Zhong-Zhen Zhao

Publications of Zhong-Zhen Zhao

• Study of the relationship between genetics and geography in determining the quality of Astragali Radix.

  Authors: Jing Liu, Hu-Biao Chen, Bao-Lin Guo, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Zhi-Tao Liang, Tao Yi

  Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 01/2011; 34(9):1404-12.

  Astragali Radix (AR), prepared from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (FISCH. ex LINK) BUNGE or its variey, A. membranaceus (FISCH. ex LINK) BUNGE var. mongholicus (BUNGE) HSIAO., is one of theAstragali Radix (AR), prepared from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (FISCH. ex LINK) BUNGE or its variey, A. membranaceus (FISCH. ex LINK) BUNGE var. mongholicus (BUNGE) HSIAO., is one of the most used and valuable traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Historically, Hunyuan, Shanxi Province in China is the geo-authentic producing area of AR and crude AR from here called "geo-authentic." According to tradition, geo-authentic TCMs define both authenticity and quality. However, no scientific investigation has ever determined whether the superior quality of Hunyuan AR is due to the genetic characteristics or to the local environment. In our study, seeds of 30 AR samples representing the two varieties from different regions were cultivated in Hunyuan under the same conditions. A method, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector and evaporative light scattering detectors, was developed to evaluate the quality through a simultaneous determination of four major isoflavonoids and four major saponins. The two AR varieties were successfully distinguished by principal component analysis while samples of the same species with different seeds origins could not be distinguished. A genetic study demonstrated that the internal transcribed spacer sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA in A. membranaceus var. mongholicus samples from different geographical regions were highly conservative. These results indicate that the content of active components in AR depends on the interaction of genotype and environment. At the varietal level, genetic properties appear to be more important for pharmaceutical quality than environmental factors, while on the intraspecific level environmental factors might be more important than genetic properties.

• Authentication of the 31 species of toxic and potent Chinese materia medica by microscopic technique assisted by ICP-MS analysis, part 4: four kinds of toxic and potent mineral arsenical CMMs.

  Authors: Qin Li, Chu Chu, Ya-Qiong Wang, Hu-Biao Chen, Ping Li, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Microscopy research and technique. 01/2011; 74(1):1-8.

  Toxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) is a special and very important category of Chinese medicines. They have long been used in traditional medical practice and are being used more andToxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) is a special and very important category of Chinese medicines. They have long been used in traditional medical practice and are being used more and more widely throughout the world in recent years. As there may be many fatal toxic effects caused by misusing or confusion of T/PCMM, their quality and safety control arouse increasing attention internationally. Researches on the accurate identification to ensure the safe use of T/PCMM are acquired; however, there are few reports on authentication. We are carrying out a series of studies on 31 T/PCMM originating from plants, animals, minerals, and secreta. In our previous studies, we proved that modern microscopic authentication is a simple, fast, effective, low cost, and less toxic method for identifying animal, seed, and flower T/PCMM. In the present study, we focused on the authentication of four kinds of mineral arsenicals, including orpiment (mainly containing As₂S₃), realgar (mainly containing As₄S₄), arsenolite, and arsenic trioxide (mainly containing As₂O₃). We examined the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the above minerals and found that they all can be easily identified and authenticated by using light microscopy coupled with polarized microscopy. Moreover, the authentication results for arsenolite and arsenic trioxide are confirmed by ICP-MS analysis. We are sure that the morphological and microscopic characteristics indicated here are indispensable to establishing standards for these four mineral T/PCMMs.

• The effects of Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. on embryonic development: in vivo and in vitro studies.

  Authors: Xiao Ying Tian, Min Xu, Bin Deng, Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung, King Fai Cheng, Zhong Zhen Zhao, Shi Ping Zhang, Zhi Jun Yang, Ping Xiang Deng, Dong Ying Xu, Xiao Ping Xu, Irene Koo, Michael Wong

  Journal of ethnopharmacology. 12/2010; 134(2):393-8.

  Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. was commonly used to treat miscarriages clinically. The aim of this study was to examine its safety for embryonic development. Pregnant mice were randomly assigned into 5Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. was commonly used to treat miscarriages clinically. The aim of this study was to examine its safety for embryonic development. Pregnant mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups, i.e. mice were oral-treated with distilled water (G1), with Boehmeria nivea extract of 2, 8 or 32 g/kg/day (G2, G3 or G4), and with 3 doses of vitamin A of 200,000 IU/kg as positive controls (G5). Meanwhile, IC(50) values for both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and 3T3 cells were detected by cytotoxicity assays. (1) The resorptions and malformed fetuses in G5 were significantly higher than G1 (P<0.001), whereas the maternal body-weight and uterus-weight were lower than G1 (P<0.05); (2) there was no difference in the fetal body-weight, maternal relative body-weight gain, liver-, kidney- or heart-weight, relative organ-weight, and histological examination among five groups; (3) there was no difference in IC(50) values between ESCs and 3T3 cells, but high concentration of Boehmeria nivea extract might significantly lower ESCs' viability (P<0.05). Boehmeria nivea extract at 32 g/kg/day did not cause significant embryotoxicity or maternal toxicity in mice, although it might cause cytotoxicity in cultured ESCs at a high dose.

• Comparison of the chemical profiles and anti-platelet aggregation effects of two "Dragon's Blood" drugs used in traditional Chinese medicine.

  Authors: Tao Yi, Hu-Biao Chen, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Zhi-Ling Yu, Zhi-Hong Jiang

  Journal of ethnopharmacology. 11/2010; 133(2):796-802.

  "Dragon's Blood" has been used as a medicine since ancient times by many cultures. In traditional Chinese medicine, the resin obtained from Daemonorops draco (RDD) and the resin from Dracaena"Dragon's Blood" has been used as a medicine since ancient times by many cultures. In traditional Chinese medicine, the resin obtained from Daemonorops draco (RDD) and the resin from Dracaena cochinchinensis (RDC) are equally prescribed as "Dragon's Blood" for facilitating blood circulation. To verify the traditional efficacy and elucidate the mechanism, the present study compared the chemical profiles and the pharmacological effects of two species of "Dragon's Blood" mainly used in China. A UPLC-MS fingerprinting method was developed to compare the chemical profiles of the two medicines. The anti-platelet aggregation effects of the two medicines induced by arachidonic acid (AA) were investigated. The chemical profiles of these two species of "Dragon's Blood" were significantly different. The characteristic constituents were found to be: flavanes in RDD and stilbenes in RDC. In the in vivo platelet inhibition test, performed with the dose of 200 mg/kg on rats, the peak inhibitory effects of RDD and RDC were 35.8% and 27.6%, respectively, compared with the control group. With the in vitro concentrations of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml, RDD exerted significant inhibition of aggregation by 18.7%, 20.0%, and 61.6%, respectively, and RDC exerted significant inhibition of aggregation by 13.3%, 20.2%, and 31.6%, respectively. The fingerprinting method used here is suitable for distinguishing them. All pharmacological tests indicated that RDD was more potent than RDC against platelet aggregation.

• Histochemical analysis of the root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Fam. Polygonaceae).

  Authors: Zhi-Tao Liang, Yi-Xiao Shi, Hu-Biao Chen, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Microscopy research and technique. 10/2010; 74(6):488-95.

  Authentication is the first priority in quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs). The most commonly used authentication methods are morphological identification and microscopicAuthentication is the first priority in quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs). The most commonly used authentication methods are morphological identification and microscopic identification. Unfortunately, these two methods cannot provide the chemical information needed to assess the quality of CHMs. In this study, a combination of fluorescence microscopy and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to analyze the chemical profiles of the tissues of the raw root tubers of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The results showed that the cork cells, cortex, and vessels in transverse sections of the raw root tuber of P. multiflorum fluoresced differently. Further analysis by HPLC-MS revealed that anthraquinones are mainly distributed in the cortex, and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside could be found in all tissues of the raw root tubers of P. multiflorum with its relative content as cork > cortex > xylem of allotype vascular bundles > xylem of central vascular bundles. Moreover, the fluorescence characteristics of the tissues from the steamed root tuber of P. multiflorum were compared and showed different fluorescence from those of raw material. From these results, it can be deduced that the root tuber of P. multiflorum with a broader cortex and fewer vascular bundles visible in a transverse section should be of better quality. The different fluorescence characteristics can be used to differentiate raw root tubers of P. multiflorum from those that have been steamed.

• Identification of powdered Chinese herbal medicines by fluorescence microscopy, Part 1: Fluorescent characteristics of mechanical tissues, conducting tissues, and ergastic substances.

  Authors: Ya-Qiong Wang, Zhi-Tao Liang, Qin Li, Hua Yang, Hu-Biao Chen, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Ping Li

  Microscopy research and technique. 07/2010;

  The light microscope has been successfully used in identification of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for more than a century. However, positive identification is not always possible. Given theThe light microscope has been successfully used in identification of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for more than a century. However, positive identification is not always possible. Given the popularity of fluorescence microscopy in bioanalysis, researchers dedicated to finding new ways to identify CHMs more effectively are now turning to fluorescence microscopy for authentication purposes. Some studies on distinguishing confused species from the same genus and on exploring distributions of chemicals in tissues of CHMs by fluorescence microscopy have been reported; however, no systematic investigations on fluorescent characteristics of powdered CHMs have been reported. Here, 46 samples of 16 CHMs were investigated. Specifically, the mechanical tissues including stone cells and fibers, the conducting tissues including three types of vessels, and ergastic substances including crystals of calcium oxalate and secretions, in various powdered CHMs were investigated by both light microscope and fluorescence microscope. The results showed many microscopic features emit fluorescence that makes them easily observed, even against complex backgrounds. Under the fluorescence microscope, different microscopic features from the same powdered CHM or some same features from different powdered CHMs emitted the different fluorescence, making this information very helpful for the authentication of CHMs in powder form. Moreover, secretions with unique chemical profiles from different powdered CHMs showed different fluorescent characteristics. Hence, fluorescence microscopy could be a useful additional method for the authentication of powdered CHMs if the fluorescent characteristics of specific CHMs are known. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2010. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

• Quantitative comparison of ginsenosides and polyacetylenes in wild and cultivated American ginseng.

  Authors: Jing-Rong Wang, Chiu-Yin Leung, Hing-Man Ho, Stella Chai, Lee-Fong Yau, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Zhi-Hong Jiang

  Chemistry & biodiversity. 04/2010; 7(4):975-83.

  Quantitative comparison of seven ginsenosides in wild and cultivated American ginseng revealed that the Rg(1)/Rd ratio presented a significantly large difference between cultivated and type-I (one ofQuantitative comparison of seven ginsenosides in wild and cultivated American ginseng revealed that the Rg(1)/Rd ratio presented a significantly large difference between cultivated and type-I (one of the defined chemotypes) wild American ginseng, facilitating this ratio as a characteristic marker for differentiating these two groups. Similarly, the ratio (Rg(1)+Re)/Rd, and the ratio of protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type ginsenosides to protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides showed a large difference between these two groups. On the other hand, type-II wild samples were found to have high Rg(1)/Rb(1) and Rg(1)/Re ratios and low panaxydol/panaxynol ratio, which is entirely different from Type-I American ginseng, but is very similar to that of Asian ginseng. This not only suggests that the chemotype should be taken into consideration properly when using these parameters for differentiating American and Asian ginseng, but also indicates that type-II wild American ginseng may have distinct pharmacological activities and therapeutic effects.

• Comparison of the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of three medicinal plants known as "Snow Lotus" herb in traditional Uighur and Tibetan medicines.

  Authors: Tao Yi, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Zhi-Ling Yu, Hu-Biao Chen

  Journal of ethnopharmacology. 03/2010; 128(2):405-11.

  Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip. (Compositae) has long been used under the herbal name "Snow Lotus" for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, stomachache and dysmenorrhea in UighurSaussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip. (Compositae) has long been used under the herbal name "Snow Lotus" for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, stomachache and dysmenorrhea in Uighur folk medicine. In traditional Tibetan medicine, Saussurea laniceps Hand.-Mazz. and Saussurea medusa Maxim. have also been used under the name "Snow Lotus" and prescribed for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions. The present study evaluated the pharmacological effects of three species of "Snow Lotus" in experimental inflammation and pain models, and determined the chemical compounds that may correlate with their pharmacological activities. The anti-inflammatory activities of the three herbs were observed by using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Investigations on the analgesic effects were conducted, including acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate test. An UPLC-MS method was developed to analyze the chemical composition of the three herbs and of plasma samples after herb administration. In rat paw edema model, the peak inhibitory effects of Saussurea laniceps and Saussurea involucrata (55.1% and 42.2%, respectively) were recorded with the dose of 400mg/kg at 3h post-carrageenan injection. In mouse ear edema model, oral administration of Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea involucrata and Saussurea medusa extract (400mg/kg) resulted in a significant inhibition of ear edema by 40.9%, 33.3%, and 9.1%, respectively. In the writhing test, oral administration of Saussurea laniceps extract (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) resulted in a significant inhibition of writhings by 13.5%, 22.3%, and 43.5%, respectively. In the hot-plate test, Saussurea laniceps extract significantly increased the latency of jumping response by 38.2% and 52.7% when treated orally at 200 and 400mg/kg in mice, respectively. Flavonoids, coumarins and lignins were found to be present in plasma after administration of the extracts and may be the basis of the observed pharmacological effects. The results clearly demonstrated that Saussurea laniceps was most effective; Saussurea involucrata exhibited a moderate potency, whereas Saussurea medusa possessed little effect against the experimental edema and pains. This study also supported discrimination among the three herbs when using them in folk medicine.

• Development of liposomal salbutamol sulfate dry powder inhaler formulation.

  Authors: Wen-Hua Huang, Zhi-Jun Yang, Heng Wu, Yuen-Fan Wong, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Liang Liu

  Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 01/2010; 33(3):512-7.

  The purpose of our study was to develop a formulation of liposomal salbutamol sulfate (SBS) dry powder inhaler (DPI) for the treatment of asthma. Liposomes of high encapsulation efficiency (more thanThe purpose of our study was to develop a formulation of liposomal salbutamol sulfate (SBS) dry powder inhaler (DPI) for the treatment of asthma. Liposomes of high encapsulation efficiency (more than 80%) were prepared by a vesicular phospholipid gel (VPG) technique. SBS VPG liposomes were subjected to lyophilization using different kinds of cryoprotectants in various mass ratios. Coarse lactose (63-106 microm) in different mass ratios was used as a carrier. Magnesium stearate (0.5%) was added as a lubricator. The dry liposomal powders were then crushed by ball milling and sieved through a 400-mesh sieve to control the mean particle size at about 10 microm. The effects of different kinds of cryoprotectants and the amount of lactose carrier on the fine particle fraction (FPF) of SBS were investigated. The results showed that the developed formulation of liposomal dry powder inhaler was obtained using lactose as a cryoprotectant with a mass ratio of lyophilized powder to carrier lactose at 1 : 5; 0.5% magnesium stearate was used as a lubricator. The value of FPF for SBS was 41.51+/-2.22% for this formulation. Sustained release of SBS from the VPG liposomes was found in the in vitro release study. The study results offer the promising possibility of localized pulmonary liposomal SBS delivery in the anhydrous state.

• Adjuvant Phytotherapy in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

  Authors: Min Xu, Ping Xiang Deng, Chen Qi, Bin Deng, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Vivian Wong, Teresa Ngan, Vincent Kan, Xiao Ying Tian, Dong Ying Xu, Dawn Au

  Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 12/2009;

  Abstract Objective: Clinical trials have investigated phytotherapy (PT) in the treatment of cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the quality and data of current available trials, to compareAbstract Objective: Clinical trials have investigated phytotherapy (PT) in the treatment of cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the quality and data of current available trials, to compare the efficacy and safety of conventional therapies (CT) including surgical therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with that of CT plus PT (CT-PT), and to identify herbs used commonly in clinical trials. Methods: Forty-three (43) electronic databases were searched. The quality of eligible trials was assessed by Jadad's scale, and Revman 5.0 software was used for data syntheses and analyses. Result: (1) Of the 48 potential trials retrieved, 18 trials involving 1657 patients met the inclusion criteria, and two trials were graded as high-quality trials; (2) CT-PT achieved a higher 1-year survival rate (SR, p = 0.0002) and tumor remission rate (TRR, p < 0.0001) than CT alone; (3) PT showed therapeutic effects comparable to those of Western medications in diminishing vesical complications (VC, p < 0.0001) and rectal complications (RC, p = 0.08) caused by CT; (4) top 15 herbs used frequently to improve SR or TRR and to treat VC or RC in the retrieved trials were identified. Conclusions: Adjuvant PT may improve the efficacy and safety of CT in clinical treatments of cervical cancer, although this result needs to be further verified by more high-quality trials.

• A novel and effective multistage classification system for microscopic starch grain images.

  Authors: Siu-Kai Choy, Chong-Sze Tong, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Microscopy research and technique. 08/2009;

  This article presents a novel and effective multistage system for classifying Chinese Materia Medica microscopic starch grain images. The proposed classification system is constructed based on theThis article presents a novel and effective multistage system for classifying Chinese Materia Medica microscopic starch grain images. The proposed classification system is constructed based on the Gaussian mixture model-based clustering, the feature assignment algorithm, and the similarity measurement. Several features for each starch grain image are extracted and every class of drug is represented by a set of characteristic features. For each stage of the system, only one feature is chosen and assigned to that stage via the feature assignment algorithm, and the corresponding characteristic features are subdivided into smaller subsets based on clustering techniques. At the final stage, each subset contains a certain class of drugs (with corresponding characteristic features) and similarity measurement is carried out for starch grain classification. Three sets of the current state-of-the-art starch grain features including the granulometric size distribution, the chord length distribution, and the wavelet signature are used to construct the system. Experimental results on a database of 240 images of 24 classes of drugs reveal the superior performance of the multistage system. Comparison with the traditional starch grain classification approaches indicates that our proposed multistage method produces a marked improvement in classification performance. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

• The retention behavior of ginsenosides in HPLC and its application to quality assessment of radix ginseng.

  Authors: Ping Hu, Guo-An Luo, Qing Wang, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Wan Wang, Zhi-Hong Jiang

  Archives of pharmacal research. 07/2009; 32(6):963.

• Oleanolic acid isolated from Oldenlandia diffusa exhibits a unique growth inhibitory effect against ras-transformed fibroblasts.

  Authors: Pui Kei Wu, William Tai, Zhi-Tao Liang, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Wen Luan Wendy Hsiao

  Life sciences. 06/2009;

  AIMS: Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. (O. diffusa) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating cancer. Its pharmacological activities and anti-cancer effects have been the focusAIMS: Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. (O. diffusa) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating cancer. Its pharmacological activities and anti-cancer effects have been the focus of intense research in recent years. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether the five major compounds from O. diffusa possess a unique inhibitory activity against ras-transformed cells in a well-established cell model. MAIN METHODS: The anti-cancer effects of O. diffusa were assessed in a co-culture system containing normal and transformed Rat 6 (R6) fibroblasts. In addition, a transwell assay was used to examine the interaction between the drugs and the co-cultivated cells. KEY FINDINGS: Our data showed that among the samples tested, oleanolic acid (OA), but not the structural isomer ursolic acid (UA), inhibits the growth of ras oncogene-transformed R6 cells at a dosage that is not toxic to the co-cultivated normal fibroblasts. A significant inhibitory effect was also observed in the transwell experiments, indicating that the mode of action for OA-mediated growth inhibition of transformed cells does not require direct cell-to-cell contact between normal and ras-transformed cells. Data obtained from experiments conducted with the conditioned medium that was collected from normal R6 cells treated with OA also suggest that OA might cause normal cells to secrete inhibitory factor(s) against the transformed cells. The enhanced ability of OA to cause cytotoxicity in transformed cells in the presence of normal fibroblasts is also observed with the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SMMC-7721. SIGNIFICANCE: The present study demonstrates that OA may possess both cancer chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive activities. Thus, it may have great potential for clinical application as a novel anti-cancer drug.

• Simultaneous quantification of eight bioactive components of Houttuynia cordata and related saururaceae medicinal plants by on-line high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray mass spectrometry.

  Authors: Jiang Meng, Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung, Xiao-Ping Dong, Yi-Sheng Zhou, Zhi-Hong Jiang, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Fitoterapia. 06/2009;

  An on-line high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) -diode array detector (DAD) -electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) method has been developed to quantify simultaneously eightAn on-line high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) -diode array detector (DAD) -electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) method has been developed to quantify simultaneously eight bioactive chemical components in Houttuynia cordata Thunb and related Saururaceae medicinal plants. Simultaneous separation of these eight compounds was achieved on a C(18) analytical column with gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.2% acetic acid (v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min and being detected at 280 nm. These eight compounds were completely separated within 90 mins. Good linear regression relationship (r(2) > 0.9978) within test ranges was shown in all calibration curves. Good repeatibilty for the quantification of these eight compounds in Houttuynia cordata was also demonstrated in this method, with intra- and inter-day variations less than 3.0%. The method established was successfully applied to quantify eight bioactive compounds in closely related species of Houttuynia cordata, which provides a new basis for quality assessment of Houttuynia cordata.

• Qianliguang (Senecio scandens) Safety Dilemma: Dose Is the Key?

  Authors: Ge Lin, Song-Lin Li, Mi Li, Na Li, Sunny Sun-Kin Chan, Wood-Yee Chan, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Planta medica. 04/2009;

  Qianliguang ( SENECIO SCANDENS) is a common Chinese medicinal herb. Qianliguang-containing herbal proprietary products are registered as over-the-counter remedies in China and exported to WesternQianliguang ( SENECIO SCANDENS) is a common Chinese medicinal herb. Qianliguang-containing herbal proprietary products are registered as over-the-counter remedies in China and exported to Western countries. The safety of using Qianliguang and its products has raised general concerns because of a potential risk of the presence of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). A systematic toxicological study is thus required to verify this public concern. In the present article, we report, for the first time, that S. SCANDENS contains nine hepatotoxic PAs with a content of 6.95-7.19 microg/g. At a dose equivalent to the daily intake recommended by the Pharmacopoeia of China, the total content of toxic PAs in Qianliguang was determined to be 3.48 microg/kg/day, which is far below the lowest dose to cause hepatotoxicity (15 microg/kg/day) suggested by the International Program on Chemical Safety. No significant hepatotoxic effects were observed in rats fed with the extract at this human-equivalent dose for 14 consecutive days. However, a single overdose of the herbal water extract (6 g/kg), which was about 8-fold higher than the recommended dose, produced typical PA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Therefore, appropriate dosage guidelines should be implemented for the herbal industry, for export/import retailers, and for herbal medicine practitioners to ensure the safe and beneficial use of these herbal medicines.

• Authentication of the 31 species of toxic and potent Chinese Materia Medica by light microscopy, part 3: Two species of T/PCMM from flowers and their common adulterants.

  Authors: Chu Chu, Li Xia, Li-Ping Bai, Qin Li, Ping Li, Hu-Biao Chen, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Microscopy research and technique. 03/2009;

  Toxic and potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) has become a hot and sensitive topic as more and more people around the world are interested in the safety of herbal medicines. T/PCMM isToxic and potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) has become a hot and sensitive topic as more and more people around the world are interested in the safety of herbal medicines. T/PCMM is irreplaceable in treating some diseases; but it can easily cause serious problems if confused with other herbal medicines. Accurate identification is essential to ensure their safe use, but up to now, the literature on the authentication of T/PCMM is scant. Thus, we are undertaking a study of 31 T/PCMM originating from plants, animals, minerals, and secreta. Our previous study established microscopic observation as a simple, fast, accurate, and convenient method for identifying and authenticating animal and seed T/PCMM. This study focused on the authentication of flower T/PCMM as a part of the whole study. The flower T/PCMM studies were derived from two species, Datura metel L. (Flos Daturae) and Rhododendron molle G. Don (Flos Rhododendri Mollis). Other species easily confused with these two were also examined and characterized. Using the microscope camera, normal light and polarized light microscopy, we determined the macroscopic and microscopic features of the flowers; in addition, the oil immersion lens was used to study the pollen grain characteristics. The results demonstrated that flower T/PCMM can be identified and authenticated using a light microscope equipped with an oil immersion lens. This same equipment can be easily used to characterize other herbal flower medicines. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

• Comparative study on the aristolochic acid I content of Herba Asarifor safe use.

  Authors: Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Zhi-Tao Liang, Zhi-Hong Jiang, Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung, Chi-Leung Chan, Hon-Yee Chan, Jaime Sin, Tim-On Man, Kwok-Wai Law

  Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 10/2008; 15(9):741-8.

  Herba Asari (Xixin, Manchurian Wildginger, Asarum spp.) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb commonly used as a crude drug and an ingredient in patent medicines. The herb contains aristolochicHerba Asari (Xixin, Manchurian Wildginger, Asarum spp.) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb commonly used as a crude drug and an ingredient in patent medicines. The herb contains aristolochic acid I (AA-I), which has recently caused several incidents of poisoning in Hong Kong. Therefore, the safe use of Asarum is questionable. The present study was undertaken to assess the levels of AA-I using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) indifferent medicinal parts of Herba Asari and some proprietary Chinese medicines (PCM) containing it as an ingredient. The AA-I content in the aerial and root portions were compared, in the form of water and methanolic extracts. The results showed that all the aerial portions of Herba Asari generally contain higher levels of AA-I than the roots (in water extract: 0.0870.06 microg/g of root and 0.3270.021 microg/g of aerial), and the methanolic extracts typically contained more AA-I than the water extracts. Moreover, all the three PCM studies showed negligible amounts of AA-I(containing 0.0370.006 microg/g). Therefore, the root portion of Herba Asari was recommended for prescription as a decoction instead of grinding it into powder for oral administration.

• Site-specific binding of chelerythrine and sanguinarine to single pyrimidine bulges in hairpin DNA.

  Authors: Li-Ping Bai, Zongwei Cai, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Kazuhiko Nakatani, Zhi-Hong Jiang

  Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry. 09/2008;

  Spectrofluorometric titration, electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric and UV melting methods were employed to study the binding of chelerythrine and sanguinarine to bulged DNA. TheSpectrofluorometric titration, electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric and UV melting methods were employed to study the binding of chelerythrine and sanguinarine to bulged DNA. The results showed that both alkaloids bind specifically to single pyrimidine (C, T) bulge sites. The ability of sanguinarine to bind to both regular and bulged hairpins was found to be stronger than that of chelerythrine, but the binding selectivity of chelerythrine toward single-base bulges was much larger than that of sanguinarine.

• Characterization of shapes for use in classification of starch grains images.

  Authors: Chong-Sze Tong, Siu-Kai Choy, Sung-Nok Chiu, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Zhi-Tao Liang

  Microscopy research and technique. 06/2008;

  As tradition Chinese herbal medicine becomes increasingly popular, there is an urgent need for efficient and accurate methods for the authentication of the Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) used in theAs tradition Chinese herbal medicine becomes increasingly popular, there is an urgent need for efficient and accurate methods for the authentication of the Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) used in the herbal medicine. In this work, we present a denoising filter and introduce the use of chord length distribution (CLD) for the classification of starch grains in microscopic images of Chinese Materia Medica. Our simple denoising filter is adaptive to the background and is shown to be effective to remove noise, which appears in CMM microscopic starch grains images. The CLD is extracted by considering the frequency of the chord length in the binarized starch grains image, and we shall show that the CLD is an efficient and effective characterization of the starch grains. Experimental results on 240 starch grains images of 24 classes show that our method outperforms benchmark result using the current state-of-the-art method based on circular size distribution extracted by morphological operators at much higher computational cost. cost. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

• Authentication of the 31 species of Toxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) by microscopic technique, part 2: Three species of seed T/PCMM.

  Authors: Li Xia, Li-Ping Bai, Chu Chu, Ping Li, Zhi-Hong Jiang, Zhong-Zhen Zhao

  Microscopy research and technique. 05/2008; 71(4):325-33.

  Toxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) are being used more and more in the treatment of various diseases. In view of their toxic side effects and to ensure their safe use, accurate andToxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) are being used more and more in the treatment of various diseases. In view of their toxic side effects and to ensure their safe use, accurate and reliable authentication is indispensable. However, identifying characteristics of T/PCMM are seldom reported, even though modern microscopy can provide ample, unique identifying characteristics from cells found in transverse sections and powders. In particular, no systematic authentication studies on seed T/PCMM have been conducted. In the course of our study on 31 T/PCMM originating from plants, animals, minerals, and secreta, an accurate and convenient method, based on microscopic techniques, has been developed and reported for the authentication of animal T/PCMM. The present study deals with detailed investigations on three species of seed T/PCMM, namely Semen Hyoscyami (Hyoscyamus niger L.), Semen Euphorbiae (Euphorbia lathyris L.), and Semen Strychni (Strychnos nux-vomica L.). The macroscopic characters are here described in detail, and the microscopic characters were conclusively determined by common and polarized light microscopy. Results showed that these three T/PCMM can be easily identified by the present method even when powdered and combined. Thus, the microscopic method is applicable for authentication of the earlier three T/PCMM, and the morphological and microscopic characteristics described here are proposed as parameters to establish the authenticity of these three T/PCMM.