benzofurans and ligustilide

Chuanxiong Rhizoma is a commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is widely distributed in Sichuan province, China, including the cities of Dujiangyan, Pengzhou, Meishan, Qionglai, and Shifang. However, reports on the comparisons of quality of Chuanxiong Rhizoma of different production origins are limited. Therefore, an ultra-HPLC with triple quadrupole MS method was developed for the determination of 20 bioactive components (12 aromatic acids and eight phthalides) in 36 samples from different production origins and further assessed its quality. The contents of these 20 constituents of samples were analyzed by hierarchical cluster analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis; the result indicated that Chuanxiong Rhizoma of different production origins had some differences. Thirteen constituents of quality difference markers were acquired by variable importance for the project. Furthermore, the sum of the contents of these quality difference markers was different from various production origins of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Meanwhile, Z-ligustilide and senkyunolide A as main constituents of quality difference markers, the rate of various production origins of Chuanxiong Rhizoma was different. This study provides a foundation for the quality assessment of Chuanxiong Rhizoma.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; China; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Geography; Limit of Detection; Linear Models; Multivariate Analysis; Reproducibility of Results; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Microglia can be activated to become the classic phenotype (M1) or alternative phenotype (M2), which play an important role in regulating neuroinflammatory response and tissue repair after ischemic stroke. CD21, a novel phthalide derivative, is a potential neuroprotectant against ischemic brain injury. The present study further investigated the effects of CD21 on post-ischemic microglial polarization and the underlying mechanisms. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was used as a mouse model of ischemic stroke, while BV2 cells stimulated with conditioned medium collected from oxygen-glucose deprivation-treated HT22 cells were used in in vitro ischemic studies. The current results showed that CD21 dose-dependently and significantly improved neurological outcomes in tMCAO mice. Biochemical analyses revealed that CD21 decreased the expression of M1 phenotype markers (CD86, interleukin-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and increased the expression of M2 phenotype markers (CD206, interleukin-10 and YM1/2) in both ischemic brain tissues and BV2 cells. Meanwhile, CD21 decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α), promoted the release of the antiinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-10), and enhanced the phosphorylation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in ischemic brain tissue and BV2 cells. Furthermore, the AMPK inhibitor (compound C) reversed these effects of CD21 in BV2 cells. These findings indicate that CD21 alleviates post-ischemic neuroinflammation through induction of microglial M2 polarization that is at least in part medicated by AMPK activation, suggesting that CD21 may be a promising candidate for protecting against ischemic brain injury.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Benzofurans; Brain Ischemia; Cell Line; Cell Polarity; Cytokines; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Encephalitis; Enzyme Activation; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microglia; Neuroprotective Agents; Phenotype; Psychomotor Performance

The genus Angelica encompasses 80 species worldwide. Among them, only Angelica sinensis is widely used in China and Japan. To explore the quality and geographical distribution of A. sinensis, we collected 1,530 plants from Gansu Province and analyzed them for their contents of chlorogenic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA), senkyunolide I(SI), senkyunolide A(SA), senkyunolide H (SH), coniferyl ferulate (CF), ligustilide (LI), and butenyl phthalide (BP) using UPLC. We also assessed the relationship between the ecological environment and quality of A. sinensis through maximum entropy modeling and a geographical information system. The habitat suitability distribution demonstrated that the most influential ecological factors for the growth of A. sinensis were altitude, precipitation during March, May, and December, precipitation during the wettest month, and the soil pH. The most suitable areas for cultivation are concentrated to the south of Gansu Province, including Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Dingxi City, Tianshui City, south of Wuwei City, east of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, north of Longnan City, and northwest of Pingliang City. The quality suitability regionalization analysis divulged that the most influential ecological factors for the index components of A. sinensis were the altitude, sunshine, rainfall, temperature, and soil pH. The highest quality A. sinensis grow in Dingxi City, Tangchang, Lixian, and Wen counties in Longnan City, Wushan County in Tianshui City, Lintan, Zhouqu, and Zhuoni counties in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Kangle and Linxia counties in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. The experiment yielded highly accurate results (accuracy of 0.955), suggesting that the results were consistent with the actual distribution of A. sinensis in Gansu. The inferences of this research will naturally draw the attention of the authorities in the fields of natural resources and agriculture departments and provide a scientific basis for the rational selection of A. sinensis cultivation areas.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica sinensis; Benzofurans; China; Chlorogenic Acid; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumaric Acids; Plant Extracts

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Apolipoproteins E; Atherosclerosis; Benzofurans; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Inflammation Mediators; Lipids; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Transcription Factor AP-1; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Administration, Oral; Animals; Benzofurans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Limit of Detection; Linear Models; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reproducibility of Results

Ten batches of Angelica sinensis from three producing areas( Tuoxiang,Minxian and Weiyuan of Gansu province) were selected as the research objects,and processed into raw A. sinensis,A. sinensis with alcohol,and A. sinensis with soil respectively through the standard processing methods. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography( UPLC) was used to establish fingerprint for three processed products of A. sinensis,and determine the contents of 9 phenolic acids and phthalide compounds. The similarity was analyzed with Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine,which showed that the chromatographic peaks of the same processed samples of A. sinensis were basically similar,with all similarities greater than 0. 950. The difference between different processed products and their control spectra was not obvious,with all similarities also higher than 0. 950.On the basis of using principal component analysis( PCA) and OPLS-DA to seek the difference components between groups,the improved distance coefficient method can be used to effectively distinguish the three processed products of A. sinensis by fingerprint similarity. At the same time,the determination method of nine phenolic acids and phthalide in A. sinensis was established by UPLC,and the comparison between different processed products was carried out. The results showed that the content of various components was changed as compared with the raw A. sinensis. The contents of coniferyl ferulate and ligustilide in the A. sinensis with alcohol were increased significantly,and the content of coniferyl ferulate was obviously increased in A. sinensis with soil. The method established in this paper can effectively distinguish different processed products of A. sinensis and determine the content of the main components in them.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica sinensis; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumaric Acids; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Hydroxybenzoates; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Principal Component Analysis

Synthetically derived (

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Catalysis; Crystallography, X-Ray; Cycloaddition Reaction; Dimerization; Metals; Molecular Structure; Photochemistry

Efficient transcytosis across the blood-brain-barrier is an important strategy for accessing drug targets within the central nervous system. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. was used as a messenger drug to increase the distribution of drugs in brain tissue in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The present study investigates the transport of echinacoside (ECH) through MDCK-MDR1 cell and the effects of ligustilide (LIG), senkyunolide A (SENA) and senkyunolide I (SENI) in chuanxiong on its transport. The results indicated that the absorption of ECH was relatively poor in MDCK-MDR1cells, and was concentration dependent and not saturable. The P-glycoprotein inhibitor verapamil could significantly increase the transport of ECH. It indicated that the transport mechanism might be passive diffusion as the dominating process with the active transportation mediated mechanism involved. The increased apparent permeability of ECH in A → B direction by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-Na

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Benzofurans; Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Dogs; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Glycosides; Humans; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells

The key in vivo metabolites of a drug play an important role in its efficacy and toxicity. However, due to the low content and instability of these metabolites, they are hard to obtain through in vivo methods. Electrochemical reactions can be an efficient alternative to biotransformation in vivo for the preparation of metabolites. Accordingly, in this study, the metabolism of Z-ligustilide was investigated in vitro by electrochemistry coupled online to mass spectrometry. This work showed that five oxidation products of the electrochemical reaction were detected and that two of the oxidation products (senkyunolide I and senkyunolide H) were identified from liver microsomal incubation as well. Furthermore, after intragastric administration of Z-ligustilide in rats, senkyunolide I and senkyunolide H were detected in the rat plasma and liver, while 6,7-epoxyligustilide, a key intermediate metabolite of Z-ligustilide, was difficult to detect in vivo. By contrast, 6,7-epoxyligustilide was obtained from the electrochemical reaction. In addition, for the first time, 6 mg of 6,7-epoxyligustilide was prepared from 120 mg of Z-ligustilide. Therefore, electrochemical reactions represent an efficient laboratory method for preparing key drug metabolites.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Benzofurans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Electrochemistry; Leuconostoc mesenteroides; Mass Spectrometry; Microsomes, Liver; Oxidation-Reduction; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The objectives of the present investigation were to: (1) elucidate the transport mechanism of paeoniflorin (PF) across MDCK-MDR1 monolayers; and (2) evaluate the effect of ligustilide (LIG), senkyunolide I (SENI) and senkyunolide A (SENA) on the transport of PF through blood-brain barrier so as to explore the enhancement mechanism. Transport studies of PF were performed in both directions, from apical to basolateral side (A→B) and from basolateral to apical sides (B→A). Drug concentrations were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. PF showed relatively poor absorption in MDCK-MDR1 cells, apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) ranging from 0.587 × 10(-6) to 0.705 × 10(-6) cm/s. In vitro experiments showed that the transport of PF in both directions was concentration dependent and not saturable. The B→A/A→B permeability ER of PF was more than 2 in the MDCK-MDR1 cells, which indicated that the transport mechanism of PF might be passive diffusion as the dominating process with the active transportation mediated mechanism involved. The increased Papp of PF in A→B direction by EDTA-Na₂ suggested that PF was absorbed via the paracellular route. The P-gp inhibitor verapamil could significantly increase the transport of PF in A→B direction, and ER decreased from 2.210 to 0.690, which indicated that PF was P-gp substance. The transport of PF in A→B direction significantly increased when co-administrated with increasing concentrations of LIG, SENI and SENA. An increased cellular accumulation of Rho 123 and Western blot analysis indicated that LIG, SENI and SENA had increased the transport of PF in the BBB models attribute to down-regulate P-gp expression. A decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) during the permeation experiment can be explained by the modulation and opening of the tight junctions caused by the permeation enhancer LIG, SENI and SENA.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; Benzofurans; Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Dogs; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gene Expression Regulation; Glucosides; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; Molecular Structure; Monoterpenes

Recently, the resources of medicinal plants have been exhausting. The root of Angelica acutiloba is one of the most important ingredients in Japanese Kampo medicine for the treatment of gynecological diseases. In our search for alternative medicinal plant resources of the root of A. acutiloba, we found that its aerial part has the anti-inflammatory potency as well as the root. Phytochemical investigation of the aerial part resulted in the isolation of four compounds including a new dimeric phthalide, namely tokiaerialide (2), along with Z-ligustilide (1), falcarindiol (3), and bergaptol (4). Next, we investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of 1-4 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264 macrophages. Among the isolated compounds, 1 exhibited the most potent inhibition against lipopolysaccharide-induced production of prostaglandin E2 , nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α). Compounds 3 and 4 also inhibited all inflammatory mediators, but their inhibitory abilities were weaker than those of 1. Furthermore, 1, 3, and 4 strongly also induced heme oxygenase-1. These results suggest that 1, 3, and 4 potentially exert anti-inflammatory activity, and the aerial part of A. acutiloba may be considered to be a useful medicinal resource for inflammatory diseases.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzofurans; Dinoprostone; Diynes; Fatty Alcohols; Furocoumarins; Heme Oxygenase-1; Interleukin-6; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Mice; Molecular Structure; Nitric Oxide; Phytochemicals; Plant Components, Aerial; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; RAW 264.7 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

A quantitative analysis method of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS) for simultaneous determination of six marker compounds (one from phenolic acids and five from phthalides) in Chuanxiong Rhizoma was established by applying HPLC and using butylidenephthalide as the internal reference substance. And also the feasibility and accuracy of the established method for quality evaluation and application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were investigated and validated. The analysis was performed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile - 0.2% aqueous formic acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL . min-1 and the column temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The detection wavelengths were set at 252 nm (for ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and butylidenephthalide) and 266 nm (for senkyunolide I, senkyunolide A, and coniferyl ferulate), separately, and 20 µL was injected for analysis with gradient elution. The results showed that there were no significant differences observed between the HPLC-QAMS method and the external standard method (RSD <5%). The relative correction factors were credible (RSD < 5%) in changed chromatographic conditions. The established HPLC-QAMS method can be accurately used for simultaneously evaluating and controlling the quality of Chuanxiong Rhizoma with multi-components.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Acetonitriles; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumaric Acids; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Hydroxybenzoates; Quality Control; Rhizome

To identify Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix by establishing the HPLC specific chromatograms of their volatile oil and to compare their specific peaks.. The HPLC method used methanol-water as mobile phase. Their specific peaks were analysed by HPLC-MS.. Under the selected spectrum condition, their HPLC specific chromatograms were established. Senkyunolide A, butylphalide, coniferylferulate, E-ligustilide, Z-ligustilide, neocnidilide and E-butylidenephthalide were identified as specific peaks in chromatograms based on their MS data.. This method is simple, accurate and available to identify Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix. It provides reference for quality control of their medicinal materials and Chinese Patent Medicine.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica sinensis; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ligusticum; Oils, Volatile; Phthalic Anhydrides; Plant Oils; Plant Roots; Rhizome

A new dimeric phthalide, chaxiongnolide A (1), and a new natural product, chaxiongnolide B (2), together with a known compound Z-ligustilide (3), were isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum sinense Oliv cv. Chaxiong. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Crystallography, X-Ray; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ligusticum; Molecular Conformation; Molecular Structure; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Rhizome

A simple and quick method is described for the determination of ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide A and ligustilide in rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong. The 5 active ingredients in the sample was extracted using 40% ethanol and analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromatography separation was performed using Agilent 1100 series HPLC system with a Symmetry C18 column and gradient elution with a mixture of three solvents : solvent A, acetonitrile, solvent B, methanol and solvent C, 1% aqueous acetic acid, 0 min to 5 min A: B: C 20: 40: 40, 5 min to 30 min A: B: C 60 to 100 : 0 : 40 to 0. The effluent was monitored using a VWD detector set at 321 nm (0-4.3 min) and 275 nm (4.31-30 min). The flow rate was set at 1 mL x min(-1) and the injection volume was 10 microL. The column temperature was maintained at 35 degrees C. The calibration curve was linear (r > or = 0.99) over the tested ranges. The average recovery was 94.44%-103.1% (n = 6). The method has been successfully applied to the analysis in different harvest periods of L. chuanxiong samples. In this paper, single-factor randomized block design to study the 5 components content of L. chuanxiong on ten collecting stages. For the L. chuanxiong collected from April 15th to May 30rd, the content of 5 ingredients increased primarily, and then decreased. Determine the appropriate harvest time has important significance to the promotion of the quality of L. chuanxiong.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Acetic Acid; Acetonitriles; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumaric Acids; Ligusticum; Methanol; Solvents; Time Factors

Four new ligustilides chuanxiongnolide R1 (1), chuanxiongnolide R2 (2), chuanxiongdiolide R1 (3) and chuanxiongdiolide R2 (4) together with eight known derivatives (5-12) were isolated from the root of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, (1)H-(1)H COSY, NOESY) methods. The absolute configurations were confirmed via the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. The anti-inflammatory assay in LPS-triggered RAW 264.7 macrophages was carried out on the twelve compounds. 1, 3, 5 and 6 showed significant inhibitory effects against LPS-induced NO production.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzofurans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Inflammation; Ligusticum; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Mice; Molecular Structure; Nitric Oxide; Phytotherapy; Plant Roots

Z-Ligustilide, a major phthalide isolated from a widely used traditional Chinese medicine Ligusticum chuanxiong, possesses various pharmacological activities including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and vasorelaxing effects. However, it is unstable and inclined to degrade in natural conditions, which limits its study and application greatly. In this study, degradation behavior of Z-ligustilide and its degradation products stored at room temperature under direct sunlight were investigated and structure elucidated by HPLC-UV, UPLC-QTOF-MS and NMR. Z-ligustilide degradation and total five degradation products were generated and detected. Two degradation products were unequivocally identified as senkyunolide I and senkyunolide H by comparison with reference compounds. Another two degradation products were further isolated by semi-preparative HPLC and structure elucidated as (E)-6, 7-trans-dihydroxyligustilide and (Z)-6, 7-epoxyligustilide by 1H and 13C NMR, respectively. The degradation pathways of Z-ligustilide were finally proposed. Oxidation, hydrolysis and isomerization are the major degradation reactions.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Hydrolysis; Ligusticum; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Oxidation-Reduction; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Following the recent identification of the naturally occurring 3-ylidene-4,5-dihydrophthalide ligustilide and its oxidation product dehydroligustilide as novel TRPA1 modulators, a series of seventeen 3-ylidenephthalides was synthesized and tested on TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels. Most of these compounds acted as strong modulators of the two channel types with EC50 and/or IC50 values distinctly lower than those of the reference compounds.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Benzofurans; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Oxidation-Reduction; Protein Binding; Rats; TRPA1 Cation Channel; TRPC Cation Channels; TRPM Cation Channels

To study the constituents of essential oil from Shunaoxin dropping pills by GC-MS.. The essential oil from Shunaoxin dropping pills were extracted by absolute alcohol and analyzed by GC-MS.. 15 components from the essential oil of Shunaoxin dropping pills were identified.. The main components in the essential oil of Shunaoxin dropping pills are lactones such as Z-ligustilide, senkyunolide A,3-butylphthalide and 3-butylidenephthalide, other components are organic acids such as ethyl linoleate, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid and ethyl palmitate.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica; Apiaceae; Benzofurans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Lactones; Oils, Volatile; Phthalic Anhydrides

To study the dissolution rate of active components of different extracting solvents of Danggui Chishao drug pair.. The dissolution rates of phenolic acids (ferulic acid, vanillic acid and gallic acid), monoterpenes (gallic acid, peoniflorin, albiflorin, hydroxypeoniflorin and galloylpaeoniflorin) and phthalates (senkyunolide and ligustilide) contained in Danggui Chishao drug pair were determined by quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and ultra high performance liquid chromatography in combination with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-MS).. The dissolution rates of phenolic acids and monoterpenes decreased with the increase in alcohol concentration, on the contrary the rates of phthalates increased. The relative dissolution rates of most active components were relatively high in water and low concentration alcohol than other solvents.. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is practical for comprehensive multi-component assessment on traditional Chinese medicine preparation processes and can provide reference for optimization of processing parameters.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzoates; Benzofurans; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Chromatography, Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Gallic Acid; Glucosides; Hydroxybenzoates; Mass Spectrometry; Monoterpenes; Phthalic Acids; Solvents; Vanillic Acid

Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide. Recent findings showed that the severity of cerebrovascular diseases including ischemic stroke correlates with inflammation mediated responses in the neural cells. During ischemia, inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide are produced by microglia, which play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Ligusticum chuanxiong (LCX) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for empiric treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases for many centuries. By applying a bioactivity-guided fractionation scheme, two compounds with inhibition on neuroinflammation were isolated from LCX. Using chromatographic and spectrometric methods, they were identified to be senkyunolide A and Z-ligustilide. They could inhibit the production of proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine BV-2 microglial cells and human peripheral blood monocyte derived macrophages. In addition, both compounds protected Neuro-2a cells from neuroinflammatory toxicity induced by the conditioned culture media produced by LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. The underlying mechanisms of action of senkyunolide A were further delineated. Its inhibitory effects were shown to be independent of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). However, senkyunolide A could increase the degradation of TNF-α mRNA and reduce its half life by 43%. In conclusion, bioactivity-guided fractionation is an effective way of isolating bioactive compounds from medicinal herbs. In addition, senkyunolide A and Z-ligustilide isolated from LCX may be considered as potential complementary drug candidates for treating inflammatory processes associated with cerebrovascular diseases.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Benzofurans; Biological Assay; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Ligusticum; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Microglia; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nitrites; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

To develop a RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of five components including ligustrazine, ferulic acid, butylphthalide, ligustilide and butene-NBP in Rhizoma Chuanxiong, a Chinese herbal medicine.. The chromatographic analysis was carried out by using a grace smart RP C18 column with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid (volume fraction), which was in gradient elution. A DAD detector was used to detect the components. The peak area was chosen under their maximum absorption wavelength for different components, and quantitated by using the external standard method.. The calibration curves were linear within the range of 0.008 35-0.668, 0.020 6-1.648, 0.012 2-0.976 , 0.050 75-4.06, 0.015 7-1.256 microg for ligustrazine, ferulic acid, butylphthalide, ligustilide and butene-NBP, respectively. The average recoveries of the five components were 101.98%, 99.91%, 96.94%, 100.85% and 99.04%, respectively.. This method is simple, quick, reproducible, with high recovery, and has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of the five components in Rhizoma Chuanxiong. This method can be used to control the quality of Rhizoma Chuanxiong and its preparations.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Calibration; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumaric Acids; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Pyrazines

To study the metabolism of Z-ligustilide(Z-LIG) in vivo and in vitro in rats and the pharmacological activities of Z-LIG and metabolites in vitro.. The biotransformation of Z-LIG in rats in vivo was tested. Z-LIG was also incubated with rat liver microsomes in vitro. The incubated product was extracted, separated and identified with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and UV. The effects of Z-LIG and its main metabolites on hydrogen peroxide (H1O2)-induced injuries were examined in cultured PC12 cells.. The HPLC analysis of the metabolites of Z-LIG was obtained. Senkyunolide I (SYL) isolated from in vitro incubation was identified as the main metabolite of Z-LIG. Both Z-LIG and SYL showed significant and concentration-dependent protection against H2O2-induced injuries in PC12 cells.. SYL is the main metabolite of Z-LIG in rats. Z-LIG and SYL exert similar protective effects against oxidative damage in cultured PC12 cells.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Benzofurans; Biotransformation; Hydrogen Peroxide; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Oxidative Stress; PC12 Cells; Protective Agents; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Si-wu decoction (SDE), a classic prescription in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for the treatment of a variety of anaemia in China for centuries. In order to explore the scientific basis of the formula, we investigated the relationship between its chemical components and proliferation-promoting effects on rat marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Twenty (F-1-F-20) components were obtained and their proliferation-promoting effects on MSCs were investigated. The results showed that F-4, F-7, F-10, and F-11 stimulated the proliferation of the MSCs. The chemical components with proliferation-promoting effects on the MSCs were further identified by GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS, and other spectra. Ligustilide (F-4) isolated from SDE showed the best proliferation-promoting effect. Palmitic acid methyl ester and stearic acid ethyl identified from F-7 and F-10 by HPLC were also confirmed to be responsible for stimulating MSC proliferation. A novel compound, 6,7-dihydroxy-3-(-prop-1-enyl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one, was found in the SDE for the first time by LC-MS(n), whose structure was similar to ligustilide.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Benzofurans; Cell Proliferation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flow Cytometry; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Molecular Structure; Palmitates; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Stearates; Structure-Activity Relationship

Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae) is a widely prescribed traditional Chinese medicinal herb for cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the cardiovascular actions of ligustilide and senkyunolide A, two of the most abundant Ligusticum chuanxiong constituents, have yet to be examined. The objective of the present study was to investigate the vasorelaxation effects of ligustilide and senkyunolide A and their underlying mechanisms in rat isolated aorta. Both constituents had similar relaxation potencies against contractions to 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxyprostaglandin F(2alpha), phenylephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and KCl. Their vasorelaxation effects were not affected by endothelium removal, the adenylate cyclase inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purin-6-amine, the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, or the non-selective K+ channel blocker tetraethylammonium. This is the first report to demonstrate the vasorelaxation activities of ligustilide and senkyunolide A in contractions to various contractile agents in rat isolated aorta. The underlying mechanisms await further investigations.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Benzofurans; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endothelium, Vascular; Ligusticum; Male; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Vasodilator Agents

A novel strategy for predicting bioactive components in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using live cell extraction and high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) analysis was proposed. The hypothesis is that when cells are incubated together with the extract of TCM, the potential bioactive components in the TCM should selectively combine with the cells, and the relative concentrations of the cell-combining components in the suspension medium should decrease, while the cell-combining components would be detectable in the extract of denatured cells. The identities of the cell-combining components could be determined by HPLC-DAD-MS analysis. Using the proposed approach, the potential bioactive components of Danggui Buxue decoction, a commonly used TCM for anaemia, and its compositions, Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Astragli for endothelial cells, were investigated. Six compounds in the extract of Danggui Buxue decoction were detected as the components selectively combined with endothelial cells, among them two were contributed by Radix Angelica Sinensis, and four by Radix Astragli. The identities of four of the six potential bioactive compounds were elucidated as ononoside, calycosin, 3-butylphthalide and ligustilide by HPLC-DAD-MS analysis. The results indicate that the proposed approach may be applied to predict the bioactive candidates in TCM.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Cell Extracts; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endothelial Cells; Humans; Isoflavones; Mass Spectrometry

To study the chemical constituents from dry roots of Ligusticum glaucescens Franch.. Chromatography and spectrum analysis were employed to isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the plant.. 4 compounds were isolated and identified as levistolide A (I), ligustilide (II), pleuchiol (III) and ferulic acid (IV).. I-IV were isolated from this plant for the first time. The work provided evidence for the exploitation and utilization of this plant resource.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Coumaric Acids; Ligusticum; Methanol; Molecular Structure; Plants, Medicinal; Rhizome

To analyze the chemical components in Danggui (the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel).. HPLC-MS/MS was used to identify the main components in Danggui. Furthermore, the MS fragmentation regularity of the phthalides was proposed. The mobile phase of HPLC consisted of 0.5% acetic acid in water and 0.5% acetic acid in acetonitrile, analytical column was Hypersil ODS2 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm), flow rate 1.0 mL x min(-1), injected volume 2 microL. The ionization source was ESI in positive ion mode.. Ferulic acid, nine known phthalides and one unknown phthalide derivative were tentatively identified in chromatograms based on their MS data and the comparison of their UV spectra with those published in the literatures.. The structural information of phthalides was obtained via HPLC-MS/MS, which provides an accurate and fast method to identify the phthalides and provides more scientific information for quality control of Danggui.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica sinensis; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumaric Acids; Molecular Structure; Phthalic Anhydrides; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; Reproducibility of Results; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

A valid chromatographic fingerprint method using liquid chromatography-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry in negative mode (LC-DAD-APCI-MS) is proposed for studying the absorption and metabolites of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Angelica sinensis (danggui) in rabbit plasma, after the rabbit is administered with danggui oral solution (DOS). More than thirty-two common components were detected in both DOS and rabbit plasma, which shows that the components in the DOS were absorbed into the body of the rabbit. Of these, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, Z-6,7-epoxyligustilide, 3-butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide, Z-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide, Diels-Alder dimers of ligustilide, linolenic acid, linoleic acid and falcarindiol were tentatively identified from their MS, UV spectra and retention behavior by comparing the results with the published literature. At least ten components were found in rabbit plasma but not in DOS, indicating that these components must be metabolites of some of the components in the original extract. The results prove that the proposed method can be used to rapidly analyze multiple constituents in TCMs, and to screen for bioactive compounds by comparing and contrasting the chromatographic fingerprints of DOS and plasma samples.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Absorption; Administration, Oral; Aldehydes; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Angelica sinensis; Animals; Benzofurans; Diynes; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Fatty Alcohols; Linoleic Acid; Mass Spectrometry; Phthalic Anhydrides; Plant Extracts; Rabbits

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of four main lactone components including senkyunolide-H, senkyunolide-I, sedanenolide and Z-ligustilide in Chuanxiong, a Chinese herbal medicine. The samples were pretreated using ultrasonic extraction, and 80% ethanol was used as extractant in the experiment. The chromatographic analysis was carried out using an XDB-C8 column and the mobile phase consisted of methanol-1% (volume fraction) acetic acid water (55:45-->100:0, v/v, in 15 min). The flow rate was 0. 8 mL/min. A diode array detector was used to detect the compositions and 280 nm was chosen as the detection wavelength. The whole process could be performed within 15 min. The operating curves were found to be linear over the ranges of 0.4 - 2.2 mg/L (r=0. 9992), 0.4 -2.2 mg/L (r=0.9979), 2.6 -7.8 mg/L (r=0. 9992) and 4.8 14.3 mg/L (r = 0.9998) and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were 0.024, 0.027, 0.018 and 0.011 microg for senkyunolide-H, senkyunolide-I, sedanenolide and Z-ligustilide, respectively. The recoveries of the four lactone components were found in the range of 96% - 108%. The rapid and accurate method has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of the four lactone components in Chuanxiong.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Lactones; Ligusticum; Reproducibility of Results

To find out substance basis of pharmacological activities of Angelica sinensis.. Chromatographic methods were used to isolate the chemical components, and spectroscopic methods were used to identify their structures.. Five compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of the roots of Angelica sinensis. Their structures were identified as: (Z)-ligustilide, (Z)-6,7-epoxyligustilide, (Z)-6,7-cis-dihydroxyligustilide, (E)-6,7-cis-dihydroxy-ligustilide and 11-angeloylsenkyunolide F.. 11-angeloylsenkyunolide F was obtained from Angelica sinensis for the first time.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Angelica sinensis; Benzofurans; Molecular Structure; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the essential oil steamdistilled from the aerial parts of Ligusticum chuanxiong were made by means of GC-MS and GC. Forty-six components which make up 85.82% of the total oil were identified.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Benzofurans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Oils, Volatile; Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane; Tetrahydronaphthalenes

Inhibitory effects of cnidium rhizome-derived phthalides on competence and progression phases of fetal bovine serum (10%)-induced proliferation were compared in primary cultures of mouse aorta smooth muscle cells (SMC). Their potencies for the competence inhibition were in the order of senkyunolide L ((Z)-6-hydroxy-7-chloro-6,7-dihydroligustilide) > senkyunolide H ((Z)-6,7-dihydroxy-6,7-dihydroligustilide) > senkyunolide J ((3S)-(E)-6,7-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroligustilide) > senkyunolide I ((E)-6,7-dihydroxy-6,7-dihydroligustilide) > ligustilide = senkyunolide A ((3S)-3,8-dihydroligustilide) > butylidenephthalide. The order of their potencies for the progression inhibition was parallel with that for the competence inhibition. Senkyunolide L is considered to have been formed during the extraction of cnidium. These results demonstrate that the (Z)-6,7-dihydroxy isomer of the dihydroligustilide derivatives is essential for the anti-competent effect on proliferation of the SMC in primary culture. Senkyunolide H in cnidium rhizome may be a prototype for a new anti-atherosclerotic drug.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Benzofurans; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Male; Mice; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Phthalic Anhydrides; Structure-Activity Relationship

The present study was carried out to elucidate a centrally acting muscle relaxant effect of chloroform soluble fraction and its component, namely, ligustilide, cnidilide and senkyunolide obtained from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale Makino. These three compounds were isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction by column chromatography on silica gel. The centrally acting muscle relaxant effect was investigated on the crossed extensor reflex in anesthetized rats and these samples were suspended in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose solution and administered i.p. These three compounds as well as the chloroform soluble fraction depressed the reflex response. The depressive potencies among them were almost the same and their potencies were also the same or somewhat weaker as that of mephenesin. As a curare-like action was not observed, a muscle relaxation induced by these phthalide compounds is considered to be due to central origin.

Topics: 4-Butyrolactone; Animals; Benzofurans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Furans; Male; Mephenesin; Muscle Relaxants, Central; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains