中药毒性评价的技术方法与应用

中药的安全性近年来受到了广泛的关注和重视,但是相应的理论和实验研究还不够充分。中药的毒性是中药安全性的关键问题之一,参照国际惯例和西方植物药研究的标准规范,依据中医药理论,应用现代新技术新方法,结合基础研究的成果,制定相应的评价体系和研究规范,是解决这个关键问题的可行思路。对近年来课题组按照上述研究思路开展的有关中药毒性评价的技术方法与应用研究的结果进行了概述,希望能为中药毒性的评价方法和技术指导原则提供理论基础,也可为雷公藤等典型中毒中药的毒性研究提供研究示范,推动中药毒性研究的发展。     

代谢组学在中药复方研究中的应用

代谢组学是20世纪90年代中期发展起来的对某一生物或细胞所有低相对分子质量代谢产物进行定性、定量分析的一门新学科。在中药复方研究中,代谢组学方法和技术的应用具有广阔的发展前景,尤其是在中药复方多靶点作用机制、中药复方配伍规律及安全性研究等方面具有重要理论意义和应用价值。代谢组学为中药复方的现代研究提供了强力的技术支撑,将有助于系统、深刻地揭示中药复方的科学内涵,指导中药复方新药研发,更好地传承和发展中医药理论。     

代谢组学在中药安全性评价中的应用

代谢组学是后基因时代的一种全新的组学技术,近年来发展极为迅速。随着基于核磁共振、质谱以及化学计量学软件的代谢组学分析技术平台的不断发展,代谢组学技术为中药毒性和安全性研究提供了崭新的和强有力的技术手段,并得到了广泛应用,如发现毒性物质、探讨毒性机制等。综述中药毒性及安全性评价领域代谢组学研究进展,并探讨其应用前景和存在的问题。     

A metabonomic approach for mechanistic exploration of pre-clinical toxicology

Metabonomics involves the application of advanced analytical tools to profile the diverse metabolic complement of a given biofluid or tissue. Subsequent statistical modelling of the complex multivariate spectral profiles enables discrimination between phenotypes of interest and identifies panels of discriminatory metabolites that represent candidate biomarkers. This review article presents an overview of recent developments in the field of metabonomics with a focus on application to pre-clinical toxicology studies. Recent research investigations carried out as part of the international COMET 2 consortium project on the hepatotoxic action of the aminosugar, galactosamine (galN) are presented. The application of advanced, high-field NMR spectroscopy is demonstrated, together with complementary application of a targeted mass spectrometry platform coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Much novel mechanistic information has been gleaned on both the mechanism of galN hepatotoxicity in multiple biofluids and tissues, and on the protection afforded by co-administration of glycine and uridine. The simultaneous identification of both the metabolic fate of galN and its associated endogenous consequences in spectral profiles is demonstrated. Furthermore, metabonomic assessment of inter-animal variability in response to galN presents enhanced mechanistic insight on variable response phentoypes and is relevant to understanding wider aspects of individual variability in drug response. This exemplar highlights the analytical and statistical tools commonly applied in metabonomic studies and notably, the approach is applicable to the study of any toxin/drug or intervention of interest. The metabonomic approach holds considerable promise and potential to significantly advance our understanding of the mechanistic bases for adverse drug reactions.     

液质联用技术在中药化学成分定性分析中的研究进展

中药化学成分复杂,寻找中药化学成分快速识别与定性的方法是亟待解决的问题。液质联用技术具有分离能力强、检测灵敏度高和专属性强等特点,在中药研究中发挥重要作用。为了寻找快速定性中药化学成分的方法,加快中药现代化的步伐,从四级杆飞行时间串联质谱、静电场轨道阱质谱和离子淌度质谱3种质谱技术以及诊断离子、分子网络、最佳碰撞能、碰撞截面、定量结构-保留关系模型5种研究方法对近年来液质联用技术在中药化学成分定性分析方面的发展进行综述,以期为中药质量控制和中药现代分析提供新的思路和方法。     

Quantitative analysis of pharmacokinetic study samples by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

The basis of all pharmacokinetic evaluations are powerful assays to quantify drugs and/or metabolites in biological matrices using modern sensitive instrumental analytical techniques, such as capillary gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Being both specific and universal, mass spectrometry (MS) is an ideal chromatographic detector. Due to recent exciting achievements in the interfacing of liquid chromatography (LC) and MS, LC-MS, like the successfully preceding hyphenated technique gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), has now become a valuable technique in the analyst's toolbox. The key features of LC-MS are explained and four examples demonstrating its potential for highly specific and sensitive routine drug assays with the option of high sample throughput in pharmacokinetic investigations are presented.     

中药研究开发的挑战

本综述分析了中药现代研究与发展的挑战。中药是国际上医学、生物医学和制药机构作为一个有价值药用制剂的潜在来源。研究和发展中药,第一个挑战是评估疗效、药理特性、作用机理和有效成分;第二是要及时总结,并发展可靠的方法学,以提升中药研究的质量并通过提供适宜的评估方法,利于管理部门的法规制定及中药产品的注册;第三是研究药物代谢和药代动力学;第四是采用新的“组学”技术和工具应用于中药的研究开发及中药现代化过程。因此,需要运用现代方法去研究、开发和探索充满潜力的中草药资源,特别是药用植物。     

Contemporary issues in toxicology the role of metabonomics in toxicology and its evaluation by the COMET project

The role that metabonomics has in the evaluation of xenobiotic toxicity studies is presented here together with a brief summary of published studies. To provide a comprehensive assessment of this approach, the Consortium for Metabonomic Toxicology (COMET) has been formed between six pharmaceutical companies and Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (IC), London, UK. The objective of this group is to define methodologies and to apply metabonomic data generated using (1)H NMR spectroscopy of urine and blood serum for preclinical toxicological screening of candidate drugs. This is being achieved by generating databases of results for a wide range of model toxins which serve as the raw material for computer-based expert systems for toxicity prediction. The project progress on the generation of comprehensive metabonomic databases and multivariate statistical models for prediction of toxicity, initially for liver and kidney toxicity in the rat and mouse, is reported. Additionally, both the analytical and biological variation which might arise through the use of metabonomics has been evaluated. An evaluation of intersite NMR analytical reproducibility has revealed a high degree of robustness. Second, a detailed comparison has been made of the ability of the six companies to provide consistent urine and serum samples using a study of the toxicity of hydrazine at two doses in the male rat, this study showing a high degree of consistency between samples from the various companies in terms of spectral patterns and biochemical composition. Differences between samples from the various companies were small compared to the biochemical effects of the toxin. A metabonomic model has been constructed for urine from control rats, enabling identification of outlier samples and the metabolic reasons for the deviation. Building on this success, and with the completion of studies on approximately 80 model toxins, first expert systems for prediction of liver and kidney toxicity have been generated.     

Analytical data of designated substances (Shitei-Yakubutsu) controlled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, part I: GC-MS and LC-MS

In the last 10 years, many analogs of narcotic substances have been widely distributed in Japan as easily available psychotropic substances and this has become a serious problem. They have been sold as video cleaners, incense and reagents via the Internet or in video shops. They are not controlled under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law because their pharmacological effects have not yet been proved scientifically. As a countermeasure to prevent the abuse of these substances, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare amended the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in 2006 so that 31 non-controlled psychotropic substances (11 tryptamines, 11 phenethylamines, 6 alkyl nitrites, 2 piperazines and salvinorin A) and 1 plant (Salvia divinorum) are now controlled as "Designated Substances (Shitei-Yakubutsu)" as of April 2007. Five other compounds (4 phenethylamines and 1 piperazine) were also added to this category in January 2008. In this study, we developed simultaneous analytical methods for these designated substances using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and present retention times, UV spectra, electron ionization (EI), GC-MS, and electrospray ionization (ESI) LC-MS data.     

Determination of free and glucuronated hexane metabolites without prior hydrolysis by liquid- and gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Since n-hexane metabolites are excreted as glucuronide conjugates, most conventional analytical procedures require preliminary hydrolysis, yielding to the 'total' 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD), but also giving rise to a number of artifacts. The whole pattern of n-hexane metabolites, both conjugated and unconjugated, as well as different methods of sample pretreatment have been evaluated by hyphenated techniques (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)). Aliquots of urine from rats exposed to n-hexane underwent enzymatic or acid hydrolysis or both; whereas one aliquot was applied to LC-MS, dichloromethane extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. In untreated urine, four glucuronides (-G) were identified and characterized by LC-MS: 2-hexanol-G, 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone-G, 4,5-dyhydroxy-2-hexanone-G, and 2,5-hexanediol-G. 'Free' 2,5-HD was detectable in non-hydrolyzed samples by both GC- and LC-MS. Whereas enzymatic hydrolysis did not increase the amount of 2,5-HD, acid hydrolysis led to increase 2,5-HD in variable amount and produced gamma-valerolactone as a result of a complete transformation of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone-G and the partial conversion from 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone-G. Further experiments showed that both 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone-G and 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone-G, isolated by solid-phase extraction and hydrolyzed, yield comparable amount of 2,5-HD and gamma-valerolactone. In samples treated by acid hydrolysis, GC-MS only does not allow to understand the true source of 'total' 2,5-HD, which may be produced not only from 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone-G but also from the more abundant 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone-G, which thus represents the main source of analytical artifacts. 'Free' 2,5-HD seems to be both suitable from an analytical point of view and meaningful for biological monitoring purposes, provided that conjugate metabolites are rapidly removed from the body leading to a negligible neurotoxic risk.     

基于药物靶标识别中药活性成分的研究方法及应用

中药小分子与生物体内靶标蛋白的相互作用是中药发挥药理作用的基础，现代科学技术的发展和药物作用靶标的揭示为中药活性成分的研究提供了新的技术和手段。基于已知的药物作用靶标，阐明中药的有效成分及其作用机制已成为中药学研究和发展的重要方向。基于化学和生物技术与计算机虚拟筛选技术两大视角，总结了亲和超滤质谱技术、分子生物色谱技术、磁珠富集技术、等离子共振技术、生物膜干涉技术、分子对接技术、药效团模型和机器学习8种基于药物靶标识别中药活性成分的研究方法与应用现状，以期补充传统药物发现的方法，为该领域研究提供借鉴与参考。     

人类多能干细胞用于中药毒性和疗效评价的研究进展

中药毒性和疗效评价是评价中药药物安全性评估的重要项目。人类多能干细胞（hPSCs）在疾病建模、药物筛选、分子机制研究以及安全性评价等方面是有力的研究工具。虽然hPSCs作为体外先进研究材料，应用广泛，但在中医药相关领域的研究积累却十分有限。通过调研hPSCs及其分化衍生物在中医药领域的相关应用，讨论hPSCs在中医药领域最大限度利用的可能性以及阻碍，同时展望hPSCs的应用前景，以期为hPSCs在中药毒性和疗效评价领域的相关应用提供一定的理论参考，推进中医药安全性的现代化发展。     

An overview of chromatographic methods coupled with mass spectrometric detection for determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in biological material

Gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS) methods for the determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and their metabolites in biological material have been reviewed. Since 1980s those hyphenated techniques have been applied to quantitate ACE inhibitors and the dynamic increase in the number of relevant publications can be observed in recent years. Although most of the methods available in the literature were analyses of plasma or serum, assays of blood and urine were also included. Additionally, sample pretreatment methods, separation conditions and ionization modes were overviewed. Some information on chemical structures, cis-trans izomerization and stability of compounds in question was also included. Most of the reported methods were successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies in humans.     

非靶向代谢组学生物样品采集和制备方法探讨

生物样品采集和制备是代谢组学研究的第一步也是最关键的一步,合适的样品采集和制备方法是获得可靠结果的重要保证。样品采集和制备方法与分析通量、分析成本和基质效应等密切相关。样品采集与制备方法如不进行充分验证,实验数据常出现较大偏差,但在实际工作中样品采集和制备过程常被忽视。本文对非靶向代谢组学生物样品常用采集和制备方法作一综述,指明了实际操作中的注意事项,有助于我们根据实验目的和样品性质选择合适的方法。本文重点关注基于高效液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-MS)和气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)的代谢组学研究中常用样品采集和制备方法。     

代谢组学的发展与药物研究开发

代谢组学是近年来新发展起来的一门组学,其主要研究体系有生物体液、生物组织及单个细胞的代谢组,利用一些现代的分析技术,如NMR、LC-MS、GC-MS等,取得整个研究体系的多维数据后,利用模式识别和专家系统技术寻找其中的系统生物学信息。本文从代谢组学的发展,代谢组学的研究范围和研究方法,以及在药物的作用机制和安全性评价,疾病模型,特别是中药研究的应用等方面予以阐述。     

液相色谱-质谱联用技术在体内药物分析中的应用进展

液相色谱-质谱联用技术体现了色谱和质谱优势的互补,将色谱的高分离性能和质谱鉴别力强的特点相结合,组成了较完善的现代分析技术。较好地适应了现代体内药物分析研究对高精密度和准确度分析方法的需求,进而获得广泛应用。     

Comparison of the specificity and sensitivity of traditional methods for assessment of nephrotoxicity in the rat with metabonomic and proteomic methodologies

There is currently a great deal of scientific interest and debate concerning the possible advantages that proteomic and metabonomic technologies might have over traditional biomarkers of toxicity (blood and urine chemistry, histopathology). Numerous papers have been published that make impressive claims concerning potential applications for these novel technologies, however there appears to be little hard evidence in the literature of their advantages over the traditional techniques for assessing toxicity. The aim of this review was to evaluate the relative sensitivity and specificity of proteomic and metabonomic techniques, compared with traditional techniques, for assessing xenobiotic-induced nephrotoxicity. A review of studies was performed where both one of the novel methods as well as traditional techniques were used for assessment of xenobiotic-induced nephrotoxicity. There was no consistent evidence from the literature that the novel methodologies were any more sensitive than the traditional methods for assessing nephrotoxicity. This could be due to the relatively small number of studies available for review (n = 13), the fact that generally these studies were not aimed at determining relative sensitivity or specificity and may not be the case with other target organs, such as the liver. However, it was clear that the novel methodologies were able to discriminate between the effects caused by different toxicants. There was evidence both that this discrimination was on the basis of different mechanisms of toxicity and on the basis of different locations of nephrotoxic lesion. A great deal of validation work is necessary before these techniques could gain full acceptance by regulatory authorities, and it is unclear whether their use in anything other than non-regulatory, mechanistic studies is likely to become widespread.     

Current methods and research progress in nanomaterials risk assessment

Nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties compared with those bulk materials of the same composition. Possible undesirable results of these capabilities are harmful interactions with biological systems and the environment, with the potential to generate toxicity. A number of studies on the effects of Nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo systems have been published. However, while the number of nanomaterials types and applications continues to increase, studies to characterize their effects after exposure and to address their potential toxicity are few in comparison, there is still a need for further studies that conclusively establish their safety/toxicity. The establishment of principles and test procedures to ensure safe manufacture and use of nanomaterials in the marketplace is urgently required and achievable. The major goal of this review is to summarize 1) analytical techniques applied for characterization of nanomaterials, 2) current analytical methods to assess nanomaterials toxicity in vitro and in vivo; 3) research progress of polymeric nanomaterials toxicity; 4) outlook.     

An experimental investigation of the physio-chemical properties of locally refined diesel oil

Diesel fuel adulteration is a growing challenge in Nigeria as it is associated with engine performance issues, high environmental pollution and loss of revenue accruable by the government. This problem is, however, not unique to Nigeria, it is also prevalent in many developing countries. In determining the physiochemical properties of fuel samples, sensor-based techniques, H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H NMR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with statistical methods have all been used to investigate the level of adulterants that are present. An Agilent 7890B Series Gas Chromatograph (GC) linked to an Agilent 5977B Mass Selective Detector (MSD) was used in the analysis, allowing detailed information of the composition of the four samples analysed to be obtained. The physio-chemical analysis showed differences in some parameters compared with international standards. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes. A study of the physio-chemical properties of locally refined diesel can provide elementary data which can be used by local authorities and regulatory agencies to formulate appropriate policies.