Astragalus membranaceus possesses the function of enhancing immunity, protecting the liver, diuretic, anti-aging, anti-stress, anti-hypertensive, and more extensive antibacterial effects. Polysaccharides, one kind of the major active ingredients of A. membranaceus, are considered to be responsible for their versatile use. Now, a systematic summary of research progress and prospects of polysaccharides from A. membranaceus polysaccharides (AMPs) is necessary to facilitate their further study and application. In this review, the optimal extraction methods, structural features, biological activities, and applications of AMPs were emphasized. The structure-activity relationships are also analyzed and elucidated. Solvent, ultrasonic, microwave, enzyme-assisted, ultra-high pressure, and combined methods have been used to extract AMPs. Among them, solvent extraction is the most commonly used method because it is simple and easy to operate, but the efficiency needs to be improved further. The ultra-high pressure method is the most efficient but has a low economic return. AMPs exhibited various bioactivities, including immunomodulation, antitumor, and antidiabete. The structure-activity relationships revealed that different structure configurations, chain conformations, and physical properties would have different bioactivities. However, the new method for purification of certain polysaccharides, detailed structure-activity relationships (SAR), mechanisms of bioactivities, and quality control of AMPs need to be extensively investigated.

Background: Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) contains a wide range of active components. Because existing methods cannot fully evaluate these components, a new quantitative method needs to be established for component characterization. Objective: Ziziphi Spinosae Semen has gained increasing attention in recent years, primarily as a medicinal and edible plant. The content determination of ZSS is not specified in the Chinese Pharmacopeia (2020 edition). Environmental conditions in different production areas can influence the quality of ZSS. This study aims to identify ZSS collected from various geographical origins in China. Materials and methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints were established using optimized HPLC-photo-diode array methods. Subsequently, similarity analysis and quantification of ZSS from different sources were conducted. Metabolites of ZSS were identified and evaluated using the UHPLC-Q Exactive HF Orbitrap MS system. Principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed based on all peak areas. Results: In this study, the components of ZSS against insomnia were screened through network pharmacology. As revealed by the results of protein-protein interaction network analysis, Gene Ontology analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, 14 core components, 10 core targets, and 25 pathways were identified. Thirty-four batches of ZSS fingerprints were established through the HPLC method, which identified 12 characteristic peaks, with 6 being qualitatively identified. An identification method for assessing differences in the chemical composition of ZSS from different origins was developed by using UHPLC-Q Exactive HF Orbitrap MS. Differential markers from various origins were screened and identified. Through multiple analyses such as principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, it was concluded that there were differences in ZSS metabolites from Hebei, Shandong, and Shaanxi provinces. Seventeen differential metabolites of different origins were identified. Conclusions: This study confirmed that ZSS played a synergistic role in improving insomnia through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The content of all 5 components was high, except for jujuboside B. In addition, 6 compounds in ZSS extracts from different origins differed in content, indicating that different growth environments might impact the quality of ZSS.

Objective To study the correlation with ketamine and its metabolite norketamine concentration in plasma and saliva in acute toxic rabbits.Methods Experimental rabbits were given intragastric(i.g.group,n=6)and intravenous(i.v.group,n=6)administration of ketamine respectively,and control tabbits(n=6)were given a same volume of physiologic saline.The plasma and saliva were collected before and after ketamine administration.Ketamine and norketamine in plasma and saliva were determined using GC/MS and GC.The correlation with ketamine(norketamine)concentration in plasma and saliva were artalyzed by a double variable Pearson correlation analysis.Results The correlation coefficients(r)of ketamine (norketamine)concentrations in plasma and saliva were from 0.80 to 0.95 in ketamine i.g.group and i. v.group.Conclusion There is a good relativity between the concentration of ketamine(norketamine)in plasma and in saliva.The ketamine(norketamine)concentration in saliva can be used to estimate the plasma concentration in the forensic identification of ketamine abuse.