Simultaneous determination of danshensu, ferulic acid, cryptotanshinone and tanshinone IIA in rabbit plasma by HPLC and their pharmacokinetic application in danxiongfang

A selective and sensitive reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of danshensu, ferulic acid, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone IIA in rabbit plasma using p-hydroxybenzoic acid as internal standard. Liquid–liquid extraction was used for sample preparation. Chromatographic separation was successfully achieved on an Agilent HC-C₁₈ column using a mobile phase composed of methanol–water (from 20:80 to 80:20, v/v) containing 0.5% (v/v) glacial acetic acid. The mobile phase was employing gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The method showed good linearity and no endogenous material interfered with the marked compounds and I.S. peaks. The limit of quantification of danshensu, ferulic acid, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone IIA were 0.1, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.05 μg/ml, respectively. The average extract recoveries of the four compounds from rabbit plasma were all over 60%. The precisions determined from 5 days were all within 10%. The established method has been successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic study and drug interaction of danshensu, ferulic acid, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone IIA in rabbits after intravenous administration of danxiongfang, a useful compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of cryptotanshinone,tanshinone IIA,dihydrotanshinone I,and tanshinone I after oral administration of pure tanshinones and liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza to rats

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), dihydrotanshinone I (diTan I), and tanshinone I (Tan I) are the main active compounds in the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The differences in the pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution behaviors of the four tanshinones after oral administration of the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and pure compounds are not clear. This study aims to compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the four tanshinones after oral administration of pure tanshinone monomers and the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) analysis method was developed for the determination of the four tanshinones. The results showed that the AUC and C_max of tanshinones in rats receiving the extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza were significantly increased compared with those receiving the pure tanshinones. In the tissue distribution experiments, the AUC of the four tanshinones in the extract was much greater than the AUC of the monomers in the lung, heart, kidney, liver, and brain, and the coexisting constituents particularly promoted the distribution of tanshinones into tissues that the drug cannot sufficiently penetrate. These findings suggested that the coexisting constituents in the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza play an important role in the alteration of plasma concentration and tissue distribution of the four tanshinones. Understanding these differences could be of significance for the development and application of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract and tanshinone components.     

Protective effects of tanshinone IIA derivative on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) is the major bioactive constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, a Chinese herbal medicine, which has protective effects on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MIR) injury. However, the cardioprotective effects of TSIIA as well as its clinical use were limited due to its poor water solubility. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Tanshinone IIA derivative (TD), a new water soluble compound synthesized by TSIIA and N-Methyl-D-Glucamine, had protective effects on MIR injury and what the related mechanism was. The cardioprotective effects of TD were evaluated and compared with TSIIA in a rat MIR model. The results show that pretreatment with TD significantly alleviated inflammatory infiltration and exhibited antioxidant effect in MIR injury by reducing the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), decreasing expression of nuclear factor-κ-gene binding (NF-κB) and upregulating expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1), but having no effect on the content of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1). Thus, our study reveals that TD exerted significant protective effects on MIR injury through attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.     

参草通脉颗粒丹参酮ⅡA提取工艺研究

目的参草通脉颗粒在临床中治疗慢性心衰疗效确切,有效率达到90%以上,为了进一步明确中药的疗效成分便于推广研究。我们探讨其主要药物丹参中丹参酮ⅡA的最佳醇提取工艺条件,为丹参药材的综合利用提供实验依据。方法采用正交试验法,以丹参酮ⅡA的提取量及浸膏得率为考察指标,优选回流法提取的最佳工艺条件。结果最佳提取工艺为:以10倍量80%乙醇回流提取3次,每次1h。结论优选的提取工艺设计合理,丹参酮ⅡA提取率较高。     

Effects of tanshinone IIA on the hepatotoxicity and gene expression involved in alcoholic liver disease

Tanshinone IIA is one of the most abundant constituents of the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza BUNGE which exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in many experimental disease models. In the present study, we demonstrated that the standardized fraction of S. miltiorrhiza (Sm-SF) was able to protect RAW 264.7 cells from ethanol-and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of superoxide radical, activation of NADPH oxidase and subsequently death of the cells. Among four main components of Sm-SF, tanshinone IIA was the most potent in protecting cells from LPS-and ethanol-induced cytotoxicity. LPS or ethanol induced the expression of CD14, iNOS, and SCD1 and decreased RXR-alpha, which was completely reversed by tanshinone IIA. In H4IIEC3 cells, 10 microM tanshinone IIA effectively blocked ethanol-induced fat accumulation as evidenced by Nile Red binding assay. These results indicate that tanshinone IIA may have potential to inhibit alcoholic liver disease by reducing LPS-and ethanol-induced Kupffer cell sensitization, inhibiting synthesis of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, inhibiting fatty acid synthesis and stimulating fatty acid oxidation.     

Cytotoxicity of major tanshinones isolated from Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on HepG2 cells in relation to glutathione perturbation.

Tanshinones are abietane type-diterpene quinones isolated from the roots of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Among the major diterpenes isolated, including cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA and dihydrotanshinone, tanshinone IIA had been shown to posses various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, protection/prevention from angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, and anticancer properties. Tanshinone IIA, usually the most abundant tanshinone present in the herb, has been the focus of studies in its clinical potential, among which its ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to study the cytotoxicity of the tanshinones on human HepG2 cells in vitro in relation to intracellular glutathione perturbation (reduced glutathione, GSH and oxidized glutathione, GSSG). Studies using MTT assay showed that all tanshinones decreased cell viability of HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with the cell viability decreased to 60% and 35% after 24 h and 48 h treatment, respectively. Assessment of apoptotic cells with fragmented DNA by flow cytometry indicated that only tanshinone IIA (12.5 and 25 microM) induced apoptosis in the cancer cells. Tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone caused significant decreases in G(1) cells by 23% and 13%, respectively, after 24 h treatment. The declines in G(1) cells were compensated by increases in G(2)/M (15% for tanshinone IIA) and S cells (8% and 13% for tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, respectively). All the tanshinones studied, except tanshinone IIA, elevated GSH/GSSG ratio at low concentrations (1.56 and 3.13 microM), but the ratio decreased, indicating oxidative stress at high concentrations (6.25-25 microM). Taken together, tanshinone IIA caused HepG2 cytotoxicity through apoptosis without influencing oxidative stress, while the other tanshinones showed lower efficacy in inducing apoptosis in the HepG2 cells.     

Effects of Rong Shuan capsule,Xue Zhi Kang capsule,Xin Yuan capsule and Songling Xue Mai Kang capsule on the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel active metabolite in rats

In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of Rong Shuan capsule, Xue Zhi Kang capsule, Xin Yuan capsule and Songling Xue Mai Kang capsule on the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel active metabolite (CAM). The traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) Rong Shuan capsule, Xue Zhi Kang capsule, Xin Yuan capsule and Songling Xue Mai Kang capsule are widely used to treat cardiovascular disease in China. They are often prescribed in combination with clopidogrel, a common anti-platelet Western drug. We investigated the influence of the four TCMs on CAM pharmacokinetics following administration at human dose in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined following oral (PO) administration of clopidogrel (7.5 mg/kg) with or without Rong Shuan capsule (75 mg/kg, PO), Xue Zhi Kang capsule (60 mg/kg, PO), Xin Yuan capsule (120 mg/kg, PO), or Songling Xue Mai Kang capsule (150 mg/kg, PO). Compared with the animals in the control group, Xue Zhi Kang capsule significantly decreased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-t) of the CAM derivative by 25.4%. However, the t1/2 and Vz/F of CAM derivative were significantly increased by 43.6% and 70.7%, respectively. It was also observed that the pharmacokinetic parameters were altered in groups pretreated with Rong shuan capsule, Xin yuan capsule or Songling Xue mai kang capsule compared with the control group, but not significant. This study indicated that Xue Zhi Kang capsule had an effect on the formation and metabolism of CAM. Therefore, in the beginning of co-administration of Xue Zhi Kang capsule and clopidogrel, the anti-platelet efficacy might be compromised because of the decreased formation of CAM. Otherwise, long-time co-administration might lead to side effects by the prolongation of the t1/2 and Vz/F increase of CAM.     

丹参与三七配伍对大鼠慢性肝损伤的作用

目的：观察丹参与三七配伍对慢性肝损伤的治疗作用。方法：采用CCl4复制大鼠慢性肝损伤模型．测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、白蛋白、球蛋白、透明质酸(HA)、层粘连蛋白(LN)、肝纽织羟脯氨酸(Hyp)含量．以反映肝细胞损伤及肝纤维化程度．并进行肝脏病理组织学检查。结果：丹参与三七配伍治疗后肝细胞损害，肝脏脂肪变性、炎细胞浸润的程度均较轻，成纤维细胞和胶原纤维增生亦较少。结论：丹参与三七配伍对损伤肝病组织的修复，肝细胞再生显示良好的治疗作用。     

RP-HPLC法测定大鼠血浆中丹参酮IIA浓度及其药代动力学研究RP-HPLC法测定大鼠血浆中丹参酮IIA浓度及其药代动力学研究

目的建立高效液相色谱法测定大鼠血浆中丹参酮IIA浓度的方法。方法血浆样品经液-液萃取后,用HPLC法进行分析。色谱柱为YMC C¹⁸(5 μm,ID 3.0 mm×150 mm);流动相为乙腈-水-冰醋酸(74∶26∶1);流速0.3 mL·min^-1;检测波长270 nm;内标为4-氯联苯。结果线性范围为0.05 mg·L^-1～6.40 mg·L^-1,最低检测浓度为0.05 mg·L^-1。高、中、低3种浓度的平均方法回收率分别为98.9%,102.1%和100.4%。日内、日间精密度(RSD)均小于5%。结论本方法稳定、简便、可靠,可用于丹参酮IIA的血药浓度分析及其药代动力学研究。     

Effects of triptolide on pharmacokinetics of fenofibrate in rats and its potential mechanism

1. Triptolide and fenofibrate are often used together for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in Chinese clinics.

2. This study investigates the effects of triptolide on the pharmacokinetics of fenofibrate in rats and it potential mechanism.

3. The pharmacokinetics of fenofibrate (20?mg/kg) with or without triptolide pretreatment (2?mg/kg/day for seven days) were investigated. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of triptolide on the metabolic stability of fenofibrate were investigated using rat liver microsome incubation systems.

4. The results indicated that the C_max (35.34?±?7.52 vs. 30.43?±?6.45?μg/mL), t_1/2 (6.17?±?1.15 vs. 4.90?±?0.82?h) and AUC_(0–t) (468.12?±?35.84 vs. 416.35?±?32.68?mg?h?L^?1) of fenofibric acid decreased significantly (p?<?.05). The T_max of fenofibric acid increased significantly (p?<?.05) from 5.12?±?0.36 to 6.07?±?0.68?h. Additionally, the metabolic stability of fenofibrate was prolonged from 35.8?±?6.2 to 48.6?±?7.5?min (p?<?.05) with the pretreatment of triptolide.

5. In conclusion, these results indicated that triptolide could affect the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid, possibly by inhibiting the metabolism of fenofibrate in rat liver when they were co-administered.

     

丹参与白花丹参产量及有效成分含量的比较研究

目的比较丹参与白花丹参在产量及有效成分含量方面的差异。方法同条件栽种丹参和白花丹参,比较二者产量,HPLC法测定二者丹参酮ⅡA、丹酚酸B的含量。结果丹参产量要比白花丹参高的多,但二者在成分含量上无明显差异。结论二者药材质量无明显差异,生产中以种植丹参收益高。     

丹参脂溶性成分指纹图谱标准的对照品对照法研究

目的:建立丹参脂溶性成分 HPLC 指纹图谱标准及指纹对照品,为丹参质量控制提供可靠方法。方法:以乙醚为溶剂提取丹参药材脂溶性特征成分,制备对照品溶液及供试品溶液。以甲醇-水为流动相梯度洗脱,在不同品牌的 ODS 柱上,考察色谱分离系统及适用性,制备指纹图谱标准,并计算供试品的相似度。结果:建立的各 HPLC 指纹图谱测定条件分离良好,以指纹对照品为参比,测得各产地道地丹参药材的相似度一致性良好。结论:利用中药特征指纹对照品,可使以指纹图谱标准法进行中药质量控制更为实用。     

Effects of Danshen tablets on pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin calcium in rats and its potential mechanism

Context: Danshen tablets (DST), an effective traditional Chinese multi-herbal formula, are often combined with atorvastatin calcium (AC) for treating coronary heart disease in the clinic.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of DST on the pharmacokinetics of AC and the potential mechanism.

Materials and methods: The pharmacokinetics of AC (1?mg/kg) with or without pretreatment of DST (100?mg/kg) were investigated using LC-MS/MS. The effects of DST (50?μg/mL) on the metabolic stability of AC were also investigated using rat liver microsome incubation systems.

Results: The results indicated that C_max (23.87?±?4.27 vs. 38.94?±?5.32?ng/mL), AUC_(0–t) (41.01?±?11.32 vs. 77.28?±?12.92?ng h/mL), and t_1/2 (1.91?±?0.18 vs. 2.74?±?0.23?h) decreased significantly (p?t_1/2) of AC was also decreased (25.7?±?5.2 vs. 42.5?±?6.1) with the pretreatment of DST.

Discussion and conclusions: This study indicated that the main components in DST could accelerate the metabolism of AC in rat liver microsomes and change the pharmacokinetic behaviors of AC. So these results showed that the herb-drug interaction between DST and AC might occur when they were co-administered. Therefore, the clinical dose of AC should be adjusted when DST and AC are co-administered.     

The effect of tanshinone IIA on renal and liver functions in ovine fetuses in utero

This was the first study in determination of the effects of the herbal medicine, Danshen, on fetal hepatic and renal functions in utero. Tanshinone IIA, an active ingredient of Danshen, was tested in the experimental fetal model. Three doses (20, 40, or 80?mg) of tanshinone IIA and 0.9% NaCl (as the control) were intravenously (i.v.) administrated into pregnant ewes. Both maternal and fetal blood samples were collected and analyzed for renal and liver functions by examining the enzymes and renal excretion. The results showed that tanshinone IIA did not alter fetal urine volume, urine electrolytes, and osmolality. Enzyme activities related to the hepatic and renal functions were not changed. In addition, maternal application of tanshinone IIA had no effect of maternal and fetal lipid profile. The results demonstrated that tanshinone IIA used during the last third of gestation did not cause the biochemical changes related to renal and liver functions in both the mother and fetus. This provides new information to guide the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy.     

Microbial biotransformation of cryptotanshinone by Cunninghamella elegans and its application for metabolite identification in rat bile

Cryptotanshinone (1) is one of the major bioactive constituents in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Preparative-scale biotransformation of cryptotanshinone by Cunninghamella elegans (AS 3.2082) produced three new products, which were identified as (3R,15R)-3-hydroxycryptotanshinone (2), (3S,15R)-3-hydroxycryptotanshinone (3), and (4S,15R)-18-hydroxycryptotanshinone (4), respectively. The structural elucidation was based primarily on 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS analyses. The absolute configuration of these three products was confirmed by comparison of their circular dichroism spectra with those of the known compounds. These biotransformed metabolites were used as for the comparison of in vivo metabolites in rat bile sample after intravenous administration and they are identical to three of the minor hydroxylated metabolites in vivo, which suggested that microbial biotransformation model was a useful and feasible approach for the preparation of mammalian metabolites in trace.     

Influence of andrographolide on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin in rats

Context: Andrographolide and warfarin are often used together in clinics in China. However, the herb-drug interaction between andrographolide and warfarin is still unknown.

Objective: This study investigates the herb-drug interaction between andrographolide and warfarin in vivo and in vitro.

Materials and methods: A sensitive and reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of warfarin in male Sprague-Dawley rats plasma, and then the pharmacokinetics of orally administered warfarin (0.5?mg/kg) with or without andrographolide (30?mg/kg/day for 7?days) pretreatment was investigated. In addition, Sprague-Dawley rat liver microsomes incubation systems were used to support the in vivo pharmacokinetic data and investigate its potential mechanism.

Results: The method validation results showed that a sensitive and reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of warfarin in rat plasma samples. The pharmacokinetic results indicated that co-administration of andrographolide could increase the systemic exposure of warfarin significantly, including area under the curve (118.92?±?18.08 vs. 60.58?±?9.46?μg?×?h/mL), maximum plasma concentration (3.32?±?0.41 vs. 2.35?±?0.25?μg/mL) and t_1/2 (22.73?±?3.28 vs. 14.27?±?2.67?h). Additionally, the metabolic stability of warfarin increased from 23.5?±?4.7 to 38.7?±?6.1?min with the pretreatment of andrographolide, and the difference was significant (p?Discussion and conclusion: In conclusion, andrographolide could increase the systemic exposure of warfarin in rats when andrographolide and warfarin were co-administered, and possibly by slowing down the metabolism of warfarin in rat liver by inhibiting the activity of CYP3A4 or CYP2C9.     

Tanshinone IIA elicited vasodilation in rat coronary arteriole: Roles of nitric oxide and potassium channels

Salvia miltiorrhiza has been widely used in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases due to its ability to improve coronary microcirculation and increase coronary blood flow. Tanshinone II_A, the major active lipophilic ingredient responsible for the beneficial actions of Salvia miltiorrhiza, was shown to induce vasodilation in coronary arteries. But its effects on coronary arterioles remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tanshinone II_A on isolated rat coronary arteriole and the underlying mechanisms. Coronary arterioles were carefully dissected, cannulated and pressurized. Tanshinone II_A-elicited vascular inner diameter change was recorded by a computerized diameter tracking system. To investigate the mechanisms governing the vasodilative effects of tanshinone II_A, the roles of endothelium, endothelium-derived vasoactive factors and potassium channels were assessed respectively. Endothelium denudation, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inhibition of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, and blockade of the large conductance calcium(Ca²⁺)-activated potassium channels (BKca) significantly decreased the vasodilation elicited by Tanshinone II_A. The results indicated that tanshinone II_A induces an endothelium-dependent vasodilation in coronary arterioles; nitric oxide (NO) and cytochrome P450 metabolites contribute to the vasodilation; activation of BKca channels plays an important role in the vasodilation.     

同种种苗异地栽培丹参质量比较研究

目的 对同种丹参种苗在不同地区栽培的丹参质量进行分析评价.方法 根据2015年版药典方法,采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC),对同种种苗异地栽培丹参的根、须根及地上部分茎、叶、花、花托6个部位的丹酚酸B、丹参酮类(丹参酮ⅡA、隐丹参酮、丹参酮I)进行含量测定.结果 同种种苗的含山栽培丹参中两类成分含量均略高于太和栽培丹参,丹参酮类在不同部位分布的含量为根>须根>花托>茎>叶>花,丹酚酸B则为根>须根>花>茎>花托>叶,丹参不同部位含量有较大差异,其中根和须根的含量均高于药典标准.结论 异地栽培的丹参脂溶性成分差异有统计学意义,含山产栽培丹参优于太和产;异地栽培的丹参水溶性成分丹参含量无差异;该实验为指导优质产区种苗的扩大种植提供参考依据.     

丹参预防自发性高血压大鼠左室肥厚及其对c-fos表达的影响

目的 :观察丹参预防自发性高血压大鼠左室肥厚的作用 ,并研究其对心肌c fos的影响。方法 :18只 8周龄的自发性高血压大鼠随机分成 3组 ,每组 6只。对照组于 8周处死 ,丹参组及高血压组分别经腹腔注射丹参或蒸馏水 (1g·kg-1·d-1) ,共 10周。测量大鼠尾动脉收缩压 (SBP)及左心室重量指数 (LVMI)。应用HE和VG染色、免疫组织化学的方法 ,结合计算机图像分析技术 ,检测心肌细胞的直径和面积、心肌组织胶原体积比例 (CVF)、血管周围胶原面积和管腔面积比例 (PVCA)以及c fos表达。结果 :与 8周龄的自发性高血压大鼠相比 ,18周龄大鼠的SBP、LVMI、心肌细胞的直径、面积、CVF、PV CA显著增加 ,c fos表达明显 ,丹参治疗可抑制LVH的发展和心肌组织c fos的表达 ,但对收缩压无明显改变。结论 :长期应用丹参治疗可预防自发性高血压大鼠左室肥厚的形成 ,其机制可能与丹参降低了心肌细胞c fos的表达有关