. growing in Fujian Province, China. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis. (20S,22S)-4a-homo-22-hydroxy-4-oxaergosta-7,24(28)-dien-3-one was a novel compound. 4,8,12,16-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraoxacyclohexadecane-2,6,10,14-tetraone was firstly isolated from the genus ofGliocladium and 6,9-epoxyergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol was firstly obtained from the strain F.

Chemical constituents from Coriolus versicolor L.

Aim To study the chemical constituents from Coriolus versicolor L.. Methods Chromatographic techniques were employed for separation and purification. The structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Results Eight compounds were isolated and identified as ergosta-7, 22-dien-313 -yl palmitate （1）, ergosta-7, 22-dien-313 -ol （2）, betulic acid （3）, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid （4）, 3- methoxy-4-hydroxy benzoic acid （5）, 3, 5-dimethoxyl-4-hydroxy benzoic acid （6）, 2-furoic acid （7）, and nicotinic acid （8）. Conclusion Eight compounds were reported for the first time from Coriolus versicolor L..

Analysis of Volatile Constituents in Bamboo Leaves Using HS-GC/MS

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the volatile constituents in bamboo leaves. [Method] The volatile compositions in bamboo leaves were analyzed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （HS-GC/MS）, and identified by searching their mass spectra in NIST database. The relative percentages of them were calculated by the GC peak areas. [Result] Fifty-three chemical constituents in bamboo leaves were separated. Among them, the main components were alcohols, ketones and aldehydes, and these compounds contained unsaturated bonds. [Con- clusion] HS-GC/MS was simple and less sample-demanding and can be used for rapid analysis of volatile constituents in bamboo leaves and provide scientific basis for further research and development of bamboo leaves.

Chemical constituents of Salvia cavaleriei Levl.var.erythrophylla (Hemsl.) Stib

Aim To investigate the chemical constituents of Salvia cavaleriei Levi. var. erythrophylla （Hemsl.） Stib. Methods Compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and the structures were identified by spectral analysis. Result Five compounds were identified as 3β, 6β, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid （1）, ursolic acid （2）, n-heptadecanoic acid （3）, n-octadecanoic acid （4）, and β-sitosterol （5）. Conclusion Five compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Chemical constituents of Ixeris sonchifolia

Aim To investigate the chemical constituents of Ixeris sonchifolia Hance. Methods The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and the structures were elucidated and characterized by spectral evidences. Result Thirteen compounds were obtained and identified as 3β-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22-one （1）, bauerenyl acetate （2）, 3β-acetoxy- 11-oxours-12-ene （3）, oleanic acid （4）, oleanane （5）, 8-desoxyartelin （6）, aesculetin （7）, ferulic acid （8）, vanillic acid （9）, sonchifolinin （10）, hexacosanol （11）, β-sitosterol （12）, and daucosterol （13）. Conclusion Compounds 1, 5, and 8 were isolated from this genus for the first time; compound 7 was obtained firstly from this plant.