The therapeutic application of artemisinin (ART) is restricted in application due to its poor water solubility and stability. In this study, the long-circulating liposomes (L-Lip) were constructed to improve the solubility and stability of ART. The preparation method, physicochemical properties, serum stability, in vitro release profile and cytotoxicity of the ART loaded long-circulating liposomes were investigated. Using the particle size and entrapment efficiency (EE) as the evaluation index, the preparation procedure was optimized by the Box-Behnken response surface design based on the single factor screening method. The ART loaded long-circulating liposomes were prepared by filming rehydration method, and evaluated with particle size and entrapment efficiency. The optimal formulation was as follows:lipid-cholesterol=5.22:1 (mass ratio), drug-lipid=1:23.15 (mass ratio), lipid concentration=14.35 mg·mL^-1, and molar percentage of mPEG=2%. The morphology of L-Lip was uniformly spherical shape according to optimal formulation. The mean size and polydispersity index (PDI) were about (113.3 ±4.7) nm and 0.227 ±0.022 respectively, the zeta potential was (-12.9 ±2.6) mV, and the entrapment efficiency (EE) of ART was (95.88 ±4.8)%. The L-Lip had good stability at 4℃ for 15 days and the particle sizes did not exhibit significant variations in 50% rat plasma over 24 h at 37℃. The in vitro release study of formulation showed a sustained release. Moreover, the cytotoxicity exhibited that blank liposomes were of great safety. Compared with the free ART, the liposome formulation achieved lower cytotoxicity at the high concentration. The L-Lip successfully prepared by a simple filming-rehydration method exhibited ideal physicochemical properties and were enhanced safety, which may sever as a promising nanoplatform for clinical application.

Ten phenylpropanoid amides were isolated from the whole plants of Corydalis edulis Maxim. by various of column chromatographies including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, MS, NMR, and IR spectroscopic data. These compounds were identified as N-trans-sinapoyl-3-methoxytyramine-4'-O-β-glucoside(1), N-trans-sinapoyl-3-methoxytyramine(2), N-trans-sinapoyltyramine(3), N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine(4), N-trans-sinapoyl-7-hydroxytyramine(5), N-cis-feruloyltyramine(6), N-cis-p-coumaroyltyramine(7), N-trans-feruloyltyramine(8), N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine(9), and N-trans-feruloyl-7-hydroxytyramine(10). Compound 1 is a new compound. Compounds 2-7 are obtained from the plants of Papaveraceae for the first time, while compounds 8-10 are firstly isolated from C. edulis.
Amides ; analysis ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Phytochemicals ; analysis ; Tyramine ; analysis

Objective To study the contents of puerarin in decoction with different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix; To verify the rationality of compatibility ratios of Huangqi Gegen Decoction and Yu y e Decoction; To provide references for clinical medication. Methods Different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix were set as 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. SinoChrom ODS-BP (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was used as the chromatographic column to detect the contents of puerarin;methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid (35:65) was used as the mobile phase with 0.5 mL/min flow rate; sample volume was 20 μL; the wavelength was 250 nm. Results The regression equation of puerarin was Y=66 449.269 1X-175 665.663 1 (r=0.999 6) in the range of 5 to 300 μg/mL, showing a good linear relationship. The repeatability, stability and recovery rate were fine as well. The contents of puerarin were (2.506 7±0.025 8)%, (2.526 7±0.071 2)%, (2.863 3± 0.086 4)%, (2.956 7±0.119 6)%, (2.835 0±0.078 7)%, (2.480 0±0.072 4)%, (2.530 0±0.064 8)%, and (2.183 3±0.128 9)% in different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix with 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4, respectively. Conclusion When the compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix are 2:1. 3:1, and 4:1, the contents of puerarin in decoction are the highest. This study verifies that the compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Puerariae Lobatae Radix in classical prescriptions are rational, which can be the optimal compatibility ratios in clinic.

Hyoscyami Semen, the mature dried seed of Hyoscyamus niger L., has long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat human diseases. Hyoscyami Semen is found in local markets in China. In markets, sellers and buyers commonly inadvertently mix the seeds of H. niger with the seeds of related species such as Hygrophila salicifolia (Vahl) Nees, Astragalus complanatus R. Br., Cuscuta australis R. Br., Cuscuta chinensis Lam., and Impatiens balsamina L. because of their similar morphologies or similar names. Thus, developing a reliable method for discriminating H. niger seeds from its adulterants is necessary to reduce confusion and ensure the safe use of Hyoscyami Semen. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of high-resolution melting analysis combined with DNA barcoding (Bar-HRM) with internal transcribed spacer 2 to discriminate H. niger. Our results show that Bar-HRM successfully identified the adulterants and detected the proportion of H. niger DNA extract within an admixture. In particular, HRM detected H. niger DNA extract in A. complanatus DNA extract at concentrations as low as 1%. In conclusion, the Bar-HRM method developed in the present study for authenticating H. niger is rapid and cost-effective. It can be used in the future to guarantee the purity of Hyoscyami Semen for the clinical use.
China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Intergenic ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; Discriminant Analysis ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Hyoscyamus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Seeds ; genetics ; growth & development ; Transition Temperature

Two new oleanane-type triterpenoids, parvifolactone A (1) and rubuside P (2), together with 11 known triterpenoids, fupenzic acid (3), 18,19-seco,2α,3α-dihydroxyl-19-oxo-urs-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (4), euscaphic acid (5), maslinic acid (6), 1β- hydroxyeuscaphic acid (7), 2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (8), 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (9), glucosyl pinfaensate (10), rubuside J (11), 2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid (12), and 2α,3β,19α- trihydroxyurs-12-en-23,28-dioic acid (13), were isolated from the roots of Rubus parvifolius.
Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rubus ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Male infertility is a common and complex disease in urology and andrology, and for many years there has been no effective surgical treatment. With the emergence of microsurgery and assisted reproductive medicine (IVF/ICSI), rapid development has been achieved in the treatment of male infertility. The Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University has been playing an important leading role in developing microsurgical techniques for the management of male infertility. The development of microsurgical treatment of male infertility in China has experienced the 3 periods of emerging, making, and boosting ever since its systematic introduction from Weill Cornell Medical College 15 years ago. At present, many Chinese hospitals have adopted microsurgery in the management of male infertility, which has contributed to the initial establishment of a microsurgical treatment system for male infertility in China. However, some deficiencies do exist concerning microsurgical treatment of male infertility, as in normalized technical training programs for competent surgeons, unified criteria for evaluation of surgical outcomes, and detailed postoperative follow-up data. This article presents an overview on the 15-year development of microsurgical management of male infertility in China, points out the existing deficiencies, and offers some propositions for the promotion of its development.
China ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; surgery ; Male ; Microsurgery