The root of Hedyotis capitellata Wall. ex G.Don var. mollis Piere ex Pit. Rubiaceae, has been investigated chemical constituents. The roots contained alkaloids, saponin, tannin, anthranoid. Of these, 3 compounds were purified and their IR,UV, EIMS, NMR spectra were determined and showed that: They were Hedyocapitine, Capitelline and Di- (2’- ethyl-1’-hexyl) phthalate (or1,2- benzenedicarboxylic acid, Di- (2’-ethyl-1’-hexyl) ester).
Chemistry ; Plant Roots ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Plants synthesize certain phytoconstituents for their protection, which, because they are not of primary need, are known as secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites of plants, have often been found to have medicinal uses for human beings. One such gymnosperm having secondary metabolites of medicinal potential for humans is Taxus wallichiana (Himalayan yew). Besides being the source of taxol, this plant has been investigated for its essential oil, diterpenoids, lignans, steroids, sterols and biflavonoids. Traditionally, it is used to treat disorders of the digestive, respiratory, nervous and skeletal systems. Although pharmacologically underexplored, it has been used for antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities. The present review compiles traditional uses, phytochemical constituents (specifically the secondary metabolites) pharmacological activities and the toxicity of T. wallichiana.
Ethnopharmacology ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Structures ; Plants, Medicinal ; Taxus ; chemistry

Thymus daenensis Celak. is an herb endemic to Iran belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Growing in many parts of Iran, the plant is extensively used in folk medicine. This review was performed to compile phytochemical and pharmacological data of T. daenensis. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scientific Information Database, Embase, IranMedex and Google Scholar were searched for the terms "Thymus daenensis" and "Avishan-e-denaii" up to 1st January 2014. Following reported ethnopharmacological uses, various T. daenensis preparations have been investigated for antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal and immunomodulatory effects in recent studies. Moreover, numerous studies have been published on the composition of the herb's essential oil, focusing either on environmental parameters or preparation methods. Due to its high concentration of thymol, the plant's essential oil possesses high antimicrobial activities on human pathogenic strains. However, comprehensive studies on the toxicity and teratogenicity as well as clinical efficacy of Thymus daenensis are missing.
Anti-Infective Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Ethnopharmacology ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Structures ; Plants, Medicinal ; Thymol ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Thymus Plant ; chemistry ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo prepare gastric floating sustained-release formulation of Tripterygium wilfordii by using multiparticulate time-controlled release technology.

METHODThe intra-gastric floating blank-pellets were made by extrusion-spheronization method with 10% MCC as diluent and 90% cetylalcohol as floating assistant. The drug-loaded pellets were prepared in a fluid-bed coater with 1% HPMC, 0.5% SDS and extraction of T. wilfordii as coating solution. The gastric floating time-controlled release pellets were prepared with 3% L-HPC, 1% HPMC and 1% SDS as the inner swelling layer and ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion as the outer controlled layer. Finally, gastric floating sustained-release capsules of T. wilfordii were developed by encapsulating the five kinds of coated pellets whose coating load were 0%, 8%, 12%, 15% and 22% at equivalent ratio in hard gelatin capsules.

RESULTAfter formulation and coating load of swelling layer was fixed, the coated pellets would release active compositions in the different time expectably through regulating coating level of controlled layer. Several kinds of coated pellets whose controlled layer had different coating load were mixed and encapsulated into gastric floating sustained-release capsules of T. wilfordii. The capsules could float immediately in the dissolution medium and the floating rate of pellets was more than 80% in 8 h. The various kinds of coated pellets could release active compositions in accordance with time and show a characteristic of sustained-releasing as a whole.

CONCLUSIONThe gastric floating sustained-release capsules of T. wilfordii prepared by using multiparticulate time-controlled release technology have effective floating behavior and sustained release characteristics.

Capsules ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

The quality of honeysuckle has always been an important factor in industrial development. Flowering is one of the elements for the variation of the effective components in honeysuckle. We can conveniently recognize whether the commodity is mixed with blossomed honeysuckle in the form of medicinal material. However,it is hard to identify whether the products are mixed with blossomed honeysuckle in the form of powdersince visual identification traits are missing. Therefore,this study aims to seek an effective method of odor-based distinguish for identifying the quality of honeysuckle powder in different ratios by using Heracles Ⅱ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose.The powdered samples were prepared with flower buds and fully blooming flowers in different proportion. Gas chromatograms of the powder were obtained by HeraclesⅡ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose. Through analyzing the data of chromatograms,we have concluded that the qualitative results of the prepared powder were almost the same,and there existed differences in the components content. Meanwhile,the hexanal odor appeared to be the critical factor in identifying honeysuckle powder quality among the flavor of all possible compounds. Also,we have applied PCA,DFA and CQ to identify and classify the variety of the powder based on the chromatogram data. Finally,it is realized that the powder was rapidly identified and classified into three grades based on the proportion of flowering honeysuckle. The predicted concentration value for the first class is less than 3,the value of is not less than 3 and less than 5 for the second class,and more than 5 for the third class. In summary,the results obtained by the study suggest that Heracles Ⅱ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose analysis can be used as a rapid identification method for the quality of honeysuckle powder. At the same time,it can provide a reference for the quality classification of honeysuckle based on flowering degrees.
Electronic Nose ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Lonicera/chemistry* ; Odorants/analysis* ; Plant Preparations/analysis* ; Powders/analysis* ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo prepare ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) sustained-release tablets and observe its in vitro release profile.

METHODGBE sustained-release tablets were prepared by direct compression method using sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose HPMC) as matrix excipients. Based on the result of single-factor selecting experiment, the formulations and preparation process were optimized through orthogonal design, and release difference of tablets was evaluated with similarity factor (f2).

RESULTThe ratio of HPMC and CMC-Na, the viscosity of HPMC and the different types of the diluents had pronounced effect on the release of GBE sustained release tablets, although the hardness and weight difference of tablets did not show notable influences.

CONCLUSIONGBE sustained-release tablets that prepared by using the mixture of HPMC and CMC-Na display constant release profile in 12 h.

Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Stability ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Tablets ; chemistry

This study aims to explore the evaluation model for the proficiency testing of heavy metal and harmful element residues in pharmaceuticals,and to provide reference for the proficiency testing program and proficiency testing result in the field of residue analysis. The proficiency test result of cadmium determination in honeysuckle as an example. The algorithm A,NIQR,and Horwitz function are used to calculate the assigned value and the standard deviation. Z was obtained at the same time. If | Z | ≤2,the result is satisfactory. If 2< | Z | <3,the result is questionable. If | Z | ≥3,the result is unsatisfactory. In addition,the median value is the assigned value,and deviation(D%) is used. If D% is not more than 16%,the result is satisfactory; if D% is more than 16%,the result is unsatisfactory. After analysis,in the results of questionable or dissatisfied laboratories calculated by algorithm A and NIQR,the deviation error of some data is within the scope of the standard. In the results of the satisfactory laboratory evaluated by the Horwitz function,some data deviation errors far exceed the standard range. The evaluation result of the D% meets the requirements. According to heavy metal and harmful element trace analysis methods,this study is the first to apply D% to the evaluation of the detection ability of heavy metals and harmful elements in pharmaceuticals. This method makes the evaluation result more reasonable,and has important reference significance for the evaluation of other proficiency test results.
Cadmium ; analysis ; Laboratories ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; standards ; Plant Preparations ; standards ; Trace Elements ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo establish an instant determination method of emodin, aloe-emodin and rhein, from Rheum, and one of their preparations, Qinghai Wild Dahuang Tea, by micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis for the first time.

METHODSeparation was carried out in an uncoated fused silica capillary (75 microm x 50.0 cm). Meanwhile, a running voltage 20 kV, 15.0 mmol x L(-1) borax buffer with 30.0 mmol x L(-1) SDS and 10% ethanol (pH 9.60) and a UV detector at 254 nm were adopted.

RESULTThe linear calibration rang was 4-120 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.992 1) for emodin, 10-200 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.997 0) for aloe-emodin, and 2-100 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.997 1) for rhein, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the relative standard deviation (RSD) values (n = 6) for the migration time and the peak area of each peak were 0.59%-0.80%, 1.30%-3.22%, respectively. The contents of the analytes were easily determined with recoveries ranging from 97.6%-102.3%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is proved to be simple, rapid and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of medicinal herb, Rheum, and its tea preparation.

Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary ; methods ; Emodin ; analysis ; Plant Preparations ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rheum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE: To conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of Tripterygium hypoglaucum in Yinning Tablets, a compound preparation of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. METHODS: Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used for qualitative analysis of Tripterygium hypoglaucum in Yining Tablets and the analytical protocols were optimized. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantitatively analyze the content of triptolide (the main active ingredient of Tripterygium hypoglaucum) in Yinning Tablets. RESULTS: The results of TLC analysis showed that the test sample of Yinning Tablets and the positive control samples both produced clear, well separated spots without obvious interference in the blank samples. Assessment of the influences of the thin-layer plates from different manufacturers, temperature and humidity on the test results demonstrated good durability of the test. HPLC analysis of triptolide showed a good linear relationship within the concentration range of 1-100 μg/mL (regression equation: A=22.219C-19.165, r=0.9999); the contents of triptolide in 3 batches of Yinning tablets were 0.34, 0.34, and 0.28 μg per tablet, all within the range of 0.28-0.34 μg per tablet. It was finally determined that each Yinning tablet should not contain more than 0.6 μg of triptolide. CONCLUSION TLC and HPLC are simple, accurate, durable and specific for qualitative and quantitative analyses of Tripterygium hypoglaucum in Yinning Tablets.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Plant Preparations ; Tablets ; Tripterygium/chemistry*

This study aimed to analyze the residues of aflatoxin B_1( AFB_1) in Ziziphi Spinosae Semen from different producing areas and to assess the health risk of aflatoxin B_1 residue based on the obtained data. A total of 72 samples of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen from different areas were detected by IAC-HPLC-FLD. Based on the data of AFB_1 pollution,a probabilistic assessment model with Monte Carlo simulation was developed. Then,the risk assessment of AFB_1 exposure by Ziziphi Spinosae Semen intake was carried out by MOE( margin of exposure). The results showed that 32 out of 72 of samples( 44. 4%) were found to be contaminated with AFB_1,and the average and maximum concentration of AFB_1 in samples was 5. 42 μg·kg~(-1) and 55. 09 μg·kg~(-1),respectively. After health risk assessment,the average and 97. 5%( 90% confidence interval) exposure level of daily exposure of AFB_1 by Ziziphi Spinosae Semen intake were 0. 008 6( 0. 008 1-0. 009 2) and 0. 057 3( 0. 053 2-0. 061 4) μg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),respectively. The results showed common use of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen had low level of risk associated with AFB_1. However,the high consumption of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen showed a higher risk than common intake,requiring attention. This study laid a foundation for clinical safe prescription of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.
Aflatoxin B1/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Contamination ; Plant Preparations/analysis* ; Risk Assessment ; Ziziphus/chemistry*