OBJECTIVETo prepare polylactic acid microspheres containing total alkaloid extracts of Caulis sinomenii and study their release characteristics in vitro.

METHODPolylactic acid microspheres containing total alkaloid extracts of C. sinomenii were prepared by O/W emulsification solvent-evaporation process. The microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and particle size distribution. The effect of different conditions on release property of microspheres was studied.

RESULTThe formed microspheres were spherical with smooth surfaces. The encapsulation efficiency and rate of drug loading were (83.4 +/- 5.63)% and (8.7-0.35)%, respectively. The distribution of particle size was uniform and the average size was (21.5 +/- 1.22) microm. In vitro release study revealed that the 32-hour accumulative release percentage reached 80%.

CONCLUSIONPolylactic acid microspheres containing total alkaloid extracts of C. sinomenii were prepared successfully. Microspheres with good sustained-release characteristics can be produced by controlling different process parameters.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the material basis of Caulis sinomenii (CS) in treating osteoarthritis (OA), and to give a pharmacodynamic illustration for the multi-targeting therapeutics of CS.

METHODSThe computational methods, consisting of molecular docking and biological network were carried out to search the database targeting twelve important OA related enzymes: ASAMTS4, ASAMTS5, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, MMP-8, MMP-2, COX-2, COX-1, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, iNOS, and map the ligand-target interaction networks about molecules from CS and DrugBank. After that, an aggregate analysis was performed to analyze the mechanisms of compositions in CS.

RESULTSTotally 14 had good interaction in all molecules in database with two or more than two of the OA correlated enzymes, and 6 molecules had interaction with four or more enzymes. Moreover, both herb ligand-target interaction network and drug ligand-target interaction network were similar in the interaction profiles and network features, which revealed multi-drugs effects in CS.

CONCLUSIONSThere were a lot of multi-target molecules in CS, providing pharmacodynamic illustrations for the multi-target therapeutics of Chinese medicine. Meanwhile, they supplied certain reference and inspiration for finding out new drugs for OA therapy.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Sinomenium

OBJECTIVE: To decipher the possible mechanisms of Sinomenium Acutum (SA) in treating diseases by a bioinformatics method. METHODS: SA ingredients were searched according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Medicine Dictionary and Traditional Chinese Medicines Database (TCMD). Active compounds and target proteins of SA were acquired through the Pubchem platform. Pathway, network and function analyses of SA were performed with ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), a bioinformatics analysis platform. Disease, biofunction-target networks were established with Cytoscape. RESULTS: Eighteen ingredients from SA were obtained. Seven active ingredients with 31 active target proteins were acquired according to PubChem Bioassay test. By IPA analysis, 277 canonical pathways belonging to 17 function categories were collected, 23 kinds of diseases, 21 categories bio-functions were obtained. Based on P value, calculated by IPA, the top 5 significant pathway of SA targets include phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling, prostate cancer signaling, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) regulation of innate immunity, Guanosine-binding protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, and ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) signaling. Disease and bio-function network analysis indicated that mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), MAPK3, p65 nuclear factor κB (RELA), nuclear factor of κB inhibitor alpha (NFκBIA), interleukin 1β(IL-1β), prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2) and tumor protein 53 (TP53) were the critical targets in various diseases treated by SA. CONCLUSION In the different view of target, pathway, disease and bio-function, inflammation was found to be a central theme in many chronic conditions. SA could be used not only as an anti-inflammatory agent, but also for the treatment of cancers, neurological diseases, psychological disorders and metabolic diseases.
Computational Biology ; methods ; Disease ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC method for the determination of entrapment efficiency of sinomenine liposomes.

METHODThe liposomes and dissociated drugs were separated by sephadex filtration, mini-column centrifugation and dialysis. The methodology study and the optimization of determining condition were carried out at the same time.

RESULTSephadex filtration could effectively separate the sinomenine liposomes from dissociated sinomenine. The column recovery was 98.8%, the average entrapment efficiency of three tests was64.9%, RSD 2.67%.

CONCLUSIONThe method was simple, exact, and had a good reappearance. It can be used to examine the entrapment efficiency of sinomenine liposomes.

Dextrans ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Filtration ; methods ; Liposomes ; Morphinans ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Sinomenium ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo prepare Sinomenine hydrochloride-loaded bovine serum albumin microspheres (SM-BSA-MS).

METHODSM-BSA-MS was prepared by spray drying technique. The morphology, drug-loading and release in vitro of SM-BSA-MS was studied.

RESULTThe diameters of SM-BSA-MS were in the range of 1-3 m. The drug loading of microspheres, formulated with different drug/albumin ratios as 1, 2, 1:1, 2:1, were 31.6%, 47.7% and 67.9% , respectively. And the drug entrapment efficiencies of different drug/albumin ratios were higher than 94%. The results of in vitro release experiments showed that the drug loaded microspheres have the properties of sustained-release compared with the Sinomenine hydrochloride injection. Different release characteristics could be obtained by adjusting the prescription composition and the thermal denaturation condition.

CONCLUSIONSpray drying technique is a simple and feasible method for preparing SM-BSA-MS. The drug loaded microspheres had high drug-loading and sustained-release effect.

Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Microspheres ; Morphinans ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; chemistry ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

AIMTo determine in vitro the rat plasma protein binding rate by using microdialysis method.

METHODSThe binding rate was determined by using microdialysis probe as sampling tools and zero-net flux method as calibrating method. The regression equation was made by the difference of concentrations between the dialysis sample and the perfusate. The x-intercept of regression equation was the free drug concentration (Cf). The plasma protein binding rate was calculated by using the following equation: f = ( C0 - Cf)/C0.

RESULTThe binding rate was kept relatively stable in the studied concentration range.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible that the plasma protein binding rate can be determined by using microdialysis method.

Animals ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Male ; Microdialysis ; methods ; Morphinans ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protein Binding ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regression Analysis ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

Sinomenium acutum has been long used in the preparations of traditional medicine in Japan, China and Korea for the treatment of various disorders including rheumatism, fever, pulmonary diseases and mood disorders. Recently, it was reported that Sinomenium acutum, has sedative and anxiolytic effects mediated by GABA-ergic systems. These experiments were performed to investigate whether sinomenine (SIN), an alkaloid derived from Sinomenium acutum enhances pentobarbital-induced sleep via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic systems, and modulates sleep architecture in mice. Oral administration of SIN (40 mg/kg) markedly reduced spontaneous locomotor activity, similar to diazepam (a benzodiazepine agonist) in mice. SIN shortened sleep latency, and increased total sleep time in a dose-dependent manner when co-administrated with pentobarbital (42 mg/kg, i.p.). SIN also increased the number of sleeping mice and total sleep time by concomitant administration with the sub-hypnotic dosage of pentobarbital (28 mg/kg, i.p.). SIN reduced the number of sleep-wake cycles, and increased total sleep time and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. In addition, SIN also increased chloride influx in the primary cultured hypothalamic neuronal cells. Furthermore, protein overexpression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD(65/67)) and GABA(A) receptor subunits by western blot were found, being activated by SIN. In conclusion, SIN augments pentobarbital-induced sleeping behaviors through GABA(A)-ergic systems, and increased NREM sleep. It could be a candidate for the treatment of insomnia.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Benzodiazepines ; Blotting, Western ; China ; Diazepam ; Eye Movements* ; Fever ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Japan ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice ; Mood Disorders ; Motor Activity ; Neurons ; Pentobarbital ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Rodentia* ; Sinomenium* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

OBJECTIVETo establish a fingerprint analysis method of Qingfengtong capsule by HPLC.

METHODThe samples were extracted with 70% ethanol in an ultrasonic bath. The extracts were analyzed at 35 degrees C on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with 0.1 mol x L(-1) potassium dihydrogen phosphate water-solution as mobile phase A, and methanol as mobile phase B. The analysis followed a linear gradient elution program. Initial condition of the mobile phase was 10% B for 2 minutes; then changed to 90% B in 40 minutes. The flow rate was kept at 1.0 ml x min(-1) and the detector wavelength was 262 nm.

RESULTThe main peaks in fingerprint chromatogram of Qingfengtong capsules were separated fairly well. The results of method validation meet the requirements for the fingerprints.

CONCLUSIONThe established method can be used for the quality control of Qingfengtong capsules.

Capsules ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine on conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine and brain histamine level in mice.

METHODSSixty mice were randomized into 6 equal groups and morphine (Mor) was injected subcutaneously (9 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive days to induce CPP using a shuttle box. Since the 4th day of training, the mice in 5 of the groups were treated for 3 consecutive days with Caulis Sinomenii (10 g/kg), sinomenine (60 mg/kg), diphenhydramine (30 mg/kg), CP48/80 (5 mg/kg) and L-histidine (750 mg/kg) in addition to morphine (9 mg/kg) treatment, respectively, leaving the other group with exclusive morphine treatment. Another 10 mice received saline injection to serve as saline control group. The content of histamine (HA) in the mouse brain was measured by fluorospectrophotometry.

RESULTSIn morphine group, the mice showed significantly extended stay in morphine-paired compartment whose HA content in the brain was markedly increased (P<0.01). Treatment with Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine resulted in significantly reduced time of stay in morphine-paired compartment and brain HA level (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCPP induced by morphine in mice is associated with increased HA level in the brain. Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine can suppress the acquisition of place preference induced by morphine and modulate HA level in the central nervous system in morphine-dependent mice.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Conditioning, Operant ; drug effects ; physiology ; Diphenhydramine ; pharmacology ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Morphinans ; pharmacology ; Morphine ; toxicity ; Morphine Dependence ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo discuss the anti-inflammatory mechanism of sinomenine on inflammatory media in joint of adjuvant arthritis rats.

METHODRats were randomly divided into the normal group and the model group, the prednisone group, the small, medium, large of sinomenine group (30, 60, 120 mg x kg(-1)). Except for the rats in the normal group, animals were modeled to adjuvant arthritiswith freund's complete adjuvant. The arthritis index (AI) and the swelling degree of paws were recorded, and the activity of IL-1, TNF and the levels of NO, PGE2 in joint fluids of secondary arthritis were determined.

RESULTCompared with the normal group, the activity of IL-1, TNF and the levels of NO, PGE2 in joint fluids of secondary arthritis were increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, it was shown to exert a dramatic inhibitory effect on secondary reaction of freund's adjuvant arthritis of rats, and the activity of IL-1, TNF and the levels of NO, PGE2 in joint fluids of secondary arthritis were significantly decreased in the sinomenine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSinomenine has a remarkable treatment effect on RA. It is via NO to inhibit the activity of cytokines and decrease the level of inflammation mediators, which may be one of its curing RA mechanism.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Morphinans ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sinomenium ; chemistry ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism