Comparison of chemical profiles and effectiveness between Erxian decoction and mixtures of decoctions of its individual herbs: a novel approach for identification of the standard chemicals

Abstract

BackgroundIdentification of bioactive standard chemicals is a major challenge in the study of the Chinese medicinal formula. In particular, the chemical components may interact differently depending on the preparative methods, therefore affecting the amounts of bioactive components and their pharmacological properties in the medicinal formula. With the use of Erxian decoction (EXD) as a study model—a well-known Chinese medicinal formula for treating menopausal symptoms, a novel and rapid approach in seeking standard chemicals has been established by differentially comparing the HPLC profiles and the menopause-related biochemical parameters of combined decoction of EXD (EXD-C) and mixtures of the decoctions of its individual herbs (EXD-S).MethodsThe levels of six chemicals, which exerted actions on the HPO axis, have been measured in EXD-C and EXD-S by HPLC. Twelve-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were employed and treated with EXD-C and EXD-S. Their endocrine functions after treatment were evaluated by determining the ovarian mRNA levels of aromatase, a key enzyme for estradiol biosynthesis. The effect of the antioxidant regimen was determined by the hepatic superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1) mRNA levels.ResultsThe amounts of mangiferine, ferulic acid, jatrorrhizine and palmatine in EXD-S were twofold higher than those in EXD-C. EXD-S was more effective in stimulating ovarian aromatase and the expression of the antioxidant enzymes compared with EXD-C.ConclusionMangiferine, ferulic acid, jatrorrhizine and palmatine are suitable for use as standard chemicals for quality evaluation of EXD according to our approach. EXD-S could be more effective than EXD-C.

The Effect of the Cultivar and Harvest Term on the Yield and Nutritional Value of Rhubarb Juice

“…The petiole juice has a sharp acidic flavor. The oxalic acid in the petioles is much lower, the proportion of oxalic acid is about 10% of the total 2–2.5% acidity, which is dominated by nontoxic malic acid [ 7 ]. This means that the stalks are not hazardous to eat but have a very tart taste [ 2 ].…”

“…The chemical composition of rhubarb includes anthraquinones, anthrones, stilbenes, tannins, polysaccharides, etc., which show extensive pharmacological activities including gastrointestinal regulation, anticancer and antimicrobial properties, hepatoprotection, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular anti-inflammatory protection, etc. [ 7 , 8 ]. The main characteristics of rhubarb quality are taste and aroma, which depend on the chemical composition [ 9 ].…”

Different Age-Induced Changes in Rhizosphere Microbial Composition and Function of Panax ginseng in Transplantation Mode

“…The soil pH and fertility have been shown to be strongly linked with soil microbial communities ( Shen et al, 2013 ; Siciliano et al, 2014 ). In the rhizosphere of ginseng plants, the soil pH and nutrient concentrations decline with increasing years of cultivation, ultimately leading to decreased microbial diversity, which in turn is responsible for the development of soil-borne ginseng diseases ( Nguyen et al, 2016a ; Xiao et al, 2016a ; Dong et al, 2017 ). It has also been demonstrated that allelochemicals (root exudates) of P. ginseng significantly decrease the genetic diversity and carbon-metabolic activity of microorganisms and cause chemotaxis responses of ginseng pathogenic microorganisms ( Li et al, 2014c , 2016 ; Lei et al, 2017 ).…”

Epigenetics and Inflammation in Diabetic Nephropathy

“…Similarly, PI3K/AKT/mTOR is a widely studied signaling pathway that mediates the phenotype and injury of podocytes in DN. Stimulated by AGEs, PI3K/AKT can also promote NF-κB and aggravate inflammation ( Ahmad et al, 2013 ; Hong et al, 2017 ). Recently, C-reactive protein (CRP) has been found to trigger a novel NF-κB-involved signaling pathway in the progression of DN, more narrowly, in human CRP transfected-db/db mice and cultured renal tubular epithelial cells, CRP is proved to promote inflammation via the evoking and dimerization of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) through DPP4/CD32b/NF-kB signaling circuit.…”