Acta pharmaceutica Sinica 

About: Acta pharmaceutica Sinica is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Apoptosis & High-performance liquid chromatography. It has an ISSN identifier of 0513-4870. Over the lifetime, 5219 publications have been published receiving 23524 citations.

[Network pharmacology: new opportunity for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine].

Abstract: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the characteristics of holistic view and treatment based on syndrome differentiation, has rich clinical experience thousands of years and demonstrates promising effects to cure complex disease. However, due to the features of multi-component, multi-target and synergistic effect existed in TCM, the effective substances and mechanisms of action are not clear, the qualities of TCM are out of control, and scientific and correct assess system is waiting to be established. The network pharmacology is a novel subject based on the construction of multi-layer networks of disease-phenotype-gene-drug to predict the drug targets in a holistic view, and promote efficiency of drug discovery. Methodologically, network pharmacology integrated the notions of comprehensive research and systematic assessment which agree with the characteristics of holistic view and treatment based on syndrome differentiation in Chinese medicine. Our paper reviewed the challenge and chance within the modernization of TCM, the concept and technology of network pharmacology, and its preliminary application in investigation of TCM. The theoretical system of network pharmacology is emphasized, and the potential prospect of its application in modernization in TCM is focused.

Antioxidation properties and mechanism of action of dihydromyricetin from Ampelopsis grossedentata.

Abstract: Aim To assess the antioxidative properties and the mechanism of action of dihydromyricetin (DMY) from Ampelopsis grossedentata . Methods The antioxidative properties of DMY were measured by scavenging 1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO 4 edetic acid in linoleic acid. The mechanism of antioxidative properties of DMY was tested by measuring the chelating activities of DMY for Fe 2+ with ultraviolet spectrum (UV) method. Results The specific absorption of DPPH radical solution at 517 nm was reduced 73 3%-91 5% when DMY was added into the reaction solution in the concentration range from 0 01% to 0 04%. DMY was shown to greatly inhibit the increase of lipid peroxidation (LPO) values in linolei acid system catalyzed by FeSO 4 edetic acid. The reaction rates ( A 532 ·min -1 ) of lipid peroxidation were 0 002 1-0 000 4 in the concentration range from 0 01% to 0 04% and the inhibition activities of DMY was found to be in a concentration dependent manner. The mechanism of antioxidative properties of DMY was chelating Fe 2+ in the Fe 2+ dependent lipid peroxidation system. Conclusion DMY showed great antioxidative effect and would be a good natural antioxidant.

Effects of neferine on platelet aggregation in rabbits

Abstract: Neferine (Nef), a hypotensive agent with antiarrythmic action, is a dibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb( Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn). Its effects on platelet aggregation and TXA 2/PGI 2 and cAMP/cGMP balance were studied with methods of turbidimetry and RIA. Nef was shown to significantly inhibit rabbit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, arachidonic acid (AA) and platelet-activating factor(PAF) with IC 50 of 16, 22, 193 and 103 μmol·L -1 , respectively. Nef was found to increase vascular 6 keto PGF 1α and platelet cAMP levels in dose dependent manner, but inhibit AA stimulated TXA 2 release from platelets. Nef showed no significant effect on the platelet cGMP level. The results suggest that the mechanism of Nef on platelet aggregation is related to regulation of TXA 2/PGI 2 and cAMP/cGMP balance.

[Antioxidative effect of three water-soluble components isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza in vitro].

Abstract: The antioxidative effect of three water-soluble components isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza has been investigated. All the three components were found to inhibit both NADPH-vit C and Fe(2+)-cysteine induced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde formation) in rat brain, liver and kidney microsomes in vitro. The order of their inhibitory effect is as follows: salvianolic acid A, salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid. The inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation induced by NADPH-Vit C was more than that induced by Fe(2+)-cysteine. In addition, the three compounds lowered the production of superoxide anion radical (O2-) in xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. The order of their potency was similar to that in antilipoperoxidation. The above results suggest that the three components have strong antilipoperoxidant activity in vitro, which may be partly through scavenging O2-..