Depigmenting potency of hydroquinone fatty acid esters on the skin

In order to improve the oxidative stability of hydroquinone (HQ), the only depigmenting agent available clinically for skin, 14 hydroquinone fatty acid esters (HQ-Rs) were synthesized and examined for their stability, efficacy, and intradermal metabolism. HQ-Rs containing more than 3 carbon atoms in the fatty acid side chain showed excellent stability in an aqueous base (pH 6). HQ-Rs containing fewer than 8 carbon atoms in the fatty acid side chain exhibited skin depigmenting potencies better than that of HQ. HQ-R was quantitatively hydrolyzed by a skin homogenate to liberate HQ. The hydrolysis velocity of the HQ-Rs was dependent on the length of the fatty acid side chain; the longer the length, the slower the hydrolysis velocity. From these results, we concluded that HQ-R is absorbed into the skin after topical application, hydrolyzed by esterase, and it depigments the skin by liberating HQ. Thus, HQ-R function as a prodrug of HQ; it exhibits both an excellent oxidative stability and an excellent skin depigmenting potency by liberating HQ within the skin.     

抵挡汤早期干预对2型糖尿病大鼠肿瘤坏死因子-α与血管细胞黏附分子-1表达的影响

目的观察抵挡汤早期干预对2型糖尿病大鼠血管病变中大血管的保护作用,探讨其机制。方法采用高脂饲料喂养及链脲佐菌素诱导方法制成大鼠糖尿病模型,抵挡汤早期干预组、抵挡汤中期干预组和抵挡汤晚期干预组分别于实验成模前4周、成模和成模后4周给予抵挡汤灌胃,辛伐他汀组和罗格列酮组大鼠于成模时分别给予辛伐他汀和罗格列酮灌胃,至实验24周时结束。酶联免疫吸附法检测大鼠血清血管细胞黏附分子-1（VCAM-1）水平,实时荧光定量PCR法检测主动脉肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）mRNA表达。结果与正常对照组比较,模型对照组大鼠血清VCAM-1水平明显升高（P〈0.05）,主动脉TNF-αmRNA表达明显升高（P〈0.05）;与模型对照组比较,抵挡汤早期干预组和辛伐他汀组大鼠血清VCAM-1水平明显降低（P〈0.05）,并且抵挡汤早期干预组、抵挡汤中期干预组和罗格列酮组大鼠主动脉TNF-αmRNA的表达明显降低（P〈0.05）。结论抵挡汤早期干预能抑制大鼠主动脉TNF-αmRNA表达升高,抑制大血管病变的炎性损伤,延缓糖尿病大血管病变的发展,发挥其保护大血管的作用。     

高效液相色谱法测定栀子根中齐墩果酸3-乙酸酯含量

目的建立高效液相色谱法测定栀子根中齐墩果酸3-乙酸酯含量的方法。方法样品采用不同种类、不同浓度、不同时间的酸水解,将栀子根中齐墩果酸3-乙酸酯水解成齐墩果酸后,用二氯甲烷萃取、蒸干、甲醇定容,制备供试液,再采用高效液相色谱法测定其含量。结果样品的甲醇提取液加盐酸2 mL,加热回流4 h,水解较好。齐墩果酸3-乙酸酯在1.102 5～11.025μg范围内线性关系良好,r=0.999 8,平均回收率为96.00%（RSD=1.34%）。结论本方法操作简便,重复性好,专属性强,可用于栀子根的质量控制。     

HPLC测定11种中药口服液中6种防腐剂的含量

目的: 建立HPLC同时测定中药口服液体制剂中防腐剂含量的方法。方法: Kromasil C₁₈色谱柱(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm),流动相乙腈-0.02 mol ·L^-1乙酸铵溶液梯度洗脱,流速1.0 mL ·min^-1,检测波长240 nm,柱温30 ℃。结果: 苯甲酸、山梨酸、对羟基苯甲酸酯类在1.0~181.1 mg ·L^-1线性关系良好(r>0.999);平均回收率95.5%~100.8%(RSD 0.7%~1.5%)。结论: 方法简单、可靠,精确,可用于中药口服液体制剂中防腐剂含量的测定。     

四逆散加味对肝纤维化大鼠肝功能、 肝纤维化指标及病理变化的影响

目的:探讨四逆散加味对大鼠肝纤维化的防治作用.方法:80只Wister大鼠随机分为8组:正常对照组、病理模型对照组、秋水仙碱治疗组、四逆散对照组、四逆散加味高、中、低剂量组、四逆散预防组.除正常对照组外,其余各组均采用猪血清ip诱发肝纤维化,0.5 mL/只,2次/周,连续10周,5周后即可形成肝纤维化.预防组于造模同时给药(以四逆散加味7 g·kg-1),各治疗组于造模第6周给药,四逆散组4 g·kg-1,四逆散加味高、中、低剂量组(14,7,3.5g·kg-1),连续10周.全自动分析法测定各组血清肝功能、放射免疫法测定血清肝纤维化指标,酸性水解法检测肝组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量,观察病理变化.结果:与模型组比较,四逆散加味中剂量组大鼠血清中丙氨酸转氨酶[ALT U·L-1(138.88±21.52),(75.20±3.80),(P＜0.05)]、天冬氨酸转氨酶[AST U·L-1,(375.25±10.95),(227.10±19.08),(P＜0.05)]、碱性磷酸酶(ALP,P＜0.05)、透明质酸[ HA,μg·L-1(258.10±32),(135.26±34.09),(P＜0.05)]、Ⅲ型胶原[μg· L-1(105.28±15.31),(85.32±9.53),(P＜0.05)]、Ⅳ型胶原[μ g·L-1(109.10±8.31),(86.48±19.17),(P＜0.05)]、层黏连蛋白(LN,P＜0.05)含量均显著下降,肝组织HYP,(P＜0.01)含量显著降低.结论:四逆散加味有明显的抗肝纤维化作用.     

无梗五加果实中齐墩果酸苷的分离与鉴定

目的:研究无梗五加Acanthopanax sessiliflorus( Ruqr.et Maxim) Seem.果实的化学成分.方法:采用溶剂提取法、溶剂萃取法、硅胶柱色谱法、凝胶柱色谱法、重结晶法对无梗五加果实中的化合物进行分离纯化;根据光谱数据和理化性质确定化合物结构.结果:分离并鉴定了6个化合物,分别为齐墩果酸-3-O-β-D-葡萄醛酸甲酯苷(1),齐墩果酸-3 -O-α-L-阿拉伯糖苷(2),齐墩果酸-3-O-β-D-葡萄醛酸正丁酯苷(3),齐墩果酸-3-O-β-D-葡萄糖醛酸苷(4),齐墩果酸(5),3-0-[(α-L-arabinopyranosyl) -( 1→2)] -[ -β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-6-O-methyl ester] -olean-12-ene-28-olic acid(6).结论:化合物2,3为首次从无梗五加果实中分离得到.     

HPLC同时测定五加生化胶囊中3种有效成分的含量

目的:建立同时测定五加生化胶囊中3种有效成分阿魏酸、绿原酸和异秦皮啶的含量分析方法.方法:采用高效液相色谱法,ANGLA Venusil XBP-C18(4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm)色谱柱,流动相甲醇-0.1.1％磷酸水梯度洗脱,检测波长323,327,343 nm,流速1.0 mL· min-1,柱温25℃,进样量20 μL.结果:在上述色谱条件下,绿原酸、阿魏酸、异秦皮啶之间有良好的分离度,绿原酸(λ=327 nm)线性范围18.14 ～ 108.84 mg·L-1(r =0.9998);异秦皮啶(λ=343 nm)线性范围5.10 ～30.60mg·L-1(r=0.9995);阿魏酸(λ=323 nm)线性范围7.34 ～ 44.04 mg· L-(r=0.9994),平均回收率分别为(97.92±1.751)％,(98.82±1.494)％,(104.0±1.355)％.结论:该方法简便、准确,重复性好,为五加生化胶囊的质量控制提供可借鉴的分析方法.     

Mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of umbelliferone 6-carboxylic acid isolated from Angelica decursiva

Aims of the study

We recently reported the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of umbelliferone 6-carboxylic acid (UMC) isolated from the whole plants of Angelica decursiva. In this study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of UMC in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The inhibitory effects of UMC on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), the expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation inhibitory activity of UMC was evaluated using t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of UMC was evaluated using carrageenan induced mouse paw edema model.

Results

UMC dose-dependently inhibited NO and PGE₂ production by down-regulating iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. UMC also suppressed the production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, UMC dose-dependently prevented LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, UMC exhibited the inhibitory activity against t-BHP-induced ROS generation in RAW 264.7 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 705.1 μg/ml. Moreover, UMC inhibited λ-carrageenan induced mouse paw edema by 70.40 and 60.20% at doses of 50 and 25 mg/kg body weight, respectively.

Conclusion

The combined results of this study indicate that UMC is an important anti-inflammatory constituent of A. decursiva and its anti-inflammatory effect was due to its ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators via inhibition of NF-κB activation pathway.     

Hepatoprotective and antiviral properties of isochlorogenic acid A from Laggera alata against hepatitis B virus infection

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-hepatitis B effect of isochlorogenic acid A isolated from Laggera alata (Asteraceae), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Materials and methods

The anti-hepatitis B activity of isochlorogenic acid A was evaluated by the d-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced HL-7702 hepatocyte damage model and the HBV-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells.

Results

Isochlorogenic acid A significantly improved HL-7702 hepatocyte viability and markedly inhibited the productions of HBsAg and HBeAg. The inhibitory rates of isochlorogenic acid A on the HBsAg and HBeAg expressions were 86.9% and 72.9%, respectively. In addition, isochlorogenic acid A declined markedly the content of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA (HBV cccDNA) and induced significantly the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in HepG2.2.15 cells.

Conclusions

Isochlorogenic acid A was verified to possess the potent anti-hepatitis B activity. The anti-HBV target of isochlorogenic acid A is probably associated with blocking the translation step of the HBV replication. Overexpression of HO-1 may contribute to the anti-HBV activity of isochlorogenic acid A by reducing the stability of the HBV core protein and thus blocking the refill of nuclear HBV cccDNA. Additionally, the hepatoprotective effect of isochlorogenic acid A could be achieved by its antioxidative property and induction of HO-1.     

Hepatoprotective potential of Tecomella undulata stem bark is partially due to the presence of betulinic acid

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Tecomella undulata (TU;` Family Bignoniaceae) is used in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine for treating various diseases including hepatic ailments. It is also incorporated in various marketed hepatoprotective polyherbal formulations.

Aim

The present study was aimed at evaluating possible hepatoprotective role of isolated compounds from TU stem bark (TSB) using in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

Methods

In vitro cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potential of various extract, fractions and isolated compounds from TU stem bark were evaluated using HepG2 cells. Rats were pre-treated with TU methanolic extract (TSB-7) or betulinic acid (MS-2) or silymarin for 7 days followed by a single dose of CCl₄ (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.). Plasma markers of hepatic damage, hepatic antioxidants and indices of lipid peroxidation along with microscopic evaluation of liver were assessed in control and treatment groups.

Results

TSB-2 and MS-1 accounted for significant cell death whereas; TSB-1, TBS-7, TSB-9, TSB-10 and, MS-2 did not register significant cytotoxicity. Further, non-cytotoxic components exhibited ascending grade of hepatoprotection in vitro (TSB-10<TSB-1<TSB-7<TSB-9<MS-2). Pre-treatment of TSB-7 or MS-2 to CCl₄ treated rats prevented hepatocyte damage as evidenced by biochemical and histopathological observations.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that, hepatoprotective potential of Tecomella undulata stem bark is partially due to the presence of betulinic acid.