Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) analyses of medicinally used Rheum species and their application for identification of Rhei Rhizoma

Previously, we have determined marker nucleotides on the chloroplast matK gene to identify Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. officinale used as Rhei Rhizoma officially. In the present study, we further developed a convenient and efficient identification method on the basis of marker nucleotides with Amplification Refractory Mutation System analysis. On the basis of the nucleotide substitutions at positions 367 and 937 among the three species on the matK gene, at each position two kinds of reverse primers with complementary 3'-terminal nucleotides were designed. Upon PCR amplification using three sets of primers and template DNA from each species, one or two fragments (202 bp or/and 770 bp) were detected. As the resultant three fragment profiles were species-specific, the procedure enabled us to classify the botanic origins of 22 drug samples of Rhei Rhizoma.     

Rhubarb in the East and the West

An etymological account of edible rhubards (stalks) and medicinal rhubarbs (rhizomes) is presented. Rheum rhaponticum (edible) was originally brought to the West from the barbarian Volga (old name Rha) district and from the Black Sea (old name Pontus) area. Rha comes from the Indo-European protolanguage *sreu, which means river or to flow. Rha barbarum was transformed to rhubarb in English and to Rhabarber in German. Medicinal rhubarbs are R. palmatum (the shape of its leaves are palm shaped), R. tanguticum from Tangut, China, and R. officinale and R. coreanum (both of which need no explanation). The relationship of Rheum with Rumex is also mentioned.     

不同品种大黄油糊外用抗炎作用及对大鼠皮肤溃疡、痔疮模型的影响

目的：通过对大黄的外用实验研究,总结其外用功能。方法：观察三品种大黄油糊外用对大鼠蛋清性足跖肿胀、二甲苯致小鼠耳廓肿胀、大鼠创伤性皮肤溃疡、99．0％醋酸溶液致大鼠痔疮模型的影响。结果：大、小剂量掌叶大黄、唐古特大黄、药用大黄油糊均可显著抑制大鼠蛋清性足跖肿胀和二甲苯致小鼠耳廓肿胀,明显减少大鼠创伤性皮肤溃疡的面积、促进溃疡皮肤角质层、鳞状细胞层和局部病理组织的恢复,可显著加快大鼠肛周皮肤溃疡的愈合。结论：大黄可促进病理组织的修复,加快溃疡面积的愈合,外用有收敛生肌的功能。     

57种中草药甲醇提取物体外抗致突变作用筛选

研究发现,白芷、苦参、诃子、雅黄、曲扎、礼县水根、唐古特大黄、陇县水根和青风藤对N-甲基-N′-硝基-N-亚硝基胍和苯并(a)芘的致突变性有显著的抑制作用。某些中草药提取物对此两种模型化合物致突变性的抑制有差异,提示中草药成分的复杂性及以不同的作用方式干扰致突变过程。     

中药研究中色层分离法的应用 (三)大黄

大黄为一种重要的中药,以在甘肃、青海、陕西及四川北部所产的品质最佳,称为掌叶大黄俗称为绵纹大黄,属于蓼科植物 Rheum palmatum L.及其变种的干燥根茎;四川南部、湖北、湖南、云南及西康等地所产的品质稍次,称为药用大黄,俗称马蹄大黄,为 Rheum officinale B.及其变种的干燥根茎。相类似的有土大黄,又可分为台黄、祁黄、籽黄及峪黄,它们的原植物尚未十分确定,可能为 Rheum undulutum 和R.rhaponticum 等,产于山西五台山的为台黄,产于河北安国县的为祁黄,河北阜平县一带所产的为籽黄,内蒙古和部分河北、山西等地区所产的则为峪黄,这些土大黄均不可供药用。     

A molecular marker that is specific to medicinal rhubarb based on chloroplast trnL/trnF sequences.

"Da-Huang" (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, medicinal rhubarb), a famous and important Traditional Chinese Medicine, has often been confused with the adulterant species in the same genus, Rheum. Through sequencing the trnL (UAA)/trnF (GAA) regions of chloroplast DNA of thirteen species of Rheum (three medicinal rhubarb species and ten adulterant ones), a molecular marker of the medicinal species was found. A pair of PCR primers based on the sequences, was thus designed, which amplified a highly specific DNA fragment in medicinal rhubarb exclusively, and absent in the adulterants at all under an optimized PCR condition.     

Galloyl esters from rhubarb are potent inhibitors of squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis

Galloyl glucoses and galloyl proanthocyanidins obtained from rhubarb (Rhei Rhizoma, Rheum palmatum L., Polygonaceae); e.g. 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (IC50 = 0.63 microM), 1,6-di-O-galloyl-2-O-cinnamoyl-beta-D-glucose (IC50 = 0.58 microM), procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate (IC50 = 0.54 microM), and procyanidin B-5 3,3'-di-O-gallate (IC50 = 0.55 microM), were found to be potent inhibitors of rat squalene epoxidase (SE). The inhibition at submicromolar level was far more potent than that of chemically synthesized substrate analogs. It was demonstrated for the first time that the cholesterol-lowering effect of rhubarb may be attributed to the potent inhibition activities of SE, a rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biogenesis.     

胆痛消炎片质量标准研究

目的 建立了胆痛消炎片的质量标准.方法 采用显微鉴别法对大黄进行了定性鉴别,用TLC法对方中延胡索与白芍进行了薄层定性鉴别,采用TLC法鉴别土大黄苷.结果 TLC定性鉴别分离度好,专属性强.结论 本方法简便易行、重现性好,可用于胆痛消炎片的质量标准.     

Emodin blocks the SARS coronavirus spike protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 interaction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS-CoV spike (S) protein, a type I membrane-bound protein, is essential for the viral attachment to the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). By screening 312 controlled Chinese medicinal herbs supervised by Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy at Taiwan, we identified that three widely used Chinese medicinal herbs of the family Polygonaceae inhibited the interaction of SARS-CoV S protein and ACE2. The IC(50) values for Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (the root tubers of Rheum officinale Baill.), Radix Polygoni multiflori (the root tubers of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.), and Caulis Polygoni multiflori (the vines of P. multiflorum Thunb.) ranged from 1 to 10 microg/ml. Emodin, an anthraquinone compound derived from genus Rheum and Polygonum, significantly blocked the S protein and ACE2 interaction in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited the infectivity of S protein-pseudotyped retrovirus to Vero E6 cells. These findings suggested that emodin may be considered as a potential lead therapeutic agent in the treatment of SARS.     

四川省大黄药材及其饮片评价性抽检结果质量分析

目的：开展四川省内大黄药材及其饮片的专项评价性抽检工作,了解四川省内大黄药材及饮片的整体用药情况,保障公众用药安全有效。方法：依据法定标准进行检验,并开展探索性研究,建立不同基原大黄HPLC指纹图谱分析方法,确定3种不同基原大黄的区别特征和大黄共有成分,并对35批大黄样品（包括大黄药材5批次,大黄饮片24批次,酒大黄6批次）进行分析。结果：共抽样105批次大黄药材及其饮片,其中97批次合格,合格率92.4%;8批次不合格,不合格率为7.6%;3种不同基原大黄HPLC指纹图谱区别特征明显,不同基原大黄共有峰10个,35批大黄样品和对照指纹图谱的相似度均大于0.85。结论：通过本次抽检,发现四川省内大黄药材及其饮片总体质量良好,但仍然存在一些质量问题,提示应进一步加强监管。     

Molecular identification of "Chuanxiong" by nucleotide sequence and multiplex single base extension analysis on chloroplast trnK gene

Chloroplast trnK gene sequences of Cnidium officinale and Ligusticum chuanxiong were determined to establish an effective method for identifying Japanese Senkyu and Chinese Chuanxiong, the two which have the same drug name in Chinese characters, similar external feature, but different botanical origins. Three sites of nucleotide differences were found between these 2 species at positions 767,924 and 964 from upstream in trnK gene sequence, allowing molecular identification of the two plants and crude drugs. Further, three kinds of specific primers of 14 mer, 23 mer and 30 mer long were designed to detect these 3 sites of marker nucleotides. By using multiplex single base extension (MSBE) analysis with the 3 specific primers, C. officinale and L. chuanxiong could be distinguished clearly by the electrophoretograms, where 3 peaks with different color of ddTMP, ddCMP and ddTMP were observed in case of C. officinale and those of ddGMP, ddAMP and ddGMP in L. chuanxiong. Moreover, trnK gene sequence of "Dongxiong," a kind of Chuanxiong cultivated in Northeast China, suggested that its botanical origin was C. officinale.     

大黄炮制前后物质基础变化研究

目的:探讨大黄不同炮制品在炮制前后物质基础的变化规律。方法:分别制备生大黄、酒大黄、熟大黄、大黄炭等几种炮制品,采用薄层色谱法测定不同炮制品中干燥失质量和酸不溶成分、总灰分、浸出物含量;并测定鞣质及蒽醌含量变化。结果:生大黄、酒大黄、熟大黄、大黄炭总灰分及酸不溶灰分成分含量相差不多;酒大黄及熟大黄干燥失质量及浸出物含量没有明显变化,大黄炭干燥失质量及浸出物含量明显降低;大黄在炮制前后蒽醌及鞣质含量发生了变化,且变化程度同炮制条件的强烈程度相关。熟大黄中游离蒽醌含量最高,生大黄中结合蒽醌含量最多。结论:鞣质及蒽醌类物质为大黄泻下解热的物质基础。对饮片不同炮制品的物质基础变化进行研究,可为不同炮制品的质量鉴定提供参考。     

中日产川芎的matK、ITS基因序列及其物种间的亲缘关系

目的分析中国产川芎Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.及日本产川芎Cnidium officinale Makino的核基因组ITS和叶绿体基因组matK序列,为探讨中日产川芎物种间的亲缘关系提供分子依据。方法采用PCR直接测序技术测定川芎和日本川芎的ITS基因和matK基因核苷酸序列并作序列变异分析。结果川芎和日本川芎的matK序列长度均为1268 bp,编码422个氨基酸。ITS1-5.8S-ITS2序列长度均为699 bp,其中18S rRNA基因3′端序列54 bp,ITS1序列215 bp,5.8S rRNA基因序列162 bp,ITS2序列222 bp,26S rRNA基因5′端序列46 bp。根据排序比较,川芎原植物与其商品药材间的matK基因和ITS基因序列完全相同,而川芎与日本川芎间matK基因则仅有1个变异位点,即在上游959 nt处1个转换替代(T→C),反映在氨基酸序列则发生一个非同义取代V(GTG)→A(GCG);ITS基因也仅有1个变异位点,即在ITS1上游54 nt处1个转换替代(T→C)。结论通过进化速率较快的基因序列同源性分析,基本可以认为中日所产川芎基原一致,日本川芎学名似应改为Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.。     

大黄类药材的质量评价进展

大黄是传统常用中药材,其质量优劣关系到用药的安全性和有效性。本文对大黄性状及显微鉴定、薄层鉴定、化学成分评价、指纹图谱、分子鉴定等方面近十年研究进行归纳总结,并对今后大黄的质量评价研究方向进行展望,为大黄质量控制和进一步研究提供参考。     

气象因子对唐古特大黄蒽醌类成分含量的影响分析

目的:研究气象因子对青海唐古特大黄蒽醌类成分含量的影响。方法:采用高效液相色谱法测定不同生境的唐古特大黄中蒽醌类成分的含量,通过偏相关分析研究气象因子对唐古特大黄蒽醌类成分含量的影响。结果:不同生境的唐古特大黄中蒽醌类成分含量有较大差异。偏相关分析结果表明,温度对大黄酚和大黄素甲醚含量的影响较为显著,而降水和日照对蒽醌类成分含量无明显影响。结论:温度是影响唐古特大黄蒽醌类成分含量的主要气象生态因子。     

酒制大黄对大鼠体内药动学的影响

目的：建立同时测定大鼠血浆及组织中芦荟大黄素、大黄酸和大黄素的液-质联用方法,并探讨酒制大黄中游离蒽醌成分对大鼠体内的药动学的影响。方法：分别给予SD大鼠灌胃大黄生品和酒制品水煎液后,采用LC-MS测定血浆中大黄酸、芦荟大黄素、大黄素的血药浓度的含量。结果：大黄酒制品组的药动学参数（Tmax、Cmax、T1/2和AUC0-t）与生品组相比具有显著性差异,大黄酒制后,芦荟大黄素和大黄素在大鼠体内的Tmax均有不同程度的延长,Cmax均较生品组高,AUC0-t也有不同程度的增加,说明大黄酒制后有助于促进芦荟大黄素和大黄素的吸收,增加其生物利用度。但两者的半衰期T1/2均有所减少,说明两者在体内代谢较快;大黄酸的药动学参数变化不大。结论：酒制大黄中游离蒽醌成分对大鼠体内的药物代谢动力学有较大影响,该研究结果为探讨大黄炮制机理提供实验依据。     

Rhein: a novel potential antitumor drug

Rhein (4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid) is an anthraquinone compound enriched in the rhizome of rhubarb (Rheum palmatum or Rheum tanguticum Maxim), a traditional Chinese medicine herb. Natural product compounds are a source of novel therapeutic agents. Rhein has been initially identified as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent. Recent studies indicate that rhein may also have an antitumor effect. However, the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. This review aims to summarize the research of rhein to better understand the anti-tumor activities by targeting cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Meanwhile, we also intend to give an overview of the mechanisms identified so far. The breakthrough findings may shed light on using rhein as a targeted-cancer therapy.     

Investigations of Free Anthraquinones from Rhubarb Against α‐Naphthylisothiocyanate‐induced Cholestatic Liver Injury in Rats

Abstract: The protective effects of anthraquinones from Rhubarb, a Chinese herbal medicine, consisting of the root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., R. tanguticum Maxim. Ex Balf., or R. officinale Baill. (family Polygonaceae) were investigated and compared in rats with liver injury induced by α‐naphthylisothiocyanate. α‐Naphthylisothiocyanate was given intragastrically in rats, liver injury with cholestasis developed within 36 hrs, as indicated by characteristic serum levels of glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyltransferase and total bile acid. The intragastrical administration of rhein, aloe‐emodin and physione to α‐naphthylisothiocyanate‐treated rats reduced significantly the serum level of both glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and the serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyltransferase and total bile acid. For all hepatic biochemical markers and cholestasis index, rhein was most efficient. By comparison, the administration of emodin and chrysophanol did not reduce the serum levels of hepatic enzymes glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase but decreased the levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyltransferase, and total bile acid, showing their partial protective effects on cholestatic liver injury. The liver in α‐naphthylisothiocyanate‐treated rats showed cholangiolitic hepatitis characterized by intrahepatic cholestasis, necrosis of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells and bile obstruction. The concurrent intragastrical administration of rhein reduced the severity of all morphological alteration, especially the neutrophil infiltration and sinusoid congestion. Rhein, aloe‐emodin, and physione all exhibited protective effects on hepatocytes and cholangiocytes against α‐naphthylisothiocyanate‐induced damage, whereas emodin and chrystophanol provided partial protection.     

提取方法对大黄中总蒽醌含量的影响

对六种不同提取方法(水提2次,每次1h;70%乙醇回流0.5h 2次。1 h 2次与2 h 2次;其粉回流1 h 2次及渗漉法)所得提取物中大黄总蒽醌含量测定表明,以其粗粉回流1h 含量最高。     

三黄清热胶囊质量标准的研究

目的建立三黄清热胶囊中大黄、黄芩、黄柏的定性鉴别方法,及黄芩苷的含量测定方法。方法用显微观察法鉴别制剂中大黄、黄芩、黄柏,用薄层色谱法鉴别大黄、黄柏,用高效液相色谱法测定黄芩苷含量。结果粉末显微鉴别法可以鉴别出大黄、黄芩、黄柏,薄层色谱中检出大黄、黄柏可用于定性分析。黄芩苷在62.4～1246ng(r=0.99998)范围内呈良好线性关系;样品平均回收率98.29%,RSD为0.23%。HPLC法可用于黄芩苷的含量测定。结论本实验所建立的方法简便、准确,灵敏度高,重复性好,可用于三黄清热胶囊的质量控制。