Chinese Angelica Root Modern Research.:

  seminal trace...Angelica Root 10:1,1%Ligustilide Extract.Chinese Angelica root Extract.Dang Gui,Dong Quai,Ligustilide 1%HPLC.CAS.NO:4431-01-0,Dong Quai extract...

 


   Phytochemical info of Chinese Angelica Root:

 Product Name:
 Synonym:
 Definition: Chinese Angelica Root extract are majorly composed of
 Chemical information disclosed as following table:


   Narrative and Description of European Angelica:

 Botanical Description:
 Wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris) is also known as "Ground Ash" with white flowers in the summer often tinged with pink. Wild angelica can be confused with poisonous wild hemlock flowers, so do not pick them unless you absolutely know the difference! The stems of these plants are 3 to 4 1/2 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) tall, erect, hollow, and coarse, with many oil tubes. The compound leaves form groups of three leaflets; leaf stalks have inflated bases that sheath the stem. Leaflets are ovate, toothed and not hairy. The inflorescence, an umbel, has no involucre. The flowers are greenish white.
 Angelica can only be grown from seed, but it loses it viability after 3 months. Sow preferably when it is fresh, in the spring or fall. If this cannot be done for some reason, store in the refrigerator or freezer. As seedlings do not transplant well, sow in planting position and thin to about 3 feet between the plants. If maintaining for another season, mark the spot as the plant will die back fully during the winter.
 Angelica dislikes hot and humid climates and appreciates a spot in the garden where it can be in the shade for some part of the day. It can be a difficult plant to accommodate in a small garden, as it needs a lot of space. Site as the back of a border, or perhaps near a wall where the splendid plant architecture can be shown off. Make sure that the soil is deep and moist. Add well-rotted compost to help retain moisture.
 Angelica forms a big clump of foliage in the first summer and dramatic flowers the second, dying back after the seed is set. A plant will propagate itself if allowed to self-seed. But by cutting back in the autumn, and preventing the flower head from seeding, the same plant can sometimes by maintained as a short-lived perennial for approximately 4 years.
 Harvest the leaves for fresh use in the spring; for drying, in early summer. The aromatic leaves can be used in potpourri. Pick the flowers in early summer for dried arrangements. Collect the seeds when they begin to ripen. Harvest roots for use medicinally in the second fall immediately after flowering. Angelica stems are used as a decorative confectionery for cakes. Young leaves can be used to season salads and the seeds can be added to breads and pastries.
 Distribution:Native of North America, Europe, and Asia. Wild angelica is found in moist fields and hedgerows in the northeastern and northcentral United States and Canada. Angelica, is also widely cultivated as a garden plant. Angelica lucida grows in coastal Alaska and the Alaska Range, eastern Siberia, and Canada. Angelica genuflexa is less widely distributed, occurring in the coastal zone of southeastern and central Alaska and on the Aleutians. Other species of Angelica appear in China and Europe.

 Active Constituents of Europe Angelica:
 
 Key components:caffeic acid derivatives,fatty oil,furanocoumarins (angelicin, bergaptene, imperatorin, oxypeucedanin, xantholtoxin),flavonoids,phytosterols,volatile oil (mainly betaphellandrene).
 
 Constituents :The chief constituents of Angelica are about 1 per cent. of volatile oil, valeric acid, angelic acid, sugar, a bitter principle, and a peculiar resin called Angelicin, which is stimulating to the lungs and to the skin. The essential oil of the roots contains terebangelene and other terpenes; the oil of the 'seeds' contains in addition methyl-ethylacetic acid and hydroxymyristic acid.
 Active substances:ligustilide, butyl phthalide, butylene phthalide, ferulic acid, polysaccharides.etc.Information is available only for A. archangelica, a European species. A volatile oil, angelic acid, and resin are listed in The Merck Index. Taskinen and Nykanen describe a large number of constituents including g-phellandrene, borneol, pentadecanolide, 2-methyl butyric acid, and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The musklike odor of angelica root oil is attributed to the lactone of hydroxypentadecanoic acid
 


   Application and Uses of European Angelica:

 Key Actions:antispasmodic,carminative,diuretic,expectorant,promotes sweating,stimulates gastric secretions,topical anti-inflammatory (root extract),uterine stimulant,etc.
 1.A. lucida root used as a medicine on the outside of the body:
 for aches, pains, sores, cuts, blood poisoning, and any kind of infection. They first cut up the root and mash it, then boil the mashed root or soak it in hot water. Then they place it on the place needing treatment. (Karl) Older Eskimos would slice the roots into two parts, heat the halves and place them over the area of the body that hurt, even for deep pain. (Smith) One of the few Alaskan plant medicinal use citations in Hulten concerns A. lucida: The Siberian Eskimos inhaled the fumes of the roasted root as a seasickness remedy.
 2.Angelica leaves were used as a poultice by the island and Iliamna Tanainas.
 European A. archangelica virtues were praised in old writings. The plant name itself testifies to the great antiquity of a belief in its merits for protecting against contagion, for purifying the blood, and for curing every conceivable malady. It was held a sovereign remedy for poisoning, indigestion, general debility, agues, and all infectious maladies. (Grieve, Simmonite-Culpeper) Its therapeutic actions are carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic (Merck), expectorant, emenagogue (Grieve), stimulant, stomachic, tonic. An infusion from the root is used to relieve flatulence.
 3.The juice of Angelicais used in both Eurasia and America to relieve pain in a decayed tooth, and it is one of the many herbs considered a tonic to improve well-being and mental harmony. (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis)
 4.Other uses:The ripe fruit of A. archangelica is used in teas throughout the world. Its root is used to flavor cigarette tobacco. Angelica root is grown commercially; its derivatives (the essential oil, extracts, distillates) find extensive use in flavor formulations for alcoholic beverages such as vermouths, bitters, benedictine and chartreuse-type liqueurs. (Taskinen and Nykanen). This herb also has many medicinal uses. Angelica stimulates the circulation and for this use it is recommended to seek the advice of a trained herbalist. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The young leaves can be made into a tea for reducing tension, nervous headaches, indigestion, stomach gas and heartburn. The roots can also be used to make a soothing tea for bronchial conditions and colds. Simmer one ounce of the clean root in a pint of water for at least 30 minutes.
 The root stalks, leaves and fruit possess carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic, stomachic, tonic and expectorant properties, which are strongest in the fruit, though the whole plant has the same virtues.
 Angelica is a good remedy for colds, coughs, pleurisy, wind, colic, rheumatism and diseases of the urinary organs, though it should not be given to patients who have a tendency towards diabetes, as it causes an increase of sugar in the urine.
 It is generally used as a stimulating expectorant, combined with other expectorants the action of which is facilitated, and to a large extent diffused, through the whole of the pulmonary region. It is a useful agent for feverish conditions, acting as a diaphoretic
 
 Historical Uses:Menstrual symptoms (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, PMS)* Uterine tonic (good for menstrual cramps) * Menopausal symptoms * Anemia * Low immunity * Tiredness, poor vitality * Debility * Convalescence in women * Poor peripheral blood flow (intermittent claudication) * Lowers blood pressure * Atherosclerosis, high cholesterol * Relieves pain and swelling * Liver tonic, protects liver against toxins, stimulates liver metabolism * Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, immuno-stimulating
 Directions For Uses: 200 mg. standardized extract 3 times daily
 Bio-enhancing agents: Licorice root, black cohosh, red raspberry, peony, rehmannia, ginger root, wild yam.
 Toxicity,Cautions&Contra-Indications: No toxicity. Side effects are extremely rare. Rare cases of pyrogenia but requiring no need of treatment. People with gastrointestinal disease may experience diarrhea. Avoid in case of hemorrhagic disease, hypermenorrhea, first three months of pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and during severe flu.
 


   Chinese Angelica Root Modern Research.:

 Chinese angelica root contains vitamin B12 and ferulic acid. Vitamin B12 can be used in the treatment of pernicious anaemia.
 It is commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of women's complaints where it regulates the menstrual cycle and relieves period pain and also to ensure a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery.
 This herb has a dual action on the uterus, i.e., volatile substance can inhibit uterus to decrease the rhythmic contraction and relax the smooth muscle in a rapid and long-standing way; and its water or alcohol soluble, non-volatile substance can excite uterus to strengthen its contraction.
 One of the chemical components of Chinese angelica root, ferulic acid, increases the motility and viability of sperm cells by protecting their membranes from the action of cell-harming free radicals. There is some evidence, however, that ferulic acid increases the risk of free-radical damage to sperm cells in men undergoing chemotherapy with bleomycin (Blenoxane), a cancer chemotherapy treatment sometimes chosen for its relatively minor effects on the immune system.
 The decoction or liquid extract of this herb can function in inhibiting isolated heart to lower cardiac excitability (quinidine-like action) and to prolong atrial refractory period; dialating the coronary artery and markedly increasing the coronary flow; lowering myocardial oxygen consumption, blood pressure, platelet aggregation and blood-fat; resisting thrombosis and preventing atherosclerosis; protecting the liver and preventing degradation of liver glycogen; resisting absence of vitamine E, malignant anemia and inflamation; and inducing diuresis, sedation and analegsia.
 This herb also has an azathiopurine-like (immunosuppressant) action, i.e., significant inhibition of the production of antibodies, cellular immunity and humoral immunity, serving for nephritis, neonatal hemolytic disease (an auto-immune disease). In addition, it can also raise the phagocytosis of macrophagocyte and reticuloendothetiol cells and strengthen nonspecific immunity.
 It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of various bacteria including Bacillus dysenteria, Bacillus typhi, B. comma, B. cholerae and haemolytic streptococci.
 Dong quai is used mainly in combination with other herbals to relieve menstrual cramps, regulate menstrual periods, and lessen menopausal symptoms. Although it has been used for centuries in China to treat such conditions and other disorders of the female reproductive tract, results of controlled human studies of dong quai effectiveness are not conclusive. In at least one small, clinical trial of postmenopausal women, dong quai was no more effective than placebo (sugar pills) for relieving hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms of menopause. Like herbals such as black cohosh and red clover, dong quai was believed to contain chemicals shaped like the female hormone, estrogen. No evidence from chemical analyses or clinical studies supports an estrogen-like effect for dong quai, however.
 In traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is often combined with other herbal products and used to treat allergies, arthritis, asthma, or high blood pressure. Animal studies of dong quai have shown it has a slight ability to increase immune system function, so it may help to relieve allergy symptoms. In addition, laboratory studies have shown that dong quai has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it useful in treating arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions. One of the chemicals in a related plant has been shown to promote relaxation of blood vessels, which may help to reduce blood pressure. However, no clinical evidence supports the use of dong quai for blood pressure control. More research is necessary before dong quai can be recommended for any of its traditional uses.


  High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of radix Angelica sciensis:Yang F, Xiao YS, Zhang FF, Xue XY, Xu Q, Liang XM.Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.[PMID: 17262951]

 AIM: To analyze the chemical components in Danggui (the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel). METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

  GABAergic phthalide dimers from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels.:Phytochem Anal. 2006 Nov;17(6):398-405.Deng S, Chen SN, Lu J, Wang ZJ, Nikolic D, van Breemen RB, Santarsiero BD, Mesecar A, Fong HH, Farnsworth NR, Pauli GF. UIC/NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research and Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, M/C 781, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.[PMID: 17144247]

 The methanol extract of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels roots (Dang Gui) has been shown to exhibit competitive binding to the GABAa receptor, suggesting the presence of GABAergic ligands. Chromatographic fractionation of the methanol extract led to the isolation of two GABAergic dimeric phthalides 1 and 2. Gelispirolide (1) was elucidated as a new phthalide dimer composed of a Z-ligustilide and a Z-butylidenephthalide unit on the basis of spectroscopic approaches including one- and two-dimensional NMR, HRESIMS and HRESIMS-MS. Compound 2 was identified as the known dimeric phthalide, riligustilide, by comparison of its spectroscopic data with literature values. Its dimeric linkage and stereochemistry were ascertained by a single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. Both dimers 1 and 2 were found to be active in an in vitro GABAa receptor-binding assay with IC50 values of 29 and 24 microM, respectively.

  Effect of the water extract and ethanol extract from traditional Chinese medicines Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Rheum palmatum L. on rat liver cytochrome P450 activity.:Phytother Res. 2006 Dec;20(12):1046-51.Tang JC, Zhang JN, Wu YT, Li ZX. School of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Science, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100069, PR China.[PMID: 17006975]

 Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (DG), Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX) and Rheum palmatum L. (DH), three well known traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), have been used widely for the treatment of various types of disorders in China. Herb-drug interactions, especially cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated interactions, cause an enhancement or attenuation in the efficacy of co-administered drugs. In this study, to assess the possible interactions between TCM and drugs, the effect of water and ethanol extracts of DG, CX and DH on cytochrome P450 were studied in rats. The activities of various CYP enzymes were determined by HPLC method. Treatment of rats with water extracts or ethanol extracts of DG, CX and DH at daily dosages equivalent to 3 g (dry herbal material)/kg all increased the microsome protein contents and decreased the total CYP levels. The water extract of DG strongly increased the activities of CYP2D6 and 3A and the water extract of DH significantly increased the activity of 2D6. The other water extracts all showed inhibition against CYP isoforms. Only the ethanol extract of DG and DH increased the CYP2D6 and 3A activities, respectively, and the other ethanol extracts all decreased the level of CYP isoforms. All extract treatments had significant effects on CYP isoforms activities, whether induction or inhibition, compared with the blank control. Thus, caution should be paid to possible drug interactions of DG, CX, DH and CYP substrates.

  A Chinese herbal decoction, Danggui Buxue Tang, prepared from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis stimulates the immune responses.:Planta Med. 2006 Oct;72(13):1227-31. Epub 2006 Aug 10.Gao QT, Cheung JK, Li J, Chu GK, Duan R, Cheung AW, Zhao KJ, Dong TT, Tsim KW. Department of Biology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.[PMID: 16902872]

 Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese medicinal decoction that is used commonly for treating women's ailments, contains Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. The ratio of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis used in DBT should be 5 : 1 as described in China in 1247 A.D. In order to verify the efficacy of this ancient formulation in stimulating the immune responses, DBT prepared from different drug ratios was applied onto cultured T-lymphocytes and macrophages. In cultured T-lymphocytes, DBT induced markedly cell proliferation, secretion of interleukin-2 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In addition, the phagocytosis of cultured macrophages was increased by DBT treatment. The immunomodulatory effects of DBT were revealed to be the strongest in the extract derived from the drug ratio of 5 : 1. The current results verified that the ancient formulation of DBT has been optimized in stimulating immune responses.

  Immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharide isolated from Angelica sinensis.:Int J Biol Macromol. 2006 Nov 15;39(4-5):179-84. Epub 2006 Mar 6.Yang T, Jia M, Meng J, Wu H, Mei Q.Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. thyang72@hotmail.com.[PMID: 16839602]

 The immunomodulatory activities of an Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (AP), purified from the fresh root of A. sinensis Diels, were investigated in vitro in relation to the specificity to immune cells. AP consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, galactose with the molar ratio of 1.00:4.54:2.98:11.09:7.45. Cell proliferation results showed that proliferation of total spleen cells, macrophages and T cells were promoted by the action of AP. The treatment of AP increased the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, while that of IL-4 was decreased. RT-PCR analysis displayed that the IL-2 and IFN-gamma gene expression were enhanced but the IL-4 gene expression was decreased. Some differences in cytokines secretion pattern were also detected, the expression of IFN-gamma was rapidly augmented while that of IL-2 responded later. The flow cytometry results showed that the percentage of CD4(+)T cell in total spleen cells was remarkably increased by AP, while that of CD8(+)T cell was slightly decreased. In conclusion, AP has immunomodulatory activity by regulating expression of Th1 and Th2 related cytokines. The time-effect relation of cytokines response also suggests that macrophages and natural killer cells involved in nonspecific immunity were primary activated, and helper T cell were secondarily affected by AP.

  Estrogenic activity of standardized extract of Angelica sinensis.:Phytother Res. 2006 Aug;20(8):665-9.Circosta C, Pasquale RD, Palumbo DR, Samperi S, Occhiuto F.Pharmaco-Biological Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.[PMID: 16691630]

 Since ancient times, extracts of plants have been used for women's health to prevent menopausal symptoms. The symptoms of menopause have been attributed to a reduction in the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries.In this study the estrogenic activity of a commercial standardized extract of the roots of Angelica sinensis, used to relieve climacteric symptoms was evaluated using in vivo tests such as the degree of cornification of vaginal epithelium, uterotrophic assays and serum LH concentration in ovariectomized rats. Furthermore, the effects on the estrous cycle in rat were investigated.The results obtained have shown that the administration of a standardized ethanol extract in ovariectomized rats exhibited a stimulation of the uterine histoarchitecture, a significant cornification in the vaginal epithelium and a reduction of serum LH concentration showing the estrogenic nature of the extract. Furthermore, the administration of the extract in intact female rats provoked a significant modification of the vaginal smear in 67% of treated rats. The estrous cycle thus modified was characterized by a prolonged estrus stage with a temporary reduction of the regular cyclicity.


  Dang-Gui Buxue Tang produces a more potent cardioprotective effect than its component herb extracts and enhances glutathione status in rat heart mitochondria and erythrocytes.:Phytother Res. 2006 Jul;20(7):561-7.Mak DH, Chiu PY, Dong TT, Tsim KW, Ko KM. Department of Biochemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.[PMID: 16619337]

 The effects of pretreatment with Dang-Gui Buxue Tang (DBT, a decoction of Astragali and Angelica roots) and its component herb extracts on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury were examined in rats ex vivo. DBT and its component herb extracts could protect against myocardial IR injury in a dose-dependent manner. The more potent cardioprotection afforded by DBT pretreatment than that of a mixture of Astragali and Angelica root extracts was associated with a much higher extraction yield of active ingredients from Angelica root in the herbal decoction. The high level of active ingredients might increase their bioavailability after oral administration. DBT pretreatment could enhance myocardial mitochondrial as well as red blood cell (RBC) glutathione status, thereby increasing their resistance to oxidative stress-induced injury in rats. The measurement of RBC glutathione status may serve as a useful index for the antioxidant effect produced by DBT treatment in human subjects.

  Herbs or natural substances as complementary therapies for chronic kidney disease: ideas for future studies.:J Lab Clin Med. 2006 Apr;147(4):160-6.Wojcikowski K, Johnson DW, Gobe G. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[PMID: 16581343]

 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasingly common condition with limited treatment options that is placing a major financial and emotional burden on the community. The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMS) has increased many-fold over the past decade. Although several compelling studies show renal toxicities and an adverse outcome from use of some CAMS, there is also emerging evidence in the literature that some may be renoprotective. Many nephrologists are unaware of these potential therapeutic benefits in treating CKD, or they are reluctant to consider them in research trials for fear of adverse effects (including nephrotoxicity) or deleterious interaction with co-prescribed, conventional medicines. The increased use of self-prescribed CAMS by their patients suggests that practitioners and researchers should keep abreast of the current information on these agents. A primary goal of this article was to review the available scientific evidence for the use of herbs or natural substances as a complementary treatment for patients with CKD. A further goal was to report the literature on herbs that have been reported to cause kidney failure.

  Polysaccharides from the root of Angelica sinensis protect bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide in mice.: Int J Med Sci. 2006;3(1):1-6. Epub 2006 Jan 1.Hui MK, Wu WK, Shin VY, So WH, Cho CH. Centre of Infection and Immunology and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.[PMID: 16421623]

 Cyclophosphamide (CY) is a cytostatic agent that produces systemic toxicity especially on cells with high proliferative capacity, while polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis (AP) have been shown to increase the turnover of gastrointestinal mucosal and hemopoietic stem cells. It is not known whether AP has an effect on CY-induced cytotoxicity on bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we assessed the protective actions of AP on CY-induced leukopenia and proliferative arrest in the gastroduodenal mucosa in mice. Subcutaneous injection of CY (200 mg/kg) provoked dramatic decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count and number of blood vessels and proliferating cells in both the gastric and duodenal mucosae. Subcutaneous injection of AP significantly promoted the recovery from leukopenia and increased number of blood vessels and proliferating cells in both the gastric and duodenal tissues. Western blotting revealed that CY significantly down-regulated the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), c-Myc and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in gastric mucosae but had no effect on epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression. AP also reversed the dampening effect of CY on VEGF expression in the gastric mucosa. These data suggest that AP is a cytoprotective agent which can protect against the cytotoxicity of CY on hematopoietic and gastrointestinal tissues when the polysaccharide is co-administered with CY in cancer patients during treatment regimen.

  Analysis of the monosaccharide components in Angelica polysaccharides by high performance liquid chromatography.:Anal Sci. 2005 Oct;21(10):1177-80.Yang X, Zhao Y, Wang Q, Wang H, Mei Q. Department of Pharmacology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, P R. China.[PMID: 16270574]

 An analytical method of on-line high performance liquid chromatography (HLPC) was developed to simultaneously separate and identify the monosaccharide composition of three Angelica polysaccharide fractions (APF), named APF1, APF2 and APF3. In this method, APF were hydrolyzed into component monosaccharides and subsequently labeled with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP), and then the labeled monosaccharide derivatives were separated by a reverse-phase C18 column and monitored by UV absorbance at 250 nm. The results showed that nine monosaccharide derivatives have been well separated by HPLC under optimized conditions and the composition analysis of monosaccharides from APF samples could be achieved using acid hydrolysis and a set of monosaccharide standards. With this method, the within-day and day to day precisions of the composition determinations were 3.41-4.87% and 3.12-4.93% (RSD), respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the component monosaccharides of Angelica polysaccharides.

  Optimization of pressurized liquid extraction for Z-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide and ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis.:J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2006 Mar 18;40(5):1073-9. Epub 2005 Oct 20.Li P, Li SP, Lao SC, Fu CM, Kan KK, Wang YT. Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China.[PMID: 16242882]

 Pressurized liquid extraction, one of the most promising and recent sample preparation techniques, offers the advantages of reducing solvent consumption and allowing for automated sample handling. It is being exploited in diverse areas because of its distinct advantages. However, because the extraction is performed at elevated temperatures using PLE, thermal degradation could be a concern. Z-ligustilide, one of the biologically active components in Angelica sinensis, is an unstable compound, which decomposes rapidly at high temperature. In this study, we carried out a comparative study to evaluate PLE as a possible alternative to current extraction methods like Soxhlet and sonication for simultaneous extraction of Z-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide and ferulic acid in A. sinensis. The operating parameters for PLE including extraction solvent, particle size, pressure, temperature, static extraction time, flush volume and numbers of extraction were optimized by using univariate approach coupled with central composite design (CCD) in order to obtain the highest extraction efficiency. Determination of Z-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide and ferulic acid were carried out by means of high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector. The results showed that PLE was a simple, high efficient and automated method with lower solvent consumption compared to conventional extraction methods such as Soxhlet and sonication. PLE could be used for simultaneous extraction of Z-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide and ferulic acid in A. sinensis.

  Development of pressurized hot water extraction followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of ligustilides in Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis.:J Sep Sci. 2005 Jul;28(11):1237-43.Deng C, Ji J, Wang X, Zhang X. Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.[PMID: 16117002]

 In this work, a simple, rapid, solvent-free, and low-cost method was developed for the determination of ligustilides in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which was based on pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The two bioactive compounds Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide in two common TCMs, viz. Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis, were extracted by water at 150 degrees C and 40 bar, followed by concentration with HS-SPME and detection by GC-MS. PHWE and HS-SPME parameters were investigated and method validation (precision and recovery) was studied. It has been shown that the proposed method provides a powerful approach for quantitative analysis of ligustilides in TCMs. The method was applied to determination of ligustildes in the TCMs from different growing areas. The results indicate that PHWE-HS-SPME-GC-MS is a potential tool for TCM quality assessment.


  Inhibition of rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by extract of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Aug 22;100(1-2):140-4.Hou YZ, Zhao GR, Yuan YJ, Zhu GG, Hiltunen R. Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China.[PMID: 15964163]

 Ligusticum chuanxiong (LC) and Angelica sinensis (AS) have been widely used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat some pathological settings such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. The aim of this paper is to determine the effects of the extract of LC and AS (ELCAS) on serum-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, cell cycle and nitric oxide production. The results show that ELCAS significantly inhibited proliferation and protein synthesis of VSMC in a dose and time dependent manner. The cell population assessed by flow cytometry in the G(0)/G(1) phase increased 74% versus 79.8%, concomitant with a decrease in the S phase, 7.4% versus 4.2%, for control versus ELCAS (300 microg/ml). On the other hand, ELCAS significantly increased nitric oxide production of VSMC. The data suggest that ELCAS markedly inhibited VSMC proliferation by arresting G(1) to S progression, which may be associated with nitric oxide production.

  Assay of free ferulic acid and total ferulic acid for quality assessment of Angelica sinensis.:J Chromatogr A. 2005 Mar 18;1068(2):209-19.Lu GH, Chan K, Leung K, Chan CL, Zhao ZZ, Jiang ZH. Research and Development Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.[PMID: 15830926]

 Activity of Chinese Danggui (DG), the processed root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, is linked to the ferulic acid content but the stability of ferulic acid during extraction for medicinal use is not known. The stabilities of ferulic acid and coniferyl ferulate were evaluated in the extracts of DG using a variety of extraction solvents. These included various combinations and proportions of methanol, water, formic acid, 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid and 2% sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) in water. Coniferyl ferulate was found liable to hydrolyze into ferulic acid in neutral, strongly acidic and basic solvents, where heat and water could facilitate this hydrolysis. However, the hydrolysis was relatively resisted in weakly organic acid. Based on the stability evaluation, two new terms, namely: free ferulic acid and total ferulic acid, were suggested and defined. Free ferulic acid refers to the natural content of ferulic acid in herbs. Total ferulic acid means the sum of free ferulic acid plus the amount of related hydrolyzed components. Meanwhile, the high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to assay free ferulic acid and total ferulic acid in DG using methanol-formic acid (95:5) and methanol-2% NaHCO3 in water (95:5) as extraction solvents, respectively. Ten DG samples were investigated on their contents of free and total ferulic acid. The results indicated that the amount variety of free ferulic acid was larger than that of their counterparts, and the ratio of total ferulic acid to free ferulic acid was 4.07 +/- 2.73 (mean +/- SD, n = 10). The chemical assay of DG using total ferulic acid content would be a better choice to assess the herbal quality and was recommended.

  Antioxidant activities of some common ingredients of traditional chinese medicine, Angelica sinensis, Lycium barbarum and Poria cocos.:Phytother Res. 2004 Dec;18(12):1008-12.Wu SJ, Ng LT, Lin CC. Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.[PMID: 15742346]

 The antioxidant activities of three popular ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, namely Angelica sinensis (AS), Lycium barbarum (LB) and Poria cocos (PC) were evaluated in this study. The results showed that aqueous extracts of these crude drugs exhibited antioxidant activities in a concentration-dependent manner. All extracts displayed an inhibitory effect on FeCl2-ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate in vitro, with the order of activity LB > AS > PC. The tested extracts showed a superoxide anion scavenging activity ranging from 28.8% to 82.2% and anti-superoxide activity varying from 38.0% to 84.5%. Among the different extracts, LB extract exhibited the lowest IC50 values (0.77-2.55 microg/mL) in all model systems tested in this study. The present study concludes that LB extract possessed the strongest inhibition on malondialdehyde formation in rat liver homogenate, and superoxide anion scavenging and anti-superoxide formation activities. These results also suggest that LB extract is a good source of antioxidant agent in the daily dietary supplement.

  Quantification of ligustilides in the roots of Angelica sinensis and related umbelliferous medicinal plants by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.:J Chromatogr A. 2004 Aug 13;1046(1-2):101-7.Lu GH, Chan K, Chan CL, Leung K, Jiang ZH, Zhao ZZ. School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.[PMID: 15387176]

 A reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for quantifying E-ligustilide (1) and Z-ligustilide (3) in the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels with confirmation using UV, atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) MS and APCI-MS-MS techniques. Based on the UV spectra of compounds 1, E-butylidenephthalide (2), 3 and Z-butylidenephthalide (4), the absorption at 350 nm was chosen as measuring wavelength in which baseline separation of compounds 1 and 3 could be obtained but avoided the interference of compounds 2 and 4. The identity of compounds 1 and 3 in samples were unambiguously determined by the respective quasi-molecular ions ([M+H]+) in APCI-MS. According to the stability data, acetonitrile was chosen for the preparation of standard solutions in order to minimize the isomerization of compound 3. Compounds 1 and 3 were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in seven samples of the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa, Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa var. sugiyamae Hikino and the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Analysis of an extract from a sample root of Angelica gigas Nakai using LC-MS for the first time could not detect the presence of ligustilide in this herb. The overall analytical procedure is rapid and reproducible which is considered suitable for quantitative analysis of large number of samples.

  Protective effect of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis on endothelial cell damage induced by hydrogen peroxide.:Life Sci. 2004 Aug 20;75(14):1775-86.Hou YZ, Zhao GR, Yang J, Yuan YJ, Zhu GG, Hiltunen R. P.O. Box 6888, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, PR China.[PMID: 15268976]

 Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat some pathological settings such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. We determined the protective effect of the extract of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis (ELCAS) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV304) damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. ECV304 cells were pre-treated with ELCAS and exposed to 5 mM hydrogen peroxide. The results show that ELCAS dose- and time-dependently protected ECV304 cells against hydrogen peroxide damage and suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The decrement of ROS may be associated with increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Western blot analysis revealed that ELCAS significantly increased the phosphorylation of ERK and promoted eNOS expression. These observations indicate that ELCAS protected ECV304 cells against hydrogen peroxide damage by enhancing the antioxidative ability, activating ERK and eNOS signaling pathway. Our data also provide new evidence of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis in preventing both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

  Isolation and identification of the ligustilide compounds from the root of Angelica sinensis:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003 May;28(5):423-5.Lu XH, Liang H, Zhao YY.New Drug Research and Development Center, North China Pharmaceutical Corporation, Shijiazhuang 050015, Hebei, China.[PMID: 15139126]

 OBJECTIVE: To find out substance basis of pharmacological activities of Angelica sinensis. METHOD: Chromatographic methods were used to isolate the chemical components, and spectroscopic methods were used to identify their structures. RESULT: 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. CONCLUSION: 11-angeloylsenkyunolide F was obtained from Angelica sinensis for the first time.


  A systematic review of herbal medicinal products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.:Menopause. 2003 Sep-Oct;10(5):465-76.Huntley AL, Ernst E. Department of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, England. alyson.huntley@pms.ac.uk[PMID: 14501609]

 OBJECTIVE: Many women have turned to complementary and alternative medicines for relief from their menopausal symptoms. The prevalence of herbal medicinal product use among menopausal women highlights the need for investigation into these interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of herbal medicinal products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms by performing a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. DESIGN: Literature searches of four computerized databases were done to identify randomized clinical trials of herbal medicinal products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Manufacturers of herbal products were contacted, and our own files were also searched. There were no restrictions on the language of publication. Trials were considered if the outcome measures related to the physical or psychological impact of menopause, whether by compendium scores, questionnaires, or women's symptom diaries, excluding studies describing artificially induced menopause. This review was not concerned with biochemical or pathological data. RESULTS: Eighteen randomized clinical trials that fit our criteria were identified. These studies investigated black cohosh (n = 4), red clover (n = 4), kava (n = 3), dong quai (n = 1), evening primrose oil (n = 1), ginseng (n = 1), and combination products (n = 4). Trial quality was generally good, with 16 of 18 studies scoring 3 or more (maximum 5) on the Jadad Scale. CONCLUSIONS: There is no convincing evidence for any herbal medical product in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. However, the evidence for black cohosh is promising, albeit limited by the poor methodology of the trials. The studies involving red clover suggest it may be of benefit for more severe menopausal symptoms. There is some evidence for the use of kava, but safety concerns mean this herbal product is not a therapeutic option at present. The evidence is inconclusive for the other herbal medicinal products reviewed.

  The intervention effects of Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine on peritoneal macrophages during peritoneal dialysis:Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Mar;22(3):190-2.Li JC, Yang ZR, Zhang K. Institute of Cytobiology and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031.[PMID: 12585104]

 OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligustrazine on function of peritoneal macrophages during peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages of mice were cultured in culture medium (control), peritoneal dialysate (PD), drugs contained PD containing Angelica, Salvia and Ligustrazine combined (PD-ASL) or separated (PD-A, PD-S, PD-L) with concentration of 2 micrograms/ml, 10 micrograms/ml and 100 micrograms/ml, separately for 24 hrs. The nitric oxide (NO) content, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) reducing capacity (MTT-RC) and phagocytosis capacity of macrophages were determined and compared. RESULTS: NO content and MTT-RC of macrophages cultured in PD group were significantly lower than those of the control (P < 0.01), as compared with those in drug contained PD groups, the NO content in the PD-L group and the MTT-RC in the PD-ASL group were higher significantly (P < 0.01). The phagocytosis capacity and NO content in the PD-ASL group were raised along with the increased concentration of drug in PD. CONCLUSION: Administering Chinese herbal medicine during peritoneal dialysis has important significance in improving the defense function of peritoneal macrophages, reducing the incidence of peritonitis and enhancing the therapeutic effect of peritoneal dialysis.

  Effect of processing contents of saccharides in Danggui:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 Aug;25(8):474-5.Jin FY, Tian YH, Yang WX.Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550002, Guijhou, China.[PMID: 12515208]

 OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of processing on the contents of saccharides in Danggui. METHOD: The contents of reducing saccharides, water-soluble saccharides and poly saccharides in Danggui and its processed products were determined by phenol-H2SO4 method. RESULTS: The contents of saccharides in the alcohol-broiled product were higher than those in the crude drug. CONCLUSION: Different processing methods have significant effects on the above saccharides, which administers to the interpreparation of the theory of Danggui processing.


  Scientific References:

  1.Angelica Root and Its Benefit.
  2.Chinese Angelica Root Modern Research.