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Vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) is usually used to focus other drugs effect on liver in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, no sufficient scientific data are available to support this concept. In this paper, the liver targeting enhancing effect of VBRB on rhein was investigated. 432 of rats were divided into two large groups according to the dose of rhein, low dose group of rhein (LDGR) and high dose group of rhein (HDGR). In each group, the rats were further divided into four subgroups, rhein control and rhein co-administered with three different doses of VBRB peroral. Concentrations of rhein and its metabolite in different tissues were determined by HPLC. Compared to the control group, VBRB significantly increased the distribution of both rhein and its metabolite in liver and meanwhile decreased their distribution in other tissues, indicating a strong liver targeting enhancing effect. This liver targeting effect of VBRB depended on the dose of VBRB and rhein. Low and high dose of VBRB had a more strong effect than medium dose in HDGR; high dose of rhein was more sensitive than low dose of rhein (P <0.05). Rhein existed in two forms after peroral administration in vivo. It was found that the liver targeting effect of VBRB was more remarkable with the native form of rhein compared to its derivative form. The results of this paper demonstrated that co-administration with VBRB is a simple and efficiencient method for liver targeting therapy, and the meridine guide theory of TCM was credible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The lateral root of Aconitum has been popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TMC) known as Fuzi which is beneficial for the treatment of various diseases, such as rheumatism, painful joints, syncope and bronchial asthma. However, it has a potential carditoxicity with a relatively narrow margin of safety. Aim of the study: This paper was designed to explore the mechanisms of Fuzi's toxicity and find out potential tissue-specific biomarkers of toxic effects. Material and methods: A myocardial lipidomics based on ultraperformance lipid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF MS) was developed to compare three cardiac lipid extraction methods and investigate the changes of lipids in mice heart of three different dosage groups. In addition, we concurrently inspected the biochemical parameters in plasma, observed the histology of the heart and recorded the electrocardiogram (ECG). Results: The cardiotoxicity of Fuzi was dose-dependent, and the high-dose group obviously manifested the heart damage in histology and a certain degree of arrhythmia. Significant changes of 14 lipid metabolites which primarily involved in phospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, saturated fatty acid oxidation and unsaturated fatty acid peroxidation were identified and considered as the potential biomarkers of Fuzi toxicity. Conclusion: The lipidomics approach is helpful to search potential tissue-specific biomarkers and understand the underlying mechanisms of Fuzi toxicity on the heart. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Arctiin, an important lignan compound in Fructus Arctii, has been reported to possess various kinds of bioactivities. Previous studies on the pharmacokinetic of arctiin after oral administration showed that it had a rapid absorption phase followed by a sharp but lasting disappearance. To gain deep insight into the action mechanism of arctiin, the excretion and metabolism of arctiin in vivo should be further studied. In this paper, three metabolites were isolated and identified in rat feces as (−)-enterolactone (M-1), (−)-arctigenin (M-2) and [(2R,3R)-2-(3′-hydroxybenzyl)-3-(3″,4″-dimethoxybenzyl)-butyrolactone] (M-3). Based on the structures of three metabolites, possible metabolic pathways of arctiin in rats are proposed. At the same time, the cumulative excretion rate of arctiin and its metabolites in rat urine and feces were determined, indicating that arctiin was excreted 19.84% in urine and 1.80% in feces, respectively, enterolactone, the most main metabolite, was excreted 35.80% in feces. These results provide very important information for understanding the metabolism and excretion of arctiin in vivo and speculating its action mechanism, they can provide useful information and reference for further metabolic investigations on arctiin in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) is a mixture of flavonoids, and showed a capability of inducing cell apoptosis; however, its properties have not yet been fully investigated. This paper evaluates the antitumor effects of PMBE in murine sarcoma S180 both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the growth inhibition of S180 cells was concentration dependent on PMBE as shown by the CCK-8 assay. The AO/EB staining and flow cytometry assay showed that PMBE induced S180 cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the cells in the S phase were decreased by treatment with PMBE. In vivo, the treatment of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg PMBE reduced the tumor weight and volume of S180-bearing NIH mice by 9%-67% and 13%-68%, respectively. Peripheral leukocyte count and lymphoproliferation were increased significantly after treatment with PMBE. Our results suggest that PMBE inhibits the tumor cell growth by inducing cell apoptosis and improving lymphoproliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Swertia chirayita, a medicinal herb endemic to the Tibetan region, is used as a special remedy for liver disorders. The hepatoprotective activity of its plant extracts has been associated with its antioxidant activity. This paper aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects of Swertia chirayita extracts (SCE). Materials and methods: Antioxidant ability of Swertia chirayita was investigated by employing several established in vitro methods. In vivo antioxidant activity was tested against CCl4-induced toxicity in mice. The levels and activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), were then assayed using standard procedures. Results: SCE exhibited strong antioxidant ability in vitro. The liver and kidney of CCl4-intoxicated animals exhibited a significant (p <0.001) decrease in SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. Additionally, these organs exhibited a significant (p <0.001) increase in MDA level. CCl4 did not exhibit toxicity on mice treated with SCE and Vitamin E. The effects of Swertia chirayita (three dosages) were comparable to those of Vitamin E, except in MDA level in the liver and GSH level in the kidney (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the ethanolic extract of Swertia chirayita possesses in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects. This supports the traditional use of Swertia chirayita in Tibetan medicine to cure liver diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phlomis umbrosa Turcz has been used as the traditional medicine for thousands of years in China. In this paper, the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the hot plate test, the carrageenan-induced paw edema test, the xylene-induced ear swelling test, and the acetic acid-induced Evans blue leakage and leukocyte infiltration test were used to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of this plant (25, 50 and 100mg/kg i.p.). Good dose-dependent effects were obtained in most of these tests, except in the hot plate test and the acetic acid-induced Evans blue leakage test. TLC and HPLC analyses showed iridoid glucosides were the main compositions of this extract. These findings suggested that the aqueous extract of P. umbrosa has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in clinical practice for several thousand years. TCM has played an indispensable role in the prevention and treatment of diseases, especially the complicated and chronic ones. Pharmacokinetic study on active constituents in herbal preparations is a good way for us to explain and predict a variety of events related to the efficacy and toxicity of TCM. Aim of the study: A selective and sensitive HPLC–MS/MS method was first developed and validated for the determination of luteolin, kaempferol, apigenin, quercetol, and isorhamnetin in rat plasma. Materials and methods: The LC system consisted of an Agilent Technologies Series 1200 system (Agilent, USA) equipped with an automatic degasser, a quaternary pump, and an autosampler. Chromatographic separations were performed on a Waters SunFire™ C18 column (150mm×4.6mm, 5μm), and the column temperature was maintained at 25°C and the sample injection volume was 20μL. The current LC–MS/MS assay was validated for linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, accuracy, extraction recovery and stability. Results: The validated method was successfully applied to monitoring the concentrations and pharmacokinetic studies of five flavone compounds in rat plasma after a single oral administration of Verbena officinalis L. extract with a dosage of 8.0mL/kg. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (T max1) was 0.48±2.14h for luteolin, 0.25±0.13h for kaempferol, 0.97±1.08h for apigenin, 1.04±4.25h for quercetol and 0.25±0.16h for isorhamnetin, and the maximum plasma concentration (T max2) was 3.97±1.48h, 4.05±0.46h, 4.33±0.58h, 2.99±0.48h and 4.02±0.34h. The elimination half-time (t 1/2) of luteolin, kaempferol, apigenin, quercetol and isorhamnetin was 4.02±0.81, 7.65±0.71, 3.30±0.83, 4.55±0.49 and 5.56±1.32h, respectively. Conclusions: This paper described a simple, sensitive and validated LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of luteolin, kaempferol, apigenin, quercetol and isorhamnetin in rat plasma after oral administration of V. officinalis L. extract, and investigated on their pharmacokinetic studies as well, with a short run time of 5min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, microdialysis combined with ultra performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was applied for the determination of ligustilide in freely moving rats'' brain. The extracellular unbound ligustilide could be detected in rat brain within the first time interval (0–20min) after nasal administration but not after oral administration. This result showed that ligustilide could quickly enter the brain after nasal administration; which implied that ligustilide may have a rapid onset of action. This work demonstrated the potential application of microdialysis combined with UPLC-MS in pharmacokinetic studies. Furthermore, the advantage that fewer animals used in the microdialysis experiment was confirmed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tripterygium Glycosides (TG) is effective in the treatment of patients with a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical. Wilforlide A (T1) serves as a quality control standard of TG that be listed in Drug Standard of Ministry of Public Health of the People''s Republic of China. The pharmacologic actions of T1 remain to be unidentified. In this paper, we studied the anti-inflammatory and immune suppressive effect of T1, and compared it with Triptolide (TP), which believed to be the major active component of TG. Carrageenan-induced rat pedal swelling, tampon-induced rat granulation, and mice ear inhibition rate of swelling trail results show that high-dose T1 has obvious anti-inflammatory effect. Colorimetric detection contents of hemolysin, carbon elimination from plasma of mice, mice delayed hypersensitivity immune, and organ index were measured. The results show that T1 has no significant immune suppressive activity, and there has a significant difference with TP and TG. Therefore, we think the content of TP also should be controlled as a supplement standard in order to ensure safe and effective medication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper aims to investigate the effects of verbascoside and martynoside isolated from Pedicularis dolichocymba on sports anaemia. Forty mice were divided into four groups: Group R (control group, nonsupplemented and maintained at rest), Group E (nonsupplemented and undergoing exercise), Group VE (supplemented with verbascoside 10mg/kg per day and undergoing exercise), and Group ME (supplemented with martynoside 10mg/kg per day and undergoing exercise). After 5 weeks intensive swimming exercises, we measured the RBC count, the hemoglobin concentration, the hematocrit (Hct), the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). We studied the shapes of RBC and measured the plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA). We found Group E showed lower RBC, hemoglobin and Hct levels, higher MCHC, MCH, plasma MDA levels and the abnormally shaped RBCs percentage than Groups R, VE and ME. Group ME showed lower RBC and Hct levels, higher MCH, plasma MDA levels and the abnormally shaped RBCs percentage than Group VE. The results indicated that verbascoside and martynoside have the potential of antagonizing sports anaemia, the mechanism of this effect might be related to preventing RBC from free radical damage. Moreover, verbascoside was found to be more active than martynoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]