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This paper aims to explore the activity of Codonopsis canescens extract against rheumatoid arthritis(RA) based on the Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways and its mechanism. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to identify the components of C. canescens extract. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, namely the normal group, the model group, the methotrexate(MTX) tablet group, and the low, medium, and high-dose C. canescens extract(ZDS-L, ZDS-M, and ZDS-H) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The model of collagen-induced arthritis in rats was induced by injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen emulsion. MTX(2.5 mg·kg~(-1)), ZDS-L, ZDS-M, and ZDS-H(0.3 g·kg~(-1), 0.6 g·kg~(-1), and 1.2 g·kg~(-1)) were administrated by gavage. Rats in the normal group and the model group received distilled water. MTX was given once every three days for 28 days, and the rest medicines were given once daily for 28 days. Body weight, degree of foot swelling, arthritis index, immune organ index, synovial histopathological changes, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were observed. Protein expressions of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB p65, p38 MAPK, and p-p38 MAPK in rats were determined by Western blot. Thirty-four main components were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, including 15 flavonoids, 7 phenylpropanoids, 4 terpenoids, 4 organic acids, 2 esters, and 2 polyalkynes. As compared with the normal group, the body weight of the model group was significantly decreased(Plt;0.01), and foot swelling(Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01), arthritis index(Plt;0.01), and the immune organ index(Plt;0.01) were significantly increased. The synovial histopathological injury was obviously observed in the model group. The serum levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly increased(Plt;0.01), and the protein expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB p65, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in the synovial tissue were significantly increased(Plt;0.01) in the model group. As compared with the model group, the body weights of the ZDS dose groups were increased(Plt;0.01), and the degree of foot swelling(Plt;0.01) and the arthritis index were decreased(Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01). The immune organ index was decreased(Plt;0.01) in the ZDS dose groups, and the synovial tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were alleviated. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly decreased(Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01), and the protein expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB p65, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were decreased(Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01) in the ZDS dose groups. C. canescens extract containing apigenin, tricin, chlorogenic acid, aesculin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and oleanolic acid has a good anti-RA effect, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLRs/MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Fourteen classical prescriptions in the Catalog of 100 Ancient Classical Prescriptions(First Batch) promulgated in 2018 contain Chuanxiong Rhizoma, which reveals the high medicinal value and wide application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. This paper systematically reviews the ancient herbal books and modern literature to explore the name, origin, genuine producing area, medicinal part, harvesting, and processing of Chuanxiong Rhizoma, thus facilitating the development of classical prescriptions containing Chuan-xiong Rhizoma. It is confirmed that Chuanxiong Rhizoma, formerly known asquot;Xiongqiongquot; in Chinese, was first calledquot;Chuanxiongquot; in late Tang Dynasty, which has been gradually accepted as its official name due to the rise of the status of Chuanxiong Rhizoma produced in Sichuan. The main original plant of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in past dynasties has always been deemed to be Ligusticum chuan-xiong(Umbellifera), whose rhizome serves as the medicinal part. In general, it is best harvested in summer but the harvesting time can vary with different growth environments. Since the Song Dynasty, Sichuan province has been recognized as the genuine producing area of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in light of the high yield and good quality. It is suggested that Chuanxiong Rhizoma from Sichuan be used preferentially in the development of classical prescriptions. There are multiple processing methods of Chuanxiong Rhizoma recorded in ancient medical classics, and the raw(after purifying and slicing) or wine-processed or stir-fried Chuanxiong Rhizoma is still in use today. In the development of classical prescriptions containing Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma is advised to be processed in accordance with current processing standards if the specific processing method is described in the medical classics. If not, the raw Chuanxiong Rhizoma is preferred and then processed following the processing standards of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Background: Excessive consumption of alcohol is ranked as one of the leading causes of death from alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Our previous study demonstrated that the whole extracts of Lagotis brachystachys decreased acute hepatic injury in rats. However, the compounds of the extracts that are responsible for the hepatoprotective activity and their underlying mechanism are still unknown. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of whole extracts of L. brachystachys against chronic alcohol-induced ALD in rats. Materials and Methods: Different polar compounds of ethanolic extract from L. brachystachys were orally administered to rats that underwent 8 weeks of alcohol exposure. Results: The histological evaluation of rat liver showed that the rats exposed to 30% and 50% ethanolic extracts of L. brachystachys had significantly less formation of lipid droplets and showed less inflammatory infiltration than that of control rats with ALD. The extracts also inhibited alcohol-induced elevation of serum lipid peroxidation levels. In addition, L. brachystachys restored the levels of antioxidants and inhibited the alcohol-induced activation of the hepatic Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway, thereby decreasing the release of interleukin (IL)-1β. Conclusion: Our data revealed that L. brachystachys showed hepatoprotective effect against chronic alcohol-induced hepatic injury by decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress and by inhibiting the inflammatory processes. The extracts decreased the release of IL-1β via inactivation of the hepatic TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Potential xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitors in Lagotis brevituba were captured by using affinity and ultrafiltration. The structures of the captured components were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The binding intensity and binding mechanism between the captured components and XOD were analyzed by using molecular docking software Autodock 4.2. A total of 17 compounds were identified, including 9 flavonoids, 5 phenolic acids and 3 triterpenes. Molecular docking results showed that all the captured components could be spontaneously bound with XOD mainly via hydrogen bond, Van der Waals' force and hydrophobic interaction. From the perspective of binding energy and scoring function, the collected fractions all had potential prospects for XOD inhibitors, and the flavonoid luteolin-3',7 glucuronide had the best effect. The results also showed that affinity and ultrafiltration, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and molecular docking technology can provide a powerful tool for the analysis of XOD inhibitor components in natural products.

The chemical constituents of Lagotis brevituba were rapidly determined and analyzed by using ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) method, providing material basis for the clinical application of L. brevituba. The separation was performed on UPLC YMC-Triart C₁₈ (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.9 μm) column, with acetonitrile-water containing 0.2% formic acid as mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL•min-1 gradient elution and column temperature was 40 ℃, the injection volume was 2 μL. ESI ion source was used to ensure the data collected in a negative ion mode. The chemical components of L. brevituba were identified through retention time, exact relative molecular mass, cleavage fragments of MS/MS and reported data. The results showed that a total of 22 compounds were identified, including 11 flavones, 6 phenylethanoid glycosides, 1 iridoid glucosides, and 4 organic acid. The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method could fast identify the chemical components of L. brevituba, providing valuable information about L. brevituba for its clinical application.

To study the chemical constituents of Plantago asiatica seeds.The constituents were isolated from the seeds of Plantago asiatica by column chromatography over silica gel, MCI gel, macroporous resin HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, Polyamide and by preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of physical and chemical properties and spectral data.Five compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as acteoside (1), isoacteoside (2), decaffeoylacteoside (3), tetradecanoic acid (4), and bis (2-ethythexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate (5).Compound 5 is isolated from Plantaginaceae for the first time. Compounds 3 and 4 are firstly characterized in Plantago asiatica.

A quantitative HPLC-MS method was developed for rapid and sensitive analysis of 5 tannins (gallotannins and proanthocyanidin types) and 5 monoterpene glycosides (pinane type) in 70% ethanol extract of Radix Paeoniae Alba (RPA). The total analysis time was less than 10 minutes without a loss in resolution using a short column packed with 1.8 µm porous particles, six times faster than the performance of conventional columns of 5.0 µm porous particles. This assay was fully validated with respect to precision, repeatability, and accuracy. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r 2 > 0.9961), and recoveries of all analytes fell in the ranges of 92.0–104.1%. The developed method was successfully applied to analysis of the 10 marker compounds in 6 processed RPA products and 27 commercial samples from different pharmacies in China. The quantitative results demonstrated that samples processed in different ways and from different provinces showed varied qualities based on the contents of act...

ITS2 of DNA barcoding was used to study genetic polymorphism of Platycodon grandiflorum.Total genomic DNA was isolated from P. grandiflorum. PCR was used to amplified the region of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), and PCR products were sequenced. The sequences of ITS2 were analyzed and compared by Clustal. The intraspecies genetic distance was calculated based on Kimura 2-parameter model by using MEGA 5.05. The ITS2 sequence of Codonopsis pilosula was used as the outreach value for plants of the genus, and the phylogenic tree used constructed by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method.The K2-P's genetic distance of all samples were ranged from 0 to 0.930. The K2-P's genetic distance of samples at the same area were ranged from 0 to 0.178. The K2-P's genetic distance of samples at different areas were ranged from 0.735 to 0.930. The analytical result showed that the degree of genetic variation were heavy in intraspecies of P. grandiflorum and significantly correlated with geographical location.The DNA barcoding of ITS2 can applied to study the intraspecific genetic diversity, it provides a reference for further development of DNA barcoding technology applications.

To establish a method of HPLC fingerprint and chemical pattern recognition of liposoluble chemical components for quality evaluation of Euodiae Fructus.The HPLC chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-0.5% acetic acid in gradient elution with flow rate of 1 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 249 nm, and the column temperature was 30 degrees C.There were 9 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprint of 34 batches of Euodiae Fructus samples. The results of cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that the liposoluble chemical components of Euodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. var. officinalis (Dode) Huang and Euodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. var. bodinieri (Dode) Huang were more similar than that of Euodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth.The results provide new experimental and theoretical basis for quality control and evaluation of Euodiae Fructus.

To investigate the effect of Zhizi Baipi soup and its disassembled prescription on protecting liver and improving choleresis and explore the regularity of Zhizi Baipi soup composition.The model of mouse liver injury induced by carbon tetraehlofide (CCl4) was used to observe the effects of Zhizi Baipi soup and its disassembled prescription by oral adminstration, the bile volume was determinied by common bile duct drainage.Zhizi Baipi soup and each treatment group with gardenia could significantly inhibit the increased serum ATL and AST activities, reduce liver MDA level, and significantly promote the bile flow and bilirubin in bile in normal rats.Zhizi Baipi soup has effects on protecting liver and increasing bile secretion, its monarch drug, gardenia plays an important role in the decoction, the effect of eliminating dampness and heat are mainly ascribed to the synergic effect of gardenia and phellodendron.

This paper describes CaSO4:Dy and LiF:Mg, Cu, P which were used for ambient environmental monitoring before the nuclear power plant operation in Guangdong Daya Bay, China, in 1991. Since LiF:Mg, Cu, P was first used as an environmental dosimeter in this laboratory, the intercomparison of both thermoluminescent dosimeters, including laboratory irradiation and environmental exposure in Beijing reference spots, was conducted in cooperation with National Institute of Metrology and Laboratory of Industrial Hygiene, measured values of both thermoluminescent dosimeters were in agreement with the error being less than +or- 2% for the laboratory irradiation. The results of measurement by both thermoluminescent dosimeters were quite in agreement with environmental reference exposure rates measured by a pressurized ionization chamber. The largest error of CaSO4:Dy environmental monitoring results in Daya Bay also showed that the differences of measurement results between two thermoluminescent dosimeters were not significant. The experiment results indicated that LiF:Mg, Cu, P was a good environmental dosimeter.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method of comprehensive chemical pattern recognition of plantain seed via HPLC fingerprint, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. METHOD The chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-0.5% acetic acid aqueous solution in gradient elution. The HPLC fingerprint of ethyl acetate fraction of 24 batches Plantaginis Semen from different habits and varieties was set up and 10 common peaks were obtained. RESULT The result of the principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis is similar but there is disparity between them. CONCLUSION The method could be used for the quality control and comprehensive evaluation of Plantaginis Semen.

To determinate geniposide and croein-1 in Fructus Gardeniae from different breeds.RP-HPLC method was adopted. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Eclipse XDB-C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm, Agilent). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution in gradient elution. The wavelength of 238 nm and 440 nm was selected to determinate geniposide and crocins simultaneously.The contents of geniposide and croein-1 in different breeds of Fructus Gardeniae are different.This method is simple and repeatable, and could be used for the quality control of Fructus Gardeniae.