Phytochemistry, Metabolism, and Metabolomics of Ginseng

Ginseng, as a medicinal plant, has been used for thousands of years in China, Korea, and Japan, and the study on ginseng is a hotspot in the research field as evidenced by about 7000 scientific papers in PUBMED. In recent decades, many ginseng studies focused on the metabolism and metabolomics of ginseng or its active ingredients using modern bioanalytical technologies. To date, more than 200 ginsenosides and non-saponin constituents have been isolated and identified. In the past decades, rapid development of analytical technologies has facilitated the advancement of ginseng research in many ways. In this review, we focus on the advances of ginseng research in chemistry, pharmacology, and metabolomics. We also provide the comments on the significance as well as challenges of metabolomics-based ginseng studies.     

Correlation of Metabolism, Metabolomics, and Metabonomics

<正>In this issue,CHM published two reviews on drug metabolism of Chinese herbal medicines.Three key words have been found,they are metabolism,metabolomics,and metabonomics.As we known,drug metabolism is the biochemical modification of pharmaceutical substances respectively by living organisms through specialized enzymatic systems,the rate of metabolism determines the duration and intensity of pharmacological responses     

Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of eleutherans A, B, C, D, E, F, and G: glycans of Eleutherococcus senticosus roots

Intraperitoneal injection of an aqueous extract of the crude drug "shigoka" (Siberian ginseng), Eleutherococcus senticosus roots, remarkably diminished plasma-sugar level in mice. Fractionation of the extract by monitoring the activity yielded seven glycans, eleutherans A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, which exerted marked hypoglycemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.     

Isolation and structure of homotemsirolimuses A, B, and C

Homotemsirolimuses A, B, and C (2a, 2b, 2c) were found to be minor components of a temsirolimus preparation made from rapamycin. These three temsirolimus analogues are derived from the corresponding rapamycin analogues, homorapamycins A, B, and C (1a, 1b, 1c) produced by the strain Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The structures of homotemsirolimuses A, B, and C were determined by spectroscopic methods. These compounds were tested for mTOR kinase inhibition and in two proliferation assays using LNCap prostate and MDA468 breast cancer cells. The results suggested that the mTOR inhibition and antiproliferation potencies for 2a, 2b, and 2c are comparable to those of rapamycin (1) and temsirolimus (2).     

Antimalarial activity of physalins B, D, F, and G

The antimalarial activities of physalins B, D, F, and G (1-4), isolated from Physalis angulata, were investigated. In silico analysis using the similarity ensemble approach (SEA) database predicted the antimalarial activity of each of these compounds, which were shown using an in vitro assay against Plasmodium falciparum. However, treatment of P. berghei-infected mice with 3 increased parasitemia levels and mortality, whereas treatment with 2 was protective, causing a parasitemia reduction and a delay in mortality in P. berghei-infected mice. The exacerbation of in vivo infection by treatment with 3 is probably due to its potent immunosuppressive activity, which is not evident for 2.     

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic activities of Galium mexicanum

Ethnopharmacological relevance

To study the potential benefit of the traditional Mexican medicinal plant Galium mexicanum Kunth (Rubiaceae). Hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts as well as various fractions from these extracts were tested to determine antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic or anti-inflammatory activities in vitro.

Materials and methods

Aerial parts of the plant were extracted with various solvents and fractionated accordingly. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed on nine bacterial and four fungal strains. Leishmania donovani was used as a protozoan strain for antiparasitic activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds was investigated by measuring the secretion of interleukin-6 when macrophages were exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

Results

Various extracts and fractions obtained from this plant exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Of special interest was the hexane fraction HE 14b, which show antibacterial (ranging between 67 and 666 μg/ml) and antifungal (at concentrations of 333 μg/ml) activities. Also the hexane fraction HE 5 exhibited antiparasitic activity (at concentrations of 260 μg/ml), whereas the methanol fraction ME 13-15 showed a potent anti-inflammatory activity when compared to dexamethasone. Chemical analyses of the chloroform extract show the presence of triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and glucosides, but no tannins were detected in the assayed extract.

Conclusions

The benefit of Galium mexicanum as a traditional medicinal plant was confirmed using antibacterial and antifungal assays in vitro. We also report for the first time, and to the best of our knowledge, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory activities of this plant.     

酸柏栀油软胶囊对小鼠学习记忆及脑中NO、Ach的影响

目的:观察酸柏栀油软胶囊对小鼠的促学习记忆作用并初步探讨其机制。方法:采用Morris水迷宫法观察酸柏栀油软胶囊对小鼠的学习记忆影响,并测定小鼠脑内NOS、ChaE、AChE的含量。结果:酸柏栀油软胶囊1.25～5 ml/kg能缩短小鼠登台潜伏期,增加穿越原平台次数,以中剂量作用最强;且登台潜伏期随训练时间的延长,各组作用均逐渐增强,d20的作用尤为明显。酸柏栀油软胶囊尚能增加小鼠脑内NOS、ChaE活性,降低AChE活性,也以中剂量作用为佳。结论:酸柏栀油软胶囊对小鼠学习记忆有促进作用,该作用可能与其富含不饱和脂肪酸,增加脑内NO、Ach的含量有关。     

鲜姜黄挥发油化学成分的GC-MS分析

目的:分析广西产鲜姜黄挥发油的化学成分,为其利用提供科学依据。方法:采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取鲜姜黄挥发油,用GC毛细管柱进行分析,归一化法测定其相对含量,并用GC-MS法鉴定化学成分。结果:检出48个色谱峰,鉴定出48个化合物,占总挥发油的100%。结论:广西产鲜姜黄油的的主要成分是姜烯(16.25%),1,8-桉叶油素(13.52%),芳-姜黄酮(13.55%),姜黄酮(11.19%),β-倍半水芹烯(10.08%),表-α-绿叶烯(6.26%),芳-姜黄烯(5.43%),大根香叶酮(5.02%),γ-松油烯(2.38%),红没药醇(3.59%)。     

证候的构成、内涵、实质和意义

本文分析论证了关于证候的四方面问题,提出证候是由症状、体征构成的,是症状、体征的有机组合;证候的内涵属于现象范畴,并没有病因、病理和病位的认识内容;证候作为现象存在实质因素,但是没有超出疾病实质的独立因素,是从属于疾病实质的;证候实质没有独立于疾病之外的独立意义,研究证候实质是没有根本和全面价值的课题,在此造成人、财、物的浪费是不应该的。     

何首乌中总黄酮与微量元素含量分析及其药效机理研究

目的分析中药何首乌中总黄酮与微量元素Mg，Fe，Mn，Cu，Zn的含量。方法紫外分光光度法测定何首乌中总黄酮的含量；原子吸收分光光度法测定Mg，Fe，Mn，Cu，Zn的含量。结果总黄酮的含量27．44mg／g；Mg：952．4801&#177;10．5543μg／g；Fe：7196．7256&#177;98．8101μg；Mn：431．0929&#177;5．5698μg／g；Cu：5．5438&#177;0．1513μg；Zn：86.7915&#177;6．4781μg／g。结论实验结果为探讨中药何首乌中黄酮类化合物与微量元素的关系及研究何首乌中微量元素与药物的功效关系提供了有用的方法和依据。     

实验探讨生大黄、清半夏、常山的升降浮沉药性

目的:通过动物实验探讨生大黄、清半夏、常山的升降浮沉药性,为中药的升降沉浮药性研究提供新的思路和方法.方法:运用小鼠肠推进及肠容积实验比较生大黄、清半夏、常山水煎液对消化系统的影响;运用正常大鼠血压及血清NO含量实验和小鼠微循环实验比较其对血液循环系统的影响;运用小鼠睡眠时间和自主活动实验比较其对中枢神经的影响.从与气机运动相对应的关系讨论药物的升降浮沉.结果:生大黄能明显促进小鼠小肠的排空,对血液循环系统表现出促进作用;对中枢神经有一定的兴奋作用.清半夏对消化系统的影响不明显,对血液循环系统表现出促进作用;对中枢神经具有明显的抑制作用.常山对消化系统的活动有明显的抑制作用,对血液循环系统表现出促进作用,对中枢神经系统效果不明显.结论:综合三药对各个系统的影响,从与气机运动相对应的关系,常山表现出向上向外的趋势,为升浮药;生大黄、清半夏表现出向下向内的趋势,为沉降药.     

Tunicamycins, streptovirudins, and corynetoxins, a special subclass of nucleoside antibiotics

Tunicamycins, streptovirudins, and very recently, corynetoxins have been determined to be structurally related nucleoside antibiotics. Because of their special biological activity as inhibitors of protein glycosylation and their relatively complicated chemical structures, which differ from the common nucleoside antibiotics, they can be grouped together as a special subclass. A general specification system based on structural characteristics is included. The complete separation of the natural complex is still problematical, but seems to be necessary because differences in the biological activities of the individual components were observed.     

白花蛇舌草氮、磷、钾吸收分配特性研究

目的在大田条件下研究了白花蛇舌草对氮、磷、钾的吸收分配规律。方法定期取样研究干物质积累规律,采用常规测定方法测定植株氮、磷、钾的量。结果白花蛇舌草苗期对氮、磷、钾吸收较少,分枝开花期和结果期吸收量快速增加,成熟期氮、磷吸收减少,钾出现"负吸收"。白花蛇舌草植株对氮素吸收最多、钾次之、磷最少,全生育期植株对氮、磷、钾的吸收比率为1.00:0.16:0.54。苗期和分枝开花期氮、磷、钾主要积累在叶和茎中,其中氮素以叶中分配最多,磷和钾则主要分配在茎中;结果期和成熟期氮、磷、钾多分配在花果和茎中,氮和磷花果中最多,钾则茎中最高。结论白花蛇舌草在苗期对肥料要求不多,可适当少施。分枝开花期和结果期吸收量骤增,要加大施肥用量,结果期对磷肥和钾肥要求较多,应适当补施磷肥和钾肥以满足此期果实生长的需要。     

Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of quinquefolans A, B, and C, glycans of Panax quinquefolium roots

An H2O extract of the American crude drug "Amerika-ninjin" (American ginseng), Panax quinquefolium roots, exhibited significant hypoglycemic activity in mice. Activity-guided fractionation of the extract led to isolation of three glycans, quinquefolans A, B, and C, which displayed hypoglycemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.     

蒲公英采收、初加工、贮藏、包装环节的调查

目的:调查不同产地蒲公英的采收、初加工、贮藏、包装现状并进行有效成分的含量评价,了解蒲公英的多个产后环节,为规范化生产提供依据。方法:对多个产区和药材市场进行实地调研,辅以文献查阅和分析,通过实际生产和有效成分的含量综合,探讨影响蒲公英质量的各种因素。结果:归纳总结蒲公英采收、初加工方法、贮藏条件和包装方面的现状以及存在的问题,通过有效成分的含量比较对蒲公英进行了质量评价。蒲公英在生长旺盛期时,绿原酸、咖啡酸、多糖、总黄酮、总皂苷等有效成分的含量普遍较高。结论:蒲公英以人工栽培为主,采收期对蒲公英质量的影响较大。蒲公英市场需求大时,不能为了产量忽视质量。为控制和提升蒲公英的质量,需要从上述多个环节进行质量全过程控制系统的构建,并制定采后标准操作规程。     

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Structure-Cytotoxicity Relationship of Paridis Rhizome Saponin

The rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and P. polyphylla var. chinensis are used as traditional herbal medicines in many parts of China. The Paridis Rhizome saponin (PRS),as the active ingredient,has played an important role in hemostasis,antibacterial action,and inflammation counteraction,bearing some analogy to Gongxuening and Yunnanbaiyao in efficacy. Modern pharmacological experiments have proved that PRS possesses two main sapogenins: diosgenin and pennogenin,which could provide a lot of clinical treatment effects (anti-oxidation,anti-inflammation,anti-apoptosis,anti-metastasis,and immunostimulant,etc.). In the past,several main steroid saponins have been studied in a number of randomized controlled trials for their effects and mechanisms mainly on antitumor performance. The extensive results have demonstrated that PRS was an effective group of active components to antitumor clinical trials. In this article,we reviewed the reported phytochemical,pharmacological,and toxicological properties of PRS and compared the structure-cytotoxicity relationship of PRS in antitumor effects.     

黄花蒿氮、磷、钾、钙、镁营养吸收分配规律研究

目的 研究黄花蒿植株干物质累积规律,以及对氮、磷、钾、钙和镁营养吸收与分配规律,并为制定黄花蒿科学施肥措施提供理论依据。方法 对黄花蒿不同生育期进行取样,分别测定植株不同功能构件的干物质量及氮、磷、钾、钙和镁的量。结果 移栽后前40 d为黄花蒿幼龄期,干物质主要分配于叶片;移栽40～100 d为营养生长期,干物质主要分配于叶片及枝;移栽100～180 d为生殖生长期,其中100～140 d为生殖生长前期,干物质主要分配于枝及花蕾,140～180 d为生殖生长后期,干物质主要分配于枝和种子。黄花蒿幼龄期营养元素累积量最低;营养生长期对各营养元素的吸收量开始增加,主要分配于叶片和枝;生殖生长前期仍主要分配于叶片,但开始向花蕾转移;生殖生长后期主要分配于种子。黄花蒿干物质总量与营养元素吸收量间呈显著正相关关系,全生育期氮、钾、镁、钙、磷总累积量比约为4.21∶4.17∶0.74∶0.63∶0.24。结论 黄花蒿幼龄期应少施肥,以减少养分流失;移栽40～140 d,黄花蒿进入快速生长阶段,应及时追肥以满足植株对养分的需求,尤以氮、钾和镁肥为主;磷、钙和镁在100～120 d需求较大,应尽早施入及在现蕾期喷施速效钙镁磷肥,以保证花蕾的分化和种子的形成。     

人参的词源学、生药学、产品及市场的现代评价

随着对人参研究的日益深入,人参产品的价值愈加为人们所认识,更多的含人参的药物被开发、应用于临床.一些国家和地区对人参生产、市场及有关法规做出相应的调整或更新.在参阅大量文献的基础上,对近年来有关人参词源学、生药学(包括植物来源、药材性状、化学性质、种属鉴定)、种植与加工对活性成分的影响、国际市场及相关法规等方面研究进行综述,为进一步开发利用人参及其衍生物提供参考.     

全面参与健康产业发展深入推进学研产用一体化建设

健康产业是新兴的战略性产业,市场前景广阔.参与健康产业发展对于推动高等中医药院校学研产用一体化建设具有重要意义.从高等中医药院校自身学科、人才、科技等优势出发,论述了高等中医药院校以健康产业为契机,加快学研产用一体化发展建设的思路与做法.