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Context: the Xihuang pill (XHP) is a traditional chinese medicine formulation that has been historically used in the prevention and treatment of proliferative breast diseases. However, there is a lack of guidelines that offer recommendations for its clinical use. Objective: the task force from the chinese Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for XHP to prevent and treat proliferative breast diseases. Methods: we searched six chinese and english electronic databases, including the china National Knowledge infrastructure, the chinese Scientific Journal Database, the wanfang Medical Database, PubMed, and embase, up to November 1, 2022. Publications (case reports, clinical observation, clinical trials, reviews) on using XHP to treat proliferative breast diseases were manually searched. the search terms were Xihuang pill, hyperplasia of the mammary gland, breast lump, and mastalgia. the writing team developed recommendations based on the best available evidence. Results: treatment should be customized based on syndrome identification. we recommend using XHP for the prevention and treatment of breast hyperplasia disease when a patient presents the following syndromes: concurrent blood stasis syndrome, concurrent phlegm-stasis syndrome, and concurrent liver fire syndrome. Safety indicators, including blood analysis and liver and kidney function monitoring, should be performed regularly during treatment. Conclusions: current clinical evidence suggests that XHP can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other medications to prevent and manage breast hyperplasia diseases. More randomized controlled studies are warranted to establish high-quality evidence of its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to rapidly detect toxic alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). We systematically investigated twelve nanomaterials (NMs) as matrices and found that MoS2 and defect-rich-WO3 (D-WO3) were the best NMs for alkaloid detection. MoS2 and D-WO3 can be used directly as matrices dipped onto conventional ground steel target plates. Additionally, they can be conveniently fabricated as three-dimensional (3D) NM plates, where the MoS2 or D-WO3 NM is doped into resin and formed using a 3D printing process. We obtained good quantification of alkaloids using a chemothermal compound as an internal standard and detected related alkaloids in TCM extracts, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Caowu (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix), and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex). The work enabled the advantageous "dip and measure" method, demonstrating a simple and fast LDI-MS approach that achieves clean backgrounds for alkaloid detection. The 3D NM plates also facilitated mass spectrometry imaging of alkaloids in TCMs. This method has potential practical applications in medicine and food safety. Doped nanomaterial facilitates 3D printing target plate for rapid detection of alkaloids in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echinacea purpurea (EP) is a common medicinal material for extracting anti-RSV components. However, up to now, there has been no effective and simple method to comprehensively reflect the quality of EP. In our current study, the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench samples from six different cultivation locations in China was evaluated by establishing a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint, combining chemical pattern recognition and multi-component determination. In this study, the chemical fingerprints of 15 common peaks were obtained using the similarity evaluation system of the chromatographic fingerprints of traditional Chinese medicine (2012A Edition). Among the 15 components, three phenolic acids (caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid and cichoric acid) were identified and determined. The similarity of fingerprints of 16 batches of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench samples ranged from 0.905 to 0.998. The similarity between fingerprints of five batches of commercially available Echinacea pupurea (L.) Moench and the standard fingerprint "R" ranged from 0.980 to 0.997, which proved the successful establishment of the fingerprint. PCA and HCA were performed with the relative peak areas of 15 common peaks (peak 3 as the reference peak) as variables. Anhui and Shaanxi can be successfully distinguished from the other four cultivation areas. In addition, the index components of caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid and cichoric acid were in the range of 1.77–8.60 mg/g, 0.02–0.20 mg/g and 2.27–15.87 mg/g. The results of multi-component index content determination show that the contents of the Shandong cultivation area were higher, followed by Gansu, Henan and Hebei, and the lowest were Anhui and Shaanxi. The results are consistent with PCA and HCA, which proved that the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench from different origins was different. HPLC fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition and multi-component content determination was a reliable, comprehensive and prospective method for evaluating the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. This method provides a scientific basis for the quality control and evaluation of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The root of Morinda officinalis How. (MO, the family of Rubiaceae) has long been used to treat inflammatory diseases in China and other eastern Asian countries, and iridoid glycosides extracted from MO (MOIG) are believed to contribute to this anti-inflammatory effect. However, the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of MOIG has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine how MOIG exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects in vivo and in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: MOIG were enriched by XDA-1 macroporous resin. The maximum feasible dose method was adopted to evaluate its acute toxicity. The analgesic effect of MOIG was evaluated by acetic acid writhing test and the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by cotton-pellet granuloma test in rats and air pouch granuloma test in mice. The anti-arthritic effect was evaluated by establishing an adjuvant arthritis model induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). The viability of the cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring NO, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The protein level of inflammatory responsive genes was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results: MOIG had no significant toxicity at maximum feasible dose of 22.5 g/kg. MO extracts and MOIG (50,100 and 200 mg/kg) all evoked a significantly inhibitory effects on the frequency of twisting induced by acetic acid in mice compared with the model control group. Administration of MO extracts and MOIG markedly decreased the dry and wet weight of cotton pellet granuloma in rats and air pouch granuloma in mice. MOIG significantly attenuated the paw swelling and decreased the arthritic score, weight loss, spleen index, and the serum level of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17a in CFA-induced arthritic rats. MOIG inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and the expressions of iNOS, COX-2 and proteins related to MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion: MOIG exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities through inactivating MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and this finding may provide a sound experimental basis for the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with MOIG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For time immemorial, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used in China for disease treatment and promotion of general well-being. However, in recent years, many studies have shown that mycotoxins produced by fungi could contaminate CHMs due to unfavourable pre- or post-harvest conditions, raising major concern for consumer safety. At present, there is a significant focus on developing novel mycotoxin detection methods for analysing CHMs, and numerous studies have aimed to determine which kinds of raw herbal materials are most susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding and detection of mycotoxins in domestic raw herbal materials and related products from 2000 to 2018. Aspects of mycotoxin contamination of CHMs covered in this review include common mycotoxin contaminants in CHMs, maximum mycotoxin residue limits, analytical methods for mycotoxin detection and their applications and limitations, as well as a brief discussion of the trends in ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicine is a major part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is evolved as a system of medical practice from ancient China. The use of herbal medicine is mainly based on practice and theories and concepts rooted in ancient philosophy. In the era of evidence-based medicine, it is essential to accurately evaluate herbal remedy with standard/modern medical practice approaches. Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) Hartley (TR), a medicinal plant with diversify bioactive components, has been broadly used to treat pain and gastrointestinal disorders in TCM. However, TR has also been reported to have potential toxicity by long-term use or excessive doses, though the associated compounds are yet to be identified. TR is usually processed, and/or combined with other herbs in TCM formulas in order to achieve a synergistic effect or reduce its toxicity. Since processing or polyherbal formulation of TR may lead to changes in its chemical composition and contents, quality, efficacy and toxicity, comparison of TR samples before and after processing, as well as its combination with other medicines, would provide useful knowledge of bioactive compounds, efficacy and toxicity of this valuable medicinal plant. Here we reviewed the recent studies about the phytochemistry, pharmacokinetic behaviors and toxicity of TR under various processing or polyherbal formulation conditions, which would expand our understanding of mechanisms of TR's efficacy and toxicity and be valuable for quality control in industrial manufacturing, future medicinal research, and safety and rational use of TR in TCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ContextLitsea cubeba(Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae) has long been used as a folk remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Previous studies from our laboratory indicated thatL. cubebaextract showed anti-arthritic activity in rats. ObjectiveTo studyL. cubebachemically and biologically and to find the potential constituents responsible for its anti-arthritic effect. Materials and methodsThe compounds were isolated from the root ofL. cubebaby column chromatography which eluted with PE:EtOAc gradient system, and the structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic data analysis; the anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and the TNF-α and NO level were measured by ELISA (commercial kit); The iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR and the phosphorylation of IκBα, IKKβ, P38 and Akt were determined by western blots. ResultsA novel 9-fluorenone, 1-ethoxy-3,7-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-9-fluorenone (1), together with 4 known compounds, namely pinoresinol (2), syringaresinol (3), 9,9′-O-di-(E)-feruloyl-meso-5,5′-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (4) and lyoniresinol (5) were isolated from the root ofL. cubebafor the first time. The IC50for NO inhibition on compounds1and4were 56.1 ± 1.2 and 32.8 ± 2.3 μM, respectively. The IC50for TNF-α inhibition were 28.2 ± 0.9 and 15.0 ± 1.0 μM, respectively. Both1and4suppress mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2 and protein phosphorylation of IκBα, IKKβ in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Discussion and conclusionCompounds1and4isolated fromL. cubebaexhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity through the NF-κB signal pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., an annual plant of the Umbelliferae species is one of the most widely used traditional herbal medicines and its fruits have been used to treat a variety of diseases in China, Vietnam, and Japan. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and contraindication of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. and to provide future directions of research on this plant. To date, 350 compounds have been isolated and identified from Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., including the main active constituent, coumarins. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that osthole and other coumarin compounds possess wide range of pharmacological properties for the treatment of female genitals, male impotence, frigidity, skin-related diseases, and exhibit strong antipruritic, anti-allergic, antidermatophytic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-osteoporotic effects. Although coumarins have been identified as the main active constituents responsible for the observed pharmacological effects, the molecular mechanisms of their actions are still unknown. Therefore, further studies are still required to reveal the structure-activity relationship of these active constituents. In addition, toxicological and clinical studies are also required to provide further data for pharmaceutical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (LC; Umbelliferae) is an effective medical plant, which has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases with other Chinese herbal medicines. Although a considerable amount of scientific research was reported on LC in the last decade, it is currently scattered across various publications. The present review comprises the chemical and pharmacological research on LC in the last decade. Objective: The objective of this review is to bring together most of the scientific research available on LC and evaluate its effects and mechanisms. Methods: The information for 82 cases included in this review was compiled using major databases such as Medline, Elsevier, Springer, Pubmed, and Scholar. Results: The compounds contained in LC can be divided into five kinds, essential oil (EO), alkaloids, phenolic acids, phthalide lactones, and other constituents. A great deal of pharmacological research has been done, which mainly focuses on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, antioxidation, neuroprotection, antifibrosis, antinociception, antiinflammation, and antineoplastic activity. Conclusion: A large number of pharmacological and chemical studies during the last 10 years have demonstrated the vast medicinal potential of LC. It is still very clear that LC is a plant with widespread use now and also with extraordinary potential for the future. The documents strongly support the view that LC has beneficial therapeutic properties and indicates its potential as an effective adaptogenic herbal remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Hypertrophic scarring following surgical procedures, trauma and especially burns can lead to severe functional and cosmetic impairment, causing a decrease in the quality of life. Although a wide choice of treatments is offered, few therapeutic methods are universally accepted because of their side effects. Objective: The effects of the essential oil (EO) extracted from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae) in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs) are investigated for the first time. Materials and methods: Chemical composition of hydrodistilled EO obtained from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The effects of EO on cell viability, apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase-3 in HSFs were investigated. Results: The experimental results showed that EO significantly inhibited cell viability, elicited morphological changes and induced apoptosis in HSFs. EO also evidently increased the loss of MMP, the levels of LDH release and cellular ROS production, and the activity of caspase-3. Discussion and conclusion: EO-induced apoptosis was at least partially carried out via destruction of the intracellular antioxidant system and elicitation of excessive ROS accumulation in HSFs, which impaired mitochondrial membranes and elicited caspase-3 activation. EO could be an effective cure for human hypertrophic scar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-derived medicine is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Studies have shown that many animal-derived medicinal products are susceptible to contaminate of aflatoxins, nevertheless, the rapid detection for animal-derived medicine is prone to be ignored. Here we developed a sensitive indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) for rapid screening of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) in ground beetle , cockroach, silkworm and earthworm. The sensitivity of the icELISA method was significantly enhanced. The IC 50 for the four animal-derived medicinal samples ranged from 0.092 to 0.135 ng mL−1; the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.008–0.020 ng mL−1. To obtain high accuracy, the extraction solution and time were evaluated. By using this method, a total of 138 samples were investigated, and the detection rates of AFB 1 in ground beetle and earthworm samples were 26.6% and 16.7%, respectively. The result was validated by liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry, and an excellent correlation was observed between the two datasets, with a R 2 value of 0.999. Our results indicate that the proposed method can be used for the rapid detection of AFB 1 in animal-derived medicine. Furthermore, the quantitative risk assessment was conducted for ground beetle and earthworm based on the results, demonstrating that the intake of AFB 1 in ground beetle had a slight threat to the risk of cancer. [Display omitted] • A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening of the aflatoxin B 1 in animal-derived medicines was performed. • Compared with previous reports, the limits of detection of aflatoxin B 1 increased by 4–12 times. • The quantitative risk assessment of aflatoxin B 1 was conducted for ground beetle and earthworm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (called Baizhu in China) is a medicinal plant that has long been used as a tonic agent in various ethno-medical systems in East Asia, especially in China, for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, and fetal irritability. Aim of the review This review aims to provide a systematic summary on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of A. macrocephala to explore the future therapeutic potential and scientific potential of this plant. Materials and methods A literature search was performed on A. macrocephala using scientific databases including Web of Science, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Springer, PubMed, SciFinder, and ScienceDirect. Information was also collected from classic books of Chinese herbal medicine, Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, unpublished materials, and local conference papers on toxicology. Plant taxonomy was confirmed to the database “The Plant List” ( www.theplantlist.org ). Results More than 79 chemical compounds have been isolated from A. macrocephala , including sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, polyacetylenes, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, steroids, benzoquinones, and polysaccharides. Crude extracts and pure compounds of A. macrocephala are used to treat gastrointestinal hypofunction, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, splenic asthenia, abnormal fetal movement, Alzheimer disease, and obesity. These extracts have various pharmacological effects, including anti-tumor activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-aging activity, anti-oxidative activity, anti-osteoporotic activity, neuroprotective activity, and immunomodulatory activity, as well as improving gastrointestinal function and gonadal hormone regulation. Conclusions A. macrocephala is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb with multiple pharmacological activities. Pharmacological investigations support the traditional use of A. macrocephala , and may validate the folk medicinal use of A. macrocephala to treat many chronic diseases. The available literature shows that much of the activity of A. macrocephala can be attributed to sesquiterpenoids, polysaccharides and polyacetylenes. However, there is a need to further understand the molecular mechanisms and the structure-function relationship of these constituents, as well as their potential synergistic and antagonistic effects. Further research on the comprehensive evaluation of medicinal quality, the understanding of multi-target network pharmacology of A. macrocephala , as well as its long-term in vivo toxicity and clinical efficacy is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Osteoporosis is a chronic epidemic which can leads to enhanced bone fragility and consequent an increase in fracture risk. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas have a long history of use in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Antiosteoporotic TCM formulas have conspicuous advantage over single drugs. Systematic data mining of the existing antiosteoporotic TCM formulas database can certainly help the drug discovery processes and help the identification of safe candidates with synergistic formulations. In this review, the authors summarize the clinical use and animal experiments of TCM formulas and their mechanism of action, and discuss the potential antiosteoporotic activity and the active constituents of commonly used herbs in TCM formulas for the therapy of osteoporosis. Materials and methods The literature was searched from Medline, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Spring Link, Web of Science, CNKI and VIP database from 1989 to 2015, and also collected from Chinese traditional books and Chinese Pharmacopoeia with key words such as osteoporosis, osteoblast, osteoclast, traditional Chinese medicine formulas to identify studies on the antiosteoporotic effects of TCM formulas, herbs and chemical constituents, and also their possible mechanisms. Results Thirty-three TCM formulas were commonly used to treat osteoporosis, and showed significant antiosteoporotic effects in human and animal. The herb medicines and their chemical constituents in TCM formulas were summarized, the pharmacological effects and chemical constituents of commonly used herbs in TCM formulas were described in detail. The action mechanisms of TCM formulas and their chemical constituents were described. Finally, the implication for the discovery of antiosteoporotic leads and combinatory ingredients from TCM formulas were prospectively discussed. Conclusions Clinical practice and animal experiments indicate that TCM formulas provide a definite therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. The active constituents in TCM formulas are diverse in chemical structure, and include flavonoids, lignans, saponins and iridoid glycosides. Antiosteoporotic mechanism of TCM formulas and herbs involves multi regulatory pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin, BMP/Smad, MAPK pathway and RANKL/OPG system. Phytochemicals from TCM formulas and their compositional herb medicines offer great potential for the development of novel antiosteoporotic drugs. The active ingredients in TCM formulas can be developed in combination as potent drugs, which may exhibit better antiosteoporotic effects compared to the individual compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological significance Icariin (I), ferulic acid (F) and timosaponin B II (T) derived respectively from the leaf of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim (EBM, Berberidaceae), rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AAB, Liliaceae) and root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (ASD, Umbelliferae) are included in several traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas for the treatment of osteoporosis. In addition, the medicinal materials and chemical constituents in many traditional Chinese formulas have been shown to have potential synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects. Aim of study To explore the action mechanism and interactions between I, T and F as bone anabolic ingredients on osteoblasts, and fully understand their action mechanism and rationality of the formula design. Materials and methods An osteoporotic model was established in bilaterally ovariectomized mice. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and serum biochemical parameters including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and deoxypyridinoline cross-links (DPD) were measured to evaluate the effects of I, T or F alone and their combinations on osteoporotic mice. UMR-106 osteoblastic cells and primary osteoblasts in neonatal rat calvarias were used to evaluate the osteogenesis effect. The immunohistochemical method and Western-blot analysis were used to detect the expression of critical proteins in the process of proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Results IFT combinations enhanced the therapeutic effect without increasing the adverse effects on osteoporotic mice, synergistically increased the osteoblast proliferation, ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation, and promoted the expression of bone matrix by regulating BMP and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in osteoblasts. Conclusion IFT combinations reinforced the therapeutic effect on osteoporosis by modulating multi-signaling pathways and action targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hyperlipidemia is one of the vital coronary risk factors and is positively related to morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease. There are numerous herbal medicines which are reported to exert good hypolipidemic actions with few side effects. In the present study, the hypolipidemic effects of polydatin, a compound from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc, on hyperlipidemic rabbits were evaluated. Thirty-two male rabbits were fed a high fat/cholesterol diet for 6weeks and another eight male rabbits fed a basic diet served as normal control. Three weeks after a high fat/cholesterol diet, the animals were orally administrated polydatin (25, 50, and 100mgkg−1 per day) by intubation for 3weeks. The results showed that polydatin markedly decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in hyperlipidemic rabbits. The ratio of TC to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the liver coefficient were also reduced. But both polydatin and high fat/cholesterol diet did not evidently affect body weight in hyperlipidemic rabbits. All these results suggest that polydatin from Polygonum cuspidatum has favorable potency to develop a hypolipemic and/or hepatoprotective agent in clinic. However the mechanism of hypolipemic action of polydatin is in need of further clarity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A high-performance liquid chromatographic method using diode-array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD–ESI-MS/MS) was developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis on Xanthium fruit, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, 7 characteristic components, 1-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 1,5-O-di-caffeoylquinic acid, 1,3-O-di-caffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-di-caffeoylquinic acid and 1,3,5-O-tri-caffeoylquinic acid were identified and quantified by a validated HPLC-DAD method, and a fingerprint comprised of 12 markers was established under the same operating conditions. Furthermore, HPLC–ESI-MS/MS method was successfully used to deduce the structure of three main constituents. On the basis of the established chromatographic profiles, 30 populations of cocklebur samples including 3 related species and 1 unknown species were divided into 3 chemotypes, indicated that place of origin significantly influences the kinds and content of components in cocklebur, and hence affects their quality. The simultaneous determination of 7 caffeoylquinic acids in the 30 samples showed a great variety in the amounts of caffeoylquinic acids present. The study indicated that some species such as Xanthium mongolicum of the genus Xanthium might be suitable for development as new alternative sources of caffeoylquinic acids to supplement the officially listed Xanthium species, and the abundant constituents such as chlorogenic acid perhaps should be recorded in some authorized publications and applied to the quality control or quality evaluation for Xanthium in China. The entire analytical procedure is reproducible and suitable for the authentication and quantification of Xanthium fruits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Bone formation and resorption is a balanced and continuous process. When osteoclastic bone resorption exceeds osteoblastic bone formation, bone density decreases, which can lead to osteoporosis. Er-Zhi-Wan (EZW), a famous traditional Chinese formulation, has been developed as a restorative formula for hundreds of years, which contains two herbs viz. Herba Ecliptae and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi. EZW is widely used to prevent and treat various kidney diseases for its actions of nourishing the kidney yin and strengthening tendon and bone. The objective of current study was to investigate the effects of EZW on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro using a serum pharmacological method. Methods: The rats were orally administered EZW (0.45, 1.8 and 7.2gkg−1) for total seven doses and twice a day, and then the different concentrations of EZW-containing serum were prepared. The proliferation of primary cultural osteoblasts, UMR106 and RAW264.7 cells and differentiation of osteoclasts were determined after these cells were treated with different concentrations of EZW-containing serum for a period of time. Results: The serum from rats treated with EZW for 4 days did not facilitate proliferation of primary cultural osteoblasts and UMR106 cells, but evidently inhibited both proliferation of RAW264.7 cells and differentiation of osteoclasts from RAW264.7 cells induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANK-L) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). Conclusion: Antiosteoporotic activity of EZW is carried out mainly via restraint of osteoclastic bone resorption, which is in accordance with the traditional Chinese medicine theory on nourishing the kidney yin. Therefore EZW has favorable potency to develop a new anti-osteoporotic agent in clinic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]