Electrical conductivity measurements of urine as a new simplified method to evaluate the diuretic activity of medicinal plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Diuretic plants are widely used in traditional medicine in many countries. However, many of these species have not been subjected to experimental studies to confirm that property. In this paper, a simple new method is proposed to evaluate the diuretic activity of plants. We define a new index that takes into account only the volume of urinary excretion and total ion concentration excreted obtained by specific electrical conductivity measurements.

Materials and methods

Urine was collected in a graduate cylinder during the 8 h after Artemisia thuscula (AT), Withania aristata (WA), Smilax canariensis (SC) and HCTZ oral administration to laboratory mice. To obtain the new index Diuretic Power (DP), we measured the specific electrical conductivity (κ) of the fresh urine samples. We calculated the concentration of a NaCl (or KCl) aqueous solution that has the same specific electrical conductivity as the urine sample. We multiplied this concentration by the corresponding urinary excretion volume, thus obtaining the total mEq. of electrolyte excreted “as if all were NaCl (or KCl)”. Finally, we divided these mEq. by those corresponding to the control to obtain the DP value.

Results

HCTZ showed a 40% increase in DP, with respect to the control group, independently of the doses used, and the studied plants produced an increase between 7 and 28%. DP values were compared with other common indexes, DI and SIi, showing that the variation sequence of the three indexes was the same for HCTZ, WA and SC.

Conclusions

A new and easy index, that we called diuretic power (DP), for estimating the diuretic activity of drugs or plants is proposed. It allows us to highlight diuretic effect with respect to a control value of a large amount of drugs or plants that had not been previously experimentally studied.     

Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease: Ethnopharmacology,pre-clinical,clinical & safety evaluation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. is one of the most popular and beneficial medicinal plants in indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This comprehensive review provides latest updates on traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological data, clinical efficacy and safety of Terminalia arjuna as well as outlined strategies for future research and development to scientifically validate the therapeutic potential of this plant.

Materials and methods

Information about Terminalia arjuna was collected via a systematic electronic and library search of various indexed and non-indexed journals, some local books and varied articles published on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and traditional uses. Various pre-clinical (2000–2014) and clinical studies (1990–2014) have also been considered regarding efficacy and safety profile of Terminalia arjuna.

Results

Evidence from various in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials reveal the pleiotropic effects of Terminalia arjuna such as anti-atherogenic, hypotensive, inotropic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and antioxidant actions for treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. It is clearly documented that this plant has a good safety profile when used in conjunction with other conventional drugs. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the exact molecular mechanism of its action, appropriate form of drug administration, whether whole crude drug or aqueous or alcoholic extract should be used, toxicological studies and its interaction with other drugs.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this review highlights the importance as well as pleiotropic actions and functional aspects of Terminalia arjuna especially in cardiovascular diseases. Though, various pharmacological studies and clinical trials support its benefit in the CVD as per traditional use, new clinical trials using more rigorous state of the art technology and in a larger population setup are warranted to assess the traditional putative efficacy of Terminalia arjuna.     

An ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used by the village peoples of Thoppampatti,Dindigul district,Tamilnadu, India

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This study provides significant ethnopharmacological information, both qualitative and quantitative on medicinal plants in the Thoppampatti village, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, India. There is urgency in recording such data to conserve the traditional medicinal plants. This is the first ethnobotanical study which records the traditional important medicinal plants of Thoppampatti village. To collect, analyze and evaluate the ethnopharmacologic knowledge in Thoppampatti village in order to protect it. This study reports the results of an ethnopharmacological survey on the uses of medicinal plants by inhabitants of the Thoppampatti.

Materials and methods

The field study was carried out in a period of about one year (April 2012–May 2013) in Thoppampatti village. The information was obtained through open and semi-structured interviews with 48 (27 males, 21 females) knowledgeable local people and traditional healers (THs). The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition, use value (UV), relative importance (RI) and Jaccard index (JI) was determined.

Results

A total of 139 species of plants, mostly trees and herbs, belonging to 54 families were identified in this study. This is used to treat 142 diseases and ailments. These ailments were categorized into 18 major categories. Leaves were the most frequently used parts, while decoction and juice are the most common method of preparation to treat various diseases. Based on IUCN Red data the identified medicinal plants include 11 least concerned species, 3 vulnerable species and one endangered species. The most important species according to their use value were Cynodon dactylon (0.79), Azadirachta indica (0.73), Ocimum tenuiflorum (0.71), Moringa oleifera (0.68), Coriandrum sativum (0.62), Abelmoschus esculentus (0.61), Acalypha indica (0.59) and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (0.59).

Conclusion

As a result of the present study, medicinal plants play an important role in the health care of Thoppampatti village inhabitants; they rely on medicinal plants to treat various ailments. In addition, the medicinal plants with high RI values might give some useful leads for further pharmacological investigations. Deforestation and overexploitation of a particular plant species leads to extinction so sustainable utilization of medicinal plants is recommended in the study area.     

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) enhances the serum levels of luteinising hormone in female rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility benefits. This study investigated the effect of Maca on the serum pituitary hormone levels during the pro-oestrus phase.

Materials and methods

Maca powder was made from the tubers of Lepidium meyenii Walp collected, dried, and reduced to powder at the plantation in Junín Plateau and was purchased from Yamano del Perú SAC. The Maca powder was identified by chemical profiling and taxonomic methods. Two groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were provided feed with normal feed containing 5%, 25%, or 50% Maca powder ad libitum for 7 weeks. At 1800 h of the proestrus stage, the rats were euthanised, and blood samples were collected for serum isolation. The serum pituitary hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results

No significant differences in feed intake or growth rate were observed among the rats. During the pro-oestrus stage, a 4.5-fold increase (P<0.01) in luteinising hormone (LH) and a 19-fold increase (P<0.01) in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were observed in the sera of rats fed with 50% Maca powder compared with the control rats. No significant differences were observed in the levels of the other pituitary hormones, including growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A dose-dependent increase of LH serum levels was observed within the range of 3–30 g Maca/kg. Furthermore, the enhancement of the LH serum levels was specific to the pro-oestrus LH surge.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that Maca uniquely enhances the LH serum levels of pituitary hormones in female rats during the pro-oestrus LH surge and acts in a pharmacological, dose-dependent manner. These findings support the traditional use of Maca to enhance fertility and suggest a potential molecular mechanism responsible for its effects.     

Ethnobotany,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Stephania rotunda Lour

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Stephania rotunda Lour. (Menispermaceae) is an important traditional medicinal plant that is grown in Southeast Asia. The stems, leaves, and tubers have been used in the Cambodian, Lao, Indian and Vietnamese folk medicine systems for years to treat a wide range of ailments, including asthma, headache, fever, and diarrhoea. Aim of the review: To provide an up-to-date, comprehensive overview and analysis of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Stephania rotunda for its potential benefits in human health, as well as to assess the scientific evidence of traditional use and provide a basis for future research directions.

Material and methods

Peer-reviewed articles on Stephania rotunda were acquired via an electronic search of the major scientific databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect). Data were collected from scientific journals, theses, and books.

Results

The traditional uses of Stephania rotunda were recorded in countries throughout Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and India). Different parts of Stephania rotunda were used in traditional medicine to treat about twenty health disorders. Phytochemical analyses identified forty alkaloids. The roots primarily contain l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), whereas the tubers contain cepharanthine and xylopinine. Furthermore, the chemical composition differs from one region to another and according to the harvest period. The alkaloids exhibited approximately ten different pharmacological activities. The main pharmacological activities of Stephania rotunda alkaloids are antiplasmodial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. Sinomenine, cepharanthine, and l-stepholidine are the most promising components and have been tested in humans. The pharmacokinetic parameters have been studied for seven compounds, including the three most promising compounds. The toxicity has been evaluated for liriodenine, roemerine, cycleanine, l-tetrahydropalmatine, and oxostephanine.

Conclusion

Stephania rotunda is traditionally used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Pharmacological investigations have validated different uses of Stephania rotunda in folk medicine. The present review highlights the three most promising compounds of Stephania rotunda, which could constitute potential leads in various medicinal fields, including malaria and cancer.     

Cyto-/genotoxic effects of the ethanol extract of Chan Su,a traditional Chinese medicine,in human cancer cell lines

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Chan Su, an ethanolic extract from skin and parotid venom glands of the Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for cancer therapy. Although the anti-cancer properties of Chan Su have been investigated, no information exists regarding whether Chan Su has genotoxic effects in cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the cyto-/genotoxic effect of Chan Su in human breast carcinoma (MCF-7 cells), human lung carcinoma (A-549 cells), human T cell leukemia (Jurkat T cells), and normal human lymphocytes.

Materials and methods

Effects on the viability of MCF-7, A-549, Jurkat T cells, and normal lymphocytes were evaluated by Trypan blue exclusion assays. The DNA content in the sub-G1 region was detected by propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. The genotoxicity of Chan Su was assessed by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay).

Results

Chan Su significantly inhibited the viability of MCF-7, A-549, and Jurkat T cells dose dependently, but had no effect on normal human lymphocytes. Apoptotic death of the cancer cells was evident after treatment. Chan Su also induced genotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by the comet and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that Chan Su can induce apoptotic death of, and exert genotoxic effects on, MCF-7, A-549, and Jurkat T cells.     

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity profile of methanol leaf extract of Gouania longipetala in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Gouania longipetala leaves are commonly used in folkloric medicine in Africa and other parts of the world for treatment of edema, febrifuges, veneral diseases, lumbago, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus malaria, etc. This study therefore evaluated safety profile of the methanol leaf extract of the plant using acute and sub-chronic studies in rat model.

Materials and methods

Acute toxicity test of the plant lasted for 48 h with oral administration of graded doses (100–4000 mg/kg) of Gouania longipetala extract (GLE) in rats. The rats were observed for signs of toxicity and death. The sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by administration of different doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) of GLE daily in feed for 90 days. On days, 30, 60 and 90, blood samples collected from the retro-orbital plexus of the eye of the rats were used for evaluation of serum biochemistry, hematology, lipid peroxidation and in vivo antioxidant activities. Histopathological evaluations of the kidney, liver, lungs and heart were also done.

Results

The acute toxicity test revealed no observable signs of toxicity or morbidity. Sub-chronic study showed that GLE significantly (p<0.05) increased relative liver weight on day 90 at 10 mg/kg. There were no significant variations in the hematological parameters of both GLE treated and untreated rats. The extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoproteins and increased high density lipoproteins which was more prominent on day 90 at the dose of 10 mg/kg. The extract significantly (p<0.05) increased liver enzyme markers at the doses used. GLE also significantly (p<0.05) increased serum urea at the dose of 10 mg/kg on day 90. The extract caused dose-dependent and significant (p<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase and decrease in malondiadehyde. Histopathological studies revealed degenerative changes in the kidney and liver.

Conclusion

The results of the study suggest that Gouania longipetala is well tolerated in short term therapies, but may have long term toxic effects on the kidney and liver.     

Effect of Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) ethyl acetate and acetone fractions on insulin resistance in fructose drinking mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The root of Bridelia ferruginea is traditionally used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. The present study was investigated to evaluate the effect of Bridelia ferruginea root bark fractions on some markers of type 2 diabetes on fructose drinking mice.

Materials and methods

Mice received a solution of fructose 15% during 42 days ad libitum; at the 15th day to the 42nd day, they received distilled water for fructose drinking control group, metformin 50 mg/kg per day or fractions 50 mg/kg per day for treatment groups. The normal control group received only distilled water during the experiment. After 6 weeks of experiment, OGTT, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, AST and ALT levels were measured.

Results

Fructose drinking control group (F) showed significant (p<0.001) increase of glucose tolerance, plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin index for insulin resistance (Homeostasis Model Assessment ratio HOMA-IR) as compared to normal control mice. In treated groups, there was a significant reduction of glucose intolerance respectively 74% (p<0.001), 25% (p<0.5) and 92% (p<0.001) for ethyl acetate fraction, acetone fraction and metformin at the same dose of 50 mg/kg per day during 4 weeks administration. In ethyl acetate fraction and metformin treated groups, biochemical parameters and insulin index were significantly (p<0.001) lower than that of fructose drinking control group.

Conclusions

This indicates that Bridelia ferruginea root bark ethyl acetate fraction improved insulin resistance as metformin significantly in type 2 diabetes.     

Effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A on the activity and mRNA expression of four CYP isozymes in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In traditional therapy with Chinese medicine, hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a main active component isolated from the dried flower of Carthamus tinctorius L., is the principal efficiency ingredient of Safflor Yellow Injection. Now HSYA has been demonstrated to have good pharmacological activities of antioxidation, myocardial and cerebral protective and neuroprotective effects. The purpose of this study was to find out whether HSYA influences the effect on rat cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C11, CYP2D4 and CYP3A1) by using cocktail probe drugs in vivo; the influence on the levels of CYP mRNA was also studied.

Materials and methods

A cocktail solution at a dose of 5 mL/kg, which contained phenacetin (20 mg/kg), tolbutamide (5 mg/kg), dextromethorphan (20 mg/kg) and midazolam (10 mg/kg), was given as oral administration to rats treated with short or long period of intravenous HSYA via the caudal vein. Blood samples were collected at a series of time-points and the concentrations of probe drugs in plasma were determined by HPLC–MS/MS. The corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by the software of DAS 2.0. In addition, real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the effect of HSYA on the mRNA expression of CYP1A2, CYP2C11, CYP2D4 and CYP3A1 in rat liver.

Results

HSYA had significant inhibition effects on CYP1A2 and CYP2C11 in rats as oriented from the pharmacokinetic profiles of the probe drugs. Furthermore, HSYA had no effects on rat CYP2D4. However, CYP3A1 enzyme activity was induced by HSYA. The mRNA expression results were in accordance with the pharmacokinetic results.

Conclusions

HSYA can either inhibit or induce activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1. Therefore, co-administration of some CYP substrates with HSYA may need dose adjustment to avoid an undesirable herb–drug interaction.     

Interactions of pharmacokinetic profile of different parts from Ginkgo biloba extract in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Extracts from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves confer their therapeutic effects through the synergistic actions of flavonoid and terpenoid components, but some non-flavonoid and non-terpenoid components also exist in this extract. In the study of this paper, an investigation was carried out to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of fourteen compounds to clarify the influences of non-flavonoid and non-terpenoid fraction (WEF) on the pharmacokinetics profile of the flavonoid fraction (FF) and the terpene lactone fraction (TLF) from Ginkgo biloba extracts.

Materials and methods

A selective and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was established to determine the plasma concentrations of the fourteen compounds to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters after orally administration of FF, TLF, FF–WEF, FF–TLF, TLF–WEF and FF–TLF–WEF with approximately the same dose. At different time points, the concentration of rutin (1), isoquercitrin (2), quercetin 3-O-[4-O-(-β-D-glucosyl)-α-L-rhamnoside] (3), ginkgolide C (4), bilobalide (5), quercitrin (6), ginkgolide B (7), ginkgolide A (8), luteolin (9), quercetin (10), apigenin (11), kaempferol (12), isorhamnetin (13), genkwanin (14) in rat plasma were determined and main pharmacokinetic parameters including T_1/2, T_max, C_max and AUC were calculated using the DAS 3.2 software package. The statistical analysis was performed using the Student?s t-test with P<0.05 as the level of significance.

Results

FF and WEF had no effect on the pharmacokinetic behaviors and parameters of the four terpene lactones, but the pharmacokinetic profiles and parameters of flavonoids changed while co-administered with non-flavonoid components. It was found that C_max and AUC of six flavonoid aglycones in group FF–WEF, FF–TLF and FF–TLF–WEF had varying degrees of reduction in comparison with group FF, especially in group FF–TLF–WEF. On the contrary, the values of C_max, T_max and AUC of four flavonoid glycosides in group FF–TLF–WEF were significantly increased compared with those in group FF.

Conclusions

These results indicate that non-flavonoid components in Ginkgo biloba extracts could increase the absorption and improve the bioavailability of flavonoid glycosides but decrease the absorption and reduce the bioavailability of flavonoid aglycones.     

Simulated gastrointestinal tract metabolism and pharmacological activities of water extract of Scutellaria baicalensis roots

Ethnopharmacological relevance

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Scutellaria baicalensis

Georgi (Labiatae) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, etc. The present study was to understand the metabolism of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (a.k.a. Huangqin in Chinese) in the gastrointestinal tract and the correlation between the metabolites and their respective pharmacological activities.

Materials and methods

The water extract of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (WESB) was incubated with simulated gastric and intestinal juices, and human fecal microflora for 24 h at 37 °C. The HPLC–DAD analysis was used to monitor the in vitro metabolic process and identify its metabolites by comparing their absorption spectrum and retention time with those of chemical references. The in vitro anticomplementary and antimicrobial activity was evaluated with hemolysis assay, agar disc-diffusion method and MIC value, respectively.

Results

Main constituents of WESB remain unchanged during the incubation with simulated gastric juice (pH=1.5) and intestinal juice (pH=6.8), whereas four flavones, baicalin, wogonoside, oroxyloside and norwogonoside were metabolized into their respective aglycons by human intestinal bacteria. All four metabolites were demonstrated to have higher anticomplementary and antimicrobial activity than those of WESB. The anticomplementary active metabolites were identified to be baicalein, oroxylin A and norwogonin, among them, norwogonin is the most active compound.

Conclusion

The presence of intestinal bacteria is demonstrated to play an important role in the gastrointestinal metabolism of WESB, and the pharmacological effects of Scutellaria baicalensis may be dependent on the intestinal bacteria metabolism.     

Biochemical and hematological effects of acute and sub-acute administration to ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia Reissek in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Scutia buxifolia is a native tree of Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, which is popularly known as “coronilha” and it is used as a cardiotonic, antihypertensive and diuretic substance. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia in male and female mice.

Materials and methods

The toxicity studies were based on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-guidelines 423 and 407). In an acute study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of Scutia buxifolia was administered orally to male and female mice. Mortality, behavioral changes, and biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated. In the sub-acute study, Scutia buxifolia was administered orally to male and female mice at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day for 28 days. Behavioral changes and biochemical, hematological, and histological analysis were evaluated.

Results

The acute administration of Scutia buxifolia did not cause changes in behavior or mortality. Male and female mice presented decreased levels of platelets. Female mice presented decreased levels of leukocytes. On the other hand, in a sub-acute toxicity study, we observed no behavioral changes in male or female mice. Our results demonstrated a reduction in glucose levels in male mice treated to 200 and 400 mg/kg of Scutia buxifolia. Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity was increased by Scutia buxifolia at 400 mg/kg in male mice. In relation to the hematological parameters, male mice presented a reduction in hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) when treated to 400 mg/kg of plant fraction. Female mice showed no change in these parameters. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed slight abnormalities that were consistent with the biochemical variations observed.

Conclusion

Scutia buxifolia, after acute administration, may be classified as safe (category 5), according to the OECD guide. However, the alterations observed, after sub-acute administration with high doses of ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia, suggest that repeated administration of this fraction plant can cause adverse hepatic, renal, and hematological effects.     

Arnebin-1 promotes the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and accelerates the wound healing process in diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Zicao is a traditional wound healing herbal medicine that has been used for several hundred years in China. A survey of the published literatures revealed that arnebin-1, one of the naphthoquinone derivatives, played the most important role in wound healing property of this plant. However, whether arnebin-1 affects angiogenesis in vitro and has an effect on wound healing process in diabetic rats remains enigmatic. To investigate the effect of arnebin-1 with or without VEGF on proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs in vitro and the effect of its topical application in the form of ointment on wound healing in a cutaneous punch wound model of alloxan-induced diabetic rats in vivo.

Materials and methods

The pro-angiogenic functions of arnebin-1 on HUVECs including proliferation, migration and angiogenesis were evaluated through MTT assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and tube formation assay in vitro. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with alloxan to induce type ? diabetic rats. Three wounds were created in each rat on the dorsal surface, and then divided to be basement treated, arnebin-1 ointment treated and untreated group correspondingly. The indicators including wound closure rate and histological evaluation were investigated on day 4 and 7 post-wounding.

Results

Without VEGF, arnebin-1 did not affect the proliferation of HUVECs significantly, but had a positive effect on cell migration and tube formation. However, in the presence of minimal VEGF, Arnebin-1 could increase the proliferation, enhance the migration and promote the tube formation of HUVECs significantly. The wound closure rate was increased significantly in arnebin-1 treated group compared to that of untreated and basement treated groups in diabetic rats, and the histological evaluation also showed well organized dermal layer, reduced number of macrophages, increased number of fibroblasts, remarkable degree of neovascularization and epithelization in arnebin-1 treated group.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that arnebin-1 has a pro-angiogenic effect, and a synergetic effect with VEGF promotes the wound healing process in diabetic rats.     

Protective effects of bajijiasu in a rat model of Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity

Ethnopharmacological relevence

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) caused by neurons and/or myelin loss lead to devastating effects on patients? lives. Although the causes of such complex diseases have not yet been fully elucidated, oxidative stress, mitochondrial and energy metabolism dysfunction, excitotoxicity, inflammation, and apoptosis have been recognized as influential factors. Current therapies that were designed to address only a single target are unable to mitigate or prevent disease progression, and disease-modifying drugs are desperately needed, and Chinese herbs will be a good choice for screening the potential drugs. Previous studies have shown that bajijiasu, a dimeric fructose isolated from Morinda officinalis radix which was used frequently as a tonifying and replenishing natural herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine clinic practice, can prevent ischemia-induced neuronal damage or death.

Materials and methods

In order to investigate whether bajijiasu protects against beta-amyloid (Aβ_25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms of bajijiasu in vivo, we prepared an Alzheimer?s disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ_25-35 into the bilateral CA1 region of rat hippocampus and treated a subset with oral bajijiasu. We observed the effects on learning and memory, antioxidant levels, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, and neuronal apoptosis.

Results

Bajijiasu ameliorated Aβ-induced learning and memory dysfunction, enhanced antioxidative activity and energy metabolism, and attenuated cholinergic system damage. Our findings suggest that bajijiasu can enhance antioxidant capacity and prevent free radical damage. It can also enhance energy metabolism and monoamine neurotransmitter levels and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

Conclusion

The results provide a scientific foundation for the use of Morinda officinalis and its constituents in the treatment of various AD. Future studies will assess the multi-target activity of the drug for the treatment of AD.     

Pharmacokinetic comparisons of five ephedrine alkaloids following oral administration of four different Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair aqueous extracts ratios in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Herba Ephedra (Mahuang in Chinese), is derived from dried Ephedra sinica Stapf stems and has been widely used to treat the common cold, coughs, asthma, and edema for thousands of years. The Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair is a famous formula composed of Mahuang and Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi in Chinese, the dried twig of Cinnamomum cassia Presl.), used to improve pharmacological effects and reduce toxicity. In order to investigate the influence of Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair ratios on bioavailability, the plasma pharmacokinetics profiles of five ephedrine alkaloids were compared following oral administration of four different ratios to rats.

Materials and methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups and orally administered Mahuang–Guizhi (ratios 3:0; 3:1; 3:2; 3:4, w/w). Assays for five ephedrine alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, norephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine) were developed and validated using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid-liquid extraction.

Results

Key pharmacokinetic parameters of the five ephedrine alkaloids (maximal plasma concentration, mean residence time, and half-life) were significantly different (p<0.05) after oral administration of Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair ratios, as compared to those of Mahuang.

Conclusion

Ephedrine alkaloid pharmacokinetic differences in rat plasma could help explain previous findings of pharmacological and toxicity differences between Mahuang and Mahuang–Guizhi herb-pair preparations. These results could facilitate future studies to increase the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of Mahuang and Guizhi.     

Antidepressant-like effects of Xiaochaihutang in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Xiaochaihutang (XCHT) has been used in China for thousands of years to treat “Shaoyang syndrome”, which involves depressive-like symptoms. However, few studies have investigated its antidepressant effects and pharmacological mechanism of action. The present study was designed to confirm the antidepressant effect of XCHT using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and explore its potential mechanism of action by investigating the monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) and neurotrophins (BDNF and NGF).

Materials and methods

The CUMS model was established in rats, and the antidepressant effect of XCHT (0.6, 1.7 and 5 mg/kg/day, given by gastric gavage for 4 weeks) was investigated using the open field test (OFT), food consumption test and sucrose preference test. The concentrations of 5-HT and DA in the hippocampus were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and their receptors tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) and tyrosine receptor kinase A (TrkA) in the hippocampus were measured by immunohistochemical staining analysis.

Results

CUMS caused a significant decrease in OFT, food consumption and sucrose preference in rats, and these depression-like behaviors were significantly improved by XCHT (1.7 and 5 g/kg/day). Moreover, XCHT significantly increased the concentrations of 5-HT (0.6 and 5 g/kg/day) and DA (5 g/kg/day), and improved the BDNF, NGF, TrkB and TrkA expressions in the hippocampus (1.7 and 5 g/kg/day), which was reduced in CUMS rats.

Conclusion

The results obtained suggested that XCHT may have therapeutic actions on depression-like behavior induced by CUMS in rats possibly mediated by increasing the monoamine neurotransmitter concentration and neurotrophin expression in the hippocampus.     

The pharmacology of medieval sedatives: The “Great Rest” of the Antidotarium Nicolai

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Past practices of compound drugs from different plant ingredients enjoyed remarkable longevity over centuries yet are largely dismissed by modern science as subtherapeutic, lethal or fanciful.

Aim of the study

To examine the phytochemical content of a popular medieval opiate drug called the “Great Rest” and gauge the bioavailability and combined effects of its alkaloid compounds (morphine, codeine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine) on the human body according to modern pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters established for these compounds.

Calculations and theory

We reviewed the most recent studies on the pharmacodynamics of morphine, codeine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine to ascertain plasma concentrations required for different physiological effects and applied these findings to dosage of the Great Rest.

Results

Given the proportional quantities of the alkaloid rich plants, we calculate the optimal dose of Great Rest to be 3.1±0.1–5.3±0.76 g and reveal that the lethal dose of Great Rest is double the therapeutic concentration where all three alkaloid compounds are biologically active.

Conclusion

This study helps establish the effective dose (ED₅₀), toxic dose (TD₅₀) and lethal dose (LD₅₀) rates for the ingestion of raw opium, henbane and mandrake, and describes their probable combined effects, which may be applied to similar types of pre-modern pharmaceuticals to reveal the empirical logic behind past practices.     

Prescription pattern of Chinese herbal products for hypertension in Taiwan: A population-based study

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been commonly used in Asia country. The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization of TCM among hypertensive patients in Taiwan.

Materials and methods

The use of TCM for primary hypertensive patients was evaluated using a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,0s recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database in 5-year period from 2006 to 2010.

Results

Overall, 49.7% (n=42,586) of primary hypertension utilized TCM and 12.1% (n=5132) of them used TCM for the treatment of hypertension. Among the top 10 most frequently prescribed herbal formulae, Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin, Gout-Teng-San, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wang and its derivatives were found to be the most common herbal formulae prescribed by TCM doctors for the treatment of hypertension in Taiwan.

Conclusion

This study showed the utilization pattern of Chinese herbal product in patients with hypertension. Further researches and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these Chinese formulae or its ingredients in treating hypertension.