Structure-activity relationship of miltirone, an active central benzodiazepine receptor ligand isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen).

Twenty one o-quinonoid-type compounds and one coumarin-type compound related to miltirone (1) have been synthesized with the aim to identify the key structural elements involved in miltirone's interaction with the central benzodiazepine receptor. On the basis of their inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to bovine cerebral cortex membranes, it is apparent that ring A of miltirone is essential for affinity. Although increasing the size of ring A from six-membered to seven- and eight-membered is well-tolerated, the introduction of polar hydroxyl groups greatly reduces binding affinity. The presence of 1,1-dimethyl groups on ring A is, however, not essential. On the other hand, the isopropyl group on ring C appears to be critical for binding as its removal decreases affinity by more than 30-fold. It can, however, be replaced with a methyl group with minimal reduction in affinity. Finally, linking ring A and B with a -CH2CH2- bridge results in analogue 89, which is 6 times more potent than miltirone at the central benzodiazepine receptor (IC50 = 0.05 microM).     

丹参注射液对大鼠体内稳态华法林药动学和药效学参数的影响

目的 探讨丹参注射液对大鼠体内稳态华法林药动学和药效学参数的影响. 方法 采用平行、随机的实验设计. 丹参注射液 5 g.kg^-1腹腔注射给药,bid,连续9 d ; 华法林0.2 mg.kg^-1.d^-1灌胃给药,每天1次连续9 d. 分别在给药的第1,6和10天从尾动脉抽取血样测定血药浓度和凝血酶原时间（PT）. 结果 丹参对PT值没有影响（P>0.05）,当丹参和华法林合用时,丹参增加华法林的血药浓度（P<0.05）,改变华法林的药动学参数（P<0.05）和药效学主要参数INR（P<0.05）. 结论 丹参和华法林联合用药时发生相互作用,可能导致出血,应注意监测.     

正交试验法优化丹参乙醇回流提取工艺

目的:优化丹参的乙醇回流提取工艺。方法:以丹酚酸B转移率、丹参酮ⅡA转移率及浸膏得率为评价指标,采用单因素实验及正交试验,优化丹参乙醇回流提取工艺。结果:优化的乙醇回流提取工艺为10倍量的60%乙醇提取3次,每次1.5h。结论:优化的丹参乙醇回流提取工艺提取率高,稳定,为工业化生产提供了实验依据。     

Pharmacokinetic characterization of hydroxylpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-included complex of cryptotanshinone, an investigational cardiovascular drug purified from Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

1. The study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of cryptotanshinone in a hydroxylpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-included complex in dogs and rats. 2. Animals were administrated the inclusion complex of cryptotanshinone and the concentrations of cryptotanshinone and its major metabolite tanshinone IIA were determined by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. 3. Cryptotanshinone in inclusion complex was absorbed slowly after an oral dose, and the C(max) and AUC(0-)(t) were dose-proportional. The bioavailability of cryptotanshinone in rats was (6.9% +/- 1.9%) at 60 mg kg(-1) and (11.1% +/- 1.8%) in dogs at 53.4 mg kg(-1). The t(1/2) of the compound in rats and dogs was 5.3-7.4 and 6.0-10.0 h, respectively. Cryptotanshinone showed a high accumulation in the intestine, lung and liver after oral administration, while the lung, liver and heart had the highest level following intravenous dose. Excretion data in rats showed that cryptotanshinone and its metabolites were mainly eliminated from faeces and bile, and the dose recovery rate was 0.02, 2.2, and 14.9% in urine, bile, and faeces, respectively. 4. The disposition of cryptotanshinone in an inclusion complex was dose-independent and the bioavailability was increased compared with that without cyclodextrin used to formulate the drug. Cryptotanshinone was distributed extensively into different organs. Excretion of cryptotanshinone and its metabolites into urine was extremely low, and they were mainly excreted into faeces and bile.     

The effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in rats.

Danshen is a Chinese folk medicine commonly used in the Chinese population. The effects of Danshen on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin were studied in rats. In the pharmacokinetic study, single oral doses of warfarin were administered to rats or after 3 days treatment with Danshen intraperitoneally twice daily. Plasma warfarin concentrations were measured for 48 after each of two warfarin doses by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the pharmacodynamic study, the treatments were similar to the pharmacokinetic study, the prothrombin time (PT) was measured daily both in the Danshen treatment period and after the warfarin doses for 4 days. The absorption rate (Ka), volume of distribution (Vd) and elimination half-life (T1/2) of warfarin were significantly decreased while Cmax and Tmax were significantly increased after treatment with Danshen. There was no significant change in PT during the Danshen treatment period while the PTs were increased significantly in the first two days after warfarin doses. Our results suggested that Danshen can increase the initial bioavailability of warfarin and also affect the elimination of warfarin. It can also increase the PT further after the warfarin doses. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions observed in this study indicate a clinically important interaction between Danshen and warfarin if these two agents are taken together.     

Anti-Androgen Receptor Signaling and Prostate Cancer Inhibitory Effects of Sucrose- and Benzophenone-Compounds

Purpose  Novel agents that target multiple aspects of androgen receptor (AR) signaling are desirable for chemoprevention and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to identify compounds isolated from medicinal herbs as such drug candidates. Methods  In the LNCaP human androgen sensitive PCa cell model, we tested five compounds purified from Lindera fruticosa Hemsley in the range of 10–50 μM for growth inhibition and AR-prostate specific antigen (PSA) suppressing potency. We determined the relationship between these activities and P53 tumor suppressor protein activation and apoptotic cleavage of PARP. We compared these compounds to the anti-androgen drug Casodex/bicalutamide to identify mechanistic novelty. Results  Among 3 sucrose compounds, beta-D-(3,4-di-sinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside decreased AR and PSA mRNA and protein levels in LNCaP cells and inhibited androgen-stimulated AR translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. This compound also increased P53 Ser¹⁵ phosphorylation and PARP cleavage in LNCaP cells, but required higher dosage than for suppressing AR-PSA. Interestingly, this compound did not inhibit the growth of RWPE-1 non-transformed prostate epithelial cells. The benzophenone compound 2-methoxy-3,4-(methylenedioxy)benzophenone suppressed PSA and AR in LNCaP cells without apoptosis. Conclusions  Our data support novel anti-AR actions of these herbal compounds distinct from Casodex and merit further investigation as drug candidates.     

Mechanisms of the dilator action of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on rat isolated femoral artery

This study investigates the actions of Danshen crude extract (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on rat isolated femoral artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine. Low concentrations of Danshen (10 to 30 microg/mL) enhanced the phenylephrine-precontracted tone by a maximum of 31.20+/-2.71%. At concentrations 100 microg/mL or above, Danshen relaxed the precontracted tone, with full relaxation obtained at 1 mg/mL. Involvement of endothelium-dependant mechanisms in the dilator effect of Danshen was investigated by pretreatment of the artery rings with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor flurbiprofen (10 microM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM), a muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (100 nM), and by mechanical removal of the endothelium; none of these procedures produced a significant change on the Danshen-induced effect. Involvement of endothelium-independent mechanisms was investigated in endothelium-denuded artery rings pretreated with a histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (10 microM), a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (100 nM), an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purine-6-amine (SQ22536, 100 microM), a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 microM), and a potassium channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 and 100 mM); only TEA was effective in partially inhibiting the Danshen-induced effect. These findings suggest the dilator action of Danshen on rat femoral artery was mediated in part by the opening of TEA-sensitive K+ channels in the smooth muscle cells. Muscarinic receptors, histamine receptors, beta-adrenoceptors, endothelium-derived relaxant factors, adenylyl cyclase, and guanylyl cyclase-dependent pathways did not play a role in its vasodilatory effect.     

Inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption by tanshinone IIA isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

Osteoclasts, multinuclear cells specialized for bone resorption, differentiate from the monocyte/macrophage lineage of hematopoietic cells. Intervention in osteoclast differentiation is considered an effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of bone diseases involving osteoclasts. In this study, we found that tanshinone IIA, originating from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts. Addition of tanshinone IIA to the osteoclast precursor culture caused a significant decrease in the level of calcitonin receptor, c-Src, and integrin beta3 mRNA, which are normally upregulated during the osteoclast differentiation dependent on RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand). RANKL activated the ERK, Akt, and NF-kappaB signal transduction pathways in osteoclast precursor cells, and tanshinone IIA suppressed this activation. Tanshinone IIA also inhibited the bone resorptive activity of differentiated osteoclasts, which was accompanied with the disruption of the actin ring. Thus, tanshinone IIA has the potential to ameliorate bone-resorption diseases in vivo by reducing both the number and activity of osteoclasts.     

RP-HPLC法测定丹参不同部位中丹参素和原儿茶醛的含量

目的 采用RP-HPLC法测定丹参不同部位中丹参素和原儿茶醛的含量.方法 色谱柱为Kromasil C18柱(150 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),流动相为甲醇-乙腈-1%冰醋酸(7:3:90),流速1.0 ml·min-1,检测波长280 nm,柱温为室温.结果 丹参素和原儿茶醛的线性范围分别为2.333～30.0...     

Methylation and its role in the disposition of tanshinol,a cardiovascular carboxylic catechol from Salvia miltiorrhiza roots (Danshen)

Aim:

Tanshinol is an important catechol in the antianginal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza roots (Danshen). This study aimed to characterize tanshinol methylation.

Methods:

Metabolites of tanshinol were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Metabolism was assessed in vitro with rat and human enzymes. The major metabolites were synthesized for studying their interactions with drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters and their vasodilatory properties. Dose-related tanshinol methylation and its influences on tanshinol pharmacokinetics were also studied in rats.

Results:

Methylation, preferentially in the 3-hydroxyl group, was the major metabolic pathway of tanshinol. In rats, tanshinol also underwent considerable 3-O-sulfation, which appeared to be poor in human liver. These metabolites were mainly eliminated via renal excretion, which involved tubular secretion mainly by organic anion transporter (OAT) 1. The methylated metabolites had no vasodilatory activity. Entacapone-impaired methylation did not considerably increase systemic exposure to tanshinol in rats. The saturation of tanshinol methylation in rat liver could be predicted from the Michaelis constant of tanshinol for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Tanshinol had low affinity for human COMT and OATs; its methylated metabolites also had low affinity for the transporters. Tanshinol and its major human metabolite (3-O-methyltanshinol) exhibited negligible inhibitory activities against human cytochrome P450 enzymes, organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B1/1B3, multidrug resistance protein 1, multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, and breast cancer resistance protein.

Conclusion:

Tanshinol is mainly metabolized via methylation. Tanshinol and its major human metabolite have low potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with synthetic antianginal agents. This study will help define the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia related to tanshinol methylation.     

The Effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on Warfarin Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Warfarin Enantiomers in Rats

The effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a popular traditional Chinese medicinal herb on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of R- and S-warfarin stereoisomers were studied in rats. After a single oral dose of racemic warfarin (2 mg kg^?1), treatment with oral Danshen extract (5 g kg^?1, twice daily) for 3 days significantly altered the overall pharmacokinetics of both R- and S-warfarin and increased the plasma concentrations of both enantiomers over a period of 24 h and the prothrombin time over 2 days. At steady-state levels of racemic warfarin (0·2 mg kg^?1 day^?1 for 5 days) the 3-day treatment of Danshen extract (5 g kg^?1, twice daily) not only prolonged the prothrombin time but also increased the steady-state plasma concentrations of R- and S-warfarin. The results indicate that Danshen extracts can increase the absorption rate constant, area under plasma concentration-time curves, maximum concentrations and elimination half-lives, but decreases the clearances and apparent volume of distribution of both R- and S-warfarin. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of warfarin during co-treatment with Danshen extract observed in this study indicate an explanation for the clinically observed incidents of exaggerated warfarin adverse effects when traditional Chinese medicinal herbs or herbal products such as Danshen and Danggui (observed in a previous study) were co-administered.     

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.     

抗前列腺癌雄激素受体拮抗剂研究进展及市场分析

前列腺癌是男性常见肿瘤。雄激素受体（androgen receptor,AR）是雄激素与前列腺癌细胞结合、发挥激素生物活性、促进前列腺癌组织生长的必要物质。目前AR拮抗剂是前列腺癌主要治疗药物,恩扎卢胺等第2代AR拮抗剂已获批上市,市场关注度高。综述抗前列腺癌AR拮抗剂研究进展,并对市场销售情况进行分析。     

Herb-drug interactions with Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza): a review on the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes

Danshen, the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a widely used medicinal plant for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China and a complementary medicine in the West. Danshen is indexed in the 2010 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, with more than 35 formulations and concoctions containing Danshen water-extracts, ethanolic extracts or their combination, which are rich in phenolic acids and different levels of tanshinones. There are rare reports on the adverse effects of Danshen preparations. It is, however, well-known that Danshen leads the anticoagulation failure of warfarin. The Danshen-warfarin interaction may be mediated via both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic mechanisms. This review does not summarize recent progress, but the effects of Danshen and its active ingredients on the interactions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and drug transporters, as well as the analysis of ingredients, and the metabolism and pharmacokinetics that are related to these interactions. Tanshinones play significant roles in the inhibition and induction of several CYP450 isozymes. It can be concluded that precautions should be taken when using Danshen preparations rich in tanshinones for CYP-related herb-drug interactions.     

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate derived from Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) attenuates hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II in cultured neonatal rat cardiac cells

Recent studies support the view that in addition to its effect on both phase I and phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, the synthetic chemopreventive agent oltipraz also increases the nucleotide excision repair (NER) which represents the major pathway of elimination of chemical carcinogen DNA adducts. Since most carcinogens are activated in the liver, we investigated the influence of oltipraz on NER activity of this target tissue by using two different approaches. First, we employed an assay based on the measurement of DNA repair in cisplatin-damaged plasmid DNA incubated in the presence of cell-free extracts prepared from either rat liver or human hepatoma HepG2 cells treated by oltipraz. Secondly, we analyzed the removal of aflatoxin B(1)-derived DNA adducts formed in primary human hepatocytes exposed to oltipraz after treatment with this mycotoxin. Whatever the strategy used, NER activity was not altered in liver cells. These data demonstrated that liver cells actively repair bulky DNA adducts by NER and that oltipraz does not influence their NER activity neither in vivo nor in vitro, consequently strongly suggesting that the chemopreventive agent oltipraz is acting before the initiation step of cancer development.     

Novel Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Androgen deprivation therapy has been the mainstay of treatment for advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. The use of novel agents targeting the androgen receptor and its signaling pathways offers a promising approach that is both safe and effective. We describe the rationale behind the use of these compounds in clinical development and the existing challenges as to how best to incorporate these new and emerging therapies in the changing treatment paradigm of metastatic prostate cancer.     

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I, a major component from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Dansham), inhibits rabbit platelet aggregation by suppressing intracellular calcium mobilization

Radix Salviae miltiorrhiza (RSM, ‘Dansham’ in Korea, ‘Danshen’ in Chinese), the root of Salviae miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiate) has been used as Chinese fork medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of 15, 16-Dihydrotanshinone I, one of the major ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, on platelet aggregation, with elucidation of its mechanisms of action. 15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I concentration-dependently inhibited collagen-induced aggregation of rabbit washed platelets with IC₅₀ of 8.7±5.6 μM, the potency being about seven-fold greater than EGCG, an active Green tea catechin component (IC₅₀: 56.6±48.7 μM). 15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I significantly inhibited the intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) mobilization in a concentration-dependent manner. 15,16-dihdydrotanshinone I also significantly suppressed collagen (50 μg/mL)-induced liberation of [³H]Arachidonic acid from [³H]Arachidonic acid-incorporated rabbit platelet. In addition, 15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I at 50 μM slightly but significantly inhibited collagen-induced production of thromboxane B₂. These results indicate that 15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I exert potent anti-platelet activity via suppression of [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization and arachidonic acid liberation.