Metabolomics characterization of different geographical origins of Flos Carthami using UPLC-QTOF/MS and their correlation with climate factors

A UPLC-QTOF/MS method was developed to characterize chemical differences of Flos Carthami from different geographical origins. PCA, PLS-DA and heatmap analysis were used to differentiate and identify differential metabolites of Flos Carthami samples from different geographical origins. Grey correlation analysis (GCA) was conducted between differential metabolites and climate factors.

The Effects of Taoren-Honghua Herb Pair on Pathological Microvessel and Angiogenesis-Associated Signaling Pathway in Mice Model of CCl4-Induced Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease is one of the most common diseases that threaten human health. Effective treatment is still lacking in western medicine.Semen Persicae(Taoren) andFlos Carthami(Honghua) are known to relieve acute hepatic injury and inflammation, improve microcirculation, and reduce tissue fiber. The aim of our study is to investigate the potential mechanisms of Taoren-Honghua Herb Pair (THHP) in murine model of chronic liver disease caused by Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4). Mice were randomly divided into seven groups: (1) blank, (2) model, (3) control (colchicine, 0.1 mg/kg), (4) THHP (5.53, 2.67, and 1.33 g/kg), and (5) Tao Hong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) (8.50 g/kg). Histological change and microvessels density were examined by microscopy. Hepatic function, serum fibrosis related factors, and hepatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured with ELISA. VEGF, kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR), Flt-1, and Akt mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were determined with PCR. Tissues of Akt, pAkt, KDR, and Flt-1 were measured with western blotting. Data from this study showed that THHP improved hepatic function and restrained the hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Its role in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and hepatic fibrogenesis may be through affecting the angiogenesis-associated VEGF and its upstream and downstream signaling pathways.

Different Proportions of Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) Injection onα-Glucosidase andα-Amylase Activities

Objective.To study the effect of different proportions of Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) injection onα-glucosidase andα-amylase activity simultaneously.Methods.The injections were prepared according to the standards of the China Food and Drug Administration. The assay for potentialα-glucosidase inhibitors was based on the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (4-MUG). Theα-amylase EnzChek assay kit was used to determine potentialα-amylase inhibitors. Acarbose was the positive control.Results.The half maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC50) of acarbose againstα-glucosidase andα-amylase was (1.8±0.4)μg/mL and (227±32)μg/mL, respectively. Honghua showed significant inhibition ofα-glucosidase activity compared with Huangqi (P<0.01). Honghua inhibitedα-amylase activity, but Huangqi did not. IC50s forα-glucosidase inhibition by mixtures at 10 : 1, 5 : 1, and 2 : 1 were significantly lower than those at the 20 : 1 mixture (P<0.01).α-Amylase inhibition by the 2 : 1 mixture was significantly higher than that by the 20 : 1, 10 : 1, and 5 : 1 mixtures at 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL (P<0.01), with 5 : 1 significantly higher than 20 : 1 and 10 : 1 at 1000 μg/mL (P<0.01).Conclusion.Honghua significantly inhibitedα-glucosidase activity compared with Huangqi (P<0.01). For simultaneous inhibition ofα-glucosidase andα-amylase activities, the mixtures at 2 : 1 and 5 : 1 exhibited significant effects compared with those at 20 : 1 (P<0.01).

Effect ofFlos carthamiExtract andα1-Adrenergic Antagonists on the Porcine Proximal Ureteral Peristalsis

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proposed to prevent urolithiasis. In China,Flos carthami(FC, also known asCarthamus tinctorius) (Safflower; Chinese name: Hong Hua/紅花) has been used to treat urological diseases for centuries. We previously performed a screening and confirmed thein vivoantilithic effect of FC extract. Here,ex vivoorgan bath experiment was further performed to study the effect of FC extract on the inhibition of phenylepinephrine (PE) (10−4and 10−3 M) ureteral peristalsis of porcine ureters with severalα1-adrenergic antagonists (doxazosin, tamsulosin, and terazosin) as experimental controls. The results showed that doxazosin, tamsulosin, and terazosin dose (approximately 4.5 × 10−6− 4.5 × 10−1 μg/mL) dependently inhibited both 10−4and 10−3 M PE-induced ureteral peristalsis. FC extract achieved 6.2% ± 10.1%, 21.8% ± 6.8%, and 24.0% ± 5.6% inhibitions of 10−4 M PE-induced peristalsis at doses of 5 × 103, 1 × 104, and 2 × 104 μg/mL, respectively, since FC extract was unable to completely inhibit PE-induced ureteral peristalsis, suggesting the antilithic effect of FC extract is related to mechanisms other than modulation of ureteral peristalsis.