OBJECTIVE To establish fingerprints and multi-components determination of Jieze lotion, and use chemometrics methods for quality evaluation. METHODS The HPLC-DAD fingerprints was established and 10 components were recognized by comparison with references. Meanwhile, their contents were determined. The data were evaluated by the methods of chemometrics such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis. RESULTS The similarity of 11 batches of Jieze lotion were all >0.95. The linearity was good(r≥0. 999 1) and the average recoveries were between 89.70% and 106.0% with the RSD of 1.52%−3.41%. Instrument precision, stability and reproducibility of the method were all great. The contents of the common ten components(gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caftaricacid, 5-O-feruloylquinicacid, chlorogenic acid, phellodendrine chloride, magnoflorine, 4-O-feruloylquinic acid, berberinehydrochloride) were 40.103−55.841, 2.347−6.179, 8.336−23.810, 7.084−21.956, 33.098−53.833, 24.597−49.610, 21.587−31.188, 5.915−13.162, 115.381−189.702, 31.378−112.686 μg·mL−1, respectively. The results of chemometrics showed that the 11 batches of samples could be divided into 4 categories, and the strong characteristic peaks used to distinguish each batch of samples were berberine hydrochloride, 4-O-feruloylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid. CONCLUSION The method is accurate and reliable, and it can be used for the quality control and comprehensive evaluation of Jieze lotion.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of limonin treating in hepatic fibrosis through network pharmacology, and validate its mechanism by molecular docking and animal experiments. METHODS Firstly, the targets of limonin and hepatic fibrosis were screened from the SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards and DisGeNet database, etc. Meanwhile, the common targets of limonin and hepatic fibrosis were obtained from the bioinformatics website. The protein protein interaction network of common target was constructed by using STRING database and Cytoscape software, and the CytoNCA plug-in was used to screen core targets. And then the enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG on the common target was performed by Metascape database. Thereby, the possible mechanism of limonin against hepatic fibrosis were predicted. Finally, the AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking verification, and the prediction results of network pharmacology were verified by animal experiments. RESULTS The prediction results indicated that limonin might acted on 86 targets including AKT1, VEGFA and HIF1A, and participated in biological processes including hormone response, protein phosphorylation, angiogenesis, and PI3K-Akt pathway, HIF-1 pathway, VEGF pathway and other signaling pathways related to hepatic fibrosis. The results of protein protein interaction network topology analysis showed that the 11 core targets including AKT1, VEGFA, HIF1A and PIK3CA, etc. Molecular docking results showed that limonin had strong affinity and relatively stable binding conformation with the core targets. In the animal experiments, compared with the model group, hyaluronidase(HA) and laminin(LN) in rat serume in high-dose group of limonin(LH) and low-dose group of limonin(LL)(except for LN in LL group) were declined(P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the degree of inflammation and hepatic fibrosis were relieved to different degrees in liver tissue of the LH group and LL group; Western blotting and qPCR detection showed that protein and mRNA expression levels of AKT, HIF-1α and VEGF(except for VEGF in LL group) was down-regulated in the LH group and LL group(P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSION Limonin may acts on AKT1, VEGFA, HIF1A and other core targets to treat hepatic fibrosis angiogenesis, which may be related to the inhibition of AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To establish the quality standards of medicinal materials in light of related methods in the general principles of part four of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 Edition), and to conduct systematic research on the Tibetan medicine "Yajima"(Chrysosplenium axillare). METHODS The powder characteristics of medicinal materials were described by microscopic identification method. Silica gel GF254 thin-layer plate was employed to establish a TLC identification method with 5-O-demethylapulein and oxyayanin A as reference substances. Loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of 10 batches of Chrysosplenium axillare were determined according to the general principles of part four of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 Edition). HPLC was used to establish the characteristic chromatogram of Chrysosplenium axillare, and the content determination method was established with chrysosplenoside I(CI) and chrysosplenoside A(CA) as the quality control index components of Chrysosplenium axillare. RESULTS The water content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, ethanol-soluble extractive and the content of CI and CA of all samples varied in the ranges of 9.17%−12.52%, 14.11%−16.74%, 1.50%−4.72%, 32.77%−40.30%, 0.30%−0.99% and 0.28%−0.88%, respectively. CONCLUSION The identification and content determination methods of Yajima(Chrysosplenium axillare) are established for the first time. The methods are easy to operate and exclusive, which is of great significance to accurately evaluate the internal quality of medicinal materials and ensure the quality of drug used.

OBJECTIVE To establish the analysis methods of 33 banned pesticides in Ginkgo Biloba leaves and the extracts, and conduct the risk assessment study. METHODS One hundred and thirty-six batches of Ginkgo Biloba leaves and 58 batches of Ginkgo Biloba leaves extract were detected by UPLC-MS and GC-MS. The acute and chronic intake risk of pesticide residues in samples were calculated by point assessment method, and the risk scores of the pesticides were calculated by the Britain veterinary residues matrix ranking. RESULTS Six kinds of banned pesticides were detected in 136 batches of Ginkgo Biloba leaves, the total detection rate was 35.29%, and the detection amount was 0.002−0.210 mg·kg−1. The chronic dietary intake risk was 0.018%−0.620%, and the acute dietary intake risk was 0.000 1%−0.014 0%, indicated that the dietary exposure risk of pesticides in Ginkgo biloba leaves was at a low level. Two kinds of banned pesticides were detected in 58 batches of Ginkgo Biloba leaves extract, the detection rate was 55.17%, and the detection amount was 0.002−1.788 mg·kg−1. The percentage of acceptable daily intake was 0.003%−0.143%, and the percentage of acute reference dose was 0.002 4%, which was also at a low level. Risk ranking results indicated that the risk of phorate was the highest and should be focused on the production and safety supervision. CONCLUSION The method has good stability, high precision and promising repeatability, which can be used for the detection of 33 prohibited pesticides in Ginkgo biloba leaves and their extracts. The results show that the residual amounts of 33 banned pesticides in Ginkgo Biloba leaves and its extracts were extremely low, and there is no significant health risks.

OBJECTIVE To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS) method for determination and comparison of 26 components in different parts of two base plants of Shiliang tea(Chimonanthus salicifolius S.Y.Hu and Chimonanthus zhejiangensis M.C.Liu), and screen quality markers of different parts. METHODS The UHPLC method was performed on an Agilent RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm) column with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min−1, the column temperature was 35 ℃, and the injection volume was 0.5 μL; the multiple reaction monitoring mode was employed for the quantification of 26 components with electrospray ionization(ESI) source polarity in negative and positive mode. RESULTS Good linear relationship(r >0.999) were observed in the test ranges for 26 compounds, and the average recovery was 88.5%−111.7% with RSD was 3.4%−9.8%. There was no significant difference between the two base plants of Shiliang tea, and all of these samples were divided into two categories by hierarchical cluster analysis. The main components in leaves was flavonoids, among them, the content of kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside was the highest, reaching 12.902 mg.g−1; the main components in stems and roots was coumarins, and the content of alkaloids in roots was higher, relatively; 7 quality markers of difference were screened by OPLS-DA, which were kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, chimonanthine, rutin, fraxetin, calycanthoside, scopolin, neochlorogenic acid. CONCLUSION These study elucidates the differences of chemical components in the different parts of two base plants of Shiliang tea, which providing basis for the research of pharmacodynamic substances and references for the comprehensive utilization of Chimonanthus salicifolius S.Y. Hu and Chimonanthus zhejiangensis M.C.Liu resources.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of the novel Huoxue plaster and the original powder in the treatment of chronic soft tissue injury, and to provide experimental basis for the development and clinical application of hospital preparations. METHODS According to the different drug administration, mice were assigned to the blank group, the matrix group, the positive control group(voltaren group), the original powder raw product group, the original powder product group and the novel plaster group respectively. The writhing inhibition rate, licking time, analgesic rate and pain threshold were measured by the writhing test, formaldehyde pain test, electrical stimulation test and hot plate test. The purpose of these was to assess disparities in the drugs for analgesic purposes. The mice ear swelling test and capillary permeability test were used to determine the swelling degree, swelling inhibition rate and exudation inhibition rate to compare the differences in anti-inflammatory effects. A rat model of chronic soft tissue injury was established. The changes of calf circumference, soft tissue injury appearance score, hemorheology and histopathological observation and inflammatory factor content were compared before and after the reform of prescription and dosage form. RESULTS The novel Huoxue plaster had a significant inhibitory effect on the inflammatory pain induced by acetic acid and formaldehyde in mice, and there was no significant difference compared with the original powder. The analgesic effect of 60 min after administration was better than that of 90 min and 120 min after administration, and there was no significant difference compared with the original powder. The novel Huoxue plaster and the original powder had no significant effect on hot plate pain threshold. The novel Huoxue plaster had a significant anti-inflammatory effect, which could reduce the degree of ear swelling induced by xylene and reduce the inflammatory exudation of capillaries induced by acetic acid, and there was no significant difference compared with the original powder. The novel Huoxue plaster could significantly reduce the circumference and injury symptom index of the swollen leg in rats with chronic soft tissue injury, improve blood circulation and histomorphology, and significantly reduce the contents of PGE2, TNF-α and IL-1β in the injured soft tissue, and there was no significant difference compared with the original powder. CONCLUSION The novel Huoxue plaster has significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and can be used to treat chronic soft tissue injury. The efficacy of the novel Huoxue plaster is basically the same as that of the original powder.

OBJECTIVE To screen inhibitors that targeting sterol O-acyltransferase 1(SOAT1) protein, and to investigate the effects of the potential inhibitors in vivo. METHODS Hepatoma cells with high SOAT1 expression were screened through CCLE database and used as experimental cell models. Molecular docking between 61 742 compounds from Interbioscreen database and SOAT1 protein was performed using the Autodock Vina software, and the binding energies were calculated. Eight compounds with relative high binding energy were selected, and their effects on the viability of hepatoma cells were detected using CCK8 assays. The two most active compounds in cell models were selected for further study, and their IC50 were determined. Wound healing and crystal violet staining assays were employed to detect the effects of the two compounds on the migration and proliferation of hepatoma cells. Western blotting was used to study the effects of the compounds on SOAT1 protein in hepatoma cells. siRNA were transfected into hepatoma cells to construct a SOAT1-silenced cell model, and effects of the compounds on cell viability were tested. RESULTS Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cell lines with high expression of SOAT1 protein selected from the CCLE database as model cells were screened and used as cell models. Among the 8 compounds with relative high binding affinity screened by molecular docking, Compounds 1 and 7 had the most significant inhibitory effects on the viability of the two types of liver cancer cells mentioned above. Moreover, the two compounds inhibited cell migration and cell colony formation, as well as decreased SOAT1 protein expression in hepatoma cells. In SOAT1-silenced hepatoma cells, the inhibitory effects of the two compounds on cell viability were significantly attenuated. CONCLUSION Compound 1 and compound 7 exert anti-hepatoma effects at the cellular level by inhibiting the expression of SOAT1 protein, suggesting that these two compounds have the potential to be developed into SOAT1 inhibitors for the treatment of liver cancer.

OBJECTIVE To establish the quality standard of Triadica cochinchinensis and to perform the acute toxicity study. METHODS Appearance properties, powder microscopic identification, and thin-layer chromatography(TLC) identification were researched. The specific chromatogram was established by HPLC. The content of cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), arsenic(As), copper(Cu), and mercury(Hg) was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). Acute toxicity was studied by maximum dose. RESULTS The outer skin of herbs was dark brown, and the inner surface was light yellow brown and fibrous. Besides, crystal sheath fiber was common, and calcium oxalate clusters arranges in rows. In the TLC diagram of the test product, the fluorescent spots of the same color were displayed at the corresponding position of the control product(scopoletin, isofraxidin). Five common peaks were calibrated in the characteristic map and the three characteristic peaks(scopoletin, isofraxidin, dimethylfraxetin) were recognized. The content of the measured heavy metal elements was lower than the national limit standard. The linear correlation coefficient was R2 > 0.999. The precision, stability, repetitive RSD were < 10%. The average recovery rate of the added sample was 80%−120%, and the RSD was < 10%. The maximum dose of the acute toxicity test was 184.09 g·kg−1. The 14 d internal body mass, food intake, organ-body ratios, the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were not significantly different by comparing with the normal controls. Therefore, no significant toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION The established standard can provide a reference for evaluating the quality of Triadica cochinchinensis. The heavy metal content of ten batches of medicinal materials is within the safe range. Acute toxicity test show that there is no obvious significant adverse teactions after oral administration, and the safe dose range is large, which can provide a reference for the subsequent development and utilization.

OBJECTIVE To compare the contents of schizandrin A, schizandrin B, schizandrin C, schisandrol A, schisandrol B, schisantherin A, anwuligan, and schisanhenol in Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus on market from 12 habitats. METHODS The samples were pre-treated by 96-well fitration plates. The assay was performed on ACE EXCEL 1.7 C18-AMIDE(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column with 0.1% formic acid-water(A) and methanol(B), gradient elution, flow speed was 0.4 mL·min–1. Ion source was electric spray ion source, positive ion monitoring mode, multireaction monitoring mode for quantitative analysis. Linear, instrument precision, stability, repeatability, average recovery were investigated. RESULTS The content of schisantherin A in 10 of 12 producing areas reached the standard of ≥0.2% of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus in 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. CONCLUSION UHPLC-MS/MS is suitable for simultaneous determination of multiple components in Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus. The Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus in the market basically meet the national legal standards.

OBJECTIVE To study the difference of Huangqin decoction combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba(BS) and Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CS)'s effect on ulcerative colitis(UC) based on network pharmacological analysis and animal experiment. METHODS The active constituents of BS and CS were retrieved from TCMSP database and literature, and the potential target was predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. Ulcerative Colitis was used as key words to search disease targets in DisGenet, OMIM, and Genecard databases. The intersection target was obtained by Venny 2.1.0. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct network of drug-consumption targets. The STRING platform was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis, and Metascape database was applied for GO/WIKI analysis. A dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induced UC mouse model was established to compare the anti-UC effects of Huangqing decoction combined with BS(HQT-BS) and CS(HQT-CS), respectively. RESULTS There were 7 active components of HQT-BS and 11 active components of HQT-CS in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, respectively, 5 of which were the same. There were 146 and 157 targets respectively, 106 of which were the same. The core targets of HQT-BS were SRC, HSP90AA1, and PIK3R1, while the core targets of HQT-CS were SRC, HSP90AA1, and STAT3. WIKI enrichment analysis showed that several signaling pathways were shared by both BS and CS, such as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Notch signaling pathway. EGF/EGFR signaling pathway was the specific pathway related to BS, while Nuclear receptors meta-pathway and Kit receptor signaling pathway were the specific pathways related to CS, respectively. Animal experiments showed that both HQT-BS and HQT-CS could significantly improve colon shortening and tissue pathological alternation induced by DSS. However, HQT-CS was more effective in reducing the expression of interleukin-6 and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein1. CONCLUSION Both HQT-BS and HQT-CS have anti-UC effect, and HQT-CS is the better one.