Objective: To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprinting method for quality control of Phragmitis rhizoma from Baiyangdian. Materials and Methods: Ultrasonic extraction with 70% methanol was performed on 10 samples of P. rhizoma collected from 10 different villages in Baiyangdian. The sample solutions were analyzed by Waters UPLC equipped with the ACQUITY UPLC BEH C ₁₈ column and photodiode array (PDA) detector, and gradient eluted with acetonitrile/water as the mobile phase. The flow rate was set to 0.1 mL/min; the column temperature was set to 25°C; and the detection wavelength was set to 285 nm. Results: The chromatograms of the 10 samples showed 27 common peaks, of which one was identified as the ferulic acid standard. The similarity indexes were all above 0.82. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the constituents and their quantities differed according to the diameter of the original plant, which is related to its age. Conclusion: The UPLC fingerprinting method had the advantages of being fast, accurate, and highly efficient; this indicated that it can be used for quality control of P. rhizoma produced in Baiyangdian. Also, the relation between the quality and diameter/age of the plant needs to be further investigated.

Background: In clinical practice, Epimedii Herba and Ginkgo Folium preparations are widely used in treatment of diseases such as coronary heart disease (angina) in China . However, there are no studies on the two-drug combination. Objective: To explore the effect of the mixture of the Epimedii Herba extract (EE) and Ginkgo Folium extract (GE) on coronary flow of isolated hearts in rats. Materials and Methods : EE and GE were prepared by reflux in alcohol, and processed with HPD-100 macro-reticular resins; icariin from EE and total bilobalides from GE were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) mice were subdivided into five groups (10 rats each): Normal control group (NC), EE - 10 mg group, GE - 10 mg group, EE - 5 mg + GE - 5 mg group, and EE - 10 mg + GE - 10 mg group. Isolated hearts uniform pressure perfusion was proceeded with Langendorff system. Results: The content of icariin in EE was 20.8%. The total content including four kinds of bilobalides (ginkolide A-C and bilobalide) in GE was 8.6%. The coronary flow in the NC group remained stable before and after treatment, and the coronoray flow in the EE, GE, EE + GE groups was increased and the relative magnitude of heightening was 25.0-33.3%, and the coronary flow in EE + GE was significantly different from that in the single EE or GE group. Conclusion: EE or GE itself can heighten coronary flow of isolated hearts in rats. The activity of the mixture including EE and GE is better than that of single EE or GE, and the activity becomes larger when the dosage is doubled, and is related with dosage.

Background: Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. (Gesneriaceae) is a rare poikilohydric endemic and preglacial relict growing in Balkan Peninsula. Previous investigations demonstrated strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimutagenic potential of alcoholic extract from the plant. Objective: The isolation of known caffeoyl phenylethanoid glucoside - myconoside and flavone-C-glycosides hispidulin 8-C- (2-O-syringoyl-β-glucopyranoside), hispidulin 8-C-(6-O-acetyl-2-O-syringoyl-β-glucopyranoside), and hispidulin 8-C-(6-O-acetyl -β-glucopyranoside) from the leaves of H. rhodopensis was carried out. The aim of this study was to investigate cyto-protective and antioxidant effects of isolated compounds. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity of isolated substances was examined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radicals; ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in linoleic acid system by ferric thyocianate method. The compounds were investigated for their possible protective and antioxidant effects against tert -butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in isolated rat hepatocytes. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were assayed as an index of LPO. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage, cell viability, and reduced glutathione depletion were used as signs of cytotoxicity. Results: Myconoside demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS, FRAP, and antioxidant activity in linoleic acid system as well as the highest and statistically most significant protection and antioxidant activity against the toxic agent. Conclusion: Phenolic compounds isolated from H. rhodopensis demonstrated significant cytoprotective, radical scavenging potential, and inhibit lipid peroxidation, moreover, myconoside was found to be a new powerful natural antioxidant.

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive neuron degeneration in specific functional systems of the central or peripheral nervous system. This study investigated the protective effects of quercetin isolated from onion on neuronal cells and its protective mechanisms against glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Materials and Methods: HT22 cells were cultured to study the neuroprotective mechanism of quercetin against glutamate-mediated oxidative stress. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ _m ) were measured. The protein expression of calpain, spectrin, Bcl-2, Bax, Bid, cytochrome c, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was evaluated by Western blotting. Results: Quercetin had a protective effect by reducing both intracellular ROS overproduction and glutamate-mediated Ca ²⁺ influx. These effects were due to the downregulation of several apoptosis-related biochemical markers. Calpain expression was reduced and spectrin cleavage was inhibited by quercetin in glutamate-exposed HT22 cells. Disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ _m ), activation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bid and Bax, and cytochrome c release in response to glutamate-induced oxidative stress were reduced. Quercetin also suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs. Conclusion: This is the first report on the detailed mechanisms of the protective effect of quercetin on HT22 cells. Onion extract and quercetin may be useful for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Background: Wheat bran is a traditional Chinese medicine; however, it is mostly used as feedstuff in China. Wheat bran is widely accepted as an important ingredient in many low-glycemic index foods in modern western societies; however, its glycemic control mechanism is unknown. Objective: To determine potent α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds from wheat bran and to identify the inhibition on α-glucosidase . Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of wheat bran was prepared to evaluate the inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase, then fractionation of the extract was guided by in vitro enzyme-inhibition assay, and the potent α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds were identified by high performance liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry; finally the enzyme inhibition process was studied using the Michaelis-Menton and the Lineweaver-Burk equations. Results: Both baker's yeast and rat intestinal enzymes were mostly inhibited (87.9% and 66.8% inhibition, respectively) at concentration 0.6 mg/mL of the ethanolic extract of wheat bran. The petroleum ether fraction in the ethanolic extract of wheat bran showed significant activity against rat intestinal α-glucosidase, and revealed a dose-dependent effect. The inhibition was 76.57% at 0.3 mg/mL and 100% at 0.6 mg/mL. The active fraction 13 of petroleum ether fraction was identified as alkylresorcinols (ARs). ARs showed strong inhibition towards α-glucosidase and its IC ₅₀ value was found to be 37.58 ΅g/mL. The enzyme kinetic studies showed that, in the presence of ARs, the Michaelis-Menton constant (K_m ) remains constant whereas the maximal velocity (V_max ) decreases, revealing a non-competitive type of inhibition. Conclusion: The therapeutic potentiality of ARs in the management of the postprandial hyperglycemia will proliferate the utilization of wheat bran in controlling type 2 diabetes.

Background: Musa seminifera Lour is a tree-like perennial herb that has been used in folk medicine in Bangladesh to heal a number of ailments. Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant, analgesic, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic activities, and general toxicity of the ethanol extract of the roots. Materials and Methods: The extract was assessed for free-radical-scavenging activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, total phenolic content (TPC) by the Folin Ciocalteu reagent, antioxidant activity by the ferric reducing power assay, analgesic activity by the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate tests, antidiarrheal activity by the castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice, anthelmintic activity on Paramphistomum cervi and Haemonchus contortus, and general toxicity by the brine shrimp lethality assay. Results: The extract showed free-radical-scavenging activity with an IC ₅₀ value of 44.86 μg/mL. TPC was 537.89 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g of dried plant material. It showed concentration-dependent reducing power, and displayed 42.11 and 69.32% writhing inhibition at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The extract also significantly raised the pain threshold at the above-mentioned dose levels. In vivo antidiarrheal property was substantiated by significant prolongation of latent period and decrease in total number of stools compared with the control. The LC ₅₀ against brine shrimp nauplii was 36.21 μg/mL. The extract exhibited dose-dependent decrease in paralysis and death time of the helminths. Conclusion: The above results demonstrated that the plant possesses notable bioactivities and somewhat supports its use in folk medicine.

Background: Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep. is an important rare medicinal plant in China. There were only a few papers on the rapid propagation of S. tonkinensis through in vitro tissue culture, and still no report focuses on the quality analysis of in vitro tissue culture plantlets. Materials and Methods: The different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KT), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were used to establish and screen the optimal rapid propagation technology of S. tonkinensis by orthogonal test; the different concentrations of a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and ABT rooting power (ABT) were used to screen the optimal rooting technology. For quality evaluation of tissue culture plants, three different sites were chose to finish planting experiment. The leaf characteristics, radix ex rhizoma yield, and contents of matrine and oxymatrine were evaluated, respectively, to provide evidence of high yield and good qualities of tissue culture plants. Results: A large number of buds could be induced directly from epicotyl and hypocotyl explants on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l BAP, 0.5 mg/l IAA, and 0.5 mg/l KT; the best root induction medium was solid MS medium at half the macronutrient concentration supplemented with 1.0 mg/l NAA, 0.4 mg/l IBA, and 0.1 mg/l ABT. The rooting rate was 98%. All tissue culture plants showed normal leaf characteristics. Tissue culture plants from two sites possessed higher radix ex rhizoma yield and overall productivity of matrine and oxymatrine than those of seed plants. Conclusion: Tissue culture is a rapid, effective, and convenient propagation method for S. tonkinensis, and the quality of S. tonkinensis tissue culture plants meets the requirement of quality standard of China Pharmacopoeia (edition 2010), the crude drug from S. tonkinensis tissue culture plants will be suitable for substituting the crude drug from seed plants.

Background: Ardisia is a group of famous herbs in China, which has been used as medical plants for more than 900 years. However, the species from the genus are so analogous that it is difficult to discriminate them just by morphological characteristics. DNA barcoding is a new technique that uses a short and standard fragment of DNA sequences to identify species. Objective: Choose a suitable DNA marker to authenticate Ardisia species. Materials and Methods: Four markers (psbA-trnH, internal transcribed spacer 2 [ITS2], rbcL, matK) were tested on 54 samples of 24 species from genus Ardisia. The success rates of polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing, differential intra- and inter-specific divergences, DNA barcoding gap and identification efficiency were used to evaluate the discrimination ability. Results : The results indicate that matK has the highest interspecific divergence and significant differences between inter- and intra-specific divergences, whereas psbA-trnH, ITS2 and rbcL have much lower divergence values. Matk possessed the highest species identification efficiency at 98.1% by basic local alignment search tool 1 [BLAST1], method and 91.7% by the nearest distance method. Conclusion: The matK region is a promising DNA barcode for the genus Ardisia.

Background: Compound Danshen injection (CDSI, a traditional medicine) is an effective drug for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the research about its stability is absent. Objective: A new high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to assay its main effective constituents, i.e., propanoid acid (PA), protocatechuic aldehyde (PHA), salvianolic acid B (SAB), salvianolic acid A (SAA), and rosmarinic acid (RA). Through the newly found method, the stability of CDSI was to be investigated. Materials and Methods: The analysis was performed by a reverse-phase gradient elution using an aqueous mobile phase (containing 0.1% acetic acid) modified by acetonitrile, and detection was made simultaneously at 280 nm and 325 nm. The method was validated for accuracy, precision and limits of detection. The effects of some environmental storage conditions (light and temperature) on the stability of CDSI were investigated. Results: This method is precise, simple, and convenient. The result showed that illumination and temperature had an obvious effect on CDSI's stability. SAA is the most unstable one among the five components. In the condition of common light, it decomposed rapidly to almost 50% after only 4 h, and 100% after 8 h. PA, RA, and PHA might come from Danshen, was also the transformed products from other components in store process. Conclusion: The result indicated that the main active constituents in CDSI suffered from the illumination and temperature greatly. CDSI should be stored at low temperature and kept away from light.

Background: Salacia chinensis (S. chinensis) is widely distributed in India and Sri Lanka. Most of the species of genus Salacia are known to have effects on blood glucose levels; however, the effects of S. chinensis on glucose levels are seldom reported. Objective: To evaluate the oral hypoglycemic activity of NR- Salacia (1000 mg extract of S. chinensis) in healthy adults. Materials and Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted in healthy volunteers. Single dose of NR-Salacia (1000 mg extract of Salacia chinensis) and placebo were administered before carbohydrate-rich diet. A 6-point plasma glucose profile was performed at different time intervals up to 180 min. Results: NR-Salacia treatment significantly lowered plasma glucose level at 90 min, and the percentage reduction in glucose concentration was found to be 13.32 as compared to placebo group. A 33.85% decrease in the plasma glucose positive incremental area under curve (AUC) (0 to 180 min) was observed in comparison to placebo. No adverse events were recorded throughout the study period, except for some mild cases of abdominal discomforts like cramping and distention, vomiting, and headache in both placebo and NR-Salacia-treated groups. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that NR-Salacia lowered the post-prandial plasma glucose levels after a carbohydrate-rich meal and can be used as an oral hypoglycemic agent.

Background : Hemorrhoids complaint is one of the most common problems in most society, especially in Asian countries. Current drug treatment protocols cannot cure the disease, and they are palliative. According to Persian traditional medicine, Commiphora Mukul (CM) resin is a medication choice. Aim : This randomized study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of crude CM resin compared to a combination of lactolose and anti-hemorrhoid (LandA) in patients with uncomplicated hemorrhoids grade 1 and 2. Materials and Methods : This trial was carried out on 99 patients with hemorrhoids, in Ghaem and Imam Reaza Hospitals of the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. They randomly received CM 3 g/d for 4 weeks (as study group) or LandA (Lactolose syrup in laxative dose for 1 month and anti-hemorrhoid suppository daily for 10 days) as control group. Subjective and objectives variables including painful defecation, flatulence, constipation, gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), dyspepsia, proctorrhagia, anal protrusion, and colonoscopic grading were assessed before, immediately after, and 4 weeks after the treatment period. An intent-to-treat analysis was used. Safety was assessed with evaluation of clinical adverse effects by common toxicity criteria version 4.0. Forty-nine patients were assigned randomly to receive LandA and 50 to receive CM. After 4 weeks, flatulence, dyspepsia, GER, and colonoscopic grading scores significantly decreased in study group, whereas in control group constipation, painful defecation, and proctorrhagia showed better but not significant improvement. After 4-weak follow-up, the rate of constipation, and proctorrhagia also showed significantly improvement in study group. Constipation and proctorrhagia in control group recurred significantly in 4-week follow-up than after the treatment, whereas this recurrence in test group was not seen. Conclusion : CM was more effective than LandA in 4-week treatment of patients with uncomplicated hemorrhoids grade 1 and 2.