Simple and rapid analysis of aristolochic acid contained in crude drugs and Kampo formulations with solid-phase extraction and HPLC photodiode-array detection

Simple and rapid analysis of aristolochic acid (AA) in crude drugs and Kampo extracts using a solid-phase extraction method and HPLC-PDA analysis was investigated. Extraction of AA from samples was accomplished by adding methanol containing 1% ammonia. The addition of ammonia ionized the AA of acidic substances so that they adhered to an acrylamide copolymer of a strong anion exchange resin (Sep-Pak QMA) coupled to diol silica easily. Furthermore, a mixture of acetonitrile–water–phosphoric acid (75:25:2, v/v) was effective in isolating AA from its carrier. Since almost all interfering peaks originating from contaminants in crude drugs and Kampo extract formulations could be removed, a satisfactory HPLC chromatogram of AA was obtained. A good result was also obtained when Aristolochiaceae and crude drugs containing AA were tested. Particularly in the case of the medicinal parts of Asarum, several interfering peaks and a ghost peak detected near the AA peak were eliminated. The AA contents of two Kampo extract formulations, tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto and ryutanshakanto, were calculated by HPLC analysis. The AA content (the sum of AA-I and AA-II) was 1.25–6.13 mg per daily dose. From an additional recovery experiment for Kampo formulations, high recovery rates of AA were obtained. Neither LC/MS nor special instrumentation was necessary. Our results suggest that this simple, quick, and sensitive analytical method to detect AA in crude drugs and Kampo extract formulations would be valuable in safety inspections of AA in crude drugs and their products.     

香港特有止泻中药材红党参的化学和分子生物学鉴定

目的鉴定香港特有止泻中药材红党参的基源植物和表面红色物质。方法将红党参的5SrRNA基因间隔区序列和HPLC色谱指纹谱与正品党参5SrRNA基因间隔区序列和HPLC色谱指纹谱进行比较研究;将红党参表面红色物质的X-衍射光谱与中药赤石脂X-衍射光谱进行比较研究。结果红党参的HPLC色谱指纹谱和党参药材具有相同的特征色谱峰;红党参的5SrRNA基因间隔区序列与党参正品之一的素花党参（Codonopsis pilosula var.modesta）的5SrRNA基因间隔区序列最为相似;红色物质的X-衍射光谱与中药赤石脂X-衍射光谱完全相同。结论红党参的基源是素花党参（Codonopsis pilosula var.modesta）的根,红党参表面的红色物质是传统中药赤石脂（Halloysitum Rubrum）。红党参是素花党参根用中药赤石脂炮制而成,科学名可定为Radix Codonopsis Praeparata Halloysita Rubra。     

Spray-drying Nanocapsules in Presence of Colloidal Silica as Drying Auxiliary Agent: Formulation and Process Variables Optimization Using Experimental Designs

Purpose Spray-drying process was used for the development of dried polymeric nanocapsules. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of formulation and process variables on the resulting powder characteristics in order to optimize them. Materials and Methods Experimental designs were used in order to estimate the influence of formulation parameters (nanocapsules and silica concentrations) and process variables (inlet temperature, spray-flow air, feed flow rate and drying air flow rate) on spray-dried nanocapsules when using silica as drying auxiliary agent. The interactions among the formulation parameters and process variables were also studied. Responses analyzed for computing these effects and interactions were outlet temperature, moisture content, operation yield, particles size, and particulate density. Additional qualitative responses (particles morphology, powder behavior) were also considered. Results Nanocapsules and silica concentrations were the main factors influencing the yield, particulate density and particle size. In addition, they were concerned for the only significant interactions occurring among two different variables. None of the studied variables had major effect on the moisture content while the interaction between nanocapsules and silica in the feed was of first interest and determinant for both the qualitative and quantitative responses. The particles morphology depended on the feed formulation but was unaffected by the process conditions. Conclusion This study demonstrated that drying nanocapsules using silica as auxiliary agent by spray drying process enables the obtaining of dried micronic particle size. The optimization of the process and the formulation variables resulted in a considerable improvement of product yield while minimizing the moisture content.     

Lead exposure, lead poisoning, and lead regulatory standards in China, 1990-2005

This article presents a summary of lead exposure levels and lead poisoning at workplaces in China reported in the Chinese medical literature between 1990 and 2005. A comprehensive literature search identified 618 papers reporting lead exposure and lead poisoning data. The data were analyzed in terms of time period, type of industry, size of factory, and task or process. In 2002 the new Occupational Diseases Prevention and Control Act was passed in China, with new provisions specifically for regulatory enforcement. Therefore, a comparison of lead exposure levels and lead poisoning rates before and after the 2002 Act will shed some light on the effectiveness of the new regulation. The reported lead exposure levels covered a wide range; some measurements were in excess of 250 mg/m(3), which was orders-of-magnitude higher than the occupational exposure levels (OELs) for lead in China. The overall arithmetic mean, median, and geometric mean were 0.92, 0.25, and 0.24 mg/m(3), respectively. Approximately 53.7% of the averages reported in the papers were above the national OELs. The data demonstrated that many facilities in the lead industries reported in the literature were not in compliance with the OELs. Similarly, there appeared to be only a minor impact of the 2002 Act on the reduction of occupational lead poisoning in China. The lead poisoning rates reported in the literature were well above 30%. Judging by the lead exposure levels and the lead poisoning rates, the current overall occupational health monitoring system appears inadequate, lacking the necessary enforcement. The 2002 Act, without the necessary enforcement, did not appear to have a major impact on either lead exposures or lead poisoning in China. Much work in enforcing the 2002 Act remains to be done.     

Causes and trend of maternal death in a local obstetric unit in Hong Kong

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Evaluation of the safety of xenon/bandpass light in vitrectomy using the A2E-laden RPE model

Background The purpose of the study was to investigate the brightness of the xenon/bandpass light in vitrectomy and assess its phototoxic effects using A2E-laden retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods The total luminous flux and spectral irradiance of 20- and 25-gauge endoilluminators connected to xenon lamps were measured and compared to those of 20- and 25-gauge endoilluminators connected to a halogen lamp. In vitro, A2E-laden cells were evenly exposed to xenon/bandpass light for 5 to 30 min positioned at 1 cm and 2 cm for a standard light probe and an implantable “chandelier” light probe, respectively, above the cells, and the cell viability was assessed using WST-1 assay. The cell viability was compared with cells exposed to 30 min of halogen light projected through a 20-gauge endoilluminator. Results The maximal total luminous flux of xenon/bandpass light emitted through the 20-gauge endoilluminator was 2.8 times higher than that of the halogen light. The total luminous flux of the 25-gauge endoilluminators was 0.6-1.1 times greater than the 20-gauge endoilluminators connected to the halogen light. The viability of the A2E-laden cells after exposure to the xenon/bandpass light was no different than that of the cells exposed to the halogen light when the total luminous flux of these lights was at the same level. Xenon/bandpass light from an implantable “chandelier” light probe induced A2E-mediated RPE damage to a similar extent as that of the halogen light through a 20-gauge endoilluminator. Conclusions A2E-mediated phototoxicity of xenon/bandpass light is comparable to that of halogen light.     

Cyclosporin A in the ocular fluids of uveitis patients following long-term systemic administration

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the levels of cyclosporin A (CsA) in tears and the anterior segment of the eye following long-term oral intake for autoimmune diseases. METHODS: Subjects taking oral CsA to treat relapsing autoimmune ocular inflammation were included in this study. All of the patients had been quiescent for at least 6 months. In patients scheduled for cataract extraction (group A), the CsA levels in the blood, aqueous humour and anterior capsule of the lens were determined. In subjects not requiring surgical intervention (group B), CsA was measured in tears and blood. The samples were analysed using turbulent flow chromatography coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: There were 19 subjects in group A and 43 subjects in group B. CsA was detectable in all of the tear samples with a mean value of 22.4 +/- 20.2 ng/ml and there was a significant positive correlation between the CsA levels in tears and blood (P = 0.012). CsA was not detected in any of the surgical samples. CONCLUSION: LC-MS/MS proved very sensitive for detecting CsA in low-volume biological samples. CsA was present in human tears in proportion to the blood level after an average of 12 hours from the last oral intake.     

Crohn’s disease,autoimmune thyroiditis,and beta-thalassemia trait in an adolescent: an unusual combination of diseases

An adolescent with complaints of fatigue, tachycardia, abdominal discomfort, and blood-stained diarrhea is presented. Clinical and laboratory evaluation revealed a microcytemic anemia with iron deficiency, beta thalassemia, and thyrotoxicosis with thyroid antibodies. Crohn’s disease was confirmed on endoscopy. A rapid normalization of clinical and laboratory parameters was observed following the initiation of therapy and further exacerbation of her illness was prevented. Although the simultaneous occurrence of Crohn’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, and a beta-thalassemia trait is likely to be coincidental, the combination of an autoimmune thyroid disease and Crohn’s disease is rare in pediatrics. Several issues of importance in the treatment of these conditions are discussed. Rectal blood loss associated with Crohn’s disease may lead to severe iron deficiency, especially in patients with preexistent beta-thalassemia trait, and those with thyroiditis are prone to developing hypothyroidism following treatment, requiring that they be monitored closely.